The cruise started in Southampton and after the leaving the English Channel we turned South through a relatively calm Bay of Biscay.
Weather forecast: Mostly cloudy, a couple of showers; 21°C or 70°F; Sunrise 5:04am / Sunset 9.01pm
Our seven day cruise on Sapphire Princess took us from Southampton to La Coruna, Bilbao, Le Verdon, St. Peter Port and finally back to Southampton.
Day 1 Southampton – Saturday, 25th May 2019
Driving down to Southampton on a bank holiday weekend was never going to be easy. The M3 was one long traffic jam with only occasional miles of free moving traffic. We entered the port nearly 2 1/2 hours later at Gate 20. The roads around the container port were empty so we were soon almost at the terminal.
We were so late that the queue started on the approach road. After 10 minutes we were in one of the three lanes of cars waiting to unload at the terminal. While we waited we watched a people carrier simply turn down and avoid all the queues. The marshals ran up and pointed out the queue and told them to leave.
After of waiting a few minutes the people carrier slowly moved further down the terminal and joined another line of cars waiting to be unloaded. This time two marshalls approached and pointed out the exit and the queue. They stood and waited until the car totally left the terminal and came back to join the queue. This was more excited than usual at the Mayflower terminal
Once inside the terminal, passenger passenger embarkation was in full swing. After checking in and we were soon through security, had our photos taken by the ship’s security and in our room. Amazingly all three cases were parked outside in the corridor.
Onboard the Sapphire Princess
We were too late to have lunch at the International Cafe in the Atrium and instead ate in the Plaza buffet on the 14th. The chicken and vegetable curries were excellent both helped by the breaded prawns. I went over the top on my first lunch on board and finished with a bread-and-butter pudding.
Unpacking was the next job and we were helped along by the latest Robin Hood remake on the TV. The cabins had been updated since our last cruise on Sapphire and now had wall mounted flat-screen TVs. The A/V system probably had also been upgraded as the movie didn’t pause once unlike on our last cruise.
Leaving Southampton
The safety briefing was scheduled for 3.45 pm and by 4 pm we were listening to the Captain’s live broadcast welcoming us onboard. Then we had the recorded safety briefing, singing and all. Space was at a premium in Sabatinis and we were lucky to get seated. We chatted to our neighbours and we learnt that such briefings had not happened on their recent river cruise which was a bit of a surprise.
Sapphire Princess was much later than planned leaving Southampton We could hear the ship’s band playing around the Lido pool and we went up to Deck 15. We watched the ship spin in the dock basin. We then played table football and table tennis in the mezzanine of the covered pool.
The ship was by then close to the Isle of Wight and I watched as we sailed close by.
The perfume shop had 10% off on all purchases over $100 for the first couple of days on the cruise. Taking advantage of the offer was difficult as as the shelves were not as well stocked with many items missing.
Back in our cabin we had time to finish watching The Robin Hood movie. Then we went down to the Atrium and picked up a bleeper for a wait for our table for dinner. We had plenty of time to sit in the Atrium and start our drinks before the buzzer went off.
Dinner in the Savoy restaurant
The Savoy restaurant was full as we walked to our table. Myles was pleased as spring rolls were on the starters choices. To these I added Caesar salad before an onion and steak pie.
Our server cut off the pie tops and then brought our extra chips and optional extra vegetables. A piece of New York cheesecake and a cup of tea rounded off the meal.
Overnight he ship’s clocks would be set to Spanish time.
From the Cruise Log
Southampton – Saturday, 25th May 2019
After spending the day moored alongside in Southampton, and with all of our guests onboard, the Bridge team and Technical personnel on watch was preparing the vessel for departure. At 16:39 the pilot boarded the vessel and at same time the Officer of the Watch informed the Engine Control Room to ‘Stand by below’. The Bridge, Engine Control Room and Mooring Decks were all manned for maneuvering.
By 15:57 the authorities had granted Sapphire Princess departure clearance and at 16:52 all pre-departure checks had been completed, the ship’s Master was informed that the vessel was safe to proceed to sea. It is at this point that the Master takes the final decision of -whether or not to sail. By 16:58 the final mooring lines had been let go from the quay side, known as
Once we disembarked our marine pilot at 19:21 we set east-southeasterly course into the English Channel and entered the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). In the TSS we proceeded on an easterly heading.
At Noon
Position: Southampton
Sky: 3/8
Air Temperature: 22.7°C / 72.9°F
Pressure: 1016.0 mbs.
Wind: West-South-Westerly, Force 4
Sea: Calm