*Dancing Queen* 394 Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, afcandrew said: Bite the bullet M of A and get that cruise booked. My partner of 26 years died in 2012 and I have been on 4 cruises solo since then. It is a great way to travel. Generally speaking, longer cruises and cruises to cooler climates attract a higher age demographic. Having said that however, many older people are fun and lively. Most of the time on P&O, there is a hosted coffee meet about 10.00am every sea day and an unhosted meet on port days. These are good for meeting other solo pax who you might want to pal up with to go ashore or for a drink in the evening. Also, you are often seated on a dinner table with other solo pax. You can always ask for that when booking to make sure. I have also cruised with a friend too but really enjoy my solo cruises. Aurora would be a great ship for you first solo sailing. Very true Andrew many older people are fun and lively, it reminds me of the time many years ago on QE2 when we were seated at dinner with a husband/wife and sister who were sharing a cabin, all in their 80's but such fun, it didn't even phase them that upon boarding they discovered they had a cabin with 2 x bunk beds, as none of them would have been capable of climbing to the top bunk let alone get down again, they simply took the mattress off and 'Fred' being the gentleman he was slept on the floor between the two, fortunately it was only for one night as I said they should go and speak to the purser which they did and they were given two more suitable cabins ( at no cost ) not sure that would happen today !! my point though is they took it all in their stride and saw the funny side of it, I'm sure they would have just put up with it without complaint had they not been encouraged to ask for help, they were all an absolute delight and age was certainly not a barrier if I remember correctly I think I was only in my 30's ( ohh to be that young again ) Edited October 27, 2017 by *Dancing Queen* afcandrew, Master at Arms and Jenjen 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Master at Arms 4 Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 Hey Mitch...you haven't gone overboard have you....?. you gotta get some party shots and storm shots....lol....I'm intrigued as to how the wheel chair collective are doing in both situations. i saw a weather map of where you are and it didn't look great...?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mitch 325 Posted October 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 outer decks out of bounds def lumpier and persisting now. storm shots not a chance stupid i am not lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Master at Arms 4 Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 Lol....good call Mitch. I wouldn't be comfortable on my dodgy pin... thats pretty serious isn't it....decks out of bounds...? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mitch 325 Posted October 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 it pretty stormy out last night hence the sealed decks. this morning couldnt be more of a contrast flat-ish seas and a decent sunrise and the lido pool roof is being opened so the promise of the sunrise looks good for a fair day. certainly easier to move around although i am paying the price of yesterdays efforts the knees are letting me know they didnt appreciate having to work so hard yesterday lol. and the extra painkillers etc required yesterday are playing havoc with my digestive system. mind it may also to do with the couple of dark and stormies i had as a night cap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Master at Arms 4 Posted October 28, 2017 Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 Phew ! Great to hear it's a bit better today. I think you have done pretty well Mitch, not sure I would fair as well but I will try for sure...with the help of the girls on here giving me plenty to think about I have been wading through the Internet checking out up-coming voyages. missing your pics....I expected some super sleuth...shots of the old or not so old ravers, especially as they have Been forced inside riding out the storm.....lol. talking of riding.....nooooo mind out of the gutter people.....I'm off for my riding lesson now. The horses legs can do what I can't(gallop)....once I'm on the nag my legs are obsolete....I just have to learn to adapt my seat and riding posture due to my restrictive leg....getting there tho... have a nice relaxing day Mitch...any passenger dramas unfolding....as per JJ's inference earlier when you set off from Barbados....? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Master at Arms 4 Posted October 28, 2017 Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 Mitch.....are you due in port at La Corunna tomorrow ..? Ship tracker says your at sea...? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianI 85 Posted October 28, 2017 Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 (edited) Marine traffic says arrival in La Corunna at 0630GMT Sunday Brian Edited October 28, 2017 by BrianI Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Master at Arms 4 Posted October 28, 2017 Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 There we go then.....a rew hours and you.ll be all parked up Mitch.....will you bet going for a gentle stroll ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mitch 325 Posted October 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2017 ok here in la corrunna, must say the one side by far the prettiest port weve docked in. not quite so much industrial stuff. the bed nappers still at it lol entire deck empty except if you look closeley by the life ring there are 2 beds and a chair reserved by towels and those huge pegs. virtually the entire ship emptied at about 10 am. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afcandrew 361 Posted October 29, 2017 Report Share Posted October 29, 2017 A Coruna is one of those nice little places where you dock pretty much in the centre of town and can just get off and stroll around if you want to. The old town is partly up a bit of a hill but the main shopping area etc is on the flat just behind the waterfront. It is not that far to walk through the town to the huge beach on the other side - but that of course comes from my perspective as an able-bodied person! