Our travelling pharmacist Dave Harcombe, a cruise virgin, has chosen P&O Cruises for his first expedition on the high seas accompanied by his wife Babs. Dave’s first-timer blog is not to be missed.
DAY TWO: All at sea
Awake after a wonderfully relaxing sleep. Comfortable bed.
Opening the curtains we were delighted to see boat, sea and horizon in perfect alignment. And the sun was shining too. The sea almost as flat as a pancake. Well as flat as the pancake I once made at school-it never got eaten!
Today a day at sea and a day to discover and explore the ship.
After polishing off a truly enormous breakfast we decided to walk it off – 3.2 laps around promenade deck is one mile. So off we went and everybody, almost everybody said “Good Morning”. The sun was still shining and some people were sunbathing-in the middle of the North Sea. So calm. Fabulous.
11 am found us at a dance class. Linda and Steve were excellent instructors and everybody enjoyed themselves. Whilst Babs chilled and read I went to an art investment talk .”Show me the Monet”. Unfortunately the title was more interesting than the talk!
There is so much to see and do – if you want it. If you don’t just relax. Read, drink, chat , sleep, unwind. The choice is yours. No pressure. And that is what is so good about a cruise. You can be as active as you wish. You will never get bored.
Life of Pi was the film of the day. Table tennis, deck quoits, a craft class whist drive, classical concert, numerous quizzes, cosmetic talks and demonstrations, zumba, ballroom dancing, a masonic get together, acupuncture, pilates, digital camera instruction, bridge, cooking and cake demonstrations. Even port talks-tips on enjoying are port of calls.” Secrets to a flatter stomach ” clashed with our dancing class. Well maybe next life.
Tonight’s dress code- black tie. Dinner jacket , tuxedo or dark suit and tie for the men. Ball gown, trouser suit or cocktail dress for the ladies. Most people made an effort. Some went overboard (pardon the pun) and some underwhelmed.
There was more makeup and perfume than in Debenhams. In my world less is more. You don’t need a lot of slap to look elegant I know – I’ve seen Gok on TV. Some people slap it on like polyfilla. Imagine a Tussauds waxwork, slightly melted in the heat and you get the picture.
The sight of a 70 year old wearing a tight skirt so short it was two inch below the panty line almost put me off my starter and first course. Almost!
Bananaberry crush (banana, strawberry puree and pineapple juice) was our mocktail tonight and superb it was too. The six course meal was delicious and efficiently served by Onal and Clyde our waiters.
We had had a great day on the ship and decided to finish the night with a dance in the atruim. A stunning setting. Linda and Steve played music for all tastes – ballroom and sequence.
So with a combined age of 115 and shoe size 20, Babs and I took to the floor. And a good time was had by all. Barbara as always looked elegant and the perfect partner.
All the right moves even in the right order. Tonight all the dances were step perfect. Amazing. More often than not the heart and head are willing but the body especially the feet have their own agenda.
We climbed into bed just after midnight. Our first day on a ship almost over.We were happy knowing the seabands and tablets have worked so far.
Oceana is a great ship .So much to do. Elegantly furnished. A true floating holiday experience. And I never thought I would say this about cruising!
• Read Chapter 1
• Read Chapter 2
• Read Chapter 3
• Read Chapter 4
• Read Chapter 6
• Read Chapter 7
• Read Chapter 8
• Read Chapter 9
• Read Chapter 10
