Sue Kersh live from Oriana

[Dennis The Menace]

Horta

Well the guessing games over and all the would be Captains now have to eat their Captains hats. The wind dropped the sea was calm and Oriana tendered a short distance from the port.

We were on the 2nd tender and were in Horta for just after 10:30. There was a greeting table set out with tasters of local food and drink. I tried the Blackberry liquor which although sweet was very good and the local bread and cheeses were excellent. It is a very picturesque port. The sun was out and it was about 18 degrees. A lovely clear day. We started walking round the harbour but decided to look at the back streets. We found the daily market selling the local produce and some smaller individual shops. The people were very friendly and welcoming.

We walked up to the marina to see all the painted murals left by all the different yachtsmen and sailors who have called here over the years. We finally reached Pete sports cafe home to the Scrimshaw museum. Luckily as we were one of the first to reach the bar there was a choice of tables and we were served immediately. Within 10 minutes it was taking ages to get served. I started with a local coffee as it still wasn't noon but soon moved onto the G & T which is the bars speciality and it was so good I had to have another one for quality control reasons. Apparently the local beer Sagres was also excellent. The bar is full of yachting memorabilia and whale bone carvings. The items of whale bone they have left for sale is absolutely the last of it as it is now illegal to trade in whale bone. It is quite expensive but we purchased a small piece in the shape of a whale. The drinks were inexpensive and the very large Gin and tonics only 2.50 euros each.

Horta certainly has more character than Ponta Delgada the down side being the tender operation but given a choice I would choose Horta as a port of call when crossing the Atlantic.

The crew got their chance to showcase their talents in the Crew show in aid of Macmillan Cancer Charity. Bar Manager, Cabin Steward, Crew Washer upper, Doctor, Captains secretary, Bar Tender (although Natalie just stopped herself in time of introducing him as Barsteward) and entertainment hosts all had their time in the spotlight. Some of it was the old stuff with the balloons, and the sketch 'if I was not upon the sea ……etc but still hilariously funny. Maverick the crew washer upper was sensational and far too good a singer to be down in the depths of the ship washing up for the crew. The first time I have seen the doctor this cruise and I can now understand why so many of the ladies on board are feeling unwell. Phew!!!

Part way through Captain Cook auctioned off an Oriana Plaque which sold for £125.00. There were 3 shows and a different item for auction at each show. We will find out tomorrow the total raised from the auctions, pledges and cash donated on the door.

John Evans a comedian was in the Theatre. We rushed along from the crew show but it was standing room only. I am not a fan of comedians but I wanted to see this one as he is the father of Entertainment Host Tom who taught tap dancing on the world cruise last year.

He started off well but after 20 minutes he seemed to run out of new material and reverted to the same old ship and toilet jokes. As I was standing at the back it was easy to make a quick exit.

Another new act arrived on board with John Evans yesterday called the 4 Tunes another new one for us. The entertainment has been very varied and overall probably better than some of the previous Christmas cruises we have been on.

[Dennis The Menace]

8 Jan

Sea Days to Southampton

It was our Ligurian Lunch at 12 noon so I had a very lazy relaxing morning just reading and getting ready. We have been to lots of these lunches but never on Oriana. It was heaving and there must have been at least 300 pax in the restaurant and this was the 2nd lunch for top tier passengers. We have been to these lunches where there have only been 4 tables.
We were escorted to our table and we were honoured to be shown to the Captains table. We knew we were in for a wonderful lunch with plenty of wine and great conversation. We were not disappointed, Captain Cook and his wife Theresa kept the conversation flowing which is quite difficult on a table for 9. At the end he thanked everyone for not moaning at him.

After lunch I needed a siesta but woke in time for the Chocoholics buffet. I really didn't need anything to eat but after being disappointed with the afternoon tea offerings in the Conservatory buffet I wanted to see what the Chocoholics was like in the restaurant. I had only intended to take photos but a little chocolate mouse jumped out onto my plate together with some fruit to dip into the chocolate fountain.

The evening entertainment was the Headliners performing their take on Killer Queen in Concert. This was held in the Pacific Lounge. It was a new updated show and their performance was exceptional.

