And now my first cruise of the year has arrived on the fabulous ship, Balmoral. After a stressful few months caused mainly by people who don’t listen, treat you like crap and think they’re right despite masses of evidence to the contrary, as well as my back still giving me problems two years on, it will be good to get away and relax. The last time I took a Fred Olsen cruise was Black Watch in December 2010, nine days after my mum’s funeral and it worked wonders. I’m sure Balmoral will too! I had a cruise booked last year but unfortunately had to cancel it. I did spend a little time there in January 2011 when I accompanied the late journalist, Steve Read, as he covered four of the six ships Southampton had on one day and had a very nice cup of coffee on the bridge before we started working.
Balmoral and Black Watch
Balmoral and Black Watch
Black Watch from the bridge of Balmoral
She’s a gorgeous ship and I can’t wait to explore properly, though no bridge visit or such a magnificent view this time! As it’s only a short trip, I won’t be blogging and the review will appear on my site in due course. But I will be Facebooking and Tweeting. So as we await the return of Balmoral, here’s her sailing on the current cruise almost two weeks ago.
Although maybe JUST warmer than Christmas! Now the European *cough* summer season is well and truly underway, this blogs will be updated more often as I join the mad cruisers of the world again. My first cruise was originally supposed to be the MSC Opera repositioning from Buenos Aires to Southampton in April but sadly I ended up with medical appointments for my back so had to cancel. Back was still bad when she returned on the 3rd May but I’d never have managed that flight. I still intend to try and squeeze something in this year if I can otherwise definitely 2013 and I have my eye on what I want to do.
This year are two major events in Southampton and I’m participating in both! On the 5th June is Cunard’s Jubilee Rendezvous where they have all three Queens arriving at stupid o’clock when everyone’s still in bed and it’s dark instead of at least an hour or two later. The departures have been constantly changed so it’s gone from 10pm to 11pm. Any advance on 11???? I’m on QM2 that day with my great friend, Rob Ellerington Parr, who will be taking his first ever cruise. Mine was QE2 so he’s a step up from me – size-wise anyway! Then on the 3rd July is the biggie and the most exciting – P&O’s Grand Event where all 7 ships will be in port. Sorry, Cunard, but your ships are always meeting so it’s nothing special, as proved by the 13th July when they’re all in again but no publicising that time. For P&O’s, I’ll be on Oriana with another great friend, Fay Jordan, who is beginning to be a seasoned cruiser, but it will be her first P&O. Oriana will be a girls cruise and the one good thing about Facebook and Twitter is you can meet those you;ve been chatting to all this time and have a bloody good party!!!! I’m also looking forward to meeting several on QM2, some old friends, some new. Both will be memorable cruises, even though P&O have the edge (Red Arrows AND Princess Anne!). I just hope Carnival UK will be providing ample free commemorative junk to mark these occasions we can treasure forever.
I also have a couple of other confirmed cruises while some are still in the planning stage, like Opera, hoping to manage between medicos.
April 2012 commemorates two events involving passenger ships. The most famous one is the sinking of the Titanic on the 15th April 1912, having set sail from Southampton on the 10th at noon, resulting on over 1500 dead, more than 1/3 from the city. Belfast opened their new museum on the 31st March and will be holding events for the day of departure. Southampton will also be busy. At noon, a recording of Titanic’s whistle will sound in the port from the former White Star Dock (now Ocean Dock) and other vessels (including those in the flotilla) will respond. They will be using the former tug tender Calshot as Titanic, who will be towed as far as the QEII Terminal then return to her berth. A bit later, the new SeaCity Museum opens at the Civic Centre, which also tells the story of Southampton as a port.
But let’s not forget the events of 30 years ago when Argentina invaded the Falklands on the 2nd April 1982, also resulting in huge loss of life as we protected British citizens who want to stay British. On the 7th April, Canberra returned from the world cruise and after conversion to troop ship, set sail on the night of the 9th. It wasn’t intended for her to enter dangerous waters but she was needed long before the QE2 arrived (set sail 12th May, back 11th June). The Uganda and many other vessels of all types did their duty too. Canberra returned to a rapturous welcome on the 11th July, rust-streaked, battle-scarred, adored by the great British public in scenes not seen again until the QE2 sailed for Dubai in 2008.
