Ambassador Ambiance to Caribbean

[Ray B]

Join me on the cruise to the Caribbean.
Having departed Tillbury Cruise Terminal around 19.30 we made our way down the Thames, and dropping the Pilot off at Midnight, then started to enter the Engish Channel.
On our first day we went to a talk with Malcolm Macfarlane in the Palladium. Memories and sounds of the fifties. Unfortunately a problem with the sound system, with the tech guys running around trying to fix it, resulted in the speaker telling the story with the slides and film and no sound. When he asked can you guess what the artist was singing on the slide, surprisingly, members of the audience answered correctly . Some great tracks from the 50s would have really have got us going. The Talk was good despite the issues with the sound..
We then went up to the ballroom dance lessons at the top of the ship, in the conservatory. Now it's 30 years since we last danced ballroom on our first cruise so we thought we would reprise our steps. Against a strong swell and with the ships motion my balance is not what it was. We managed to do the steps then with a sudden rock of the ship making me look like I've been on the gin, it all went pear shaped. It was fun.
Lucky us, we now have an additional port of call added to the cruise.
Due to overrunning work whilst in dry dock, Ambiance was unable to call and stock up in Ijmuiden in the Netherlands, and will now call at Vigo for a full day, our call at the Azores will now be one day later. The rest of the cruise is unaltered.
During the afternoon/evening the sway of the ship increased making walking in a straight line challenging.
In the Palladium Andrew Browning did a George Michael tribute act. Singing from his days after Wham, I don't think it was the best choice, maybe if he had more from the Wham days it would have been better considering the average age of the audience.
The second day at see we decided the ships movement was to much and gave the Cha Cha Char a miss up top. Early indications suggest it getting worse, putting the Azores in doubt, although things may change by then.
Monday 2nd Feb.
We arrived at Vigo on a rainy overcast day, but as we stepped off the ship it's now dry, after all it is still February. We will make the time enjoyable.
The ship is looking very good in her fresh paintwork and interior is also smart.Tonight at the theatre is Masquerade based on a Vienna ball. We didee see this 18 months ago.
Tonight we sail for the Azores.
Any questions?

[oldbluefox]

Have a good cruise Ray. Be interested to read what you think of Ambassador, my newly adopted cruise line.

[Ray B]

Foxy, lots of sea days to come, I'll scribble something down for the hopefully arrival in the Azores.

[Cheshire Cruiser]

Lucky us, we now have an additional port of call added to the cruise.
Due to overrunning work whilst in dry dock, Ambiance was unable to call and stock up in Ijmuiden in the Netherlands, and will now call at Vigo for a full day, our call at the Azores will now be one day later. The rest of the cruise is unaltered.

Good re-scheduling, I'm sure many other lines would just have missed another port to fit that in.

We sailed from Tilbury a number of years ago and were totally unimpressed with the - admittedly historic - terminal facilities, perhps things have improved? You seem to have started well even if the sea is a bit lumpy - hope the weather doesn't scupper the Azores - and look forward to hearing more.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Hope you're got the WiFi package for your Saturday morning listening fix.

[towny44]

Hope you're got the WiFi package for your Saturday morning listening fix.

I have had the wifi package and never thought to try and tune into Moorlands radio, and its too late now. However we did think of you both when we had an unscheduled stop in Funchal yesterday. La Coruna was cancelled because the port will be closed for security reasons tomorrow whilst they host an international something or other.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We'll be having a scheduled three week stop in Funchal next month.

[Portsmouth]

Then you'll be missing out on all the carnival fun from Feb 11th or maybe you don't like the loud music & crowds

[Portsmouth]

Hi Ray, will be interested about how you found the Azores ( Ponta Delgada ) & what you thought. Did you go on an excursion ?

[Mervyn and Trish]

Then you'll be missing out on all the carnival fun from Feb 11th or maybe you don't like the loud music & crowds

We have seen it a couple of times. Brilliant. But it doesn't usually coinicide with our visit.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Hi Ray, will be interested about how you found the Azores ( Ponta Delgada ) & what you thought. Did you go on an excursion ?

My advice is leave it the the navigator to find it. He's got training and a map.

[Ray B]

Hi all, calling in from the Mid Atlantic Ridge at great expense to my wallet . This is coming straight from my sunbed to you all, gosh it's hot.

[Ray B]

Hope you're got the WiFi package for your Saturday morning listening fix.

