Selbourne ‘Live’ from Ventura

[CarlaMarie]

39 minutes ago, Son of Anarchy said:

Just found this regarding scattering/lowering of ashes:

 

It is possible to scatter ashes from our ships at sea but is dependent on certain factors and requires approval from the Captain in advance of the start of the cruise. In order for the scattering of ashes to take place, the ashes must be stored within a biodegradable container, with certificate or equivalent proof that this is a bio-degradable container also carried onboard, as the ashes will be lowered in to the water and not physically scattered. The Certificate of Cremation will also need to be brought on board. The Captain or a Senior Officer will accompany you to an outside area, typically a lower deck and if requested they will say a prayer. Please note, the ceremony is not formal or religious and there is no charge to arrange a scattering of ashes.

Flowers for the occasion can be purchased from the on board florist or brought on board from ashore as long as they are completely biodegradable. Once the scattering has taken place, the Captain will normally provide you with location details from the entry in ship's log.
 
Please speak to our Customer Contact Centre between 3 - 6 months prior to sailing (please visit our website for contact details).

Once confirmed, you will receive details via email / post. Times and dates may be restricted due to weather conditions and are finalised once on board. Scattering of ashes approval is always subject to change. Please note that the scattering of ashes cannot be performed on cruises of 5 nights duration or less. The scattering needs to be performed on a sea day and must be at least 12 nautical miles away from land.

Please note:

• For Iona's for G333 – G406, we can only accept one scattering per 7 days. The scattering of ashes must not be confirmed on the call, as Events will need to ensure there's availability. 
• We are not permitted to scatter the ashes of pets.
• We will not be able to take requests for cruises G308 – G323 inclusive.
• Scattering of ashes cannot be performed on cruises of 5 nights or less. The scattering needs to be performed on a sea day and must be at least 12 nautical miles away from land, according to maritime law.
• The person wishing to scatter the ashes must be booked on the cruise.
• When we send confirmation to the guest, we will also advise that the ashes have to be carried as part of the hand luggage in a biodegradable container along with the Certificate of Cremation.
• It is not possible to arrange if a short cruise or if a busy itinerary due to environmental restrictions.
• Scatterings are not always possible in areas with protected bodies of water – example, the Fjords.
• As with other events, scatterings cannot be confirmed if over 6 months in advance of the sail date. In addition, requests should not be sent later than 3 months prior to sailing.

The full article can be found at: 

 

Life on board - Can we scatter ashes at sea / can I carry ashes on board?| Frequently Asked Questions | P&O Cruises | Complete Cruise Solution

 

It's a pity that this information doesn't appear to be readily accessible on P&O's main site. 

 

 

Thank you for posting @Son of Anarchy.

[jh1809]

9 hours ago, Selbourne said:

It’s an odd one, as the port side exits to the promenade deck (forward and midships) have been closed most of the cruise so far, BUT most other exits were open and you could walk around the entire promenade deck other than the raised forward section, so the door closures were completely pointless! There are a lot of smokers on this cruise, so I suspect that they felt that they had to allow access to the starboard (smoking) side to avoid civil war 😂 

Could it be that the wind direction made them think that allowing people to open the doors on the port side might create a terrific draught inside the ship?

[Selbourne]

1 minute ago, jh1809 said:

Could it be that the wind direction made them think that allowing people to open the doors on the port side might create a terrific draught inside the ship?

No idea, but none of the doors open anywhere near areas where people are sitting. I’m sure there must be a reason, but it seemed to defy logic!

[jh1809]

6 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

No idea, but none of the doors open anywhere near areas where people are sitting. I’m sure there must be a reason, but it seemed to defy logic!

If you get the opportunity, perhaps you could ask an officer?

 

Thanks for the excellent reports. I'm surprised at the shortage of guest speakers, as there were two or three on every sea day on my August cruise on Arcadia to Norway and Iceland. Maybe they have more on the adult-only ships than on the "family" ships?

