AEGEAN ODYSSEY 17th June 2018 Part 7 (the final one)

Friday 22nd June 2018
Today we arrived in the picturesque ancient port of Honfleur in France. It is known for its artists such as Eugene Boudin and Claude Monet, plus the churches and port area. It is situated on the River Seine, and this also makes for a delightful cruise from the sea, inland perhaps to the city of Rouen (see blog).

Aegean Odyssey at Honfleur

This was ahead of us


After breakfast I walked into town by way of local footpaths from the port (outside the fenced area of course) and beside the river into town. I went over the lock and into the inner harbour, to enjoy the warm sunshine. One of the excursion coaches gave me a lift back to the ship, and then the ship prepared to sail at 12 noon.

Gangway and funnel from the quayside

The funnel over the funnel


The sail along the coast from Honfleur is lovely in daylight sunshine and everyone on board seemed to enjoy the views before and after lunch.

Terrance Cafe ready for lunch

We sail overnight to our final port of Tilbury back in the UK, so I packed my suitcase quickly and then was free to join in some of the ship's activities.

An announcement then told us that the pool had been filled! I saw no-one rushing to get in the cold sea-water, but several people sat nearby and relaxed on the red or blue towels.

My friend and I were happy to listen to music in the Charleston Lounge, take part in the Quiz, and then enjoy tea and a ship's scone with jam and cream.

The water was beautifully calm and at one point on our port side I could see tall white cliffs, which I felt sure would be the Seven Sisters and South Downs near the famous Beachy Head Lighthouse. At that point I went to see the lovely ladies in Reception who kindly rang the Bridge on my behalf to see if my guess was right. The phone was handed to me and the Deck Officer I spoke to confirmed that it was the cliffs in the Beachy Head area that I could see and had photographed. I asked him how far away they were and he thought about 20 miles. The air was certainly clear and I was amazed to see them.

Cliffs around Beachy Head, about 20 miles away


Later that day we had another enjoyable dinner in the Marco Polo Restaurant, then went back to the Charleston Lounge to enjoy the evening sunshine as we sailed along the French coast side of the Channel Separation system.

Back in the Charleston Lounge we were talking with a lady and her aged mother about the shipping area and she mentioned that her husband was sailing a yacht off the east coast of Scotland at present. My friend showed her the website of marinetraffic.com and we managed to locate her husband's vessel at its location at 9 a.m. this morning. It was suggested that she might contact him and tell him to turn on his vessel's AIS (Automatic Identification System). She sent him a text! My friend also showed her several photographs relating to her husband's boat and she laughed at one picture that showed her wearing red trousers.

During early evening after departing Honfleur, we saw 3 large cruise ships off the coast near Dover bound for Southampton. The first was Celebrity Silhouette. The second were near sister Sapphire Princess and then near sister Azura.

One of the cruise ships


Ships seen: Aegean Odyssey, Kikki C, Mont St. Michel ferry in the distance, Celebrity Silhouette, Sapphire Princess, Azura, plus various tankers and fishing boats

Saturday 23rd June 2018
This morning we docked early in Tilbury, back in the UK. Many passengers were continuing on the next cruise, and the rest of us had been given a letter yesterday offering a 50% discount if we wanted to stay on board and continue the next cruise. I believe one or two people took up this offer, and one lady said she would be happy to go out and buy some more suitable clothing to take up the offer.

We had an early breakfast, then collected suitcases and disembarked from AEGEAN ODYSSEY. I had really enjoyed my cruise on this little ship, despite the occasional poor weather. The included excursions had been all I had hoped for, and more in the case of St. Michael's Mount, and the food and service on board was excellent. I would be very happy to sail on board AEGEAN ODYSSEY again.

The wake of Aegean Odyssey

AEGEAN ODYSSEY 17th June 2018 Part 3

At last we could board the ship up the gangway, hooray, and get to our respective cabins. On the coach we had each been handed a ship's plan and our cabin cards so I was soon in my twin-bedded inside cabin 4019. My suitcase was outside the door and I was able to head up on deck for lunch. On the stairs I had to pass Reception and the staff on duty all gave me a smile.

