We made the departure after a planes, trains and automobile journey. The cabin is lovely and new carpet is all over the ship. We sailed from Southampon with fireworks exploding on the quayside.
We joined the beginners bridge classes and beginners ballroom dancing classes. Joined the choir too and there are over 100 in it as we speak. When not at classes or eating we play short tennis in the netted court on deck 13 and table tennis on deck 12. We have had our first swim and have discovered and used the hot tub, sauna and steam room. People are great, a real mix of mostly retired folk from all over the UK with ahandful of Irish and the odd Swede thrown in for good measure.
We attended a "Meet the Captain and officers " event some days back and captain David Box is exactly the type of relaxed, experienced british officer you'd hope for. He's been mixing with passengers across all the ships decks and appears to have all the time in the world to chat as
He announced a change in itinery on day 1. The US authorities refused us permission to stay overnight in Fort Lauderdale on 16th Jan. Booh.........
But that means we now will visit Cape Canaveral and NASA! We are booked on the excursion that includes a visit to the Apollo launch pads. We also booked a nature tour of the everglades the next day so we'll be busy.
Later he had to announce that due to heavy swells we wouldn't visit Porta Delgado in the Azores, our first stop but it only meant we visited a neighbouring smaller island and a town Pontia Di Victoria which was fine. I know Miriam made contact with some of you from there via a banks free wifi.
We are starting our fourth day at sea and won't find land until tomorrow. Its been a rough last two days with stormy weather and gale force 8 winds. It's led to a bit of pitching and heaving as the ship rides out the white tipped waves. At certain times the ship is traversing sea that is over 5,000 metres deep. It's a view of choppy sea in all directions.
Our cabin is located in the bow and sleeping in it over the last two days is like sleeping in a flight simulator. There is quite a bit of wardrobe doors opening and suitcases on wheels rolling out onto the carpet. But we are both well if a little off our food. The conditions are expected to improve sometime today.
We have experienced three time changes are are currently 3 hours ahead of you.
Most of the outer decks are off limits so we have continued our beginners bridge classes and the choir rehearsals. There really is plenty to do at all times and entertainment in the evening has been first class. There has also been several afternoon classical recitals which take place in the large lounges with curtains pulled. The musicians play brilliantly while the on stage long curtains roll left and right with the ships movement.
We've made friends with Paddy and Angela and meet outside bridge classes for practice rounds of mini bridge and a chat.
The dinner for us is first sitting at 6.30 pm at a table of eight and its going well. We shuffle seats each night and the food is to die for. The two waiters are Indian but carry anglosized name tags, Lloyd and Sanjay. Daphne, a similar indian girl is our wine waiter. Downton Abbey eat your heart out! Its a formal black tie meal tonight so Miriam will be dolling up and looking glamerous once more.
We bought the ships photo offer so we'll have plenty of quality pictures to bore you with on our return.
Will leave you for now but you do know we thing of you all frequently and always visit the churches for a quick pray for you all.
We joined the beginners bridge classes and beginners ballroom dancing classes. Joined the choir too and there are over 100 in it as we speak. When not at classes or eating we play short tennis in the netted court on deck 13 and table tennis on deck 12. We have had our first swim and have discovered and used the hot tub, sauna and steam room. People are great, a real mix of mostly retired folk from all over the UK with ahandful of Irish and the odd Swede thrown in for good measure.
We attended a "Meet the Captain and officers " event some days back and captain David Box is exactly the type of relaxed, experienced british officer you'd hope for. He's been mixing with passengers across all the ships decks and appears to have all the time in the world to chat as
He announced a change in itinery on day 1. The US authorities refused us permission to stay overnight in Fort Lauderdale on 16th Jan. Booh.........
But that means we now will visit Cape Canaveral and NASA! We are booked on the excursion that includes a visit to the Apollo launch pads. We also booked a nature tour of the everglades the next day so we'll be busy.
Later he had to announce that due to heavy swells we wouldn't visit Porta Delgado in the Azores, our first stop but it only meant we visited a neighbouring smaller island and a town Pontia Di Victoria which was fine. I know Miriam made contact with some of you from there via a banks free wifi.
We are starting our fourth day at sea and won't find land until tomorrow. Its been a rough last two days with stormy weather and gale force 8 winds. It's led to a bit of pitching and heaving as the ship rides out the white tipped waves. At certain times the ship is traversing sea that is over 5,000 metres deep. It's a view of choppy sea in all directions.
Our cabin is located in the bow and sleeping in it over the last two days is like sleeping in a flight simulator. There is quite a bit of wardrobe doors opening and suitcases on wheels rolling out onto the carpet. But we are both well if a little off our food. The conditions are expected to improve sometime today.
We have experienced three time changes are are currently 3 hours ahead of you.
Most of the outer decks are off limits so we have continued our beginners bridge classes and the choir rehearsals. There really is plenty to do at all times and entertainment in the evening has been first class. There has also been several afternoon classical recitals which take place in the large lounges with curtains pulled. The musicians play brilliantly while the on stage long curtains roll left and right with the ships movement.
We've made friends with Paddy and Angela and meet outside bridge classes for practice rounds of mini bridge and a chat.
The dinner for us is first sitting at 6.30 pm at a table of eight and its going well. We shuffle seats each night and the food is to die for. The two waiters are Indian but carry anglosized name tags, Lloyd and Sanjay. Daphne, a similar indian girl is our wine waiter. Downton Abbey eat your heart out! Its a formal black tie meal tonight so Miriam will be dolling up and looking glamerous once more.
We bought the ships photo offer so we'll have plenty of quality pictures to bore you with on our return.
Will leave you for now but you do know we thing of you all frequently and always visit the churches for a quick pray for you all.
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