posted 01-08-2001 02:35 PM               

By the way I attended the first Art Auction yesterday where they had a free raffle for a painting one of 425 valued at £450 by an English artist of a lovely French Village scene of a game of boules being played and I WON IT, they ship it home for me free of charge, so that was a nice start to what I think will be a wonderful cruise on this very friendly ship.

By for now folks

Cheers - Mary

posted 01-08-2001 04:15 PM            

So glad you are having such a good time.I,too,would be with you on deck as I always enjoy a rough sea,except when I am trying to put on eye-liner!!!!

Thanks for your good thoughts but as you will see when you read my comments on my cruise,I was not a happy camper!

Looking forward to swapping experiences when you come home.

BTW I have just booked the final segment of the World Cruise on the ROTTERDAM in April.So we can swap our WC stories when we are both back on terra firma!!

posted 01-09-2001 05:23 PM               

Don't listen to Southampton, get off that sunbed and into the cyber room .. we want to know everything!!

posted 01-09-2001 08:58 PM               

Thank you Scottylass.

Tom, whispering "more, more"

posted 01-12-2001 11:47 AM               

At the moment 1600 passengers on board, of which over 500 are doing the full world cruise. What a variety of people on board, but seem like a good crowd, its entertainment in itself just people watching.

Crossing the Atlantic now and are into the fine weather and smooth seas, heading for Antigua.

Great entertainment and just so much cannot fit it all in. Marine Lecturer is Harry Crossley from Dorset in England, I think he is a marine artist. Been to two talks, but think some of you guys are better. I think they are taking on a variety of marine lecturers throughout the cruise though.

Cheers for now
Mary

I. - I will write to you when I get into a port and get a internet cafe....

posted 01-28-2001 11:22 AM               

The cyber study has been down for a few days so please excuse the delay.
To keep you posted we had the most wonderful transit of the Panama Canal, a real ONE OFF as we went through the Gatun Locks alongside P&O’s baby of the fleet Victoria, and it made the atmosphere electric, everyone was shouting to each other even the crew and staff, it was very special to me as it was the first time I clapped eyes on Victoria built on the Clyde by John Brown and Co., it’s a memory I will never forget.

Aurora now holds the record for paying the highest fee for passing through the canal, she also was in bad need of a paint job as she was bouncing off the sides several times, however that was done in Costa Rica and she’s looking brand spanking new again.

There also was some excitement as the ropes and pulleys of one of the mules got caught up in her aft section and almost pulled the mule of its track and into the lock, it certainly made a mess of that beautiful fin at the stern of the ship.

We were to refuel in Balboa outside Panama City a stop of four hours, but spent overnight there was there were problems with the refuelling, of course the rumours were rife the next morning when everybody awoke to find us still there saying we’d miss our stop in Costa Rica but I knew better, the Captain came on and told us we’d make the time up no problem and the first half of the day we were bombing along at 24.9 knots – lovely!

S.Read
The first formal in the heaving seas certainlyput the minority of snobs in their place (I am afraid to say there are some on board) as no one could walk a straight line it was most entertaining to watch the looks on their faces dress in all their finery, heaven forbit if the common folks though they were drunk Ha Ha. The majority of people had a real good laugh about the swaying and generally the snobs are well outnumbered by the people just glad to be there.

The actual figure doing the whole world is 569 which is very high, but a lot are sharing and the gossip on the ship is rife about all the disagreements between them, mostly women by the way fighting over anything from wardrobe space to shower time, I am afraid to say if I did not have my own cabin I would not be here.

This really is a different experience compared to normal cruising, there are a few eccentrics on board and soon the rumours goes all around the ship, its quite like a little village at sea. Of course the biggest topic is the couple with 4 golliewogs, the whole ship is talking about it but as they are at the next table to us in the dining room we know its not just a rumour, you really would not want to hear the whole story but the gollies actually have a cabin to themselves. Need I say more.