People died in both. But one’s become a money making machine while the other is still raw for many. No prizes for guessing which is which. We must not forget those brave troops who lost their lives fighting for freedom, many of whom are still alive, while commemorating those who perished in the North Atlantic. On the 14th, there will be a service in the Solent to remember ALL those who died at sea over the past 100 years and now the 100th anniversary is upon us, it’s time to let the dead of Titanic rest in peace and stop lining profiteers pockets. Many have died in maritime disasters but they aren’t recognised or motivated by greed. There’s nothing more to be said about it. Time for the Titanic buffs to move on.
I touched on this back in February 2011 after P&O announced changes to their Portunus Club from April 2012. P&O, as well as Fred Olsen and MSC, use points per night. P&O give you 10 (and used to include 5 from sister lines such a Princess but with the new Peninsular Club, that’s stopped) and the structure goes:
Pacific (150-500)
Atlantic (501-1000)
Mediterranean (1001-2000)
Caribbean (2001+)
Baltic (2501 plus 80-200 nights spent onboard in the three years preceeding the start of their next cruise)
Ligurian (2501 plus 201 or more nights spent onboard in the three years preceeding the start of their next cruise)
Meanwhile Fred Olsen’s Oceans Club is as follows:
Blue (1-30)
Silver (31-100)
Gold (101+)
The MSC Club gives you:
Classic (1-21)
Silver (22-42)
Gold (43-99)
Black (100+)
In January 2011, Royal Caribbean announced they were changing theirs Crown & Anchor Society from credits to points so now it is:
Gold (3)
Platinum (30 or become that if you are Select in Celebrity’s Captain’s Club)
Emerald (55)
Diamond (80)
Diamond Plus (175)
Pinnacle (700)
And from 2012, NCL are also changing Latitudes to points per night.
Bronze (1-19)
Silver (20-47)
Gold (48-75)
Platinum (76+)
Extra points earned for booking a Suite or Haven, nine months or longer in advance or a Latitudes Insider offer.
Cunard and Princess confuse you by having points and credits, meaning you go up depending on which you reach first. Cunard’s World Club is:
Silver (1 voyage)
Gold (2 voyages or 20 days)
Platinum (7 voyages or 70 days)
Diamond (15 voyages or 150 days)
While Princess’s Captain’s Circle is:
Gold (1 cruise)
Platinum (6-15 cruises, including with P&O, or 51-150 days)
Elite (16+ cruises, including P&O, or 151+ days)
Confusing! Cunard and Princess need to do one only. With so many short cruises (especially 2, 3 and 5 nights on Cunard), there is no way many will reach the number of days before going to the next tier. Is that fair on those who pay to go on longer cruises, maybe once a year? I think not. It’s the same with all cruise lines and why I’m delighted Royal Caribbean and NCL have seen the light. I have 4 credits with NCL yet only sailed 12 nights (2, 2, 1, 7). Why should I rise through the tiers faster than people who do a week plus? These benefits should be earned. I will finally reach the second level of P&O’s Portunus/Peninsular Club this year and it will have only taken almost 5 years. Why? Too many short cruises so it’s fair people like me should be made to wait.
One final point. Last year P&O allowed ALL Portunus members to pre-register for the 2012/3 cruises, much to the annoyance of many Gold who believe it’s their right to be the ONLY ones, thus leaving everyone else with what’s left as in the past. Clearly they’ve forgotten what the ‘Them & Us’ policy feels like. I hope this year P&O do the same. Let the higher tier have their preferential cabin choice but at the end of the day, there should be no pre-booking discrimination for tiers. Other cruise lines don’t care what level you are so why should P&O when lower tiers’ money is as good as theirs?
Well it’s that time again when it’s out with the old shippy year and in with the new. What a year it’s been, beginning in January with a trip to Southampton Docks to help the journalist, Steve Read document the 6 ships in the port, first time for over 50 years.
I did my own little video.
