Post by Starbucks Queen on Aug 1, 2006 0:54:49 GMT -8
While I had some time in Dover, .... I
decided that I do not have to be idle the same day, and thought I
could do a trip on my P&O favourite of that route - the Pride of
Dover. As time didn´t allow a quick stay in France, I had to book a
return trip on the same ship, for 6 Pounds.
The departure was around noon, and I didn´t know what to expect. I
was though surprised, to see that the bus to checkin does leave in
front of the terminal, not like previously, up the stairs and
through the customs. The guy at the counter explained this to me, in
such a way that even one who´s motherlanguage isn´t English could
understand - that means he was not barking at me but speaking to me.
The bus I was on, got selected for the security-check and as usual,
all pockets had to be emptied and they took a look into the handbag,
as well.
When onbaord the Pride of Dover, the first thing I noticed was, the
thing´s now really getting old, it´s just showing some wear and
tear. Though, it was noticeable that all was very clean and the
cleaning-staff was not yet done with their job when the first
passenger went onboard. It was evident that the ship was full booked
which included a few noisy schoolclasses too, the kids did find
their place at the computer-games for sure. I have never been keen
of these places where these noisy game-machines are located and
found it even useless. This time I saw what they are good for - to
keep the prats off the other spaces, where some other passengers
might be more in mood for some peace and quiet, throughout the
crossing. However, I was in good mood, and the noise didn´t bother
me. First place to go, was the bit of open deckspace which is left
over since they have locked the sides off - as far as I got told,
this was to provide the beforementioned peace and quiet - but not
for the passengers, but for the crew who seem to have their cabins
there.
The bit of deckspace was also clean, and it´s an ideal place as
well, as parts of that are nicely wind-sheltered and they do have
enough seats for people, which was unfortunatelly not the case on
the new Transmanche ship fw and me were on, a day before.
As soon we left the port, it was time to stroll around, and since I
have never travelled just there & back with the same ship I didn´t
know whether I had to get off anyways and check in again, or whether
I can stay onboard, or whether I have to report that. A quick walk
to the Information-desk answered the question. A friendly woman took
my ticket, and explained that I can stay onboard, and she mentioned
as well, that it´s very noisy on the ship as they are full today and
if I would like to find some quiet place, I may book Club-Class, it
costs 10 Pounds but if I like I can walk up there, and see what it
looks like, and come again. I said, that I´ll probably go on deck if
it´s too much. She was concerned then, whether I´ll find the opoen
deck bit - me explaining that´s the first thing I look for, usually.
She said that most of the people do not bother, and the others do
not find it, and that anyways many English do not like walking
stairs. That woman at the info desk knows for sure how to do her
job, despite of the busy sailing she took all that time, and
patience to do, what is commonly known as customer-service.
I went straight to the Horizon lounge, as I like to sit by the
windows that overlook the bow, and I have noticed they have
something new, and serve coffee - although out of paper - cups, but
it´s really good caffe Latte. It seems that the Harbour Coffee
Company´s place did simply always get too crowded and P&O seems to
know what good coffee is too, unlike other places in England which
seem not yet to have found out what good one tastes alike.
Also the staff at the bar knew their job very well, friendly and
efficient just like the French crews on Seafrance (I know, there
will be a BIIIG moan from you here - but how comes ? I always get
only the best service with the guys - no matter on which ship - it
IS just like that).
I went on deck again, when Calais was in sight and the seagulls came
to pick some leftovers from the deck - and straightout from the
trashcan as well.
When the ship was empty - not totally, I think apart from me there
were around 6 or so other people who have taken just a return-trip
to stay onboard. I thought I´d be the only one doing that and
getting the odd looks so I felt pretty relieved. The cleaning was
going on, again to prepare the ship for the next crossing. They do
really spend a huge amount on that, for sure to keep the ship clean.
I wanted to take some interior-shots but I ran out of film, so I
went to the channel-shopping which was open already and bought some
film. It was unfortunatelly the wrong sort of - didn´t fit in my
camera and so I thought I was unlucky and they can´t do anything as
the package was open already. I though asked - and they did take it
back, and even refund me the money that was over. Again, friendly
service.
On the way back, it was time for getting the Lamb Piri Piri from the
IFC , was a bit late since I liked to watch the departure and so
there was a long queue as well and all was pretty busy. When it was
my turn, and I didn´t want to take any of the fries and stuff, I was
kindly asked to "follow" - to the place a bit further to get the
curry. Again, I was amazed about the friendly service, despite of
the masses of people whom they had to serve. So to say, the staff
has been working themselfes sweaty over there. Most of the staff in
the IFC was for sure in their late 50ies so they have probably seen
worse and a bit of crowd does not make them jump up and down.
I have experienced on other P&O ships that sometimes they did not
have a so good working-atmosphere, especially when some supervisor
was keen on talking an employee off - in front of the passengers,
which is in my opiniom not "on". But they either had a good day or
they have really been improving something. The Lamb Piri Piri tasted
as always, and it was, what it is supposed to be. Or let´s say the
stuff does not taste worse than when you order it at any other place
in England apart from the restaurants that are managed by real
Indian people - who know for sure how to do it better.
To sum this up, I was very pleased about what I have seen, and what
I have got, I didn´t know what to expect, and I would like to say, I
have never seen the crews on this or anther Calais-Dover ship
working so hard, means I have simply not been onboard when it´s
fully booked out. I was impressed, indeed how well the masses of
people were handled with confidence.
