Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Recently, my daughter, aged 14, had an opportunity to travel with P&O as part of a Sea Cadet programme, and got to spend time on the bridge and seeing how the ship ran.
She promised a few forumites at the time that she'd write up the experience.... and here's her effort.
P & O Ferry trip to Rotterdam
Before I left to go on this trip, I knew very little about it. But I tell you, that didn’t stop the excitement. You could probably tell this was the first time I had done anything like this, due to the large smirk beaming across my face.
After arriving at our unit in Peterborough at 11 o’clock, we were driven down to Wisbech, where we picked up an officer and another cadet. From here we made our way to Lincoln, where we could get out and stretch our legs! Finally, we had been squished in the car for about 2 hours! Here we all packed ourselves into the Lincoln unit’s Mini-bus, which although large enough to seat 18 and there was only 12 of us, due to the large amount of luggage was a rather squeezed effort. Then after another hour or so of driving, we pulled into the car park at the P & O Hull ferry terminal.
Pride of Hull
Once we were all fully dressed in our ones (caps and all!) we dragged all our bags through to the waiting room where our passports were checked, and our tickets and room keys were printed off. Finding our way around the terminal to get onto the ferry proved harder than expected, but once we made our way into the main reception we were kindly greeted by a crew of smiling people dressed in smart yellow uniforms. From here we were hurried off to our cabins, before being taken on a tour on the Bridge and the engine rooms.
Engine rooms & Control panels
After the tour; which had stunned us due to the amount of equipment and had us jumping out of our skins as the engineers started up the house sized engines, we were sent off to our cabins. 5 minutes. No I’m not joking – we only had 5 minutes to get from our best uniforms into our 4’s (working uniforms). When these rushed 5 minutes were up we went for our dinner at the Four Seasons Buffet Restaurant, where – I have to say – the food was exquisite!
We then did our first watch on the bridge watching the ferry – The Pride of Hull – leaving port and navigating up the River Humber, which in the dark was very exciting and interesting. We were showed around all the equipment, and were even asked to take a compass bearing and plot a position using longitude and latitude. Although I must say, after an hour and half up there, our legs were tired and everybody was getting a little bored, as up on the bridge at night, there isn’t really a lot to look at, except for a few channel markers.
At about 10:30, we were set free around the ship to do as we pleased (as long as we behaved!). So armed with our civvies, and a pocket full of Euros, we skipped off to have a little fun. We explored the Ship and all its shopping facilities and even brought tickets for an 11:30 showing of a film that (unknown to us) turned out to be horror! After the film, that actually scared the pants of off all of us, we all crammed into room 10118, where we spent about an hour chatting and just getting to know each other.
The next morning, we had an early start, having to be at breakfast at 6, so that we could be up on the bridge for when the ferry came into port in Rotterdam. Then, in our Best Uniforms, we all got on one of 5 coaches and drove about 15 miles into Rotterdam Centre. There, we spent about 5 and a half hours wondering in and out of all the Dutch shops and even showing our faces at the Maritime Museum (which we felt was very appropriate!). When we arrived back on the Pride of Hull, we were all a bit worn out, and due to the previous night’s lack of sleep were ready for our beds! But sadly that was not to be. After another amazing dinner from the excellent chefs, we were in our 4’s and up on the Bridge once more. Although it was nice to be invited up there again, it did get rather boring the 4th time! So by the time we got back to our rooms after the watch me were more than ready to rest our heads against our pillows.
3 Miles from Rotterdam – view from the Bridge
For the next morning all alarms had been set for 5:30 ready to wake us all up, so when we received a knock at the door and another cadet running around like a headless chicken screaming, we had 3 minutes until we had to be at breakfast. So the lights were flicked on and clothes were shoved on in an un-orderly fashion, which at the time suited us all fine! And to many people’s surprise, we managed to get down for breakfast and only be 5 minutes late! After breakfast, we made our way up to the bridge for the final time, which we were in a way relieved about (I think 5 times was too many for all of us). But it was still great fun! During this watch, there was one interesting situation; the ferry had to be turned around in a very, very small gap. There was only 3 metres at the front of the boat at one point! This was particularly nerve-racking for us, so just imagine how it must have felt for the Bridge officers! Then we had a 15 minute trip out of the Rotterdam harbour. It was surprising how quiet the North Sea was, as in previous experiences it has been reasonably busy.
Bridge
After our last watch, we were hurried to pack our bags and leave the ferry. Then followed another gruelling car journey. However, when I say this I think I speak for us all, by saying that it was a great couple of days. Everyone onboard was very friendly and willing to help with any queries we had (although – being in a uniform ourselves we did get mistaken for crew a few times – which actually makes you feel quite good!). And if I was offered the opportunity I would jump at the chance and advise any fellow cadets to follow my lead and do the same! It’s a once in a lifetime experience!
