On sea days, the shops are open on the main deck, perfume, jewellery and clothing spilling out of the glass doors, (all duty free of course). There are port talks and bridge classes, shuffleboard, ballroom dancing and singing lessons, darts, table tennis and films. The entertainment is designed for the clientele, and Fred Olsen ships specifically target a certain age, which is basically retired folk. There are ramps everywhere for the less able, and a fair number of the passengers use sticks, zimmerframes and wheelchairs. Peter and I are considered young.
There is a show, twice every night (to cater for the two sittings). Sometimes there are theme nights, which the show will latch onto. Passengers are encouraged to participate. Sunday night was international night, with the show company putting on a display of international song and dance. To keep within theme passengers appeared in all sorts of colourful regalia just for fun, anything from the red white and blue of the Union Jack up to the blanket over the head type Arabs.
This is the first time we have been on the Black Watch. There are many similarities to the other Fred Olsen ships (not least the carpets), but the lounges and the pace of this particular ship is very genteel and relaxing. Because the ship does not feel busy, we thought it may be a good part empty, but apparently not, somehow there are 800 passengers on here this cruise, but you can’t tell.
Sunday was especially lazy. We didn’t get out of bed till 10, and had a couple of naps between getting up and bedtime. We worked out we must have been knackered after quite a busy week, (well, me anyway). We took a wander around the deck to watch the north coast of the African continent on our right (starboard) side and Algeria in particular goes past. I saw a single flying fish but as I was the only one that did, I’m sure Peter half thinks I imagined it.
Peter had his first class which was a bit (lot) chaotic, but everyone seemed happy and many even said they would come back. We didn’t watch the show company, choosing instead to catch up in the library on emails n stuff. We finished in The Observatory, a lounge at the front of the ship high up, with loads of big picture windows giving a splendid view of the way head. The sky was clear, the moon was nearly full, and its silvery reflection on the sea was quite beautiful.
Monday was a little of the same, less the naps. Peter had his second class, which went a lot smoother than the first, (the passengers are much more organised than we are). But there were more people this time and we ran out of table space. Oh oh!
Out on deck, we had the coast of Tunisia on our starboard side this time and we spent some time watching the traffic. It’s like we are on the shipping equivalent of a motorway, there are ships in front and behind, travelling at the same speed in the same direction. On our left (port) side, the many tankers, container ships and cruisers are all going the other way. Amazing!
We watched a “fizz plop” sunset before preparing for the evening meal. It was “Informal” so that means Peter has to wear a jacket, and I have to posh up a bit. All smartened up and looking classy (I can pretend at least), we turned up at the Garden Cafe to find out we can’t eat there. It turns out that it was a “Special” night and the cafe had been turned over to the passengers who had to book either 1st or 2nd sitting. We hadn’t booked, so we ended up in the restaurant.
The way it works for the on board “entertainment” team is that we have to wait until the Maitre D' calls us forward to a table not needed by the passengers. We are only able to go in two’s because of Fred Olsen rules about the entertainment staff not being allowed to get together and maybe cause a riot or something....... It worked out quite well for me n Peter; we were put on a table by ourselves where we waited to see what the restaurant experience would be like.
It was a bit of a surprise to be honest. I think I was expecting a lot more formality, a slower meal, and maybe the family silver or something. But the system is very smooth and waiters were incredibly efficient. We selected our starter and main course (as did everyone else at the same time), and then hundreds of plated up starters appeared. The waiters knew exactly which table for what, and I was really amazed at how they simply spotted when people had finished one course, cleared the plates and appeared with the main course. It didn’t matter that tables were finishing at different speeds. It was actually a very pleasant meal, even finishing with a coffee. If I have any complaints, it would be that if Peter and I had served ourselves as per normal, we may have had fuller plates and more chips. 4 chips! 4 chips! Everyone could be heard making the same comment. They were nice chips though.
We finished Monday night by spending a little time in the Lido Lounge, meeting other members of the entertainment team. This was followed by show time in the Neptune Lounge with the very entertaining magician and the comedy act, and finally, a relaxing drink in The Observatory. We couldn’t stay up to late. Tuesday, the Black Watch berths in Valletta, Malta, and the alarm is set for 7 am.
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