Live from the Spirit: Barcelona to Bridgetown - Nov. 5

[spinnaker2]

Hahaha David!

Great t-shirts.

Nice to have a chuckle for a change.

[Camillus112]

Although visiting Agadir was in our plans yesterday, we ended up not entering the shuttle bus as cruisers coming back let us know that it was just a smaller Casablanca. We had a leisurely afternoon with new-found friends and dinner at La Champagne. Dinner was lobster themed, well prepared, but nothing spectacular. It's good we tried it, but will prefer to reserve other dining venues. Quite a rolling ride last night and all laughed this morning on our way to breakfast since we seemed to be dancing in the hallway. Today is Arrecife in Lanzarote, Canary Islands.

[NJBelle]

Hi, we are on the high seas now, heading for Barbados. Haven't posted in a couple of days since we have been busy with port action. It is late now, but since we get to push back an hour tonight, I am feeling frisky.

 

Just had formal night and went to the Venetian Party. There are about 440 on the cruise and about 350 returning passengers. Lots of people getting 100 day certificates (love that free laundry!) and even over 500 days. Dinner was nice and then we went to Stars for the jazz. We have not gone to many of the Show Nigjts - we are in NYC, so don't really care about the shows. We might go to the Magician since my husband like a good one (emphasis on good) - I think that is tomorrow.

 

Anyway, the excursions we took on the Canary Islands were great. We had two different experiences on Lanzarote and then on Gran Canaria. Really good excursions and felt like we saw the Islands and had fun too.

 

Food has been great. Everyone seems to be happy.

 

Now the sea days start. Tomorrow, I have two wine classes and my book to read. I feel overwhelmed 😊.

[Stumblefoot]

Would love to hear who the Sommelier is and whether they'll be on for the holiday voyages. Anxious to see what goodies are on the Connoisseur wine list, especially vintage Champagne for New Year's Eve!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nowornever]

is there a library on the ship?

 

Enjoying your posts so much - keep them coming & I hope you have a very calm crossing.

 

Thanks !

[jollyjones]

Yes, small but eclectic library mostly fiction, some non-fiction. Also some reference books up the the Observation lounge but I haven't been up there on this voyage yet to see what they've got. The paperback exchange, often a source of unexpected reading material, is languishing in the doldrums now that everyone has an e-reader.

 

And doldrums is where our trivia team is - still just bridesmaids, came third yesterday.

 

There's some very enthusiastic jig-sawyers on this cruise - we're on about the fourth puzzle - and a couple of times I've been sitting there idly putting in a piece or two when other pax have stood around the table and kinda crowded me out, a bit unusual. Enthusiasm not always matched with accuracy, I might add.

 

I'm a sea day fan and I'm not quite sure how I feel about this itinerary with eight port days all in a row before we get to the sea days. IMO, SS could drop Morocco altogether and have a sea day on the way down to the Canaries; or even go all the way down to the Cape Verde Islands as they used to. I know excursions are a bit challenging in the islands but they're so far off the beaten track that I enjoy going there.

 

Anyway, today is the first sea day, it's warm and the sun is shining so all is good. We're leaning to port about 2 degrees, I guess we must have a beam sea, but it's not enough to spill the champagne.

[nowornever]

And good luck with the trivia! Do they still play for points & is it cumulative or on a day by day basis? I know - fabulous caps & tee shirts await. Amazing what otherwise sane people do for "free" laundry & a fanny pack, isn't it?

[jollyjones]

Trivia is for points (not that I bother to collect them any more) because with the afternoon excursions on those endless port days it wouldn't have been fair to score cumulatively.

 

Yesterday we finally deployed our secret weapon - David wore his 'I have the body of a God' tee shirt which affrighted the opposition sufficiently that we finally triumphed and came a resounding first.

 

The seas and the sunshine continue to be generous to us although there were some heavy squalls last night. I watched the Supermoon rise through a dramatic cloud bank almost due astern; she cast her reflection alongside our wake, all prettily gleaming silver.

 

Then a sneaky go at the jig saw while everyone else was eating; a late dinner for me in La Terrazza - one of the pastas with a tongue twisting name was possibly the best I've ever tasted - and an early night, worn out by all the excitement. Tonight is Moss's show so I must stay up for that, especially as we will gain another hour overnight.

 

P.S. The 'God' in question was Buddha ...

[Camillus112]

Lanzarote and Gran Canaria were quaint, lots of sea air and smell of fresh fish, palm trees and tropical, lush vegetation, an in a word - wonderful. Internet has been spotty, at least when we try to use it. The crossing has begun, and, the sun is shining bright, the weather is getting warmer, and we are shedding our clothes in favor of bathing suits. We cannot fault the Spirit, except for the service at the pool deck. Apart from a couple of waiters, many just try to ignore us and make us signal for them. I had heard of this situation in other threads, but, unfortunately, I need to confirm. Apart from this glitch, service has been wonderful.

