18th December 2009-Southampton
On any normal day when heading off to meet ORIANA to begin another great cruise I would be waking up early making sure that last minute preparations were complete, that all essentials had been packed and that the cases were secure.
Today however was very different from most departure days, like most we woke early, the cases were packed and we were ready to go.
The difference was that instead of being at home or even in a hotel we were on board ORIANA's fleet mate ARCADIA after returning from a 10 night cruise to the Christmas Markets of Northern Europe.
Cruise Ticket for cruise x921 Canaries Christmas.
ARCADIA docked in OSLO,Norway December 2009,Copyright P&O Cruises.
We were now waiting on board for the disembarkation to commence where instead of heading home like most of the other passengers we would be taking a taxi over to the Mayflower Terminal where ORIANA had arrived and like ARCADIA was preparing to disembark her passengers.
Southampton on this day was many parts of the United Kingdom which had been affected particularly bad weather conditions which had begun two days earlier the air temperature was at 0 degrees in comparison to Northern Europe this was mild but for the UK to be experiencing freezing conditions so early during the winter season was slightly unusual.
Unlike many Northern parts of the country Southampton had yet to have any snowfall, it was fortunate then that when we joined ORIANA we would be embarking on a 10 night cruise to Atlantic Islands where even if the weather wasn’t at its best it would still be an improvement over the United Kingdom’s.
Because we were not in a hurry to disembark due to embarkation on ORIANA beginning at 12:40 we had requested to have a later disembarkation time which in true spirit of P&O’s first class service was a request they were able to accommodate being allowed to wait in ARCADIA’s Rising Sun bar which served more or less the same role on board as ORIANA’s Lords Tavern being a traditional British styled pub.
From where we were sitting we could clearly see much of Southampton docks but from this position ORIANA was tantalisingly out of view.
While we waited we spoke with some of the few remaining passengers on board who were staying for the next cruise a Christmas/New Year transatlantic Caribbean cruise.
At 11:30 we finally did disembark and were apparently the last to do so, and with our luggage in hand made our way towards the arrivals which was looking decidedly empty with only a few passengers remaining.
Thankfully there were many taxis still available conveniently near the terminal exit making things much easier while travelling with luggage.
All loaded into the car we headed two miles across Southampton to Mayflower Terminal.
While driving ORIANA quickly came into sight looking just as she had over a year before it was wonderful to see her again.
While watching her grow nearer I thought of something I heard some time before that a ship has two personalities that it shows during a cruise, when viewed in home port it represents grand adventures and far distant shores but when viewed from in different ports a ship represents to her passenger home a place to return to and relax after a busy day exploring.
Looking at ORIANA she looked her normal perfect self, dressed overall the flags gently waved in the frozen winter wind, high on the mast ORIANA was flying the red “Bravo” flag indicating that she was currently being refuelled.
Although hard to make out it was possible to see several of ORIANA’s crewman walking on ORIANA’s Sun deck undoubtedly they were going about their assigned tasks t ensure ORIANA was ready to receive her new passengers within the next hours.
Arriving at the terminal building and unloading our luggage from the car, our first task was a changeover of the luggage labels from those from ARCADIA to ORIANA.
Being among the first to arrive and with the porter and luggage service not yet operating we had a short wait in the terminal building until check in began in about 15 minutes.
It was actually very bizarre to the see the terminal with hardly any passengers soon enough the building would be able filling with passengers and the currently empty check in desks which would be all occupied by the check in staff with eager cruisers ready to board and begin their Christmas cruise.
With the luggage service now operating I made my way with the luggage cases to the hatches in the terminal wall waiting for the conveyer to begin the process of being loaded on board.
Returning to the departure hall I was just in time as check in was just opening.
Since the last time we had embarked from the Mayflower Terminal the previous year circumstances had changed slightly with my father being now confined to a wheelchair and as such we were waiting at the desks assigned for “Passengers requiring assistance” where we were quickly checked in and given assistance in the form of a member of port staff who was pushed my father from the departure hall to the ship.
Unlike the last time we boarded we entered the security area via the crew entrance and we were informed that due to a collision that had occurred the week before between an inbound ship and the enclosed gangway we had to use the crew gangways located on the dockside.
After passing through the standard security checks and metal detectors we led out the crew exit onto the dockside below ORIANA, it actually felt surprisingly strange seeing ORIANA from this position while docked in Southampton having only previously boarded enclosed gangway
Keeping to the footpath marked out by metal barriers we continued across the dock to ORIANA and waited patiently at the gangway as those in front boarded, because of the angle gangway’s incline and the fact that both my mother and I were carrying hand luggage we required assistance manoeuvre my father’s wheelchair onto the ship, thankfully there was many mobility assistance staff members on the dockside who were more than willing to help those who needed it.
