world cruise 2015

Hmmmm.... King Neptunes aka didn't happen to start with a F and end with an O did it ? Anyway,continue to have a good time. We just got an update from our former butler this morning. We stayed in contact after we disembarked in Singapore. Now how's that for an example of SS crew members building a rapport with passengers.

He certainly did, and maybe I will post photographic evidence at some point!

we met a lovely guy, Jim, on our discoverer expedition to Alaska last summer.

I think he is aboard with you all.

he is a solo traveler.

soft spoken and delightful.

the key to knowing if it's Jim would be his special olives in his martini.

He is from San Francisco.

anyone seen Jim?

I would like to send regards!

Spinnaker2, have met most of the solo travelers and the only Jim is a James. Not sure about the Martini and olives. Will ask the fount of all knowledge, the Big O.

For the first time since leaving Cape Town the weather is less clement. Its still 80c but overcast, some rain and a middling swell. At last a little rock'n'roll to sleep to.

Tomorrow is Devils Island, the first land since Ascension and now 8 straight days at sea.

Thanks for looking.

Jim is a James.

Key would be olives. And if course if he was on discoverer to Alaska and kamchatka.

Hear the Spirit had to divert and will miss a port, instead going straight to Portugal.

They had three days of bad weather and swells, I have been told.

Carnival vessel had to make circles for a long time before heading into Sydney.

Seems some foul weather afoot.

Stay dry.

Hi Spinnaker2, I asked Oliver and he confirmed 'your' Jim is indeed onboard. He is in the bar at 6:15 and early to dinner, whereas we are late, so have not bumped into him.

Managed to get into DI today and it was overcast, not excessively humid and much better organised than I remember on my last trip 25 years ago. It was generally enjoyed by those who made it ashore. Rewarded by a vet cold Hoegaarden on our return.

Thankfully we tendered from the landward side of Ilse Royale and were protected from the swell and iffy weather than we are still sailing through.

Hi silver and thanks.

Can you possibly send regards thru Oliver or reception that candy and Larry send their regards and miss him?

He is a delightful gentleman.

thanks again!

King Oliver knows all ! Just give him the name of a drink and he'll tell you who drinks. He's amazing,and always fun to talk with. I knew he'd come through.

I know it's presumptuous of me to ask a favor of someone I don't know, but hope I am not imposing too much.

The olives are Jims signature.

I know it's presumptuous of me to ask a favor of someone I don't know, but hope I am not imposing too much.

The olives are Jims signature.

No problem, will do via Oliver.

Terrible day at Trivia, 7 wrong answers, including two for the house.

Another nice, lazy day at sea with a special pool deck dinner for the 160 world cruisers.

Final answer is 60 guests joining in Barbados tomorrow, and they are all getting off in Fort Lauderdale.

now 8 straight days at sea.

You bridge players should be happy with that.

For the first time since leaving Cape Town the weather is less clement. Its still 80c but overcast, some rain and a middling swell. At last a little rock'n'roll to sleep to.

 

Tomorrow is Devils Island, the first land since Ascension and now 8 straight days at sea.

Hope the weather does not become more clement, god forbid.

Hope the weather does not become more clement, god forbid.

Much more clement, yesterday in Barbados (where the final take was 57) and today in Georgetown, Granada where we were able to watch an historic final day win for England against the West Indies.

Jimmy Jimmy,

Jimmy Jimmy Anderson!!!!

Silver Spectre, now I am jealous. Jimmy is a hero.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Agree, Jimmy is a hero, and it was his day and match yesterday.

St Lucia today, Sunday so most shops closed, temperature got up to 95c and the last of the World Cruisers events took place, tour, beach and lunch but no aircon.

Today's extra special event was a pair of idiots having a fifteen minute conversation with their grandchildren on speakerphone (or squeakerphone) on the outside of the Terraza at lunch, oblivious to the wish of all the other 20 guests that they should jump overboard. The head waiter spoke to them and was told to clear off.

St Barth's yesterday and then headless chicken day in San Juan.

Firstly a face to face immigration inspection for guests and all crew, then a full drill covered by the US Coast Guard along with a full food/services inspection.

So, no speciallity coffees until 2:30, no bouillon, no fruit in drinks, no straws on the pool deck, lots of frazelled food and bar staff. Looks like the ship passed so lots of relieved staff, including two from the US head office.

Its the crew show tonight and the big question is will Oliver be able to sing with his voice at only 70%.

Oh, and it reached 107F outside today.

Final day of the world cruise, weather very iffy, warm but wet and overcast. Managed to keep up our reputation and thrashed the opposition at trivia for the last time.

Currently 210+ booked for 2016, at least 50% up on this year.

Antonio already onboard and sharing duies with Gilbert who gets off and goes home to the Philapines tomorrow, along with captain Corsaro and many others.

Wrap to follow.

And the excellent Polish trio

Arrived Ft Lauderdale this morning, suffered the usual SS/US Custom farce of being kicked off the ship at 09:55 to stand around whilst a flunky decided not to process us because there were 3 sets of Fed Ex'd bags not collected (guests left with early flights and had not claimed the bags). After 20 mins sanity returned and we were let back on-board.

General comments on the cruise.

Food and Restaurants:

The food was very good with a high level of variety, Anne-Marie did a really good job and runs a very tight team. We did run out of berries in the middle of the Atlantic and the food and service on the inspection day in San Juan was sub standard, but forgivable due to the circumstances.

MDR

Generally very good, well run by Gilbert and his team. In 26 days I never got a main on a cold plate, and sent nothing back. I was never at a loss for choice. The curries were good and on the final night we finished off with a signature dish of Bobotie. Never ate breakfast and only ate lunch here once.

Apart from one evening the service was excellent.

The wine service, particularly by Cosmin, Head Sommelier, was wonderful.

Spectre....just out of curiosity, who was the bridge instructor on your segments? Don't play, but have run across some that are great fun people and others who are pills.

Spectre....just out of curiosity, who was the bridge instructor on your segments? Don't play, but have run across some that are great fun people and others who are pills.

It was Gordon & Kath, and they were outstanding. Can get the surname if you wish.

La Terazza.

Ate here for breakfast most days and the service was always good. The fresh fruit and particularly berries ran out for a few days in the Atlantic on the way to Barbados. No other problems with food. Regina Huber, one of the Head Waiters was outstanding.

At lunch the sushi & sashimi was always good. The Pasta station was good, although not always to my taste. Again service, both food and wine very good.

Some days the hot food choice was a little uninspiring, but its difficult to keep it up day after day. The hot desert was often more continental than British, and did not appear popular, and the cheese was restricted to 4 types, with the blue being Danish Blue 6 days out of 7. The salads were always good.

Evening meals were a bit more hit and miss, with the pasta occasionally coming out overcooked and being returned. The service was sometimes a little slow. On Sunday evenings there was often a family style evening, with a cold starter buffet and followed by two set hot courses. This was not really our thing and we hated the group singing that was expected.

When the weather was good the outside deck was open and made for a nice romantic setting.

Le Chamapage.

We did not eat here and cannot understand why the menu has not chnaged for 3 years.

Pool Grill/Hot Rocks

The food and service at lunch was excellent and it was always good to dine on the deck in the evenings when the weather permitted. The T-bone steak has gone, but the Madagascan Prawns were giants and very sweet. Interestingly they dissappeared as soon as the World Cruise finished.

Service was good but order taking by one waiter in particular was a problem, even with the ipad.

The philipino duo were there every night, but once the World Cruise finished it was back to the main bar for them.

Room Service.

We are saving this for when we get really old.

Thanks for the updates Silver Spectre! Appreciate the time you take to post your reviews!