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I'd been toying with doing a review, especially as it was my second trip on the Aurora, but feared it wouldn't really be accurate because it wasn't a holiday cruise but a three-day floating conference.
A UK firm called Richmond Events charters P&O ships to hold a series of conferences each year.
It sails from Southampton and anchors just off St Peter Port, Guernsey, for a couple of days before returning.
There are no port calls and no ship entertainment because we're all meant to be working. And because the ship is only half occupied, entirely by delegates at the conference one-to-a-cabin, I believe many of the cruise staff get a few days off in Southampton because the staff/pax ratio is almost one to one.
So there is virtually no "atmosphere" on the ship for the conference. Most of the recreation facilities are closed, and only the revenue-generating bits (shops, bars and casino, and salon for the handful of female delegates) remain open.
The nightclub was hilarious, a handful of Richmond girls and female delegates, surrounded by a hundred bald-headed, pot-bellied, dinner-suited and desperate blokes!
BUT with no proper pax in the way, it was a good chance to see the ship.
Cabins are easily as good as Explorer/Voyager/CostaAtlantica, all with a good size bathroom and ample storage. Small casino, only two roulette and two blackjack tables and a few slots -- clearly aimed more at Brits than slot-loving Yanks.
Something like ten bars on the ship, all well appointed and spacious. A good well-equipped theatre with hardly any restricted views. Two restaurants, simply furnished. A couple of shops, one which seemed dedicated to selling tuxedos and ballroom dresses.
Moving fore and aft can be confusing: a couple of decks are blocked by the atrium so you are obliged to go up or down a deck, and the casino area is set on the diagonal so you end up on the other side of the ship without realising.
Most peculiar thing for me was the muster station arrangements. Forward muster station was the theatre -- in emergency, drill or real, you go to the theatre and then they'll lead you to a lifeboat if necessary. They said this was to save pax having to stand about in inclement conditions outside, but I don't quite follow the logic. Any opinions?
The ship's condition was immaculate. Every surface spotless.
My housekeeper went on an Aurora cruise round the Med a couple of weeks ago and had a great time, but said the average age was quite old.
quote:Originally posted by sread:Sorry hallsuk2, both my trips were conferences. But I'll get a full report from my housekeeper tomorrow (I am paying her too much!) and let you know...
Steve, we have all been patiently waiting for three years now!
I wonder how hallsuk's holiday went?
Which reminds me, I suppose I ought to write up my Legend stuff at some point. Before 2008.
Cafe Bordeaux is much like Cafe Jardin on Oceana and Al Fresco's on Oriana. 24 hours, salad, soup, panini's, pizza's etc.
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