*Miss G*

Thanks for fixing the pictures! So my question is… what is Pol Acker? Surely it can’t be as bad as the Wycliffe “champagne” on HAL? Or is it? Will now google it since my phone won’t allow me to do that in the middle of a post. 🤨

I don’t believe that MSC sails to Alaska. If you choose Princess, just a word of caution: don’t book one of the Royal-class ships as there are very limited viewing areas, both inside and outside. (I am not familiar with their other class ships so they may have more options.) All HAL’s ships are exterior-focused, while the Princess Royal-class ships are interior-focused. As well, the forward exterior space is an additional cost and there aren’t really any enclosed spaces where you can see the great outdoors. In addition, the Seaview Pool area is quite tiny, as is the prom. With that many family members, you may want to call the Group Booking number as there will probably be incentives available. They can also offer help with any other issues which go along with booking large groups. FWIW, all my extended family have enjoyed the HAL ships, including the young ones. Even those who have grown, and continue to sail, have HAL as a top choice. Have a wonderful time in whichever cruise line you choose.

This misty walk-through was interesting. I bet the kids enjoy this in the summer. Across the street from the mist is a place where you can get a full British breakfast with black pudding. That is where daughter and son-in-law headed while the rest of us walked up the street to do some shopping. Shopping done, father and sister headed back to the ship while we went for a walk along the waterfront. There were people swimming while we were bundled up against the cold wind! Looking back at the castle and the ferry port. Back in town, I had the fish and chips (surprise!) and my son-in-law had the fish finger sandwich. Yum. I left them to wander the shops as I went on to the castle. A view of the castle down a side street as we headed to that pick-up point. Arriving at the castle I could see an uphill climb and lots of people trying to board the shuttle. Unfortunately, it was full and those waiting would have to wait for the next bus, so I decided I didn’t want to deal with either of those issues and stayed onboard to return to the ship.

The white cliffs as we approach the port of Dover, England. The tour busses are in the foreground at the port. The two double-deckers on the far right are the shuttles which will make two stops: one to the city centre and the other at Dover Castle. The cost was £7, €8, or $10usd, all payable at the bus. You will need to keep your ticket stub to get back on for the return trip. The drop-off and pick-up point for the city centre is at this church. If you find yourself on the other side where the shops are, just look for the church and you can walk around it to the bus.

In Le Havre we were going to join my daughter and son-in-law on a trip to Honfleurs et Deauville but we got tied up with some business at home and missed the bus so, instead, we walked Le Havre and visited the cathedral with the time we had left. The Honfleurs and Deauville tour is highly recommended by daughter and son-in-law. They said we would have loved it. The cost was $40 per person, round trip and was purchased independently (it was not a ship’s tour). Most everything was leveled, here, during WWII, so they quickly rebuilt with lots and lots of cement. We found Le Marché (the market) and had croissants, of course. My sister purchased spices and french milled soaps… as you do. Les pâtisseries were a bit picked over by the time we passed by. We should have taken this route first. A teddy bear picnic. The war memorial. Taxis are €10 each way and they will drop you off and pick you up by the above memorial. In comparison, the ship’s shuttle will cost $20 per person, round trip, and they will drop you off and pick you up by the same square.

Here is how I knew I was on the right deck. Then it was the Orange Party and, boy, what a party it was. So much fun! The sun sets as we head back across the English Channel to France.

In Portland, England, we took the free shuttle to Weymouth where we had… you guessed it… fish and chips at The George Inn. From there we picked up fresh cockles with malt vinegar at the fish monger’s next door. Haven’t had cockles in ages so that was a real treat.

Oh, how lovely! I will definitely finish with a post of the onboard experience. I think you will love this beautiful ship and all its fabulous activities. The entertainment and hosts are fantastic.