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, daveoc said:

Selbourne, I know you will be visiting Epicurean on your cruise. My wife and I are on for two weeks in a few weeks time and I'm trying to find out if, on an Iona 2 week cruise, they have one or two menus that they use. The P&O site only shows one menu but I'm sure I've heard in the past that they have two that they alternate. If it is 2 different menus presumably there is no way of knowing beforehand if you want to book before you board. Thank You

There are 2 menu's in Epicurean on Iona.

I seem to remember it changed mid week.

[Cathygh]

1 hour ago, jh1809 said:

If you get the opportunity, perhaps you could ask an officer?

 

Thanks for the excellent reports. I'm surprised at the shortage of guest speakers, as there were two or three on every sea day on my August cruise on Arcadia to Norway and Iceland. Maybe they have more on the adult-only ships than on the "family" ships?

I was on that cruise too. A good range of speakers but the best IMHO (the murder guy) clashed with the Art Talks. I do think there is a shortage of speakers as many have not returned since the pandemic. Some we know who haven't returned are fed up of staying in crew accommodation. 

If I had something I could talk about I would do it, it's a good gig and you get free bed and board, some free trips if you go as a helper on the tour. Pre pandemic P&O paid speakers but Cunard didn't. (According to friends who gave talks on both).

[Gettingwarmer]

On Princess Cruises the lectures are shown on the TV in the following days so you don’t miss any and if you want you can watch them in the comfort of your room. I can’t remember if I have done this on any P&O cruise. 

[AndyMichelle]

I wonder if I could scatter my mother in law on Britannia next April? 

I doubt I will need a certificate, surely that's only for the dead😂

[gsmt47471015]

8 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said:

I wonder if I could scatter my mother in law on Britannia next April? 

I doubt I will need a certificate, surely that's only for the dead😂

You are one very brave man😂

[Cathygh]

12 minutes ago, Gettingwarmer said:

On Princess Cruises the lectures are shown on the TV in the following days so you don’t miss any and if you want you can watch them in the comfort of your room. I can’t remember if I have done this on any P&O cruise. 

P&O have done that in the past but not on Arcadia when I was on in August. I asked about it and was told there was a technical problem.

[yorkshirephil]

19 minutes ago, Gettingwarmer said:

On Princess Cruises the lectures are shown on the TV in the following days so you don’t miss any and if you want you can watch them in the comfort of your room. I can’t remember if I have done this on any P&O cruise. 

The lectures were shown on the TV on Aurora a few weeks ago

[daveoc]

7 hours ago, Selbourne said:

I think we had two different menus on Iona and that was just over 1 week. There’s definitely two different menus on here, because it’s a different menu for each of our two remaining visits. I’ve never been able to work out when they change though! 

Thanks for clarifying. Looking forward to hearing how your meals in there go.

[davecttr]

9 hours ago, pete14 said:

Selbourne,

 

Thanks for your report so far. I wonder whether next time you see an ORCA person, could you please ask them if they know whether there will be somebody from ORCA on our upcoming Northern Lights cruise on Aurora which leaves Southampton on November 15th. Hopefully there will be, but maybe with the shortage of daylight in Norway at this time of year, it might be a waste of their time. 
Thanks

 

I will ask, BTW a senior moment and my Arcadia cruise was on Aurora

[Eglesbrech]

22 hours ago, Selbourne said:

 

Talking of feedback, P&O are clearly a bit spooked by Cruise Critic. This is now the 3rd cruise in a row where the captain, in his welcome address, has said that if anyone has any problems to please report them on board and not just raise it on Cruise critic when they get home!

That is a bit strange. I understand him wanting to encourage people to get things sorted onboard but I would say that the place we don’t mention has more issues with after the event complaints than CC. Most folks on here tend to be fairly balanced in their comments and highlight both the good and the bad.
 

