InvictaMoto's Family Travels

Home. After the entertainment on Friday night we went to bed, forgoing the midnight feast in the deck 15 buffet. It was around 11pm UK time when when we stood looking out of the cabin windows to see us slipping past Dover harbour.  We weren't that far out and a ferry out of Dover slid across behind us en route to Calais or Dunkerque, When we woke at around 5.10am and had a look out we were on the way probably past Portsmouth.  Later on we were alongside in Southampton.   Not a great view! We had to be checked out of the cabin at 8am and in the muster station for disembarkation at 8.45am. We were breakfasted well in time for the cabin clearance.  Our luggage had been collected the night before. We'd assembled and within minutes we were taken down to deck 6 and off to the terminal, All very quick. We located our luggage and were outside in good time.  Collecting the car was simple too.  The TomTom estimated we'd be home my 10.28am.  Some two and a bit hours.  Once clear of th

We rushed to get ready and managed to miss most of the Captain's address and meet'n'greet as we queued for our photo that we most likely won't buy. Then hurried to dinner in the Meridian as Peninsular had a queue miles long. Dinner okay but took ages. Claire wanted to see the Take That Tribute "Beautiful World". Sad to say I also know all the songs. I put the blame on younger cousins Kate and Caroline. Then it was bed time Tomorrow Stavanger 

Up late. Well after 8am anyway. A nice lie in. Looking through the patio doors to see... Not a lot. Just the sea. Later there would be the odd oil rig. Breakfast was in the Peninsular Restaurant where our freedom dining allows us to eat. The freedom bit is time rather than being stuck to a set meal time. Then a wander. Then a snooze. Then lunch again Peninsular Restaurant. I had pate and the veggie pasta option. At both meals we had met and sat with other people from across the UK and at lunch a guy from Texas who lives in England. All very nice and we chatted along. We searched out the promenade deck but it is not possible to do a full 360° trip of the ship. We did find the theatre where we caught the end of the port information. As tonight is Black Tie we need to be spruced up and out to shake the Captain's hand at about 6pm or so. posted from Bloggeroid

From Solent Sky we made the mistake of thinking Ocean Village might be a marina with shops and places to relax. In fact it was a jumble of expensive flats.... Instead we ended up at Town Quay and parked there. It was very hot still with the car registering over 30°C still. We ended up in Starbucks near the Red Funnel ferry terminal. The local football team were at home judging by the variety of different Southampton shirts on display on everyone from kids to old blokes. Good to see so many people supporting their local club. Starbucks was air conditioned. A couple of fraps went down well. I'm glad I had the Canon with me to capture things... Problem being that the 1100D doesn't have WiFi to transfer pix off the SD card. Our parking ran out at 2.20pm and our check in time was 3.30pm before the added hour and a half from the email informing us of the delay. Rather than hang about we decided to go to the Ocean Terminal and see what happened. It was 2.35pm when we joined a queue, m