Pirates, Camels and Pharaohs - Whisper - Mahe to Aqaba

[TLCOhio]

14 hours ago, dawntrdr said:

Two days from now when the Captain announces that the ship has passed into international waters, that's going to be some party!

 

Great above comment and super FUN idea.  That would be a wild, exciting party!!  

 

Excellent, cute idea from Host Jazzbeau: "Couldn't they jam a napkin in the neck of each bottle and label them 'Molotov Cocktails for the Pirates' ? "

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  Now at 235,203 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[Silver Spectre]

17 hours ago, mchell810 said:

I know you said alcohol can’t be served while in Saudi waters; does this officially apply to staterooms as well?  So, for example, if you had a bottle of vodka in your room are butlers expected to remove it? 
 

The butlers were instructed to remove everything.

[lincslady]

Er - They couldn't see it if it were in your case, locked up, surely?

 

Lola

[Silver Spectre]

After 2 days of rubbish internet and finally leaving Jeddah 3 hours late and we have sailed out into rough seas. The main reason for being late was the idiot cousin who didn't have a Saudi exit stamp and ignored all entreaties to go and get one!

Edited March 25, 2022 by Silver Spectre

[Silver Spectre]

As we waited to leave we saw the huge plume of smoke from the northern area of Jeddah, apparently another Houti missile attack on the Aramco facility, not far from the GP track. Scary times.

[Isklaar]

1 hour ago, Silver Spectre said:

As we waited to leave we saw the huge plume of smoke from the northern area of Jeddah, apparently another Houti missile attack on the Aramco facility, not far from the GP track. Scary times.

 

GP second practice was delayed whilst they had a meeting about how to proceed. Some teams and drivers not entirely happy about safety.

Edited March 25, 2022 by Isklaar
Spelling

[audobon_tx]

Just curious but why Jeddah?

Edited March 25, 2022 by audobon_tx

[gogo65]

On 3/25/2022 at 8:27 AM, mchell810 said:

I know you said alcohol can’t be served while in Saudi waters; does this officially apply to staterooms as well?  So, for example, if you had a bottle of vodka in your room are butlers expected to remove it? 
 

Ive been following someone currently on the Viking world cruise, they are headed down the suez canal today. They were able order alcohol for their room prior to entering Saudi waters but it was strictly for in room consumption, seems like SS may not allow that.

[Silver Spectre]

6 hours ago, audobon_tx said:

Just curious but why Jeddah?

Egypt too dangerous! And today we are stopping in Yanbu which was hit by a missile on Monday. SS is playing Russian Roulette with our lives. Madness.

Edited March 26, 2022 by Silver Spectre

[Silver Spectre]

2 hours ago, gogo65 said:

Ive been following someone currently on the Viking world cruise, they are headed down the suez canal today. They were able order alcohol for their room prior to entering Saudi waters but it was strictly for in room consumption, seems like SS may not allow that.

We are still dry and expecting no alcohol to be available until tomorrow, even though we leave at 10pm tonight. I am really not sure why SS are being so strict if Viking can take a more sensible view.

[mchell810]

6 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

We are still dry and expecting no alcohol to be available until tomorrow, even though we leave at 10pm tonight. I am really not sure why SS are being so strict if Viking can take a more sensible view.

It might be a situation where SS is following the spirit of the law while Viking is focused on the exact wording. In any case, I’m glad for the information so I can plan accordingly for my trip next year. 

[zqtchas]

17 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

As we waited to leave we saw the huge plume of smoke from the northern area of Jeddah, apparently another Houti missile attack on the Aramco facility, not far from the GP track. Scary times.

yes, it's in the news today.

[TLCOhio]

8 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

Egypt too dangerous! And today we are stopping in Yanbu which was hit by a missile on Monday. SS is playing Russian Roulette with our lives. Madness.

 

WOW!!  That is getting a little too close to the "action".  Interesting comment about "Russian Roulette" given all that is happening right now.  Appreciate these details and follow-ups.  Be safe and good luck.  Being in these areas means that you really do need access to serious liquor, right?

