X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Kenmo1
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X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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With all the uncertainty with Brexit dates and new rules etc , we visited the Post Office in February to renew our passports using their 'complete' system which covered photos, application completion, sending off special delivery, regular e-mail updates of progress for approximately £90 per person. We would have been okay for this cruise but not the final one in July so thought we would renew them during the quiet period before the summer rush and we found this system very good.

Our son had to drop us at the Cowes Red Jet terminal fairly early and, therefore, arrived at the QE2 terminal about 11 o'clock. I don't like this terminal and it appeared to be quite chaotic with previous passengers still unloading. Apparently there had been a pretty thorough customs check and we later saw 2 officers carrying out 2 huge polythene bags full of cigarettes and tobacco. After an hour of standing in a queue which snaked the full length of one side of the covered (thank goodness) terminal we eventually were allowed into the main checking in area and were called to a computer about half an hour later and then straight on board. We had to climb the steepest and narrowest set of steps lugging our hand luggage in order to get on the ship. From there straight to the Baltic lunch. Why do Oriana do the welcome on board lunch in the Oriental Restaurant? Get on at deck 6, go up to deck 7, walk to aft and then down to deck 6 again. I was worn out by the time we sat down for the lunch. The announcement for access to cabins followed quite quickly and once we got to B170 our suitcases were already there, so quickly unpacked. We had been allocated 2nd sitting but popped down to see if we could have Freedom dining but this was fully booked. Sailaway was delayed from 4.30pm until 6 pm as an ambulance was called for a medical emergency

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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We knew two of our friends were going to be on board as they were staying on from a previous cruise but didn't know their cabin number and it was two days before we met up. On the first sea day we also bumped into a couple who regularly walk past our bungalow so introduced ourselves and ended up spending quite a bit of time over the next 18 days with them. On the first sea day we also visited the Loyalty desk to book a cruise on the Azura for April next year which I had been keeping an eye on. The advantage is the £50 deposit pp plus the extra on board spend plus having it sent back to our regular travel agent who also gives a small discount. When the letter of confirmation arrived in our cabin next day there was a bottle of rose wine with it for booking on board.

In the afternoon we went to Chaplin's cinema to watch The Greatest Showman - what a lovely film with great songs.

It was quite rocky in the evening when we went for 2nd sitting and as we were on table 11 in the Oriental Restaurant right by the back window, our cutlery danced and clattered about quite a bit. It was difficult to hear our table companions as well.

Tuesday, 9th April ---Sarah Breton came on tannoy to say that due to an engine problem which had now been fixed plus the bad weather slowing our progress we wouldn't reach Cadiz until 11.30 and would stay until 7 pm. Went to see Sounds of Simon duo, Simon and Garfunkel tribute act in the evening. Very pleasant listening and they said they will be on the final cruise..

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Kenmo1 wrote: 26 Apr 2019, 13:36
When the letter of confirmation arrived in our cabin next day there was a bottle of rose wine with it for booking on board.
That's more than I have had - last cruise when we booked on board all we got was a Iona logo bag :(

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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david63 wrote: 26 Apr 2019, 13:56
hat's more than I have had - last cruise when we booked on board all we got was a Iona logo bag
David -

We didn't drink the wine until we checked out that it was for us as we have never received a little present before when we have booked on board. We did wonder if PO are struggling for bookings at present. Everyone was talking about the increased prices on board. Towards the end of the cruise we received an invitation for Baltic and Ligurian members to attend a talk on 2020/21 itineraries. We didn't go as we have one more for this year and 3 for next year so we didn't need any more temptation.

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Kenmo1 wrote: 26 Apr 2019, 13:36
It was quite rocky in the evening when we went for 2nd sitting and as we were on table 11 in the Oriental Restaurant right by the back window, our cutlery danced and clattered about quite a bit. It was difficult to hear our table companions as well.
The dancing cutlery … oh yes.

