Getaway Oct 22-Nov 19 Too long or never enough? Transatlantic and Southern Caribbean

[CruisnHallelujahs]

DH tired of his full English breakfast after a week.  Looking forward to all the options on the ship.  After a scaled down breakfast we headed to the local laundromat.  Price has gone up so needed to find more coins.  DH went to buy a paper…still not enough and then bought some candy.  Success!  All clean clothes now and beyond excited for Sunday.   Heading to TKmax (hoping it’s just like TJmax) to get some forgotten items.

 

Yesterday was a lot of walking.  Went up to the church in Kingsdown and visited the graves overlooking the sea.  What a nice place to rest.  The groundskeeper is always excited to see BIL whom she can exchange Krone, donated to the church, for Pounds.  Then head to Walmer castle for lunch and a walk around the grounds.  Dinner was in Ripple at the Plough Inn where DH and BIL were finally able to have a pint of their favorite, elusive, Abbot ale.  Ahhh all is well in the world now. 

Tomorrow we head out early for a scenic slow drive along the coast to Southampton. 

[CruisnHallelujahs]

Left Deal around 9:30 am.  Passed Dover docks.  Trucks backed up for miles.  Channel ferry crossings closed due to rough seas. The drive was not as enjoyable as I was hoping.  About a hundred too many round abouts but we did make it to the holiday inn white knuckles still attached.  Then dropped our rental off at the airport and taxied back.   The hotel believes we are going out of berth 46 so booked a taxi.   Walked to gate 8 and then to the ocean terminal gate.  Feel we could walk it if the taxi does not pan out.  They say it is very difficult to get a taxi morning of cruise.  Talked with some celebrity cruisers.  Theirs has been delayed till Monday.  Makes me wonder if the closer berth will be ours??   Made our way to Duke of Wellington for dinner.  Glad we made reservations in advance.  Packed and people told to move.  My last fish and chips in the UK was perfect.   Need to remember to take pictures.  Haven’t taken pictures on vacation in years.  This forces me to take a few.   Sad saying goodbye to Deal.  Southampton makes me appreciate the small towns.  

[PatJim]

Loved all your photos 💕. Made me nostalgic for England again.  (My 1st husband is British, from West Sussex.)
 

If you need anything after your TA and don’t have enough time after docking in NYC, I’m more than happy to get it for you ahead of time, and bring it on board Nov. 4th.  Just let me know.

[Seas2mountains]

Thank you for doing a live review!  It was interesting to read about your week before the cruise. It sounds like the Duke of Wellington is highly recommended when in Southampton. 
 

Have a wonderful cruise! I look forward to reading your comments and appreciate the photos. 

[CruisnHallelujahs]

9 hours ago, PatJim said:

Loved all your photos 💕. Made me nostalgic for England again.  (My 1st husband is British, from West Sussex.)
 

If you need anything after your TA and don’t have enough time after docking in NYC, I’m more than happy to get it for you ahead of time, and bring it on board Nov. 4th.  Just let me know.

Thanks so much and so very sweet of you to offer help.  Don’t think I packed enough for this length of cruise though DH thinks otherwise.   Hopefully I’ll find anything I need along the way but wonderful to know help is near! 

[CruisnHallelujahs]

8 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

Thank you for doing a live review!  It was interesting to read about your week before the cruise. It sounds like the Duke of Wellington is highly recommended when in Southampton. 
 

Have a wonderful cruise! I look forward to reading your comments and appreciate the photos. 

Duke definitely has the old English feel.  We booked a week out and were the last reservation available.  Thank you for your kind words! 

[Mademypoint]

Is anyone on the ship right now? I have a friend who says she's sitting on the stairs for hours now. Does anyone know what's happening? TIA

[alanstarr]

45 minutes ago, Mademypoint said:

Is anyone on the ship right now? I have a friend who says she's sitting on the stairs for hours now. Does anyone know what's happening? TIA

 

Getaway is boarding normally, there are thousands on the ship already. Everyone is just hanging around, waiting for rooms to become available. 

[CruisnHallelujahs]

16 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

Thank you for doing a live review!  It was interesting to read about your week before the cruise. It sounds like the Duke of Wellington is highly recommended when in Southampton. 
 

Have a wonderful cruise! I look forward to reading your comments and appreciate the photos. 

Duke definitely has the old English feel.  We booked a week out and were the last reservation available.  Thank you for your kind words! 

[CruisnHallelujahs]

Don’t know why that went twice sorry!  In our room now.  That was the easiest boarding we’ve had for quite some time.

[CruisnHallelujahs]

So happy to finally be on the ship.  Hope everyone with traveling struggles made it as well.   Glad we booked the taxi having ended up at the further berth 46.   Would have preferred the very walkable 102 berth as you can see out my holiday inn window.  

