Guernsey, Spain & France
8 – 15 August 2015
Journey Down
We always come down the day before, much more relaxed in the morning, so we started off fairly early from home and had a very pleasant trip arriving at The Elizabeth House Hotel, Southampton at 3pm. This was our second time here having previously stayed here in July for our Around UK cruise. This time we had a rear room overlooking the garden, but above their pub/restaurant. Due to it being a Friday this was open and I must admit the meals are excellent and the portions are well let’s just say HUGE.
We retired early and had a better night than our first visit. The restaurant quietens down at about 11pm. We have decided that after this stay we will revert back to hotels a little further out.
Ocean Terminal
We loaded the car before breakfast, having to vacate the room by 11am, and checked out at 10:50. We could have sat in reception but we decided to make the short journey to the port. We arrived at Ocean Terminal at 11:15, car in one direction, suitcases in another and we made our way into the terminal.
Embarkation
The great start to B516. Or not…..
We all received an e-mail asking us to stick to timings because they were trailing a new system. Well what a farce....
So, although we had a 3pm time on our e-tickets we had to be out of the hotel at 11am and we decided it was better to wait in Ocean Terminal than a) sit around the Hotel Reception or b) go shopping. We therefore arrived at Ocean at 11:15 on entering the terminal, tickets and timings were checked and a card issued according to your time. They are Grey, Purple, Green and Red. We were given a Red B and told that all timing were being adhered to. Did not mind we sat down with a couple of magazines to wait out the process.
At Noon, the Grey (Priority Passengers) where called. They went through and so the wait continued and Ocean got fuller and fuller as more passengers arrived. At 12:45 they called Purple A, and after about 12 people got up and went to the desks, they decided to call Purple B, another 12 followed to the desks so, Purple C, D, E and F were called in succession. By now it was 12:55 and it looked like the new system was breaking down and still passengers were coming through the door and Ocean resembled a Refugee Camp. At 1pm they called Green A, quickly followed by B, C, D, E, F and G without a breath. At 1:10 they started on Red A, B and C straight away. So, for us and being told the 'TIMINGS WERE BEING ADHERED TO', we were on the ship by 1:30.
Then the second bit of fun started. The cruise cards would not work, not just one or two but looking at the queues in reception over 50%, it could have been a lot more, of the passengers could not get into their cabins, we were lucky one of ours did. I went down to reception at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm and on every occasion the queue for new cards was from Reception and out into the Atrium. The problem with the cards we were told was a computer issue and that meant for those whose cards did not work a new card would have to be printed. There were still people in the Muster Drill who had still not been in their cabins. I finally got my new card at 10pm, there was no queue then. So, good start was had by all.
I did on my Questionnaire state that Boarding was a farce and the new system caused more problems that it was meant to fix.
I do not know how timings were allocated but I feel that P&O do not understand that some passengers come from quite a distance from Southampton and need to come down the day before. Then checkout of the hotel is normally 11am. For us we have a 5 hour journey, nearly all motorway/dual carriage way, so we come down the day before not trusting there being a clear road. We met someone in the MDR from Winchester who had a 1pm check in. It is about 20 mins away. Just hope that they revert back to the old system and soon.
Day 1 - Southampton
Once on board we found our cabin, more later, and proceeded to unpack and sort out. Muster was called and again, fun and games with the new lifejackets, ie women wearing skirts and now there is a strap that goes between your legs. Still all went well.
Skipped sailaway and dressed for dinner, we were Freedom dining and thought being early would be a nice and quiet. First in queue was a couple who wanted to change Club dining to Freedom. The maître d was quite polite and informed them that there was no room and there was also a very long waiting list of passengers who expressed that they wanted Freedom on booking but all restaurants were full. On and on went this couple about not liking the time of dining, much preferred being flexible. But the maître d was having none of it and said he would put their name down and on the waiting list but not to have too much hope in getting their booking changed. So, off they went to find the second couple and he was in Shorts and a Shirt, politely informed ‘No Shorts in the Dining Room Sir’ said he did not know and that tomorrow he would wear trousers. So maître d says, ‘No Shorts in MDR’. So, off they went. Nice to see. Eventually we were taken to a table where we had a pleasant meal.
A nice drink in Sindhu’s and a stroll around the upper decks made for a good end to the evening.
Day 2 – Guernsey
Tender Port
Today we have booked a P&O excursion, ‘Isle of Sark’ £46pp. After a nice breakfast in the buffet we made our way to the Meridian Restaurant to join our fellow excursion passengers.
