This sailing on Cruise & Maritimes “New Flagship The Magellan” was intend to introduce us to this company and furthermore sample what this ship had to offer before we were to embark on her to The “Majestic Fjordlands on 11th April.

We met the coach at Victoria Coach Terminal and proceeded to the Terminal at Tilbury where we were ushered into a reception area. From there we were transferred into another hall, by now we were numbers and moved in order to the next stage with our luggage. The master of Ceremony, a tall middle aged blondish gentleman performed his role with a degree of masterful cheerfulness and order. Then a very affable young man Reece, checked our details, passports and boarding passes. Those directing us through the channels were also pleasant and did their best to assist in what is not a particularly easy role, keeping impatient crowds happy. From here we were required to walk some distance, eventually reaching the gangway still lugging our luggage. Now on board ship we were shown our cabin with a porter taking the heavy case ( we had come down from Newcastle spending two nights in London ) to No, 7169 on Pacific Deck, it met with our full approval, near to the lifts and the Waldorf Restaurant on the next deck. Other amenities were close to hand including the Raffles Bistro with an open deck with small pool. The gymnasium and spar with beauty treatments were also handy. Other places of interest were available at the other end, namely the bow. Having explored the ship it was back to cabin to dress accordingly for our 5 course diner – we saved ourselves for this very special occasion. On arriving at our appointed time of 8pm we were ushered away because the first sitting had not been cleared, told to come back in about 30minutes, which we duly did to find a queue. Was disappointed to see at least two individuals wearing the dreaded jeans, not that I would , but was informed that guests were asked not to and rightly so. If men cannot make the effort like the ladies then they don’t deserve a seat in such a classy venue as the Waldorf Restaurant. Talking about seats we were on a table for 4, but there was only the two of us, but we found the bench seats far too low On the meal itself, the pate starter, a cube with a jellied topping literally was the strangest looking and tasting I’ve ever had with the littlest adornment of salad pieces and a sprig of toast. This was followed by sorbet which was refreshing, but was beginning to melt. The Steak Rossini with a meagre selection of veg. was quite the smallest and ugliest piece of meat imaginable – the waiter kept asking if it was alright. I should have said no, but by now was just grateful to be eating. One can have this steak adorned with a lavish portion of pate, no such luck here! Asked for bearnaise sauce, but this was met with a blank gesture. Was presented with a sauce boat – the best they could offer – it was HP sauce. No marks for ingenuity there! Finally we had the baked Alaska, which had already been ceremonously marched around the dinning room twice, which only helped to knock it out of shape – it was not spectacular, the sponge was hard, not as you expect a sponge to be.

The wine selection very poor and over priced and with Mateus Rose highlighted along with another two in the £24 bracket. Mateus Rose was popular back in the 50,’s along with La Troubadour as an inexpensive middle of the road rose. To-day I can buy a bottle of Mateus from a well known supermarket as a half price offer at £4.99. If I am able to buy that wine at that price how much can it be bought for at wholesale prices? Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a real quality wine, is on offer at this time for the ridiculously low price of just £9.99. The last time I bought it on offer for £9.00, When it comes to rose wines there are so many reasonably priced rose wines, so popular now, retailing at around the £5 to £8 mark. A restaurant has to charge it’s corkage, that’s the norm, but come on there are so many good offers abounding on wines that would allow for example a Malbec Cabernet, a Chardonnay and a nice Claret Bordeaux realistically priced along with the array of rose wines such as Pinot Noir Rose for example to be offered at the table. I am tempted to bring my own favourite on board – I can always have a drink in my cabin. It would be better than having to suffer a rather poor house wine. We finished off with coffee and a rather meagre selection of biscuit and cheeses, that was diner over and so to bed. Read more