Anthem of the Seas 2

Friday 1 May 2015 – Zeebrugge

We woke fairly late and as my friend pulled the curtains she spotted a fireboat outside welcoming Anthem on her maiden call at Zeebrugge.  Ah – the joys of a balcony – we could dash out without having to get dressed and photograph this event – just! The fireboat kept drifting a little too close to capture her sometimes, AND we were getting wet from the spray.

 

Now – the choice of where to eat breakfast! We opted for Two70 and headed back to the extreme aft end. This was my problem with this ship – the long treks to get anywhere meaningful. We had to queue to be served our food – the café felt like Greggs!  Hand gel was placed at the entrance but no one was enforcing your use of it despite self-serve coffee and juice.

 

Having been to Zeebrugge (and Bruges) several times before, we had no plans for the day beyond thinking we might spend an hour or so in Blankenburg. However, on seeing the cost  of a day pass shuttle ticket at 12 Euros, we decided to explore Zeebrugge instead. I have only ever driven through this port, but had noticed an interesting-looking church and a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery so it was interesting to actually walk around it for a change.

We hopped onto the free port gate shuttle and then set off down the road. As a busy working port you need to be careful of traffic – heavy lorries, cyclists and worst of all the trams that run down the centre of the road.  We were initially looking for a good spot to photograph Anthem from but had to make do with a picture by the security fence!  On our right was a small maritime museum with a lightship and old submarine. We didn’t bother to go on board them but they were open.

The old warehouses have been turned into a museum and cafes. At the end of the complex was a marina and that was where we turned left to head back via the church, whose steeple we kept glimpsing over the rooftops. Whether you have religious beliefs or not, I find churches can tell you a lot about the community. 

 

Saint Donatian’s was no exception. It clearly belonged to a maritime people. Saint Donatian was the archbishop of Reims in the 4^th century and is the ancient patron saint of Bruges. The brown brick church was opened in 1911. Just four years later it was in ruins as the fighting front of the First World War spread.  The spire and bell tower were pulled down and the occupying Germans built an observation post there.  In 1918 it was bombarded beyond further use.  Much of the current church dates to the 1920s.

 

As for the military cemetery next to the church, the War Graves Commission tells us that the port of Zeebrugge was used by the British Expeditionary Force in October 1914, and bombed by Commonwealth and French aeroplanes thereafter. On 23 April 1918, British sailors and marines, in a collection of monitors, destroyers, motorboats, launches, old cruisers, old submarines and Mersey ferry-boats attacked the mole at Zeebrugge and attempted to block the canal leading to Bruges and to the German submarine headquarters.

There are 30 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in Zeebrugge Churchyard. 17 of the burials are unidentified but a special memorial commemorates an officer of the Royal Naval Air Service officer known to be buried among them.

 

As we returned to the port entrance we were stopped by a Belgian lady who wanted to know all about the ship and even recorded us on her phone!  After a quick cabin pitstop we went for lunch. Over the three days we had lunch in Two70, Sorrento’s Pizzeria and the Windjammer Marketplace. I can’t say any were memorable and Sorrento’s especially felt like a snack shop in a shopping mall.  Despite asking for two slices of pizza – we got one each in Sorrento’s so didn’t bother to stay long.

 

After lunch we explored the ship further, pausing for a free ice-cream on deck in the warm sun. I sat and watched the people trying out the flow-rider – not quite what I had expected as they were one at a time and there was a queue. Also above them was the rip-cord where you can try out what parachuting feels like. A few children and adults were also trying out the climbing wall. 

 

That evening we were eating in the Grande formal restaurant – a delicious meal of escargots and lobster! Rather oddly the whole idea of trying out the different eating venues was made obsolete by the fact that every restaurant had a few dishes from each of the others – a sampling menu if you like!  I loved the beautiful etched glasses and subtle décor. 

 

After an early dinner we went to the atrium  for the Captain’s welcome speech and champagne – freely given. Not many people appeared to attend and it was a bit odd as he was around for any photos with people and then spoke from the upper level looking down.

 

For such a huge ship I  found the atrium strangely small and oppressive – not at all like the big open area on Independence. At 10pm we went to the Royal Theatre for our pre-booked performance of We Will Rock You. It is all very well pre-booking so you know you will be able to get a seat (they scan your card or WOW band at the door to check), but you still have to be there early to get a good seat! It was an outstanding show and performance and well worth the effort.

After a few non-alcoholic cocktails from the robot I went to bed.