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jenjen 232 Posted October 29, 2017 Report Share Posted October 29, 2017 Outside the port gates you can get a local bus to the beach, sea life centre, and other attractions for the cost of 1euro, each way. We had great fun with our grandson doing this, and even with a drink and a snack lunch time we only spent about 20 euros all told. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Master at Arms 4 Posted October 29, 2017 Report Share Posted October 29, 2017 So Mitch...this is the last night before you reach Southampton. Anything special going on aboard ? Goodby party's etc....? Have you met any chums who maybe want to be part of your crew on your next sail away .? I hate goodbye's after a holiday etc...but then I suppose once your back in Ye old Blighty things change back to regular day to day living... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mitch 325 Posted October 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2017 nope day at sea tommorrow then southampton although the casino is shutting at 8 pm as we will be early into territorial waters. bit of a bummer but they want to get contractors on early for the refit. there was a cracking sailaway party from la corruna. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Master at Arms 4 Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 Really......what was the gig....any shots.......? What was different from normal...? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mitch 325 Posted October 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 like buses 3 come at once lol. all 3 passed within 5 minutes of each other. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Master at Arms 4 Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 like Piccadilly Circus Mitch...party hangover today...? did you give the old knees a run out on the dance floor....? bet there were a few tears with folk who have been together all trip....now on their last leg....no pun intended....lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Countrygirl 233 Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 Mitch, safe arrival tomorrow, I have enjoyed reading your amusing tales. When do you sail again and who with. When does the book come out!! Jenjen 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Master at Arms 4 Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 just to find out what I may have to expect when I go....? if the ship docks at 12.00 midnight or close to it.....do they sling you off late at night ? if you stay on.....and get off in the morning....how long does it take to get bags and get through customs ? cant be quick surely...and with loads of people prob quite a scrum ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
*Dancing Queen* 394 Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 8 minutes ago, Master at Arms said: just to find out what I may have to expect when I go....? if the ship docks at 12.00 midnight or close to it.....do they sling you off late at night ? if you stay on.....and get off in the morning....how long does it take to get bags and get through customs ? cant be quick surely...and with loads of people prob quite a scrum ? The ships dock early morning usually around 6.00am, you can usually disembark around 7 ish if you self disembark ie: you have to carry your own luggage off otherwise have a leisurely breakfast and wait for disembarkation to start which is usually between 8.30 - 9.00 and yes it is a scrum even though it's done at intervals ( only part of a cruise I hate ) you then go to the luggage hangar to retrieve your luggage which looks like chaos but is actually quite well organised, then through customs and that's it you're on your way home, I would say most of the time from leaving the ship to getting through customs it rarely takes us more than 10 minutes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jenjen 232 Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 (edited) Relax Master, not a scrum at all, like embarking all well planned, last cruise we disembarked at 0915 and collected the bags etc and in the car by 0930 that was in September this year so not out of date information, usually start getting the bags off about 0700 I think perhaps you are worrying about how all the cruise system works, just trust the cruise line, follow the times your given and go with flow, until you have first hand experence you won't get the reassurance your craving. I know it must be difficult for you, take a deep breath book something you fancy, and the forum will support you as much as possible one of us might even be on your choice of cruise. I failed to say you can get assistance with embarking and disembarking and lots of porters in the baggage hall, hopes this helps Edited October 30, 2017 by Jenjen Missed a bit Master at Arms 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Master at Arms 4 Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 thanks Jen....its a godsend talking to people like yourself.....makes one really confident that everything will be ok with very little to worry about...cheers. Jenjen 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jenjen 232 Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 Your very welcome most of this forum are supporting we have all encountered problems but had amazing holidays afloat at the end of the day positive attitude wins the day, Good Luck Master at Arms and *Dancing Queen* 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
*Dancing Queen* 394 Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 Good point about assisted embarking/disembarking JJ .. I'd forgotten about that. I don't know how you miss the scrum though, we're usually in the first group off with Cunard but I still find myself having to push my way through all those who insist on blocking the stairways and entrances to the gangway but granted it's better than it used to be. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jenjen 232 Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 We always hold back enjoy the coffee and news papers, (you are diamond as well dancing queen)so can let the scrum battle it out, hold back and no real problem with the aid of bright orange ribbon on the suit cases can spot them, lots of guest don't go by the times they are given so start pushing at 0800 works for us anyway Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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