Ah - the bliss of a relaxing day at sea. We were in the cabin and had just
pulled open the curtains with the sun shining through the window, wondering if
there might be dolphins out there when a crew member climbed out of the tender
he was doing work on right outside!! Thankfully we were both still decent!!
Aside from spa visits and Caryll's quoits and table tennis, we had nothing
planned for today. The Peninsular Party was that evening and it was also black
and white night. We only had one port left - Portimao, then two days sailing
home.
Tuesday 15 May
We arrived at Portimao, Portugal. This wa our last port and were up early
for the sail in as our tour was leaving at 8.20. At 7am it was 20 degrees on
deck and got hotter as the day wore on into the mid 30s. Like Port Mahon, our full day here had been
cut to around 6 hours so our plans to take the shuttle to Praia de Rocha after
the tour had to be cancelled. The beaches in the Algarve are spectacular as are
the cliffs surrounding them. We travelled first the Cape St Vincent to the
lighthouse on the south west tip of Europe. The timings here were silly since
we arrrived at 9.40 for half an hour but the lighthouse (and its toilets)
didn’t open till 10am!! It was still a good stop though, with swallows swopping
around us and mad fishermen using lines from the top of the huge cliffs.
Apparently several die here every year! From there we drove to Sagres, stopped at some
more wonderful cliff formations and then to Lagos where we had an hour, half of
which our guide spent explaining the church. Then back to the ship for 1pm. We had the Great British Sailaway
around the Crystal Pool and then sat on the prom deck watching for the dolphins
that live around here. Chocoholics was this pm but neither of us went – I
certainly couldn’t have faced chocolate in any shape or form in this heat.
Homeward bound now with two days at sea until Southampton.
 |
| Lagos, Portugal |
At sea
While Caryll was off doing
energetic things, I spent the morning dolphin watching from the prom deck and
making the most of our last two days. After a grey start it turned out bright,
warm and sunny, although there is a colder easterly wind. Adonia is pitching a
little, but not uncomfortably. After lunch out on deck we both watched The
Adonia Regatta. Three people submitted boats - you had to make a boat from
items found on board, that would float, withstand a mini tsunami (Darren the
ent. officer jumping in the pool) and carry 6 cans of soft drink! I would have
been pushed to choose a winner as there were all excellent and all passed their
tests. By teatime the ship movement started to increase and the Captain came
over the tannoy warning us to take care moving around the ship and to secure
everything in the cabin. I was already beginning to feel a little queasy and so
took a Stugeron and decided to skip dinner, even though it was our last formal
night. I was not alone as there were four people missing from our table it
seems. I was still a little hungry though so went for room service sandwiches –
that was my mistake! For only the second
time in my cruising career I was well and truly seasick! In fact the wind was
only Force 7, but was hitting us from the north east and causing the ship to
corkscrew. Caryll managed dinner and the quiz before succumbing to the same
malady.
Thursday 17 May 2012
Our last day on board and there was packing to be done. Unfortunately it is
still rocking and rolling, although we both felt fine after a good night’s
sleep and a light breakfast. The
movement made it a bit exhausting and we didn’t really do a lot else. At 3pm
there was a Murder Mystery in the Curzon Room. It was a bit like a radio play
but the audience had to guess the murderer and motive (and win a bottle of
wine). Caryll and I didn’t come close to getting it right. I changed my disembarkation time to the
earliest – 9.30am, although there is only half an hour between the first and
last. Adonia does seem to arrive in Southampton later that the other ships
though. Since Andrew and I were book signing on board until 2pm, I had to
disembark, collect my cases, load the car, move it to the short stay car park
and collect a day pass, I was back on board before Caryll had left.
So, in conclusion, a few thoughts about Adonia – I loved the elegant
restaurant, excellent service, friendliness of everyone – being welcomed back
on board by name every time, from embarkation to disembarkation and every port
in between – and the size. Andersons was lovely and The Conservatory is the
best buffet restaurant in the whole fleet IMO, with a logical layout and hand
gel and cutlery at every entrance/exit.
Also, at present there is only one entertainment venue so you cannot do
both the syndicate quiz and go to a show due to timings, although we were told
something is being done about that – not sure what though.
I don’t like the deck area so much. Aside from the terrace behind the
Conservatory, the only open decks are in the middle so there is no escape from
the Sailaway music aside from the prom deck and no other view of the wake. Plenty of sunbeds but again – all in the
centre and I cannot get up from them. Indeed, more than once I saw a lady call
over a deck steward to help them up. The only reclining chairs were on the prom
deck so I had to carry one up to deck 10. Also there is no unobstructed view
forward – the Sky deck has blue glass all around so useless for photography. I
commented on this to the Captain, who is also a keen photographer, but, as he
pointed out, he has the bridge wing to use!
Would I sail on her again – yes – absolutely – if the price and itinerary
were right. IMO she is probably best suited to port-heavy cruises with not so
many seadays. Being able to visit places like Portofino, Port Mahon and Sete
was brilliant and tendering was easy and quick where required. I had a great
time and some good memories.