I know there have been more but they weren’t in and out on the same day, as they are now, which is probably what they meant. Saga Ruby was the one baby I wanted to visit but you have to be over 50 to visit Saga ships, despite the fact you can be a companion aged over 40 to the main passenger who’s over 50. It was one of the best days of my life and I’ll always be grateful to Steve for the opportunity of being camerawoman for a second time (first had been the meeting of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria a month earlier). Sadly, Steve died suddenly exactly a month later. He’s still missed greatly. So much has happened in the shipping world he’s not been a part of.
28th February 2010
The website turned 5 years old so it had a bit of a revamp. Thanks to everyone still looking and reading this accompanying blog. I’ve also done several long cruises, which is a first. Usually long ones are once in a blue moon due to expense but the insurance money from my mum’s death in November 2010 paid for them. It was still 6 cruises, with Vision of the Seas returning to Southampton after 13 years to do a short repo to Copenhagen. I went with my friend Fay, whose first cruise it was, and she loved Ducky almost as much as I do!
There was a fabulous trip on Aurora in July, covering Ireland, Greenland (though we only got to Nuuk due to icebergs at Qaqortoq), Iceland and Norway, as well as some of the best bad weather I’ve experienced from start to finish, including 85 knot winds – yes baby! The only thing which spoiled the cruise was everything being aimed at under 10s and over 60s. What about things for the inbetweenies to do besides ruddy quizzes???? Younger people like longer cruises too, you know. Unfortunately it was the entertainment and activities which made my Aussie friend Juanita say “Never again!”
Short to try Grand Princess in September. It was my 30th cruise and 20th ship but a shame they removed the handle because it was one reason I’d booked! But I enjoyed it all the same and would do Princess again, although I think we’re losing Grand in 2013.
Fabulouso cruise on the Norwegian Epic in October. She has the worst vibration I’ve ever come across and is photo unfriendly, unless you’re into point and shoot and not ships like me. But I really love the Studio concept and it was good to go back and try her again now she’s not broken. Can’t wait to try Breakaway! NCL get a lot of stick (mostly from people who’ve never sailed them, just have a preconception) but are a really wonderful cruise line with plenty to do, even for solos like me.
An 8 year old dream came true 2 weeks later when I went on Queen Mary 2 and it was my first Cunard cruise in 3 years. Now while I loved the ship and the cruise was great, I was extremely disappointed by the poor food and service. It says a lot when P&O (who run Cunard) do things so much better and charge less for the same cruise itins. If you have a dietary requirement like me, no chance to discuss anything because you’re just given the menu and a pen. That’s if you get it at all. There are some Cunard die-hards who stick their fingers in their ears going, “Lalalalalalalalala. Cunard are the greatest. Lalalalalala” but many said during my cruise, on the internet and on other ships that standards have dropped. They should try another line and compare. They may even enjoy it! They may not agree with opposing opinions but they should accept not everyone has the same and be adult about it. I would do Cunard again (and am booked for next year) but it’s no longer become a must-do like it used to be.
Final was 2 glorious weeks on Celebrity Constellation earlier this month. It was my second best cruise (QE2 Fjords 2008 cannot be beaten) and made me realise Celebrity is actually my favourite line, though I prefer the Millennium class ships. They have a better atmosphere the Solstice class and cosier decor. Their Grand Foyer is better too. I relaxed like never before and had a fantastic time and birthday aboard.
Newbuilds were announced or entered service while older ships went to other owners or to the breakers.
Southampton was doing very well. We had said goodbye to Artemis in April then said hello to her as Artania in July! I was on Aurora so my dad went down in the rain to document it.
Artemis leaves P&O 26th April 2011
Artania debut 16th July 2011
MSC Orchestra made a maiden call.
MSC Orchestra maiden call to Southampton 28th April 2011
So did Seabourn Sojourn the following day.
Seabourn Sojourn 27th April 2011
The former Celebrity Mercury made a return to Southampton for the first time since new in 1997 as Mein Schiff 2. It was the first call on her maiden voyage for TUI.
