Now however there are a few in the offing :) In just over five weeks my friend and I fly off to Singapore to board the lovely Aurora. We will sail to Capetown (via Malacca, Colombo, Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion and Port Elizabeth) and fly home, with a couple of days ashore at each end.
This will be my first foray to the Far East and, hopefully, will tick a few more things off the bucket list - not least the elephant Orphanage at Pinnewala and a Wildlife Safari from Port Elizabeth. Add a Singapore Sling in Raffles, a beach in the Seychelles and the colourful market at Malacca into the mix, together with a few lovely sea days between each port and it sounds perfect - I just hope it is!
Aurora was the first P&O Cruises ship I ever sailed on - back in 2004, when I realised a long-held dream to sail to the Eastern seaboard of the USA and Canada. It was everything I hoped it would be and more - and I haven't looked back since. Aurora is a classic cruise ship in the traditional style with lots of open deck space and a beautiful tiered stern. I am sad that the wonderful library, with furniture and fittings by the renowned David Linley, has been converted into a select dining venue since my last cruise on her, but hopefully not much else will have changed.
Well, at the beginning I said there were a few ship fixes in the offing - another will be three nights on the brand new RCI Harmony of the Seas. Far too big for me to consider cruising on her but I am fascinated to look over her - it may take me three days as she is another Oasis class ship - a massive 227,700 grt with close on 5500 passengers!
As for the other ship fixes - well it looks like we may get the go-ahead on a new book soon but I'm going to leave it at that for now.
And finally - some potentially great news for the beautiful and historic liner SS United States, which has just been bought by Crystal Cruises with the full intention of returning her to active service. A master stroke indeed!
https://www.facebook.com/SSUSC/?fref=nf
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2016/02/04/crystal-hopes-to-refurbish-historic-ss-united-states-to-its-former-glory/