Also people (anyone I know at least) do raise issues onboard and unfortunately sometimes it changes precisely nothing. Unlike your own recently good food experiences, mine on Iona were really poor and I did point this out several times to no avail (and on that particular cruise trust me it was not just me pointing it out). 
 

Does make you think that someone in P&O does actually read CC.

 

 

[Selbourne]

Day 5 - Wednesday 1st November

 

We had our first good nights sleep of the cruise, thanks to the much calmer seas and the creaking noises having pretty much subsided. We were already berthed in Funchal, Madeira when I pulled back the curtains and we had a glorious view overlooking the town and mountains. We were greeted with clear blue skies and 19 degrees, with a high of 25 predicted. 

 

We went to breakfast in the Bay Tree MDR half an hour or so after disembarkation had begun. Yet again we were told that there would be a wait (10 minutes) if we wanted a table for 2 but, as always, in reality this was less than 5 minutes. I ordered an omelette (interesting that they aren’t on the breakfast menu, but they didn’t flinch when I asked for one). I was glad that I’d added some bacon and beans to it as the omelette was tiny, but I felt that I’d over eaten a bit the day before so that wasn’t a problem!

 

After breakfast we did a lap of deck 16 to get our bearings and then returned to the cabin to get ready to leave the ship. Disembarkation was easy (even the lifts were no problem) and we decided to use the accessible shuttle as it was still loading. I had to travel in the normal shuttle, but arrived 5-10 minutes before my wife so was ready to wheel her off the tail lift when she arrived. 

 

We picked our way through the lovely centre of Funchal as far as Rua Santa Maria, as I’d read that this was a very old street with uniquely painted doors. Not the easiest place to get around with a wheelchair (hills and cobbles) but we managed and it was worth it. On the way back we passed the market, but unfortunately it was closed as 1st Nov is a public holiday (All Saints?). We had to cross a main road to get back to the town centre and were shocked to see that there had been an accident where someone crossing the road in a substantial mobility scooter had been struck by a motor bike. The motor bike was on its side in the middle of the road and the poor scooter driver was still in the scooter which was also on its side. Traffic had come to a halt waiting for the emergency services. I do hope that those involved are both OK and that the scooter user wasn’t one of our fellow passengers. 

 

We walked back past the cathedral, and as it was quite hot and we are back in Funchal in 2 months time we decided to head back to the ship for lunch. As is often the case, we would have been far quicker walking back to the ship than using the accessible shuttle, as it took an age to load the 4 wheelchair users and secure them in place with straps etc. It’s commendable that P&O provide this service, but if the weather is OK in January I think we might walk / push back to the ship and avoid the shuttle as it’s a short walk, albeit the last few hundred yards to the terminal is a bit awkward with a wheelchair. 

 

We went to the MDR for lunch and one of the couples we shared with had done several World cruises (amongst plenty of others) and were able to give us loads of great tips for our Caribbean cruise in the New Year. The other couple had been on Arvia recently and said “never again”. They were unaware about booking speciality restaurants and shows before the cruise and claimed that they couldn’t get in to anywhere, which surprised me. They also felt that Ventura was in desperate need of a refit. Have to say she looks fine to us! 

 

During the afternoon we had a visit from the deck manager, as he’d heard from our steward that we’d had some noise issues from all the creaking etc. I played him my little video clip and he said that if it’s that bad on the way back he will send some engineers to see if they can do something. I can’t see what they can do, as it’s the ships design, but thanked him for his kind offer. As I’ve said before, credit where credit is due with P&O, in that they want us all to be happy and will do their damnedest to fix problems. As I’ve also said before, anyone using a cabin that we’ve had the previous cruise should be grateful that we’ve usually had all the niggles sorted that those before us have just tolerated 😂 

 

We departed on time from Madeira at 5pm and it was still a pleasant 23 degrees and calm waters. A whale and dolphin tour boat was returning as we left and over their tannoy I heard the guide say that they had seen bottle nose dolphins, pilot whales and sperm whales. I stayed on our balcony for an hour after departure hoping to see something, but nothing (on our side anyway). 