Mein Schiff 2 debut 17th May 2011
We welcomed Adonia to the P&O fleet, transferred from Princess (which had been transferred from Swan Hellenic after Carnival closed the brand).
Adonia arrives 20th May 2011
The Holland America ship, Rotterdam, made her debut in July.
Rotterdam (VI) debut 5th July 2011
The sixth ship to bear the name Europa arrived for the first time since 1999 in July. My dad was getting wet again.
Europa 7th July 2011
Unscheduled visitors in September due to bad weather closing Dover cruise port, first in the shape of AIDAblu and Costa Atlantica.
AIDAblu debut 6th September 2011
Costa Atlantica debut 6th September 2011
This was followed 6 days later by Costa Luminosa.
Costa Luminosa debut 12th Sept 2011 (with QM2)
Meanwhile the QE2′s anchor was finally unveiled in Southampton on the 1st September.
I got to do a couple of ship visits, as well as the 6 in January. May was MSC Opera.
MSC Opera ship visit 27th May 2011
Rotterdam was next the day she called in July.
And finally MSC Poesia in September.
MSC Poesia ship visit 13th September 2011
We had some ship meetings in September. Silver Cloud met Silver Whisper for the first time in the UK on the 7th.
7th September 2011
Then RCCL brands didn’t collide when Indy met Eclipse on the 28th September.
Indy meets Eclipse
Meanwhile Cunard reflagged their ships in Hamilton, Bermuda, bringing them into line with P&O Princess (Azura had been reflagged from Southampton in February). Queen Elizabeth was first on the 24th October 2011 when they’d welded a plate over the top in Amsterdam, with a rather odd T being bigger than the rest of the letters.
Queen Victoria followed on the 27th in the Med while Queen Mary 2 was last during refit on the 1st December. Her final UK registry departure was the 24th to Hamburg. I was away when she returned so won’t see it until the 10th January.
And so onto 2012 and another busy year in Southampton. MSC Lirica calls in March and we also have the new Saga Sapphire doing her maiden voyage and a few others before returning from Dover in the autumn. Saga Pearl II leaves the fleet in May to resume her originally-intended role as Quest For Adventure. Sailing ship, Star Flyer, makes a couple of calls in May and September. Azamara Journey makes her debut in the port in May (returning in September) while Maasdam visits in August. Caribbean Princess replaces Crown Princess for the summer season. Meanwhile we have many returnees in the form of Astor, Silver Whisper, Rotterdam, Crystal Symphony, Seabourn Sojourn and Mein Schiff 2. September heralds the long-awaited return of Celebrity Constellation, more than 4 years after her last visit, and she is doing nearly 3 months of cruises before heading to Miami. Also coming back in November is Fred Olsen’s Braemar, now they’re no longer doing Caribbean fly cruises.
We lose Indy for the winter cruises in November when she repositions to Fort Lauderdale, but will return for summer 2013.
The major events during 2012 are the Cunard Royal Rendezvous (5th June & 13th July) and the really big Grand Event, when all 7 P&O ships will be in together. Exciting times at the UK’s number 1 cruise port!
For some reason, ABP Southampton are using the cruise schedule from Cruise Southampton, which not only has major gaps in their schedule (especially over the next couple of months), but lists at least 3 ships not coming here but going to Le Havre or Dover on those dates, as well as not including many which ARE calling here. It’s a shame ABP are being lazy and aren’t giving them the correct list. So if you want to see Southampton’s calls in 2012, going through to 2014, you can read my spreadsheet, which has all I know of and is regularly updated.
I went up to get Carmel at 9.20am and saw Allure was in from her balcony. Bugger!
