23rd June-Zeebrugge
From ORIANA’s midnight departure from Rotterdam she made her way back out to sea before setting westerly courses which she followed throughout the early hours of the morning on route to the Wandelaar pilot station.
Maintaining an average speed of 23.1 knots throughout in order to cover the 108 Nautical Miles (200.143km) between ports and arrive around 8am.
Arriving at Wandelaar station at about 6:45am the pilot embarking shortly afterwards.
ORIANA's route overnight to Zeebrugge.
Arriving on deck about 10 minutes later I was just time in time to see ORIANA pass through the breakwaters marking her entrance into Zeebrugge’s harbour.
Interestingly it was about 20 minutes from here that the worst peacetime maritime disaster to befall a British registered vessel since TITANIC the Ro-Ro f HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE’s capsizing occurred 19 years before.
Passing the breakwaters the wind turbines that stood on top of it turned in the early morning breeze which was going off the sea.
The Berth ORIANA was on route to was the Zweedse Kaai Berth which was on the far side of the harbour.
With the pilot on the bridge ORIANA continued slowly head altering course slightly to starboard as required on approach to the berth.
Nearing the berth ORIANA commenced her swing until her portside was paralleling the berth before ORIANA thrusted into position alongside being all fast alongside by 8am.
Zeebrugge Harbour with the Zweedse Kaai Berth circled. Being seated this morning on the portside our view out of the window was the bow of a Belgian Naval frigate which was berthed on the quay opposite, just visible was members of its crew performing their duties on the deck.
Nearer on the dockside there was an odd mix of parked digging equipment, boats and cargo containers many of them with the logo Cobelfret a local ferry and cargo operator.
Moments later Captain Reid made his arrival announcement unlike Rotterdam the day before there was no cruise terminal building and as such there area around ORIANA had been set up as a secure area which only passengers, crew and authorised personnel of the port authorities could enter. Passengers entering this area would be required to show cruise cards to security guards once disembarking the coaches to be able to proceed back on board the ship.
For those who were not embarking on an excursion the captain advised taking the shuttle bus to the train station in the nearby town of Blankenburge which was about 20 minutes away and from there taking the train to Bruges since it offered far more choice for sightseeing and shopping.
With his speech complete Captain Reid wished all on board a pleasant stay in Belgium.
Being Belgium there was two main things which passengers were going to be attracted to Belgian Beer and Belgian Chocolates, of the latter several of the tours would be offering visits to a chocolate shop were many samples would be on offer.
The two main tours taking in the chocolate highlight were “A taste of Bruges” and “Scenic Villages and Choclates”
Giving passengers some ideas of what was on offer in Bruges the description of the first tour stated:
“Discover Bruges with its canals, beautiful medieval buildings, chocolates and lace.
Enjoy a narrated panoramic drive with scenes of the Flemish countryside, before arriving in Bruges for a walking tour and canal ride, followed by free time for shopping.
Upon arrival at this historical old town, the beautiful medieval atmosphere is immediately evident. Cobble-stoned streets twist and turn and centuries-old buildings hover over the main canals. Take a guided walk through the picturesque city passing the Market Place with its merchant guild houses, Belfry Tower, Town Hall and the Gothic-style Chapel of the Holy Blood (exterior views only).
A true highlight of your tour of Bruges will be a short canal boat ride along the serene waterways of this romantic, historical city.
You’ll have time to browse independently around Bruges. The shops are plentiful and overflowing with souvenirs, delicious Belgian chocolates, finely made tapestries and, of course, the world-famous lace - so the opportunities are hard to resist.”
For the history enthusiasts amongst ORIANA’s passengers there was also a tour on offer to Ypres and Flanders Field which offered a look around the monuments relating to the First World War with one of the highlights being a visit to the Menin Gate, the British war memorial.
Like the day before we decided to go ashore by ourselves and took the shuttle bus.
The journey was as Captain Reid described about 20 minutes and once out of the dock area we watched as the landscape changed from the industrial to rural with fields with the occasional farm building in between on the other side of the coach a beach stretched out towards the North Sea.
Blankenberge Pier Copyright Wikipedia user: Sampont.
It was interesting I thought to myself, I had imagined Belgium as historic European country which had been a part Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s French Empire famous in more modern times for the afore mentioned chocolates and beer, the one thing I had not imagined for some reason seeing a beach!
Arriving at the station some those on coach had decided to stay in Blankenburge and headed off in various directions, some of those who had children had were already being bothered by them to find the beach that had been visible from the coach.
While others had decided to take the train on to Bruges to see the sights of the medieval city one which had been considered at one time to be one of the foremost in the world.
