Boxing Day in Lisbon.

It's difficult to tell whether it's night or day in our cabin at the moment because the deadlights are still covering the port holes.  They've opened them on Deck 5 above us, but disappointingly we've been left in the dark for now.  I'm hoping they open them soon, it's quite depressing.

But Peter sets his alarm, so we were up around 8.30 and in the Bistro a little later for a relaxed breakfast.  We had a tour in the afternoon, so decided to have a short walk into Lisbon in the morning, relishing the opportunity to stretch our legs and enjoy the spaciousness of the city.   We didn't venture far.  We first walked along the waterside to Commercial Square, enjoying the view of across the river and listening to a busking guitar player before walking across the square to watch skaters on a pop up ice rink (by that, I mean a temporary one.  Most of the skaters were obviously first timers, their antics as they tried to stay upright on the ice made me laugh out loud.  We wandered through the town, checking out a few stalls before eventually made our way back to the ship for lunch.

Looking across the river Tagus from the entrance steps into Commercial Square

Commercial Square Lisbon

Pop up ice rink in Commercial Square, Lisbon

Tuk Tuks

Beautiful old trams

And fountains

Both Peter and I were acting as escorts for  "Lisbon Highlights and Estoril", in the afternoon, so we got a bus each.  It was a pleasant little tour, with quite a few photo stops.  It helped that the sun was out and the air was warm too.

A commerative fountain at the monument at the top of Edward VII Park in Lisbon.  Peter doesn't like it. 

The beach at Estoril.  It seemed like a really nice little tourist area, but the main attraction here is the casino - 2000 slot machines!

Belem Tower

Back on the ship we waited for the last tour bus to return and watched the other ships in port prepare to leave.  Alongside the diminutive Marco Polo were P & O's Ventura and Cunard's Queen Victoria.  Both hold a couple of thousand passengers and both seemed quite massive in comparison to us.  Peter calls them "floating blocks of flats", and to be honest, the Ventura fitted that description very well, although the Queen Vic was a little prettier.

Both ships left before us, the Ventura first.  We watched as she moved away from the dock to make her way down river.  As she did so, her captain blasted the Ventura's very loud horn.  Then he did it again, and again.  The Queen Vic answered with an equal number of very loud blasts, and so the Ventura had another go.  Much to the amusement of everyone on the rear deck of the Marco Polo, it turned into a game of  "My horn's louder than your horn".  I don't know if there is any language in it, but the ships seemed to be sort of out calling each other.  Naturally,  our ship was far too well mannered to join in, (either that or the captain thought the Marco Polo didn't stand a chance against those two).  Instead, her passengers stood on the rear deck and laughed at the antics of the bigger ships.

Back in the cabin, we noticed with disappointment that the port holes were still covered.  We got ready for dinner, which was very nice, as Loverly Jubbly cooked chicken noodles to order for us.  So nice in fact we had to go back for seconds. 

And after dinner we enjoyed the guest act in the show lounge, Al Brown.  He's a comedian and I found him very entertaining, really making me giggle.  Very enjoyable. Ross, the Cruise Director did go on to steal the show at the very end  though.  He came on to make the usual evening announcements about what else was happening on the ship, telling us that we could go and join in the quiz in this lounge, or the cabaret, or listen to .....  and finished with "or you could get up and leave the room whilst I'm still talking to you".   Both Peter and I were in stitches, although I suspect it was wasted on those it was directed at,  oblivious, they just carried on making their way out of the show lounge.

So now it's the end of the day, the ship is moving steadily towards Lanzarote and the sea is relatively calm. Tomorrow is another sea day. Peter has to work of course, but I don't (hee hee), so I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing day.

Christmas Day on the Marco Polo

OK - so I've not written a blog post for a few days for a couple of reasons.......  waves and nausea!

Although the ship missed the worse of the Atlantic storm I mentioned in my last post, we have still spent quite a bit of time in rough seas.  The first day was the worst, and I adopted my usual position when the ship starts to pitch back and forth, which is led down in bed.  The travel sickness tablets that I take make me sleep..... so I did......  for a day and a half.  The weather did start to improve yesterday lunchtime, so I managed to make it out of bed in the afternoon, and spent Christmas Eve enjoying the ships entertainment and even partook of a couple of alcoholic drinks.  My Christmas holiday was just beginning to start.

And then today started off really well with a flat(tish) sea and a lie in.   It's Christmas Day,  Yippeee!

We enjoyed a leisurely cup of tea in the cabin, opening the few presents we'd brought with us before going upstairs for breakfast.  By now it was quite late, around 9.30 and breakfast in the Bistro was due to finish at 10.   It seems every other passenger on board had the same idea and the Bistro was packed!

Everyone seems to be in a good mood, partly because it's Christmas Day, but mostly because the sea has calmed down.  Passengers that have been locked in their beds have finally been able to emerge, groggy and disorientated, to breathe the fresh air on the back deck and bathe in a little bit of sunshine.

And the good mood carried on throughout the day.  Passengers and crew wore Santa hats and flashing Christmas badges.  Christmas jumpers were in abundance and the lounges were overflowing with people full of the Christmas spirit.  The entertainment team went into overdrive, adding Christmas party fun to the day's activities and the Cruise Director, Ross Roberts added to the fun resplendent in his Christmas suit (a bit like a Christmas tie, but all over).