 

Dinner was booked in Epicurean so we decided to have pre-dinner drinks in Metropolis as it’s above it. We hadn’t dared venture up there for the first few days as it had been so bumpy at the aft of the ship 😂 I managed to persuade the waiter to find me a Doom Bar that hadn’t been near a fridge and he excelled. He had to go to another bar apparently. It’s little things like this that make cruises special for me, especially when he said that he’d put a supply of un-chilled ones behind the bar for me for future visits! Lady S had her first cocktail of the cruise - a Ruby Rose Punch. She liked it at first but then decided that she preferred the Rhubarbellini that she’d had on Iona. I’d had a sip of the punch and liked it, so I ordered her a Rhubarbellini and said that I would finish the punch as my Doom Bar had disappeared at an unseemly pace. Rock and Roll 🤪. 

 

Around 15 minutes before we left an excellent pianist arrived and played some brilliant James Bond film sound tracks including No Time to Die. He obviously wasn’t the same pianist that we’d overheard at Sundays religious service, unless he has the same sort of warped humour that I do and he was doing the church gig under duress 😂 I wish that we could have stayed longer as I was enjoying it and had also spotted another cocktail that I fancied, but everything in moderation 😂  This was all whilst we were looking at a moving video wall of Time Square, which took us back to our USA and Canada cruise. We shall definitely return, especially when the pianist is due to perform there. 

 

I was wondering what sort of welcome we’d get at Epicurean, as when I’d dined there alone a few nights back around half a dozen of them all seemed to know that I would be back on the 1st for some reason. The wine waiter had even stopped me as I was leaving and said that he would look forward to seeing me again on 1st and would join me at the table. Hopefully when I arrive with Lady S in tow I won’t upset him too much 😂 

 

The warm speciality breads are always a lovely way to start the meal. I particularly like the beetroot bread and the marmite butter! We both had the scallops with scallop tartare starter, which we thoroughly enjoyed. My wife had the Black Cod with Lobster Tail main (which she loved and said was cooked perfectly) and I had the Limousin Fillet of Beef. I always order steak ‘Medium’ but the one I’d had in Epicurean a few nights before was almost well done, so I decided to order ‘medium rare’ this time. It turned up ‘medium-well’ so my plan almost worked 😂 My wife had wimped out on wine having had a few cocktails, but I forced my way through a large Rioja. There was no debate about the dessert for me as it was Crepes Suzette, prepared table side with the theatrical Flambé. My Rioja hadn’t survived the main course, so a Sauternes to accompany it was only polite. On a roll, I decided to have a liquor coffee afterwards, with Amaretto. It’s a tough life, but the things I endure in order to provide some variety with my ‘Live Froms’ 😂 In all

seriousness, it was a fabulous meal. It’s a great shame that there isn’t an Epicurean on Aurora, as it’s such an enhancement to the other ships. 

 

We still haven’t attended an evening show in the theatre so far this cruise. None has appealed. The postponed first Headliners show (On the Horizon) was on, but we remembered it being poor from previous cruises, so we called it a night. It’s such a relief that you don’t have to drive home after a night out on a cruise ship 🤪

Edited November 2, 2023 by Selbourne

[pete14]

18 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Day 5 - Wednesday 1st November

 

We had our first good nights sleep of the cruise, thanks to the much calmer seas and the creaking noises having pretty much subsided. We were already berthed in Funchal, Madeira when I pulled back the curtains and we had a glorious view overlooking the town and mountains. We were greeted with clear blue skies and 19 degrees, with a high of 25 predicted. 

 

We went to breakfast in the Bay Tree MDR half an hour or so after disembarkation had begun. Yet again we were told that there would be a wait (10 minutes) if we wanted a table for 2 but, as always, in reality this was less than 5 minutes. I ordered an omelette (interesting that they aren’t on the breakfast menu, but they didn’t flinch when I asked for one). I was glad that I’d added some bacon and beans to it as the omelette was tiny, but I felt that I’d over eaten a bit the day before so that wasn’t a problem!