There was no opportunity to take a picture of AEGEAN ODYSSEY at present, and I could only enjoy the memory of being in Portoferraio, on the island of Elba, on 22nd June 2015 when I was on a ferry coming into port and AEGEAN ODYSSEY was also manoeuvring into port. It was dusk and the light was fading fast but she looked such an interesting little ship. Little did I know back then that I would be on board that same little ship in June 2018.

Aegean Odyssey arriving in Portoferraio, Elba, 22nd June 2015 (see blog piece)

On board at last

Deck Plan

Welcome on the mat


It is such a relief to be on board at last, although I've really enjoyed all the happenings over the last forty-eight hours. The sun is now out and my travelling companion and I decided not to go down to the Marco Polo Restaurant for lunch but to head for the Terrace Cafe and Grill up on Promenade Deck. It was full of cheerful passengers and equally welcoming Catering Staff, and also a good selection of hot and cold food. It had been a long time since breakfast and this was all very welcome.

I found I was thinking about this morning's visit to the underground caves cut into the limestone, often under the vines, and how cold they felt. I remembered also that the 2016 harvest was said to be excellent, which was soon to be on the market. The village of Saint Emilion was amazing to visit with its monolithic church and medieval heart, as well as the vineyards. Bordeaux had been a fascinating city to visit and start to discover, and it is certainly somewhere I would be happy to visit again.

Ambassador Lounge on Promenade Deck

Another view


Lunch was enjoyed and then I retired to my cabin for a rest until Boat Drill at 5.30, with its compulsory attendance. My station was in the Ambassador Lounge on Promenade Deck and I noticed that all the instructions and information were given very clearly. A little later we heard from other passengers that a few nights ago at sea there had indeed been an emergency, when there was an engine room fire and everyone had to go to their Boat Drill Muster stations and wait there for what turned out to be a couple of hours. Frequent announcements had been made to reassure everyone, but it had been worrying for a time, understandably. Everyone had been most relieved when they were told that the fire had eventually been extinguished and staff had been stood down from Emergency Drill well after midnight.

After Boat Drill I returned my life jacket to my cabin and headed back up the stairs again to the Ambassador Lounge for a Welcome on Board talk for new passengers. We are to have a day at sea tomorrow (Tuesday) and then visit Falmouth on Wednesday and Dartmouth on Thursday. On Friday we are to visit Honfleur. The talk was accompanied by slide pictures, and these also included a few phrases about the destinations; it was immediately obvious that the spellings of some words had not been checked or edited - what a shame.

The next event was a drink in the lovely Charleston Lounge from attentive Bar staff with the sun shining down outside;

Charleston Lounge

Entrance to the Charleston Lounge, on the way to the Terrace Cafe and Grill


this was followed by dinner down in the Marco Polo Restaurant on Marco Polo Deck. The dead-lights were down over the portholes, with lightweight curtains covering all, but the lighting and silverware offset this gracefully. There was open seating for dining between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. and a happy atmosphere throughout by the sound of it. The food choice was very good, as was the service, with included wine and drinks.

Ship's Journal for the day

Essential Travel Information ship picture

Another ship view


Back on deck there was still some light at 10 p.m. and we watched the gangway removed by 10.25 p.m. as orders were given to sail. We left the quayside with the Pilot on board and were soon heading out to the sea for our journey to the UK initially through part of the Bay of Biscay and then towards the Western Approaches of the English Channel.

Sailing from Bordeaux


I went to bed.

Ships seen: Aegean Odyssey, Russian Tall Ship whose name I couldn't see or write, Belem the French Tall Ship barque


To be continued...

