May 8, 2024

They called this a port day but technically it was more of a sea day since we were not docking until almost 2pm. We had packed 1 bag the day before but still had another bag to go so we got up around 8:30 and cleared out of the room so the room stewards could clean and than the plan was to come back and pack. We went down to the Living Room Bar and while were down there Carol, one of our regular Mah Jongg players, came over and asked if we could get a game together. Of all our regulars on this trip Carol and her husband are staying on for the next 14 day cruise so she had nothing to do this am. I tried to text a few folks but honestly there was too much to do so we did not play.

We went back to the room and I did the blog from Dover and packed almost everything else. We were now on the river Thames heading to London so we had scenery off the balcony. They were doing commentary on what we were passing but you had to be in Explorers lounge to hear it.

Some of the scenes along the route

Most of the scenery was either country side or industrial. I did like the graffiti though

We went under the bridge but don’t ask me what one.

At noon we went up to World Cafe for last buffet lunch with our usual crowd and then we went to Kathy & Michael’s room which is the big suite right off the front of the ship.

Took these pictures from the World Cafe and will have to read more about them since they control the water level in the river but not sure how.

Some views of the city as we pass by.

It took quite awhile for them to turn the boat around and manuever us close to the tie ups. The weather was beautiful for a second day in England and our neighbors from England said we were incredibly lucky that weather likes this never happens.

We were anchored very close to the Cutty Sark and the Meridian line where time starts.

We anchored in the middle of the river and then they tie this barge up next to it and then boats come on the otherwise to take us the short distance to land. Since this is a disembarkation port they also have to get all our luggage off on the barge and then unload it on land so ready for us in the am. All luggage had to be out no later than 10pm or you were responsible for taking it off yourself.

I am in the airport lounge as I write this and our gate is ready so I will publish this and than finish the rest when we get home.

Continuing: Sorry for the delay in finishing the last day post. We will finish that and than update on the travel home.

We did have an excursion on the last day and it was a walking tour of Greenwich for about an 1.5 hours. Of course we had to meet in the Star theatre and then go down to the barge and take the boat to the dock. It is a very short ride but the whole process takes 30 minutes. We had another great guide who had tons of stories almost none of which I remember.

I should have taken notes but I believe this used to be the naval college and is now a music school. It was cool walking outside of this because you heard all these different instruments as you passed by different windows.

I loved all these little mini food trucks around town.

The statue marks the Prime Meridian spot which is defined as the following “The line in Greenwich represents the historic Prime Meridian of the World – Longitude 0º. Every place on Earth was measured in terms of its distance east or west from this line. The line itself divided the eastern and western hemispheres of the Earth – just as the Equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres. If you stand with one foot on one side and the other on the left, you are perfectly in the middle of east and west, according to the prime meridian line”. The guide knew that we had been at 0 longitude and 0 latitude because of the King Sky who is 2 days ahead of us on this cruise and he had done some of their tours. The building to the right is an astronomy building. You can walk up to the spot but we did not have the time and the hill is apparently quite steep.

Our boat moored in the middle of the Thames

This sculpture represents how to make a ship in a bottle.

After the tour we got right back on the tender to go back to the ship. We had plans to meet for drinks in the Living Room since it was the last night and we still had people to say goodbye to plus, believe it or not, they were actually having a special show that I wanted to see and it was at 7:15. So plan was for farewell cocktails at 6:30, show at 7:15 and then dinner in World Cafe. Had to be back in cabin by 9pm to shower and finish packing and have bags in hall no later than 10pm.

Aaron our favorite bartender.

YoYo who always watched out for us.

The show was the Libera boys choir. Google them. They ere on the tender with us back to the boat and they range in age from 7 to 13 and they were rowdy and loud on the boat. I only say that because when they were on stage they were so professional and calm and no fidgeting and their voices were incredible. They have several albums and the fact that Viking got them to preform was really special. Unfortunately, since it was the last night, it was not well attended due to packing, excursions and people off on their own. We loved it and after the performance they went to World Cafe for dinner and ice cream! They really did a great job. They said it was their first time preforming on a cruise ship and they could get used to it.

We were not supposed to take photos but I had to take one for the blog

We had to be downstairs at 7am to take the tender to shore and then the bus to Heathrow for our 12:45 Virgin Atlantic flight.

Will do 2 more posts, one for Trip home and 1 for wrap up.