Manners maketh the cruise passenger |
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Reviewed By: Wynne, Denham on 2nd Jul 2009
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| Cruise Line: P&O Cruises |
Times cruised before: 3-5 |
| Cruise Ship: Artemis |
Sailed:
June,
2009 |
| Destination: Norwegian Fjords |
Age: 56-65 |
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We have jusrt returned from a cruise on the Artemis with P & O, to Norway, Iceland, the Isle of Man and Dublin.
The ship is smaller than we have previously sailed on, and the cruise was a few days longer than our usual cruises.
Firstly, the ship. It is an older ship, smaller than we are used to, but very easy to get around. Bars were plentiful, and the casino were happy to accept my loan, to be repaid the next time I sail with them. Now I know that the Artemis is an adults only ship, and that the average age of the passengers was around 70 or so, but I do have to say, I have never sailed on a ship where a small minority of older passengers displayed such rude behaviour, and very little regard for their fellow passengers or indeed the staff. Thwe way that a number of these passengers ordered the staff around, meant that I felt obliged to step in and say something. Further perhaps the older generation have forgotten the use of the words "Thank You" when having a door held opened for them.
Unfortunately the International Lounge, where the Headliners ( the show team) held their shows was hopelessly inadequate to deal with the number of passnegers, and again I have to refer to the older generation who saved seats with a avengeance, even to the extent that one disabled passenger was refused a seat and had to leave half way through as he could not stand. When announcements wewe made not to save seats, the loudest applause came from the perpetrators!
OK Thats the end of the whinge, here is a truthful review. The food was superb, and the restaurant staff could not have been more charming. Thanks to Johann(we'll be at the wedding in Goa!), and everyone else.
The shows were the best I have ever seen on a ship or indeed in the West End, and if I were to go back on the Artemis it would be for that reason.
The cruise made 4 stops in Norway, at Stavabger, Bergan, Flam and Oden. For the first time, I ate whalemeat, (rather tasty) and the silence when sailing into the fjords was nothing less than spiritual. In Iceland we made 3 stops, Akuri, where unfortunately a friend of ours had to be hospitalised for a few days, rejoing the ship in Reykjavik, our next stop, and also Istafjord. Then on to Douglas and then Dublin.
I am not sure that I would stay on a childless ship agaion as much as I complain about the noise, at least there was a bit of liife on those. I must congratulate the Entertainments staff for everything includinbg the quizzes, (nearly finished all the wine I won), the reception staff, ( I lost my heart to Sarah and Nazarene) who had a great deal of unpleasantness to deal with. One last question, why do people constantly have to insult the staff (or at least they did on this ship), I think the staff did an excellent job, and always had a cheery smile for everyone, even if they were on the wrong end of a toungue lashing. All in all, despute the fight for seats in the Conservatory restaurant, I enjoyed the ports, the ship, the staff, maybe I had better check the average age of my fellow companions bewfore I go next time, or at least their manners!
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| | Children's Facilities | n/a |
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