I’m in heaven! It’s been a while and after a rough year in which I had a bad accident, I am finally back on board a cruise ship. The sea is calm, the sun is shining and I am dozing on our balcony. There is a big difference however in my current cruising and that is that I now have to use a rollator. So, first issue. Saga provide complimentary transport to the port but - I couldn’t get in the smart Mercedes people carrier. Not in the front passenger seat, not into the back. The step was just too high for me. My neighbour kindly provided a solution in the form of a shower step but …¦. The motorways were jammed but otherwise it was a slow but straightforward drive down, picking up a couple and another solo lady on the way. Next issue - this was my first time boarding at the new cruise terminal at Portsmouth and it is not disabled friendly. The luggage is dropped off first and then passengers are taken to the main entrance. I had booked assistance but this doesn’t start until after the shuttle ride so there is a long walk and lift ride to check-in, then a further short walk to the shuttle bus (which fortunately did have a ramp access) and then you await your assistance person with wheelchair to take you up the steep air bridge. I was taken right to the cabin though, unlike previous cruises where I was only taken on board and then had to follow the stewardess to the cabin. Now came another major issue I had not anticipated. My rollator would not fit past the end of the second bed. (I’m sharing a standard cabin with a friend) to the dressing table and balcony! A solution was eventually found by turning one bed 90 degree but for tonight we’ll have to manage. Dinner was an open sitting in the MDR. Good company and delicious food as usual, after which I retired to bed as exhausted. More tomorrow.