WG’s Summer Cruise, June 2026 – Part Four

Saturday 20th June – At sea, heading for Gibraltar

Today is my birthday and I am sure you all know the saying, “You are only as old as you feel.” Well, today I feel old and decrepit, as I have woken up with backache. A swift search of my plastic bag of odds and sods reveals some just out-of-date paracetamol. I down a couple with some extremely cold water from a bottle in the fridge and pray they kick in before my long walk to the other end of the ship for breakfast.

I was placed on a sharing table for six for breakfast this morning, in a part of the MDR I had never been in before. Three of the diners I had breakfasted with before and were all pleasant and friendly. Then Mr Trade Unionist came in just after our table was filled and was placed on the next table along. I could hear him dominating the conversation and was just thankful I was not on the same table.

The waiter came to take our orders, but one older lady (mid-80s) pointed out that nobody had a menu. I said to the waiter I was ready, as I knew the breakfast menu off by heart. It basically hasn’t changed for some years, and when it last changed it was only to drop fried bread and omelettes. Both can still be obtained, but you have to know to ask.

Today it was orange juice, Rice Krispies, fried eggs and bacon (a birthday treat to myself), square white toast and tea, lots of tea. I really wish someone could explain why, on a table for six where everyone is having tea or coffee, cereal or porridge and toast, there are just four pats of butter and a tiny jug of milk. I felt like Oliver Twist asking for more.

Back to the cabin for a nice relax on the balcony, and I find a birthday card signed by the Captain and bath towels fashioned into a candle on my bed. I wonder how many cards the Captain signs on a 19-day cruise. I am up to date with this diary, I have read the Saturday serial on GP and finished my book, so it’s Jinnie’s Story until lunchtime.

It was a bit busy round the Neptune Pool at lunchtime. All the sun loungers were occupied, and lots of people were in the main pool and the three hot tubs. I even watched the disabled hoist in use. On all my cruises I have never seen that used. I picked up a couple of egg mayo and salad rolls and looked for somewhere to sit. There are three rows of tables and chairs at one end of the pool, and the front row, in the sun, was completely unoccupied. On the rear two rows every table was occupied. I had just decided that I was going to have to eat in the sun when I saw someone waving from a shady table. Andy and Wendy from my evening dinner table were inviting me to join them, which I did without hesitation. A pleasant lunch and a nice chat.

An afternoon spent alternating between the hot balcony and the cool cabin. First catching up with this journal before switching to Jinnie’s Diary before the battery got low and I had to put my iPad on charge. Still plenty of juice in my Kindle Paperwhite, so it’s over to reading. It’s a John Grisham, and I quite like his way of storytelling. I must say I am impressed with the battery life on the Paperwhite.

Down to dinner tonight, and I was delighted to see that there were a few things on the menu tonight that I know P&O do well. I started with one of my old favourites, cream of tomato soup. It is an “always on”, so many people have it when they can’t see another starter that they like. I just like P&O tomato soup and could eat it any evening. For the main, it was shepherd’s pie, loads of lamb in a tasty gravy with a mash topping sprinkled with grated cheese and browned under the grill, absolutely delicious. For dessert it was lemon posset and vanilla ice cream. A highly enjoyable birthday meal. As she poured my after-dinner cuppa, the man who sits opposite me, Jerry, asked Won if she was on the sandwich counter tomorrow lunchtime. With an ear-to-ear grin she said it was her rostered lunchtime off, so she was going ashore to see the Rock and the apes.

Sunday 21st June – Gibraltar

A lovely morning in Gibraltar, just getting light as we pull into the ramshackle cruise terminal. I thought Bridgetown was bad, but this beats it fair and square. For the first time this holiday we are tied up with our starboard side to the pier, so I can see the Rock, the town and Spain. I was washed, dressed and ready to go to breakfast far too early, so I popped onto the balcony to test the air. The sun is not out on the balcony yet. Another couple of hours and it will be a little warm.

