2016 Navigator, Canaries June

June 2016

A 11-day adventure by Rulocal Read more

16footprints
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11days
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3.7kmiles
692miles

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Traveler 2016 Navigator, Canaries June
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- Jun 6, 2016, 1:17pm
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 13 ft
- England Southampton Southampton Cruise Port 50.90774, -1.4249250°54’28” N 1°25’30” W
Day 1
Wigan to Southampton
June 6, 2016 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
The drive down from Wigan was as usual brilliant.
Took just about 4 hours, including a coffee stop on the M42.
Joe was a star on the way down.
Just on the ship and straight away bumped into Roy and Jill.
So we had a bite to eat in the Windjammer, and did a bit of catching up.
He told me all about the fiasco on the Harmony cruises they have just been on.
We are now in the Star lounge waiting for the cabins to be ready.
Joe is knackered already.Read more
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Traveler 2016 Navigator, Canaries June
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- Jun 6, 2016, 4:29pm
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 52 ft
- England Southampton 50.9097, -1.4043550°54’35” N 1°24’16” W
Day 1
Muster
June 6, 2016 in England ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Just done the muster, it was outside but the weather here is still beautiful, so no complaints there, lol.
Our Nic and Joe were in the next muster station to Sheila and I, and when the general emergency signal was sounded it frightened the life out of him.Read more
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Traveler 2016 Navigator, Canaries June
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- Jun 6, 2016, 5:39pm
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- England East Cowes River Medina 50.77227, -1.2707250°46’20” N 1°16’15” W
Day 1
it's all about visibility
June 6, 2016 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
We are in the diamond lounge, well outside the lounge as we have Joe, and no kids allowed during happy hour.
Anyway that's fine because the concierge is lovely and said no problem with taking the drinks out of the lounge.
The other thing is, this is the first night, and already two of the head chefs are in the diamond lounge saying hello and chatting to people.
To me that is important, it shows that the staff appreciate your loyalty and go out of their way to say hello.
The last ship I was on not one of the senior management team came around the lounge.Read more
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- Jun 7, 2016, 3:53am
- 🌧 13 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- North Atlantic Ocean 44.05018, -12.8605744°3’1” N 12°51’38” W
Day 2
More old friends
June 7, 2016, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
Last night I went in to the Diamond Lounge looking to see if Roy and Jill where in and who should I find instead? Roman and Jean, they had got my email about the future cruises I had booked and when they saw that they were on this one as well, said nothing and decided to surprise us, which they did.
It's always lovely to see old friends.
The friends you meet and make on these cruises are what I think is the best part.
I know that It's something that I keep banging on about but it's true.
Anyway tonight is the first formal night, and Sheila, Nic Joe and I are booked in Chops Grill, so that will be nice.
Hopefully Master Joe will be asleep by then, 😴 lol.Read more
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- Jun 8, 2016, 3:21am
- ⛅ 25 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- North Atlantic Ocean 34.74209, -16.7081734°44’32” N 16°42’29” W
Day 3
He's still a babe magnet!
June 8, 2016, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Our Joe is still a babe magnet, even more so now that he's walking.
He waves at everyone which is really cute.
Yesterday Joe and I were walking along our corridor and he waved at two elderly people just going in their cabin, they waved back, so Mr lovable does no more than follow them straight in to the cabin. Lol.
He's a joy, and he never stops exploring the ship.
Anyway last night we all went to Chops Grill for a meal which was quite nice. Sheila and Nic went for a drink afterwards, but I went straight to bed, well it was turned 10pm after all, and that's way past my bed time.
We've got another sea day today then Funchal in Madeira tomorrow.Read more
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- Jun 9, 2016, 6:18am
- 🌙 20 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Portugal Autonomous Region of Madeira Funchal Loo Rock 32.64118, -16.9158232°38’28” N 16°54’57” W
Day 4
Funchal, Madeira,
June 9, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
Today we dock in Funchal, Madeira, but not until 1pm, which is late, we are staying until 8pm, so plenty of time to have a look around.
We where all here six months ago and did the cable car which takes you from the old town up to Monte, which was brilliant as the views going up, down and from the top are fabulous.
This time we are just going to have a walk around the town and maybe take a look at the market.
