If you have half an hour to spare, pour yourself a drink and settle down, I hope you enjoy my review
Artemis Eastern Med & Egypt - 26 nights Ancient History Cruise - October 2009
Sunday 4th October
Travel down to Bournemouth to stay with nephew overnight prior to cruise, have a lovely walk on the sea front and an Italian meal at night
Monday 5th October - at sea
After a leisurely drive to Southampton, arrive at dock and its very quiet, very quick an efficient check in and are on board by 1pm. Make our way to the Conservatory for lunch and at 2 pm our cabins are ready. A nice leisurely afternoon unpacking and head for the prom deck for sail away. Dinner tonight and I’m impressed as when we were on Artemis in January we spoke to the restaurant Manager and we gave him 4 table numbers that we would like on this cruise and hey presto we have been allocated our first choice, a table for 8 at the front of the restaurant. Meet our table companions, a couple, 2 sisters and an uncle & niece, all seem very pleasant.
Tuesday 6th October - at sea
I attend the Oasis spa introduction and Stuart goes to the first talk by the Civilisation theme guest, afterwards we meet up and go to the quiz in Horizons, followed by lunch in the conservatory. The afternoon we had a nice siesta before getting ready for our first formal night, the Captains Gala dinner, Free drinks etc in starlights before dinner, which was lovely, we both had Lobster Maine, delicious.
Headliners show in the theatre tonight was Made in Britain and was very good.
Wednesday 7th October - at sea
Up and doing a mile around the prom deck before breakfast, then mid morning went to the gym for an hour. Lunch in the conservatory then Stuart went to Starlights for an art lesson with Robert Newcombe, this is the first of 5 lessons and apparently we should be taking home 3 pictures that Stuart has painted (much cheaper than going to the Art auction, lol.
Semi-informal tonight. International lounge after dinner, Adrian Walsh - Irelands Ambassador of Comedy, a really funny guy, had a great evening.
Thursday 8th October - at sea
Much the same as yesterday, another lazy day at sea, I went to the stretch and relax class while Stu went to his art class this afternoon, actually saw land tonight as we passed through the Straits of Gibraltar. Semi formal tonight. Went to Starlights tonight with our table companions to the Race night, great fun and all out of pocket!!
Friday 9th October - at sea
Our last sea day after the long haul round. I went to the line dancing this morning, then found the delights of the laundrette this afternoon, while Stu went to his art class.
Formal night tonight, Oh another chance to dress up!! Headliners tonight - Another opening, another show, they really are very good.
Saturday 10th October - Palma, Mallorca
Finally we have a port day, although we have thoroughly enjoyed the sea days. We caught the free shuttle bus into Palma, visited the Cathedral, which is something else, a lovely city meandered around for a couple of hours, stopping en route for café con leche, got back onboard at 2.30pm, had a late lunch in the conservatory, then Stu set his tripod up on the prom deck to get some shots of Palma Cathedral & MV Aurora, who is also in port with us. Joined in the sail away party round the Riviera pool, great fun.
Smart casual tonight, Star cabaret Iris Williams O.B.E. in the International lounge tonight, who was excellent.
Sunday 11 October - at sea
At sea again, had a lay in this morning, just managed to get to the Coral restaurant in time for breakfast, then I went off to the line dancing before lunch. Lunch up in the Conservatory, then Art class for Stu and I decided to have a go at the craft class ( beading), toughly enjoyed this, am making a necklace, some gorgeous pieces you can make.
Semi-formal tonight, after diner went to the cinema to see Angles and Demons. Starring Tom Hanks, Ewan Mcgregor.
Monday 12 October - at sea
Our last sea day for awhile, we are about to hit 6 ports in a row. 1 mile round the deck after breakfast, art class for Stuart and beading for me this afternoon.
Formal night tonight so all suited and booted for dinner in the coral restaurant, decided to have an early night, as a hectic 6 days ahead, so nightcap in tiffany’s with 4 of your dinner companions.
Tuesday 13th October - Piraeus, Greece
Up early today for a tour to the Acropolis & Plaka, abit overcast today and forecast rain!!! Celebrity Solstice and Ibero cruise ships were also docked, so very busy at the Acropolis, we were very lucky it started to rain as we were coming away, spent a couple of hours in Athens, meandering around the shops.
Smart/casual/fiesta tonight, so bright dress and shirt for us, arranged to go to the conservatory to the Indian buffet with some people we have met on board, thoroughly enjoyed this, then went to see Adrian Walsh, (comedian) in the International lounge, a very funny man.