MINERVA 14th May 2016 Part 2 Honfleur

Sunday 15th May 2016

Arrival at Honfleur


We arrived in Honfleur this morning under blue skies, and berthed alongside the familiar timber yards outside town. I had time for a walk on the Promenade deck before heading down for breakfast in the Veranda Restaurant. Again, I met some friendly people and we enjoyed each other's company many times during the holiday. I collected my things for the day's excursion, was handed a heavy bag of packed lunch which I promptly offloaded into my little rucksack to free my hands, and left the ship at 9.15 a.m. I was so pleased that I was on MINERVA's Glorious Gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show cruise as all the excursions are included as part of the cruise, and today our excursion coach took us to my pre-arranged choice of Monet's Garden at Giverny.

The journey took an hour and a half, before parking in a vast car park, with huge crowds, and huge queues near the Garden. The guide talked a great deal during the journey, in English. Our guide explained the timings for our visit, and where we should meet later, and that we were all now free to wander at will. I went along the village lane and found a small local boulangerie/bar and had a good cup of coffee, then enjoyed my picnic lunch in a small field with several ship companions.

Rose Cottage

Sign on a garden wall

Monet's Garden


We met our guide as arranged and he took us firstly into the water Garden. We joined the multitude, that's the only word for it, and made our slow way around the paths. I soon lost sight of the guide and my companions, but it didn't matter. I visited these Gardens many years ago in a different season so I was eagerly anticipating the floral pleasures to come; I was not disappointed. The planting was wonderful, with many shades of mauve, violet and white including the famous irises, many things smelt beautiful and the wisteria over the famous green painted bridge was an absolute picture.

Wisteria

Boats near the wisteria bridge

Close up

Another view

Beautiful rose


The queue to visit inside the house was so long that I gave up after half an hour, and went into the gardens again. The short and long views were lovely, and it became easy to avoid seeing too many people.

House and blossom

Lovely view


I met other Swan passengers in a far corner of the site and we sat happily in the sunshine. We all headed back to the coach park at the allotted time and set off home again back to MINERVA.

I took photographs of the ship, although the tide was low, but found it impossible to photograph THE WORLD, which was berthed some distance ahead of us here in Honfleur. I remember visiting her in April 2002 when she first came to London, when I noted that some of the private suites had a Jacuzzi on their balconies.

Sand dredger Daniel; I liked the 'crossed wires' effect

Stern view of Daniel

Minerva at Honfleur


Back on board it was time to prepare for the Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party (Captain Neil Broomhall) followed by Gala Dinner including wine. The evening's entertainment included a Gala Dance, music in various bars, or films on cabin televisions.

Ships seen: Minerva, The World which was also in Honfleur behind the usual security fencing and impossible to photograph, Daniel the sand-dredger sailing along the River Seine under the Bridge towards us.


To be continued...

SAGA PEARL II - Gallic Getaway

Friday 26th August 2011
This is the day I join my very first SAGA cruise – it’s pouring with rain, puddles are everywhere, and the views from the train are limited. On the platform at Dover Priory station however I am met by a man wearing a sky-blue blazer, who takes my small suitcase and escorts me to a coach outside the station. My name is taken by another member of staff, and I sit on the coach for 43 minutes waiting to be taken to the ship. If it hadn’t been raining so heavily, I would have left my case on the coach and walked to the cruise terminal, as I often do for ship visits arranged by the Ocean Liner Society. The coach gradually fills up with people who mostly look decidedly older than me, and we finally set off for Dover Cruise Terminal. The guide welcomes us to SAGA Cruises and my home for the next 4 nights: SAGA PEARL II.



Check in was fairly quick, and in my case enlivened by a telephone conversation with grandchild number 3, aged 2 and a quarter. Then I could board, and discover my inside single cabin 339, the last one astern on A Deck, starboard side. It was very spacious and comfortably furnished and I’m looking forward to my 4 nights on board. When we leave Dover we will head for Zeebrugge for the day, then Honfleur for a day, and finally St. Peter Port, Guernsey, for a day, before returning to Dover.

