Embarkation Sunday July 2 2017

We woke to a very lovely day in Southampton this morning.  We did not expect to sleep as well after our very long journey, perhaps it is the timing of our arrival and our many different transportations to arrive at Southampton.  We had breakfast early then did a walk again through one of the beautiful parks and down through the town.  Perhaps a few days here would have been a good plan before we set off it would have enabled us to learn a little of the history of this very interesting place and also caught us up a little.  We were due at the port at 1.00pm caught a cab from our hotel I have to say the process of embarkation certainly makes Sydney embarkation lacking.  It was extremely efficient we left our hotel at 12.00noon and we were on board by 1.00pm. 

Cruisers from Australia all don their cruise cards on a lanyard and do not take them off until disembarkation, perhaps half a dozen are wearing a lanyard on this journey, we are all different I guess.  Our room location is good and we were orientated pretty quickly.  I have to say it is a different experience cruising with our usual Aussie friends. 

We study our newspaper “Horizon” each evening keeping us up to date with the next days events.  There is of course plenty to keep one occupied.  We have two very competent gym instructors and there are two classes each morning at 7.00 and 7.30 and then one at 5.00 each afternoon.  There is always deck 7 which on this ship is an uninterrupted walk. 

Our entertainment has been extremely good two people in particular a young man by the name of Will Martin we had the pleasure of his concerts on two occasions.  There is also a young man by the name of Bartosz Barasinski he has done three classical concerts for us and anor one this evening he is billed as a rare talent and that he is, he also has a great humor and is an absolute delight.  How very fortunate we have been to have the honour of his concerts. 

We have enjoyed lots of sunshine up on the top deck in our bathers something we were not expecting in the Baltic. 

All we non EU passport holders of course have our passports taken from us on embarkation.  There are not that many of us.  There are some ports where one needs to take their passport with them so I just collect mine when I need to, Sam of course does not have to worry being an EU passport holder. 

We have two days at sea now and our first port is Travemunde in Germany. 

 We will only post these when we have access to the internet which we will not have every day while on board. I have dated this July 2 but it is over a number of days.

I believe it is very chilly in Melbourne.  All the best Sabine and Sam