Day 3 - Piraeus (Port of Athens)

Decided to do Athens by ourselves - took the free shuttle bus to the port entrance and then purchased public bus tickets for the X80 bus to Athens from right outside the port which cost €4.50 and was a nice easy journey of less than 20 minutes.  Whilst reading a map, picked up at the tourist office in the port, suddenly found myself in charge or organising the whole bus trip as no one else knew where they were going.  Now my husband David would find this amusing as I don't know how to hold a map never mind read one.  However as usual the internet is my friend and having paid for eurotraveller on my phone had full use of the internet so followed the journey on google maps. I knew that we would like to see the Acropolis and wander in the district of Plaka as my daughter, Rebecca, had visited last year and gave recommendations.  As we got closer I asked the bus driver to shout out when we got to the stop for the Acropolis and he did this, getting off he bus to point the way and show us the return bus stop.

A short walk later we were at the entrance to the Acropolis.  We didn't go in as it would be too much for mum and headed off to the Plaka district.  A lovely wander along the old town and headed up to the Parliamentary area - Syntagma Square, where the marches and protests during the Greek crisis a few years ago were held.  Heading back to Plaka had a lovely lunch followed by an ice cream and return bus to the port.  We waited about half an hour for the bus but the return journey took about 12 minutes.  You could also use the Metro for convenience but believe that was further away from the port.

That evening we were surprised to receive some Canapés delivered to the cabin - a nice touch and I believe compliments of an officer who is related to my friend and colleague Julie.

We met a new couple at dinner tonight who were a Scottish couple, fairly quiet but very nice.  The other couple didn't come to dinner tonight as they had said they were trying alternative dining.

The show tonight was The Ivories, a couple of guys who were both good singers and entertaining.

A couple of sequence dances later and an early night.

Day 2 Sea Day

It was a very tiring journey to Malta because of the early flight at 6am but once on board we had chance for a couple of hours in Valletta.  We left mum to rest in the cabin and Jeannette and I walked to the Euro lift which took us up to the war battery gardens and from there it was a few minutes walk to the centre.  The views were lovely from the park.  We had a nice walk and then returned to the ship as it was a little overcast.

We were given late sitting for dinner but requested if this could be changed to first sitting at 6.30pm as mum can't eat too late.  This was confirmed overnight and we were on a table for 9 in a nice quiet part of the restaurant after the first night.  The first night was not designated seating as many flights were arriving late and guests would not make it for dinner.  The safety drill was 8.15pm which is later than we've had it before.  An early night was had by all.

Our cabin is a basic inside cabin for the three of us and as the youngest at 55 I've got the top bunk.  Our cabin steward is Arlene and she's very nice - although she forgot to fill the ice bucket for our daily g and t but I can forgive that.  A gentle reminder two days later and everything is well with the world.

Our first full day onboard was a sea day, after a lie in we had a look around the shops but by the afternoon we were in need of fresh air so sat on the promenade deck relaxing - by the end of the day we were feeling more energised.  It was a formal night but it takes quite a while for 3 ladies to get ready in a confined space so actually missed the captains cocktails and just made it in time for dinner at 6.30pm.  We met some of our table mates for the first time - a couple of ladies from Liverpool in their 70's and a couple from Preston.  After dinner we went to the Headliners show in the theatre and it was quite a good show called Encore,  it was standing room only so note to ourselves to get there earlier next time.  Mum wanted to watch the ballroom dancing in the atrium before bed so we had a last drink there.  Mum enjoys seeing me dance so I did a couple of sequence dances with the instructor - who happened to be the same Scottish couple as last year but in comparison to my husband quite a small man so seems fragile.

Linda Cruises Again: But this time it's an all girl team with my mum and sister (Margaret and Jeannette)

So, I'm holidaying with my mum (Margaret) and sister (Jeannette) for a one week cruise on P&O Oceana on 11th May 2017.  David's stopping at home to get a start on the garden, I know he's a little jealous but the week will fly by and he has lots of invitations for meals with our two children and his mum and dad so I'm sure he will be fine.

We had a similar girls week last year to give mum a holiday, and also consider it a special time with her away from the stresses of everyday life.  The holiday was a huge success and we immediately made plans to repeat the trip again this year.

Oceana was the first cruise ship I ever sailed on with David to celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary and has a special place in our hearts.  It's one of P&O's older ships, classed as a mid-size ship and remains to be a firm favourite with many cruisers.

Since our last cruise we've treated ourselves to a "GoPro" - which for this cruise will be affectionately known as "NanCam".  We haven't had chance to have a practice but will attempt to try and do a few uploads with it.


I'm hoping to keep the blog going for the full week but I often get distracted when I'm enjoying myself too much and the lack of wifi often hinders updates.  

Anyway I hope you enjoy sailing with us................................

