Time to add my comments and thoughts now :) I was fortunate in that the coach pick up point was close to where I work so one of my workmates kindly picked me up at home and dropped me off before going to work, coach was on time and Stephen and Jean were already onboard. We then had to negotiate normal rush hour motorway traffic and took ages to travel a few miles. Checking in at Southampton was a bit like checking in at airport but very quick and efficient and I was able to board immediately and was escorted to my cabin and met my Steward Kamil who was very pleasant and very efficient. Luggare appeared very quicky and after some unpacking made my way up on deck with S&J for sailaway, it was nice and calm in Southampton but soon after setting off we started to "rock and roll" in the rough seas :( My first experience of dining on board and what a treat, Mauratania restaurant was lovely and the food and service was excellant all the way through the trip. Friday we were at sea all day and it was rough but I enjoyed the day, we were warned by the Capt that he was worried about picking up the pilot for Hamburg. When we got up on Saturday we were still sailing and discovered that we had been going round and round in circles for some time in the night and had not been able to pick up the pilot and we were heading North to try and get out of the poor conditions, storm force 10 during the night. Much to my relief I did not feel ill at all :D Dressed for dinner:- So another day at sea and the entertainment was rapidly amended accordingly so that we had things to do, the sea did gradually improve and the rocking and rolling ceased. Sunday we finally arrived in Oslo and took a quick walk to find the Stalk Bridge which wasn't far away. Monday went walkabout in Oslo, lovely clean city, some lovely if rather exensive shops :) Norge from QE2 Thursday at sea heading for Rotterdam I did buy a waistcoat on board, here is the proof :) Wednesady we are in some container port in Rotterdam, not a pretty sight but never mind. I have wanted to visit Amsterdam for years and years so took the trip and did not see Queen Victoria but I did enjoy seeing Amsterdam, a lunch was included in the trip and this was the only meal I had on the trip that was not much good. I ventured into the Red Light district (just to say that I had seen it you understand!) and soon made a run for it when a rather buxom lady appeared from her doorway beckoning me to enter - frightened me to death :o Thursday and Zeebrugge, I took the trip to Brugge, another place I have wanted to see and I loved it, despite being very cold it was a sunny bright day, the buildings and architecture are stunning, I had a lovely lunch with a lady also from QE2 who was a little worse for the effects of too much Beer and wanted me to stay in the restaurant for the afternoon drinking beer and liquer coffees, an offer I did not find it too diffucult to refuse :wink: Friday and back in Southampton, time goes so quickly :cry: Finally another thanks to Stephen and Jean who made it all the more enjoyable and here they are on Saturday heading towards Oslo in the wind and the rain :)

Great review Alan and love the pictures. :)

So great that you enjoyed your first of many cruises to come :D Those look like some of my favorite drinks :wink:

Great comments and pictures, Alan :D LOVE the waistcoat :D Glad you didn't lose your way in the Red Light District :lol: :lol: :lol: :shock: Onward to the NEXT CRUISE :!: :!: :lol: BTW. who was that behind you in Oslo, with the yellow stack :?: :?:

Thanks for both reviews. Interesting to read about cruising in the "off" season, as it were. However, bad weather has never deterred determined Englishmen and women, has it? What a waste of sandwiches, though. Were they able to salvage any (for crew tea, maybe)? Liz, you really must get you glasses checked. It is the same Norge that Steven identified in his pictures, according to the note beside Alan's.

Good reports and great pic´s :D QE2 butted Artemis into shame with her horn :D

Alan very nice review. All of you look dandy in the photos. Really glad you got to visit Amsterdam and Brugge. Glad none of you were in the path of that trolley. :D :D

Great to have a double review. I love the waistcoat Alan, very subtle without being flamboyant! 8) You are now geered up for the next cruise ( so glad you found your sea legs)

The sandwich trolley - the trolley probably held about 12 or so large trays of sandwiches and most of them fell out, they all had cling film over so some were saved and OK to use but some made a big messy heap on the floor. I actually saw the trolley moving towards the stairs but was too far away to be able to do anything about it, the noise certainly startled a lady sat nearby who was engrossed in her book :o

:D :D :D :D Both videos are fantastic, Stephen. QE2 won both of them, hands down :D :D No, I don't see the stalk cam either :?: Interesting. Just thinking about "winning something hands down" I have no idea where that slang came from :?: :?: I am sure it will not translate :oops:

Thanks Liz. I think it might be something to do with cards?

Great reviews, pictures, and videos! I don't think anyone can match QE2's whistle...not even close! :lol: Great waistcoat, Alan! :D

:oops: I will spend some time looking for some more before the next cruise, plenty of time :) Thanks for all the nice comments :D

Great reviews and photos and videos thanks both of you. :lol: :lol: Yes great waistcoat Alan, I think Albert's definitely fall in the "flamboyant" class Jackie! January sales are a good time Alan, and last year Debenhams had some good stuff in mens formal wear. It is wonderful to get a new convert to cruising, and such a relief that you did enjoy it! I bet it made Stephen and Jean's cruise even better watching all your "first times" too! We have managed to finally persuade some friends that she will not be violently ill with sea sickness all the time so we have a plan for Alaska 2009 (when most of the "boys" are 60) for a group of 10 or 12!! so that will be fun!