Oceana (II) Weekender
With the lure of the maiden voyage for Ventura, P&O's new Grand class Princess on the 18th April 2008, Pam and I decided to book the weekender on Oceana departing the same day when they went on sale on the 2nd May 2007.  We decided on cabin balcony L351 so would have a perfect view of Ventura passing!  Pam didn't believe me Ventura would go first but maidens always do.  At least I'm hoping so for Independence of the Seas!  The QE2 was also due in that day, returning at the end of her world cruise, although at the time of booking we had no idea it would be her last one.  Originally due to have a refit in Bremerhaven as usual, the latter half was cancelled and a new cruise added in August.  We had no idea what would happen but speculated she could be staying put for a wet dock in Southampton.  I was very curious about Oceana even though Pam wasn't really keen on the Sun class Princess ships.  While waiting down the marina for Freedom of the Seas two years earlier I was shown some photos which sparked my interest.  The balance was paid on the 22nd February and, unlike American passengers, the fuel supplement wasn't added surruptiously to ours.  Phew! The day arrived.  Ventura was already in port, having been there since the 13th and was named on the 16th by Dame Helen Mirren using partially pre-recorded video of the Royal Marines smashing the bottles perfectly when one didn't.  The QE2 was due in for 7am, Oceana an hour later.  I got up to see them return.
Oceana had returned from refit on the 10th, her first cruise on the 11th.  The Portunus magazine noted the changes including Slumberland mattresses.  The weather was not exactly wonderful for setting sail.  It was mainly misty but had rained before I'd left the house.  The 10.15am bus didn't even turn up and we're guessing the one which did at 10.50am was the one due fifteen minutes earlier.  It was so packed there was barely even standing room.  Despite the cold and wind I decided to stay outside on the ferry as I wanted to see Lizzie's waterline.  It had been in such a shocking state when she was in Los Angeles just nineteen days before and some people said it was looking fine when she was in New York on the 12th.  I doubted that as they'd hardly spend money when she had an imminent wet dock.  The water was quite choppy making it difficult to take photos so I did the best I could.  At least it wasn't raining!
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			(C) Copyright Patricia Dempsey 18th-20th & 25th April 2008 Not to be reproduced without permission