And the day continued in that mood.  Peter's classes went well, and we were completely relaxed as the day moved on to the main event:- Formal Night, the Captain's Cocktail Party and Christmas Dinner.  Peter and I didn't take part in the cocktail party, but we did dress up for the evening.  Peter always looks good in black tie, although he hates wearing it.

The evening show kept the mood with loads of Christmas classics including, of course, The Twelve Days of Christmas.  It culminated in the show team singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and then being joined by all the ships staff, officers and crew (who were able to), filing in along the sides of the show lounge.  The passengers were all quite moved and cheered and clapped in appreciation.  Very much a different attitude from  the last couple of nights, when everyone has been miserable and fed up with the weather and the rough seas.

Tomorrow we will be in Lisbon, and like everyone else, I can't wait to feel solid ground under my feet. As Peter say's "Bring it on!"

Back to sea on a cruise ship...... Or maybe not - First day of our Canaries Cruise on the Marco Polo

So today is Tuesday 22nd December.  Peter and I have travelled from our home in Richmond, Yorkshire all the way down to Bristol to board the Marco Polo and set off on a cruise to the Canaries.

We had a good clear trip and made good time.  The only problem we encountered was the wind, which buffeted the van around good n proper on the way down.  O oh I thought,  looks like I'll be taking me travel sickness tablets and spending a day or so in the cabin, until I find me sea legs.

We arrived early and offloaded our bags before Peter parked up.  Then, it was time to make our way through the embarkation process.  As soon as we arrived Peter was recognised.  First Olga, the Customer Services Manager, and then by Susan, the Shorex Mgr.  As a result, we were whisked passed the queues and more or less straight on board.  It was brilliant. So many of the crew recognised Peter (and sometimes me), it was quite heartwarming.

We've got one of the cabins in the bottom deck again, which has it's good points and it's bad points.   The good point is that it is lovely and spacious with loads of room for our stuff.  It's nice and clean, but with the standard "twin beds that cannot be moved together".   The bad point is that it's in the bowels, and the deck where they close all the port holes at the first sign of trouble.  And guess what?  Yep!  The port holes were covered, and the deadlights are battened down.  Humph!

Nureyev looks different - he's been sprayed gold.  He used to be a
dull grey green colour

I unpacked, Peter slept.  Then we decided we were hungry, so went for a quick lunch in the Bistro.  The chef and a couple more of the waiting staff recognised Peter, so more greetings, smiles and  handshakes before food.  My position on the table looked out at the miserable weather on the back deck.  I thought Nureyev looked a little different and then I realised why? He's been refurbished!

A wander around the ship after lunch proved that many other areas of the ship have been given a bit of a brush up. Peter hadn't really noticed, but then he doesn't.  The Captains Club and the Columbus Lounge have been refurbished they look the same, but different with new chair covers and carpets.  There are new covers on the soft chairs in the Bistro, and new carpet along the connecting halls.  It's all really quite nice.  I did try to get a couple of photo's for those that are interested, but there were too many people about.  I'll try again later perhaps.

Peter "demonstrating" the shop area of the Marco Polo

We tried to go  out on deck, but hurriedly ran back inside.  It was blowing a gale out there, and hurling drizzly rain at us.  Completely miserable.  If that's a taster of what it's like here in port, I'm dreading what it'll be like out at sea.  Peter and I discussed me going to bed as soon as we left Bristol, dosed up with travel sickness pills.

Fire drill was due at 3pm, the ship was due to set sail at 4pm and Peter had a meeting with Cruise Director planned at the same time.  3pm came and went, passengers were still boarding at 3.30pm, and it became obvious that things weren't going to plan.  At 3.45ish - the captain's voice came over the tannoy system and we knew there was trouble coming.  (It's always the same, whenever there's bad news, they stick the captain on, cos people will accept it from him).  My comment about the weather out of port was spot on it seems. Aapparently it is flamin' 'orrible out there.  So bad in fact that CMV had decided to delay the ships sail time until 2.30 am tomorrow morning in an effort to avoid an Atlantic storm.  And because we are leaving late, it will change our itinerary, ports are being moved around and it looks like we will end up with an extra sea day. But hey, if we miss the bad weather I am very happy with that.  (If you look back at our blogs for this cruise two years ago, you'll understand why).

So we've done our fire drill and been to see the Cruise Director, (a new guy called Ross, he seems cool), Peter's sorted out his classes and we've drunk several cups of tea.  Now we're downstairs in our roomy cabin, just chillin'.  We'll change for dinner in bit, and maybe go and see the evenings show later.  All very relaxed.

Tomorrow is a sea day and Peter will be running two art classes, one in the morning, one in the afternoon.  Depending on whether the captain has indeed avoided the storm, I will either be helping him or in bed feeling ill lying prone in bed moaning about bad weather and ships. Eventually I will find my sea legs, but it always takes at least a day.  (Why I can't keep them between one cruise and the next baffles me).

So, our little Canaries adventure begins.........   Or it will do in a few hours time.