Only just paid for a day from 11.45 our time today

[Ray B]

Hi Ray, will be interested about how you found the Azores ( Ponta Delgada ) & what you thought. Did you go on an excursion ?

It was so rough we went to Vigo. But when we have been, it's a delightful place which ever islaand you put into.

[Ray B]

Our day in Vigo was very enjoyable, meandering into the City centre we found it was a public holiday. Non the less there was still one resturant open on Calle de Las Ostras.
Popping in for a light lunch we chose prawns in garlic and baby squid tapas, Mrs B had a black coffee in one of those little tiny cups and myself a Estralla. Speaking to a couple on the way back to the ship, they were hit by an hail storm apparently while we were in the resturant..
At the all a board time the Captain announced that due to increased seas, we will not now visit the Azores but instead head south to Maderia and on to the Caribbean. This hopefully will be a warmer route although the ship did started to really rock and roll through the night. The following morning at breakfast in the Buckingham Reaturant, quite a few tables were cleared of cutlery and plates as the ship gave a sudden lurch, everything smashing to the floor.
Last night in the Palladium a 30 minute farce 'Ding Dong'. Excellently played out.
When wealthy Bernard found out his wife is having an affair, he makes an offer to her lover he simply cannot refuse.......If he wants to stay alive, that is.
A troublesome maid and an escort girl makes the perfect recipe for this hilarious French farce.
Now anyone who has been on Ambience will remember the lifts, with wild horses, polar bear, cane field etc.
All the lifts now, after the refit, are the same bland wood effect panelling. A few passengers have bemoaned the loss.
The refit benefited the upper decks with new carpets and some cabins, mainly suites. lower decks still have the covid carpets. But all is clean and tidy.


Day 4 started again with heavy seas. In the Buckingham resturant a few tables were cleared as the crockery and silverware headed to the floor as the ship lerched suddenly .
In the Botanical lounge two members of the theatre company performed a 15 minute pop up of ' Not so innocents abroad' .Our gallant Georgian couple take their first steps into Europe in an attempt to educate themselves and be entertained as they embark on their grand tour. Very entertaining and funny 15 minutes.
As we make our we to the Caribbean we will pass north of Maderia and strike out into the Atlantic Ocean with six days to go.
The evening was most entertaining with Jennifer Ward singing songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s from big band swing, soul, Bette Midler, Cher to the Beatles. Well received by the audience as she went through a few numbers, similar singer to Jane Mcdonald, nice and easy.
Later in the Centre Court, singing some of his favourite laid back songs was Show Team Leader Dan Wallace, incredible singer, again well received by the audience. Think Shane Ward in 'good ship murders' type of singer.

Day 5, after another bumpy night it became a bit more easier to walk straight today and we took this chance to stroll the open decks, it was very pleasant ending up in the Coffee House on deck 12, a small but comfortable stop for coffee and a wedge of cake.
In the Captains broadcast at 12 noon, he announced the ship was altering course to head to an island north of Maderia to rendezvou with a helicopter for an emergency evacuation. Unfortunately a member of the crew had sustained a serious injury which necessitated the helicopter.
Around the ship today we're skittles, crafts and choir class.
11am in the Palladium Prof Glen Patrick gave a talk on the Wonders of the Caribbean sky . A very interesting talk, following on from yesterday's talk on Tectonic Plates & Ocean Ridges.
The food in the Buckingham Resturant has been tip top and well presented. The same. quality in Borough Market also.
As much as the MDR is good, we will give the Saffron a visit for an Indian meal and a later a Chinese meal celebrating the Chinese New Year.

Day 6. Another sea day, but today it feels slightly improved sea conditions.
Hello sun and blue sky's, temperature getting warmer, 19c. Passengers were out on the sun beds catching the rays, while around the ship the theatre duo did another 20min Vignette in Botanical, The Sounds of the Fifties was repeated in the Palladium, this time with the sound track, and was obviously a lot better.
Crafts, choir, dancing and a lot more going on.
The afternoon talk, Gangsters of the Prohibition Era, the history and life of the Gangsters and Gangs during that period. The shootings and cuttings plus the hangings by meat hooks through the thumbs, just a few things they used for revenge and to deter other gangs moving in. Very enjoyable talk.
Again in the MDR we have two very good waiters who you can have a laugh and chat to. We have a round table for six which makes it easier to converse with each other. I think the round tables of eight are also preferable to the long tables of eight, which we had the last time on here, it's nearly impossible to talk to the person diagonally opposite with the noise of the dining room..
In the Palladium the theatre company put on 'The Blues Brothers'. The songs and dance as the boys tried to save the orphanage from being demolished by the sheriff for development. They even had a car on the stage as they drove around the stage trying to get away from the following police cars, O K, so it was an electric golfp buggy. Another very enjoyable show.