This was the best embarkation by far in a long time.  No need for preferential haven treatment though I’m sure theirs was even better.  On the ship by 11.   Not accepting reservations for any entertainment other than main shows and canvas painting.  Signed up for the sunflower then went to cruisenext and signed up for latitudes cocktail party, behind the scenes tour, and wine tasting.   Had so much time before lunch we toured the thermal spa (will be our haven lite activity) and walked around the buffet which was practically empty just to have a look.  Picked up our first drinks…just wine, but learned from the bartender that previous cruise cancelled Amsterdam so with the extra sea day they were very low on white wine.  None on the shelf.  But he did pull out an almost empty bottle just for me.  Aren’t I special. 😁

Headed to savor for lunch which we both very much enjoyed and chatted with some friendly cruisers next to us.  

After lunch thought we’d see if our cabin was ready not knowing if an announcement was made.  Hall door was opened so we headed down and had a tag on our door saying it was done so we went in.   Turns out there wasn’t an announcement yet but we did meet our steward who was very welcoming.  

Went to sunset bar. Thrilled to see my new favorite drink I discovered on joy in feb.  Rye and rum…and chatted with more lovely cruisers. 

Dinner was at Cagneys.  The hostess recognized us from Joy and was so sweet and just delightful to chat with.   Had a fantastic meal there…hard to believe all the complaints these days.  Maybe I don’t have as refined a palette as others.  Lol.  They did cater to my vegetarian/fish/no shellfish needs.  And I ended with my favorite dessert.  

Went to the theater for the officer intro and first show, a soloist. 
Back to our cabin where our bags had arrived.  All moved in now.  Dhs brother gifted him with a good find.  A can of of Abbot Ale which made it in one piece to our room.  The perfect ending to a wonderful day.

[Red-Sol]

Bon Voyage! Bring the ship back safe and sound!

[CruisnHallelujahs]

On 10/23/2023 at 1:56 AM, Red-Sol said:

Bon Voyage! Bring the ship back safe and sound!

We will do our best.  Lol  We are enjoying the rocking of the sea. 

[CruisnHallelujahs]

I should add embarkation was easy for us with a 9:30 check in time.  Arrived at 9:35 and got right in line.  There weren’t many people arriving after me who could wait inside.  So we did stand in line for quite some time before they let us up to check in.  Lots of people waiting outside.  

Monday night I fell to sleep quickly and as usual woke up in the night.  Then I noticed the banging…I will never get back to sleep so needed to fix this.  We always stay in aft cabins and love that people complain about them so they are available for us.  Have always been able to stop any banging.  I found the source which was unusual.  The very heavy and unmoveable picture on the wall.  I realized if I pressed down on it it stopped…what could I use to press down on it?  My cruisecritic endorsed magnets of course!  I put them on top and it did the trick.  So thankful for that! 

LaHavre was special for us but of no interest to anyone else.  Dhs intern from long ago drove down from Paris with his son to take us out to lunch.  Haven’t seen him for 20 years.  He was living in South America on our other visits to Europe. Walked for miles with him around LaHavre.  He had only been here once before and wondered why a cruise ship would stop here.  Lol. Wonderful seeing him after all those years and proud of his accomplishments in life. 

Today was the meet and greet and Debbie did a fantastic job.  I don’t do public speaking so extra kudos to her.  300 people did not show up but I thought it was an exceptional showing for a meet and greet.  The officers were very entertaining and  seem to have good rapport with each other.  Nice to receive sticky note pad for attending, the one thing I forgot to bring.  And we met the nicest cruise critic members who we then joined for progressive trivia.  Apologizing now for our lack of knowledge.

Edited October 24, 2023 by CruisnHallelujahs
Grammar

[cruiservictor]

If they gave you a card at the Meet and Greet with the names of the officers on it, would you be able to post a picture of it?  Thanks. 

[Red-Sol]

2 hours ago, CruisnHallelujahs said:

We will do our best.  Lol  We are enjoying the rocking of the sea. 

We both enjoy the rocking as well. We did a cruise one time in an aft cabin which for some reason felt very smooth with little rocking while sailing. 2 days after we got home however we both felt very strong "phantom rocking" in our house. Needless to say it wasn't real but it sure felt like it was!

[CruisnHallelujahs]

4 hours ago, cruiservictor said:

If they gave you a card at the Meet and Greet with the names of the officers on it, would you be able to post a picture of it?  Thanks. 

Someone posted it in the roll call if you want to look there.

[CruisnHallelujahs]

4 hours ago, Red-Sol said:

We both enjoy the rocking as well. We did a cruise one time in an aft cabin which for some reason felt very smooth with little rocking while sailing. 2 days after we got home however we both felt very strong "phantom rocking" in our house. Needless to say it wasn't real but it sure felt like it was!

After this long cruise I’m sure I’ll be rocking for awhile. Love that there is no wind in the back. 

