Nautica - 25th August 2013 Cobh

I woke up early as this was the one day I was taking a tour. I was ready just in time to watch us sail past Cobh and over the river to Ringaskiddy where Nautica was to berth.  This was because Fred Olsen's Balmoral was supposed to be berthing in Cobh but in the event she arrived just as we left and we passed in the channel – Nautica blowing her whistle but no reply from Balmoral – which looked rather down at heel and a bit rust-streaked.

After breakfast I went to the Nautica Lounge for 8.45 and exchanged my tour ticket to Kinsale for a tour bus pass No.4. Tours on Nautica are rather like tendering operations in that respect. We were soon called and filed down to Deck 4 and out to the waiting coaches. It was not long before we were on our way with guide Mary and driver Pat.

We drove through rolling countryside not unlike Britain to Fort Charles overlooking Kinsale Harbour, and from where you could see the Old Head of Kinsale where Lusitania sank. 

Fort Charles and the Old Head of Kinsale

Then to Kinsale itself where we went into a hotel for scones and tea before having 2 free hours to explore. It is a pretty town of coloured houses and narrow lanes. I took lots of photos and wandered into a few shops.

 

It was Sunday but most were open as the town was hosting the International Disabled Sailors Championships. I did succumb to a beautiful scarf of red silk and felted wool. By then it was time slowly walk back to the hotel where the coach was waiting. As I sat by the harbour a seal popped its head up. We took a different route back, alongside the Bandon River where we had a brief stop for photos.

 

We got back to the ship at 1.30 and I dashed up to Waves for a veggie burger before shuffleboard. As I was waiting with Frances, our Entertainment Officer, Caryll arrived so we formed a team – and won! Three more Big O points. I popped back down to grab my camera as we left the port at 3pm.  Nautica was put through a hard swing to starboard to clear the pier and then it was back downriver past Cobh again.

 We sailed very close to the town and hoards of people lined the waterfront to watch and wave at us and a fair was in full swing in the small seafront park. In the distance by the lighthouse, Balmoral was just arriving and we passed very close to each other.

There was just time to return to the cabin with my camera and dash up to Horizons to sample the special Oceania Cup Cake tea. This was a buffet spread with tiny delicious sandwiches and a huge array of beautifully decorated cup cakes. In fact we nearly missed spotting it at all!

Today we only managed second place in Team Trivia.  Then to the cabin to change for dinner. I even managed to partially pack my holdall. It is strange being in port on our last day and there won’t be a lot of time for packing so it all helps.

It is the big finale tonight, entertainment wise so headed up for cocktails in Martinis first. The couple we shared the Invergordon tour with joined us and we had a nice chat for half an hour before they left for Toscana and we went into dinner. We had to wait a short time until a table was available. We were initially disappointed it was only for two but it was beside the window and we had a lovely view of the sunset. I chose caviar on potato, chicken consommé and lobster tail followed by pistachio tartlet topped with orange and grapefruit segments. We finished at 9pm and headed up to get seats in the Nautica Lounge to watch The Platters. It was a great (although a little long at 1½ hours) show with lots of audience participation. This was followed by the whole crew filing into the lounge so they could all be thanked – from Captain to cabin steward, and on the way out of the lounge they all lined the corridors.