[duct tape]

Glad yo are enjoying your trip. I would have chat with the Bar Manager about the pool area.

[Camillus112]

Glad yo are enjoying your trip. I would have chat with the Bar Manager about the pool area.

love the

 

Thanks, DT, will do. You would love the warm pool!

[Camillus112]

So there is a daily program for wine education and tasting which has been subscribed to by a large crowd. Problem: it's in The Bar at 11AM and 5PM, when some of us have to cross The Bar to get to our rooms. The way the tables and seats are set up don't leave any wiggle space to get by. We suggested that The Panorama Lounge or another venue be used, but were told to go up or down the stairs and take the elevators, but it would still not solve the problem!!! Not nice. Anyway, today was a Martini Tasting Party, which had to wait for because the wine education program ran late, but was very good and I enjoyed it very much. The food and wine have been very good and I have been using the pool both in the morning and afternoon...Yay!!

[reed992]

I am enjoying your posts. We are scheduled for our first SS cruise on Spirit next June after having been on Crystal, Regent and Oceania in the past. How is the condition of the ship?

[Camillus112]

I find that the condition of the ship is very good. Of course, there may be a nick here and a dent there if you look hard enough, after all the ship is not new. I have only been in SS and SB and can't compare to the others you've sailed, but I'm sure you will not be disappointed. The main design issue of the cabins (V1 and V2, don't know about others) is the very narrow space between the vanity and the bed, making it difficult for two people to navigate that part of the cabin at the same time. But, hey, that's minor. Another issue I find is the wash basin, which takes too much space and somehow makes it easy to spill water into the counter. But that's it!! The shower stall is big and comfortable and you get both the rain shower and the European hand held one. You also get a bath tub and a clothesline cord, very convenient if you prefer to wash your smalls. Furniture in the public rooms may be coming up for a refurb, but they're fine. Hope this helps.

[englishusa]

Disappointing carving board - meatloaf!. But you can have it carved thick or thin!

Internet useless, it's never been this bad!

[NJBelle]

Today we passed the halfway mark across the Atlantic. It has been very smooth sailing so far. The weather has been great, although one evening there was a sudden blast of rain that disrupted life at The Grill for a bit. Bit mostly wonderful weather, with lots of people on the pool decks. They have a really talented duo who play for two hours during lunch time and there have been delicious buffets each sea day (Mexica, German, American, Asian/Indian so far).

 

One thing I really like about this ship is the spacious areas for dining and for lounging on these decks. We have never had a problem finding a nice shaded table for lunch, but definitely have when we have sailed on Regent Voyager and on Crystal. Also is great that they have the entertainment each day.

 

Internet has been spotty at times, but we have easily downloaded newspapers kept up with email, posted on FaceBook, etc. It is great to sit by the pool or in the lounge and just be connected. I am sitting in the Bar now, waiting for the wine class to start.

 

We were lucky enough to be entered into the Propaedeutic (sounds kinda dirty, eh?) Sommelier Course. It has been a fantastic experience and it is under the direction of two very experienced and world-known sommeliers. We meet twice a day for each of the 7 sea days. It is a commitment but well worth it. We have didactic sessions, but also lots of wine tasting as well. This morning we tasted 7 wines, and I see that they are going to pour 7 more for the class coming up. This is considere a "Wine Cruise" and if you see one offered in the future, I can highly recommend it. Everyone seems to love it. Well done, Silversea!

[jollyjones]

Trivia question: what is the collective noun for a number of sea days?

 

Answer: a laziness ...

 

Not that the ship isn't bustling with activities, the timetable in the Chronicle is printed in a smaller font that usual to fit it all in. There's the wine tastings as Janice mentioned, enrichment lectures - Howard's about royal flowers, palaces and tiaras and Tracy Fleming on photography, multiple fitness and games opportunities, tournaments in the Casino, and quizzes in the Panorama.

Then there's a lot (a lot) of shopportunities - three jewelry and one art one today, also many buy a better body sales pitches - today it's face lifts and wrinkles. Not to mention the cobbler sitting endlessly hopeful beside his wares on the Pool Deck.

 

But I'm happy lounging on Deck 10 letting it all, like the ocean, flow beneath me untroubled by my attention.

 

Well, all except trivia of course. It's been of very variable difficulty - there are 25 points in play each day and once we came first with only 18 whilst yesterday we were wiped off the board with 21 - the winning scores were 25, 24 and 23 ...

