Crossing the North Atlantic

The seasoned cruisers amongst you will have to skip this bit – it’ll be all old hat to you. 

We joined Borealis in Southampton on 7th January 2024, and many thanks to our elder daughter Sarah for offering to taxi us there – what a treat to have some ‘daughter’ time at the beginning of our exciting trip.  Within an hour, we were finding our way around our ‘home’ for the next three months.  We are delighted with our very comfortable cabin – and yes, we’ve found a place for everything!

Our comfortable cabin

Our balcony view

Six full days at sea have allowed us to get into the swing of life onboard.  There are SO many activities offered, that one simply cannot get to them all – there are clashes (just like the u3a!), so priorities must be chosen.  Activities in the fitness area have been curtailed for the last two days – so no yoga, and no gym sessions.  Even the walking deck was closed yesterday.  It IS January and we ARE crossed the North Atlantic, so high seas are to be expected. Despite my worries about my past record with sea sickness, I’ve only succumbed on one afternoon, but I’m happy to say that an Echinacea tablet (of all things) has sorted the problem.  (take note anyone who suffers) Meanwhile, everyone staggers around as if drunk (and some probably are!) 

We thoroughly enjoy the many lectures that are offered – from history to wildlife, it’s all covered.  There is a daily cookery demonstration by one of the 96 (yes 96!) chefs onboard (we’ve learnt to skip breakfast if attending the cookery demo, as you’re handed a plate full of whatever has been cooked to sample at the end.) Morning coffee is always a joy in one of the many lounges onboard – one of the many chances to get chatting to whoever is nearby.  A good walk around Deck 3 is a must  – three times around equals a mile – filling the lungs with sea air (and sometime a load of spray as well!) sets us up for the day. 

Deck 3 Walking Area

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Choppy Seas

We’ve both taken great pleasure in joining the Borealis choir.  Yes, even yours truly has found a voice – the choir leader is great fun, and the 80 of us have a good laugh.  We meet daily, and during rough weather have had to sit down.  Trying to sing through one song today standing up, the ship rolled suddenly and quite a few of us were thrown back into our seats! We hope to perform four concerts as we circumnavigate the globe.

 The food is every bit as good as everyone has promised us – the crew just couldn’t be more cheerful and helpful.  8 months on and 3 months off, working every day – and they never lose their smile!

And finally the evening entertainment – FANTASTIC. Borealis has its own theatrical dancing group who are very professional.  This week we’ve had a really good Soul group singing the songs that we all know – all this despite the stage, screen and curtains being thrown around by the sea swell!  The ship’s pantomime was hilarious complete with one of the entertainment managers performing as Widow Twanky in Aladdin.  6 inch chunky heels on a stage that was tipping from one side to the other was no mean feat!

We’re just about to berth in Bermuda - watch this space.

14 thoughts on “Crossing the North Atlantic”

  1. Lovely to hear from you even if I feel slightly sea sick reading it! Glad the onboard entertainment, choir and food are all up to scratch – enjoy Bermuda!
    Its been a glorious day here today but I think we are in for a cold and possibly snowy week. xx

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  2. What a wonderful summary of your first week at see. Having worked for 9 years on cross channel hovercraft I am quite good on rough seas and it sounds as though you coped well (Marilyn) well done. It looks as though the Atlantic was quite rough. However now as you approach Bermuda and dry land the seas should calm down and you will be feeling some warmth. Spare a thought for us in Blighty as we are suffering extremely low temps with a threat of some white stuff. I look forward to your next instalment. Have fun. 🤗

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  5. Oh Marilyn it all sounds fantastic! You picked the right time to be away from here, BITTERLY cold, 1 deg. and -2 at night. I found a black knitted “beanie” hat for a fiver, in the garage when I stopped for Petrol this morning, it has a fleece lining and I wore it inside the house, it is so cold. So glad you had only 1 afternoon of being wobbly. And you are actually in a choir! Amazing! On Saturday, I went in to Gloucester, and to the folk museum, where there was Morris dancing, and Apple Wassailing and there was to be some singing, but there were about 20 musicians also, and when they get together, one tune follows another and us singers didn’t get a look in. A pity, as I had a song from the late Nina Simone, more jazz than folk, and the only song about apples that I have in my repertoire, a reworking of the story of Adam & Eve – “Eve & Adam had a garden, Everything was great, ‘Til one day a voice said “Pardon – Miss, my name is Snaaaake”.

    So enjoying hearing from you, and looking forward to the next blog. Sheelagh Maloney has had her email hacked, so I am working through Julie’s email, and she is trying to sort it out. Much love – Sheelagh A.

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  6. Glad you have found your sea legs and getting involved with life on board ship. Interested that you have joined the ships choir . A potential new border belles recruit?
    We are just leaving barbados on route to Dominica. Miss sea days but visited some amazing islands and done some amazing things. Just west of barbados so sending a wave 👋

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  7. All sounds wonderful Marilyn! So glad it’s living up to every one of your expectations! Keep up the blogging so that we can enjoy your travels and experiences vicariously!
    Any Spanish conversation classes on offer I wonder?!
    Nadine
    X

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  10. It all sounds amazing. I’m glad you found your “sea legs”. I’m sure that you and Peter are having the best time.

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  11. Am so pleased – and relieved – that your first week has gone so well. I was fearing you would not find your sea legs so easily. Carry on enjoying the cruise! Julian

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