We were taken by tender to Guernsey and boarded straight onto the Sark Ferry. On here you are given a map, return ferry tickets and return tractor bus tickets. The ferry journey takes about 45mins and you get to see quite a bit of the neighbouring islands and sea life before docking in Sark’s harbour, for good views there are places to sit outside at both front and back of the ferry. Getting off you have a short walk to the tractor bus and are taken up to the village. Now, if you have seen ‘An Island Parish’ you may think it is a short distance from port to village, believe me very steep ½ mile. Take the tractor. Then you have 4 hours to yourselves. The choice you have, join one of the Horse and Carriage Tour, Hire a Bike or Walk. We enjoy walking so off we went. Through village, over to La Coupee, saw Britannia in distance, then little Sark, returning the way we came dropped off at the Chocolate House, onto the Churches and then to a Tea Garden for lunch. Sandwich, Ploughman’s, two teas and a cider £19 excellent value looking at the prices in some of the other restaurants and tea houses. A short wander around the village, picked up some souvenirs, then back on the tractor for the trip back to the harbour and our ferry back to Guernsey. The journey back was a little choppy. You need the weather for this excursion but worth every penny. Much better to go on an organised excursion to Sark than try a DIY. Sometimes there problems with the tides and at least if you are on an organised excursion they have to get you back to the ship.
Dinner that night was quiet. We were totally shattered from the day and then to top it all clocks go forward an hour so an hours less sleep.
Day 3 – Sea Day
A chance to wander around the ship. Although we had been on her before it is still nice to stroll around. Also, a chance to sort out all the ironing ready for the rest of the cruise.
Cruise meet in Brodies, 8 fellow passengers turned up it is nice to put faces to names.
Our first formal, Captains Welcome Aboard, night. Looking around I did not see any one inappropriately dressed and Jennifer remarked on the many beautiful dresses the ladies had on.
Tonight we retired to the Live Lounge for a little Movie Music, performed by Pulse. You may remember in my Around Britain Review that this was an excellent group, with fantastic singers. Well we were in for a shock. I thought the backing group looked different, well it had been 3 weeks since we had last seen them, but when one of the singers came on to perform the first song, well howling and cats spring to mind. Then when the other 3 singers joined her the group had totally changed, yes they are still called Pulse and they are the resided group, but there was a totally different line up. Of the 4 instrument side, only the lead guitarist was the same and the 4 singers where all different. Believe me, these singers where not a patch on the previous. So, what had happened? Coming back from the gents I saw the lead singer, same one as on our previous cruise, and asked, they are all on shore resting he replied, I join them after this cruise for a month and then we all re-join. Seems there are two groups, both called Pulse and they take it in turn to perform on Britannia. So, if you are going on her just hope you have the better group.
That night on retiring, in the Horizon Paper they asked if anyone wanted to book disembarkation to contact reception. Times would be allocated on a first come first served system. So, a phone call at midnight and booked 8:45, leisurely breakfast, vacate room and not long to wait.
Day 4 – La Coruna
Already visited here previously so knew what we wanted to do. Left ship mid morning and strolled through town ending up at the beach side. A quiet sit down and take in the sun and then back into the side streets to find Mason O Gelego, a nice tapas bar we found on our first visit. Not much changed, same quiet place and 3 tapas, 1 water and 2 wines and staggering €15. Then a stroll back through the shops and back to the ship.
An evening in the Crows Nest sampling the Gin Menu.
Day 5 – Bilbao
First time here and looking forward to it. Todays the day I reach the big 65 and officially became a pensioner. Lots planned, early breakfast, early shuttle and off we went into the city. The shuttle takes 20-30 mins depending on traffic and you are dropped off a short walk from the Guggenheim museum. Our day took us, Guggenheim, over the bridge and lift down to the river, walk along the river side to the Artxanda Funicular and then up to the Artxanda view point for views over the city, the price is .90c pp single, there are no returns tickets. Back down and continued along the river bank to the Old Quarter. After a nice lunch a walk back down the main street to Parque de Doña Casilda, close to where the shuttle goes from, a stroll around an ice cream and then returned to our shuttle point for the journey back to the ship.
Tonight we dine in the Beach House, my choice. £5pp cover charge however the majority of the menu is free with a few items chargeable. Starter of Buffalo wings, OK chicken wings in a spicy sauce, meat kebab, £3.95 and Hot Fruit Sizzler £1.50. Jennifer, salt beef hash, pork tortilla wrap and New York cheese cake. Brilliant meal and well worth going.