Day 7. Saturday. After a whole week of rocking and rolling on the ship, we are now in calm waters. Blue sky's with a peppering of white cloud, the sun beating down, we are on the sun beds taking advantage of the rays for the first time this year.
So where are we. Sometime today we will pass over the mid Atlantic ridge where the north American plate meets the Eurasion Plate and in a few days time cross the line into the tropics.

[Ray B]

Day 8
A brisk wind blew across the decks and a bit more cloud today as the sun competed to make it more pleasant, but the wind was winning
Inside the ship, Padre Marion Hawley held a Sunday service at sea in the Observatory. We had a leisurely morning just roaming around the ship. In the afternoon we took in another lecture by Malcolm Macfarlane 'Icons of British popular music - the 60s onwards. Another good crowd joining in with the songs.
We gave the Palladium a miss tonight, the Elton John song book was on stage. Instead we opted to go to Raffles Bar where the duo 'Salt and Pepper' were singing popular songs, it was a very good night. They do nice cocktails in this bar so I went with a few 'long island ice tea' containing Vodka, London Dry Gin, tequila, rum, triple sec, fresh lime, lemon mix and cola. very nice. Sarah had Virgin Pina Colada cocktails.

Day 9. Two more days at sea before we arrive at St John's Antigua.
The weather today is a lot more warmer, but as the ship is making 17knots combined with the wind, there is still a fresh breeze across the decks.
The ship is an old ship and this comes with its own problems in the form of leaks around the ship, indeed, two cabins opposite ours had flooding issues after a low level pipe flooded the floors. Some cabins on other decks have had problems with flooding.
Continuing with the lectures, today's was a follow on from yesterdays, with more from the 60s.
We have found when visiting the
Conservatory that it has been to cold, so tonight suitably attired for a formal evening, we will be trying again. This is the normal domain of 'Salt and Pepper' so hopefully it will be another good night.
We are now well and truly in the tropics and one more day at sea to run.

Day 10. We started the day taking a light Breakfast in the Buckingham Resturant. Today we definitely knew we were in the Caribbean, the sun was shining in a blue sky with an odd cloud or two, although more cloud came in the afternoon . It was a day where the call of the sun lounger won out. We decided to take in the sun on the Prom deck. Like Aurora, the Prom deck is from the days of wide open wooden decks, but unlike Aurora it is not a wrap around deck, that being said, it is still a lovely place to take an evening prom or just sit and watch the sea.
Sarah likes a bit of sun, but also likes to have a bit of shade where she can retire to, and read her book when she's had enough. The Prom deck gives you just that. So while she is enjoying the warmth in the shade, I am like a steak on the BBQ, taking care to continually turn over until done, and then join her in the shade for a rest
We have about a hundred miles to run now before taking on the Pilot about six o'clock Wednesday morning, then we should dock a Heritage Quay in the town centre.
Tonight we again went to the theatre where 'Friends of Webber' was on, the theatre company singing songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, and again a very enjoyable show.

Day 11 Antigua

[Happydays]

I've just seen this report and it's very interesting, good to read you're having a good time. Hopefully it will continue

[Meg 50]

So where are we. Sometime today we will pass over the mid Atlantic ridge where the north American plate meets the Eurasion Plate and in a few days time cross the line into the tropics.

mind the step!

[Ray B]

So where are we. Sometime today we will pass over the mid Atlantic ridge where the north American plate meets the Eurasion Plate and in a few days time cross the line into the tropics.

mind the step!

Thank you Meg, mind the step. Just a hundred metres from the dock gates, Sarah misjudged the curbs to the side of the road in Antigua and tripped over. Luckily she fell well(if you are going to fall) and sustained a slight graze on the knee .
We ended up in Hemingways for coconut prawns and squid, so delicious.

[oldbluefox]

Enjoying your reports Ray

[barney]

Enjoying your reports Ray

Me too

[Mervyn and Trish]

Don't worry about getting up in the middle of the night to listen to the radio Ray. I'm away too.

[Ray B]

Don't worry about getting up in the middle of the night to listen to the radio Ray. I'm away too.

Have a good one Merv.

[Ray B]

The Covid carpets mentioned in my report

[Ray B]

Palladium Theatre