I have witnessed some beautiful sunrises already but the other night I saw the most spectacular sunset I have ever saw at sea and to top it off there were loads of dolphins racing along at the bow of the ship it was a moment that made me feel glad to be alive and to be happy that I am able to be on this ship and this whole world cruise., I am sure there will be many more moments like it in the future.

Of course there are the progessional moaners on board who complain about everything from the lettucs to “where is the milk”, in the buffet area, I feel like saying in the sample place it has been every morning for the last 2 weeks, I show him where it was, but he still managed to miss it, and there are the folk who say they can’t find there way around even after two weeks and believe me it’s a very easy ship to get around, instead of just being happy that they are on such a beautiful ship, if I had my way Id round them up and throw them overboard.

We’ve already had some wonderful ports but I am looking forward to sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It’s a pity any of you who live in San Francisco had not contacted me at the start of the cruise as I believe we are allowed to bring visitors on board for dinner or lunch etc as long as we fill in a form with all the details and we stay with the persons, it is sent to the Captain and he gives his say so, but they only allow so many passes and I believe the limit has been reached.

Oh by the way we were docked alongside the Dawn Princess in Barbados and I just went to the Security and showed my Aurora cruisecard and I got on board, was brilliant I had a wonder around (Nice ship – not as nice as Aurora though  ) and went for my second breakfast of the day.

Well I will try and give you accoassional updates, I am glad the webcam is now working, actually I printed off all the messages that you had put about it (along with some from the IPO) and sent it to the Captain saying that there was a lot of disappointed people all over the world because it was not working, so your direct line to the Captain worked.

Bmajor if you want to meet on board and go for a drink no problem. I am already meeting up with a couple from NZ so if your in the dock area at 7am you will see me on promenade deck shouting and waving to the couple who will be there to watch Aurora arrive.

Oh by the way there was a problem with one of the thrusters in Acapulco, so we took a unscheduled detour to Ensenada to pick up a technician, but the Captains says it will not affect our arrival time in San Francisco.

All the people who have been or will be curising soon I wish you ALL the best and the happiness to enjoy your cruises as much as I am enjoying mine.

Cheers
Mary

Sympactico and Nal – Thanks for all your good wishes and kind words.

PS: May I say it has been worth working every day of my 31 years with the one company to be able to do this trip, its made every niggle, hassle and hardship endured during my working years retreat into oblivian, so you folks still having to work, you make this a goal in life and I am sure it would help you get through all the bad days that you may encounter in your working lives…

Sorry about any spelling erros don’t have time to check 

posted 01-28-2001 03:01 PM            

Will look forward to the next chapter

Awthebest........I.

posted 01-28-2001 10:11 PM            

What a great report.....I could almost hear the sea around you,you described everything so well.

What an adventure you are having....it is so refreshing to hear all the good things that are happening.

Looking forward to your next epistle!!

posted 01-29-2001 11:15 AM            

Have a wonderful stay-over.

posted 01-29-2001 06:18 PM            

Sympatico found another one and has a 'bear' story - I'm sure she will share.

posted 01-29-2001 10:14 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Green:
Since Mary's post I've received several queries about 'the golliwogs' - here's a site that will enlighten you - http://golliwogs.webjump.com/
if the 'http' does not work, try 'www'

Sympatico found another one and has a 'bear' story - I'm sure she will share.

Happy Cruisin'

---

posted 01-30-2001 08:16 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Green:
sympatico - I heard the story on the Rotterdam V1 - both times - the lady was not on board.

Perhaps Scottylass will tell us more about the gollies.

---

I believe she passed away a number of years ago!

posted 02-02-2001 02:19 PM               

Well we had a fantastic sail away from San Francisco, it was freezing as it was midnight, but we had a wonderful two days there the weather was clear, sunny and just cold at night, there were a lot of us braved the cold and went up on sun Deck I had my coat, gloves, hat on , it was eerie as we were approaching the Golden Gate Bridge, thought we were not going to make it under it, it was so dark and not until we were right upon it you seen the little lights at each side that obviously they were following, the lights twinkled in the distance and I left my Heart in San Francisco was playing over the tannoy, as we went under the bridge everyone let out a great big cheer. It was a magic moment.