[CruisnHallelujahs]

Went to OSheehans for lunch.  Had about a ten minute wait.  Everything we ordered was done well…then to excursion desk to be put on wait list for viga pilgrimage site.  Not much hope but you never know.  I could join the German version…

Lebistro for dinner.  Had the sole…cagneys I had the trout.  Both incredibly good.  When we showed up to lebistro DH was wearing a turtleneck.  Oops.  At least the hostess was discreet in letting us know he needed a collar.  I knew something was wrong when we left the room.  Have to say the turtleneck looked better.  Service was very quick.  Was worried with the shirt change we wouldn’t make burn the floor.  Had time to watch the eliminator game (I want to play!) for a bit before heading over.  Theater was packed. Had to climb over people to get a seat.  Very talented group. Wish I could dance.

Now to come up with a plan for tmro.   Sorry I’m the worst at taking pics.

 

On balcony with blanket I got from steward.

Drinks mai tais…thanks to the ccer who showed all his doubles.

View from sun deck one person was in the pool.  I felt the water. It was warm. Maybe tmro!

[CruisnHallelujahs]

We did not have an excursion planned for la Coruña so had a leisurely morning.  Went to breakfast at savor then thermal spa.  Nice and quiet on a port day.   Kept my swimsuit on and headed to the pool.  A friend we met earlier was just getting out.  Enjoyed telling me how great it is that no one knows it is warm.  We will keep that our little secret.  Heavenly doing my laps with the pool to myself until just about done and one other joined me. 

Changed in the pool bathroom and went to lunch at buffet.  Nice and quiet there as well.  Think I’d love to live on a cruise ship…with hardly anyone on it. 🤓  We usually avoid the buffet but love it for lunch on this transatlantic. 

Went for a walk around La Coruña and enjoyed the old town.  Quite a few nice shops opened on the Main Street.  Lots of restaurants with many customers.  Thought most were filled with locals. 

Dinner was at Tropicana.  Lots of inconsiderate coughers seated around us.  Just having a kleenex handy to cough into would be appreciated. 

Tonight was the hypnotist which we weren’t in the mood for so we just watched the games in the atrium from osheehans.  Wish I caught the name of the host.  Bumped into him this morning and told him how much I appreciated his humor last night.  

[CruisnHallelujahs]

Tried to repeat yesterday but the rain in Vigo brought everyone to the spa.  A thoughtful lady offered me her heated lounger as I walked by so did get one quickly.  DH went into the sauna and people were leaving right as he came over.  So made out just fine.   Spa lady did remove some towels off an unoccupied one that someone took immediately…other person returned.  Everyone survived.  

Went to pool again swam laps alone. In a light drizzle.  Loved it.   Was going to go for a walkabout in Vigo but everyone looked so miserable coming back that we thought we’d wait till next time.  Talked to people who had taken an excursion.  Bus stopped for people to tour for 45 minutes…no one got off the bus. Yikes.   Glad our waitlist didn’t come through for us. 

Highlight of the day was getting in to see broadway unplugged in illusionarium.  Packed and was fabulous.  All from cast of million dollar quartet so really looking forward to that. 

Pretty low key day. Pics of Ventura leaving ahead of us, The coast of Viga,  and rainbow after the rain.  Promises.

Edited October 27, 2023 by CruisnHallelujahs
Spelling

[CruisnHallelujahs]

Yesterday was Lisbon.  Woke up to clear skies and no forecast of rain so didn’t bring umbrella.  Planned to do Rick Steve’s walking tour.  All went well till we arrived at first stop and my iPods were no longer connected to my phone.  I just held it up to my ear instead.  No one but me could hear it but I did get yelled at in the church of Sao Domingos for being on my phone. 

When at the train station, very good timing, the skies opened so we waited inside.  When we came out again the mosaic sidewalks were incredibly slick.  Decided to head back to ship.  All downhill so very slow going till we saw stairs down the side street.   Completed half the tour.  Another one to finish next time.  

Had a snack at osheehans then grabbed a drink and watch the games below.  Our next door neighbors were there so we joined them and enjoyed chatting for a bit.  We appreciate the friendliness of TA cruisers. 

Dinner was at Tropicana.  Avocado hummus and tilapia were quite good.  

Popped in to rumors at Syds.  Standing room only.  We stood for a few songs then left.    Are very talented.  Might make the effort to arrive early another time. 

First pics Praca do Comercio. Skies were blue as blue can be when we left the ship…

[CruisnHallelujahs]

1 Arch of Rua Augusta

2 Mosaic sidewalk (govt wants to replace then with modern pavement)

3 One of the oldest bakery shops in Lisbon. First shop to have a telephone.

4-5 Church of Sao Domingos 

[CruisnHallelujahs]

1-2 Largo Sao Domingos- square where in 1506 the towns Jews were massacred. Also where slaves were sold.

3 train station. 
4-6 sailing out of Lisbon 

5 elevator

[CruisnHallelujahs]

Another rainbow on our exit

and a beautiful sunrise this morning. 
I love the sea.