| It was so windy by now, I almost lost my bag several times so I out it over my shoulder under my coat. A tug attached to our stern and we waited as Empress was due to go before us. Instead, we began to be pulled out but as the tug strained against the wind pushing us back, another went to Empress and she left before us after all. Once the extra tug finished there, he came to help us. It would have taken too long to pull all the tangles out of my hair so I went as was to the quiz where we lost again! Carol's team had six, including Peter to our five. If Thelma hadn't arrived at the end, they'd have had seven. Now if any of those Americans find this review, Lord John Moore is farthest right on the photo of my quiz team. Dinner and we ended up on the Captain's Table because of being nine of us. Peter couldn't believe he was sat at it two nights running. Lauren arranged for us all to have a free drink. I like these solo meets on Voyages of Discovery! It was still incredibly windy after midnight when I spotted Oriana ahead of us so I didn't stay out long trying to snap her. |
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| Our final full sea was in the Bay of Evil only it was reasonably calm for once - boo! Though the forward part of the top deck was closed off. When I got up, I noticed we were barely moving and when I put the info channel on, saw our speed was rising from 5.7 knots. It took just over ten minutes to get up to 16 knots. Final lunch and sat with Jerry, Bruce and Trevor and saw Peter briefly. It was amazing how much beef I ate during this cruise and I'm not a fan. But every piece used for whatever meal had no fat or gristle and was so tender. Could not fault the superb quality of the food purchased throughout the entire cruise. The internet was playing silly buggers again and I had about eighty minutes left so ordered a turkey sandwich from room service while I tried and failed fighting it. It was the solos farewell booze up so no quiz and no chance for revenge to get that pen. Gerry, the cruise director, and Lauren were there but there were far less than at the welcome one. I spied Oriana then we went to dinner. Eight of us sat at the Captain's Table while John, Gillian, Thelma, Mary and a couple of others sat at a table for six. Lauren joined us for about twenty minutes. We were the loudest table but it was a great way to end a fabulous cruise. It was also the first time I'd seen toothpicks! A stroll around the deck before trying the internet AGAIN. Oriana was still in sight but had moved to our portside. Later, Emerald Princess and Oceana passed us outbound and NOW I managed to log on to the internet, but still got disconnected when I had about fifty minutes remaining. |
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And here we were, Portsmouth bound thirteen days after flying out to Rome to board this wonderful ship. Despite regaining an hour, I only managed about three hours thanks to the awkward internet. Due to breakfast beginning at 7am and disembarkation ninety minutes later, it was absolutely packed in the buffet. I was on deck and it seemed really strange past the Forts turning right instead of left, especially since I could see the Fawley power station chimney, which was usually my reference to go up top. It was an absolutely gorgeous morning after all the rain my dad told me they'd been having in the UK. Mick and his wife were up there too. As we got ready to dock, I went to fight the hoards only to find it was a bit calmer and I could easily find a seat. It was really sad saying goodbye to everyone. The crew on both Discovery and Voyager have been some of the best and they help make or break a cruise. I gathered my hand baggage, left my key and made my way to the Discovery Lounge to await my colour Mauve 1 being called. Disembarkation began at 8.50am and I saw with Carol as I waited. Mine was called about twenty five minutes later. The gangway was from Scott's Lounge on deck 5. We all hopped onto a bus for the short ride to the terminal building where Lauren greeted everyone as she helped anyone who needed it to find their luggage. The National Express coach stop is right outside. Mine was 10.15am, Bruce and Jerry was five minutes later and Gillian managed to get onto theirs, as they were all going to Dorset. We passed St Mary's Stadium on the way into Southampton, so I knew my cruise was over. |
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| So that was that. Cruise on my bambina well and truly over. I need a nickname for her but all I can think of is Gigi. It's amazing really. I'd only seen her once in 2008 as Alexander von Humboldt and she hadn't made that much of an impression on me, not being the world's prettiest ship. However, my 30th ship has jumped into my top three while the cruise is second best ever. It is the first solo cruise I've done out of 30 of them too where solos are TRULY welcome. NCL is good with the solo cabins and lounge but cliques tend to form if you're not at their daily meet for the first day or so. That didn't happen here and you continued to meet fellow solos throughout as they dipped in and out of events. Lauren was a joy to spend time with each night and made the quizzes fun, even when you lost, as were my fellow passengers. It was such a good, relaxed atmosphere onboard. I hope it won't be too long before I'm back onboard because small is beautiful in Voyager's case and my ugly duckling is most definitely a swan!
More photos of the other ships can be found on the Other Stalking index. |
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