Talbot Tour

Sunday 23th March 2025
Leaving home

With our cases packed it was time for our next adventure. We are on a 12 day cruise to the Canary Islands. This is our first trip from our new home in Lincolnshire. Instead of a 30 minute drive down the M3 we now have a four and a half hour drive to get to the port.

So we are driving to Southampton a day early and having a night in a hotel. We are booked into the Holiday Inn Express near the Southampton junction on the M27.

The drive down was uneventful. We stopped at a garden centre near Didcot for coffee. Arriving in Southampton early we visited a couple of shops before checking in to our hotel.

Monday 24th March 2025
Departing Southampton

After a good night sleep we dropped down for a lazy breakfast. Leaving the hotel we drove to Woolston and parked on Weston Hard for a while before driving back in to the port and Ocean Terminal to board the Sky Princess again. Leaving our car with Cruise Parking we dropped our cases off at the baggage drop and entered the terminal.

Straight to a check-in agent, no queue. With our medallions we were sent through priority boarding and 20 minutes after leaving the car we were on board. Settling in just outside the Crown Grill with a caramel cappuccino, we waited for our room to be cleaned. Watching the safety video on our phones and visiting the muster station we completed the pre-departure requirements.

With our cases delivered to our room we unpacked then took a stroll around the ship. Stopping in the Atrium for another coffee.

After a while we returned to the room for a shower and change of clothes. Clean and refreshed we went back down to the Promenade deck and into the Vista Lounge for Captain's Circle Elite drinks and canapés.

Just enough time for our drinks before our dining reservation in Cielo dining room. Finishing our dinner in time to get good seats for tonights entertainment. A comedian / ventriloquist called Gareth Oliver who was on Britain's Got Talent.

Tuesday 25th March 2025
At Sea

Up for breakfast after a cup of tea in bed. Last night the movement of the ship caused a tapping in the area of the balcony door. We will investigate further during the cruise.

Back downstairs in two quiz sessions. A wine tasting and some monkey bread and it was time to change for dinner. Formal night so best suit and dress.

Down to the lounge for pre-dinner drinks. Arriving at the diningroom on time we were seated. Unfortunately it then took nearly two hours to be served our meals. We got out just in time to get seats for tonights comedy show. He was amusing.

Heading back forward we stopped in at Princess Live for the Yes/ No game show and another cocktail.

Wednesday 26th March 2025
Vigo Spain

When the alarm went off this morning it was too soon as the clocks went forward an hour last night. As we are on a tour today we dropped down to the atrium for breakfast. Sitting in the tea circle it was still quiet so we enjoyed a relaxing coffee.

Just before nine o'clock we made our way to the meeting point for our tour in one of the restaurants. With the microphone not working the staff were having to shout instructions about loading of tour groups. When our group was called we left the ship to board our coach fot the 75 minute drive to Santiago de Compostela.

Arriving at the bus station in Santiago we took the 15 minute walk to the cathederal. Mass was just starting so we walked to the park for a view of town. Back at the cathedral mass was over so we went in. After taking some photos we joined the queue to see the resting place of Saint James. Down into the crypt then back over past his statue.

Walking through town we got a coffee and churios in a local cafe. Martin tested his Spanish with average success. Then back to the main square for the return trip to the ship.

Back on board and sailing shortly after. Coffee in the Atrium then up to the buffet for dinner. We are too tired to bother dressing up for dinner in the resteraunt. So we sat on the outside deck by the Wake Bar area and ate while Vigo slipped astern with the sun shining.

Just as we finished the Captain broadcast "Hands to Flying Stations". I haven't heard that pipe since 1982. This was for a helicopter. We were asked to leave the outside decks for safety reasons, so we retired to the Vista lounge for an evening cocktail.

The helicopter was for a medical evacuation. The patient and their husband were winched up and on their way to hospital.

Then it was show time and an acrobatic act called Duo Fusion. We think we have seen them before with a different act and name, but they were very good.

Thursday 27th March 2025
At Sea

Lazy start. Up for breakfast and then quiz time. 14 out of 20 not bad. Wandering down to the atrium a table became available as we walked past so we sat and ordered coffee. The officers were playing passengers in a game of water pong.

After a while we decided to get some fresh air. Today is a little cooler than yesterday, so it was a little chilly sat on the outside deck.

