wmfabian

I just did some 14 day research on the weather and everything came up 60s during the day and 50s at night. Cooler than I thought, but still nice. I will need to rethink some packing. Slightly heavier layers take up more room. I know! I will leave out the swimsuit. Should give me some breathing space.....

Maybe leave behind a few pairs of sandals.

I have been madly studying and reading Wikipedia and Wiktionary. Problem is the short term memory loss ....and all that knowledge becomes ephemera.

I am lost in the Stygian morass of over preparation. My brain runneth over!

 

Back to packing. I am speaking gibberish.

Wow, Candy! I admire your dedication. I hope I can keep up!

I will be lucky if I remember my toothbrush, let alone what river flows though where or what mountain range divides the recently developed countries.....

Look forward to seeing you in less than a week!

So, are we all going on the Muse Venetians Only cruise? Say yes!

which is the Muse Venetians Only Cruise? I wasn't getting a clear picture from my TA.

How do you think I feel? The Spirit will move me next week - Valparaiso to FLL --

I tried for a M & M but no takers, so I guess it will be just me --

Dusababy aka Mary Ann

What is a M&M?

I know, I know, its 40 plus days away. I just can not wait any longer. Forgive my early posting of this thread, but I can't help myself.

I hope other CC members will post too. Maybe even really early, like me.

Gee, it doesn't feel early. It is just around the corner. I misplaced my passport today and nearly had a heart attack. Finally found it in the last suitcase used.

Can't wait to see you all again!

"Today we visited the port of Punte de Este, Uruguay. Ida and I enjoyed a short walk along the beach promenade. First up is our daily picture of our good friend David in his Daily themed t-shirt. We even caught a sea lion sun bathing on the pier and a cute dog wearing his Saturday best."

So, I was a little confused....

was the "cute dog wearing his Saturday best" a reference to David? or was David's t-shirt even cuter??

oh my goodness, how beautiful Ida looks in that dress! The first picture is stunning. I hope she took it home for her own collection.

Thank you Duct Tape and CruisinPashmina for your good wishes. I was impressed by how Silversea handled singles cruisers before, even though I didn't think I would need to avail myself of those services. I experienced everyone having a great time regardless of couple status and so as I look to try vacationing on my own, Silversea seemed a natural choice.

I appreciate your support and look forward to meeting you soon!

Willa

Thank you Wes and Candy for your condolences.

And thank you Wes for welcoming me to the role call! I am looking forward to the cruise and seeing you all again.

Willa

Hi Wes,

Not sure where to jump in. Just replied to your other thread, but I am in! Please add me to the roll call.

Willa

OK, OK. I know you are all waiting for me to join.

I am in! Just talked to my TA and I will be attempting to join the Maiden Cruise of the Silversea Muse.

I had the pleasure of cruising with many of you on the Spirit's Atlantic Crossing in November of 2013. It was the best cruise of our lives. I don't want to bring anyone down, but my husband, Alan, passed away the following May of pancreatic cancer. I am holding my chin up and trying to carry on the cruising tradition.

I would love to see you all again. I am doing my first (of hopefully many) solo cruise on the Spirit on August 19th out of Istanbul. Let me know what the group is doing between now and the Muse debut and I will be there with bells on. Probably other clothes too, but lots of bells.....

Willa

The brand names I plan to enter are Snickers, Pringles and M&Ms!

Not many posts make me laugh out loud, but yours did!

I am sailing on the Spirit for the second time this August. I hope they take your comments to heart. During the Atlantic crossing in November of 2013 the Spirit had a trunk show for a reasonably priced jewelry designer and that was fun. I hope they do something similar in August.

We are all ready to book Silver Galapagos next May to celebrate our daughter's college graduation. That would mean Alan and I along with our 24 year old son and 22 year old daughter. I had assumed the islands would be entertainment and that their would be other families aboard. In reading through some of the other threads regarding children and SS, I am concerned that maybe we should be considering a different line for trip.

I know Silver Galapagos hasn't sailed yet, but these trips are booking out and I am anxious to get our trip settled.

What do you all think? Will the older kids enjoy themselves? Will fellow cruisers not enjoy having twenty-somethings on board? Is anyone else bringing older children?

Your advice will be appreciated!

Hi Biaria,

Thank you for all your wonderful advice!

Do we tip the tobaggon people? Will they help us find the bus at the end?

We would like to take the cable car up, see the botanical gardens and then the tobaggon down. Are the gardens in the immediate vicinity at the top of the cable car or do we need other transportation to find it?

Kind Regards

Willa

Hi wmfabian,

 

If the $109 Silversea is charging is per person and only includes transportation from the pier to the cable car station, cable car and toboggan ride tickets, plus transportation back to the pier, it's on the expensive side in my opinion.

 

To get from the pier to the Cable car station I certainly do not recommend the HOHO Bus, because when you reach the Bus you have already walked about 3/4 of the way. If you don't like the idea of walking, find out if there's shuttle bus service from the docks to town or take a taxi that will cost you something like 10 euros and takes up to 4 people.

 

The HOHO is a good idea only if you plan to take the tour/tours it provides. In case you buy the HOHO ticket, it will give you access to the public transport and will come in handy for your trip from the end of the Toboggan ride to the center of town. However, if you don't have the HOHO ticket, a ticket bought inside the public bus is very, very cheap - 1.90 euros per person.

 

Please beware that it's only the ticket from the official Yellow HOHO Bus that can be used in public transport.

 

Let me say that the visit to Blandy's Wine Lodge on your own is a much better idea. To avoid disappointment, I advise you to book your wine tasting tour in advance.

 

Have an enjoyable day on Madeira!

Thank you, Biaria!

Sounds like we should walk to the cable car (early!) and grab tickets on our own. Can credit cards be used or is it cash only?

How do we book wine tasting at the Blandy Wine Lodge? Is there a website?

I appreciate your help.

Willa

Hi All! We will be stopping in Fungal on Friday, November 15. Silversea offers the cable car up and tobaggon down for $109. If I add up the prices Biaria was quoting, it seems to come pretty close to this. Or do those of you who have done this before recommend we get the hop on hop off bus and buy our own tickets?

Also, they offer a tour and tasting at the Blandy Wine Lodge for $79. Same question....

Is this something we should attempt to do on our own?

Many thanks to those of you who have gone before us!

Willa