 

After breakfast we did a lap of deck 16 to get our bearings and then returned to the cabin to get ready to leave the ship. Disembarkation was easy (even the lifts were no problem) and we decided to use the accessible shuttle as it was still loading. I had to travel in the normal shuttle, but arrived 5-10 minutes before my wife so was ready to wheel her off the tail lift when she arrived. 

 

We picked our way through the lovely centre of Funchal as far as Rua Santa Maria, as I’d read that this was a very old street with uniquely painted doors. Not the easiest place to get around with a wheelchair (hills and cobbles) but we managed and it was worth it. On the way back we passed the market, but unfortunately it was closed as 1st Nov is a public holiday (All Saints?). We had to cross a main road to get back to the town centre and were shocked to see that there had been an accident where someone crossing the road in a substantial mobility scooter had been struck by a motor bike. The motor bike was on its side in the middle of the road and the poor scooter driver was still in the scooter which was also on its side. Traffic had come to a halt waiting for the emergency services. I do hope that those involved are both OK and that the scooter user wasn’t one of our fellow passengers. 

 

We walked back past the cathedral, and as it was quite hot and we are back in Funchal in 2 months time we decided to head back to the ship for lunch. As is often the case, we would have been far quicker walking back to the ship than using the accessible shuttle, as it took an age to load the 4 wheelchair users and secure them in place with straps etc. It’s commendable that P&O provide this service, but if the weather is OK in January I think we might walk / push back to the ship and avoid the shuttle as it’s a short walk, albeit the last few hundred yards to the terminal is a bit awkward with a wheelchair. 

 

We went to the MDR for lunch and one of the couples we shared with had done several World cruises (amongst plenty of others) and were able to give us loads of great tips for our Caribbean cruise in the New Year. The other couple had been on Arvia recently and said “never again”. They were unaware about booking speciality restaurants and shows before the cruise and claimed that they couldn’t get in to anywhere, which surprised me. They also felt that Ventura was in desperate need of a refit. Have to say she looks fine to us! 

 

During the afternoon we had a visit from the deck manager, as he’d heard from our steward that we’d had some noise issues from all the creaking etc. I played him my little video clip and he said that if it’s that bad on the way back he will send some engineers to see if they can do something. I can’t see what they can do, as it’s the ships design, but thanked him for his kind offer. As I’ve said before, credit where credit is due with P&O, in that they want us all to be happy and will do their damnedest to fix problems. As I’ve also said before, anyone using a cabin that we’ve had the previous cruise should be grateful that we’ve usually had all the niggles sorted that those before us have just tolerated 😂 

 

We departed on time from Madeira at 5pm and it was still a pleasant 23 degrees and calm waters. A whale and dolphin tour boat was returning as we left and over their tannoy I heard the guide say that they had seen bottle nose dolphins, pilot whales and sperm whales. I stayed on our balcony for an hour after departure hoping to see something, but nothing (on our side anyway). 

 

Dinner was booked in Epicurean so we decided to have pre-dinner drinks in Metropolis as it’s above it. We hadn’t dared venture up there for the first few days as it had been so bumpy at the aft of the ship 😂 I managed to persuade the waiter to find me a Doom Bar that hadn’t been near a fridge and he excelled. He had to go to another bar apparently. It’s little things like this that make cruises special for me, especially when he said that he’d put a supply of un-chilled ones behind the bar for me for future visits! Lady S had her first cocktail of the cruise - a Ruby Rose Punch. She liked it at first but then decided that she preferred the Rhubarbellini that she’d had on Iona. I’d had a sip of the punch and liked it, so I ordered her a Rhubarbellini and said that I would finish the punch as my Doom Bar had disappeared at an unseemly pace. Rock and Roll 🤪. 

