Sandra and I left home full of anticipation for our 10 day cruise,
Arrived in good time at the Dock car park in Southampton.
Good transfer of baggage and personnel.
Clocked in and registered where we were each given a card that was our presence on and off Ship and also all transaction we made on board.
Our room would be available at 1700hrs, we decide to give it a try fortunately the cabin boy had prepared our Cabin on the 10th deck.
The cases arrived shortly after and we descended to have an exploration of the ship.
We came across a one of the many bars so the exploration would have to wait till later.
We had paid an extra bounty to ensure we would have free drinks on board including tea, coffee, water and Ice cream etc. (I never got to taste the Ice cream)
We engaged in conversation with a very good English speaking Dutchman, (they all seem to have small beards)
He said he was a retired ships engineer of 45 years, was just getting to.
Know his neighbors
His wife wanted to go on a cruise (poor chap) so they could spend some intimate time together.
After a couple of cigarettes they decide to leave and unpack.
We took the hint and also retired to the cabin to unpack.
Sandra done the wifely thing, unpacked and organized our clothes in the wardrobe as this will be our home for the next 10 days.
The Cabin was the size of a small lounge at home, so the cases took up quite a lot of room.
A safe, mirror and an armchair, that got in the way, including a shower room, the type where you don’ want to drop the soap.
It was an inside cabin, without a window.
I did not feel the extra expense was worth it to view the horizon each morning, also did not intend to look at 4 walls for much of the day, we would be up and out living in the real world.
On booking the Cruise we opted to dine in one of the Restaurants seated on a table with 6 chairs.
I will digress a little at this point.
After boarding and securing our bearings it became apparent that the Ship “The Opera” was on a cruise like a bus route, on a continuous circuit calling at various ports with passengers embarking and disembarking, nationality depending upon the port.
Consequently when shown to our 4 seated table in the restaurant we sat in anticipation of whom our guests at the table may be.
The waiter appeared towing a couple in his wake and made his way to out table,
Proceeded to seat them.
The male guest said “Hello”,
a great rush of relief, (at least they are English).
When seated introductions were exchanged.
This was very important, as these were to be our Dining companions for the rest of the cruise.
Both slim in build, with a funny accent that later turned out to be local to Carlyle
In the North of England, near the Scottish Border.
He was an engineer of some repute, with an interest in Rally Driving being hired by the rich to prepare and repair their Rally cars at Meets UK wide.
Both turned out to be good company during our “A La Carte” evening meals.
We explored the ship, had a few drinks along with conversations with other couples, one in particular, Clive and his wife Dee, they had previous experience of Cruising to Amsterdam and advised us to catch the Shuttle bus into the City.
This we organized and retired to bed, ready for our overnight voyage across the North Sea.
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