Tea was being served in the Discovery Lounge so I headed there, and met another couple of friends; our group is to be six, arriving from various parts of the south of England. We had to attend Lifeboat Drill next, and then there was time to explore some of the seven passenger decks before meeting at the Sundowner Bar aft for pre-dinner drinks.

Sundowner Bar


The Library
The Card Room

We were fortunate enough to be allocated a permanent table for six in the Dining Room so we enjoyed our first meal together on board. The menu was good and the food and service excellent so we had a happy evening. We sailed from Dover at 9 p.m.

Saga Pearl II was built in 1981 in Hamburg, Germany, as HAMMONIA for Hadag Cruise Line at 18,853 tons. Her name then changed to ASTOR and in 1984 she was sold to Safmarine, to sail between Southampton and Cape Town. By one of life’s coincidences, last Monday I was with some friends (all of us ex-sea-going people) when one engineer produced an old brochure from Safmarine. My friend had been employed by them and given the brochure to tell him more about the company when he started. Inside was a double-page spread coloured picture of their ship ASTOR! I had to smile and tell him that I was going on her in 4 days time in her latest guise of SAGA PEARL II.

Her days as ASTOR lasted just a year, before she was sold on to an East German company and re-named ARKONA. She was then chartered out by Transocean Tours in 2001 as ASTORIA, arrested in Barcelona in 2008, and finally sold at auction to Saga Cruises management in mid-2009. Saga currently runs her as a cruise ship, but she is due to become their QUEST FOR ADVENTURE early in 2012.

Ships seen: Saga Pearl II, plus various ferries seen distantly through the rain, in Dover Harbour.

Saturday 27th August


We arrived in Zeebrugge, Belgium, at 8 a.m. and after a pleasant breakfast took the free shuttle bus, running every half hour, into the town of Blankenberge. It soon started to rain which became torrential so after a wet walk along the promenade we decided to take the shuttle bus back to the ship. It was a distance of at least 3 miles through docks and ISPS fencing so walking back was probably an impossibility; the coach drivers were on their lunch break so we chatted with the Cunard QUEEN ELIZABETH passengers who had arrived in port soon after us.

Queen Elizabeth

The rain had finally stopped so the wait became pleasant, and eventually our Saga-hired local coaches started running again. It was a little frustrating to see the numerous Cunard-hired coaches running such a frequent service. I think Saga perhaps expected most passengers to take their excursions.





Norstream

Charlemagne

Back on board we could enjoy an afternoon preparing for this evening’s highlights – at 6.15 all passengers were invited to the Captain’s Cocktail Party; at 7.15 pm the six of us had been invited to join a small party in Shackleton’s Bar, prior to having dinner at the Captain’s Table in the Restaurant.

Shackleton's Bar

Captain's table

The Restaurant on Gala Night


The Restaurant laid up for Gala Night

The SAGA PEARL II Master is Captain Wesley Dunlop and the group included two other guests (June and Stuart) and a member of the Cruise Staff (Rebecca Ward). That was a huge honour for us and it was an absolutely delightful time, with a delicious menu including a particular wine to accompany each course. Captain Dunlop had arranged for a group photograph to be taken and a copy was sent to each of us with his good wishes, which I thought was a very kind touch.

Ships seen: Pauline, Queen Elizabeth, Norstream, Melusine, Charlemagne

Sunday 28th August
We arrived in Honfleur, France, near the mouth of the River Seine, and had time to admire the seamanship involved in counteracting the swift tide and gusting wind to get us alongside the passenger ship quay near the town.

View aft in Honfleur

More ISPS fencing seems to be in place since my last visit, so the walk to town was on a different route, under a grey sky which threatened rain. I was glad to see the vast quantities of wood from Northern Europe at the premises behind the quay, as this is one of the products that helps the local economy.

View of Honfleur

The sun struggled through and so it was decided to do a harbour tour on a delightful little vessel called JOLIE FRANCE.

Where we bought the tickets

The Jolie France
Our every movement was watched...