She promised a few forumites at the time that she'd write up the experience.... and here's her effort.
P & O Ferry trip to Rotterdam
Before I left to go on this trip, I knew very little about it. But I tell you, that didn’t stop the excitement. You could probably tell this was the first time I had done anything like this, due to the large smirk beaming across my face.
After arriving at our unit in Peterborough at 11 o’clock, we were driven down to Wisbech, where we picked up an officer and another cadet. From here we made our way to Lincoln, where we could get out and stretch our legs! Finally, we had been squished in the car for about 2 hours! Here we all packed ourselves into the Lincoln unit’s Mini-bus, which although large enough to seat 18 and there was only 12 of us, due to the large amount of luggage was a rather squeezed effort. Then after another hour or so of driving, we pulled into the car park at the P & O Hull ferry terminal.
Pride of Hull
Once we were all fully dressed in our ones (caps and all!) we dragged all our bags through to the waiting room where our passports were checked, and our tickets and room keys were printed off. Finding our way around the terminal to get onto the ferry proved harder than expected, but once we made our way into the main reception we were kindly greeted by a crew of smiling people dressed in smart yellow uniforms. From here we were hurried off to our cabins, before being taken on a tour on the Bridge and the engine rooms.
Engine rooms & Control panels
After the tour; which had stunned us due to the amount of equipment and had us jumping out of our skins as the engineers started up the house sized engines, we were sent off to our cabins. 5 minutes. No I’m not joking – we only had 5 minutes to get from our best uniforms into our 4’s (working uniforms). When these rushed 5 minutes were up we went for our dinner at the Four Seasons Buffet Restaurant, where – I have to say – the food was exquisite!
We then did our first watch on the bridge watching the ferry – The Pride of Hull – leaving port and navigating up the River Humber, which in the dark was very exciting and interesting. We were showed around all the equipment, and were even asked to take a compass bearing and plot a position using longitude and latitude. Although I must say, after an hour and half up there, our legs were tired and everybody was getting a little bored, as up on the bridge at night, there isn’t really a lot to look at, except for a few channel markers.
At about 10:30, we were set free around the ship to do as we pleased (as long as we behaved!). So armed with our civvies, and a pocket full of Euros, we skipped off to have a little fun. We explored the Ship and all its shopping facilities and even brought tickets for an 11:30 showing of a film that (unknown to us) turned out to be horror! After the film, that actually scared the pants of off all of us, we all crammed into room 10118, where we spent about an hour chatting and just getting to know each other.
The next morning, we had an early start, having to be at breakfast at 6, so that we could be up on the bridge for when the ferry came into port in Rotterdam. Then, in our Best Uniforms, we all got on one of 5 coaches and drove about 15 miles into Rotterdam Centre. There, we spent about 5 and a half hours wondering in and out of all the Dutch shops and even showing our faces at the Maritime Museum (which we felt was very appropriate!). When we arrived back on the Pride of Hull, we were all a bit worn out, and due to the previous night’s lack of sleep were ready for our beds! But sadly that was not to be. After another amazing dinner from the excellent chefs, we were in our 4’s and up on the Bridge once more. Although it was nice to be invited up there again, it did get rather boring the 4th time! So by the time we got back to our rooms after the watch me were more than ready to rest our heads against our pillows.
3 Miles from Rotterdam – view from the Bridge
For the next morning all alarms had been set for 5:30 ready to wake us all up, so when we received a knock at the door and another cadet running around like a headless chicken screaming, we had 3 minutes until we had to be at breakfast. So the lights were flicked on and clothes were shoved on in an un-orderly fashion, which at the time suited us all fine! And to many people’s surprise, we managed to get down for breakfast and only be 5 minutes late! After breakfast, we made our way up to the bridge for the final time, which we were in a way relieved about (I think 5 times was too many for all of us). But it was still great fun! During this watch, there was one interesting situation; the ferry had to be turned around in a very, very small gap. There was only 3 metres at the front of the boat at one point! This was particularly nerve-racking for us, so just imagine how it must have felt for the Bridge officers! Then we had a 15 minute trip out of the Rotterdam harbour. It was surprising how quiet the North Sea was, as in previous experiences it has been reasonably busy.
Bridge
After our last watch, we were hurried to pack our bags and leave the ferry. Then followed another gruelling car journey. However, when I say this I think I speak for us all, by saying that it was a great couple of days. Everyone onboard was very friendly and willing to help with any queries we had (although – being in a uniform ourselves we did get mistaken for crew a few times – which actually makes you feel quite good!). And if I was offered the opportunity I would jump at the chance and advise any fellow cadets to follow my lead and do the same! It’s a once in a lifetime experience!
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