Two sad sailors

It seems our final post did not make the blog so we'll try again.


Last night was very sad. We had to have our bags packed and ready for collection before we went to dinner, which meant some time spent sitting on them to get them to close! Once we had said goodbye to our table companions we weren't really ready for bed so we went to the show (we can't re-tell it it's too painful) then sat in the Spinnaker Bar and watched as we passed through the Dover Straits.


We arrived at Southampton at about 6.30am, although we didn't wake until 7. We had to be out of the cabin by 8 (although hand luggage could stay), so we headed up to the Belvedere for breakfast. They were exceptionally efficient with the disembarkation, so we were off the ship by 9.30 instead of 10.10. Luggage collection and customs was straightforward and we found the car all clean and ready for us. It was very sad as we left the cruise terminal as the bunting was already on the ship for its next departure today.

We failed in our attempts to negotiate stow away with the waiters.


So what were the best bits:
Favourite port: Andrew's was Gdansk because it was such a surprisingly lovely and interesting place. Victoria's was Copenhagen, with Gdansk a close second. Tallin and Stockholm were really lovely too. Helsinki was a lovely surprise and it was great to catch up with Mark.
Least favourite port: Southampton today and Oslo. Victoria was really disappointed with Oslo but Andrew was more tolerant! Andrew wants to go back. He is alone on that.

Favourite places visited: Yusupov Palace where ra-ra-Rasputin was murdered (both), Suomelinna (Helsinki Port) and the canal cruise in Copenhagen.
Least favourite places visited: Catherine's Palace in St. Petersburg because the guide was rubbish, and the Nobel peace Centre which was over priced and lacking in content.

Favourite things on the ship: Spa/thermal suite/hydropool, a cinema, the promenade deck....actually everything! Our dinner companions really made the trip as they were lovely, and their experience of other cruises really helped us a lot.
Least favourite things on the ship: Rude old people who should know better, but think because they are older than it it gives them the right to push us/be rude to us/queue jump in front of us.

Will we go on another cruise? Yes definitely. We spoke to the future cruise people on board and we now can get a small discount on future P&O cruises as we're now part of the Portunus Club.

Will we go on another cruise on this ship? Yes definitely. Considering not long ago, Victoria would not get on a boat of any sort, the ship/facilities/staff made it so relaxing and really good fun. Our dinner companions also said it was the best ship they'd been on so we've started at the top!

Where next?: Fjords + Iceland or a Mediterranean cruise (Lisbon/Cadiz/Monte Carlo etc). We might have to do a year of Sun caravan holidays to save up though!

This has definitely been the best holiday we have ever had, or at least equalling our honeymoon just without the hassle of train travel between cities. We are now two very sad sailors who are already missing the sound of the waves and the bracing Baltic Sea breeze.