My Aurora Party Night Diary
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For the first time ever, we arrived at check-in before it had even opened. So we hung around for a few minutes, then decided to form a queue at the front of the ‘Portunus Gold’ isle. Then quite a few others started queuing in the zig zagy maze thing for all the other desks. The check-in ladies kept gathering together in a huddle every now and again for some reason. They would all go back to their desks only to get up again and make another huddle. It was quite funny to watch and kept us entertained while we queued. When we went through check-in we walked around the corner to the baggage x-ray machine and that thing you walk through that bleeps even though you can’t think why it did. So, I was frisked :-) By an old bloke :-( So then into the Embarkation lounge where we commandeered the front row of seats right opposite the entrance/exit. From here we could be nosey and see everyone enter the lounge. So after a couple of drinks from the bar, we were called to embark. Portunus Gold priority of course ;-) This was about 1:45pm We walked along the long gangway that makes a horrendous noise when you are dragging your wheeled case along . John seemed to enjoy this and was making some very strange noises with his. Then off up to Andersons for some complimentary Bucks fizz and sandwiches and crisps. After two or three glasses of Fizz and a couple of plates of sarnies, we headed off to our cabins to drop our luggage off. We were surprised to see gifts for us both from the Portunus Club. We obviously receive them on a ‘normal’ cruise, but didn’t expect anything on a party night. Then we decided to take afternoon tea in Café Bordeaux as no one else was in there. Well it was a whole ten minutes since we ate last :-) I was surprised that there was a band playing on the quayside as there would normally be at sail away. Also there were streamers and Fizz. Not that we bothered with that. Well I didn’t even realise it was happening until someone told me later on. England and Wales were playing a world cup qualifier that afternoon, and the match was being shown in Champions. So John and I decided to go and watch the game and have a few Stellas. Now things start to get a bit hazy and I loose parts of the day. We were sort of half watching the match and half watching everyone walking through as you do. I remember England were winning 1-0 when this Welsh girl came up to us and asked who scored the goal. I just stood there looking blank at the poor girl and John said “I think it was one of those guys running round with a white shirt on”. She didn’t look amused :-( Anyway, a few more Stellas later the match ended. 2-0 to England. For a change I wasn’t that bothered about the score because I’m half Welsh. Then Jules and Jane joined us. They had been having a drink in the Crows Nest with Paul and Helen. Also by this time Kate had made an appearance and so they all helped John and me drink more Stella. I think I stayed in Champions until about seven O’clock. Then it was time to go and get ready for the Captains Welcome aboard reception in the Crows nest. So we made it up to the crows Nest and seen Captain Alistair Clark again. The drinks and nibbles were of course complimentary. I think I drank wine, but by this time I don’t think it would have mattered what I was drinking. So then down to dinner. We had a table for four in the Medina restaurant. This was the first time I’d ate dinner in this restaurant as I’ve always eaten in the Alexandria restaurant. Anyway, we had a lovely meal with complimentary wine. To start with, I had:- Goat’s Cheese and Spring Onion Parfait served with Oat cakes ~~~ Then I had Crab and Sweetcorn Soup ~~~ Then as a fish course I had Baked Supreme of Halibut Served on a bed of wilted spinach, coated with a mussel chowder ~~~ Then for main course I had Roast fillet of Beef with Bubble and squeak Potato Cake and Red Wine Sauce Garnished with bacon and Mushrooms ~~~ Then for pudding I had Hot Chocolate Soufflé with Tia Maria Sauce. As you can imagine, I was quite full by now so didn’t bother with a Cheese course . So, after more wine with dinner, you could say I was getting quite happy. After dinner we weren’t sure what to do. There were a few different things happening. I fancied the comedian Roy Walker, OH NO! my secrets out Ha Ha So John and I set off for the Curzon Theatre to grab a seat. I think Jane and Jules tried to go and see ‘Poptastic’ in Carmen’s but they were a bit to late because it was just about full so they went to Anderson’s for a drink. After Roy, John and I made our way to Masquerade, the night club. Being a party night the place was nice and busy. Shortly after, Jules and Jane joined us. Now things get really blurred. I remember Jules and Jane disappearing off to bed around 2 O’clock. I remember drinking several more Stellas with John. I remember hearing a tune that I liked and so asked Kate if she would boogie on down with me. I think she declined so I must have asked John, who because he was as drunk as I was, kindly accompanied me to the dance floor. I thought I was the best dancer in the world. Funny that, the more you have to drink, the better dancer you become. We must have looked like right nutters :-) Anyway, a few more dances with god knows who, then last orders were called. I’m guessing this must have been around 4am but I’m not sure. I remember the music stopping and I think we were talking to various folk about everything and nothing, as you do when you’re very drunk. I must have made it back to my cabin OK as the next thing I remember was being woke up by the alarm a few hours later and being told that I got back to the cabin at 5:15am I was also told later on by Jane that it wasn't the alarm clock that had woke me up, it was the telephone ringing... twice. Apparently she had rung our cabin and I'd picked up the handset and put it back down immediately. This I can't remember doing. So, off to breakfast around 9am. Unfortunately the same time as just about everyone else onboard :-( The Medina restaurant was full, so we had to go up to the Orangery which was very busy. We had to queue for quite some time to get some food. I’ve never seen the place so busy, but then again this was my first ever party night onboard. I just remember thinking, I hope the people that are onboard for a sampler don’t think this is the norm. Time to disembark then. Off we trot after a great party night. We’ll be back ;-)
