en en fi en oc en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en it en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en it en en en en en fa en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en fr en en en en de en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en es en en en en
40 minutes after arrival at the port I am on board and heading for Windows Café, the buffet restaurant, for lunch where there is a good selection of hot and cold dishes. The restaurant is busy with guests happily chatting with new made friends. The announcement that the staterooms are ready has me heading for the lift and deck 4 where my home for the next 11 nights is located.  Stateroom 4032 is a Club Ocean View with King Size bed. One wall has large mirrors reflecting the light and contrast the dark woodwork. The bathroom is quite small but functional with a hairdryer and a variety of good quality toiletries. Having unpacked, it is time for the safety drill prior to sailing. Whilst everyone is supposed to attend, it is always interesting hear the excuses made by people as to why their children or spouses are not present. When asked where his son was one gentleman replied ‘Oh, he’s about the ship somewhere’!!  Safety drill over it is time to relax on one of the thick mattress covered sun loungers surrounding the pool and soak up some much-needed sunshine. Dreaming of what is to come, I am suddenly brought back to reality as the Captain sounds the ships whistle with 3 long blasts as we move away from the quayside to start our journey down the River Tagus to the open sea. The journey has begun.
Waking the next morning the sky is overcast and the ship is rolling as we make our way northwards along the Portuguese coast towards the Bay of Biscay and our first port of call, Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. It is now that I can see the advantage of the shower cubicle being quite small, you can’t fall over in a rough sea. Up on deck the wind is sharp and quite chilly so time for breakfast in the Windows Café which is fairly empty possibly due to some feeling ‘The motion of the ocean’. Certainly navigating from food counter to table with food and a cup of coffee becomes a delicate and well planned operation if you don’t want to spill any. Breakfast finished, there is then a vast choice of activities about the ship. Everything from seminars, quizzes, presentations, deck games, dance classes and don’t forget that all important to some ‘Bingo’.
This article was written for the 70th anniversary of WW2 in 2014. The ‘Past to Present’ cruise has sailed, but do visit the Azamara website for similar upcoming voyages.
Silver Travel Advisor recommends Azamara.
Memories of World War II – An Introduction
Memories of World War II – Days 3 & 4
Memories of World War II – Days 7 & 8
Memories of World War II – Days 9 & 10
Memories of World War II – Final Day
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