Oriana is passing Calshot now!

[wolfie]

Adonia has just headed off towards the Needles channel now. Is this her last ever visit to Southampton, and now she is repositioning to the Caribbean?

We are on Adonia at the moment and now passing Gurnard Bay. I'm pleased to be going out the Needles way.

There was a rumour that Adonia was retiring to the UK cruising schedule after a refit at the end of next year. I shall try to find out more.

We came off Adonia on October 7th and, as was the say so in May when we were on her, and with the same captain, David Box, he said that the minimum contract with Fathom Cruises was 6 months, but, that it may be extended to a year or so, if it takes off, and he then said that, 'hopefully' Adonia would be returning to the P&O fleet BuT, that nothing was set in stone, AS EVER OF COURSE. He said what Carnival had told him to say, not HIS opinion on the future for Adonia.

They were refitting her when we were aboard this year, both in May on our 20 nights, and in September on our 30 nights. Additionally there were many ports of call where men with clipboards and with fabric samples were evident on board; NoT least the refurb of the plumbing which necessitated no water from 2-4pm on every port day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thankfully they finished this earlier than expected. No water when coming back on board from ashore, or a tour, in the heat of the day???!!!! My letter is on its way.

[Frank Manning]

Hope you have a good trip QB. To be honest, much as we like David Box, we were a little disappointed with Adonia, and we are still mostly keen on the original mid size ships, Aurora, Arcadia, Oceana, and Oriana. I got some good photos from our bedroom window while we were staying at The New Holmwood Hotel in Cowes I just haven't a clue how to make them available guys, sorry.

There was a massively ugly 'Something of the Seas' in Southampton as we came off the Red Funnel ferry. It looks like something out of Star Wars.

[Kenmo1]

I got some good photos from our bedroom window while we were staying at The New Holmwood Hotel in Cowes I just haven't a clue how to make them available guys, sorry.

Frrraaank!!! You've given away the Island's best kept secret and now we will have all those 'overners' sitting in 'our' seats by the window when we go for our coffees twice a week.

Lovely to have met you and Sue and thanks for the coffee yesterday.

I think it was Anthem of the Seas in Southampton today as well as Ventura.

Maureen

[Frank Manning]

I got some good photos from our bedroom window while we were staying at The New Holmwood Hotel in Cowes I just haven't a clue how to make them available guys, sorry.

Frrraaank!!! You've given away the Island's best kept secret and now we will have all those 'overners' sitting in 'our' seats by the window when we go for our coffees twice a week.

Lovely to have met you and Sue and thanks for the coffee yesterday.

I think it was Anthem of the Seas in Southampton today as well as Ventura.

Maureen

Sorry Maureen we dont want that lot, do we! I had a delicious Beef Stroganoff there Friday night. Actually a slight problem there last night, a party of 4 shouting around and slamming their room doors between 10.00pm and mid night. Zero manners! Oveners needless to say! Yes it was Anthem of the Seas, no way will I be going on that. The Norwegian Getaway put us off that style of cruising for life. Did I say that I found my photo at the VE day party aged nearly 4 in the Cowes Heritage Exhibition? Also my Great Grandma registered in Kellys for several editions and living in Gurnard; my pedigree proved .

[Raybosailor]

The little barstewards! I've sailed down that way many times but I've always wanted to cruise out through the Hurst narrows.

Me too QB. I spent some of the best days of my life sailing The Solent and would love to cruise past the Needles.
Cheryl has never seen them despite four visits to the IOW so a cruise that cuts through the narrows would be ideal.
Mind you I still think that the best way to view the Needles is under sail in a stiff blow.
Just don't get the opportunity now.

[qbman1]

There was a rumour that Adonia was retiring to the UK cruising schedule after a refit at the end of next year. I shall try to find out more.

At our Peninsular lunch in August, one of the senior officers hosting our table was adamant that the plan is for the old girl to return to the P&O "brand" after her stint at fathom. Apparently, the planned re-fit is very much in P&O style and includes a Glass House in place of Sorrento

Sounds like a plan !

[oldbluefox]

Frrraaank!!! You've given away the Island's best kept secret and now we will have all those 'overners' sitting in 'our' seats by the window when we go for our coffees twice a week.
Maureen

As we speak there's a busload of us Norverners on our way down so you can forget sitting by the window. I'll drop off a couple of buckets of emulsion at Frank's on the way past and he can get started on that painting.

Actually, having seen Frank's painting talent and some of his work I suggested it was far superior to some of the tat which can be seen onboard. He is a talented chap, is our Frank and a thoroughly good egg too!!! We then mused on which ship and where and my suggestion was either Aurora or Oriana with Calshott Spit or the Isle of Wight in the background. I am convinced his prints would sell well for those looking for a memento of their cruise, and far more tasteful than a plastic ship!!
My commission is yet to be negotiated.....................

[Mervyn and Trish]

There was a rumour that Adonia was retiring to the UK cruising schedule after a refit at the end of next year. I shall try to find out more.

At our Peninsular lunch in August, one of the senior officers hosting our table was adamant that the plan is for the old girl to return to the P&O "brand" after her stint at fathom. Apparently, the planned re-fit is very much in P&O style and includes a Glass House in place of Sorrento

Sounds like a plan !

[Frank Manning]

You are too kind OBF. I have already done the pencil sketches for Aurora (it will be with the old style buff funnel). I promise I will do one.