Finally it was our turn and with assistance we made our as quickly as possible way up the gangway to ORIANAs side door and were welcomed on board by the friendly crew who were lined up near the door.
We boarded forward on deck 4 near the medical centre and were quickly shown to the lifts, being reminded by the friendly steward that a buffet lunch was being held on deck 12 on in The Conservatory buffet restaurant which was where most of the passengers packing into the lifts were heading.
Thankfully we were able to make it on board a head of many of the other passengers and the lift was relatively empty as we moved up through ORIANA’s decks before arriving on deck 12 outside The Oasis Spa and Salon.
Walking aft onto the open decks of the Lido it was not surprising that only the passengers here were walking through to The Conservatory and not making use of the Riviera Pool continuing through the same was true for the Crystal Pool which until earlier in the month had been the largest pool on board a cruise ship.
Finally reaching the restaurant it was relief to sit down for a brief rest before heading up to the counters to select some lunch.
We were lucky to arrive at the time we did since finding a free table had been relatively easy, among some the passengers were also members of ORIANA’s crew enjoying their relatively short break before going back on duty in time for departure.
Lunch over and done with it was time to enjoy being back on board.
Reaching the atrium the sound of band music and Christmas Carols came from Tiffany’s where the Children’s Choir of a local primary school had joined the Band of the Hampshire constabulary.
The atrium its self also looked a little different from the last time I had seen it, this time it was filled with Christmas trees on each level and from balustrades were hung large golden decorations that I thought looked very effective.
It was nice to be back on board although initially I had been worried about returning because of comments and rumours that had been written in the year since I had last been on board ORIANA, thankfully none of what had been said was true and ORIANA was just as elegant as ever.
Reading our copy of Horizon which was the new name and look of the ships newspaper, it gave us a good insight as to what was being held on board prior to departure which was a quite a lot.
A example of an outside cabin and E127's location, Copyright P&O Cruises.
It also gave a good introduction to the sights and sounds that the cruise would give promising “Volcanic landscapes, endless pine forests, sun drenched beaches and fabulous Botanical Gardens.”
It then ended with introduction to the Captain of ORIANA for the cruise Captain Paul Brown.
At about 2pm the announcement was made that all cabins were now ready so we headed towards ours which was E 127 an outside cabin located on the forward end of deck 6 on the starboard side.
Although somewhat smaller than the deluxe balcony which we had occupied the year before it was still fully equipped and very comfortable with a large picture window allowing for a amble amount of sunlight into the room.
Because we had more luggage than normal due to just having come off of the ARCADIA cruise hours ago we were thankful that the cabin, like all on board ORIANA had an extremely generous amount of storage space making our unpacking much easier than it might otherwise have been.
Although unpacking is hardly the most exciting task it did normally mark a brief period of settling in on board and it could be assured that most on board would be at this time doing the same.
Finally with unpacking complete and cases put away it was time familiarise once again with ORIANA.
Firstly heading up to my personal favourite bar on board The Crow’s Nest where guest band Natural High were playing music to welcome all on board.
From here had a fairly good view over Southampton; most noticeable was the trio of ships in the various cruise terminals.
Alongside ORIANA there was of course ARCADIA docked at the new Ocean Terminal which had opened earlier in the year, immediately ahead of ORIANA was Saga’s venerable and much loved SAGA RUBY who was docked in the City Terminal.
SAGA RUBY in Funchal January 2010, Copyright: João Abreu.
To complete the cruise ship meeting AURORA occupied the Queen Elizabeth II terminal having returned from a refit in Germany which saw repairs made to one of her bow thrusters.
AURORA in the QEII Terminal.
With the time approaching 3pm Natural High packed up their instruments and we decided to head to what is most likely ORIANA’s most elegant venue Anderson’s for a quick “winter warmer” drink.
Since ORIANA would be departing earlier than on previous cruises at 4:45pm meaning that the Safety drill would take place at 4pm our designated muster station for this cruise was station “B” which was Harlequins, since we were nearby we decided to stay around and about 15 minutes before the drill I would return to the cabin and collect the life belts before we moved into Harlequins, hoping that no one else had the same idea.
Outside on the promenade both the cold and the dark we really setting in with the lights on deck turning on and few passengers taking a walk before the drill wrapped in more layers than when they came on board.
Thankfully our cabin was relatively close to both the forward staircase and the atrium so when the time to collect the lifebelts came it was relatively easy to return to the cabin and was able to make it back to the Harlequins in no time.
Quickly finding seats in the room’s far corner we settled in and waited for the drill to begin.
From the bridge the announcement was made reminding passengers of the imminent drill and the room began to fill extremely quickly.
In charge of the muster station was to members of the Entertainment team assisting them was waiters all of whom wore yellow caps with Crew written on the front.
With the time at about 4 pm one last announcement from the bridge was made instructing stairway guides to relocate their designated muster station before the ships alarms sounded to begin the drill.
