By this Author: DanutaS

Woo, bright cloudless skies and a temperature of 18 when we arrived in port today. After a quick breakfast off the ship and onto the shuttle bus into the town. First stop replenish the stock of tonic water, medicinal of course.

Very pleasant walking around the town with just a light cooling breeze. We've stopped at a marina cafe for a spot of lunch and Wifi. Could not be bothered trailing all the way back to the ship. We will now toddle around Arrecife again.

Another Christmas cake design

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At the marina.

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Marco Polo

Nothing much to report today. No luck in the carpet bowls.

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Finally managed to get 'phone/internet connection after 3 full days at sea. You are better with two cans and a piece of string than using the shipboard internet access. So you can imagine how annoyed Danuta has been. Worst she still does not know who is Len Goodman's replacement on Strictly. So let us try to keep the news from her and make her wait until next year's series starts.

It was cool and overcast when we disembarked this morning. Sod's law it stayed that way until we were on our way out of Gibraltar.

We've been to Gibraltar before so did not sightsee instead we had a walk and looked around for a coffee and free Wifi. I was even allowed a Costa coffee (Iwona note). The coffee onboard is dire unless you resort to buying an expensive one in the bars, and I mean expensive.

Gibraltar was quiet but got a bit busier just as we were leaving. It was good to be on terra firma for a couple of hours. Off now sailing to the Canaries and 5 consecutive days of ports of call. Ah well the sun is well over the yardarm, time for a cocktail. Today's cocktail is Nutty Colada - Guinness for me I think.

Arrived at Gibraltar

Governor's palace

Main street

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Magellan and Marco Polo

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Sailing from the Rock.

Nutty Colada

Well, Santa did not get stuck in the funnel. We got a small present from CMV's Santa. CMV cufflinks for me and a mirror compact for Danuta. We also got a boxed set of playing cards and poker dice.

I had hung up one of my kilt socks but was disappointed. No apple, orange or tangerine, not even a selection box. Probably just as well there was no selection box what with all the food on offer.

The evening dinner was a full Christmas menu - six courses ( pushed the boat out and bought Champagne). Then to crown it all at 11pm there was a full buffet with beautifully presentation of food and various table decorations made of chocolate, ice carvings and fruit carvings. (See pics). You would think that some people had been starved the whole day with the platefuls they were mopping up. We preferred to drink and dance our way into Boxing Day with friends we have made during the cruise.

Santa's been

Towel folding

Sugar craft demo

Christmas jumpers

Entrance to Raffles Bistro

Dinner table

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Dinner time

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Christmas Day dinner time

Santa

Dinner

Midnight buffet

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Panorama

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Christmas Eve and the number of Christmas jumpers is growing as the days go on. Some really good outfits. A lot of passengers have really made an effort.

Weather is wet and wild today and I'm using that as an excuse for the poor performance on the bowling carpet. I just could not find the right wiggly line to use today. So no prize today, worst of all it was a better prize than yesterday. No luck on the quizzes or countdown today either.

(Danuta was delighted. Barszcz on the lunchtime menu today)

We were dancing and drinking until well after midnight so Santa might have passed me by since I wasn't in bed and my stocking wasn't hung up in time. Hope he hasn't got stuck in the funnel.

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Our stewardess having fun with a towel.