Lay fork on table as per normal and then slot one's knife at 45 degrees into one of the fork slits .... ish :lol:
Keep smiling, it's good for your well being

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Wed.10/4/19 - Cadiz

We were able to get off in Cadiz about 11.15 am. We got off and used to excellent free WiFi in the cruise terminal to contact family and received very quick replies. After that we left the terminal, crossed the road and went towards the huge statue then turned to the right to walk towards the promenade. We then headed up through the lovely parks which are well maintained. Carried on towards the sea and stopped at our usual cafe for coffee and loos before wandering along the coast. Did our usual looking over the sea wall to see the stray cats that live there on the sea protection blocks and someone has provided them with nicely decorated little sleeping containers for protection. We cut through to the Cathedral with the golden dome but it had barricades set up all around presumably ready for the Easter fiestas etc.
Once back on the ship we went to see and listen to Essence of Spain Flamenco dancers and singers who had been brought onto the ship to give a display. I found the singing very depressing, a bit like Fado in Portugal but the dancing was good.

Thus.11/4/19 At Sea. - A pleasant sunny day particularly in the afternoon when the wind dropped. I wish I had stayed outside in the sun instead of going to the cinema to watch The Favourite - a total waste of 2 hours of my life. I can understand why Olivia Coleman got an award but I can't understand what else there was in the film other than gratuitous sex but every one to their own although a lot of others said the same and if they hadn't been in the middle of a row they would have walked out

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Friday, 12/4/2019 Valencia

Off by 9.30 and on the shuttle bus to one of my favourite places. Shuttle cost £4 per person each way. I thought we were dropped off quite close to the city towers last time we were there but this time we were dropped off on the main road opposite and then walked across the bridge to the towers. We wandered through the huge meat and fish market until the smell got too overpowering for us and once in the fresh air sat in the sun and watched a car being lifted up on to a truck ready to be taken away due to overstaying in the car park and just as the policeman was writing out the ticket the owner rushed back but had to pay a fine. It passed an interesting half an hour in the sun :twisted:
As we walked back through the arch of the Torres dela Serrano we saw a sign saying that it cost one euro for seniors to climb the steps to the top of the tower. There were loads of steps and it was very high up but gave us a super view once we recovered our breath! After taking photos we staggered back across the bridge to join the long queue for the shuttle.

We were due to leave the port at 5.30 pm but another guest had to be taken to hospital.

Sat.13/4/2019 At sea. Quite a pleasant day and attended the Peninsular Lunch. Sat at the table with another couple from the Isle of Wight. There are a lot of us about. :lol:

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Sun 14/4/19--Calvi

I was really looking forward to revisiting Calvi. We were there in July when the temperatures were well into the thirties so I wanted to climb up to the Citadel again without moaning all the way up about how hot it was. This time it was about 18 degrees. Quite pleasant if you kept out of the chilly wind. We were on the tender by 9.15 am after doing the step test for using a tender. We then climbed up the steps on the right of the hill from the dock to the Citadel. When we came back down to the seafront and stopped for a coffee we noticed that there was a long queue forming for the tender and the wind was starting to feel really chilly. We joined the queue and got right to the front and were told we would have to wait for the next one. So we waited and waited and waited and the wind got colder and colder and cut right through my thick hoodie. It was over an hour before the next tender turned up. Apparently, the engine on one wouldn't start and the other was being used to bring people across for an excursion and had taken a long time to load up. We were chilled to the bone and it took until the evening before I felt warm. Goodness knows how some of the really elderly coped.

You could see the sea getting choppier and about 2.45 pm Captain Sarah Breton announced that tenders were being stopped from taking people ashore and would only be used to bring people back to the ship. There were a lot of very unhappy guests who had collected their tender tickets and had waited ages to get off only to be told that they would not be going ashore.