As I stand enjoying the sun breaking through the mist over the Spanish mainland, I become aware of a cruise ship manoeuvring to dock on the other side of the pier we are tied to. It is the Azamara Journey, a small luxury ship specialising in longer trips. It is currently in the middle of what its website calls a 34-day Grand Voyage from Barcelona to Copenhagen, calling at numerous ports in between. Something for me when I win the EuroMillions.

Down to breakfast and on a nice table by one of the big windows with several people I have breakfasted with before and a very attentive waiting team. Orange juice, even though I have forgotten to bring my morning pills with me, Rice Krispies, a mushroom omelette, square toast and four cups of tea. They are very small cups, and I am used to a GP mug at home.

Then it’s back to the cabin for the pills, washed down with very cold water from the bottle in the fridge. I have decided it is going to be a stroll to the first café that is open before it gets too warm. The ship’s gangway is right next to the forward lifts on deck one today, very convenient for me as my cabin is next to the forward lifts on deck 10. I find a place that is open for breakfast and order a café con leche. Even I can’t face a beer at 09:30. I spend a while sipping the coffee, then have a second before wandering back to the ship, where loads of people are still coming off. The sun is on my balcony, and my iPad is now fully charged, so it’s back to this journal, Jinnie’s Story and my John Grisham. What a lovely lazy last few days.

Lunch today was a hamburger with loads of fried onions, a bottle of Thatcher’s Gold and a long chat with Andy on the same table as me in the evening. We sit on opposite sides, at opposite ends, so conversation in the evening is rather difficult! Back to the balcony, but I see that in the sun the iPad gets warm, and the battery runs down quickly. Oddly, the same thing doesn’t happen to my Kindle.

Lots on the table were moaning about the menu tonight, saying there was not much to their taste. I was quite the opposite, there was loads to suit me. I started with a prawn and crabmeat tian (a deconstructed prawn cocktail). For the main, I had calf’s liver and back bacon with onion gravy, mash, peas and carrots. Liver is not something I have very often, but I did enjoy it. Dessert was lemon sponge and custard.

Monday 22nd June – Casablanca, Morocco

A quick overnight trip out of the Straits of Gibraltar and into the Atlantic, down the coast of Morocco for WG’s first ever visit to the African continent. We slip into the busy port of Casablanca, made famous by the Humphrey Bogart film of the same name, just as the sun is coming up and the sky is lightening. I can’t say the commercial port is any different from any other I have ever visited, loads of shipping containers and container ships.

As it’s a port day, it’s a seven-thirty breakfast and I am down on the dot. I am put on a table for six right at the stern of the ship with a big window so I can watch the arrival of a little explorer ship behind us. Orange juice, Rice Krispies, mushroom omelette, square toast and tea is the order of the day.

After eating I have a good hour to wait before going ashore for my excursion, “Leisurely Casablanca”. Today is one of those ports that insists you take your passport as well as your cruise card ashore with you. It is announced on the ship’s public address system several times, it is on notices about the ship, it is in Horizons, the daily newsletter about what’s on, but it’s only when an officer is challenging passengers going ashore that the couple in front of me realise they don’t have theirs and turn back.

It must be a mile’s walk to the coach park over an airbridge, up a walkway, onto another walkway, through the cruise terminal, through a passport check, down an escalator and out of the terminal into the coach park, where a P&O shore excursions girl has us all queueing. She tells me there are over 300 on this trip and, of course, allocates me to the coach furthest away.

This trip is anything but “Leisurely”, with six stops and loads of walking. We stop at Rick’s Café, photos only from the bus, the biggest mosque in town, and, to balance things out, both Catholic and Christian churches. We see the Governor’s Palace, the King’s Palace and a Jewish school. We walk through the old quarter, visit the Town Hall Square and, just when I think it is all over, we have 25 minutes in UN Square. By now my back aches, so I and a dozen others stay on the bus.

Back to the ship and at least the coach drops us at the door to the terminal. On the long walk back to the ship my cruise card is checked three times and my passport twice. The ship is staying in port tonight so people can go on a trip to Rick’s Café and eat dinner. For some reason I don’t understand, the “all aboard” time is 12 midnight and we sail for Tangier at six tomorrow morning. Needless to say, I shall not be going to Rick’s place and being ripped off.

