The Cruise 2011 -to sum up

So our cruise is over and like last year I am sad to be going home. It has been a great two weeks. It probably hasn't had quite the same magic as last year. There wasn't that surprise factor for either us or the boys and they have not revelled in the environment quite as much as before. But is still a great format and undoubtedly the best holiday option for me. Returning home is going to be a stark contrast; my boundaries reduced from 360,000 square feet of readily accessible indoor and outside space to the confines of house and garden. Evenings no longer full of live entertainment, party atmosphere and late nights. Bed at 9.30pm from tomorrow.


Getting around the ship has become easier throughout the holiday. Although physically harder than last year, it has been possible unassisted most of the time. Movement around the ship has been generally limited to necessary trips to specific events rather than last year's driving around for something to do, but I can live with that. Communication with other passengers has been a mixed experience. I have found the teenagers to be the best at actually listening to my computer's voice. A lot of people will walk straight past me waiting for a lift without volunteering to push a call button, even when I have asked. I think most just don't register it as a voice. Some people who push a call button then leave before I get a chance to tell them what floor I want. It doesn't occur to them I am as incapable of pushing buttons inside the lift as I am outside it. Another irritating situation is waiting for a lift and when one arrives, a 4 or 5 overweight people filing past from behind me before I have a chance to get in. With 4 lifts in each section, any one might arrive first, so if its busy I wait to one side to avoid having to turn around if a lift behind me arrives but it invites people to ignore me. Saying all this, many guests are extremely helpful. I had a couple of amusing incidents today. This afternoon a young girl came up and said "My dad has seen you on the ship and he told me that if I see you, to ask you 'have you been on tv and are you a famous scientist' ". The sunshine prevented me using the computer so I had to decide whether to shake or nod my head. I went for the shake and she walked away looking rather disappointed! Later, in a busy shopping prominade an older lady stopped me and asked if I had had a nice time to which I nodded my head. She then said "so are you a war veteran or have you had a terrible accident"!

I know many people have been a little disappointed by the weather, but it has totally suited me. Not too hot or sunny. Most days have been warm enough and the afternoons have been fairly sunny. I have found some points difficult, particularly in the evening with everyone chatting, eating and drinking. Last year as well as being able to eat, I could manage some communication without the computer, allowing the occasional spontaneous comment. The complete dependence on the computer makes many comments redundant because the moment has passed. So, exploding fuel depots aside, it was a very good holiday.



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