Jim_Iain – Silhouette Live Post April 8, 21, 30 - B3B - TransAtlantic, Portugal Spain, France and the Norwegian Fjords

[catspaw1]

7 hours ago, mhoffrob said:

PSST - as a librarian, I recognize this as a VERY diverse list (or maybe a great list of popular mystery/thriller series with a few oddballs (Armistead Maupin) thrown in!  If you have favorite authors or genres - get to know your local public library staff and they'll steer you to new things - it's my favorite thing about working at a US public library!  Also, goodreads.com is a great resource (although now owned by Amazon) for tracking what you've read, what you want to read, and finding series order!

 

and be sure to ask about checking out ebooks and e-audiobooks - your taxes are already paid to the Library District (if you're in the U.S.) so why spend your cash on them?

 

sorry for the hijack of the hijack . . . . 

 

now back to our regularly scheduled programing/posting.

I adore the library! Have been actively going for almost my entire 65 years. I literally would have gone stir crazy without having books to read during the pandemic & hip replacement. Thank you to all the librarians out there- you are terrific! I usually read a book about every month so going to the library for books is a no brainer.

[catspaw1]

Jim I have loved reading all your posts so thanks for taking the time & effort out of your vacation to do this! We are on a 10 day cruise to Charleston & Bermuda soon so loved hearing about Bermuda. We have been there before by cruise ship & sailed our own boat there 22 years ago.

[DUTRAVEL]

1 hour ago, BEAV said:

Hello, neighbor. Walnut Creek here 👍

Well then I am definitely your neighbor!

[Benthayer Gonbak]

11 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

that almost looks like a lava flow! 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I really respect the way she handled it and turned a possible bad experience into a win -win.

 

Laurance is one of the best and also previously worked for Cunard. 

Laurance is an absolute jewel.

Edited April 14, 2022 by Happy Cruiser 6143

[Benthayer Gonbak]

4 hours ago, mchell810 said:

 

The most popular are Kanopy and Hoopla but ofc it depends on what each library system offers.  You may be eligible for cards in several systems.  In my area each town in the county has it's own library system and anyone who lives in the county can get a card.  I have 3, but could have many more!

 

One more plug for public libraries: most also offer online research tools like access to encyclopedias and special databases.  Plus, access to language learning tools and the list goes on.... 

 

 

our local university also has cards the public can get.  I’m not sure how much exchange they have, but while enrolled I found I could get a lot of books from other libraries. 

[Benthayer Gonbak]

2 hours ago, MamaFej said:

Amen!  And, I just found a couple in the EU app for passenger locator. 

[Laurab23]

2 hours ago, lola2013 said:

If it's the Recovery Agent that you are looking for, take your time.........

I'll stick with the Stephanie Plum series going forward.  The next in the series is due at the beginning of November.

Thanks for the warning. I would like another fox and hare book. I think that is the spelling of the series.

[terrydtx]

5 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I think it is good quality and the Chef cooks it to perfection.    The waiter de-bones it table side which is a fun service.

 

It is lightly flowered and Pan Fried to a Golden Brown (slight crunch) served with veronique with green grapes au beurre noisett .     Translated to prepared with a hazelnut butter cream sauce and topped with pealed green grapes.     The sauce can be poured over or served on the size.    It is a very light sauce with a slight nutty taste and really mouth watering.

 

In collage I worked in a French Restaurant and love the sauce.

Ok you have sold me, will have to try it on the Reflection in August. Thank you for the expert culinary description.

[abbydancer2003]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I haven't had the time to look at how the sailings have changed.   Are they substituting Equinox for the Millennium Sailings?   Was curious where Millennium was going?  I've read of a number of people on Solstice Cancelled Asian Cruises for 2022 and lifted and shifted to 2023.     What a mess.

I got two cancelled yesterday.  First was the Millennium Vancouver to LA in September, and half the draw of that for me was the ship.  The other was my April 2023 transpacific.  The only replacement offered is September 2023, and I'm already on a Princess cruise then. 

 

The real ***** for me was they were both double point. cruises, and I don't want the straight replacements.  Maybe if I keep the booking number they'll keep the offer, but I doubt it.

 

[sciencegrrl]

@Jim_Iain Thank you for your wonder report/pics!  I dream of a wb TA after I retire (after spending a month or so in Portugal and Spain).

 

All the library love makes my heart happy!  I'm a teen/young adult librarian - I read 3 - 5 YA books a week so I can discuss them with my kiddos.  Our public library and local high schools have teemed up to give all of the students access to audio and ebooks, plus 24/7 homework help.   All my book recs are YA 😄so I really don't have any recs to give here.

 

Safe travels and thanks again for the live report.

[ladylemondrop]

Loving your beautiful photos. Have you read A thousand splendid suns by Khalid Hosseini? It is my favourite book of all time. Also, Cupcake Brown, A piece of cake is very good. 

[Jim_Iain]

15 hours ago, Redking said:

Ian's smile gets wider with each day of the Cruise. Perfect!

Might he had a two Double Grey Goose and Tonic's.       He can be very photogenic and expressive.    I just say give me an Iain and he throws up a pose.  

