WG’s Christmas Cruise 2025 – Part Five

Friday 2nd January – at sea (mostly)

The sea seems to have calmed down overnight. It is still rather windy, but the sea state has changed to moderate, with a long, slow swell, and it is 18° outside. I was down for breakfast shortly after the door opened at 08:00, and today it is a table for six, with four (if you count me) of the same people as yesterday. It seems to be the same people most mornings, but we get shuffled around the restaurant. OJ, Rice Krispies, scrambled egg and bacon, and square toast this morning. Oh, not to forget several cups of tea; I can’t say exactly how many, as it was topped up numerous times.

For the first time on this cruise, my cabin hadn’t been serviced. The Steward was next door and, when he heard me, he called out, ‘You’re next.’ I don’t know if that was a threat or a promise, but I grabbed my Kindle and headed for the Crow’s Nest and a comfy chair. Two hours later, when I returned, the cabin had been serviced and the Steward was nowhere to be seen.

However, I must report a growing number of sightings of blue trays outside cabins. On this ship, blue is for Norovirus and red Covid. My ‘Widows’ spy system tells me that there is no Covid on board, just a tiny bit of Norovirus, but quite a lot of colds. The blue tray handlers all have face masks, disposable aprons and gloves.

Up to the Neptune for lunch. A chicken mayo bap and a bottle of London Pride today, and jolly nice it was too. Then a wander around the shops while they are still open, before we arrive in Lisbon. A plushy shark for the LGND, couple of giant Toblerone (they were on offer), and a bottle of Tanqueray Gin for the LGND’s Mummy and Daddy.

Back to the cabin and the coast of Portugal is in sight. However, we keep running through heavy showers as we head for the mouth of the river Tagus and the pilot station. As I write this, a ship-wide announcement rings out calling for the medical response team to the ship’s casino. Now it would be cruel of me to speculate that someone had won and collapsed from shock. But they are lucky as they can be treated in Portugal in short time, where they have until tomorrow evening to rejoin the cruise or choose loads of flights to get home on.

It is pouring with rain in Lisbon, and the rope handlers look to be pretty miserable, as do the crews of two ambulances and a fast response car waiting to be allowed to come on board as soon as the ship is cleared. The first ambulances left under blue lights about half an hour later; it was time for my shave and shower, so I didn’t see the going of the others.

Only six on the table for dinner this evening, and I rather enjoyed the food. I started with my old favourite, tomato soup. Then it was tiger prawn linguine, which was delicious, and dessert was another of my favourites, baked Alaska. I really enjoyed my dinner this evening.

What I don’t like is the walk from the restaurant at the stern of the ship on deck 3, all the way to the bow and up to deck 10 for the Crow’s Nest. I am ready for a drink when I get there. Mind you, it was not so bad tonight; the ship is alongside and not moving about.

Saturday 3rd January – Lisbon

As it’s a port day, it’s 07:30 for breakfast in the Main Dining Room. I rolled over in bed, tapped the screen on my phone and registered 06:50, so I hopped out of bed, had a quick wash and dressed. It was only when I put my watch on I realised it said ten past six. What I thought was ten to seven must have been ten to six, and I could have had another hour in bed!

When I did eventually head for breakfast, I was the first on a table for six. I was rapidly joined by a lady and a couple I had breakfasted with before. The waiter didn’t take our orders immediately; he was waiting for the final two seats to fill up. But it didn’t happen; the next couple to arrive were escorted to a different table for eight, so he set about taking our orders.

I had a bit of a change this morning, and after my OJ, Rice Krispies and square toast I had a fried egg, a sausage, hash browns, mushrooms and fried bread. I must say it was all nice and hot, and the fried bread was perfect. Back to the cabin, where Antonio, the steward, has, as usual, been and sorted out it while I was eating. Only seconds later there is a tap on the door and Antonio is wanting to change the shower curtain. He tells me it is done once every cruise. I wonder why it is not done on changeover day so that a passenger starts with a nice fresh shower curtain.

I have had a look at the pouring rain and the few people in coats and hats braving the walk to the lined-up tour buses and decide then and there I am not going on the trip to Cascais, a seaside resort, and getting soaked. I will forgo it and stay warm and dry on the ship. Who knows, I might even write a chapter of Jinnie’s Story.

It’s still raining at lunchtime when I headed up to the lido deck to get a burger and a few chips. As I expected, the retractable roof is closed and it is quite pleasantly warm there, with people actually in the water. A bottle of Doom Bar with my burger. I am not a bottle beer expert, but I find both Doom Bar and London Pride quite drinkable out of a bottle, but I prefer the draught, but it’s not available from this particular bar.

I lingered over a second beer and a discussion with a man I have never seen before and will probably never see again, on just how bad the Labour Government is and who is the worst minister. He favoured the Chancellor, but I think I can trump that with the Energy Secretary, as he is a political zealot and not just a liar and an idiot. Back to the cabin to catch up on the football. I thought Wolves were the worst team in the Premier League, but they are stuffing West Ham. Just how long can it be before the Hammers manager is sacked.