 

From the Associated Press/AP earlier this past week, they had this headline: “Houthi drone, missile strikes target Saudi energy facilities” with these highlights: “Yemen's Houthi rebels unleashed a barrage of drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia's critical energy facilities on Sunday, sparking a fire at one site and temporarily cutting oil production at another.  The salvo occurred as the war in Yemen rages into its eighth year and peace talks have stalled.  The attacks did not cause casualties, the Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen said, but struck sites belonging to one of the world's most important energy companies and damaged civilian vehicles and homes. The coalition also said it destroyed a remotely piloted boat packed with explosives dispatched by the Houthis in the busy southern Red Sea.  Hours after oil giant Aramco's CEO Amin H. Nasser told reporters the attacks had no impact on oil supplies, the Saudi energy ministry acknowledged that a drone strike targeting the Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company caused 'a temporary reduction in the refinery's production.' ”

 

Full story at:

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/mar/21/houthi-drone-missile-strikes-target-saudi-energy/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 20,749 views.  Connect at:

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[TLCOhio]

Just saw breaking news from your part of the world. Good luck!!  Stay safe.  Glad we are not hanging around in these parts of the world.   

 

From Bloomberg News this morning, they had this headline: “Saudi-Led Coalition Strikes Yemen After Aramco Depot Attack” with these highlights: “A Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen launched airstrikes against sites in the southern Arabian country in response to multiple attacks Friday, including one that caused a fire at an Aramco fuel depot in Jeddah.  Coalition forces targeted sites early Saturday including Ras Eissa port and electricity and fuel installations in Yemen’s Hodiedah province, as well as military sites in the capital, Sanaa, according to Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV.  The coalition said it targeted drones that were being prepared at the ports of Hodiedah and Saleef, according to state-run news agency Saudi Press Agency.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.bloombergquint.com/markets/saudi-led-coalition-strikes-yemen-after-aramco-fuel-depot-attack

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 243,840 views.

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[Silver Spectre]

Yanbu sunset and evening crowd is out

 

[Silver Spectre]

Alcohol restrictions are lifted at 11 pm for a Pyjama Party

 

[Silver Spectre]

Detox complete, normal service resumed, but no Pommery left. Most guests too tired to party last night.

[Silver Spectre]

Expected to get our alcohol that was temporarily confiscated back this morning, no sign of it or our butler, so now chasing with the GRM. Probably gone back into the ships stores and they hope we don’t notice. Seriously not impressed!

Edited March 27, 2022 by Silver Spectre

[PaulaJK]

On 3/20/2022 at 11:25 AM, audobon_tx said:

Been through the Gulf of Aden and the lower Red Sea a couple of times on another ship.  Blackouts, drapes drawn, but also steel plates erected on the bridge wings.  We had a group of  five or six former British commandos, now free lancing, join us each time with their "hardware".  The guys get on and off transiting ships as they pass through and are hired guns for all manner of ships.  They preferred cruise ships since the food and ambiance were big steps up from cargo and tanker ships.

 

Our Captain said cruise ships can outrun pirate boats and have higher freeboard.  Pirates thus prefer the slower freight vessels with their non-human cargo.

By any chance were you on Regent Voyager w Capt Dag. Sounds identical.

[ronrick1943]

If they take an unsealed bottle from your suite, they can’t use that bottle—except maybe return it to your suite.  Health and safely reasons……….

[audobon_tx]

14 hours ago, PaulaJK said:

By any chance were you on Regent Voyager w Capt Dag. Sounds identical.

 

No, another line.  

[Silver Spectre]

Finally got them back, however the Pink Fizz had a different suite number on the label. Last sea day for us as we enter the Gulf of Aqaba and dawdle our way to the dock.

 

Just a general comment on Immigration in Jeddah which was one of the most disorganised and possibly the worst we have endured for years.

[zqtchas]

On 3/27/2022 at 3:23 AM, Silver Spectre said:

Detox complete, normal service resumed, but no Pommery left. Most guests too tired to party last night.

What about the Tiki?

[Silver Spectre]

1 hour ago, zqtchas said:

What about the Tiki?

We still have!

[Silver Spectre]

Great day in Petra today