Live from SoA 8-19 Jul Melodies of Ireland

[Tothesunset]

Driver arrived 08.30.  VW Caravelle. Very comfy. Passing Peterborough (always a good move) as I type. 

 

Immaculately clean vehicle and very helpful driver. 

 

If first impressions mean anything then we're off to a good start 

[Tothesunset]

Quick update while waiting for muster drill. 

 

Arrived at port at 12.45, nose excavated but no rich seam of Covid found. Check in and on board by 13.15. Very slick. 

 

Lunch in the grill, a bit of orienteering broken by a couple of drinks and record-breaking unpacking. Standard cabin is fine; a bit limited in hanging space but it's not a problem. 

 

Got the spec restos booked but allocated 19.30 in the Dining Room tonight. 

 

One immediate observation which delighted us is that the majority of staff are from the Philippines and therefore outstandingly helpful. 

Edited July 8, 2022 by Tothesunset

[Kenmure]

Glad that all is well. Look forward to your cruise blog.

As we have travelled with Saga on three trips during Covid we are interested to know whether the following still apply. Does the driver taking you to the port have to have taken a test which proved negative before picking you up? Also is the driver tested at Southampton when you were? 
Glad to hear you have booked the speciality restaurants…… a treat to look forward to!

[Tothesunset]

1 minute ago, Kenmure said:

 Does the driver taking you to the port have to have taken a test which proved negative before picking you up? Also is the driver tested at Southampton when you were? 

 

Yes and yes. I would add that the process at the dockside was very slick. 

[Kenmure]

Thanks for that!

Our experience on our last cruise in  March didn’t have a very good start. First the driver turned up in jeans and was an Uber driver who said all testing had finished! When we got to Southampton he asked us which dock we were going to. It ended up with the wife finding the answer on Google as we progressed. When we found that he had hadn’t been tested before he picked us up he said he was quite fit. Luckily he was negative and we got on board. However we hit a perfect storm  and ended up having 7 lateral flow tests and denial to continue with a back to back cruise added to no independent travelling in ports. 
Having said that we enjoyed all the brilliant treatment we had on board. Five star! We are nearly up to 500 nights with Saga and are booked for more. The journey to the port was a one off. Other times it was fine.

Enjoy!😃😀😀😀

[Tothesunset]

24 hrs in and all going well. We are impressed with the bed, which is supremely comfortable, although we could do with just a bit more hanger space. Likewise, the air con system is very controllable. 

 

So far we have had lunch in the Grill, dinner at Khukhuri, breakfast in the Restaurant and then again for lunch. The food in Khukhuri was superb and tailored to one's palate. Lovely stuff. The other meals were fine, not special but by no means poor. 

 

The weather for this sea day has been superb and the sea flat calm. We'll done, Saga. 

 

What particularly impresses us is that with 800 pax the ship doesn't feel crowded at all. The Britannia lounge is particularly quiet and the eating places not busy. 

 

Tomorrow we dock in Cobh so will be interested to see how they manage all the excursions. Being Irish, I inevitably know many of the stops well but have never been to Cork. Its quite exciting! 

[Tothesunset]

Internet is rather patchy so rather than type out a page only for it to disappear into the ether I shall copy and paste my posting today on the Silversea forum. If it fails, at least I can just keep pasting until it goes. 

 

One gripe that isn't exclusive to this voyage is the unreliability of the Internet. The included WiFi is not only slow but is also patchy. Two more dinners since last report. tried all the vegetarian options in the MDR and they were very good. I'm not vegetarian but l'm always curious about the quality of dishes for this minority group. I think a vegetarian would be well impressed.

Last night we ate in "Amalfi" the ltalian specialist restaurant. This is going to upset a lot of people but here goes: we preferred it to La Terazza. Sorry, but there you have it. I'd caveat my remarks, though, by saying that we have often felt Terazza doesn't live up to its promise and we ate there less and less during our SS voyages.

 

Included excursions have been OK so far. Essentially coach tours of the area. They're fine, do the job. Hard to be enthusiastic about sitting on a coach for 3 hrs but the scenery of West Cork, Galway and Connemara is adequate compensation.

One thing we really like is the housekeeping of the suite. It's immaculate each time we return. The room steward is so thorough.

