Ventura N421 Western Europe

[Ray B]

The Venture orchestra had a jamming night in Metropolis playing fantastic Jazz, they were really good, lots of talent there.

[CaroleF]

I read a posting on FB yesterday where someone asked about the rules on a Celebration Evening and asked if her husband put a shirt on rather than a T shirt would that be ok. One answer said smart casual was fine on a formal evening if her husband put a tie on. After that several answers said that no, her husband would either have to wear a suit, a jacket and tie, or that several men would be wearing black tie. I don't remember if a specific ship was mentioned. Why don't people look at the website, it will tell them exactly what the rules are, not suggestions, rules.

[david63]

Why don't people look at the website, it will tell them exactly what the rules are, not suggestions, rules.

Unfortunately there are two issues here. The first is that in the daily hymn sheet is says suggested, or recommended (cannot remember which one), dress code for the evening and the second is that some venues (such as the buffet) will allow casual dress on formal nights. But it has been that way for several years and for the first time cruiser it can be confusing. However there will always be some that try to push the boundaries.

[Jan Rosser]

The Venture orchestra had a jamming night in Metropolis playing fantastic Jazz, they were really good, lots of talent there.

Same on this cruise Ray - really good

[Jan Rosser]

Guernsey today and it’s hot! We are sitting on balconies waiting for the queue for the tenders to subside

Yesterday was at sea and truthfully did nothing except laze about and eat. Formal night so on with the glad rags for us - lots of formal wear but equally the suit dodgers turned up and were refused entry. One chap was with I presume his wife and daughter wearing beautiful saris - he wore black jeans and a black T-shirt - no entry. The Saffron restaurant is formal wear plus the Epicurean and Baytree and Metropolis and Red Bar while the Cinnamon and others don’t insist on formal dress. Beef wellington was on the menu last night.

Metropolis bar after dinner - the pianist Hannah Gerendas again played for us - the place was packed - she’s very popular.

Extra hour’s sleep - clocks went back to British summertime overnight.

Another announcement - so far 2000 passengers have gone ashore - having second thoughts about going over - it’s the queues coming back that put me off!

More later

[Mervyn and Trish]

Why don't people look at the website, it will tell them exactly what the rules are, not suggestions, rules.

Unfortunately there are two issues here. The first is that in the daily hymn sheet is says suggested, or recommended (cannot remember which one), dress code for the evening and the second is that some venues (such as the buffet) will allow casual dress on formal nights. But it has been that way for several years and for the first time cruiser it can be confusing. However there will always be some that try to push the boundaries.

Very true. The other BIG issue is that many people answering questions on Faceache etc give their opinion, rather than facts.

[Jan Rosser]

It says on the cruise itinerary card that “Black Tie evening dress code APPLIES in the following venues after 6 pm in Baytree etc”. That is pretty clear but again as Merv says people turn to the experts on Facecloth for advice and do what suits them anyway!

[Stephen]

You were honoured Jan to get into Guernsey. We’ve tried three times on various cruises and failed with each one.

[Jan Rosser]

You were honoured Jan to get into Guernsey. We’ve tried three times on various cruises and failed with each one.

Well I am the daughter of a WW2 veteran doncha know - my mother served in Bletchley Park during the war

[Stephen]

walls have ears

[Mervyn and Trish]

You were honoured Jan to get into Guernsey. We’ve tried three times on various cruises and failed with each one.

Well I am the daughter of a WW2 veteran doncha know - my mother served in Bletchley Park during the war

Does that mean she worked in the canteen?

[Jan Rosser]

You were honoured Jan to get into Guernsey. We’ve tried three times on various cruises and failed with each one.

Well I am the daughter of a WW2 veteran doncha know - my mother served in Bletchley Park during the war

Does that mean she worked in the canteen?

Definitely not although until the 70’s we didn’t even know she worked there - as she kept telling us she’d signed the Official Secrets Act! That generation could keep a secret. It’s actually a very interesting story - the family are so proud of her - we have donated all her papers etc to the museum but we’ve kept her medals.

[Onelife]

Well I am the daughter of a WW2 veteran doncha know - my mother served in Bletchley Park during the war

Does that mean she worked in the canteen?

Definitely not although until the 70’s we didn’t even know she worked there - as she kept telling us she’d signed the Official Secrets Act! That generation could keep a secret. It’s actually a very interesting story - the family are so proud of her - we have donated all her papers etc to the museum but we’ve kept her medals.