I now have a small problem; my team Arsenal are next up on TV, playing at Bournemouth. If I get ready for dinner between games, I can watch the first half and have dinner while the second half is played. So that is just what I do, but it is not easy to force yourself to turn off the TV with your team drawing 1-1, but you have to eat.

Only six of the Harem for dinner again tonight. I experimented a bit with the menu this evening, starting with carrot soup. I feared I had made a big mistake after ordering it, but it was really pretty good. Next up I chose sweet and sour chicken, a tried and tested item from the local Worthing Chinese Take Away, but a big unknown on a P&O dinner menu, where it is new to me. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Finally, treacle tart with clotted cream. A bit a strange mixture of courses, but each was very good, so overall a decent meal.

Instead of going straight up to the Crow’s Nest, as I habitually do, I went via the cabin to get the result of the football. We had sailed just before dinner, and the Captain had warned it might be a bit rough when we cross the Bay of Biscay, but the ship was hardly moving. So, I was a little surprised when a lady got in the lift and announced to all and sundry that she felt seasick. I was happy to get to my deck and out of the lift before she was sick.

I then started the long walk to the other end of the ship and my cabin, only to be confronted by a man and woman coming out of their cabin wearing paper face masks, just like during Covid, but this pair had the masks over their mouths and their noses uncovered, and looked a little stupid, to say the least. I muttered ‘good evening’ and hurried past, trying not to laugh. Into the cabin and on with the TV, where I discover we won 3-2 and are still top of the league. I shall enjoy my vodka and lemonade tonight.

Sunday 4th January – at sea

I woke just after 6 this morning, and the wind was howling and the ship was bucking a bit. I understand that we are heading away from the storm, so the sea state should improve slowly throughout the day. The Captain says the big Atlantic storm is heading up the Strait of Gibraltar today, so we are getting away from it.

As we are at sea, it is an eight o’clock breakfast on a table for six, with the same people as yesterday, but a different table. It might be a different table, but I had the same breakfast, OJ, Rice Krispies, a mushroom omelette, square toast and tea. But at the stern of the ship there is more movement, and a waitress was pouring a cup of tea when the ship moved, and she poured it over the table.

With the high wind and movement, the outside decks were closed and the pools drained, so the bars and lounges were crowded this morning, but I managed to find a comfy chair in the Crow’s Nest, where I could read my Kindle and people watch; there are some odd people on board.

For lunch I used the sandwich bar by the Neptune pool and made up a submarine roll filled with ham and sliced of tomato. I ordered a bottle of Doom Bar and found a little table. With the roof shut and the pool empty, they were surprisingly very few people near the pool.

After lunch I headed back to the cabin to watch the football on the TV. An interesting set of results this weekend. Tonight is the final ‘Black Tie’ night of the cruise, and it is preceded by the Peninsula Club party, which is being held around the drained Neptune pool. The party only lasts 30 minutes, but for those 30 minutes it’s free drinks. I managed to just two vodka and lemonades, but the object of some people is to get as many free drinks down their necks as possible. The Captain confirmed the wind is dropping and the sea state improving overnight, and it should be a decent crossing of the Bay of Biscay and round into the Channel.

All six remaining widows made it for dinner tonight, and I ate my way through all seven courses. First up was a peach juice and ginger amuse-bouche. This was followed by a little salad that included chopped up orange and grapefruit segments. Then came the soup course, which was French onion.

For main I had a pork fillet, which was excellent, and I think my first pork of the cruise, and included some crackling. For dessert I chose ice cream, then to finish it was a cup of tea and several chocolate truffles. All told, a most enjoyable meal. Then off to the Crow’s Nest for my usual nightcap, but via my cabin so I can check up on the Man City final score. A draw with a last-minute equaliser from Chelsea, leaving Arsenal six points clear at the top of the league. Should it be doubles tonight in celebration?

Monday 5th January – at sea

Good morning from the Bay of Biscay on the way home to Blighty. The wind and sea have eased considerably overnight, and it is possible to walk about the ship without staggering like a drunk. Of course, it’s packing day as we dock in Southampton early tomorrow morning. I don’t mind packing to go home; most things are dirty and I will unpack my case downstairs where I can load things directly into the washing machine, or into a giant plastic bag to await its turn. It’s much easier taking an empty case upstairs to put away until it is next required.

I was allocated the same breakfast table as yesterday with some of the same people. Today I decided to vary my breakfast slightly, but started with OJ and Rice Krispies, then I had smoked haddock and a poached egg. I was a little disappointed when the portion of haddock was tiny and the egg was about half the size of the eggs I buy in Tesco. Still, what my breakfast lacked in size it made up for in quality. The poached egg was perfect, a solid white and a runny yolk, while the fish was soft, flaky and very tasty. I rather enjoyed my breakfast.

As I mentioned, the wind has dropped; it now officially only force 5, and the sea state ‘slight’, with a slow swell. I find I still have £64.18p in cabin credit, which is lost if I don’t spend it. So, I am off for a wander around the shops; the LDND might be lucky, I seem to remember they have some giant bars of chocolate. I don’t mind if I spend it all, as I only have a beer at lunchtime and a couple of drinks tonight left to buy. If I have no cabin credit left, they can go on my account and that will be settled by direct debit.

