AIDA Metropolises 2017 · Page 2

In the afternoon we visited the Ocean Spa. A 7-day flat rate costs 99 euros per week. One whirlpool indoors and two whirlpools on the outer deck. Cosily furnished, but unfortunately the situation was like a package holiday in Mallorca: every lounger reserved with towels and hardly anyone in the spa. The staff should take firmer action here and remove the towels.

In the evening we had reserved a table at French Kiss. Simply great – table service and a great choice of menus.

Afterwards came another little highlight: the Magnum Bar, where you can have a Magnum ice cream made to your own specifications.

On Monday we arrived in Southampton, and shopping was on the day's agenda. After the face check we set off towards the city at 10 a.m.; less than 2 kilometres away is the big West Quay mall.

Of course one of our first stops was Victoria's Secret.

In front of the mall there was a big surprise for us: a German Christmas market. The staff all spoke German. And when a Spanish Christmas song came on while we were drinking mulled wine, things were completely topsy-turvy: there we were, Germans in Southampton at a German Christmas market, listening to Spanish Christmas songs.

Back on the ship, the ropes course was on the programme. Important tip: be sure to book a time slot – without one you can't use it. The ropes course is real fun.

Le Havre was our next stop on the trip. Our booked AIDA excursion went to the chalk cliffs.
Meeting time 7.45 a.m. The bus ride to the starting point took about 45 minutes. The 6-kilometre hike ran right along the cliff edge.

Shortly after 12 noon we were back on AIDAprima.

On Wednesday morning we reached Zeebrugge. Here only a visit to the Christmas market in Bruges was on the programme. We took the AIDA shuttle to Bruges for almost 25 euros per person (5 euros more than on our trip in March).

Bruges is a great place to explore, especially at Christmas time.

Our last stop on this trip was Rotterdam. Here we had booked a short tour through AIDA (RME06). At 9.45 a.m. the bus set off right through the centre of Rotterdam. The short 2.5-hour introduction to the city was worth it if you've never been there before.

As our tour ended at midday, we got off at our last stop by the Markthal and then explored the city on our own.

And at some point the trip sadly comes to an end.