I have just returned from my first ever cruise and spent all 12 days as Amanda. it was wonderful from the very first moment to the last it was perfection. I may bore you to death over the next period as i recount all the days, but it has been the most memorable time of Amanda's life. There are many reasons for this which will unfold
I was encouraged to go on this cruise to The Northern Lights by my dear friend Karen. She had already booked and so i took up the challenge.
My booking was linked to Karen's although we had separate cabins. I had advised the agent that although the booking was in my male name I would be Amanda all the time on the cruise.
They advised P & O and they confirmed that there was no issue with that.

On arrival at Southampton, ( was dressed as Amanda ) as we entered the Arrivals Hall a P & O Rep enquired was I Amanda and said she would accompany myself and Karen to registration. No waiting in a queue, and there they took my photograph and issued me with a Tour card in Amanda's name and all one in my male name. When these cards were scanned the photo would appear on their readers but it was my Amanda card that was to be used all the time.

We were asked did we want to stay in a queue for security or would they take us to the front, we choose to join the queue. However when we reached the front there was an escort there to go through security with us until we then bi=oarded the Ship.

I have to say the whole process was brilliantly handled and so now we were on board and in our Cabins.

The two shots above show the cabin on the first evening and then on the following day

So now the adventure begins.

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After a relaxing evening the first night on board it we up and at them the next morning. A gorgeous breakfast and as we were in Freedom Dining we decided to share tables and meet as many people as possible during the cruise.
It was a feature of the whole cruise that everyone we shared table with were friendly and accepting just making the whole experience so much more enjoyable. On that first morning there was one lady a real character travelling on her own such am exuberant person a real joy to meet.
After breakfast a stroll on deck was required and as you can see it was a glorious morning it was warm and so very pleasant.
The on board programme had a slot each morning for those travelling alone to meet for coffee for an hour. We went along to that most days and again met some very nice people, mostly ladies as there were a few males also.
Then it was lecture time at 11AM. There were a series of lectures on Cyber warfare and intelligence. this was given by a guy who had worked in Signals Intelligence during World War2. It covered details re Bletchley Park and GCHQ. I attended all of these.
That then took us to Lunchtime.

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Well after lunch the weather was still beautiful on that first day so we were out on deck once more marvelling at the beauty of the vastness of the Sea. It brings home to you just how powerful nature is and to some degree how insignificant we are. Being able to relax in these wonderful surroundings as Amanda is just an experience I will never forget,

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Our first full day at sea had been beautiful and in the evening it was a celebration Dinner. We shared a table with 3 couples who were all so very pleasant and we were so relaxed. The photos show me in the Atrium of the ship and the middle one of Karen and I was taken in The Craws nest bar just before dinner.
After dinner we went to a show which was Brian Kidd who did a tribute act of Tom Jones. He was exceptional and the show was just fantastic with the Audience in raptures.
We had gone to a Singles meeting in the morning and here again everyone was very accepting and kind. Mostly ladies and we met each morning thereafter sharing our experiences of the day.

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Our first full day at sea was 31st October Halloween. The ship had some decorations all around so after dinner Karen and I took advantage of one such for a photo opportunity. A young couple obliged by taking the photo.

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