Back upstairs for a light lunch before dropping back down to the theatre for an enrichment lecture from an ex-para about the Falklands 82. That's 10 decks 170 steps up and 8 decks 134 steps down. Who needs a stepper machine or a treadmill. Returning to the atrium for another coffee. It's very busy so we will see how long it takes, we will just be grateful if it turns up. Well done team, that was less than ten minutes. Time to enjoy the cappuccino with caramel syrup.

After changing for dinner we sat in the Elite lounge for a pre-dinner drink, while Duo Fusion put on a small dance demo performance. Dinner was back to the slick professional process we are used to.

Then back into the Vista Lounge for another performance by Gareth Oliver. Snagging comfortable seats we watched while latecomers had to use the extra stacking chairs that had been put out to increase the seating.

Gareth was even better tonight. Having laughed along it was time to retire and set the alarm clock for tomorrow's outing.

Friday 28th March 2025
Funchal, Maderia, Spain

Shore day today and we are busy. The alarm went off at seven and we went for breakfast in the International Cafe. When the gangway opened we got ashore and hopped on the shuttle bus into town. Joining the queue we soon had tickets for the cable car up to the mountain.

Walking down the lane we got to the second cable car. Getting tickets for this cable car and the botanical gardens we dropped down the other side of the mountain. Strolling around the gardens and taking photos for a while. We made our way back up to the cable car and back up to the top.

Getting tickets for the basket sled ride we joined the two hour queue for our go. The queue would move forward for a while and then stop while we waited for the sleds to be brought back up the hill.

Our turn came and we climbed into the sled for the 2 kilometre ride. That was fun. With a 50 minute walk into town we initially turned down a taxi for €20. Then the taxi driver suggested we share with another couple. That meant €10 each, bargain.

Back down at the market we jumped the shuttle bus back to the ship and grabbed a coffee in the Atrium.

Pre-dinner drinks and dinner in the resteraunt, followed by a "music trivia sing along quiz", then bed.

Saturday 29th March 2025
Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain

Arriving in Teneriffe at 09:00 this morning, so no need to rush. Waking up to a nice sunny day.

We have decided to have a chilling day after yesterday's exploration. It's over a mile walk to the port gates and the same back, with nothing particular that we want to see.

Spent the morning in the Atrium watching the new dancers rehearsing their dances. Moving up to the Wake bar area for lunch and fresh air.

At three o'clock we decided that we couldn't come to Tenerife and not at least walk on it. So slapping on the sun-cream and a hat we left the ship and walked into town. After spending some time exploring the La Alameda square and war memorial, we watched a children's basketball competition that was going on.

Back on board we had time to get cleaned up in time for drinks in the Elite lounge before our dinner reservation.

After dinner we sat in the Vista lounge again for tonights comedian John Ryan. Then off to bed as the clocks go forward an hour tonight.

Sunday 30th March 2025
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain

Another easy day today. We were going to be up early this morning as we had booked another ship's excursion. We have nonrefundable credit to use up so booked a 4x4 Buggy ride. Unfortunately the people who run the tour have cancelled it "due to operational reasons". Oh never mind we will find something else to do.

Walking off the ship and into town we cut through to Playa des las Canteras Beach. We spent some time watching the tourists walking by and traders setting up their stalls. Heading back we found a nice park and sat in the shade of a tree for a while.

Back on board we decided to get a pizza for lunch in Alfredo's Pizzeria. Finding a comfortable chair near the Crown Grill we relaxed after a tough day.

In the evening we ditched the resteraunt because it was Bavarian night in the buffet. Six different wurst, three different schnitzels and sauerkraut. Bavarian cream dough balls for sweet. Nom nom nom lol.

Monday 31st March 2025
Arrecife, Lanzarote, Spain

Breakfast in the sun on the Wake Bar area. Lovely steward arrived with our coffee. We sat and planned the day.

Leaving the ship for the two kilometre walk into town. We crossed to the shady side of the street and lost the crowd. Walking along the sea front to the castle. We decided to look inside and then climbed the short flight of stairs to the roof. Enjoying the breeze for a while we ducked into the back streets of town and wove our way back towards the port.

Stopping for a rest on a shaded section of wall we watched the crowds walking past. Then we wandered past the shops and stalls back to the ship. Back on board we stopped in the Atrium for a well deserved coffee.