Wednesday 14th October - Kusadasi, Turkey
Another early start, off on a tour to Ephesus, Turkish Bath & Massage!! 3 other ships docked today, Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox & Pullmantar. Fabulous tour of Ephesus and the Sun is shining, what an amazing place, then off to the Turkish Bath and Massage, amazing fun, we were a small group of only 14 and oh we feel so clean and Soft!!! Had a walk round the port area this afternoon, lots of shops, bought my granddaughters pressies.
Semi formal tonight, have a Harvey Wall banger cocktail in Tiffanies before dinner, another good meal and plenty of laughter tonight.
Thursday 15th October - Rhodes
A delightful port, we were joined by 4 other ships today, MSC Armonia, Costa Romantica, Athena and Celebrity Solstice again, think she’s following us!! Got the shuttle bus into Rhodes old town and walked for miles, walked all the way round the old walls, which was great, had lunch in a lovely Greek restaurant, obviously Greek Salad and then meandered around the inside of the old walls, it was very busy here today. Back on aboard about 3.30pm. Caught up with the laundry this afternoon before sail away.
Semi-informal tonight, went to the show, the Headliners doing ‘Les Girls’ as ever they were fantastic.
Friday 16th October - Limmasol, Cyprus
Well today we are doing a tour - Nicosia Highlights, visiting Stu’s birthplace (was an army babe) and he’s not been back since he was 3 years old!! Visited the Cyprus Archaeological Museum and the Bishops Palace, lunch was Pitta bread with Greek cheese, salad & tomatoes, we then had 2 hours free, so we walked down Ledra Street, last time Stu was there he was in a pushchair. It was nice and quiet in Limmasol today, only ourselves and a small Cypriot cruise liner (Salamis Glory).
Semi-formal tonight and an early show Iris Williams, who was superb, then early night ready for a very early start, our tour is 13hours!!!!
Saturday 17th October - Port Said, Egypt
Up at 5.45 am, a long day ahead, after a quite smooth 3 hour coach journey we arrive in Cairo, quite an eye opener, so much filth and rubbish everywhere. First stop the Egyptian Museum, very crowded and hot (no air conditioning in here) managed to see the important artefacts, King Tutankhamen treasure etc, was glad to get out, it was stifling. Next stop lunch at Mena House |Hotel, is situated at foot of Pyramids, excellent lunch and a beautiful hotel, then on to the Pyramids, wow what a sight they are enormous, took the usual photos and had 20 minutes to wander round before getting back on the coach to head to the Sphinx, another 20 minutes there to look around, before heading back into Cairo to visit a Papyrus Institute. Then it was time to head back in convoy with police escorts to the ship. Arrived back at 8.15 pm, quick shower then down to dinner, thank goodness its smart casual tonight. Gave the show a miss and collapsed into bed.?
Sunday 18th October - Alexandria, Egypt
Stu had woken up this morning with a sore and swollen face, so we are glad we are not doing a tour. After breakfast we decide to go ashore, a lovely port area, met lots of people coming back to the ship who had got to the port gates and been truly hassled and put off going into Alexandria, but we are made of sterner stuff!! Negotiate a taxi and have a 2 hour tour, visited the Bibliotheca Alexandrina with its library and archaeological museums, then on to Montaza Gardens and the Palace, next stop the Qait Bey Fort and Lighthouse. Returned to the ship about 1 pm for lunch. Stu’s face getting worse, now looks like he gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. Early evening we decide Stu will have to visit the medical centre, so off we go to Formosa Deck, a deck we have been fortunate to have not seen before. See Dr and he says Stu had a deep root abscess, ouch!! No wonder he is so much pain, anyway Dr decides to attack it aggressively and prescribes 2 sorts of anti-biotics and pain killers, so £104 lighter and no alcohol for 9 days!!!! Stu is pretty miserable.
Smart Casual tonight and we are invited for drinks to our table companions cabin, which was lovely, another good meal in the restaurant and the Headliners are on in the International lounge - I write the songs, they really are very good, oh we are looking forward to our day at sea tomorrow, its been a hectic 6 days.
Monday 19th October - at Sea
Stu’s face quite distorted today, hope these antibiotics will kick in soon, a lazy morning, Art class for Stu in the afternoon and beading for me, making a bracelet to match the necklace I made. Stu quite poorly this afternoon, spent most of it in bed, although bless him, he made the effort to go to dinner, which was a formal night, although he couldn’t fasten the neck of his dress shirt, as his neck is now very swollen, our dinner companions were impressed that he had made it to dinner. An early night for us.
