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Cruising
On Aurora ~ 1
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Click on images to enlarge
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| Arriving
at the Mayflower Terminal our luggage was immediately whisked
away. Embarkation was not due to start until 2.30 but at 1.30
the terminal was already humming with anticipation. With the
obligatory 'Welcome Aboard' photograph taken, ticket and passport
formalities were quickly completed and after a surprisingly
short wait we were able to pass through security and board.
Stepping onto the ship you enter the bottom of the four deck
high atrium with full length water feature - Aurora really is
designed to not disappoint on first impressions! |
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| Smartly
dressed stewards stood in line anxious to take our hand luggage
and show us to our cabin. Arriving at our cabin we immediately
noticed one of our suitcases had beaten us to it! The other
arrived shortly thereafter, brought along by our cabin steward
who explained his duties and inquired as to what time we would
like to be woken each day and with what (tea, coffee, juice,
continental breakfast). Should you wish to have a 'lay in' the
customary 'Do Not Disturb' hangs on the back of the cabin door. |
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With
the unpacking complete we had a short time to explore the
ship before being called to emergency drill and muster stations
- about the only thing which is compulsory on board. With
the drill finishing shortly before five and the ship sailing
at five, we just had time to 'dump' our life jackets in the
cabin before going out onto the Promenade Deck for our departure.
The band played on the quayside below whilst bar stewards
poured glasses of champagne.
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| As
soon as Captain Steve Burgoyne had finished his pre-departure
announcement the mooring ropes were let go and we edged off
the birth. Only once we were some way clear of the birth were
streamers handed out - something tells me that Southampton Port
Authority are tired of clearing them up from the quayside! |
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And so
the pattern of shipboard life started. The cruise we were
on was entitled 'Mediterranean Magic' - three days at sea
then daily calls at Barcelona, Cannes, Elba, Civitavecchia
(for Rome), a further day and a half at sea before an afternoon
call at Gibraltar, an then finally two further days at sea
before arrival back in Southampton.
Weather
in the UK had been unseasonably poor and similarly in the
Mediterranean - would this be 'magic'? Certainly if the bright
evening sun and calm seas of the Solent were anything to go
by we were certainly in for a treat.
Outside
Areas
Aurora's open deck spaces are well planned for less than perfect
weather. Glass screens help to protect the Sun Deck from the
wind and similarly the terraces at the stern of the ship provide
natural protection - indeed this area really is quite a sun-trap
cascading down to the Terrace Pool and Bar; primarily an area
for families with children (the children's areas are adjacent)
this are was used and enjoyed by all on our cruise.
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Promenade Deck encircles the ship completely, is pleasingly
wide and is teak (like much of the outside deck areas). 3.2
times round is a mile - ideal for the pre-breakfast jog to work
up an appetite - or that after breakfast walk round to convince
yourself you are doing something about the weight you are putting
on! Many of the public rooms are situated on this deck and so
it is similarly ideal for an after dinner stroll, a breath of
fresh air between the evening's entertainment or that final
walk before retiring for the night. |
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Riviera Pool nestles two decks below the Sun Deck on a A Deck
and once again the terraces down to it provide shelter from
any wind and make those little sun traps. |
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However
it is the Crystal Pool that is the real innovation for a ship
sailing from Southampton. In poor weather a large glass skydome
covers the pool and surrounding area giving that sun room
feel to the whole area and effectively making the Crystal
Pool and indoor pool. This can be retracted in less than five
minutes making the area once again outdoor. With early morning
showers and chill winds this proved very useful for the first
few days of our cruise.
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For further
information on Aurora and P&O Cruises click
here: 
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