A few photos here, too:
![]()
i5.tinypic.com/20s81m9.jpg[]/img]
decided that I do not have to be idle the same day, and thought I
could do a trip on my P&O favourite of that route - the Pride of
Dover. As time didn´t allow a quick stay in France, I had to book a
return trip on the same ship, for 6 Pounds.
The departure was around noon, and I didn´t know what to expect. I
was though surprised, to see that the bus to checkin does leave in
front of the terminal, not like previously, up the stairs and
through the customs. The guy at the counter explained this to me, in
such a way that even one who´s motherlanguage isn´t English could
understand - that means he was not barking at me but speaking to me.
The bus I was on, got selected for the security-check and as usual,
all pockets had to be emptied and they took a look into the handbag,
as well.
When onbaord the Pride of Dover, the first thing I noticed was, the
thing´s now really getting old, it´s just showing some wear and
tear. Though, it was noticeable that all was very clean and the
cleaning-staff was not yet done with their job when the first
passenger went onboard. It was evident that the ship was full booked
which included a few noisy schoolclasses too, the kids did find
their place at the computer-games for sure. I have never been keen
of these places where these noisy game-machines are located and
found it even useless. This time I saw what they are good for - to
keep the prats off the other spaces, where some other passengers
might be more in mood for some peace and quiet, throughout the
crossing. However, I was in good mood, and the noise didn´t bother
me. First place to go, was the bit of open deckspace which is left
over since they have locked the sides off - as far as I got told,
this was to provide the beforementioned peace and quiet - but not
for the passengers, but for the crew who seem to have their cabins
there.
The bit of deckspace was also clean, and it´s an ideal place as
well, as parts of that are nicely wind-sheltered and they do have
enough seats for people, which was unfortunatelly not the case on
the new Transmanche ship fw and me were on, a day before.
As soon we left the port, it was time to stroll around, and since I
have never travelled just there & back with the same ship I didn´t
know whether I had to get off anyways and check in again, or whether
I can stay onboard, or whether I have to report that. A quick walk
to the Information-desk answered the question. A friendly woman took
my ticket, and explained that I can stay onboard, and she mentioned
as well, that it´s very noisy on the ship as they are full today and
if I would like to find some quiet place, I may book Club-Class, it
costs 10 Pounds but if I like I can walk up there, and see what it
looks like, and come again. I said, that I´ll probably go on deck if
it´s too much. She was concerned then, whether I´ll find the opoen
deck bit - me explaining that´s the first thing I look for, usually.
She said that most of the people do not bother, and the others do
not find it, and that anyways many English do not like walking
stairs. That woman at the info desk knows for sure how to do her
job, despite of the busy sailing she took all that time, and
patience to do, what is commonly known as customer-service.
I went straight to the Horizon lounge, as I like to sit by the
windows that overlook the bow, and I have noticed they have
something new, and serve coffee - although out of paper - cups, but
it´s really good caffe Latte. It seems that the Harbour Coffee
Company´s place did simply always get too crowded and P&O seems to
know what good coffee is too, unlike other places in England which
seem not yet to have found out what good one tastes alike.
Also the staff at the bar knew their job very well, friendly and
efficient just like the French crews on Seafrance (I know, there
will be a BIIIG moan from you here - but how comes ? I always get
only the best service with the guys - no matter on which ship - it
IS just like that).
I went on deck again, when Calais was in sight and the seagulls came
to pick some leftovers from the deck - and straightout from the
trashcan as well.
When the ship was empty - not totally, I think apart from me there
were around 6 or so other people who have taken just a return-trip
to stay onboard. I thought I´d be the only one doing that and
getting the odd looks so I felt pretty relieved. The cleaning was
going on, again to prepare the ship for the next crossing. They do
really spend a huge amount on that, for sure to keep the ship clean.
I wanted to take some interior-shots but I ran out of film, so I
went to the channel-shopping which was open already and bought some
film. It was unfortunatelly the wrong sort of - didn´t fit in my
camera and so I thought I was unlucky and they can´t do anything as
the package was open already. I though asked - and they did take it
back, and even refund me the money that was over. Again, friendly
service.
On the way back, it was time for getting the Lamb Piri Piri from the
IFC , was a bit late since I liked to watch the departure and so
there was a long queue as well and all was pretty busy. When it was
my turn, and I didn´t want to take any of the fries and stuff, I was
kindly asked to "follow" - to the place a bit further to get the
curry. Again, I was amazed about the friendly service, despite of
the masses of people whom they had to serve. So to say, the staff
has been working themselfes sweaty over there. Most of the staff in
the IFC was for sure in their late 50ies so they have probably seen
worse and a bit of crowd does not make them jump up and down.
I have experienced on other P&O ships that sometimes they did not
have a so good working-atmosphere, especially when some supervisor
was keen on talking an employee off - in front of the passengers,
which is in my opiniom not "on". But they either had a good day or
they have really been improving something. The Lamb Piri Piri tasted
as always, and it was, what it is supposed to be. Or let´s say the
stuff does not taste worse than when you order it at any other place
in England apart from the restaurants that are managed by real
Indian people - who know for sure how to do it better.
To sum this up, I was very pleased about what I have seen, and what
I have got, I didn´t know what to expect, and I would like to say, I
have never seen the crews on this or anther Calais-Dover ship
working so hard, means I have simply not been onboard when it´s
fully booked out. I was impressed, indeed how well the masses of
people were handled with confidence.
A few photos here, too:
