Emtbsam

11 minutes ago, Port Power said:

I’m on just one cruise, Reykjavik to Longyearbyen in June.  Are you on the same expedition cruise?  I hope we manage to meet up.  There will be a lot of Australians aboard!

We are on at the end of June.  Sorry we will miss you.

48 minutes ago, Port Power said:

I went on a tour of Crystal Serenity today.  I must say that I was impressed. There are many lounges, bars and even theatre-type venues.  Also plenty of restaurants, including an al fresco area between the pool and the buffet dining area.  Lovely menus.  Our TA said the food is excellent.  Even cups and saucers were very pretty!

 

We were shown several cabin/suite levels.  Yes, the smallest cabins are only 20 sq m, but they are big enough for one passenger, and the shower is large.  Crystal designates the window view cabins as solo suites a permanent solo supplement of only 10%.  That is very enticing for a solo cruiser. There are some balcony cabins, same size, also designated solo.  The new double size suites were great.  Some cabins have been left with the older layout and more timber, as previous Crystal passengers like them.

 

I had never even considered Crystal, but today’s tour has certainly changed my mind.  All the posts about slipping food standards helped.  Of course, destination and price will still be a deciding factor.

 

Two visits to the speciality restaurants is included in an 11 day cruise, and $50 charged after that.

 

 

 

We are also taking a look at Crystal.

I believe we will see you on the second half of your cruise on the Wind!

My condolences to you both.  May their memories be a blessing.

1 hour ago, lincslady said:

Thank you, Lois.  Most Brits, even those who are not Royalists, will feel sad that someone so young and with young children should be going through this, and having to make it public knowledge in view of the nastiness of some people on social media.  I hope they feel duly ashamed of themselves, and that the cancer she has is one of the 'better' ones and still at an early stage.  I was lucky to have had one of those, and over ten years on seem to be getting away with it so far.

I don’t really know why this news hit me so hard, but I do hope she bounces back quickly.  Chemo is no fun, but I am thriving 17 years after a nasty diagnosis, so if I can do it at my age and fitness, I pray that she can as well.

Pleased to report that Weatherstem has put a camera on top of the local fire station.  After trimming a tree today, we have a view of our "Dock of the bay".  It will be nice to see just how bad the storms are when we're not here.  It updates frequently.  https://franklin.weatherstem.com/fswnalligatorpoint

1 minute ago, dawntrdr said:

Passing on an item that might be of interest to you...

 

Many of us had the pleasure of sailing with Kirk Detweiler, recently CD on several SS (and RCI) vessels.  He is now executive director of the historic Palace Theatre in his home town of Marion Ohio.  On March 20, 2024, the Palace is presenting a lecture and presentation by Julia Hansen, a survivor of the Andrea Doria sea disaster of 1956.  Here is the link:

 

https://marionpalace.org/event/andrea-doria-a-famous-sea-disaster-and-a-survivors-story/

 

By the way, it looks like Kirk is still hosting Trivia night!

His trivia was the best of any CD on Silversea!

We took a tour to Penfolds from Adelaide a few years ago and highly recommend it.  The wine tasting was superb and included a bottle of Grange among 5 others.  Then we were set free to sit at the bar and sample anything.  We discovered Grandfather Tawny which was quite a treat.  We hope to go again in 2026 on the World Cruise.

Our team leader on the Moon TA in 2022 blatantly cheated writing down several answers and crossing out the wrong ones.  It took all the fun out of it and was embarrassing.  I called her out on it and left the team.

3 hours ago, DavyWavey70 said:

I’d also love to visit Scarborough (yours not ours) and wouldn’t break out in a rash If I got to visit Bee Gees alley!

I went to Scarborough Country Day School in the States - not far from Sing Sing prison.  The school was lovely but the lights would dim when the prison was executing someone!

4 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

 

We are. And we are excited to try it!

 

First big trip in at least ten years where we're not flying with an airline in the SkyTeam alliance. But SkyTeam has nothing useful in Australia, now that Virgin Australia isn't in the alliance any longer, so this made much more sense. Just a simple hop from JFK-SIN-Darwin on the way to join Silver Cloud, and Perth-SIN-JFK coming home. Simple. Other than the ridiculous flight times...

If you are in First Class, do the champagne taste test Krug vs Dom.

45 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

Jazzbeau & Jazzbelle are well underway. Just under 15 hours to go... Have a great trip!

 

 

This June we will fly the JFK-SIN non-stop route. Should be fun!

I hope you are on Singapore Airlines!

Tonight’s sunset.  I am in my happy place!

Too bad about the short stay in Adelaide - no time to visit Penfold’s.

My first trip to Perth was in 1968.  I was on an extended cruise on P & O’s Arcadia.  We stopped in Freemantle and drove up to Perth where I went to the tallest and seemingly only hotel in town on the park.  The view from the roof was lovely.  We went back to Perth a few years ago, and it is still there.

last evening, I looked outside my house in north Florida and was greeted by our neighbor.  Estimates put him around 500 pounds.  He is much larger than the one I saw in September.

Lois - We are on Alligator Point.

I have been so impressed by all the wonderful photos posted of safaris, chateaux, churches in Brazil among others.  On this last day of 2023, I found myself down on the dock of the bay at my house in North Florida in a very melancholy mood.   Although this is far from an exciting part of the world, I was struck by the sheer beauty of the wildlife and solitude I am privileged to enjoy.  I hope all Coolers have a very happy, safe and healthy new year.  

Lirio - I was able to visit the Cloud in Maryland over the summer.  Contact guest services a few months ahead of time and ask for the form.  Once you fill it out and send it back, they will let you know if you are approved.  It will still be up to the port security people the day you want to go, but unless things are different in Brazil or especially during Carnival, you should be okay.  

Mysty and Myster - I still remember your excitement prior to your first world cruise.  I hope this year exceeds the fun and joy you had on the first cruise.  We will miss you.  Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.

Lois - so sorry to hear you have been sick.  Here’s hoping you feel much better soon!

JP - we were just in the Azores on the way home on the Nova.  We had a great guide and saw a lot on our brief tour of Ponta Delgada.   His name is Bruno but I do not know which company Silversea uses there.  I would love to go back and am sure you and Chris will enjoy your time there.

DW70 - I am so sorry to hear what you have been going through.  It is heartbreaking.  How wonderful that lavender spray has such a calming effect.  I hope I remember that should I ever need it.

Deck 9 party central!

Say hello to the ping pong crowd for me!  Have a wonderful time.

JP and Chris - Your energy amazes me.

2 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hello folks, this will be my first Crossing ever and definitely looking forward to it! Flying out tomorrow and arriving in Lisbon on Monday and we sail on Tuesday.

I will check in on here and if I can help with answers will try my best. I am on deck 9 so will let you know how that is too. From what a few folks have posted on

the roll call, over 500 people are on the ship now and they are staying on for the crossing. Anyway, I am excited to try this new ship!😃

there are 700+ on board now.  81 are staying on for the crossing and there will be around 500 total for the crossing.

We will also be on 9 moving from 7.  The ship will arrive in Lisbon some time on the 6th so don’t be surprised if you see it.  The Captain announced that we will have slightly rough weather tonight and rough weather tomorrow evening.

looking forward to meeting everyone.