Quite a rough night and my cold is definitely taking hold. It's amazing how noisy the cabin is with creaks and rattles everywhere.
Had quite a slow day, sat reading for a while then had lunch did my packing and an afternoon nap.
Went to dinner and actually sat on my own as my voice is not really up to proper conversation.
Early night tonight although I've just found out we gain an hour tonight!!!!
I think I'm getting a cold! Had a sore throat last night and a few sniffles this morning. We're now docked in Vigo but it all looks a bit cloudy and overcast. I'm still planning to get off but not sure how far I will adventure.
Vigo would be nice if the sun was shining, as it is there's just a lot of drizzle although it's still quite warm. Had an oj by the dock and spoke to those who were home and able to talk to me. Then wandered a bit but realised that it was just a bit too hilly for me.
Back on the boat after about a hour and a half then up to the Sunset bar for refreshment. I'm now sure I have a cold as my snivelling is increasing and my throat is still sore. Going to try and knock it out with a black Russian and an afternoon nap!
Good nap but cold is definitely taking hold. Decided to go down to dinner anyway and am glad I did. Boat is getting rougher so it's hard to tell if it's the alcohol or the movement of the ship that is affecting the gait.
Quick smoke after dinner (the smoking deck is definitely the friendliest) then bed just before 11. Still snivelling!
Up for my swim as normal, bit choppy in the pool this morning but made it quite fun. I guess that means we may be in for a bumpy crossing today.
Down for breakfast just before 9 and guess who is on the table, chatterbox! I'm now sitting quietly at the end writing this.
After a short stop on deck 5 I head up to the Sunset bar as its prosecco o'clock and have a chat with a nice group from Maidstone. Around 1 I head down to lunch in moonlight sonata and although on a table for one end up chatting with the nice couple on the table next to me.
After lunch decide to go to the library for a quiet read then head back up to sunset for a cocktail. Got a bit cool and breezy by 3.30 so headed back to the room for a nap.
Decided to go to dinner a bit earlier today and ended up on a nice table. Met Phil from passion for cruises, a Welsh travel agent who said he could beat any deal! Might be worth a go in the future
Planned to have a posh coffee after dinner but it was too crowded so am going to retire to bed. We lose an hour tonight so it's not really that much of an early night.
Getting into my routine now. Swim just after 7 breakfast around 8.30 then coffee on deck 5. We're only in port until 1.30 today so have decided not to get off and have passed the morning tidying my room and sorting out my photos. Gonna be another hot one today so am off to the top deck with my book.
After an hour or so in the sun, decided I ought to have lunch and having seen them around thought I'd try a burger. Couldn't find them in Oceanview so headed along the deck to the mast grill. Well, worst decision I could have made. Hot, build it yourself and even then not fantastic. I'll stick to moonlight sonata in future, air conditioning and I'm sure much healthier.
Back up on sunset enjoying a glass of prosecco in the sun. We've left Lanzarote, heading for Spain and the captain has advised that hurricane might cause us a few swells in the morning!
Didn't even pretend to go to the show tonight. Had another dip in the pool (outdoor this time) around 5.30 then just got ready for dinner.
Delayed a while so I didn't end up with the same woman as last night but my plan failed and I ended up right next to her again. Nice lady but she talks nonstop, no conversations, just a monologue.
Remembered to set the ac properly last night so was up and ready for my swim just after 7am. Also found I could get fresh apples from the cafe so picked a couple up on my way back to the room.
Ship docked right in town today so easy to just wander off which I did about 11. Got straight on the hoho bus, much better than yesterday and after a complete circuit I hopped off at the beach and had a bit of a wander.
Decided it was really too hot so caught a taxi back to the ship. Sat out on deck for a while then back to the room for a nap.
Thought I'd try to go to the show before dinner today so went down to deck 4 and had a bit of a wander. Found the free photo machine I'd been told about and hopefully sent a picture home.
Decided I didn't really want to see the show so headed along for dinner. Once again a different group of people and more interesting conversation.
Early docking today (10am) so breakfast finished at 9.30. Set my alarm for a 7.30 swim but didn't make it. Forgot I'd turned the ac down and it was so cold I didn't want to get out of bed.
Had breakfast about 8.30 and then contemplated my day. Disembarked about 11 but probably not the best time. Rotten journey into town, although the shuttle bus was free and hoho bus was packed. Didn't really think much of Santa Cruz should have got advice on what to do.
Although hot it was overcast and no nice bars or cafes to tempt me. Decided to just come back on the ship for lunch. Phone didn't want to work so no phone calls or photo uploads.
Got back on board about 2 and couldn't decide what I wanted most, a drink, a cigarette or lunch. Decided to put on my cossie, have a drink and a cigarette then lunch and a swim.