Allure of the Seas
And so, after meeting Ken MacLean from Epic and due to them wanting a rip off $300 for a taxi, we ended up doing a tour in an open bus. Well you could be outside or in the cab and aircon. The driver was called Camay and there were some miserable people on the bus. Ken, Carmel, me and an Scot ex-pat now living in Vancouver were having a conversation in the back and a woman in front of Ken in a red hat had a go at Carmel! Then this foreign woman next to Ken piped up. “I agree. You are taking a lot of drivel.” Her husband, who was English maybe, then joined in. Excuse me but Ken had the loudest mouth of us all and not one person said anything to him. Was it because he was a man???? I know from dinner experiences Carmel can go on a bit but this was a 4-way conversation and they were unfairly picking on her. It wasn’t as if the guide was saying anything of interest anyway, especially since most things he pointed out where behind bloody trees and the rest of the time he said zilch. Seen one school, church etc you’ve seen them all. The couple got out at the beach but while the wife struggled with the beach bag to get out of the bus (no steps by the middle seats, which is why I sat at the back), the husband who would abuse complete strangers pissed off and left her to it! Such a gentleman – not! We stopped at a viewing point where there was also cheap tat.
Me and Carmel in St Thomas
Allure of the Seas and Eurodam
Madam red hat came back to the ship with some crap for $10 she was wetting herself over with excitement. Clearly doesn’t get out much. She had kept us all waiting for that. I made a comment about moaners doing that and they’re usually American to which she replied brusquely, “I am NOT American.” Ooh get her! I said give Canadians a bad name. Her husband had hit the beers! She moaned when he handed her a can of Mountain Dew or whatever it was, saying it will spill all over her. As the boring tour prodeeded she started to yak herself! Typical two-faced moaner. It was a relief to get back to the port! Carmel went shopping, we went to get me some aspirin because my cold was getting worse then we couldn’t find her. We went back to the ships, hoping she’d just forgotten and went back on board. Photos first of Celebrity Sexy and you can still see the original name outline.
She wasn’t so I went through security then out again. Ken and I traipsed around every shop looking and gave up at 2.45pm. I left a message on her phone and had a kip to rest my back. Epic was sailing at 4pm with us an hour later so up I went. Eurodam also left as we did.
Norwegian Epic
Eurodam
Eurodam and Norwegian Epic
I mentioned the lack of heat to Blasido and he called the maintance man. Dinner and afterwards they were preparing the San Marco for the brunch buffet. Leatherwoman was still in, so it gave another copportunity to get what she was just wearing again.
Back to the cabin after getting some cough medicine and it was actually hot for the first time in 11 days!
The 15th was at sea so I stayed in bed to shift this awful heavy cold. I didn’t get up until about 7.30pm, but Carmel had phoned twice to see how I was feeling. When I went out about 8pm, the stewards were there and said they’d been worried about me. Awww. Dinner was the first proper meal I’d had all day. I’d nibbled on stuff so I could take aspirin but that was all. It was the Baked Alaska parade!
Then bed.
The next day was another sea day and I was feeling so much better. They had Star Chefs in the theatre, so I went to that.
I didn’t stay for the talent contest because I didn’t want to push my luck with the coughing. Outside we had company in the form of Carnival Liberty, heading to Miami.
I returned to my cabin to find an orange left by the older steward – awww. That was just so sweet. Later I was on deck and saw Celebrity Eclipse way behind in the distance.
Case out and I was told off by the older steward for not calling him. For dessert I couldn’t decide out of three ice creams so I had all five (vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, blueberry and raspberyy) plus the chocolate frozen yogurt. Loreto, my waiter laughed and asked if it was to be all in the same bowl so I said yes. Well it saves the washing up!
Didn’t get to bed as early as I’d have liked considering I had an early start but there I was for the ships as we came back into a cold Fort Lauderdale.
It flipping rained so I grabbed breakfast in the Seaside before going back out.
Oasis of the Seas, Grand Princess docking and Crown Princess
Eurodam
Carnival Freedsom and Oasis of the Seas
Me and Grand Princess
I went to the Renzezvous for the 9.30pm call for Green 23 only they ran 15 mins late. Immigration had a horrendous queue after collecting your luggage and the Long and Winding Road came on, which was taking the piss! Once outside, no one stopped me taking pics as we waited and waited and waited for our bus to Miami airport, which arrived at 10.55am!
And so after checking in and saying goodbye to Ken, I was off home to the cold after a fabulous cruise!