Itinerary

 Day 1 - Embark at Malta

Day 2 - Sea Day

                                                                      Day 3 - Athens

Day 4 - Mykonos

Day 5 - Katakolon

Day 6 - Sarande

Day 7 - Sea Day

Day 8 - Disembark at Malta

P&O Oceana

Day 9 - St Lucia

We decided on a beach day today and used a shared minibus at the port which cost $14 pp return to Rodney Bay Reduit Beach and pre-booked a time slot to return. Once we arrived we were offered 2 loungers and parasol for $25 and met by a guy calling himself "RightAway" 'cos he'll get it right away!  Funnily enough we never saw him again once he had our money!

RightAway walked us down the beach to some of the older loungers but in a nice spot, we offered him $20 and he said no problem.  He offered us wifi for a few dollars but we didn't take him up on the offer.

The Sea was beautiful and we felt very blessed to be enjoying this lovely place.  We took the snorkel out again and saw some lovely fish and although we shared the snorkel we enjoyed it so much that we will definitely be buying another set when we get home.

The guys selling beer were storing them in a boat so did a bit of haggling for a decent price and got free wifi thrown in. The wifi was actually from a nearby hotel and the code didn't work but we weren't bothered anyway as we were happy to wait until we returned to port.

David bought a tropical shirt at the port for €13 as they had a half price sale and they had a good choice.  Of course we added a magnet to our shopping.

The port had a few bars and drinks were cheap so many guests remained drinking in the port as it was a 10pm sailaway so no rush.

A local band boarded the ship to perform on the outside deck until it was time to leave port, but there was a poor turn out to listen to them and they got rained off for a while.

We didn't fancy the show tonight as it was the dance troupe.  We walked through the Crystal Room and it was lacking atmosphere as the band weren't on tonight and it was being hosted by a girl from the entertainments team.  One couple who had been dancing most nights were complaining that the host didn't know one dance from another.  We decided to have an early night and finished watching a Disney film we had been watching earlier on the TV in the cabin.  We know how to party hard!

Day 8 - St Vincent

When we got up we decided to have a day in the port of St Vincent instead of a beach day to get a taste of local life.  We disembarked about 10am and headed off to the information bureau to arm David with a map - which always makes him happy and in control. We thought we would have a walk to the Botanic Gardens and told it would take about half an hour.  The lady told us to look out for the local ambassadors wearing orange T-shirts who would help with directions.  David's a Blackpool FC fan so felt quite at home with the Tangerine Army!

We didn't have any preconceptions of the port and found once you left the port gates it was alive with the bustle and noise of locals going around their business on a Friday morning.  The road was edged with market holders selling fruit and veg and locals were stocking up. Shops mainly included supermarkets and hardware stores.

We walked for a while and received several directions from our tangerine ambassadors.  After about 20 mins we spoke to a young girl who told us we could keep to the main road or go up "the Lonely Road" which would be more direct but it was very quiet.  I asked if the lonely road was safe and she answered that she couldn't say whether it was or not!  Anyway we saw several cruise guests taking the route so thought we would risk it.  I had my bodyguard with me and apart from a small rucksack,  had no jewellery or expensive cameras on show.  

The road was quiet and a little rough but in the daytime felt safe enough and we were fine.

We reached the Botanic Gardens after about 40 minutes. We paid our $2 pp entrance fee but chose not to pay an additional $4 pp for an escorted tour. The Gardens were nice and they also housed several parrots who, if you are lucky would say hello.  I didn't have any response when I said hello to them but once I said Ola they responded with an Ola Ola.

We walked back to town down the main road and stepped into a couple of churches.  On the way David, who was walking behind me on the narrow footpath, said the locals were friendly as a lady has said Hiya to him - i told him that I thought she was a very "friendly" lady and she may have been looking for business!  I've warned him about ladies like that before but he is convinced they are just being nice.

We spotted a bar down a little alley and popped in for some light refreshments. Local beer was $3 a bottle and the wifi was good. The bar was called Vee Jays and was a good spot to spend an hour texting our adult children and phoning our parents.

We headed back to the ship and went into three supermarkets for bottles of tonic but they only stocked Waitrose Tonic and it didn't look cheap but managed to get a couple of small bottles in the port shop. 

Back on board just before 3pm and raced up to Horizons for a buffet lunch before spending an hour in the Lido deck sunbathing.

Just as the Sailaway was due to start the heavens opened and a heavy shower sent guests undercover. The party carried on anyway and I have to say the entertainments team do their best to get the party going.

We decided we'd take cheese and biscuits back to the cabin but had to wait until 6.15pm for the Horizon to open. You pay a nominal charge for cheese and biscuits on room service which we are used to getting free on Cunard, it's not much but we are happy to walk to the buffet for it.

Went to the Crystal room for a quick dance before dinner. The whole evening was hosted by the dance couple Andy and Victoria but as the band were not playing the room remained fairly quiet all evening.

