Independence to Canaries 2012

A 48-day adventure by Rulocal Read more

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Trip start
January 7, 2012
Independence to Canaries 2012 Rulocal
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Day 1
Saturday, January 7, 2012
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 197 ft
England Garswood 53.494079, -2.66411453°29’39” N 2°39’51” W
First cruise of the year
January 7, 2012 in England ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Well we've booked our first cruise of 2012 and we're going with RCCL again.
It's on the Independence of the Seas to the Canaries.
We've done the trip a few times, but at this time of the year unless you go long haul it's just about the only place you'll get some decent sun IMHO.
Also after this trip we will be Diamond Plus with RCCL (don't worry I'll still speak to you all....LOL).
Anyway we sail on 13th February and as usual I'll keep you informed of anything that happens. (I'm writing this as if someone is going to read it....how sad...LOL)Read more
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Day 4
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 197 ft
England Garswood 53.494079, -2.66411453°29’39” N 2°39’51” W
US Guest relations
January 10, 2012 in England ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Once again the US office of RCCL guest relations have come up trumps.
I had a problem with some missing OBC that had been promised to me.
One quick email to Adam Goldstein's office and the problem was quickly sorted.
I would definately suggest that if you have any problems with RCCL get in touch with the Miami office.
They have been very helpful, far better than the UK office IMHO.Read more
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Day 6
Thursday, January 12, 2012
☀️ 9 °C
Altitude: 197 ft
England Garswood 53.494079, -2.66411453°29’39” N 2°39’51” W
Travelling companions
January 12, 2012 in England ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
Just found out that two couples we met on other cruises are booked on this trip.
Ken and Margurite who we met on our Hong Kong cruise in March 2010 and Mike and Liz who we met on our Christmas & New Year cruise in 2010.
It will be great to see them again, we had a ball last time on both cruises.
What a relatively small world this cruising community is :-)Read more
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Day 16
Sunday, January 22, 2012
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 197 ft
England Garswood 53.494079, -2.66411453°29’39” N 2°39’51” W
Tickets are here Woo Hoo
January 22, 2012 in England ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Just received the luggage tags from RCCL.
It always makes the cruise seem closer when they arrive.
Just 4 weeks to go, and funnily I'm really looking forward to it, even though it's not the most exciting destination we've been to.
Then again the ship is wonderful, probably my favourite ship.
Definitely my favourite RCCL ship.
Normally a great atmosphere, and if Joff Eaton is still CD we'll be guaranteed some really good entertainment.
His progressive quiz is something to behold, probably the best quiz on the high seas.
Btw, we've booked the Travelodge at Eastleigh the day before the cruise so we will have a nice relax before we board.
It's a smashing location, only 20 mins drive from Southampton and it has a Harvester restaurant and a lovely pub as part of the complex.
So a leisurely drive down on the 12th a nice meal and then a couple of pints then bed.
Just about the best way to start a trip.
Anyway just going to get a coffee and watch Match of the Day....God it's a hard life.Read more
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Day 37
Sunday, February 12, 2012
⛅ 3 °C
Altitude: 59 ft
England Chandler's Ford 50.980047, -1.37878450°58’48” N 1°22’44” W
Eastliegh
February 12, 2012 in England ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C
Well we've once again spent a very nice night at the Travelodge at Eastleigh.
It's about 6 miles from the port at Southampton, it has a Harvester resturant and a nice pub called the Ham Farm.
It's a great way to start a cruise, we had a lovely meal then a few drinks then bed, so this morning we are refreshed and ready for a short drive to Southampton, rather than travelling down on departure day, leaving in the early hours and worrying about traffic etc.
Anyway that's the end of the Travelodge advert LOL.
We are looking forward to the trip and seeing friends from previous cruises and people we met last night in the pub, I love the camaraderie you get on cruises.
Thats all for now :-)Read more
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Day 38
Monday, February 13, 2012
⛅ 6 °C
Altitude: 10 ft
England Ports Down 50.846682, -1.10191750°50’48” N 1°6’7” W
Southampton Port
February 13, 2012 in England ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
Nice easy boarding, no problems at all.
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Day 39
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 69 ft
Spain Ría de Vigo 42.239582, -8.73480342°14’22” N 8°44’5” W
Vigo
February 14, 2012 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Great company once again, not only Ken & Margurite and Liz & Mike but new people we've met.
Two of them are Carol & Colin who turn out to be the mum & dad of Simon our neighbour, it really is a small world we live in.
One thing though, I think I'll have to complain to RCCL about the free booze in the Diamond lounge, it seems to be getting me awfully drunk LOL.
Anyway it's Vigo today, not sure if I'm getting off, I know Sheila isn't so we will probably spend the day just chilling, I'll keep you informed :-)Read more
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Day 40
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
☀️ 11 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Portugal Vale de Alcântara 38.703768, -9.15650338°42’14” N 9°9’23” W
Lisbon
February 15, 2012 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
Yesterday we where in Vigo, but Sheila and I didn't get off the ship as we've been here lots of times and the weather although sunny was cold.