Before I headed out, Carmel phoned to wish me a happy birthday. Ken and I had arranged to meet on the pier at 8.30am if we docked at the same one, so it was lucky we did! This is a pier because it sticks out. Something like in Southampton, Brooklyn etc are DOCKS because they’re part of the land. Why do Americans say pier? Quay may be more sensible. Anyway, Epic’s Captain was on the pier greeting their passengers. He had been on my trip 2 months before.
Epic's Captain (right) and Connie crew (left)
Then Ken came down and we started to leave the port area.
Naviagtor OTS, MSC Poesia and Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Epic and Connie
Peek-a-boo!
Bernard’s Tours had told Ken in the email to meet them at the yellow building, only there were several yellow buildings. So we meandered over there and it was actually by the information centre. There were no signs or anything. We were then led to 2 buses and Ken told me later some people on the other bus thought I was his wife. Even our driver John did. First stop, thanks to bloody kids, was feeding some iguana’s and suddenly everyone else who couldn’t be arsed got off. We stayed in the bus. Second stop was some viewpoint on the French side then we had a ridiculous 1 hour 45 mins at the flipping Orient beach, which was part-nudist beach and an old man was flashing everything he could. It hadn’t said this on the site when Ken booked. We had lunch at the rip off café Pedro’s which was awful. The prices were in euros, such as 10 euros for a horrible sandwich but then they just changed it to dollars so it was the same amount. Ken bought me a towel because I was freezing and also gave me my birthday present which was an Epic tree ornament and a gorgeous blue topaz and diamond pendant. The man’s got taste!
Since Vodafone said it was 9.6ppm to receive calls, I got my dad to phone me. Onto Marigot for half an hour shopping and it pissed down so as soon as I felt spots, I hotfooted it to the bus whole everyone else got soaked. Unlike the rain at the other ports, this was cold like home. Final stop was the Sunset Beach and Bar for the planes landing and we had an hour and saw 2 planes land. Ken also bought me a T-shirt. So much for getting back by 2.30pm as the email had said, so we could watch Poesia sail.
We got back at 3pm instead and went to our separate transport after he refilled with dollars from the cash machine.
When I opened the door to my cabin, I saw a bunch of flowers waiting from Ken, which was a really sweet thing to do. Celebrity never even gave a sodding card!
We were first leaving at sailaway but Navigator ignored us. Barbara and Cheryl were up there too.
Norweigan Epic and Navigator OTS
I was coming down with a cold, thanks to freezing aircon on tours and around the ship, so decided not to see Perry Grant’s theatre show because I’d end up coughing too much. Dinner and I wore the necklace Ken gave me. Barbara and Cheryl gave me a card. Bill said he hadn’t known it was my birthday. Well if he hadn’t been ignoring me most of the time he would have! Carmel arrived at almost 9pm and gave me a postcard because she couldn’t find a card. Leather Ladyboy’s table kept looking over at ours. No idea if it was the birthday stuff or my cleavage but if they disapproved of the latter, they’re hypocrites considering what that had been almost wearing nearly every night! It was the white halter-neck see-your-breakfast dress again tonight. The waiters sang and gave me a cake. Loreto brought it back so I could take photos and even relit the candles. It was cut 5 ways, me having the biggest.
Bill buggered off as usual while the rest of us went to Reflections for the Dessert Extravaganza after Loreto told us he was off to work up there. Ladyboy and brother/hubby were there too.
Then it was time for bed and Carmel came to look at the flowers before heading back to her suite.
Our final port was St Thomas. I was up at 6.30am and when I went up 20 minutes later, we were almost docked! Epic was behind, turning to dock and Eurodam was heading to the Crown Bay dock.
Eurodam
Norwegian Epic
Allure of the Seas was due later but I was falling asleep so went back to bed at 8am. Carmel was coming with me today when I went to meet Ken so I had more time to catch up on a bit before heading to her suite for 9.20am.
@jennyelliott88 Matt Browne took my bookings at @MyRoyalUK & was great. Am I the only person the online booking hates? It never lets me. 35 minutes ago
I did spend a little time there in January 2011 when I accompanied the late journalist, Steve Read, as he covered four of the six ships Southampton had on one day and had a very nice cup of coffee on the bridge before we started working.