 

Around 15 minutes before we left an excellent pianist arrived and played some brilliant James Bond film sound tracks including No Time to Die. He obviously wasn’t the same pianist that we’d overheard at Sundays religious service, unless he has the same sort of warped humour that I do and he was doing the church gig under duress 😂 I wish that we could have stayed longer as I was enjoying it and had also spotted another cocktail that I fancied, but everything in moderation 😂  This was all whilst we were looking at a moving video wall of Time Square, which took us back to our USA and Canada cruise. We shall definitely return, especially when the pianist is due to perform there. 

 

I was wondering what sort of welcome we’d get at Epicurean, as when I’d dined there alone a few nights back around half a dozen of them all seemed to know that I would be back on the 1st for some reason. The wine waiter had even stopped me as I was leaving and said that he would look forward to seeing me again on 1st and would join me at the table. Hopefully when I arrive with Lady S in tow I won’t upset him too much 😂 

 

The warm speciality breads are always a lovely way to start the meal. I particularly like the beetroot bread and the marmite butter! We both had the scallops with scallop tartare starter, which we thoroughly enjoyed. My wife had the Black Cod with Lobster Tail main (which she loved and said was cooked perfectly) and I had the Limousin Fillet of Beef. I always order steak ‘Medium’ but the one I’d had in Epicurean a few nights before was almost well done, so I decided to order ‘medium rare’ this time. It turned up ‘medium-well’ so my plan almost worked 😂 My wife had wimped out on wine having had a few cocktails, but I forced my way through a large Rioja. There was no debate about the dessert for me as it was Crepes Suzette, prepared table side with the theatrical Flambé. My Rioja hadn’t survived the main course, so a Sauternes to accompany it was only polite. On a roll, I decided to have a liquor coffee afterwards, with Amaretto. It’s a tough life, but the things I endure in order to provide some variety with my ‘Live Froms’ 😂 In all

seriousness, it was a fabulous meal. It’s a great shame that there isn’t an Epicurean on Aurora, as it’s such an enhancement to the other ships. 

 

We still haven’t attended an evening show in the theatre so far this cruise. None has appealed. The postponed first Headliners show (On the Horizon) was on, but we remembered it being poor from previous cruises, so we called it a night. It’s such a relief that you don’t have to drive home after a night out on a cruise ship 🤪

Thanks again for that. You have reminded me about the need to train the bar staff to keep a stock of room temperature ales rather than sticking them all in the fridge. 
 

 

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, Selbourne said:

Day 5 - Wednesday 1st November

 

We had our first good nights sleep of the cruise, thanks to the much calmer seas and the creaking noises having pretty much subsided. We were already berthed in Funchal, Madeira when I pulled back the curtains and we had a glorious view overlooking the town and mountains. We were greeted with clear blue skies and 19 degrees, with a high of 25 predicted. 

 

We went to breakfast in the Bay Tree MDR half an hour or so after disembarkation had begun. Yet again we were told that there would be a wait (10 minutes) if we wanted a table for 2 but, as always, in reality this was less than 5 minutes. I ordered an omelette (interesting that they aren’t on the breakfast menu, but they didn’t flinch when I asked for one). I was glad that I’d added some bacon and beans to it as the omelette was tiny, but I felt that I’d over eaten a bit the day before so that wasn’t a problem!

 

After breakfast we did a lap of deck 16 to get our bearings and then returned to the cabin to get ready to leave the ship. Disembarkation was easy (even the lifts were no problem) and we decided to use the accessible shuttle as it was still loading. I had to travel in the normal shuttle, but arrived 5-10 minutes before my wife so was ready to wheel her off the tail lift when she arrived. 

