Sue and Garrys April 26 Med cruise

[Suekersh]

Friday 24 April 2026 - board Aurora

We had been informed that boarding would be delayed by an hour due to a deep clean.

We arrived at the port and it was very quiet and joined the 1 car queue for CPS parking which commenced early. After dropping off the baggage which opened at the normal time of 11 am we joined the queue to wait for check in. This also opened earlier than expected and we were soon checked in and sat down waiting for clearance to join the ship.

Lunch on board was in the Alexandra restaurant and the usual embarkation menu. The wine flowed well but after lunch we decided to pay a visit to the future cruise desk as 2028 itineraries were available to pre register. This took a while and by the time we had finished the cabin announcement was made and we made a start on the unpacking. All of our luggage was already outside our cabin. We were soon unpacked and everything in its place.

Saturday - and Sunday Sea days started very blustery and overcast as we cruised down the coast of France. The bay of Biscay was relatively calm. Some white horses but nothing like what the Bay of Biscay can be like.

Sunday afternoon the sun finally broke through and the aft deck slowly filled up as word got round that the sun had got its hat on.

It was the first formal night of the cruise And a celebration menu. The cocktail party had been cancelled because of the virus outbreak. This was virtually under control and we noticed at lunchtime that the salt and pepper pots were once again on the tables. The first sign that everything is under control and normality will soon be restored.

In place of the party we were given vouchers for a glass of champagne.

Monday the last of the run of sea days. The sun was out but the wind was cool. Aurora was still in the Atlantic but due to do a left turn into the med around lunchtime. I had my sunbed ready on the aft deck waiting for the left turn into the med.

The weather didn’t improve and after sailing past Gibraltar the rain started, I gave up and moved inside.

The GlassHouse reopened and we ate in there. It was menu 1 which means the delicious Sicilian fish stew. Excellent. We should have skipped desert as the cheeseboard selection wasn’t great we opted for the chocolate deserts. Far too sweet for me and I really didn’t need them. Garry enjoyed them as he has a sweet tooth.

Too late I remembered that last time we were on board we decamped to the buffet for the cheese selection which is much better selection than the glass house and free of charge.

Tuesday 28 th April - We have just docked in our first port of call Cartagena. It is early and the sun hasn’t got its hat on yet but when I poked my head out onto the aft deck it was much warmer than yesterday.

[CaroleF]

Thank you Sue, really looking forward to hearing about your cruise. I hope the sun keeps its hat firmly on for the rest of the cruise. You're back on my favourite ship and I hope you and Garry have a wonderful time.