Where do I start?

Having never sailed from Tilbury,the priority was to ensure to get to the port on time. So in the morning on Sunday 22nd October having checked all the possible information on the internet,took a lovely bus ride to St Pancras to see how easy it would be to negotiate the steps,the elevators and to purchase a train ticket.With absolutely no information counter anywhere,I found out by default there were no trains from the station to Tilbury.So all the internet information was outdated.But the St Pancras station was a revelation.Aspinal,of all shops, I certainly never expected to see there.The White company,another British jewel.And many more.The hotel inside the station appeared to be beautifully restored,I would love to stay there one day.But I had more pressing matter on my mind. A tube ride to Fenchurch Street,where, I was assured, I get the only train from London to the port.If ever there was a station less suited for a train other than an underground train,it must be Fenchurch street.No lifts, countless steps, no porter to help.Cruise & Maritime provide a bus from the Victoria Coach station to the ship, but as much as I love buses, as far as any travel outside London is concerned, I prefer the train.Or a taxi. And a taxi it ended up to be.I have used the same firm for a long time. Yesterday well before 14.00 a beautiful salon car came to pick me up.Spotless inside and out,as was the driver - out,of course!I hope he picks me up on 14th December. The moment I got out of the cab a porter approached me and took my 2 suitcases. People often ask me how big a tip I give where I think a tip is deserved. The taxi ride cost me £65. The driver got extra £10. To the porter I gave £5.I think he was quite shocked,he said I do not have any change,oh,it is for you, I replied,thank you so much for taking care of my luggage,thank YOU,he said. The check in procedure was a breathe,no queue anywhere,I literally walked through and alone in the lift I was in a flash on the 11th floor,cabin 11140.JUNIOR SUITE,in fact.I only realized when I was preparing luggage tags yesterday morning that I was upgraded from a de luxe cabin [there are 28 of them on Columbus] to a JS. Columbus is a 3 star ship.And I see why it is a 3 star ship.But any-one sailing for the first time would not be aware of the grade. Th ship has everything all 4, 5 and 6 star ships have, but not quite so elaborate.And in the case of Silversea Cloud, a 6 star Italian vessel, the Columbus wins hands down,at least the way the Cloud was several years ago when I sailed on it from the Tower Bridge to Scandinavia and Russia. For me to have a wonderful cruise I ask for two things - a balcony,where I can sunbathe in the nude and a small table just to myself when dining in the evening.The balcony I have. The table is going to be unlikely.The seating card waiting for me showed table 146 for 4 people.I was too tired last night go and see if a change could be made,had a meal in the self-service restaurant.And excellent it was,too.Vegetable curry and rice,but no extras like a chutney and other condiments [ this is where the 3 stars show ],still hungry as I had no lunch,had a bit of vegetable pie, equally good and could not resist a slice of freshly cut white bread with some cheese and a salami, Lovely.In the cabin opened a bottle of gratis red wine.As an almost 100% teetotaller I drink now and then red wine because it is good for the heart.And the odd coctail only when I cruise.

My husband used to say that there is nothing more wonderful about being away

than coming back home.And that is the way I felt last Saturday evening when I returned home from being almost three weeks in Slovakia.It was the most wonderful evening, warm,34 letters waiting to be opened, the flowers barely alive,,the bird feeding bowls empty. Life is wonderful.

29 October am sailing on Columbus to South America and Caribbean.

The final itinerary came several days ago,as final as a final itinerary after the havoc the hurricanes had caused,can be.The grief and misery suffered by the people affected is unimaginable. As I have been away the last almost three weeks and only returned on Saturday,have not had the chance yet to compare the new sailing plan with the original,but there appear to be more days at sea.Disappointing,of course, but understandable. The moment I had seen the cruise marketed by one of my favourite travel agents I knew I wanted to be on it.700 or so cabins and only 28 with a balcony.Yes, one of them will be mine,I thought.And it is.I have never been on a 3 star ship.It sounds conceited,but I believe you only get what you pay for.This is a newly refurbished ship newly owned by a very reputable and respected company, Cruise & Maritime. I decided to take a chance. 45 nights at sea [or thereabouts,it was booked about a year and a half ago],the gamble may pay off. I believe in nothing ventured,nothing gained and cannot wait to get on board.I have,in fact checked the number of nights and it is 46.