Cunard Cruise
We checked in at the Ocean Terminal, but had to wait for a while to board, as one of the ways on to the Queen Victoria had been dislodged due to the weather. Eventually this was rectified. Weather then seemed to play a large part in this cruise.
When sorting out our cases in our cabin, the Commander of the ship broadcast a message. I was expecting it to be the Muster Stations rehearsal that now takes place before a ship sails. Part of this was true, but he went on to say, due to the wild weather they were now not going to Zeebrugge, we would slowly make our way to Amsterdam with a day at sea and be there for the New Year’s Eve. I did hear some people were disappointed as they were looking forward to going to Bruges.
During the day at sea and the following morning in Amsterdam we went to a couple of talks by a Barrister, in the theatre. One about the law, very interesting and funny, a bit tongue in cheek. Another talk by one of the ship’s personnel was about Amsterdam and Cherbourg and what they had to offer. We also looked around the art gallery a few times and looked (but didn’t buy) at the shops.
We were on a table of six in the Britannia Dining Room. The people were all very nice and friendly. After our meal, we made our way to the theatre for a show each evening. We were on the first sitting. This meant we did get to the shows on time.
We arrived in Amsterdam in the morning of New Year’s Eve. The weather was really cold and raining. We decided, having been to Amsterdam before, we would visit the Rijksmuseum. This was very busy. We had to wait outside in a queue for a quite a while, then queue again inside for tickets. There is a charge for this museum but there was a lot to see there.
We dressed up in the evening, as New Year’s Eve is the one formal night on this five-night cruise. At the table, the gentlemen were given a top hat, black at the top and a silver rim and the ladies with a black tiara with the letters ‘HAPPY NEW YEAR’ as part of the decoration. There were balloons on the table and a sort of hooter each, which did become rather noisy during the meal.
Amsterdam celebrates New Year with firework displays everywhere, which must cost an absolute fortune, just to go up in smoke. We went up on deck and watched a fantastic display on a mini island, which was a little way from the ship. This went on for about 25 minutes. Several little boats surrounded this display as well. This happened at Amsterdam’s midnight. We looked all around the skyline and there were displays everywhere.
The ship’s time was on GMT. We went inside and ordered a drink whilst waiting for our midnight. The foyer was crowded, people on the stairs, balloons held in a net ready to be released, a band playing.
As midnight approached a new band took to the stage, then someone stood and did a countdown to 2018, the balloons fell from the top of the staircase, along with streamers. Everyone was then singing ‘Auld Sang Syne’ (I expect most people would have no idea what they were actually singing about, but it didn’t matter a jot) with a glass of bubbly provided by the crew. Then everyone on the floor started to dance, most people doing what might be termed ‘dad dancing’. A couple of little girls of about 8 or 9 years old kept picking up the streamers, going up the stairs and throwing them down, so that they got under the dancers’ feet, but again it didn’t matter as it was all good humoured.
We eventually went up to the Lido deck for a cup of tea and coffee. There were some lovely ice sculptors up there, a swan and a blue and red 2018.
We sailed for Cherbourg the next day. We arrived into Cherbourg in the dark and the wind and rain, early in the morning. We could see a Brittany Ferry across the harbour lights blaring. We weren’t sure we wanted to leave the ship, as the weather wasn’t encouraging. In the end, my husband said we needed to do something, so we went to a shipping museum just opposite where the ship berthed. Then we took the shuttle bus into Cherbourg, which I have to say we timed extremely well! I had forgotten that some places in France close for a long lunch and we arrived around 12:30 to find most places closed. It was still pouring, so we made our way back to the ship.
We sailed quite late in the evening, and the ferry went about the same time. I hope they had a good journey, being so much smaller than a cruise ship.
The Commodore (he had a lovely smooth relaxing re-assuring voice) said that there were going to be storms, possibly a Force 10 gale. This could happen between 11pm and 4:30am. He said we would sail sideways across the Channel to Southampton (at least I think he said that) to reduce the worst of the storm’s effect.
I remember being rolled, gently from side to side, by the motion of the ship and this did wake me up. I usually have my mobile phone on my bedside table, so I can see what time it is. I put my hand out in the dark to find my phone, but couldn’t find it, or my glasses. I put the light on and found both under the bed, not damaged at all, just slipped off the table with the rocking of the ship.
The weather still had one more thing to throw at us. We left from the Ocean Terminal, our car taken from us there. Due to the weather we weren’t able to return to the Ocean Terminal and were told we would be going to a competitors’ berth (Royal Caribbean I think). We would then be transferred back to the Ocean Terminal by coach to collect our cars, as there were too many to bring to the new dock. The sun was shining but it was very cold.
The cruise was quite eventful, but we did enjoy it.