Deciding to take the train we bought our 25€ ticket and with the train already waiting at the platform we got on board.
Only being tourists we bought the 2nd class tickets and quickly made our way to relevant compartment of the train finding two vacant seats.
As the train began pulling away from the station some last minute arrivals running across the platform some I noticed were from the from ORIANA.
Clearing the station we passed through Blankenburge passing houses shops and schools it was quite interesting to watch seeing a fleeting glimpse of another culture continuing as the train picked up speed we passed more areas of the town until we left and the urban scene was replaced by more green fields, inclining slightly the train raised for a time onto a bridge which roads ran under and allowed us to see the different coloured fields making what looked like a patchwork pattern of various shades of green, gold and brown.
From somewhere behind there seemed to be something of a noise behind looking back over the seat we could see that commotion was caused by a some of the passengers we had seen rushing to join the train, they had accidently entered the 1st Class area since it was the nearest to the station entrance.
The passengers had subsequently showed their tickets to the train attendant who was checking, and he had sent them back to the 2nd Class despite the fact they were quite elderly and there was no seats, not particularly the best introduction to Belgian culture!
Stopping several times along the route several people disembarked the train allowing the crowed which had gathered in the walkway to find seats much to their relief.
It was easy to tell that we were approaching Bruges as the rural scenery gave way to that of the city and about in minutes we arrived at the station I would imagine that it was to relief of some of those on the train.
Disembarking the train we were somewhat surprised to find that the station was undergoing maintenance and the train platform was made completely from wooden staging which metal scaffolding for hand rails, a very different experience from what I was used to.
Leaving the station we embarked on our ‘mission’ which was to buy some of that renowned chocolate.
Using the port guide map to help we set off on our exploration of the streets of Bruges.
From the buildings we passed it was easy to see the city’s age and its heritage indeed the historic centre had been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2000.
A tower outside of Bruges, Copyright: Steve Martin.
It was interesting to see the old world cobbled streets which made the historic centre which contrasted greatly with very functional and industrial Zeebrugge.
Reflecting back it was a regret that we did not book onto an excursion to explore further this intriguing city and its surround small villages, fortunately we had the opportunity to some years later.
A scene from Bruges, Copyright Wikpedia user Rocket000.
Walking onwards for me it seemed almost like a film set of a old rustic town with small winding cobbled backstreets branching off between some of the shops.
Heading on we found what we were looking for in the form of a small quaint chocolate shop.
Small from the outside but inside it was packed completely with Belgian chocolates of all descriptions from small boxes to whole sculptures made from chocolate which cost many euros.
Not requiring such an elaborate treat 3 boxes of chocolates seemed to be more than enough, at least at 8€ each I hoped they would be!
Continuing we found that there was many more chocolate shops had we not found what we were looking for.
There were walking through the various streets many of ORIANA’s passengers who were like us looking at the port guide and wondering off doing their own thing.
The great thing about cruising aside from the service on board was the opportunity to explore a new place every day without having to constantly move hotel it was, how much easier could travel get than cruising I thought?
With our ‘Mission’ accomplished we moved on and found an equally quaint bar/ restaurant which has a small area on the path inviting people to come and spend some time eating a drinking.
Offering local products we decided to stay and try some of the local Larger Beer which Belgium was famous.
Although nice and reminding me somewhat of another beer the famous Belgian export Stella Atrois one of was more than enough and after finishing we moved on.
We didn’t get very far before much like the day before the rain began fall beginning a rush back towards the train station.
Meeting many other passengers on the way back some with the same idea and the weather didn’t seem to be improving and reaching the station were somewhat exasperated to find that the next train back to Blankenberge wouldn’t be arriving for at least another hour and there seemed little in the way of shelter in the station itself we decided to take one of the local taxis around the station back to Blankenberge.
Arriving back at Blankenberge the rain was still battering down and after ‘negotiating’ the price with the driver got back to the shuttle bus without getting too much wetter.
Driving back towards the port the rain began to stop although the sky was still dark with rain clouds.
After a quick acknowledgement to the security guard at entrance of the port we drove back through the port to ORIANA.
Leaving the coach and showing the guard on duty our cruise cards we walked back to ORIANA and waited patiently to board.
In the overcast conditions ORIANA’s name underneath her funnel was illuminated and on the balconies a few of the passengers were stood watching the view as yet more passenger returned to the ship.
Showing our cruise cards to the ships security member we moved up the gangway where we had to once again go through the security checks and staff scanning passengers bags and loose clothing.
Returning on board just in time for lunch we decided to try lunch in the main Restaurants and seeing as we were near the Peninsular we decided to try there.
