14th December 2024 For many passengers aboard the Nieuw Statendam, it was disembarkation day, a bleary-eyed farewell to floating luxury and an unreasonably early start. We, however, had grander plans. With a tour booked, we joined the weary masses at the breakfast buffet at the eye-wateringly early hour of 6:15 am. The day ahead promised… Continue Reading

12th December 2024 Sea days are the epitome of laziness, and this one was no exception. The ship offered a packed schedule of activities, but the most demanding task we undertook was a leisurely stroll around the upper deck after breakfast to gauge the day’s temperature. Sue, ever the intellectual, attended a couple of talks… Continue Reading

11th December 2024 The Nieuw Statendam was due to berth at Amber Cove at 8 a.m., but by the time we’d finished breakfast on Deck 9, she was already securely moored at the pier, and passengers were being informed that they could disembark. We had made no plans for the day, but I downloaded Google… Continue Reading

10th December 20124 Early this morning, we docked at Grand Turk, a small island in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory whose capital is Cockburn Town. The view from our breakfast room window promised a glorious day ahead: white-sand beaches framed by a lush green interior, all bathed in bright sunshine. Although… Continue Reading

8th December 2024 We were awake by 6 am and enjoying breakfast just half an hour later, following a brief visit to Guest Services to query a deduction on our account. At such an early hour, the restaurant was almost deserted, allowing us to choose our food quickly and without queuing. As we ate, we… Continue Reading

6th December 2024 Our stay at the Sheraton Heathrow was surprisingly tranquil. Despite being just a stone’s throw from the runway, we spent the evening watching television with only the faintest rumble of aircraft in the background. We did wonder if the noise might disturb our sleep, but we needn’t have worried. By the time… Continue Reading

29th November 2024 We had breakfast in the buffet at 7 am, as we were scheduled to assemble in the Meridian Restaurant at 8 am, ready for disembarkation. Reassuringly, our suitcases, which we’d dutifully left outside the cabin the night before, had vanished overnight, as planned. Always a good sign. As part of the first… Continue Reading

27th November 2024 Dawn was breaking as we made our way to breakfast. Through the windows of the buffet restaurant, the dark silhouette of the mountains loomed behind Santa Cruz, the capital of La Palma. The ship had already docked, the necessary paperwork had been handed over to the port authorities, and the captain had… Continue Reading

22nd November 2024 We were both wide awake well before Google’s alarm sounded at 1:30 am. Quickly dressing, we snatched a hasty coffee and loaded the car with our suitcases, ready for the dash to Birmingham Airport and our flight to Tenerife. There, the P&O cruise ship Azura awaited, ready to whisk us around the… Continue Reading

31st October 2024 October concluded with Halloween festivities. While the celebration has Christian associations, its origins trace back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off spirits; a little smoke and some face paint seemed to do the trick. Over the centuries, these traditions blended, giving… Continue Reading