The Crystal room is a lovely room and a decent sized dance floor. The waiters are very friendly and we particularly like Karan who remembers our names, favourite drinks and we no longer need to show our cards as he remembers our cabin number - a nice touch and lovely guy.

Dinner was quieter tonight just 2 couples - the foursome from Wolverhampton went to Sindou (Indian Restaurant) tonight so shall look forward to a report tomorrow (they were also planning an early call to the Glass House to keep them going).

For such a big Ship the entertainment selections are, in our opinion, a bit limited. We love dancing so always have that as a back up and the Crystal room is very good. However we would like to mix it up a bit with some live entertainment.  In second sitting we don't have a chance getting a seat in the Live Lounge so have missed out on Take That Tribute band and Michael Buble tribute, both of which were apparently very good. If they had been in the Theatre we would have gone along.  We've been to one of the cast shows in the Theatre and they were good but all a bit too hyper for our liking - a common trend with all the cruises we've been on.

We enjoyed the Four Tunes but didn't go to the ventriloquist, pianist or magician. The magician/comedian did a late night adults only show in the Live Lounge at 11.45 pm on one evening which we went to but didn't get a seat.

Day 7 - Grenada - the Isle of Spice

We headed back to the beach today and decided to get the water taxi to Grand Anse Beach.  The taxi cost $10 pp return and was a nice journey.  The couple we'd bumped into at the airport, who we met on a previous Cunard cruise, had recommended Grand Anse and told us that Pirate Jack runs the water taxi.  When we got to the water taxi there was a large man with one leg and a crutch organising people so assumed we were in the right place.

Once we arrived at the beach the boat driver called a guy over called Jasper and recommended us going with him for the best loungers and drinks on the beach.  We weren't going to decide before having a stroll down the beach, but ended up going with him as the water taxis were coming in quickly and didn't want to miss out.  We paid a further $20 for our loungers and parasol. Our waitress for the day introduced herself as Nicole and said she would get any drinks we wanted and bring them to us.  We swam in the sea and after a bottle of local beer each went for a walk down the beach.  We realised that when you get off the taxi if you walked to the right and wandered down the beach it was a bit quieter and possibly slightly nicer than where we were so next time we wouldn't be hurried so much into agreeing anything.  As we walked past Jasper he was offering people loungers and parasol for $15 so thought next time we would haggle a bit.  We took our snorkel to try it out as hadn't snorkelled much previously - we gained confidence with it but didn't see any fish.

We returned to the ship for a late lunch and I had a hot dog, chips and salad by the pool and David opted for burger and chips.  The food was nice and hot, although I ended up with indigestion later.

At dinner the other people at the table had gone to Magazine Beach by taxi and thoroughly recommended that so we may try that in the future.

That's one of the benefits of sitting with others at dinner as you can all share experiences and get tips on places to go.  Becky is the source of lots of info as she is very active on the P&O Facebook group.

Day 6 - Sea Day Number 2 / Terry & Becky's Renewal of Wedding Vows

Today's a Sea Day heading back East to the Grenadines and the Island of Grenada.  It was also a big day for one of the couples on our dinner table, Becky and Terry, who were getting their wedding vows renewed in the afternoon.

We woke up feeling a little over baked after the beach days so decided to stay out of the sun today and instead purchased a 24 hour package of wifi at a cost of £12.50. This gave me a chance to update my blog and browse social media and look at emails. We bought a one day package and whilst I used my iPad to type David logged on the iPhone to check work emails and we just kept switching the log in so we both got full use.

The day was lovely and chilled. We are lucky that we enjoy each other's company so much, we've been married for over thirty years and still very happy doing the simple things in life.

We had a walk around the shops on the ship and once we had used some of the internet time went for lunch in the Horizon restaurant and had a drink in the Sunset Bar which is one of our preferred places.  The bar is right at the back of the ship and fairly quiet, we like to get a table for two by the rails but there is also more comfy seats in the shade.  David usually goes to the gym on a sea day but today we decided to go for afternoon tea in the main restaurant and then to the Crows Nest for a gin and tonic.  

As we walked through the ship we bumped into four of our table mates. Becky and Terry were renewing their vows on board and were holidaying with some friends Tessa and Mike and Tessa was their bridesmaid.  When we saw them they had just had the renewal and the Captain had taken the service, they were with one of the ships photographers so only said a quick hello and congratulations. They looked great, Becky was in a full white wedding dress as she said she hadn't worn a white dress when they first got married so wanted to have the opportunity.  We were to see them again later at dinner.

Dinner was lovely tonight as it was a little wedding type reception. It was a formal night so everyone had made the effort and of course we had the bride and groom at our table. The waiters brought some balloons and sang congratulations on the renewal of your wedding vows song.  Becky also got a large cake so we had a big piece each with our coffees, and as there was still over half left, she asked if the waiters would like to have it later.

We excused ourselves at 10pm as we wanted to nip to the Crystal Room to watch the dance teachers perform a ten minute show dance before returning to the dining room to continue the celebrations.