I messaged the LGND’s mummy to ask which of the three giant Cadbury bars they have in the shop the LG likes best: Dairy Milk, Fruit and Nut or Whole Nut. I was expecting her to say Dairy Milk, so I was a little surprised to get the message back that her favourite is Whole Nut. So that is what she has got, and I have a bar of Fruit and Nut to enjoy while watching the football on the TV.

On the way back to the cabin, I passed the Loyalty Cruise Booking desk and thought I might see if I could book a cruise for June 2027. I had seen in the brochure one that I rather fancied but was a little more than I wanted to pay, so I wanted to find out if what others had told me about getting a good deal by booking on board was true. Well, it was, I got a discount on the list price, free parking at Southampton and additional cabin credit. So, I now have £320 in cabin credit for the June 27 cruise, which will be increased by another £150 when I apply to Carnival for my extra shareholder cabin credit. OK, it’s a 21-day cruise, so that means £22.38 a day to spend on board!

For the first time since boarding the ship, I have had to put a pullover on to go on to the Neptune Snack Bar for my lunch. Despite the roof being closed, it is becoming quite cool. So much so, I had hot coffee with my hotdog instead my usual beer. Then it was back to my packing. They have just asked for as many people as possible to put out their luggage by 20:30, easy for me as I had packed and locked it. I put my suitcase outside my door when I went down to dinner at 18:30, and it was gone when I got back.

You may remember the little Christmas tree I was delivered at the start of the cruise. Well, they announced that if you didn’t want to take it home, to put it outside the cabin with your suitcase and they would dispose of it. It was quite strange to see a forest or trees outside the cabin doors as I headed for dinner.

I really enjoyed my last dinner on board. Leek and potato soup to start, with a nice swirl of cream for added luxury. Then a delicious tiger prawn bhuna with basmati rice and a couple of different mini naan. Finally, a lemon posset, which was a lovely palate cleanser after the curry made my nose run. As usual, I headed up to the Crow’s Nest for my nightcap. But the ship was remarkably quiet, so I only had the one before heading back to my almost bare cabin.

Tuesday 6th January – Southampton and home

I woke up at around 04:30 and we were in the Solent, so I went back to sleep. The next time I woke was about ten past six and I could see we were at the Mayflower Terminal, so I checked the time, 06:10. I had to be out of the cabin by 08:00, had virtually nothing to do except wash, dress and get breakfast. But the MDR didn’t open until 07:00 this morning, so I decided to leave my carry-on bag and warm jacket in the cabin and head for a buffet breakfast for the one and only time of the holiday.

On the way out of the cabin, I met the cabin steward, who asked if I was off breakfast. When I said ‘yes’, he asked if he could strip the bed. Of course, I said yes. Changeover day is hell for the cabin stewards; they must service a whole run of cabins. Every bed has to be changed, and everything must be perfect for the new passengers, but this was different. They had to prepare for the world cruise, and many passengers have purchased extra add-on packages that the steward has to set up. The more they can get done early, the easier it is for them.

The buffet was packed, and I was lucky to grab a table as someone was leaving. Wandering around the food on display, I saw a few things I liked the look of, but there was no Rice Krispies, so today I had half a dozen slices of melon, and did I enjoy it for a change. Then I had a mushroom omelette from the omelette station where it is cooked for you as you order. Then a big mug of tea, but again I couldn’t find any OJ for my pills, so I had to wash it down with tea.

Back to the cabin to pick up my warm coat and jacket. Antonio, my steward, had changed the bed and cleaned the room. He said he hadn’t done the bathroom yet in case I wanted to use it. He was busy setting up the pamper packages the next occupants had purchased: bath robes and slippers, boxes of chocolates and champagne, and something in a big box which I never got to see what it was, but it could have been bottles of wine.

I headed off to my meeting point for priority disembarkation, the Piano Bar. The officer in charge told me that everything was running ahead of plan and he was expecting to be able to send the people waiting in the bar off at least 20 minutes early, which is exactly what happened. But gosh, was it cold the second I stepped off the ship. All the shore staff were wrapped up in big coats, woolly hats and scarves, stamping their feet and clapping their gloved hands.

I was very fortunate to find my suitcase among the thousands in the warehouse very quickly. They are all laid out by deck, but with 2,300 on board and 7 passenger decks, that’s a lot of suitcases. Not an immigration or customs officer to be seen as I walked through the green channel and out into the freezing cold, to walk to the CPS car key pick-up. My car was in a row quite close to the pick-up point, but it was white and covered in frost and ice, which took over 10 minutes to clear. Out of the car park and the GPS said getting home would be at 10:23, and it was right. The earliest I have ever got home from Southampton.

And so ended a most enjoyable cruise. My next is in June and will take me from Southampton to the Mediterranean and North Africa, somewhere new for me.
 

© WorthingGooner 2026