Thought I would try my hand a shuffleboard yesterday morning, (I had never played in my life), but believe me on P&O they take every game very seriously, everywhere is packed, Bridge, Whist, Deck Quoits, quizzes, so I was drawn with an old guy from Victoria, BC, said he had never played for 30 years, I said well I have’nt played at all, well did we not get through to the final, and the other pair were winning and on my very last puck I scored a high score, and won – I thought they were going to throw me overboard, Ha Ha, but really everyone was shaking every one else’s hand in congratulations (I thought its only a game ha Ha)
Then I tried my hand at the bingo and won £57, the women I was with said what a lucky bug*** you are.

Hooked, it all depends on the type of cabin you have, can range from anything like £4000 sharing 4 in a cabin to top of the range Piano Suite…..

Thanks for the info Bmajor, glad you told me, then I know what to expect, I will just have to search for my friends when I get off the ship, pity about that, I had visions of it being like most of the ports we have been in where people are waiting alongside the ship, oh by the way ambulances were waiting in antigua and Costa Rica, never heard why!!

Now to the Gollies, well I do not want to say too much (libel cases and all that Ha Ha), but believe me its deadly serious, all dressed in same clothes, with a change every night including formal with their own watches, go everywhere, even sunbathing on deck in swimsuits. Leave in Sydney, thank goodness, its wearing a bit thin being so near to them in the dining room. They get nursed at the table, all got names, even have their own seat on the plane home, the stories go on and on, even the comedian on board brings it into his act, the people are rolling in the aisles, but it is deadly serious for them.

Better go now – roll on Hawaii

posted 02-05-2001 12:36 PM               

Can't wait for the next instalment. How long is the cruise?

Thx for an insight - Norma

posted 02-07-2001 03:46 PM               

Now, I know you must be extremely busy but the suspense is killing me. Please, please, please give us an update on your wonderful
cruise as soon as possible

posted 02-13-2001 08:14 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by bmajor:
So your wonderful world cruise approaches its mid way point. We look forward to hearing your comments on New Zealand and Australia.....

---

bmajor - we have another poster, LizB, on a world cruise on the Rotterdam. They are due in the Bay of Islands on Friday and Auckland, Saturday. In her e-mail to me yesterday, she said she is so looking forward to visiting New Zealand and Australia - her first time there. I am sure she will write and tell me all about their visit and I will post it on the forum.

posted 02-14-2001 08:36 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bluekiwi:
Our TA is taking us onboard Rotterdam on Saturday for a tour of the ship and lunch mights see LizB, really looking forward to having a look at a HAL ship.

---

posted 02-15-2001 10:14 PM               

The Captain has just made an announcement that Princess Cruises Ocean Princess shall transfer to P&O UK around Nov 2002 when the Victoria will be retired. The VIC has been sold but will be leased until Nov 2002. Who she has been sold too has not been mentioned.

All is going well and we have now passed the half way mark and I cannot believe how quick the time has gone. Had some fantastic Ports of Call, including Pago Pago in American Samoa, totally unspoiled, no commercialism and the people themselves made it such a welcome that many passengers had to be coaxed back on board, as a stage was set up on the quay and a group had danced for 1 hr in the morning and about 1.30 mins before we left, the music was so addictive that the passengers joined in the dancing, and security were packing up shop looking along the quay wondering when the big rush would take place and everyone would eventually get back on the ship. It rained in the afternoon there, but it still did not dampen the spirits of many on board, the scenery more than made up for the rain, very mountainous and lush.

Auckland was extremely hot and humid but another wonderful port although we did arrive in the dark, but the skyline was quite a picture as we docked, especially the Sky Tower.

