| Lunch in the Golden Lion then back to the cabin to await our 6pm sailaway. We passed the time watching the webcam where security guards did their best to chase people away, though a couple kept trying to sneak back. We went on the top deck and it was already blowing a gale. We could barely hear what Captain Oprey was saying but heard him mention a force 10 and variable forces to Le Havre. We had two tugs as an escort, which had been pushing us against the side since around noon, as we moved off the berth fifteen minutes late and performed the slowest exit in all the times I've visited the port. Well done, Captain Oprey, for steering us caugtiously through the narrow channel! The wind whipped up, sea spray covered us and as we went back down, saw Christian who wanted to get photos. Three of the Hooray Henriettas were boozing in the hot tub, one drinking out of the jug! Inside, one door was closed off and they were very quick to close the other after we were inside. The Hooray Henriettas staggered in a bit later. We sat and watched the cargo ship drop the pilot after Rob had a peek in the Planetarium, and a bit later the info channel gave us a force 9, which wasn't bad. |
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Rob exchanged his Cunard hoodie for a medium, which he didn't think they'd do. Dinner was fun and semi-formal night so Rob had to wear his suit again. Hyacinth Bucket was still boring people on another table. Rob called her a rich bitch so I pointed out if she was rich, she wouldn't be in Britannia. Me and the lady from Cheshire had a QE2 ringtone horn battle while those on surrounding tables wondered where the noise was coming from. The waiters enjoyed it anyway. It also turned out she had been on my QE2 Fjords cruise so we reminisced about Captain McNaught and his rebellious ways. The Cheshire Lady met someone and had invited her and her mother to join our table but apparently the Maitre 'D told them it was full. Did Hyacinth Bucket just move without telling anyone or is there some confusion going on? Mary's motion was aggravating my back just like in the Bay of Biscay the previous October, when it was a mere force 7. She may be a Superstar crossing the Atlantic where you barely feel anything but on cruises she is crap at handling rough sea. I ended up needing to take painkillers for the first time in weeks. They at least helped get me to sleep. Final port on the 9th was Le Havre where again, rule changes meant you needed your passport. We slept late again thanks to more giggling until the early hours. Rob was right when he described it as just like a sleep over. There was a crew drill so sod that. The Golden Lion was yet again full - bugger off, people!!!! So we went to Kings Court for more unappetising choice. They didn't even have bloody cucumber for the salad. Our waiter was serving so we had a chat to him and the couple at the next table whose first cruise it was then off to get photos. |
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| Golden Lion and we managed to find one empty table. I say empty, it was full of plates containing food and glasses, as well as some on the window ledge. Rob asked just for chips, so the waiter brought him two plates while outside the windows were being cleaned. |
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| We'd been told by Harry Cotterill's dad as we passed that we were on the cruise DVD so put it on when we got back to the cabin. It was on a loop, only showing passengers arriving and a bit of the three Queens meeting. |
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| We wanted to make enquiries about another cruise, get prices and so forth, but the Future Cruise Sales had several people waiting with just twenty minutes before they shut the doors on them. It would have been quicker to phone Cunard in Southampton! Rob's dad said he could go so a week to Norway in 2013 was booked! Discovery, one of the original Love Boats, was heading to Dunkirk from Rouen and thankfully Rob spotted her in open water so we rushed to deck 11 and ran to the observation deck. |
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| I went to the photo gallery to collect he DVD and we got two! We bumped into the lady and her mother and it turned out they'd booked the same cruise as us. Sailaway was 8pm and there was no announcement which we heard. One little pleasure boat was told to move by the police and then we were off, blast mania the entire way out! It was just like Rotterdam so we wondered if Captain Kevin Oprey was at the help or Deputy Captain Hamish Sunter again. A child was lifted up by his grandmother and didn't feel safe, yet neither his granny or mother would let him down. How completely irresponsible. You can bet your life it would be Cunard's fault if he'd fallen, and not theirs. |
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Our final dinner then out onto the top deck for what was left of the sunset as well as a general bit of silliness, since it was Allen Stewart again in the theatre. If anyone had overheard our conversation they'd have sworn we were drunk. Well Rob was hitting the doubles Coke's! |
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Fred Olsen had been wrong when they said you aren't allowed to take your own luggage, as I'd suspected. If the first ferry was earlier than 10am, we'd have done it. As it was, we'd be the last colour called at that very time. After putting the cases out it was time for bed - until Rob showed me he'd recorded me being silly earlier! Another late night due to constant giggling. I bet our neighbours would be glad to see the back of us unless they were deaf so couldn't hear it. Morning and an early start for our arrival back into Southampton. It was a bit cool but the sunrise was absolutely amazing as we passed the Forts, heading towards Southampton Water. Saga Ruby was already in, having arrived for 4am, which was quite disappointing. |
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| Breakfast in Kings Court and we bumped into that couple whose first cruise it was. Waiting to go is the worst part of the cruise because it's just so BORING! We had to be out of the cabin by 8.30pm and wait in the Queens Room, which was the first time Rob had seen it and G32. There really is a lot to be said for just going. Around Before 9am, it was announced some areas would lose power while undergoing maintenance. Britannia Restaurant and the Queens Room were two of the areas. Couldn't they have waited until everyone was off???? |
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Finally we were called before time and it was a relief to be leaving since we were on the verge of dozing off. Still very stupid Carnival UK take your card off you when not even their sister lines do. They're of no use to anyone, for crying out loud. Because it was raining yet again, after such a wonderful arrival, we had to take a taxi to Town Quay so more photo plans were scuppered, especially with her facing in instead of the original bow out. So the verdict? Brilliant! Although I do think that's down to Rob's presence. With guest entertainers I've already seen plus my feet ballooning from salt I wasn't supposed to get in the food, I doubt I would have enjoyed it had I gone alone. To see more photos of Discovery click here, while those of the three Queens arriving and sailing can be found, here. |
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