In order below:

• Sailors
• Southampton
• Ship
• Swimming Pool
• Sports
• Seagulls
• Sparkly Seas
• Seaside Resorts (Cowes, Isle of Wight)
• Smooth Sailing
• Sister Ship (Regal Princess)
• Spinnaker Tower (Portsmouth)
• Shiny Spaces
• Sleepy Bears

Embarkation day is like stepping into a parallel universe.  Because we believe in self flagellation, we dragged our heavily laden suitcases and backpacks for almost 3 km, to the Mayflower cruise terminal.  This took over an hour.  On arrival, we were sent to Baggage Pod 4, then Baggage Pod 1, then Baggage Pod 3, before we finally ditched the cases.  The boarding process only took a few minutes.  We collected our “Ocean Medallions”, the nifty bit of tech that Princess Cruises has developed during our 5 year absence.  Onto the gangway, we zapped the medallion at the entrance, came aboard, and were transported instantly into a completely different world.  The Piazza was full of shiny, gleaming surfaces and crowds of befuddled people, all knowing they should be going somewhere, but not certain where that somewhere is.  Everyone had that dazed and confused look about them.

It was 12pm, and as our cabin wasn’t ready, we decided to head straight to the dining room, where we could sit, catch our breath, and recalibrate.  Immediately we were surrounded by waiters pulling out our chairs, placing freshly pressed napkins on our laps, and brandishing menus.  I’m not sure we were quite prepared for this quantum leap from one pan stir fry dinners, but we managed to make the adjustment.

After an excellent 3 course lunch (including grand manier souflle), it was time to move in to our cabin home for the next 10 days.  We unpacked and settled ourselves, finishing just in time for sailaway at 4pm.  Up on deck, we watched Southampton gradually disappear as we slipped into the Solent, and chased our sister ship, the Regal Princess (we took our first cruise on her, in 2016).  She is headed to Cork, so will turn north when we turn south for Spain. Both ships zigzagged their way through the shipping lanes, bristling with ferries and small craft.  The captain blew the horns, blasting our eardrums and sending vibrations across the water.  The Isle of Wight was on our starboard side, and Portsmouth was on our port side, the Spinnaker Tower standing out as the seagulls screamed overhead.

It’s amazing how, on a ship with over 2000 passengers, you can find the place that’s Yours.  For me, this is at the top of the stairs between the Lido Deck and the Sun Deck.  There’s a wooden railing to lean on, and no screen to obscure the view, or the photos.  Up here it’s peaceful, with just the camera buffs and the mariners.  The wind whips my hair into a tangle, and my nostrils fill with the smell of the ocean.  I stretch my arms wide and turn my face to the sun, as we make our way slowly down the sparkling Solent.  This is what I came for. 

Ian:  speak for yourself – I came for the desserts.