After lunch and an icecream sunday in the Atrium, we found sun loungers at the back of the ship and watched the waves while enjoying the afternoon breeze.

After a shower it was time to drop down for pre-dinner drinks and then dinner in Cielo diningroom. Later we watched sunset from the comfort our balcony.

Tuesday 1st April 2025
At Sea

Woke up at eight o'clock and dragged ourselves upstairs for breakfast. Walking back down the eight decks to the Vista lounge for the morning quiz. We did reasonably well, in the top three but no win. Then down a other two decks. We beat another couple to a window seat in the Atrium and got tutted at. Well you get your entertainment where you can lol.

Back up the ten decks to lunch and some fresh air on the Wake bar deck.

Captain's Circle cocktail party in the evening followed by dinner. A quiet day all round as we have seen tonight's show already

After looking at the veiw for a while we went back downstairs to the Vista lounge for the morning quiz. Continuing down to the Atrium we found seats with an American couple by the window. We had fun watching the early birds who went ashore without checking the weather forcast, return to the ship dripping.

At half twelve the rain eased off and we went ashore. Getting past all of the tuk-tuk tours we strolled through the alleyways past the old city wall to the Cathedral. Dodging the trams we made our way to the Praça do Comércio, a large open square with colonnades around three sides, and a statue of King Jose the first.

A rain squall hit so we sheltered in one of the colonnades. After 15 minutes of torrential rain it eased off and stopped. As we walked back to the ship the sun came out again. With cafe staff madly drying tables and chairs, we sat and had a coffee and Pasteis de nata. A local speciality (custard filled tart dusted with cinnamon).

Getting back on board we watched a bowling competition in the Atrium whilst drinking more coffee. One of the players knocked down all the pins and the ball ended up by Jackie. Who picked it up and rolled it back to the member of staff who was resetting the pins. Just as the pins were all set up, Jackie's ball knocked the pins down again, much to the amusement of the other passengers.

Up to the Promenade deck and Princess Live for the afternoon trivia. We did average as usual, unlike the team of six who have now won seven times. Why they want seven wine stoppers each, I will never know. Then we went back to our room to change for sail away. We will sail under the 25th April Bridge and past the statue of Jesus Christ on the way out to sea.

After passing under the bridge we had dinner. There was a special on tonight Philippine dishes. Having never tried it before we tested as many dishes as we could, obviously avoiding the shellfish. We really enjoyed it all.

Moving back downstairs we got seats for tonights comedian, Josh Daniels. He was very funny, then it was time to retire.

Catching sight of a whale, well whale snot from our balcony was nice. Then upstairs to the buffet for dinner. Sitting on the open deck with a meal and a drink before retiring and watching the sunset.

Then grabbing a caramel cappuccino we sat in the Vista lounge for a while. Taking part in the trivia was fun. It was supposed to be the easy questions.

Q) What is the fear of long words?

A) Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

What now? LOL

Then a short walk to the Theatre for today's show "The Voice of the Ocean". Getting seats we realised that we have missed a meal. Oh no we might starve .....NOT.

Time to return to our room to start packing, tomorrow is Southampton. With our cases packed and the first on it's way to the store for unloading. The second is ready except for tonight's clothes when we retire, and then that will be on its way as well.

After dinner we got seats for a second performance by the magician Mark James. In a smaller venue this time, so more close up, slight of hand type magic. Well done though. Returning to our room for the last packing. Ready for departure tomorrow at about eight o'clock.

Saturday 5th April 2025
Arriving Southampton

A windy night. The dividing screen on the balcony was rattling like a..... So at gone midnight Martin made a trip down to Customer service and while he was there he picked up two hot chocolates and some pound cake. After the midnight snack the wind settled enough that we could get to sleep.

We woke at 06:00 when the bow thrusters kicked in to turn the ship before docking. When the alarm went off at 06:30 we were already awake so, up washed and dressed. Clear the room and upstairs for breakfast. Our group is scheduled to depart the ship at approximately 08:00. We are on Horizon Cruise Terminal. Fortunately CPS were made aware and our car is waiting for us.

Collecting our car key we drove out of Southampton and up the M3 to Camberley. We are visiting family on the way home to Lincolnshire.

After a short visit we got back on the road for the 4 hour drive home. Stopping at the local supermarket for some urgent provisions we arrived home at last.

With another fantastic adventure under our belts. It's time to start preparing for the next trip.