9th December 2019
Baltic Cruise P & O Aurora
Leisurely drive to Southampton to board our favourite P & O ship the beautiful Aurora. We left home at 9.45am and after a comfort break near High Clere (location of Downton Abbey) we were on board just after 2pm. The ship was decked out in all its Christmas finery. Dinner was not until 8.30pm so we had plenty of time to tour the ship and have pre-dinner cocktails. Our after dinner entertainment was the fabulous Flyrights, a Motown trio, who we had seen in January aboard Oceana.
10th December 2019
Sea Day
A day to explore the ship and make the most of the facilities. After breakfast Nik went for a walk around the deck and I went to a line dancing class, which was hilarious combined with rolling waves. After lunch we went to the on board cinema to see Yesterday, which we had wanted to see for a while and it didn’t disappoint. Black tie night, so time to dress up for dinner before heading to the theatre for a show by the resident Headliners Theatre company.
11th December 2019
Hamburg
Absolutely terrible weather, raining cats and dogs. But, we didn’t let it stop us. Met up with one of my old students, Charlotte Bryan and had a leisurely boozy lunch in the Parliament Bar under the Rathaus. Afterwards we had a wander round the Christmas markets which were very pretty in the twilight and of course indulged in a hot punch.
12th December 2019
Sea Day
Lazy day, lovely lunch in Sindhu, which was Indian tapas served in Tiffin boxes. After lunch we went to the cinema again to watch Angel has Fallen, starring Gerald Butler. Black tie again tonight, so after getting glammed up we headed to the entertainment lounge for a performance of Killer Queen by the Headliners Theatre group. After dinner we watched the fabulous Flyrights again and got involved in some ‘audience participation’, which must be said in a Jamaican accent!
13th December 2019
Oslo
Woke up to a gorgeous view of the Akerhaus Fortress directly outside our balcony. After a hearty breakfast we set out t explore Oslo. Oslo is a compact city, so can easily be explored on foot. After strolling up the main street to see the palace, we met up with our good friend Espen in the Christmas market. Espen took us on a local’s tour of Oslo, before heading to his office for a beer. We left with a doggy bag full of Norwegian beer from Tromso. After lunch we strolled to the Opera house and climbed the roof. We were amazed to see what at first we thought were houseboats, but turned out to be floating saunas. Even in 0 degrees, people were having saunas and then plunging into the ice cold fjord. We then headed back up the waterfront, past the city hall, Nobel Peace building and lots of waterfront bars and restaurants. We headed back to the ship with very tired legs after completing 25000 steps. In the evening we were treated to pop up carols from a trio of Norwegian singers from the Oslo theatre.
14th December 2019
Oslo
I woke up full of cold and as it was raining we decided to stay on board rather than explore Oslo again. After lunch in the Glass House we celebrated the sail away with a glass of champagne. Pre-dinner show was Electra, two brilliant violinists and after dinner an illusion show by the Headliners Theatre group.
15th December 2019
Copenhagen
Started our tour of Copenhagen at the picturesque Nyhavn Christmas market before the rain set in. A quick run around the city before a Baileys coffee in a bar to shelter from the rain. Back on board for lunch and mulled wine in the Crows Nest as we missed it due to bad weather at the Christmas market. Dinner in Sindhu, which was fabulous, but so stuffed we had an early night.
16th December 2019
Copenhagen
Much nicer weather today, so we walked along the seafront, passed the Little Mermaid into the city. We walked down through the pretty Christmas markets to the Tivoli Gardens. Back on board for 1.30pm to sail for Zeebrugge. After a mulled wine and lunch, we went to the cinema to watch Spiderman. Pre-dinner show by violin duo Electra, which was once again excellent.
17th December 2019
Sea Day
Our last sea day. After a late breakfast we went to the cinema to see Rocketman, the Elton John biopic. Lunch was another visit to the Glass house, I had tapas and Nik had fish and chips. Final black tie night, so an excuse to get glammed up. Another fabulous Headliners show, ‘Deck the Halls’ a medley of Christmas songs.
18th December 2019
Zeebrugge
Last port of our trip. We took the shuttle into Blankenberg, a quaint Belgian seaside resort. A bracing walk along the seafront and coffee overlooking the marina. A quick look around the town, which was disappointing for its lack of festive cheer. We did wish we had took the train into nearby Bruge. Back on board for lunch and packing for home. Before our last dinner we watched the Opera Boy. Excellent, relaxing cruise with fabulous food and entertainment, we really enjoyed it.
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