We were operating under a disadvantage though - the ship has by sad mischance run out of David's preferred sherry so he must take consolation in Shiraz - it's just not the same.

 

Today carries a double calorie whammy. Lunchtime brings the jolly old Pub Lunch and Singalong in the Panorama - I think I can give that a miss having been in real English country pubs just pre-cruise - but then ... oh then ... at 10pm on deck under the huge sky and brilliant stars is the DESSERT BUFFET ... OMG ...

 

Gonna have to squeeze a fitness opportunity into my busy lazy day tomorrow ... sigh ...

 

PS The internet was very good until we changed satellites at Las Palmas, since then it's been slow and keeps dropping out which is very frustrating. But, boy, is this new free unlimited internet for everyone everywhere a great step forward! Just need better satellites.

[Camillus112]

Have been unable to post; internet very sluggish. Love the sea days! I can do as much or as little as I want and always feel pampered. Kudos to Silversea to invite a magician/comedian for two shows. His name is Jon Armstrong, and I hope you get a chance to enjoy his wonderful, entertaining show. Tonight is the crew talent show, to be held in the theatre. It used to be held outside, where it was more informal and personal. We are having great weather, hot, hot, hot!

[Silver Spectre]

Disappointing carving board - meatloaf!. But you can have it carved thick or thin!

Internet useless, it's never been this bad!

 

Sorry the internet is bad David, but at least you have some. We finally got our computer room back today after being 'under maintenance, ie being wallpapered for the first 3 days of our voyage', and the login on deck 4 here is a one in three attempts in the suite.

[Camillus112]

Last day of our cruise; hanging from every rail in painful denial. Our first crossing, and I am very happy. DH, however, prefers port intensive cruises, which usually entail better internet connections. We have booked a northern crossing in the Whisper in May, but it's very port intensive and hopefully he'll be happy. I'll post a detailed review in the Reviews section about a week after arrival. It's important to do so, since people with bad experiences seem more motivated to submit reviews, and a biased impression may be given to those considering the Silver Spirit. We have never been on the Whisper, but I'm sure it will be as delightful.

[NJBelle]

Yes, the party (and the cruise) is over. Sigh. We are at the Barbados Airport now, waiting for our flight. It was a fabulous cruise. Sure, minor things here and there, but overall it was just wonderful. We loved all the sea days, but quite enjoyed the port days too. It was a bit lop-sided with 8 port days in a row, then 7 sea days, but it made it like two different cruises in a way.

 

Random thoughts: people seemed to really enjoy the pool; huge crowds every day. The great weather and the lunchtime buffets and entertainment probably helped that. But as I said earlier, it never felt crowded. We don't seek out the sun, and we were always able to find a shady spot for eating, drinking or reading.

 

Food was really really good. We ate in every restaurant and all were good. Only glitch was the next to last day when the burgers at the BBQ were served a bit raw and then the pasta and risotto at dinner were both crunchy. I think the burgers were due to rushing to get all the folks on the deck fed fast - and then the same thing in the Restaurant with formal night and lots of people being served simultaneously. Minor things really, but keeps the chef from getting an A+ for the cruise.

 

Speaking of Formal Night, our dining companions and we estimated that maybe 80% of men were wearing tuxedos or dinner jackets. Lots of long gowns. Even on Informal Nights (there were 8 of those on the 16 day cruise) people dressed really well. Even pretty spiffy for Casual Nights. I guess now that Silversea is the most formal of the luxury lines. Maybe it is not everyone's cup of tea to dress nicely for dinner, but we really enjoyed making the effort. Made the evenings more special.

 

Never was able to find out when the Spirit is due next for a refurbishment. I think it is due. There are definitely some tired areas and some scuffed furniture in the suites. We have signed up for another cruise on her in 2018, so I hope it will be before then!

 

It looked like Barrie, the Future Cruise Consultant was kept quite busy. I know everyone I talked to had signed up for more (one person booked 4 more!). Anyway, it think it speaks to how happy everyone was with the cruise.

 

Okay, that's it for me. Thanks to all the other posters/cruisers. And thanks for coming along on our journey. I probably had more fun, but hope you had a bit as well.

[nowornever]

It's been fun following along! What is is your take-away (figuratively) from the alternative restaurants? Safe onward travels to all of you....

[nowornever]

It's been fun following along! What is is your take-away (figuratively) from the alternative restaurants? Safe onward travels to all of you....

[Emtbsam]

We have always loved the TA trips on the Spirit and are so glad to hear that you enjoyed yours.

[RachelG]

David, I like your shirts. They make me laugh. Obviously some people are way too serious. Hope you have some good ones picked out for our trip next year.