It’s probably best to come clean from the start and admit that I’ve never done this sort of thing before. Cruising, that is.

Well, almost never. Twenty years ago I spent three or four days cruising down part of the River Nile in a cruiser that was so small that we explored every last nook and cranny in about a quarter of an hour. I have to admit I was a little restless and felt more than a little trapped.

Twenty years on and a little more “mature”, I’m hoping that this may prove to be a little different. Having said that, let’s start off gently. Seven nights, that’s enough to get a taster and if I find that cruising is not for me then it’s not too long to grin and bear it.

The new Ocean Terminal at Southampton

I’m not alone in my concerns, either. Several other non-cruisers have crept out of the woodwork and made discrete entreaties that they’d be interested in my findings on my first venture on a ship. If you’re in that boat – metaphorically speaking – then read on…

My lack of cruising experience shows even before we leave home as a neighbour, who’s been on more than a few cruises himself, enquires as to what time we’re setting out for Southampton. “Oh no rush.” said I, “Our boarding time isn’t until 2 o’clock”. “If you wait until then, every man and his dog will be queuing to get aboard”. So with that warning ringing in our ears, we threw the last of our luggage into the car and set off.

Over 3000 passengers take a lot of feeding

Just as well, too. It’s Friday morning on a Bank Holiday weekend and the M3 grinds to a halt just long enough for mild panic to set in. Fortunately, it doesn’t last and without too much more drama, we’re standing outside P&O’s new £19m Ocean Terminal at Southampton. It’s been open for less than a fortnight and it’s still shiny and new.

And it’s big. As you’d expect with the each crop of new cruise liners seeming to grow every year, there’s a requirement to get a lot of passengers and provisions on and off the ship in a few short hours on changeover day. So this new terminal is built to deal with a lot of passengers. Indeed today, we’re embarking along with 3100 fellow voyages. Our bags are whisked away down a chute directly outside the terminal. We head into the terminal and with 40 check-in desks we show our tickets, passport, pose for our photocard and we’re done!

Speaking to one of the staff on duty at the security check, he tells me that changeover day is busy, busy, busy as over three thousand passengers and their hand-luggage is checked. Today is one of the busiest as we’re joining what is currently the largest purpose-built ship for the British market.

The band plays as we cast off

This is Ventura, P&O’s answer to the American super-liners with a dash of British style. Over 1200 crew, 14 passenger decks, it’s big, no doubt about that but just how big is difficult to judge when berthed against an enormous passenger terminal. We need to see this beast in the real world. But first, it’s time for lunch!

Sails accompany us as we head down the Solent

Fed and watered we head off to explore what will be our home for the next seven days and enjoy the views over the town and across the water as the passengers continue to board the ship but before long it’s five o’clock and time to cast off.

In traditional style, the band on the dockside plays as we slowly edge away and reverse into Southampton Water. We sail down past Netley and Hamble into the Solent where the early weekend sailors are wearing their best spinnakers.

Soon we’re out on the high seas and the journey begins in part 2.

If you’re interested in a Norwegian cruise, here are a few to get you started.

7 Nights Norway Cruise on P&O Arcadia Departing May 2010

7 Nights Norway Cruise on P&O Oriana Departing July 2010

Alan Ramsey

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