Boarding the ship in Invergordon

Trip Start Aug 31, 2008
1
8
20
Trip End Sep 16, 2008


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of United Kingdom  , Scotland,
Thursday, September 4, 2008

As soon as we got off the train we were able to spot the ship in the harbor, although it took us a while to actually find the dock.  I didn't  mind the extra rolling of the bags, though, because I knew the end was near.  When we finally got to the dock there was a man with a clipboard and we gave him our names.  He checked us off the list and we walked up the ramp to the ship.  A number of crew asked us if we were performers and we told them that we were just regular passengers.  Eventually our bags made it through the scanners, our passports were approved, and we were directed to reception.  Once at the desk we were told we would be staying in cabin 8103 and handed photo key cards.  We had to muster at 4:30, but we were free until then.

Words cannot express how nice it was to get to our cabin.  We unpacked our suitcases and stored them under the bed, where wouldn't have to see them again for another 12 days View from the ship
View from the ship
 .  I couldn't wait to get into the shower, and the water pressure was amazing!  We even squeezed in a quick nap before going out to explore the ship.  Everything about being on board stood in such stark contrast with the first four days of our trip that it didn't even feel real.

The lunch buffet was already closed when we'd made our way up to the Lido Deck.  However, the grill across the way was open, and we ordered some food.  Nice, hot,  fresh food.  The waiters asked our names and if we were part of the entertainment.  They were happy to carry our trays and bring us our drinks.  I've never been so well attended to.  We then checked out the rest of the ship--the pools, the paddle tennis court, the gym, the computer lab, the specialty restaurants.  We saw it all before going out to deck 7 for our muster.

Each time the ship leaves a port, they play "What a Wonderful World" for everyone outside.  We went up to the top deck to bid adieu to  Scotland.  There were some cliffs to our left (the port side) that supposedly housed a colony of puffins.  We weren't able to see any, though.  On our way back down the stairs we discovered a ping pong table.  And although I've always thought I was a pretty bad ping pong player, I agreed to play.  But Dave was ping pong pro, and before long I was playing better than I've ever played in my life View of the cliffs from the ship
View of the cliffs from the ship
 .

For dinner that night it was casual attire.  We changed into our dinner clothes and went down to the dining room.  H (a lecturer on the ship and personal friend) had arranged a table for two for Dave and I, and in the end I'm quite glad he had.  We sat at table 82 every night, and our waiters were the wonderful Adem and Catalin from Turkey and Romania respectively.   At dinner you're expected to order 4 courses every night (an appetizer, a soup or salad, a main course, and dessert).  You can order even more if you'd like, but it's unusual to order less.  At restaurants I rarely order more than a main dish in an attempt to save money, so it was strange to order so much (well, at first at least).

Everything was amazing.  I kept having to pinch myself that I was actually there and enjoying so many luxuries.  After dinner we were exhausted and retired almost immediately.  I slept 9 hours straight--I don't even think I moved.  It was by far the  best night's sleep I'd had in a week!
Slideshow Print this entry Hounslow hotels