Homeward Bound

It was a bumpy night as the Captain had warned us in his departure speech from Ponta Delgada, but the seas have calmed down a lot today and the sun came out in earnest by 10am. I played shuffleboard this am and pm, then popped my head into the Chocoholics Buffet which was in the Conservatory.

 

In between it was quite hot enough to sunbathe, although the water in the pool is splashing out over onto the decks. I have been surprised that, however much the ship was rocking and rolling at various points in the cruise, all pools and Jacuzzis have remained open. Just two more days to go, although some people have washed all their clothes and some have even packed!!

At around 6pm, the Captain came over the tannoy to say that in about half an hour we would be passing Azura on her way to the Caribbean. I dashed back to my cabin to get my camera and then up on the forward observation deck to watch. 

The Captain and First Officer put out the Golden Cockerel on the bridge wing (it belongs to Oriana as the fastest ship in the fleet) and sounded our horns as we passed – nothing back at all from Azura though – miserable lot! Won a little in the casino and then went to dinner. I have had the offer of two other tables to change to but our waiters and wine waiter are so lovely I will stick with it till the end. By the time I went to bed the ship was moving quite a bit at the moment, which was making my knees ache. We are running ahead of a big storm coming in so the Captain asked us to think of the people joining Oriana on Wednesday as they may have to sail out into the brunt of it.

Day 20 – Bay of Biscay

We are now just entering the BoB. It has been raining overnight so no shuffleboard or quoits this am. Although it isn’t cold (18C), it is damp outside and the ship is pitching with the occasional roll, so most people are inside (wind force 6). The shop has a 50% off all clothes sale, so that is very busy, otherwise pax are sitting in bars or in the cinema which is showing the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel today. I have packed one holdall but will leave everything else until tomorrow afternoon. It seems as if I have been on board for ever in some ways, and ending all too soon in others. Think I will have lunch in the MDR today as it will not be easy carrying a tray up top. In fact at breakfast there was a steward coming round with a trolley to serve teas and coffees at the table. It’s now looking very different outside from a week ago when we were in Barbados! Even so, all the pools are still open – it must be like being in a washing machine. The noon announcement is just on the tannoy – we have 662 miles left to sail to Southampton.

Day 21

The crossing was not bad as we are well ahead of the big storm. The sun has come out again so I was able to play shuffleboard in the morning and afternoon, although if it had been wet we were all going to meet for coffee in the Conservatory. I packed on and off all day and put my cases out just before going in to dinner. I really dslike the final day as I feel as if I am in limbo. I can't just relax and enjoy it as there is packing and final errands to do like returning library books and picking up photos.

All in all, I have thoroughly enjoyed this cruise. I love Oriana and am really loking forward to being back on board at Christmas. The Caribbean I must say is not my favourite part of the world becuase I enjoy architecture and history and for me there didn't seem to be enough to see, but I also love birds and wildlife and in that it excelled. Will I go back?  Yes - if the right deal comes along at the right time. I would like to see the Eastern islands like Aruba and Curacao.