 

We picked our way through the lovely centre of Funchal as far as Rua Santa Maria, as I’d read that this was a very old street with uniquely painted doors. Not the easiest place to get around with a wheelchair (hills and cobbles) but we managed and it was worth it. On the way back we passed the market, but unfortunately it was closed as 1st Nov is a public holiday (All Saints?). We had to cross a main road to get back to the town centre and were shocked to see that there had been an accident where someone crossing the road in a substantial mobility scooter had been struck by a motor bike. The motor bike was on its side in the middle of the road and the poor scooter driver was still in the scooter which was also on its side. Traffic had come to a halt waiting for the emergency services. I do hope that those involved are both OK and that the scooter user wasn’t one of our fellow passengers. 

 

We walked back past the cathedral, and as it was quite hot and we are back in Funchal in 2 months time we decided to head back to the ship for lunch. As is often the case, we would have been far quicker walking back to the ship than using the accessible shuttle, as it took an age to load the 4 wheelchair users and secure them in place with straps etc. It’s commendable that P&O provide this service, but if the weather is OK in January I think we might walk / push back to the ship and avoid the shuttle as it’s a short walk, albeit the last few hundred yards to the terminal is a bit awkward with a wheelchair. 

 

We went to the MDR for lunch and one of the couples we shared with had done several World cruises (amongst plenty of others) and were able to give us loads of great tips for our Caribbean cruise in the New Year. The other couple had been on Arvia recently and said “never again”. They were unaware about booking speciality restaurants and shows before the cruise and claimed that they couldn’t get in to anywhere, which surprised me. They also felt that Ventura was in desperate need of a refit. Have to say she looks fine to us! 

 

During the afternoon we had a visit from the deck manager, as he’d heard from our steward that we’d had some noise issues from all the creaking etc. I played him my little video clip and he said that if it’s that bad on the way back he will send some engineers to see if they can do something. I can’t see what they can do, as it’s the ships design, but thanked him for his kind offer. As I’ve said before, credit where credit is due with P&O, in that they want us all to be happy and will do their damnedest to fix problems. As I’ve also said before, anyone using a cabin that we’ve had the previous cruise should be grateful that we’ve usually had all the niggles sorted that those before us have just tolerated 😂 

 

We departed on time from Madeira at 5pm and it was still a pleasant 23 degrees and calm waters. A whale and dolphin tour boat was returning as we left and over their tannoy I heard the guide say that they had seen bottle nose dolphins, pilot whales and sperm whales. I stayed on our balcony for an hour after departure hoping to see something, but nothing (on our side anyway). 

 

Dinner was booked in Epicurean so we decided to have pre-dinner drinks in Metropolis as it’s above it. We hadn’t dared venture up there for the first few days as it had been so bumpy at the aft of the ship 😂 I managed to persuade the waiter to find me a Doom Bar that hadn’t been near a fridge and he excelled. He had to go to another bar apparently. It’s little things like this that make cruises special for me, especially when he said that he’d put a supply of un-chilled ones behind the bar for me for future visits! Lady S had her first cocktail of the cruise - a Ruby Rose Punch. She liked it at first but then decided that she preferred the Rhubarbellini that she’d had on Iona. I’d had a sip of the punch and liked it, so I ordered her a Rhubarbellini and said that I would finish the punch as my Doom Bar had disappeared at an unseemly pace. Rock and Roll 🤪. 

 

Around 15 minutes before we left an excellent pianist arrived and played some brilliant James Bond film sound tracks including No Time to Die. He obviously wasn’t the same pianist that we’d overheard at Sundays religious service, unless he has the same sort of warped humour that I do and he was doing the church gig under duress 😂 I wish that we could have stayed longer as I was enjoying it and had also spotted another cocktail that I fancied, but everything in moderation 😂  This was all whilst we were looking at a moving video wall of Time Square, which took us back to our USA and Canada cruise. We shall definitely return, especially when the pianist is due to perform there. 