[Jim_Iain]

12 hours ago, ShelleyQT said:

That soup looks delicious!  But I don't see it available on the menus you posted.  Is this a specialty item that you asked for?

 

Sorry -   Error on my point.    It is actually Smoked Split Pea and Ham Soup from MDR.    I was thinking it was the Smoked Potato Soup

[Jim_Iain]

12 hours ago, mchell810 said:

 

The most popular are Kanopy and Hoopla but ofc it depends on what each library system offers.  You may be eligible for cards in several systems.  In my area each town in the county has it's own library system and anyone who lives in the county can get a card.  I have 3, but could have many more!

 

One more plug for public libraries: most also offer online research tools like access to encyclopedias and special databases.  Plus, access to language learning tools and the list goes on.... 

I know ours does offer membership to other local communities.   I have card for Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and Santa Clara.   I probably spend more time at a Local Family Search Mormon Church museum where I order Microfiche for genealogy research. 

 

You have gotten me excited about doing some exploration. 

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, jary8 said:

If you like historical romantic fiction, there is a series of books by an American Author called Danelle Harmon which are a good read. She is also a personal friend of mine. You can get them to download onto a kindle as well from Amazon,

 

Great addition to the list -  You brought back another shorter series I really got hooked on -

Caleb Carr -  The Alienist.    I got into him when I was reading on my kindle and read everything he wrote.   

 

The made the Alienist into Series but of course is so different than the book

 

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, hawkesbaynz said:

I really enjoyed the food in Luminae on the Silhouette last September on our UK staycation. The staff were so helpful and recommended additions to my entrees (I am a big guy).  I love fancy food😀.
 

However my wife mainly choose off the MDR menu. She has a simpler taste to me (a Scot). She preferred the MDR on the Silhouette in March although missed the Sunset SS. I suppose I should be thankful as she has preference for Business Class flights and I could not afford the suite life too.

 

What do you plan to do in Southampton on your change over days? I recollect you had considered a trip to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. 
 

I must walk down to Southampton Water to take a picture of the ship on a sail away. It is only a five minute walk with our Labrador. Mind she cut her paw on the oyster beds down there at the weekend so not if it is low tide. 

 

We were discussing last night after hearing of a number of breakthrough cases on the ship that I was reluctant to go ashore, not due to infection in Southampton but If I recall out last time at the cruise terminal it was on the small size and really packed  until you got through the Security Check Point  

 

It probably won't affect us as we will have transit passes will will play by ear.

 

This was last visit Security Checkpoint and then the checkin hall (wide open)

 

 

Edited April 14, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, DUTRAVEL said:

Well then I am definitely your neighbor!

I go through Walnut Creek often.  My daughter lives in Modest area. 

[Jim_Iain]

8 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Ok you have sold me, will have to try it on the Reflection in August. Thank you for the expert culinary description.

You will have to let us know how you like it.   I'm guessing that being from Texas you are probably into good Beef.     I had some BBQ Pork  Ribs the other day and was thinking of the wonderful ones I had in San Antonio (the ones on the ship would be like McDonalds compared to a house Steak House

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, abbydancer said:

I got two cancelled yesterday.  First was the Millennium Vancouver to LA in September, and half the draw of that for me was the ship.  The other was my April 2023 transpacific.  The only replacement offered is September 2023, and I'm already on a Princess cruise then. 

 

The real ***** for me was they were both double point. cruises, and I don't want the straight replacements.  Maybe if I keep the booking number they'll keep the offer, but I doubt it.

 

Sorry to hear Abby.    I have been talking to many on the ship that have had their cruises on both Millennium and Solstice cancelled.    I'm sure that with the Covid increases in Europe it was out of their controls. 

 

Don't worry about the double points.  Celebrity has really gutted their loyalty program and devalued it for all levels.

[Jim_Iain]

Found out about the Casino last night.   I played the slots a bit and promptly lost $1.50.

 

It seems that a number of the Casino Staff as well as the Cashier tested positive and are in isolation.    I think it is the Cashier that if they don't have one available they can't open the Casino.   A high level Blue Chip member told me they had hoped to fully open the casino after Bermuda but so far on abbreviated hours.

[Jim_Iain]

 

actually not too bad today but not enough bandwidth to stream. 

[Jim_Iain]

Free Movies.  -  it was asked about free movies. Had to do multiple photos to grab them all

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 14, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[GREG781]

I see on Cruisemapper that it shows high seas today - the highest I have seen since following your journey. How are things feeling on the ship? Have a wonderful trip.

[terrydtx]

54 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

You will have to let us know how you like it.   I'm guessing that being from Texas you are probably into good Beef.     I had some BBQ Pork  Ribs the other day and was thinking of the wonderful ones I had in San Antonio (the ones on the ship would be like McDonalds compared to a house Steak House

We love our beef and BBQ here in Texas. The wholesale price of brisket has gone through the roof and is hurting most BBQ restaurants. One of our favorites has raised prices by 30% this year.

 

I showed my wife Your description of the Dover sole and she agreed with me, we need to give it a try on the Reflection in August.