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Mon 15/4/19 La Spezia

We have tended to use La Spezia as a starting point for either a PO transfer to Florence or a bus trip to Portovenere so haven't really had a good look round La Spezia. However, I woke up feeling quite uncomfortable after yesterday's chill so we decided not to rush around but to look around La Spezia. You have to catch a complementary port shuttle bus to the end of the dock and we then turned left along the promenade until we saw a crossing to the town. After buying some shoes we stopped for a coffee and to send some e-mails. There were some really quite nice shops in the town to keep us occupied for a while. We started to head back to the promenade but spied a sign pointing to the Castello San Giorgia on our left. In the distance appeared to be a dead end with a lift going up. You had to press the red button to call the free lift and it took you up some distance to a road which we then crossed and there was another lift there which went up the rest of the hill sideways. It was 4 euros each for seniors to enter the castle. Everything was labelled in Italian but there were boards you could carry around with information on. We made our way round and then found some steps which we followed to the roof of the castle so that we could take some photos of the views. We came back down in the lifts and then ambled back along the promenade to catch the shuttle to the ship.
The day turned out better than expected and we then had a pleasant evening in the Beach House with our friends to celebrate a birthday. The extra cost of the Beach House was £7.50 per person.

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Well worth £7.50 to avoid the rattling cutlery in the Oriental restaurant.

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Tues 16/4/19 --Civitavecchia.

Every time we call at this port we intend to do a trip but never get round to booking one. We have been to Rome once and would like to go again but it is such an early start and a long day. If we visit there again we will make more effort to investigate the other trips so any suggestions would be welcome.

We got off the ship about 10.30 am and we did our best to keep out of the way of the staff as there was crew evacuation drill going on. When we reached the dock there where hundreds of staff lined up smartly. We have never seen a crew evacuation before and it was quite impressive.

We caught the free shuttle in to town. Went to the market, visited the shops etc. and headed back to ship. We didn't want to wander just for the sake of it as we had yet another port to visit on Wednesday which would make four ports in a row.

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Wed. 17/4/19 -- Olbia, Sardinia - a brand new port for us.

A really nice little town to wander round and sit and have a coffee. It was sunny but chilly in the shade. Eventually we decided to head back to the ship but found a lovely sunny bench to sit on at the bottom of the town and we settled there for a while to soak up the sun. We were just about to leave when we saw a HOHO bus draw into the car park opposite so we rushed across the road to buy a ticket at 10 euros each. Everyone else was sat out in the sun but I wasn't going to risk getting chilled again so we sat under the glass canopy right at the front. Unfortunately as the bus pulled away Ken realised he had left his favourite Sorrento cap on the bench we had been sat on. Of course it was my fault for making him run for the bus :roll: :roll:

The bus went round the town then out through the countryside which was covered in gorse bushes and headed towards the Emerald Coast. We had left if too late in the day to risk getting off although one couple took a chance at a place called Bados The only disappointment with the bus which we were on for an hour and a quarter was that it did the same route back as it had done on the way out.

I think we call into Olbia in October 2020 so will consider doing a trip that time.

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Thurs 18/4/19 to Sun 21/04.2019.

It was nice to have a restful day at sea on Thursday but it was spoilt by an announcement from the captain to say that, due to predicted rough weather in that area, the call to Ciudadela in Menorca had been cancelled. We were really looking forward to that visit as it was a new port for us. The rest of the announcement was that the next day, Good Friday, would be a sea day and Easter Saturday would be a full day in Gibraltar and an overnight stay, not leaving Gib until 1.30 pm on Easter Sunday. We moaned and groaned but actually we really enjoyed a full day in Gibraltar without having to clock watch as you usually only get about 4 hours there. The other bonus was that all the main shops were open on the Saturday but quite a few, including Debenhams, were closed on Easter Sunday which was originally due to be our stop till 1.30 pm. On Sunday morning a huge Mein Schiff number 6 ship was moored next to us, absolutely dwarfing us and making us look like the poor relation but she looked like a hideous block of flats.

Sunday evening in the theatre was the Graffiti Classical Comedy Act, an Irish group playing cello and violins. It was a bit like watching Mrs Brown's Boys - chaotic, often funny, clever but sometimes a bit childish. We didn't go to the second show.

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Monday, 22/4/19 - Lisbon

When Sarah Breton announced our arrival in Lisbon she also stated that she was leaving the ship that day and that Captain Alan Hawkins would be taking over. We have been to Lisbon several times and have done various trips but this time we just wandered. On the way back to Black Horse Square we spotted a board stating 3 euros to climb to the top of the arch. A lift took us up the first two floors and then we climbed the spiral staircase to the roof where there is a big bell you can ring and take amazing photos of the the massive monument on the top - it is fabulous.

