well had a brilliant holiday my pc and photobucket are peeing me off at the moment
so picys will follow later.
Crap flight as usual to Dubai only takes six and half hours but it left about nine thirty pm and landed in Dubai at seven pm their time, so we lost a nights sleep. However we were taken to a Hyatt hotel for breakfast and were on the ship for eleven am so managed a snooze before room was ready at two pm.
Lovely ship and staff.
We had the mandatory muster drill before setting sail and then were told we were to have anopther drill the following day called a 'safe haven' drill as we were to sail through the Gulf of Aden - Somali pirate waters.
Having sailed through before when we had a twenty four hour around the ship watch by guards we weren't too bothered.
Gulf of Haden
Having had the drill and knew what to do if the alarm came we just got on with our cruise - the next morning I was in the pool temp was 96F so cooling off was welcome. We already ready knew that for three nights all outside decks were closed and outer lights out until we got through the Gulf of Aden. Things must have changed since our last trip through there!
The announcment was made by the first female captain we have ever had - 'Safe Haven, Safe Haven, Safe Haven boomed over the tannoy. everyone looked blank at each other - the staff were running round looking worried.
We needed to leave all open decks and go to the staircases and landings away from windows. Not an easy one on this ship as it was from the Vision Class and so full of windows
A member of staff was telling another member he had seen the ship 'zig-zagging' which was what we were told would happen should another boat get to close. As we left the pool side the only person left on the deck - was a child!! on a lilo in the pool
The staff were frantically trying to get him to hear them as he splashed around. - where were his parents!!
Anyway the whole thing lasted about fifteen/twenty minutes or so I think and then the captain explained that two boats had come far too close to the ship - but she said 'now I think they will understand'???
At the captains question time a male passenger spoke and told of what he saw at two pm out on deck whilst having a smoke (we had left the GOA by then). Seems he watched a boat come up very close to our ship and 'large black cases' were being off loaded from the ship - the captain I was told didn't give a straight answer as to what they were. We can I suppose draw our own conclusions - and I do know that the ship had security staff who could use weapons
Anyway the rest of the transit through the GOA was peaceful but extremely hot.
We didn't get off at the Egyptian ports having seen what we want to see in that part of the world. One would think that with the antiquities they have they would be amongst the richest in the world - not true though is it!
Alexandria we were told has got 'worse' wouldn't have thought possible!!
We were told by a staff member that he went to buy toiletries using a taxi. He was told that there are very few police as they have had their money cut so many have left. Who protects me asked the staff member - taxi driver shrugged showed him a knife fastened to each side of him and a gun under his seat - I have to protect myself he said!
Suez Canal
Really enjoyed the transit and we were on the opposite side to last time so a different view. Didn't leave our room, had breakfast and lunch on the balcony using room service - Jumping up and down like zebadee taking photos.
Will post some picys later.