Oh great, thanks all! To continue… In Brest, France, we took the free shuttle over to the castle. Looking back towards the port and one of the free shuttles (coach) which brings you here. Each coach is clearly marked with the ship name for your trip back to the port. From there, we took an Uber to the botanical gardens. What an amazing spot! The gardens are free to the public but there is a small cost to enter the conservatories, if you like. The ferns in the botanical gardens were so huge that you could stand under them and use them as gigantic umbrellas! We expected a velociraptor to jump out at us at any minute. 😅 The ponds, waterfalls, and streams were beautiful, and so soothing to the soul. Then we went for buckwheat crêpes at the crêperie within the grounds, which were amazing! We highly recommend a visit to the gardens if you don’t have a tour at this port.

Thank you, @sunviking90 I think this will probably be my last live-from because it doesn’t look like there’s much interest. I will finish what I’ve started, though, so others visiting these ports and ship will know what to expect. Currently have sporadic internet access in the UK but will post when I can. 🥰

Good morning Ponta Delgado. This was a lovely walkable port. We had an amazing lunch and some fun shopping here! Crabs sunning themselves on the rocks. A popular bathing spot by the pier!

Sunset on the 2nd night: This is how I knew I was on the right staircase: The Seaview Pool in the wee hours: I ordered my Mum some flowers:

For the most part, Anytime Dining service has been abysmal. One hour to take a drink or food order is not okay. The exception to this was the one time when we had a table in Dewa’s section. We finally gave up on the Main Dining Room and began eating in the Lido Market and specialty dining. We understand there is a corporate executive onboard so it is good for them to see all that is happening, including the medical diversions. Most evenings are spent at the piano bar with Trenton. He is fantastic and audience participation is high. At one of Trenton’s all-request sets, one was Spirit in the Sky. It turns out that Norman Greenbaum, the singer-songwriter of Spirit in the Sky, was onboard! After that we saw him everywhere…. as you do. We heard there were a number of other celebrities onboard, but I didn’t take notes and have forgotten who they are now. Sorry! On Monday, April 22nd we began to cross a segment of the Bay of Biscay. We had some pretty meaningful swells so none of us got much sleep that night. We’d bump along for a bit and then free-fall into a trough. Then you’d drift off until you woke up free-falling again. What a night! Some of you may recall the woman who talked her way all the way to the front of a 70 minute line to catch the return funiculaire in Santorini. She did this by moving forward to each person in line, chatting, then moving forward again. I couldn’t believe she made it all the way to the front! Too funny. My sister has been swearing all week that she has seen her around the ship. Well, guess what? Today she sat next to us at Team Trivia and I nearly snorted mango margarita up my nose! There are those you don’t remember and there are those you cannot forget. As a tour guide in Italy once said “The world is too small.”

The next day a passenger took critically ill so the Captain announced he was diverting the ship north to Bermuda. Two days later they were able to transfer the patient to the Coast Guard, along with his wife and their luggage. The Captain announced that we could watch the transfer, which would take place Port Aft. We found out a couple of days later that he was still in the hospital but had been stabilized and was doing well. Two days later we were at Happy Hour in the Crow’s Nest when the captain made another announcement. Everyone went silent and said “Oh no” all at the same time. They were looking for blood donours for a critically ill patient. Not too long after, it was announced that they had received enough donours and would be transferring the patient to onshore care in Ponta Delgado, Portugal. Not having been able to make it to the Azores on previous crossings we were happy for the patient that the weather permitted us to stop.

We had a very delayed departure from the original 3:00pm sailaway they had set. The Captain made an announcement following the sailaway celebrations to report that — after a search of the ship and a review of the CCTV recordings — sadly, the missing crew member was seen jumping into the sea at 10:00pm the night before. 😢 We were all so very sad and I am sure the crew was devastated. I can’t even imagine the nightmare his family must be going through. The Captain said that other ships in the area are keeping a lookout. Only a few hours after leaving PEV, we turned around and headed back to shore due to a critically ill crew member. After a transfer via the Coast Guard we resumed the voyage. The next day we found out that he had passed from a heart attack. Wow. More devastating news for the crew and families. 😢