| I managed to get a copy of the 2013 brochure, since she was now going to CMV and it would be interesting to see what changes to itineraries and fares were made. Many still didn't know about it. Later it was a very nice sunset so we popped up to the deck before dinner to take a photo. It was Pirate Night, although they looked more like convicts. |
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Quiz and we joined Rhianna and managed to get seven point! Didn't win but it was still a good attempt. Rob went to the film, I went to the buffet then headed to bed. Bergen was the last port on the 1st September. Since we had BO there was no point getting up. Rob went into town while I carried on snoozing. It was wet - ugh! I went to lunch, which had a British theme today but the fish and chips were more like goujons. Afterwards I went to take photos. My back was starting to ache so I just got the ship. |
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| At least it hadn't been raining - unlike for sailaway when it was also ruddy windy! The pilot was late but thankfully, as we made our approach to the bridge, it stopped. I went in after that to detangle my hair and warm up. |
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| Formal night again. Rob went to the party where he met up with Trish and Alan while I stayed in the cabin, meeting them at dinner. They told me the Captain welcomed everyone to a proper ship, not block of flats. Snotty table didn't show, which was probably a good thing since we were all more raucous than normal. Probably wise they went to the Yacht Club since that stupid bitch would only still have been jealous our table has fun while they talk hoity-toity drivel. |
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| Quiz time and we joined Rhianna, who got five all on her own. It turned out her family and us were on the same table at dinner. That was a weird coincidence. She said Reagan doesn't smile during first sitting either. No one bothered asking if we wanted a drink, despite being a spit away from the Captain and friends, so I had to get my own from the bar. Bed not long after midnight.
The last day was a sea day and we had a bridge visit at 10.30am. Not many people know you can do one but you just ask at reception. They have several and they last half an hour. |
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| EU nationals had their passports back this day but the rest were kept until after we'd docked back in Harwich. After lunch, I spotted AIDAluna from the cabin, which was heading towards Invergordon as she repositioned to the States for autumn and winter. I thought we'd have seen Ventura but must have passed early in the day. It was a nice afternoon, not too cold. |
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| We went to the afternoon quiz, which stupidly you could only have a maximum of four in your team so we said Rhianna would just doodle. We didn't win. We also met Rhianna's mum as we were all sat outside enjoying the lovely weather. Some passengers were getting orgasms over an oilrig in the distance. Apparently, it was a huge one! Back to the cabin to start packing then dinner. Snotty table showed up - shame! We hoped they were so fed up with us having so much fun they'd stay away again. |
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| It was the last quiz of the cruise where were all joined Rhianna, her mum, dad and sister. Didn't win but we had a good laugh. Nitpicker hadn't been since we beat him but we had seen him and his wife around the ship. After I put my case out, it was midnight buffet and we took it into the Discovery Lounge. Headed to head around 1.15am and I spotted something small but perfectly formed through the cabin window - Saga Ruby! She was heading to Dover. Clocks back an hour then bed. |
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| And so back to Harwich and it was chilly but at least dry. Quite a few people were out watching the arrival and we had a tug assist. It was unusual seeing the luggage piled up by reception. Usually it was out of sight until disembarkation. |
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| A last breakfast, Rob picked up his passport aand we just waited in the Discovery Lounge to be called. Hedging their bets, they had every colour as starting from 8.30am. We sat with trish and Alan and ours was called before theirs about twenty minutes later. After collecting the luggage, we went to the station for the 9.33 to Manningtree, which arrived seconds before the one to Liverpool Street so there was a mad rush across the platform to board a train packed with people going to the Paralympics. So the verdict. Absolutely fantastic! Despite being mainly filled with old people and sod all to do, it was amazing just how bored you aren't on these cruises. The atmosphere was amazing and the crew certainly made the cruise. They know they'll be getting tips so don't suck up for what they can get out of you. Beware if you book via the US or Australia office though. While gratuites and other things are included with UK bookings, they aren't if you book in those countries. I know we could really have done with the transfer to and from Harwich rather than endure the nightmare train journeys. If the prices weren't so high (especially for singles), I would sail with Voyages of Discovery more often. They have such interesting itineries which the major cruise lines could do if they bothered investing in smaller ships and imagination. They are also bang on dealing with dietary requirements. My feet weren't swollen at all after the nine nights on the cruise so I was definitely given salt free meals. More photos of the ships seen during the cruise found here. |
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