Tuesday 20th October - Katakolon
Thank goodness, Stu slept all night and his face looks so much better and the pain is subsiding. Had a leisurely breakfast, before tendering to Katakolon, there are 3 ships in with us today, Costa Serena, Costa Mediterraneana, & Holland & America Prinsendam, so was quite busy ashore. The 2 Costa ships left at 1 pm so Artemis was then able to dock. We spent the morning meandering around the lovely port, stopping for coffee and watched the world go by.
Semi formal tonight, after dinner went to the International lounge to see Clem Curtis (formerly Clem Curtis and the Foundations) really enjoyed this show, brought me back to my teenage years of soul music.
Wednesday 21st October, Messina, Scilly
No tour booked today, so we shall do our own thing and only Artemis docked here today, after a leisurely breakfast we take a long, steep and windy walk up to Sacrame di Cristo, wow the views up here are terrific, Got back down into the town just in time (12 noon) to the Basilica Cater ale di Messina, the campanile holds one of the largest clocks in the world with a series of figures which perform tricks every day at 12 noon. The lion at the top moves the standard it holds, wags it tail and roars, then the crow crows and flaps its wings & two girls who represent the real ones who saved the city from a Saracen attack, ring bells. Below them the ambassadors of Messina pass in front of the virgin, bowing and preceded bu an angel bearing a letter, next come Jesus & the Apostles, followed by a model of the church of Ave Maria, below is a skeleton of death with a scythe and the four ages of man passing by, right at the bottom there are chariots which move every 24 hours, was great fun to watch. After this we went into town and had pizza, followed by the best ice cream I have ever had.
Smart casual tonight, We opted for sirloin steak and it was delicious and so tender. International lounge show was comedy impressionist Steve Tandy, we cried laughing, he was so funny.
Thursday 22nd October, Naples
Up early, breakfast in the conservatory as we have an early tour this morning to Pompeii, although still 21 degrees the weather doesn’t look promising! And looks like its going to be busy, 2 Celebrity ships in, Equinox & Century, 1 RCL and 1 Oceania, and we have a grotty berth in the industrial part of the docks takes 40 minutes by coach to reach Pompeii, looks like rain, but we hoping not, our guide was very good and oh what a place, so big, next we called at a cameo factory, would have preferred more time at the site than visit the factory. We were so lucky the heavens opened just as we finished the tour.
Back to the ship for lunch and its rained heavily all afternoon, glad we chose the morning tour and not the afternoon one, there’s some very wet folks getting back onboard. We spent the afternoon in our cabin, Stu sorted all the photos on to the laptop, I visited the laundry, then spent some time updating this review. Hope the weather is better tomorrow as we have a full day in Rome. Semi formal tonight and the Headliners are back on in the International lounge doing F-ABBA-ULOUS, another great show.
Friday 23rd October, Civitavecchia, Italy
Busy in port today, we are joined by Ocean Village, MSC Splendida, Quail Gemini, RCL Legend of the Seas, & Celebrity Equinox. Up early today and we have a tour - Rome on your own, we did the big escorted tour to Rome 18 months ago, so this time we thought we’d go see the things we missed last time, arrived in Rome at 9.30 am, were dropped off at Flaminio, from there we caught the Metro down to the Colosseum, then visited the Roman Forum, The Piazza Venezia, before reaching The Pantheon, then we had a lovely lunch in The Piazza Llavona of Buscetta, Spaghetti & Ice cream. In the afternoon we made our way the Spanish Steps, passing all the expensive shops, Gucci, Dior, Prada etc. Stu saw a scarf that took his eye, but at 550 euros!!, decided to give it a miss, finally we arrived at Piazza Popolo, where we had a coffee, before returning to Flaminio for 3.45 pm for our return coach back to Civitavecchia. A lovely day. Originally we had planned to go to Rome under our own steam, ie train, but today there is a transport strike on.
Smart Casual tonight, so off for a nice meal in the Coral dining room, gave the shows a miss tonight and enjoyed a lovely chat in Tiffany’s with our table companions.
Saturday 24th October - at Sea
Well we are rocking and rolling today, a force 9 gale, so gave the line dancing a miss!! and we are tired from all the walking yesterday. Stu went to art class this afternoon and also it was Chocoholics buffet this afternoon, oh such pure indulgence. 4 pm and I have my spa treat, nails, hair and makeup, ready for tonight which is Formal - Black & White, I do love this formal when I can wear my favourite dress.
