Port Power

Emirates does all this for First Class, they also have home transfers to/from home for business class. Not all airlines provide kerb side check in for international flights. Those that do are usually just for international First Class passengers or high status passengers. Silversea does use Qatar, but they do not include home transfers. The OP was boarding in Dubai after disembarking, so she may have flying Emirates, or one of the many airlines that use that airport. Help with luggage at Dubai was the issue. Helpful fellow passengers assisted her.

Don’t even think of handing out US$5 notes in Dubai! Assistance at Dubai Airport is complimentary. They do not use USD in any case as they have their own currency.

Spaccanapoli for pizza, the Grill for hamburgers and much more, La Terrazza buffet including pasta and a stir fry, Kaiseki for sushi, and Atlantide for a la carte dining.

Saturday, 2 December, 2023. At Sea. This morning the ocean is actually different. Less swell today and a smoother surface. From La Terrazza at breakfast, I could see rain falling in the distance.

I did ask about the drink and will try one tomorrow night. I also gave Verne compliments from a happy guest from 2019, which he appreciated.

It certainly is Verne. He recognised me when I boarded, which I think is pretty wonderful! That was from Silver Dawn in Norway in June. What is your favourite cocktail? Or is it called “Silver Spirit”? I’ll ask for one. The bar is going to be overrun with requests for Cosmopolitans at trivia!

Having eaten, the next demonstration (at midday) was martinis. “Vesper”, “Cosmopolitan” and “Espresso Martini”. The former was too straight up for me. The Cosmopolitan included some fresh lime juice and was just delicious. The Espresso Martini was good as usual. The Dolce Vita bar team.

Sea days don’t necessarily mean lying around the pool or reading in the Observation Lounge. First of all there was a València paella demonstration by S.A.L.T. Lab and Kitchen in the Venetian Lounge. This is finger food using the food items in our paella placed on top of a fried ground rice cracker. Very tasty as well as pretty.

It seems someone took notice, so the decorations have been moved a little lower. I actually think it looks prettier.

I am about to give up on posting! Yesterday’s post mysteriously returned, but captured a photo taken today and posted a few minutes ago. I have no idea what is going on! 🤔

A cute little “train” passed by, but I wasn’t quick enough to capture a full view. I don’t know which ship it was servicing.

Friday, 1 December, 2023. At sea, Atlantic Ocean. I’ll just repost these for the next six days. 🤣

Okay. I wrote two posts on my iPhone, added photos, and submitted. They seem to have disappeared into the ether?

Thursday, 30 November, 2023. Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands. Our luck with weather has finally run out, although it is not a totally miserable day. Still 23C. The morning started with heavy, dark clouds and progressed to light showers and a strong wind. Lamp posts on the pier were swaying. Many passengers abandoned their tours and remained on board the ship. Midday: If you look closely, there are two tunnel entrances through the closer hill. There are three roads going through tunnels. I don’t think I captured any. Behind Silver Dawn today is “Mien Schiff”, a German ship. I saw couples with prams passing by and for a moment wondered where they had been hiding on the ship? Then I realised they were from the other ship.

Las Palmas is warm and sunny and on the ocean. It has some lovely and colourful old houses. But, gee! Look at the housing sprawl it is pretty dense.

Yes, it certainly is. I also ask for it not to be brought out as there is too much food on it. However, I might request an individual serving. The large board is all right when there are at least four diners.

As usual, the flower arrangements all over the ship are gorgeous. I met the florist one day. She is the only florist aboard!

Wednesday, 29 November, 2023. Las Palmas, Grand Canaria, Spain. I went for a walk off the ship this morning, but didn’t find much worthy of being photographed. Next to the ship there appears to be a building (cruise terminal?) being built, and we are being regularly serenaded by the pile driver. It is amazing how much of the metal pillars end up underground! About one-third remains visible. Opposite us again is the P&O UK “Ventura”, so there are lots of Brits in their shorts and summer clothes out and about. Some children too. I was passed by three young women leaving the ship with their plastic tumblers of wine! Further along in front is Lürssen’s “Golden Odyssey”. Whether it has the Arabian Sheik onboard or is chartered we cannot tell. Opposite and behind “Ventura” is the CroisiEurope “La Belle does Oceans”, which many of you may remember when it was “Silver Discoverer”. There are lots of happy looking people on the aft deck and walking back from shore. I could take a photo because of the pylons obstructing the view. It is a very pleasant and sunny 21C today. There is a big shopping centre opposite the port with a large supermarket, which is very handy for crew shopping for their necessities as well as treats.

I was watching from my balcony when the small “wheelchair” bus returned from the day’s excursion. By then the tide had risen, so the gangway was even steeper! I thought, surely the deck 3 access door could be opened and a ramp put out for wheelchairs and mobility walkers? Everyone did get up the steps, all with assistance from their companions or the crew. One companion ran up and down twice, I would think to ask about how her Dad should get aboard. The assistance fellows are wonderful. A gangway across to deck 3 would have been even better.

Thank you. I saw the yellow funnel in the distance and looked no closer.

Tuesday, 28 November, 2023. Arrecife, Canary Islands. I was somewhat unwell overnight, so did not go on my tour. Hopefully one of the other Cruise Critic members on board will be able to post their experiences. So here is the uninspiring view from my starboard balcony. At least there was fresh air. Actually I was looking at the ocean on the other side of the road, so it was quite nice. There has been a large ship in front of Silver Dawn when we arrived. It left at around 4:00pm or so. Turned out it was a Costa ship. 🥴

Monday was a long awaited sea day. No photos were taken. We had the Captain’s welcome in the Venetian Lounge and this time I was invited to have dinner with the Human Resources Manager. There was another solo lady and a couple, and John, the Future Cruise Manager, also joined the table. A good time was had by all.

On Sunday evening the housekeeping crew were very busy indeed. Christmas decorations are now up. Atrium deck 5: Deck 4. Not very easy to photograph with the tree above the ceiling.

We were back at the port in time for a mid afternoon departure. Sunday regatta.

The day finished with a visit to Ericeira, originally a fishing village but now a large and popular holiday resort area. There is surf, and just like Perth in autumn and winter, the kids were out on their surfboards in their wetsuits. It was charming to wander around a bit. It was Sunday, a brass band had just finished playing and the small Christmas market had opened. The old houses had tiled walls from the Moorish influence. We admired the lovely wrought iron balconies, and were amazed by the festooned power lines!