Tuesday, 23/4/19 - At sea.

A bumpy day at sea with limited entertainment. As we were getting ready for second sitting Captain Hawkins made an announcement tp say that some water had soaked through from the Lido deck onto a light fitting in a cabin on A deck causing a short and some smoke. An assessment party was checking out the area above and below the affected cabin and stewards were knocking on cabin doors in the affected area to evacuate cabins. We both got dressed very quickly in case we were affected but number B160 was the last number to be moved and we were B170. However, we could smell that horrible smouldering smell out in the corridor. However, things were soon under control. Not sure what happens if you are in the shower or bath at the time. :oops:

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Wed. 24/4/19 - At Sea

Packing and then went to the cinema to see Bohemian Rhapsody - another very good film.



Thursday 25/4/19 - Off about 8.45 am. Caught the 9.15 Red Jet to Cowes and then a lift to Newport.

An enjoyable holiday.

Next cruise is the final Oriana cruise in July.


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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Thank you for your report Maureen.
I am on X909 and looking forward to this as have only been to two of the ports before.
Shame you missed Menorca.

Lindsey

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Thanks Lindsey. We enjoyed a Round Britain cruise last year which included some of your ports and would like to do another one. We don't always appreciate our own country. Have a lovely cruise and hope to read all about it.

Best wishes for a lovely trip.

Maureen

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Thank you for an interesting review of your cruise, I enjoyed reading it 😊


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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Post by CaroleF »

Very interesting report, thank you.


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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Just found out that for our cruise X909 we have the invisible Sarah Brereton as our Captain.

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Whynd1 wrote: 28 Apr 2019, 14:19
Just found out that for our cruise X909 we have the invisible Sarah Brereton as our Captain.
Lindsey, I know what you mean. She doesn't seem to be very popular and doesn't really make much effort to interact with passengers. We only saw her twice and that was once at the Baltic Lunch and the second time was at the Peninsular party. Plus, if she came on the tannoy during the day you knew it was going to be bad news like taking off the tenders in Calvi and cancelling the call to Ciudadela in Menorca. Her replacement ,Captain Hawkins, joined us for the last few days and was seen regularly round the ship and made two announcements a day. When there was the problem with smoke he seemed to be on the tannoy every 2 minutes to update us.

I assume she will be our captain on the final Oriana cruise at the end of July. Still, so long as she keeps us safe I will be happy with that.


Maureen

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Post by barney »

We were on an arcadia cruise a few years back and were in that bar at the top. East I think it was called. Anyway we were having a quiet chat and she walked in, spoke to another couple then came over and sat with us for a while. Whilst being very pleasant, I did sense that she wasn't that comfortable with small talk. It was still a nice touch though. Thanks for the brilliant review :thumbup:
Empty vessels .. and all that

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Post by GillD46 »

An enjoyable read thank you. Interesting to see you dislike the QEII terminal: that is my absolute favourite terminal as it reminds me so much of the old Mayflower when we started cruising nearly 23 years ago. We all like different things I guess.
Gill


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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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Post by Whynd1 »

We have had her twice before the last time on Oriana last March to the Canaries and the weather was atrocious. You knew when she came over the tannoy it was going to be bad news.
I personally prefer a Captain who has a bit of a sense of humour.
But as long as they keep the ship,passengers and crew safe that's what really counts.

Mr Ticknell was my absolute favourite,and I understand he has asked to be moved from Aurora now its adult only as his family couldn't come on board in the holidays.

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Re: X905 Mediterranean Cruise 7-25/4/2019

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GillD46 wrote: 28 Apr 2019, 16:45
Interesting to see you dislike the QEII terminal: that is my absolute favourite terminal as it reminds me so much of the old Mayflower when we started cruising nearly 23 years ago. We all like different things I guess.
Gill, I think it is probably a case of the terminal we know well rather than one we have only used a few times. We have only departed twice from QEII and arrived back there once. Most of our cruises have left from Mayflower.

Maureen

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