Cruising again

I do realise that the majority of people cruise perhaps once a year, but have to confess it feels soooo long since my last cruise (not really counting Harmony of the Seas). I am getting desperate for the feel of a deck under my feet and the sight of a long wake at the stern. Luckily for me in two weeks time I should get my fix - on the beautiful Oriana. This will be my last cruise on her before her big refit so my last chance to photograph her as she currently is and record the areas due for change.

At the end of November she will sail to Hamburg for a complete refresh. Along with new soft furnishings and colour schemes I have also heard rumours that the bridge wing will be enclosed. I can of course see why that may be done, but one of the joys on older ships were the random interactions between the captain on the bridge wing and passengers hanging over from the observation decks!

Captain David Box berthing Artemis

 

Two mood boards of Oriana's new look. (P&O Cruises)

So, it's time to get the cases out and think about packing :)

Over the last few weeks I have also made a start on the book I am going to write on the world cruise next year. This will (I hope) be a mixture of memoir and travel journal and interweave excerpts and impressions from diaries of 19th century passengers with my own experiences in the same ports. That's the intention anyway. So Happy Sailing to anyone off on the high seas. Next blog should be of Oriana.