3 nights in Bath was our first choice. A half decent city centre bed and breakfast hotel were coming in at almost six hundred of our hard earned British pounds. Then we had to pay a further £50 for parking. Then petrol, then food. It would soon add up.
A 3-night cruise to Bruges was £700. No driving as we live very close to the departure port. We have before now, taken the short 2-minute trip to watch the ships leave port. All food included, plus entertainment, lots of bars, and a relatively short stagger back to bed.
Our house is about 1 mile from the port in Southampton where our P&O ship Ventura was departing from. That is the way the crow flies. In between though, is the Southampton Water.
This is where the Hythe Ferry comes in. In service since the late 1800s, the charity-run Hythe Pier runs a shuttle type service to us New Forest dwellers over to the big smoke of Southampton.
Once the other side, it was a ‘short’ 1-mile walk to the ship. After being taken down a road blocked off by big gates, we decided a taxi was a better option. We didn’t want to miss our cruise to Bruges.
Security done…eventually
45 minutes later a surly customs officer was asking me to remove my belt. Once I’d gone back through the scanner without sounding the alarms, we were able to embark.
Somehow we had missed the porters when our taxi dropped us off. We seemed to be one of the few people in line still lugging our cases around. Fortunately, our cabins were ready so it was straight to our home for the next 3 nights, then for a bit of an explore.
In the past, cruise ships have seemed a bit of a maze to me. This one was no different. Corridors, stairs, bars, shops. Lifts we can use next to ones we can’t. The layout seems to change from one day to the next. I am sure when everyone goes to bed, the crew move everything around just to confuse us all over again!
Safety Drill
Our cruise to Bruges, like any cruise, has to start with a safety drill.
This involves all passengers, 3192 in the case of a fully booked Ventura, cramming into all the bars and restaurants, at the same time.
We are led through what to do in an emergency, and how to safely put on a life jacket.
With this demonstration safely out of the way we hoped we would never to have to recall the knowledge we have just had imparted on us.
Sail Away Sounds in the Metropolis Bar
The daily newsletter we’d been given at check-in told us there were Sail Away Sounds in the Metropolis bar. This seemed like a good place to really kick off our Cruise to Bruges, so off we went, up to Deck 18.
A drink later and our stomachs started to remind us it had been 6 hours since our Starbucks sandwich. A freshen up, the smart casual dress code is adhered to and it was off to the Cinnamon Lounge for dinner.
This is where cruising really comes into its own. All food included, so we indulged.
Game Terrine, Sirloin Steak, and Cheeseboard for me. Crab Pasties, Lamb Rump and Pavlova for Suzanne.
Sounds of the Sixties on our Cruise to Bruges
90 minutes later, full to bursting we went on the hunt for some music. The main theatre showing songs from the west end was fuller than we were, so it was back to the other end of the ship to listen to The Revolvers.
A band specialising in songs from the sixties and they are really quite good. It wasn’t long before the dance floor was packed with people jigging along to all the well-known tunes of the era.
Soon though, the drink and the dancing took their toll, and our cosy cabin was calling us. We have retired for the evening, and are looking forward to spending a full day on onboard tomorrow.
