While Pam had done Fred. Olsen cruises before, I was a must-do so in May 2007 we booked this three night trip from the 12th-15th June 2008 on Boudicca with balcony cabin BC 8033. I love these former Royal Viking ships and, after visiting Black Watch in December 2005, was desperate to try one but it just hadn't happened. A few days before booking an opportunity came up with the Ocean Liner Society to visit the ship. If neither of us got a place we'd still be able to explore her at a later date. To me Boudicca was just as beautiful as her sister but with English decor rather than the traditional Scottish on the other ships. She would be the smallest I'd have sailed on so the contrast between her and Independence of the Seas, which I'd done the previous month, would be interesing. The tickets finally arrived a week before departure.
So here was the day. Not the best of weather. We should have been alone in the docks and using City Terminal. However Saga Rose was still there. A crew member had died in the ballast tank the day before and another taken to hospital and all they listed her sailing time for was PM. So Boudicca was changed to QEII Terminal. I was beginning to think the only ship I'd sail from there on was the QE2 but this was between my four trips on her so I had a Bouddy sandwich! It was flipping cold and windy on the ferry going over. Still Hotspur IV - yes!!!! Great Expectations was having a major overhaul and not expected back for another month - boo! Hotspur's the best for taking photos and outside deck space which is perfect during the few summer days we get. |
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