Last night we had another nice night in the Cosmopolitan Club, where Roy and Jill joined us for the evening.
Joe had a ball walking around the lounge and waving at anyone and everyone. He looked gorgeous in his sailor suit.
At about 7.30pm people started turning up in weird and wonderful footwear. There was a guy going around photographing them and their shoes.
In the end there must have been about 60 or 70 adults and children all wearing outrageous footwear.
There was one woman who seemed to be in charge, so naturally I asked her what it was all about, and it turns out that it's a personal development group who decided to have a "happy feet" gathering. Apparently they are all business people from around the world, who have joined this personal development group. I suppose to develop their outlook on life.
I'll definitely try and find out more. So watch this space!Read more
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- Jun 9, 2016, 8:00pm
- ⛅ 23 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Portugal Autonomous Region of Madeira Funchal Loo Rock 32.64102, -16.9152532°38’28” N 16°54’55” W
Day 4
Isumi
June 9, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
We booked in to Isumi, the Japanese restaurant on board, and what an excellent meal we had.
To be honest we were a bit apprehensive about it thinking that it might be all sushi 🍣 and the like.
But it wasn't at all, we had a spicy miss soup, which is sharable, I had crispy pork wontons with sweet chilli sauce, Sheila had some chicken starter, and Nic actually tried the tuna carpachio, which she loved, I tried a bit and it was good and didn't taste of fish, which shows how fresh it was. We finished off with Nic and I having chicken and beef skewers, and Sheila having just beef, cooked on hot stones at the table. Very different and wonderful.
Along with Wonderland, it's a restaurant I would definitely recommend.Read more
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- Jun 10, 2016, 4:29am
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Portugal Autonomous Region of Madeira Funchal Loo Rock 32.64113, -16.9146632°38’28” N 16°54’53” W
Day 5
No babies in the baby pool!
June 10, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Here we go again, another bureaucratic, royal rule.
We where in the baby pool with Joe, when one of the staff came over to me and asks if he is potty trained? I said no but we have him in swim diapers which are designed so babies can go in kids pools. Btw this pool is 3 inches deep so no one but babies would go in. Anyway he tells me that US hygiene law forbids babies who are not potty trained from going in the baby pool.
I tell him that UK hygiene laws allow me to take my grandson into public pools as long as he is wearing proper baby swimmer diapers.
But he insists, so we take Joe out, kicking and screaming.
Now before you tell me that, rules is rules. Answer me this.
US law forbids "kids" under 21 from drinking on board ship, fine, no problem.
But when in UK, or European waters, they allow "kids" of 18 to drink.
Now call me an old cynic, but isn't this just Royal Caribbean relaxing their US laws to suit themselves, when there is a buck to be made?
Also this is the second cruise we've taken Joe O and both times been charged the full adult price of the cruise for him, which was over £1000 each time, and on the first cruise he was still breast feeding, so didn't eat anything.
Anyway I've demanded a discount on his cruise fare, and guest services have contacted Miami requesting this.
Oh yes the girl on guest services also said, but sir it does tell you in the small print on the website about the baby pool rules.
But come on, be honest who ever reads the small print.
This is just Royal, covering their arse again.
One last moan. Joe can't even go in the tots club unless we pay $8 an hour!!
Nice one Royal, money grabbing again.
Other than that the cruise has been great. Lol 😁Read more
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Traveler 2016 Navigator, Canaries June
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- Jun 10, 2016, 11:00am
- ⛅ 23 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Spain Canary Islands Tenerife Santa Cruz de Tenerife Port 28.4692, -16.2440428°28’9” N 16°14’39” W
Day 5
Santa Cruz, Tenerife
June 10, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Santa Cruz,Tenerife and we all decided to get off for a walk.
It's quite a nice town, with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants.
We've been a few times before, so we just strolled around. We came across a nice park, with a bandstand and a kids play area. Joe had a ball chasing the pigeons. We spent about half an hour there then headed back to the ship for lunch.Read more
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- Jun 11, 2016, 9:08am
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 85 ft
- Spain Canary Islands Las Palmas city center Parque Doramas 28.11777, -15.4285928°7’4” N 15°25’43” W
Day 6
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
June 11, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Beautiful day here in Las Palmas, but I'm afraid we're not going to get off, as Sheila and Nic had a girls night out and Sheila is a bit worse for wear lol.
Not to bothered about getting off anyway as we've been here before.Read more
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