After my morning exercise I am so buggered I need a bit to eat and a cold drink. Today it’s a burger with fried onions and a pint of Pepsi Max before heading back to the cabin for a restorative nap.

A pleasant afternoon napping, finishing my John Grisham and writing a bit more Jinnie’s Story. Although I understand it is rather warm in southern Britain, it has been very nice here, about 27°C, with a gentle sea breeze and clear skies once the early morning cloud burnt off. As it’s a port day, it is a casual dress evening and I am always happy to step out of my daytime garb, shower and put on some smarter clothes for the evening.

Down to dinner and it appears that our young girl commis waiter, Won, is unwell, and the replacement is very new and very young. He needs to be told to do everything by our waiter, which are all the simple things like pouring the ice water and collecting the dirty plates. All things Won does automatically, as it should be in a good waiting team. Our waiter is a bit frazzled.

Tonight I start with a couple of prawn parcels in filo pastry, which didn’t look much but were extremely tasty. I followed that with a medium-rare sirloin steak that came with Bordelaise sauce, onion rings and sautéed potatoes. It was very nice, but there were only three little onion rings! Back to good old ice cream for dessert, which was beginning to melt by the time the new commis waiter had cleared away the main course. The poor waiter even had to serve the tea and coffee, something he can rely on Won to do without asking. I bet he hopes she is fit tomorrow.

Tuesday 23rd June – At Sea

As expected, we slipped out of Casablanca just after six on a heavily overcast morning and headed north at a very sedate eight knots towards our next port of call, Tangier, Morocco. Tangier is on the opposite side of the Straits of Gibraltar to Gibraltar, and it was an overnight trip from Gibraltar to Casablanca, but we have a full 24 hours going in the opposite direction. No wonder we are creeping along!

As it’s a sea day, it’s an 8 o’clock start to breakfast in the MDR with a jolly lot who I have breakfasted with before. Everyone agreed that Casablanca was a bit of a disappointment, and Rick’s Café/Bar especially so. Which got us on to things that are hyped up and a little disappointing when you see them in real life. Items on the list included the Mona Lisa, the statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen and the Manneken Pis in Brussels. My standard breakfast again, orange juice, Rice Krispies, mushroom omelette, square toast and tea.

Back to the balcony, which is now in full sun as we have left the overcast skies behind. Time to catch up with Jinnie’s Story as there is not much on I fancy taking part in this morning. Today there is what is called a barbecue for lunch around the Neptune Pool, and it is packed. Along one side of the pool they have removed the loungers and put up a long run of trestle tables covered in white cloths. It looks like all the food is arranged so that you can queue from either end and get the same food, ending up at a condiment station in the middle with giant pump dispensers of tomato sauce, American mustard and mayonnaise. There are also a dozen bottles of HP Sauce. I joined one of the queues and was handed a large plate and a knife and fork wrapped in a napkin.

The food starts with trays of burger and hot dog rolls and trays of salad. On to the hot stuff, hot dogs, burgers, breaded chicken breasts, minute steaks, sausages, bacon and loads more. I took a burger roll, a couple of pork sausages and a couple of rashers of back bacon and made a sausage and bacon roll with HP Sauce. I found a seat with Andy and Wendy from my evening table, ordered a beer and had the best snack lunch of the cruise.

Back in the cabin I put on the TV for the news, or tried to, only to find something was wrong with it. It came on for ten minutes and then the picture and sound cut out for ten minutes before coming back and going off again. I turned it off more in hope than expectation and left it. Perhaps it will be better when it cools down. But it was only a bit better, staying on for a bit longer before going off. So, I reported it to the cabin steward and he promised to report it.

Black tie night, number three of four planned, and I wanted to get back to the cabin and watch England play Ghana. Tonight it was an amuse-bouche followed by a crispy pork bon bon. Curried cauliflower soup next and then a pan-roasted pork fillet. For dessert I chose what was called “A Classic Lemon Tart”, but it was nothing of the kind. It was a bowl of lemon pie filling, four little bits of shortbread, a dob of squirty cream and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was OK, but it wasn’t as advertised.

