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Day 4 of our Spring Getaway cruise onboard Ambition was meant to be a day in Guernsey, but there were tender problems from the start of the day, so did we make it?
Tendering to Guernsey
Guernsey is a tender port, which means the ship anchors off the coast and passengers are transported to the mainland by small boats, or tenders. As we woke up this morning, we saw some pretty rough seas and we were immediately concerned that we might not be able to get off the ship. This can often be the case with Guernsey, as it’s known for its challenging conditions for tenders.
But to our surprise, we got an announcement that the tender operation was going ahead, and we were able to proceed ashore. Even though the weather wasn’t ideal, we were excited to make the most of the day.
Breakfast and Trivia
Just after 8am, we heard the first announcement from the ship, announcing our arrival in Guernsey. We made our way to the buffet for breakfast, where the selection was pretty standard for a British cruise line, sausages, bacon, eggs, beans, pastries, fruit, and meats. You could also get a freshly cooked omelette if you fancied something a bit different.
While we were having breakfast, more announcements were made regarding the slow tendering process. We were told that those going on excursions would be prioritised, and we’d need to wait our turn. But after a while, it became clear that things were still moving slowly so, we decided to make the most of the delay by heading to the Clifton Lounge for some morning trivia!
It was actually quite fun, and we were pleased to score 15 out of 20. We didn’t embarrass ourselves too much!
Joining the Tender Queue
After the trivia, we went to join the queue for the tenders, which by this time had stretched all the way around the Purple Turtle wine bar. The wait seemed long, and the queue wasn’t moving much. We heard that we wouldn’t be on the next tender but likely the one after that. However, after waiting for a while and seeing no tenders operating, we decided to give up for the moment.
Instead of sitting around in frustration, we went to grab some drinks at the Clifton Lounge, watched the tenders outside, and considered whether it was worth trying again. By this point, we were beginning to doubt whether we’d actually get off the ship today.
Lunch
After our little break, we decided to try our luck again. The queue was shorter now, so we joined it once more, but the tenders still seemed to be struggling in the rough seas. We ultimately made the decision to skip going ashore altogether.
Instead, we had lunch in the main dining room, which is served as a semi buffet style. The starters and desserts were buffet style, while the mains are ordered off the menu. We both chose a chicken and cheese burger with chips, though, unfortunately, our burgers came without cheese, which was a bit disappointing!
While we were eating, we heard another announcement saying that they were ceasing the tendering service due to worsening conditions so it looked as though we’d made the right decision.
Afternoon Tea and Relaxation
After lunch, we popped up to afternoon tea for a small selection of cakes, scones, sandwiches, and pastries. We also tried a warm mushroom and cheese pastry, which was delicious!
Feeling quite full, we took a short nap to recharge for the evening ahead.
Evening Entertainment
Later, we met Dan and Jay at the Pendennis Bar, where we enjoyed some music by the pianist on board. His performances are always a highlight, and many guests have commented on how much they enjoy his piano playing.
After a relaxing drink, we headed to the main dining room for dinner. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the best meal we’ve had on the cruise. We both had Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup for starters, but it wasn’t the most flavourful dish. For mains, Lizzy had beef bourguignon which was a bit too mushy for her liking, while Laura had sea bream which was ok.
For dessert, Laura ordered for a chocolate fudge sundae that turned out to be a rum and raisin ice cream sundae. A bit of a letdown, but not the end of the world.
Karaoke
As the night continued, we headed to the Cavern to watch the karaoke. However, we were a bit surprised when another passenger asked us to be quiet. We were just chatting and enjoying the performances, but apparently, we were too loud for their liking. This put a bit of a damper on our night since karaoke is all about having fun and joining in, but we didn’t let it ruin the evening.
We later headed back to Pendennis for drinks, and as it customary onboard Ambassador ships a platter of canapés was served in the venue, this included chicken nuggets, mini sausage rolls, samosas, and other finger foods. We had a laugh with the staff while nibbling on the snacks, but once again, we were asked to be quiet. This was the second time in one night, and we felt a little bit uncomfortable, especially since we were just enjoying a casual chat with fellow guests.
Reflections on a Challenging Day
Despite not getting off the ship in Guernsey, we still managed to have an enjoyable day. We met some lovely people and heard some interesting stories about other guests’ tender experiences, some of which sounded pretty rough with long waits and seasickness. We were glad we decided to stay on board.
One thing we’ve found a bit tricky during this cruise is finding places to sit and chat without being told to be quiet. We understand the need for consideration, but we’re here to enjoy ourselves and want others to do the same.
Tomorrow, we’ll be in Plymouth, another tender port, so we’re hoping for better tendering conditions and a more successful day ashore!
If you want more information, check out our video below.
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