It was a quick dash after that to the Theatre Royal to see another new act called The 4Tunes. These are 4 young men who all have an amazing singing talent. They worked so well together and if you ever get chance to see this act it is one not to be missed. They are very nice guys and their personality came through as they added a few funny anecdotes in between their songs.

The Macmillan Charity fundraising yesterday raised £2,147.50. A very good effort.

Another wonderful day on board Oriana, such a shame it is coming to an end. When we returned to our cabin the end of Cruise Questionnaire was waiting for us.

[Dennis The Menace]

Friday 9 January. My Birthday.

The sea is being kind and although overcast it is not cold outside. I opened my cards before breakfast then a Birthday cake arrived from Garry and a card and chocolates from the Captain.

Friends came round for champagne and cake then we ate a light lunch in the main dining room. The captain announced that the weather as we approach Southampton will worsen a lot and because of the weather the QM & QE will unexpectedly be in Southampton on Sunday morning. Our berth has been changed to the QE2 terminal.

Dinner in Ocean Grill was exceptionally good again. As it was my birthday we got a complimentary glass of champagne each which was a nice touch. We had ordered a bottle of wine from the main wine list as we are not fans of the wine they offer in the Ocean Grill.

I chose the blue soft shell crab to start and Lobster as my main course. Garry went for the Thai fish cake which was served in the middle of a bowl of fish chowder. He chose the fillet steak for his main course. I finished with the trio of Creme brûlée and Garry went for the old faithful Sherry Trifle Wally Ladd. Coffee and liquor to finish and we were both completely stuffed. A really lovely evening without the fuss of balloons and singing waiters in the main dining room. The only downside was that we missed the parade of the chefs.

It was the last formal night and John Evans the comedian was performing in the theatre and one of the headliners singing in the Pacific lounge. We gave both of these a miss and went to the Black tie ball. Dancing was a challenge with the mixture of the weather and the alcohol.

The ship certainly rocked and rolled all night but the warnings of things in the cabin being thrown around were unfounded, so not as bad as expected.

[Suekersh]

Now back home and final report.

Final Sea Day
I woke feeling very groggy and the ship was moving about considerably. The seas were rough and the winds strong. I tried to get up but felt the 'Motion of the Ocean' so I took a tablet and stayed in bed. At about 11 am I thought I should try to eat something. I went to the conservatory but the only thing on offer was stale rock hard toast with jam. Not very inspiring. I went back to the cabin and slept again until noon when the hour went forward so it was 1 pm. I took another tablet and ordered room service for lunch then slept again until 5 pm. I missed the last session of the Jackpot Bingo which is a cruise tradition for me to play on the last night.

I made an effort got showered and changed and felt better for doing so. We had an early dinner but the ship was moving around considerably. It was very quiet in the dining room and I managed to eat my dinner of grilled King Prawns. Very nice last supper. We met with friends for a final drink and to say good bye.

It was a rough noisy night and and our toilet had stopped working again. They came out to it at 10 pm, again at midnight, but when we got up at 6 am it wasn't working again. They mended it but as we left the room at 8 am it wasn't working yet again.
The ship is plagued by plumbing problems, but we didn't let them spoil our cruise. As much as we love the public rooms on Oriana and the smaller ship it will have to be a must do itinerary or a very cheap price for us to choose Oriana again because of the plumbing issues which they appear to be unable to solve.

Disembarkation was a breeze. We had priority and we're off ship for 08:20. It took a while to locate the luggage as a lot of pax had priority, then we got stopped by customs. This wasn't a problem as we were not over the limit.

Taxis were waiting and we left the Elizabeth House Hotel at 9:10 and were home for 1:10 after a short comfort break.

Diet commences again in readiness for our Azura cruise in March.

Sue

[OCEANIAFAN]

Welcome Home

[Kenmo1]

Thanks Sue (and DTM) for a very interesting report. I have followed it closely as our friends were on this cruise but I think we had better let them get their land legs back before we contact them. Glad you had a good time despite the plumbing problems.

Maureen

[GillD46]

Thanks as always for all the reports, Sue, and to DTM for his sterling effort in posting them. I aways enjoy reports - from longer trips especially. I'll look forward to the next one

[Gill W]

Thank you for all your reports, I very much enjoyed reading them

Also thanks to Dennis for posting them

[CaroleF]

It's been brilliant following your cruise. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to post them and to Dennis for transferring them.

Carole