Although most on board were fully aware of the drill procedures the captain who talked through drill reminded all that it is very important and in the unlikely event of an emergency it could save lives.
After being taken through all aspects of the drill it concluded with all trying on their lifejacket, which for many seemed to be highlight.
Now the reverse came for me with the drill over my parents headed towards the promenade to watch the departure while I retuned the lifejackets to the cabin.
Despite being not far away this time it was taken much longer to reach the cabin.
Although ORIANA has plenty of room on board and never feels too enclosed on this is possibly the one time that all the passengers were together in one place with all the corridors filled as far as the eye could see with people.
With lifebelts returned where they belong in the cabin I made my slightly faster to the promenade where the crowds were now gathered.
By now the sun had long since set and winter night had descended on Britain’s cruise capital.
Despite the bitter cold there was a party atmosphere on the deck with tables set up with rows of Champaign ready to be drunk.
There was hardly any room at the rail to stand and in some places it was almost impossible to pass by.
Finally finding my parents who had made managed to find a place at the rails I noticed that from the docks side large strobe lights were shining their powerful beams onto ORIANA’s hull.
Crowds gather on deck for departure.
With camera in one hand and glass in the other I watched as the band below began to play and were joined by two Father Christmases and a juggler to add to the festive atmosphere.
The band plays and Father Christmas puts in an appearance.
Just before our scheduled departure Captain Brown announced that ORIANA was now ready to depart but had to wait a little while ARCADIA departed, while up ahead ARCADIA's horn blasted to indicate her departure.
At 5pm with ARCADIA clear of her berth and all ORIANA’s lines in she began slowly thrusting away from the berth while the sound of her horn blew sounding across the silent frozen night.
On the deck flags waved and cameras flashed, and in the tradition of setting off on an ocean voyage passengers called out to the workers on the dockside and to friends and family standing on the observation area of the terminal.
At first ORIANA went astern slightly and then headed forward and began to pick up speed as she headed down river passing The Farwley oil terminal, and many other landmarks.
After watching for a time we headed back inside to go and get ready for the first dinner of the 2009 ORIANA Christmas Cruise.
Like on the previous cruises on board ORIANA we assigned The Peninsular Restaurant, in a routine which for us well established from 3 other cruises on board ORIANA we arrived slightly early to wait for the doors to open which they did a few moments later.
Entering we were greeted by a line of attentive waiters all who one by one stepped forward to take passengers to their tables.
Arriving out hours we had only a brief wait until we were greeted by our waiters for this cruise Salvador and Manoj.
It was quite a coincidence that exactly a year ago to that day when were on the final days of a Baltic cruise with AURORA Salvador had been our table waiter there, it is certainly true about the crew having a good memory.
The meal was as expected of first class in both presentation and taste, having had such a long day we celebrated the fact we had managed to transfer ships with no major incidents with a bottle of sparkling wine
With dinner over with and having enjoyed the theatre performances the year before and also on board ARCADIA we decided to watch the welcome on board show being held by the Theatre group and entertainment team.
However before we left the restaurant Manoj had one last sign of ORIANA’s exemplary service by insisting that he push my father’s wheelchair to the entrance of the restaurant before bidding goodnight.
At the theatre entrance when we arrived we greeted by the cruise director who we had met on the last ORIANA cruise and again much to my surprise he remembered us.
The show was an introduction to the type and standard of entertainment that was coming up during the cruise including musical numbers from the shows such as Hairspray and Cabaret and then an introduction to the whole entertainment team.
After watching the show my thoughts were that if this one was a good example of those to come it should all be top quality.
Concluding the show Gary the Cruise Director gave a brief rundown of some of the other events that were going on around, quoting him “beautiful ORIANA”
By this time I was very tired after what had been a long day however we were after all on holiday so felt that just to retire to bed would be a waste of time.Instead going aft on the promenade deck we ended up by going to the Lords Tavern where another one of ORIANA’s regular performers The John James Trio were performing having watched them on several previous occasions knew that it would be a worthwhile way to spend the last hours of the day.
Looking out from the window where we sat in the distance ARCADIA’s lights could clearly be seen as ORIANA increased we edged ahead and seeming was leaving ARCADIA for behind.
From the band area John and his two companions played many styles of music form different decades.
As moved on towards its end ORIANA continued heading south mirroring the route she had taken on her maiden voyage in 1995.
Within hours ORIANA would enter the Bay of Biscay with the possibility of its unpredictable nature however for now ORIANA was filled with the sound of song and laughter from passengers of all ages, form novices to experienced cruisers.
It was wonderful to be back on board our “floating home” and now there was two days at sea ahead before reaching the first port of call the floating garden of Madeira
Photos Copyright: João Abreu, P&O Cruises & Steve Martin
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