Carnival Splendor 2008 -- Baltic

First Day--Boarding the Carnival Splendor once again

7/13/2008

After spending three days in London and Dover, it was time for us to get back on the Splendor again. What happened to the Splendor during those three days was she had a Christening Ceremony on the day we  disembarked and left for London. She went on a three day cruise to Amsterdam. Amsterdam was one of our stops on our Baltic cruise, so we figured we would just spend those days in London instead. I think they considered the three-day cruise the real inaugural cruise. Hey, but we were on it before the Christening Ceremony. By the way, we heard that the crew members were kind of nervous on our first trip because that sailing was before the real Christening. Thank God that nothing happened except a medical emergency that had us detoured to a port near Spain to drop off a sick youngster.

So here we were getting ready to go back on board. We enjoyed a full English breakfast at the B&B.  

At breakfast we met a family with three teenage boys and also another elderly couple who were also going on the Splendor. The owners were friendly and helpful. They also helped us by calling a taxis to the port when we were ready to check-out.

Sausage, bacon, tomatoes, baked beans, toast, OJ, coffee/tea,  etc. etc. a great breakfast indeed!

Embarkation was a breeze at the Dover port. After we boarded we went to have lunch at the Lido. Again it was very quiet because it was still early. We really enjoyed the Mongolian wok and the Indian food at the buffet. The buffet selection was HUGE on the Splendor. 

As for dinner, Ken, the M'D already reserved the same table for us when we were on the last cruise so we were all set.

This time we have cabin 1337 on the starboard side, midship, an oceanview cabin.

Muster drill was easy.

At 5:00 we sailed away from Dover port.

Many people were at the pier waving good-bye.

White Cliffs

We went to the show after dinner but this time it wasn't as funny because we already knew the lines. But we were ready for a brand new experience in the Baltic. 

London - Dover

cont. Carnival Splendor 2008 -- Genoa to Dover

7/12/2008

It's time to get back to Dover this morning. We have another cruise on the Splendor waiting for us. We took a taxi from Travelodge to Victoria Coach Station and purchased the bus tickets for the National Express which is a very nice bus service. The waiting area was a little crowded though. We met a Chinese couple from Northern California on the bus who were also going to be on the same cruise.

Traffic jam in London

Christian got the best seats on the bus, all to himself.

I believe this is somewhere near Canterbury.

We arrived Dover around noon. Took a taxi from the bus station to West Bank Guest House, a B&B that Christian wanted to try. Our room was on the 3rd floor, very cozy and nice.

After checking in the owner called a taxi for us to take us to Dover Castle.

We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at the castle. Too bad we couldn't go down to the war tunnel because they were all filled up.

We can see the cruise port from here.

Here are the ferries/ships that take passengers across the channel.

It was beautiful at the castle.

After the nice visit we walked back down to town which was very pleasant. After looking everywhere for Wetherspoon Pub we finally found it with help from a friendly local. Apparently we missed it by half a block when we walked down from the castle and took the wrong turn. We enjoyed a very nice and economical dinner there at Wetherspoon before walking back to the B&B. 

Mixed grill.

I believe this restaurant was also called The Eight Bells.

Dover Castle in the background of the town square.

Our view from the B&B. Traffic was pretty noisy throughout the night.