Sunday 25th October - Valencia, Spain
Not too busy in port today, we are joined by MSC Melody. The sun is out today, meet another couple in the atrium and get the shuttle bus into Valencia, takes about 20 minutes, a lovely city, lots of green areas and lovely squares, just have a nice walk around, see the cathedral and have a cool drink in the square. Return to the ship about 2.30pm, then do as the Spanish do and have a nice siesta!! Smart/Casual/ 60’s & 70’s night - the show is early for us 2nd sitting diners, The Headliners present The Swing Sixties, a fabulous show, I was even propositioned by The King!!! Then off to diner, must say the diner was not up the usual standard tonight. After dinner we head up top to the 60’s/70’s party, it was great fun, dancing till 1am.
Monday 26th October - at Sea
A late start today and I have woken up with a sore throat/cold, so not feeling up to par. The ship’s seamstress visits our cabin at 10am (I bought a pair of trousers yesterday which need shortening) she will bring them back at 6pm, can’t knock that, very good service. We go to the Atrium at 10.30 for Artemis uncovered, very interesting, lots of back room information from the Engine room, security, hotel department and catering, apparently so far we have consumed 36,000 eggs, 750kg of bacon and used 4200 toilet rolls!! (not just the 2 of us!!) After this we meet some friends and have coffee and a muffin. This afternoon Stu goes to the art class and I have a lovely sleep, (feeling pretty rough now).
3.30pm we go to the International lounge to see Behind the scenes - the inner workings and secrets of the Headliners theatre company, absolutely fascinating.
Formal tonight - and Steve Tandy, comedian in on after dinner in the International lounge, although we enjoyed his show, it was not as good as his first one..
Tuesday 27th October - Cadiz, Spain
Only Artemis in port today, I’m feeling much better today so we decide to do the tourist hop on hop off bus, which was very good, stopped off at the cathedral, which was constructed in 1722, we walked up to the top of the bell tower, the views of Cadiz were amazing then had a coffee in the square, returned to the ship for lunch, then back on the hop on hop off bus up to El Cortes Ingles (Spanish department shop, was very good, didn’t buy anything!!
Semi formal tonight, after dinner the Headliners did Live n’ swinging, songs from Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra etc.
Wednesday 28th October - Lisbon, Portugal
Take the shuttle bus into Lisbon, a lovely city, have a long walk around before returning to Artemis. Have afternoon tea in the conservatory, lovely scones with cream & jam, before going up to the Riviera Pool for the Great British Sailaway.
Smart Casual tonight, our waiters present us with the menus from our cruise. Clem Curtis on in the International lounge, thoroughly enjoyed his shows.
Thursday 29th October - at Sea
A busy day for both of us, we have enjoyed the art and craft classes, so much to do on sea days the program of events has been very good. Also we start the packing!!
Formal Tonight and 2 shows!! Chris Marques & Jaclyn Spencer (3 x world salsa champions and also choreographers and coaches from Strictly did a demonstration in starlights before dinner, then after dinner the Headliners are back with World steps ( a whistle stop tour of dance around the globe).
Friday 30th October - at Sea
Our final day, meet for coffee with our table companions and have a lovely chat, The Captain announces this morning that they have a problem with one of the engines so we will be late getting into Southampton, fortunately the Bay of Biscay is very calm. This afternoon there was an exhibition of everyone’s art work, was pretty impressed , our table companions all came to see Stu’s work!! Think they were surprised by his efforts, and also an exhibition of the glass beading, some lovely pieces of jewellery made. Late afternoon we finish the packing before going down for our final dinner which was Halloween themed, the restaurant was all decked out with cobwebs, balloons etc.
Smart casual tonight - after dinner Bruce Morrison presents An Invitation to the Oscars, he is a very talented guy and he is also the Musical Director to the whole Headliners Company on all the P & O ships.
Saturday 31stt October - Disembark
We arrive at Southampton 2 hours late, but it made a leisurely disembarkion for us, collect car and drive home.
Well to finish, we have had a great cruise, been to 14 different ports in 10 countries, had leisurely sea days, and 26 wonderful nights, now know we can do a worldie (when funds allow!!), met some great folks and had lots of laughs. Artemis is quite noisy and looking tired, more so than when we were on her in January this year. The captain was not as good as on previous cruises, he was not very visible and the only elation in his voice was when he told us where he had been riding his bike on port days, but hey she’s such a friendly ship and we have had a ball. The entertainment was first class and the food was very good. Our cabin steward was excellent, unobtrusive but efficient, never failed to supply us with ice and lemon each evening. I think this will be our last trip on Artemis as she has been sold, although she has been leased back by P & O till 2011, she will be sadly missed by many P & O regulars who like the smaller ships. We have been on Arcadia & Ventura so fancy trying Aurora or Oriana next. And look forward to more happy cruising in the future. (funds permitting!! He says!! I say watch this space!!)
