Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

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melsea
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Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#1

Post by melsea »

Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

7th & 8th January.. Prepare and sail off...
The time for our big adventure was gaining a fast pace and as per usual there was more to do than time to do it. What's more this was to be our first world cruise since 2012 and then we had to cancel the world cruise of 2013. So here we were trying to figure out how to pack and how much. Fortunately in Dec 2014 we had been on a 12 day cruise of which I made good use of trying to figure out how much toiletries to take, we ladies have a fair amount to take, well at least I do.
The day before we were to set sail we drove to Southampton with our luggage of 8 pieces, this is probably the least amount we have ever taken on a World Cruise, the most was when we got married where we had something like 14!!, there were smaller cases that made up the 14.
Anyway I digressed. The weather was perfect which always sets the right mood for a cruise.
The morning arrived, 1. breakfast - check, 2. Count cases - check, 3. Passports - check, 4. Paperwork - check, 5. Taxi arrives - check, 6. Cases in taxi phew they fit -check, 7. Get in car - check, 8 We're on Holiday!!! - check.
We had been notified a few days earlier that check in times were to be adjusted so that the ship's company could do a deep clean of the ship as they had the Norvo Virus on board. Our original check in time of 12 noon was put back to 1pm. We actually arrived at 12.45, having counted our luggage that was to disappear we were happy and so we went up the stairs at Ocean Terminal where officially our Cruise experience starts.
It wasn't long before we started to be called to check in and as per usual it went smoothly and quickly, in no time at all we were on the ship and officially our holiday began. We were able to make our way to cabin not long after and we were very pleased with cabin which was on guarantee basis and we knew which cabin it was months ago but had no idea what it would be like, it A307 this was one grade up of what we paid for so a small upgrade for us. It was more spacious than previous inside cabins.
We had lunch and then went to investigate the new refit look. The Glass House which used to be Cafe Bordeaux was dismal and dark, hated it on sight. The Sindhu look nice and spacious, this is where the library used to be. Champions look much better and brighter too. The Casino had been opened up by knocking out a wall that lead towards Carmen's at the back. They added 3 large two seater couches by the windows. The library was now located where the Internet room used to be, a room just before you go into the Crows Nest on the Port side. Much smaller and not many seats for people to use. What used to be the Side walk Cafe was now called the Lido and looked more open than before. The buffet formally known as The Orangery had been completely revamped and looked to me much brighter with nice furnishings and lighting. They had plenty of table of twos but they were far too close to each other, I hate it when they do that so would avoid those at all cost.
So with our tour of what will be our home for 105 days it was time to find our cases. We had 3 already in our cabin and Bill found our others up and down the corridor. By the time it was muster time we had all our cases.
All of a sudden it time to wave farewell to Southampton with a band playing us out and fireworks to send us off.
We managed to unpack all our stuff and I rearranged my shoes and bags into two small case and they were stored under the bed for when I wanted them.
For our dining arrangements we had swapped from Club dining to Freedom dining. I did this on our Cruise Personaliser sometime in December having just been to Oceana twice in November and December and found it worked for us as we still went to dinner at around the same time as we normally do at Club dining which was the second sitting, we would go down to the restaurant at around 8.20 and ore or less got a table for two straight away. Having found this worked we decided to change for the world cruise and do table of two and occasionally share. So with this we went down on our first night on here and we were escorted to a table of two or so we thought. When we got to the table we were flabbergasted to find the table of two was so close to the other table of two it was virtually a table for four. Well we said a resounding no and said to the other couple, no offence but we want and table of two and not a table for four they replied yes exactly we wanted a table of two as well they too thought it was ridiculous. Having established that we won't except that, they found us a table of two, a proper one. We had a marvellous meal and because it was just the two of us we were finished well before 10pm which meant I did not have to rush to the theatre for the introducing of the Headliners and entertainment staff.
Well as you can imaging I was feeling tired from the excitement of the day and just crashed into bed and slept dreaming of what am I going to do with myself for the rest of the 104 days.
Not my most entertaining start to a blog but I will endeavour to fill in the blanks of the days, weeks and months that came by.
Melsea.

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Dancing Queen
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#2

Post by Dancing Queen »

Off to a good start Melsea, it will be interesting to compare your review with emjay's and what if anything you both liked/disliked/could be improved upon etc.
Jo

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emjay45
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#3

Post by emjay45 »

Hi melsea
I'm looking forward to reading your reports too. No doubt they will be more in depth than mine and at least I didn't have to follow you. ;)
When we returned home I found the email from P&O telling us about the deep clean it was sent on the 9th Jan. :roll: I'm surprised you didn't like the Glasshouse, the only tables my son could sit at in the Cafe Bordeaux were the tables for two along the side wall ( he needs good light to see anything).In the Glasshouse if we sat at the tables by the window he was fine. I know it wasn't popular but we loved it.


cruisin_duo
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#4

Post by cruisin_duo »

Thank you Melsea, really enjoy reading the cruise reports. You mentioned you placed your shoes and bags into two small cases, and placed them under the bed. That's what I like about this forum you get tips on what people do when in port, and how to store things in the cabin. We placed our shoes in cases under the bed, and it really helps.

Looking forward to hear more about your adventures.

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Belle53
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#5

Post by Belle53 »

Always enjoy reading your reports Melsea, looking forward to reading more.

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Suekersh
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#6

Post by Suekersh »

Great start. Looking forward to reading the rest.

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Gill W
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#7

Post by Gill W »

I'll be looking forward to reading more, as many of the ports on this cruise are places that I'd like to visit one day
Gill

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GillD46
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#8

Post by GillD46 »

Just found this, another World Cruise to read - wonderful.
Gill

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oldbluefox
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#9

Post by oldbluefox »

Just got round to reading your report melsea. Looking forward to the others now. Going on Aurora very shortly so have been interested in your comments about all the changes.


Quizzical Bob
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#10

Post by Quizzical Bob »

oldbluefox wrote:
Just got round to reading your report melsea. Looking forward to the others now. Going on Aurora very shortly so have been interested in your comments about all the changes.
R506 Western Med by any chance?

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oldbluefox
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#11

Post by oldbluefox »

Indeed QB and only a week to go. Can't wait.


Quizzical Bob
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#12

Post by Quizzical Bob »

oldbluefox wrote:
Indeed QB and only a week to go. Can't wait.
Great news! See you onboard ;)

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Manoverboard
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Re: Melsea's Adventures of South America & Pacific Adventures Part 1

#13

Post by Manoverboard »

Thanks Mel, however I would be inclined to add ;

6a) “ Lock the front door and set the alarm “ .... check ;)

Forgive me but .... “ Anyway I digressed ... “ is a perfect phrase for your tombstone, long may it be delayed.

:wave:
Keep smiling, it's good for your well being

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