 

I was wondering what sort of welcome we’d get at Epicurean, as when I’d dined there alone a few nights back around half a dozen of them all seemed to know that I would be back on the 1st for some reason. The wine waiter had even stopped me as I was leaving and said that he would look forward to seeing me again on 1st and would join me at the table. Hopefully when I arrive with Lady S in tow I won’t upset him too much 😂 

 

The warm speciality breads are always a lovely way to start the meal. I particularly like the beetroot bread and the marmite butter! We both had the scallops with scallop tartare starter, which we thoroughly enjoyed. My wife had the Black Cod with Lobster Tail main (which she loved and said was cooked perfectly) and I had the Limousin Fillet of Beef. I always order steak ‘Medium’ but the one I’d had in Epicurean a few nights before was almost well done, so I decided to order ‘medium rare’ this time. It turned up ‘medium-well’ so my plan almost worked 😂 My wife had wimped out on wine having had a few cocktails, but I forced my way through a large Rioja. There was no debate about the dessert for me as it was Crepes Suzette, prepared table side with the theatrical Flambé. My Rioja hadn’t survived the main course, so a Sauternes to accompany it was only polite. On a roll, I decided to have a liquor coffee afterwards, with Amaretto. It’s a tough life, but the things I endure in order to provide some variety with my ‘Live Froms’ 😂 In all

seriousness, it was a fabulous meal. It’s a great shame that there isn’t an Epicurean on Aurora, as it’s such an enhancement to the other ships. 

 

We still haven’t attended an evening show in the theatre so far this cruise. None has appealed. The postponed first Headliners show (On the Horizon) was on, but we remembered it being poor from previous cruises, so we called it a night. It’s such a relief that you don’t have to drive home after a night out on a cruise ship 🤪

Do they not have Old Speckled Hen ale on board?.

As we usually have aft balconies Ventura is great that Epicurean is aft too rather than being near the front of the ship like most of P&O ships.

[Selbourne]

2 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Do they not have Old Speckled Hen ale on board?.

As we usually have aft balconies Ventura is great that Epicurean is aft too rather than being near the front of the ship like most of P&O ships.

I haven’t asked for Speckled Hen Graham, but suspect that they have it. I like it, but prefer Doom Bar. 

[Selbourne]

Epicurean menus from last night and our Crepes Suzette, prepared as it should be 😂 👍

 

 

[pete14]

4 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Do they not have Old Speckled Hen ale on board?.

As we usually have aft balconies Ventura is great that Epicurean is aft too rather than being near the front of the ship like most of P&O ships.

Or when it’s been in the fridge, Old Speckled Frozen Chicken. 😱

[Selbourne]

A few shots from Funchal from yesterday 

 

 

[Selbourne]

and our approach into Tenerife this morning 

[terrierjohn]

1 hour ago, pete14 said:

Thanks again for that. You have reminded me about the need to train the bar staff to keep a stock of room temperature ales rather than sticking them all in the fridge. 
 

 

Different strokes, I prefer my beer well chilled, tepid  beer reminds me of my youth and the awful mild beer at our local WMC, when we assumed that  pretending to enjoy warm beer was a rite of passage.

Edited November 2, 2023 by terrierjohn

[jh1809]

Thanks for the latest entertaining reports, Selbourne. You did well to make it back to your cabin at the end of the evening, given the amount of alcohol you put away. 🙂 Omelettes weren't on the MDR breakfast menu on Arcadia in August either, but as with you they were happy to provide one if requested. It's very strange that such a breakfast staple shouldn't be on the standard menu.

[terrierjohn]

1 minute ago, jh1809 said:

Thanks for the latest entertaining reports, Selbourne. You did well to make it back to your cabin at the end of the evening, given the amount of alcohol you put away. 🙂 Omelettes weren't on the MDR breakfast menu on Arcadia in August either, but as with you they were happy to provide one if requested. It's very strange that such a breakfast staple shouldn't be on the standard menu.

The buffet used to have an omelette station, but recently they now seem to have little bits of folded ready made eggy things masquerading as omelettes.