I had no doubt your mother was a very special lady…you clearly take after your mother, Jan

[Mervyn and Trish]

Well I am the daughter of a WW2 veteran doncha know - my mother served in Bletchley Park during the war

Does that mean she worked in the canteen?

Definitely not although until the 70’s we didn’t even know she worked there - as she kept telling us she’d signed the Official Secrets Act! That generation could keep a secret. It’s actually a very interesting story - the family are so proud of her - we have donated all her papers etc to the museum but we’ve kept her medals.

My Dad worked at Bletchley Park too, in the code breaking huts.

However....... he did it after the war, in the 50s, as an instructor when it was a Post Office training school. At the time, when we used to feed the ducks there, its past was still a secret.

[Jan Rosser]

I’m home. Last night after our meal we went to the theatre had a drink then had an early night. My granddaughter took so many clothes it was a major operation closing her suitcase particularly as she bought even more while we were away!

We were up at 6.30 and had breakfast in the Baytree at 7 am - it was very quiet in the restaurant. The battle of getting in a lift had started - I have never seen so many passengers self-embarking. We returned to our cabins to pick up our bags and ended up walking down from deck 10 to deck 5.

There was a small queue going through security so we decided to go through to the luggage hall rather than wait in the restaurant - we had been asked by the ladies who meet and greet at the terminal to get off as quickly as possible and it paid off as my coach left at 9 am and I was home by just after 1.30 pm despite stopping at the services for 45 minutes and roadworks on the Prince of Wales bridge.

So another cruise over - I always enjoy being with the family but must admit I shall be glad to sleep in my own bed tonight and snore to my heart’s content (I didn’t realise I did snore) and not be woken up by Phoebe talking in her sleep

We enjoyed all the ports and were lucky with the weather - food and service were good - the entertainment so so - one Headliners show cancelled due to illness. We walked through the pool area one afternoon and remarked how noisy it was - there was a music quiz on and of course loads of children playing - it was so hot - how did we cope with it?

We don't have any future cruises booked - not sure yet if my granddaughter will holiday with us again as she is 18 next year and hoping to go to university.

[Jan Rosser]

My Dad worked at Bletchley Park too, in the code breaking huts.

However....... he did it after the war, in the 50s, as an instructor when it was a Post Office training school. At the time, when we used to feed the ducks there, its past was still a secret."

We took my parents to the house about 20 years ago when it had just been opened as a museum - it was very rundown - a guide took us around the site although the block my mother worked in as a morse code slip reader wasn't accessible. We were told it had been used by the Post Office for many years - what a small world it is that your Dad worked there too with no idea what had been going on there!

It is so different now - I have visited a few times - the last time to see her "brick" in the veterans wall of remembrance - she wasn't able to travel so I took lots of photos of the wall and the roll of honour at her page in the book.

[Ray B]

Welcome home Jan, sounds like you had a good time with the family. Interesting ,in your cabin, one snoring her head off ,the other one talking in her sleep. It means you both woke up up hear all the noise.
I did interject parts of my cruise in your post,hope you didn't mind, but, like me, did you find the quality of the food at dinner has certainly improved from previous post covid cruises, with the exception of Aurora which always seem good.I enjoyed the items from the menu that I chose, the only let down is the lack of a wine waiter, I did have to ask our waiter one night where is the wine, he had a look around and found it on a different serving station.
Cruising on Ventura in August was an eye opener, the price we paid for C deck was a steal, thankfully we had the balcony to retreat to.
On the whole we enjoyed the cruise.
Now refreshing the cruise garb ready to pack for our cruise in 4 weeks time.
I do not know if you clocked the starboard anchor, but we had it painted ready for your cruise. You may have scratched it if you anchored off Guernsey.

[Jan Rosser]

Thanks Ray for your input - interesting to compare cruises. Like you we found the food in the dining room really good - far more choice for vegans/vegetarians these days too - my son and dil raved about the duck and the celebration night filet. I did miss the Quays on Iona - the fish and chips freshly cooked/southern fried chicken etc went down very well - the Waterside buffet couldn't compete with it! Can't say we had to wait for the wine - may be eating at 6.30 pm it's not as busy.

I love C deck cabins - like you we appreciated escaping to the balcony - we were starboard side too.

Golly you've hardly unpacked and you are off again - lucky you