Well things never go to plan. Had a drink and a cigarette in the Sunset bar and got talking to John from Scotland. One thing led to another and have decided to forego lunch and a swim and just have a nap instead.
So hot when I got back on the boat so had a short rest in the air conditioned cabin then made my way up to the mast bar for a cocktail in the hope I'd see the sail away party.
Sat waiting, watching and chatting until I noticed we had left Madiera with no sail away! Talked to a few people and we decided that maybe celebrity don't do sail always.
Didn't make the show again made it to dinner too late to even contemplate going.
Finally managed a swim this morning. Set my alarm for 7 and made it to the pool by 7.30. Not bad but it was full with 3 of us in it.
Eggs Benedict for breakfast, a much improved affair over yesterday but I think I prefer my eggs without the hollandaise sauce.
Pottered around a bit then took my coffee and cookie up to the back of the ship and watched the docking at Madeira. Tried to go to the main restaurant for lunch but it appears it is closed on port days so had to go back up to the Oceanside for lunch.
Now off to find the shuttle into town.
Well, I had a really nice lunch in the main restaurant again. Got there a bit earlier today, sat in the sun for a while then retired for an afternoon nap.
Headed up to the back of the ship about 4 and then down to the mast bar for a glass of prosecco before dinner.
Dinner was good, nice but different company again. I think select dining is a good option.
Early night tonight.
Somehow managed to sort out my watch and am now comfortably showing the correct time.
As predicted my throat is still painful from all the singing last night.
Down for breakfast just before 9 again but what chaos! Had to queue for a seat and it still took an hour to actually get fed. I was getting a bit concerned as I had my jab before going down and had to eat my Danish and drink the orange juice (yuk) to keep me going.
Spent the morning deck hopping, trying to find somewhere out of the sun. Today it's hot so everyone is trying to catch the rays. Not even going to try the pool at this point as I gather it's a bit manic with everyone saving seats.
I'm 15 again, back in Bowes Lyon House! Abba night! I might not have a voice tomorrow but drinking brandy alexanders (and water) to lubricate the throat. And dancing. 70s revisited I'm in my element. Just waiting for Gloria Gaynor but I'm sure I will survive!
Sorry Eileen but it's fantastic and I just wish you were here to enjoy it with me.
Ok, danced all the way through I will survive. THIS IS SO ME!
Went to the destination highlights presentation in the theatre at 10am but realised that it was just a sales pitch for the cruise tours so decided to leave. Had coffee and cookie out on the deck then explored deck 12. Found the indoor pool (deck 12) and the Sunset bar on deck 15 and sat chatting to another experienced Eclipse traveller over a couple of glasses of prosecco.
Everyone says the place for lunch is the Oceanview bar on deck 12 but it's self service and probably crowded so I decide to head back to the main restaurant, Moonlight Sonata.
I was sooo lucky! It appears that the restaurant closes at 1.30 and I arrived at 10 to 2 but they managed to find me a table and although I was only allowed 2 courses it was definitely the best decision.
This afternoon has just disappeared in a blur. Sat reading for a while then went on deck for a cocktail. Too cold and windy outside so found a new location indoors. Back outside now for a pre-dinner cigarette and it has definitely warmed up. Let's hope tomorrow is even warmer.
Had a good night's sleep, a bit of a restless night but the bed is really comfy and huge. One and a half rolls to get from one side to the other!
Bit confused about the time. My watch put itself back an hour but apparently ship's time didn't! I'm told they will announce any time changes so I guess I just have to get used to the fact that all my devices are one hour slow.
Breakfast was Ok, poached eggs on toast with crispy bacon on the side. Good company, more experienced cruisers.
How do I explain today? First there was Michelle, a carer, whose partner is a bouncer in a nightclub . He had decided he needed a nap as he was working until 4 this morning but she decided to join me in the mast bar. We tried a few cocktails, while trying to work out what was included in the standard package, and talked about cancer!
Then came dinner, and all parts of the UK were represented. A couple from Wales who are experienced cruisers but couldn't decide if they needed a drinks package or not.
Then the couple from up north who have done every cruise under the sun and finally the Scottish contingent who knew it all. Taught me to ask for extra vegetables!
Dinner was okay but I think Fred Olsen was better. Although the drinks package is better here.
Missed the show but for me that's normal, maybe tomorrow.
Now back in stateroom ready for bed. 10.00 I think.
Finally my adventure has started. Left homes just before 10 and parked just after midday. Had help boarding and all went very well.
Able to get into room at 1pm. Fantastic.
Now trying to navigate the ship, managed to find a smokers bar on deck 14 and am comfortably sipping prosecco and making the most of an hours free WiFi.