We stayed on board qnd enjoyed the quiet of the ship.
Having said that the one fault the Independence has imho is no inside solarium other ships have a retractable roof but not this baby, that's why I think it would be better suited to the Caribbean rather than the Med.
Last night in the diamond lounge was another great night with some great company.
It's Lisbon today, a beautiful city so I might get off for a wander...we'll see.Read more
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Day 42
Friday, February 17, 2012
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Spain Punta de Roque Manzano 28.430342, -16.27063728°25’49” N 16°16’14” W
Tenerife
February 17, 2012 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Sorry stayed on board ship
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Day 43
Saturday, February 18, 2012
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 20 ft
Spain Playa de las Alcaravaneras 28.134748, -15.41823328°8’5” N 15°25’6” W
Las Palmas Gran Canaria
February 18, 2012 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
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Day 44
Sunday, February 19, 2012
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Spain Isla de Cruces 28.965646, -13.53601528°57’56” N 13°32’10” W
Lanzarote
February 19, 2012 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
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Day 45
Monday, February 20, 2012
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: Sea level
North Atlantic Ocean 32.096815, -16.97376232°5’49” N 16°58’26” W
Missed a few days
February 20, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
I know I've missed a few days but we've done nothing but chill out.
We've not been ashore once, we've not even seen a show yet, the company in the Diamond lounge is once again brilliant so we spend most of our time in there either reading or chatting. It's definitely been a great cruise for recharging our batteries.
Oh I nearly forgot we're running third in Joff's progressive quiz.
The teams above us are only there through bonus points.
One bad thing has happened is that our friend Ken Offord took ill last night, one minute he was fine the next minute he was throwing up, he was sweating and feeling very shaky. I'll find out today how he is.Read more
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Day 46
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 7:00 AM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Portugal Loo Rock 32.641399, -16.91439632°38’29” N 16°54’52” W
Funchal Madeira
February 21, 2012 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Well we are just approaching Funchal, Madeira and the weather has changed.
Yesterday was beautiful in the afternoon and evening, temperatures must have been in the 80s.
But today at the minute it's cold with cloudy grey sky's.
Might change though, won't bother Sheila and I as once again we're stopping on board ship.
Ken was up and about again last night, after his bout of Norovirus, which was good news.
But he had a few complaints about the way the staff didn't provide the things that guests confined to cabin normally get ie minibar restocked and food delivered by room service to name but two.
To be honest I do find that standards are dropping with RCCL, which is a shame.
I think it's got a lot to do with dropping the prices of the cruise to a level where anyone can afford them.
That may sound rather snobbish, but i'm afraid it's true.
And the company are treating passengers accordingly.
Anyway I'll just jump down from this soapbox and go for breakfast.Read more
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Day 46
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 7:00 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: Sea level
North Atlantic Ocean 36.747505, -16.15501236°44’51” N 16°9’18” W
Day at sea
February 21, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Well as I said yesterday Ken although still not 100% is over the worst of the Norovirus, but now Margurite has got it and she's now confined to barracks for 24hrs.
So you can definitely say that this is not the best cruise they have ever had.
On a lighter note Sheila and I went to see the ice show, it was as usual a wonderful spectacle.
We tried to get into the reserved section, but we were politely informed it was for Diamond plus guests.
So we sat with the common people (only joking) LOL.
3rd leg of the progressive quiz today, looking forward to that.
Nothing else to report at the minute, so I'll get back to my book.Read more
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Day 47
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: Sea level
North Atlantic Ocean 43.340161, -12.24185943°20’25” N 12°14’31” W
Last day
February 22, 2012, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Well here we are, on the last day.
There have been a few problems, with the Norovirus which was rife on the ship, about 350 people had.
I get that figure from taking the amount the staff gave me and the amount according to the jungle drums on the ship, mulitplying by 10 taking away the total of my birth date and dividing by two....LOL
The main concern to me as a regular cruiser was the general drop in standards on the ship, for one thing the food over all was not as good as I've come to expect from RCCL.
There were a number of other small things that all contributed to the drop but I won't moan about them all here.
On the brighter side we have once again met a great group of people in the diamond lounge and that always makes for a good cruise, no matter what other complaints we may have.
It's also the final day of the progressive quiz today, we're still in third place and not having won any bonus points and there being 60 odd teams,
I think that's quite a good effort.Read more
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Day 48
Thursday, February 23, 2012
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 20 ft
England Port Solent 50.844081, -1.10020150°50’39” N 1°6’1” W
Southampton Port
February 23, 2012 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Well there it was gone, it was a good cruise over all and last night there where a lot of sad goodbye's.
We met some great friends both old and new.
One thing I will say is that reaching Diamond status has been one of the best things ever.
Not only for the free drinks, although they don't go amiss....lol.
But because of the free drinks, you are drawn to the diamond lounge every evening and it's there that we've met some lovely people (and teddy bears)
I'll explain that one another time lol.
BTW, we finished 2nd in the progressive quiz, I'm quite happy with that....Read more
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Trip end
February 23, 2012