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Farewell Southampton
Weather: Dry and occasionally sunny
The mini break we’d been looking forward to, had finally arrived. A short notice three-day cruise had become available on Aurora and we’d asked Jon’s parents and sister, brother-in-law if they’d like to join us to celebrate Jon’s 21st (+19!!) … and they seemed keen to try out the cruising experience!
It was only three days but hopefully a good taster. Margaret & Ray had come down to stay with us before the cruise and we left home just after 11am with the intention of being at the docks in Southampton by noon. Alas the closure of the Marchwood overpass delayed our plans slightly. It did however mean that we arrived at the same time as Nic and Aly.
There was a lengthy but fast moving queue at Southampton. First moan logged after 5 minutes (you wouldn’t get this [the queuing] with Celebrity!) and by one o’clock we’d boarded (via the staff security entrance) so we avoided the photographers. Before we knew it, we were on board and having lunch in the Orangery.
Once we’d finished lunch, the cabins were ready so headed down to check ours out. We’d booked a Deluxe Balcony cabin on Britannia deck – Cabin B219. We were really impressed as it was probably more spacious than the mini suite we’d had on Oceana (and more storage space too!). The was a large sofa bed for Callum, and a lovely big bed for us. Decent size balcony with two chairs and a little table. Bathroom has a bath/shower in it. A very large wardrobe and chest of drawers plus other cupboards/draws in the cabin too. It really does feel very spacious.
The others had all booked outside cabins and these had a lovely big picture window and really light. We had a bit of time on our hands so took Callum down to Toybox. It was just as we remembered it – very spacious and really light and airy. Callum also explored Jumping Jacks and loved the ball pit they had in there. Jon liked the PS games and Aly & Nic the colouring in!! We also met another couple – on their last cruise their daughter had come down with chicken pox too (they were on Ocean Village) which confined her to cabin for 4 days (except they were only on a 1 week cruise!).
Next stop was Muster Drill – we had to assemble in The Playhouse (the cinema) and this was a really good space we missed on the last cruise we did on Aurora. Our lifejackets fitted and straight after Muster, it was time for sail away and the obligatory glass of bubbly was quaffed as we sailed down the Solent.
From here, it was kids briefing. Callum by this time was getting really upset that we weren’t letting him go to Toy Box. He got another little rucksack to add to his collection and won a magnetic noughts and crosses game in the raffle.
After kids briefing, it was kids tea – Callum ate loads – fish finger, sausage, Yorkshire puds, carrots, peas, spaghetti hoops, a handful of chips and a boiled potato. This was followed by a cake and a biscuit and a couple of spoonfuls of jelly.
Callum finally went into Toy Box at 6.15pm which left us just enough time to get changed and meet up with the others in Raffles for a pre dinner drink.
We were dining in The Medina Restaurant, Table 76 which was next to a window (not that we could see an awful lot at by 8.30pm it was well and truly dark). The first meal was lovely. I had Carpaccio of Duck with an apple and walnut salad whilst all the others had risotto. It was a tough choice to make between mushroom soup or beef consommé, I choose the former, Jon the latter. For mains, Jon tried the Poachers Pie (partridge, venison & ???) whilst I opted for salmon. The white choc and raspberry soufflé was far too tempting for Ray and I to resist and Jon and Nic opted for cheese & biscuits.
We had to pick Callum up from Toy Box at 10.30pm and only just made it as dinner was overrunning and we transferred him into the Night Nursery. This meant we got to see the Headliners perform their Queen Tribute Act – We are the Champions. We were pleasantly surprised by the performance – especially from the Peter Andre look-a-like. We collected Callum from night nursery at 0.45am. We do lose an hours sleep tonight though. I stayed in the cabin with Callum whilst Jon took the others to the Crows Nest – not the easiest of bars to find as it can only be accessed from the front lifts (unless you fancy a breezy walk along the outside decks).
Next stop Zeebrugge and the delights of Bruges await.