Tomorrow is Sydney and we are told that there will be quite a welcome from all including the media, as Aurora is the largest ship to dock in Sydney, the fireboats will be out and a welcome from many small craft is expected.

The gollies will disembark in Sydney, all 6 of them, last night was photocall with the waiters and the 6 gollies, and I have just seen them in the picture gallery too, so they have been well photographed.
Bmajor has contacted me and thanked me for giving these updates, which I thought was extremely nice of him.

From Sydney its on to Brisbane then the Whitsundays for the Great Barrier Reef which I am sure will be another highlight. 1000 passengers are disembarking in Sydney and from then on the ship will be operating at full capacity so I gather there will be a lot of Aussies getting on board, which will be nice for the 90 day club as we get some new blood on board.

Will try and keep the updates coming.

posted 02-15-2001 10:17 PM               

Also we lost the 12th of February, the day that never was and they published a spoof Aurora Today it was the funniest paper ever, with just lots of laughs about the passengers and the things that happen on the ship.

posted 02-24-2001 10:45 AM               

I emailed Mary to say how much we were enjoying her reports and she's sent this reply:
Hello Norma

How lovely to get your message, I will make this short as possible as I am running out of time on my time bought, thank you for your interest.
I will probably only post to travel page occasionally now when I get to an
internet café because I have been spending a fortune using it on the ship.
But I will try if I see one, steaming towards Guam, making up time as
there was a medical evacuation yesterday, so the ship is now going at 25.3 knots, lovely –maybe you could make a post for me in travelpage about that.
Also met up with Bmajor from Auckland on board which was lovely, a very nice man.

Take Care
Aw ra best
Mary

Luv Norma

posted 02-28-2001 02:19 AM               

Well after such a spectacular send off from Sydney, I do not think I will ever see the likes of it again, everywhere you looked there were people waving, even on top of the Harbour Bridge the people who were doing the climb were waving down to us, it really was a sight to behold, all sorts of craft followed us out right to the Heads, good for Australia they sure know how to give a send off.

I thought that nothing else could be such a thrill but believe me on the Catamaran back from the great Barrier reef was the most thrilling ride its was totally unbelievable, once in your seat there was no moving, so if you were on the outside and at the edges you were soaked through it was like someone was throwing buckets of water over you, and the feeling was like the big dipper, we were talking to the crew prior to the journey back who told us the best place was to sit outside and on the back, inside and down below it was carnage, people were being sick all over the place, but it was an experience I will never want to repeat but one I would not have given up for the life of me. We then stayed on the Cat and went to Hamilton Island for the last hour, it was such a beautiful spot and although we were worried about not getting back to the ship on time we did manage to get the very last Cat back and once again it was such a thrill, there were just a handful on board, the security crew, and some of the ents officers, and me with my table mates and as the sun was setting we rounded an island and there was Aurora sitting in the sunset with her lights ablaze, what a sight and such a party atmosphere.

Yesterday it was Guam and it was very hot, so being from the Northern Hemisphere I will welcome a little cold weather for a while as we reach Japan and China within the next few days. We are not going to Israel for obvious reasons which is sad, but instead going to Athens, I have not been to Athens, so it should be interesting.

Hope all are enjoying their cruises, and it really tickles me to experience this world cruise, as the gossip on board is just so amusing Ha Ha you would not believe the things that happen on a world cruise.

Cheers
Mary.

PS: I had such a delightful time meeting up with BMajor and his friend, I just wish they had been on longer and I am sure we would have had many fun times.

PPS: Oh we even seen the Gollies after they embarked the ship, went to Manly Beach on the Sunday and lo and behold there was mummy and daddy golliwog walking down the beach.

posted 02-28-2001 04:01 PM               

Forgive me, but are we talking about Robertson's Gollies? I only ask because
my mother-in-law worked in their factory
in Paisley Scotland in the 70's and I wondered if we were talking about the same place?

Still enjoying all the updates about the world cruise - keep them coming, pleaseeeeeee