Being greeted by the head waiter we were taking to table for 4 near the back of the restaurant and were presented with a lunch menu which was just as elaborate and fine as the Dinner menu.
There were several options available which included for the main course a lighter option, a full lunch, a vegetarian option. To compliment it there was also various starters and a dessert dish.
As it turned out we were once again being served by our waiters from dinner and we once again enjoyed an interesting conversation with our meal.
Looking through the window we pleased to see that the weather outside was beginning to look better.
The meal was of excellent quality, tasty and quite filling I wondered if I would have any room left for dinner later in the day! Which would be the Captain’s Gala dinner and the formal only dinner of the cruise and I was sure that many on board would be preparing for the dinner in various ways.
Passing through the atrium I took the opportunity to purchase some of the ORIANA souvenirs from the Emporium shop, there was more which I intended purchase however that would need to wait until later when venues began to open as ORIANA sailed.
For now drink in ORIANA’s British Pub Lords Tavern seemed to be a good idea, finding a quiet corner and with drink in coffee in hand we unwound in the most British of surrounds and I spent the time writing down the reflections of experience I had so far on board ORIANA.
I didn’t know how at that time that over 5 years later those notes would be useful in helping write these blog entries!
While looking out through the windows onto the promenade I could only but imagine what it would be like to cruise longer on board ORIANA to sit here looking out at the seemingly endless ocean and to watch the world pass by as ORIANA cruised to one of many exotic and far flung destinations.
It was while thinking of future cruises that the thought looking into a next one seemed like a good idea.
Going down to the Future cruise desk located in atrium near the bottom flight of the staircase where we were seen by the Cruise Sales Manager Wayde who was most helpful in looking at various cruise options.
Of course there was a lot we already knew would be required from our next cruise, it would have to be on board ORIANA with at least some days at sea and would have to be longer than 3 days and also involve no flying.
That left many options, firstly did want a warmer destination such as the Med or go North and have cruise to the Norwegian Fjords which were scenic but unpredictable weather wise.
With a Mediterranean cruise requiring at least 2 weeks, which I was unsure if it was possible to commit to but at the same time also deciding a destination warmer than the UK would be good idea Wayde presented what to him seemed the ideal Solution cruise X705, 9 nights on board ORIANA in May/June 2007 cruising to the Atlantic Islands.
Printing of the details of the cruise to give to us we thanked him and headed up to the Library to purchase a copy of ORIANA From Dream To Reality P&O’s official book detailing the earliest days of ORIANA from concept to her maiden season for ship enthusiast like me it was a must buy!
After it become obvious that it was time to begin packing a most unpleasant of tasks, better it seemed to get it done and sorted we mused.
To begin we decided to pack all that was no longer needed and put it outside for the Stewards to collect before going to dinner. Leaving out only what was required for the evening, which was formal, we would then pack everything else and putting that case outside before retiring for the night and leave out only what was required in the morning.
By the time we had finished it was almost time for ORIANA to sail, having not watched much of the previous sail away due to the late hour we thought it would be a good idea to make the time and the effort to go down to the promenade to watch this one.
Arriving on deck many of the other passengers had gathered at the rails with the same plan to watch the sail away.
Below on the dockside the last remain coach loads from the all-day excursions arrived and were swiftly welcomed back on board and as the last one embarked the security member left their post and boarded.
As he did one last member of the crew remained behind stood on the gangway waiting.
He didn’t have long to wait as soon he spoke with someone from the shore he ran back on board before a crane lifted the gangway from the ship.
Waiting Captain Reid announced that ORIANA was now ready for her departure for her home port with pre departure safety checks completed and gave a brief description of ORIANA’s planned movements overnight.
Soon after on the dockside ORIANA’s ropes were released by the stevedores who then walked back to join the members of the port authorities who were remaining on the dockside.
With a 3 short blasts of her horn ORIANA signalled her departure to which car and van horns on the dockside replied not overly successfully as ORIANA silenced them with one more blast as she pulled away from the quay.
As the noise continued and the dock workers waved I noticed that on the shore many were taking photos as ORIANA departed, what a fine sight I thought in the days of the floating apartment block to see a ship that looks like a ship must be becoming a rarity for that and I thought to myself I wonder if ORIANA had people who would come to see her every time she docked in their port did she command such respect like her illustrious predecessors?
I imagined that it was possible she did but looking back now at standing there on that June evening I never expected to have that question answered.
So as ORIANA moved slowly ahead left the last port of the cruise on route back home but before the “end of the party” so to speak there was full night of entertainment to be had on board starting with a certain cocktail party.
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