Back to the Crows Nest and tried a couple more of their speciality Gins, there is one made with Bombay Sapphire but I cannot remember its name, but definitely worth having, Gin in a goldfish bowl.
The evening was finished off with one of the best lightning displays we have ever seen. The whole of the sea to our front was lit up with flashes and forks of lightning for about an hour and of course the Crows Nest had front row seats.
Now, Bilbao. Your port is Gaxto about 13K, 8 miles from the city and has I have said about 20-30 mins by shuttle. If you want a short 10 mins walk away from the berth is a wide sandy beach with what looked like restaurants behind and to the side of it.
Day 6 – La Rochelle
First time here. The shuttles are bendy busses, limited seating and lots standing. Not a great 20-30 mins ride into the town. You are dropped close to the Aquarium and the main town. We had planned to visit the aquarium but on seeing the queues, even early in the morning, decided against it. We did the towers, strolled through town, there was a large local market, and had a pleasant lunch in one of the many café and restaurants all around the harbour and town area. You will not go hungry.
We went back to the pickup point at 2pm for the journey back and by then the queue was from the shuttle stop to the harbour road, about 100mts, by the time the shuttle arrived, not exaggerating, it was around the corner and on its way to the nearest tower so glad we decided to get there a little earlier.
The journey back was just as cramped as going out. One thing we did notice were children and young parents sitting on chairs, with elderly, some with walking sticks, standing, very poor.
Tonight was our second formal – Black & White. We should have sailed at 6pm but at 6:20, gangway still down and no sign of moving we were beginning to wonder if there was a problem. We went into our evening meal at 6:30 and shortly afterwards the Captain came on the speakers and announced that there was going to be a short delay, with no further explanation. Looking out of the MDR window we could see the gangway still down, 5 crew members standing around and also 3 port officials. At 6:45 again an announcement from the Captain, this time he said that Britannia had an immigration issue and we should be underway shortly. Shortly after this announcement, two women were escorted off the ship and handed over to the port authorities. Britannia left La Rochelle at 7:10, 1hr: 10min late. Postings on Facebook confirmed that these were passengers and they were involved in a fracas in the Java Coffee shop.
So our journey back to Southampton and the end of our cruise took shape.
Day 6 – At Sea
Our final sea and it was a bit rough, but Britannia was quite stable, yes there were a few rolls but not as bad as some ships.
Southampton
Well we got our 8:45 slot and arrived at the Theatre at 7:55. At 8am we were told we could disembark. Off ship at 8:10, in car by 8:30 and on way home.
Britannia
Our second cruise on her and our feelings have not changed. We do like her, you need to get your head around where you can go and on what deck but after that you should be OK. I stand by my B513 review and remarks about her.
Cabin
We decided to try for the very first time an inside cabin. Our view of C322 – Larger Inside.
Comprises of a long oblong cabin, about 20ft X 10Ft, broken down into a 14 X 10 room with Queen Bed (2 X twin), 2 Bedtables, Dressing Table, Stool, TV, Fridge. A 6 X 5 normal Wardrobe space and a small Bathroom 6 X 5 with all the amenities. There was also 2 pull down bunks in the main room. I was always under the impression that an inside was the same has an outside but without the window or the same as a balcony without the balcony. Well how wrong can you be? We have had outsides on Arcadia and Oriana and you could have put this cabin into them and still had space. It may be that all the cabins are smaller on Britannia than other ships, but if this is the larger inside I would hate to see a normal inside. Not only that, there were only two of us, the cabin is suitable and has the beds for 4. If you pull down the bunk beds there will be about 3ft space between the lower and upper bed I would not like to be in there with 4 even if 2 of them are children. No thank you.
I realise that people like insides and have heard all the reasons why but for us this will be our one and only inside.
The Cruise
The main reason for the cruise was my 65th. Overall our ports were fantastic with Sark being the outstanding port. We had warm sunny weather in all ports and we also enjoyed the sea days. Would we do a cruise around the BOB again, yes we would but not in August with so many children on board. Not that they were a bother you hardly saw them. But they do think the corridors are a race track especially at night and we heard someone further up screaming at someone to stop running up and down. If it was an August cruise then it would have to be an Adult ship.
Now looking forward to Oriana in December a 4 day Christmas Markets and Greece next year.
Photos are here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1029140159 ... directlink