We sailed through the harbour lock and out into the River towards the road-traffic-carrying Normandy Bridge and had wonderful views of this amazing piece of engineering, high above the water and surrounding countryside. An hour and three quarters later we returned to the harbour, well-satisfied with our views of the Bridge, SAGA PEARL II and distant views of the port of Le Havre.



A little local lunch called and was satisfied. We met up with our other friends and then further walking led to one of the town’s ice cream shops. Some had 3 scoops each, to sample the amazing choice of flavours, but I was happy with one of nougat. A slow stroll along the street and back meant that more ice-cream (but not for me) could be tried before heading back to the ship.



The new routine of afternoon tea, a swim in the indoor pool, pre-dinner drinks and an excellent dinner continued and ensured another enjoyable day.

Ships seen: Saga Pearl II, Jolie France, Jop, Maersk something invisible

Monday 29th August
This is a remarkable day for me as we are actually anchored off the port of St. Peter Port in Guernsey, Channel Islands. I’ve been here, or tried to be, several times over the years but weather conditions have usually stopped a visit. Today though the sun is shining brightly and there is no fog or anything to prevent a trip ashore in one of the ship’s tenders. HMS DARING is anchored nearby on a visit and it is interesting to see how our taxes have been spent in helping to guard our realm; I’m full of admiration for all our Armed Services. The strong sun was directly into my camera when I tried to photograph DARING, so I gave up.

My favourite deck

The smell of local cheese and other produce lured us along the quayside after we left the little tender, and we walked to see the sights of this hillside port and town. Castle Cornet was out on a promontory and provided another interesting goal for views of the ship and surrounding harbour. Whilst we were there we could see the fast ferry CONDOR VITESSE coming into port.

Condor Vitesse in port



The fine weather continued during a pub lunch, and the eventual return to the tender and the ship; an enjoyable day continued with the on-board routine of watching us sail. This time however we had been invited onto the Ship’s Bridge by Captain Dunlop – what a wonderful treat. We were greeted with Champagne and canapés and made most welcome.

The Captain on the Bridge

The Pilot was there to take us safely out of the port and between the islands on our heading for Dover. I asked to see the charts and yes, they still have them in the chart room drawers.



The flags were up in the little flag loft and when I asked about sextants, I was told that they were indeed available for use even though the ship carried all the necessary up-to-date electronic equipment. Good-oh, glad to know the Deck officers still know how to use one.

After the Bridge visit we sat in the sun and enjoyed being at sea on such a glorious day, with clear blue sky overhead.

Sailing by (but not on Radio 4)

Soon it was time to prepare for the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party for all passengers, and then dinner, so another day on the ship came to a happy end.

Ships seen: HMS Daring, Condor Vitesse, Pilot Boat, Ambulance Boat (not in use), Herm Trident VI, Spirit of Guernsey lifeboat

Tuesday 30th August
Next morning and back in Dover, the cloud cover was still low and it was almost raining.

Delft Seaways

Pride of Kent

Seafrance Rodin

Spirit of Britain

Ships seen: Pride of Kent, Delft Seaways, Spirit of Britain, Seafrance Rodin, DHB Doughty

Early breakfast was cheerful and we all waited for our departure groups to be called. Three of us were to travel by train from Dover so we were off the ship by 9.10 a.m., collected our luggage in the terminal building and were soon on board a coach to the station. Three hours later I was home again, after my interesting time on SAGA PEARL II.

I’d been told that on the other Saga ships there was usually one lounge for afternoon tea or parties, and another one for shows and evening entertainment – that was not the case with this ship, and presumably why she is to be transferred to a new role within the company. I enjoyed my 4 nights on board a Saga ship, especially as I was with good friends, but I thought it was expensive for an inside single cabin. The ships and itineraries are certainly attractive and the food and service are excellent. Maybe I’m not ready for this style of cruising, or want all the facilities and excursions on offer, but I would certainly recommend it for those who do.