After a cuppa and a square of fudge, it was back to the cabin in time for the second half of the footy, but the TV had died completely. So, I resorted to watching on BBC iPlayer on my iPad, at least that worked. I suppose I will have to report the broken TV myself.

Wednesday 24th June – Tangier, Morocco

After a very slow plod we arrived in Tangier just after 6 am, and it is rather overcast. I am booked on a panoramic tour, so I hope it clears up. Still no TV, so I will have a moan at reception after breakfast. Today some of the excursions set off at 07:30, so there are people getting off the ship as I head to breakfast. No rush for WG, my trip is not until 09:45 and the coaches are nice and close to the gangplank.

A slight experiment with my breakfast order this morning. I started with my normal cup of tea, glass of orange juice and bowl of Rice Krispies, but for my cooked bit I ordered two poached eggs but told the waiter I wanted them without the usual toast they come on, it is always like leather. Instead, I ordered two slices of square white toast from the toast boy. They arrived just as I finished my cereal, so I had time to butter them before the eggs arrived. I was rewarded with two poached eggs on buttered toast, and it was delicious, so I’ll be doing that again.

Called in at reception on the way back up to the cabin and reported the busted TV. They didn’t seem to be bothered. No TV repairman by the time I went out on my trip. Well, I must say my first impression of Tangier is that it is a much better place than Casablanca. There were nice bits of Casablanca, but much of it was run down and grotty. By comparison, Tangier is clean and smart with loads of green parks. First stop was at Cap Spartel, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. The guide insisted that you could see the blue Med and the green Atlantic. I must be colour blind, I couldn’t see it.

Then it was off to “The English Church”, rather old and very run down. Mind you, I understand they only have a congregation of 45, so can’t have a lot of money coming in. I dropped a few euros in the collection box. I hope they put it towards repairing the massive crack in one wall before it falls down. The final stop was at a rather nice hotel in the middle of town for a drink and Moroccan cakes. A choice between hot sweet mint tea or what they called orange juice but didn’t taste like it, but at least it was wet and cold.

Back on board it was straight up to get a bit to eat, just a hot dog today with a pile of fried onions and a bottle of Doom Bar. Back to the sunny balcony to add to Jinnie, Book Ten. I have a long way to go before it’s fit to be serialised. There is another cruise ship moored behind us and its passengers are trooping past below on the quayside. I have no idea what the ship is, but from the state of the passengers I would hazard a guess most are septic tanks.

Just after five there is a gentle tap on the cabin door. It is a very happy Thai man in the green uniform of the ship’s engineering department, come to look at my failed TV. He waggles a few cables and tries the remote, but it’s still dead. Tutting to himself, he announces he knows what is wrong. A part has failed, but he can fix it in his workshop, so he will be back with a replacement. Twenty minutes later he is back with a replacement TV. As he swaps them over he tells me the broken set is made in Mexico from the cheapest possible components and three or four fail every week, mostly with the same part giving up, so he keeps a big stock of the part in his workshop.

Apparently the replacement set is made in Hungary and is a vast improvement. The only problem is it is a touch bigger than the old set and won’t fit on the shelf made for it. So, he says this is a common problem and swaps the cabin’s tea and coffee-making kit with the TV, and the TV works immediately with a vastly better picture. There is an obvious lesson to P&O here. It may look like a bargain to buy 1,000 cheap TVs from Mexico, but it would be better to spend a little more and not get a TV that has such a dire failure rate.

A nice shower before changing for dinner. A bit of a strange menu tonight, I am a little limited in choice but find decent things for each course. I start with a prawn and crabmeat tian, which comes with a touch of salad. My main was a pork steak with mash, mushroom sauce and crispy kale. Dessert was a good old reliable, vanilla ice cream. Our next and final port of call is in Spain, so it’s back to European time tonight, with the clocks going forward an hour overnight.

To be concluded in Part 5
 

© WorthingGooner 2026