 

Oh yes, we found out only yesterday that there is a food outlet - The Veranda - which you have to know is there. It's broadly equivalent to the pool grill and every bit as good and, best of all, stays open until 1500 - ideal for excursion returnees.

We never go to shows so you won't get any comments on entertainment. So there.

Edited July 12, 2022 by Tothesunset

[lincslady]

Tanks, Tts.  It is good to know that the specialist restaurants on Adventure sound pretty good too.

 

Shame about the complaint on the SS board - I  thought it was above and beyond the call of duty to offer to post 'live' from a ship.  You should have far too much to enjoy not to leave it until you get home, especially with the patchy internet usually available.

 

L

[Tothesunset]

4 hours ago, lincslady said:

Tanks, Tts.  

Very Irish! 😂

[lincslady]

That was a genuine mistype!  How fortuitous.

 

L

[Tothesunset]

Tonight, then, we decided to have dinner in the Grill. I'm not sure about the venue - a bit lacking in atmosphere, I think; however, the food was really excellent. A Crab Tian to start and then Gnocchi for a main. Both excellent. OH had the poached salmon which she liked very much. Then selected cheeses to finish off. 

 

Bit of a swell out there just now. Only 2.5 to 3 metres but it means, for the first time this trip, there is a bit of movement. We don't mind that at all, the ship seems to handle the swell with ease. 

 

I must say, now we are 4 days into this voyage, that we are both enjoying Saga immensely. A good choice. 

[Vivaldi]

19 hours ago, Tothesunset said:

Then selected cheeses to finish off. 

 

I'm greatly enjoying your informative and entertaining reports. Thank you!

 

As far as cheese is concerned, could I ask how the offerings from Saga and Silversea compare?

[Tothesunset]

3 minutes ago, Vivaldi said:

 

I'm greatly enjoying your informative and entertaining reports. Thank you!

 

As far as cheese is concerned, could I ask how the offerings from Saga and Silversea compare?

Of course you may. We have opted for cheese twice. The first time the cheeses were actually quite poor yet the second time the were really very good. So I'd say one time was worse than SS and the other time better. That helped! 

 

I would say that the selection on Saga is very good but leans towards British cheeses whereas the selection on SS is more international. 

[Tothesunset]

Isn't the Supper Club grand? We've just finished a delightful dinner the highlight of which was Chateaubriand. Lovely stuff. 

 

Donegal today and I have to say it's a great little town. While I've visited County Donegal many times I'd never visited the town and found it charming. I don't suppose the glass of Guinness at lunchtime influenced that impression at all. 

 

For the Smokers amongst us the only place where smoking is permitted is deck 13 portside aft. It's a popular area in the kindly weather we've been having but it can be fierce windy, so it can. (Just practising my Ulster idioms for tomorrow's visit to my home town of Belfast.) 

 

I've said this before but it deserves repeating: the cleanliness of the ship in general and the suite in particular is outstanding. 

[Tothesunset]

The sentence:

 

While I've visited County Donegal many times I'd never visited the town and found it charming. 

 

Should read:

 

While I've visited County Donegal many times I'd never visited the town; I found it charming. 

 

Amazing what punctuation and syntax can do! 

[lincslady]

Good to know you are enjoying the ship and trip so far.  When you have time, a couple of queries - the cheese on board used to be a talking point; always quite a few varieties available (even a cheese trolley at dinner), in perfect eating condition.  Obviously that has changed somewhat. That did seem to be something lacking on most USA based lines.

 

I gather you are not big drinkers, but there has been a niggle by someone recently about a lack of bars available, I think especially outdoors.  Any opinion on that?    And, least important, they used to have photographers on board who did a video of the cruise, and would take portraits of those who wanted them in their finery on Captain's reception evenings  (which we always found amusing).  They also went round at dinner on those evenings, suggesting photos at the table, but were very discreet and took no for an answer straight away.  I imagine they might not be around at present, or indeed may never be again.

 

Even as a Saga fan, if not exactly cheerleader, I will not take umbrage if there are things you don't like, I promise.

 

L

 

[nosapphire]

3 hours ago, lincslady said:

Good to know you are enjoying the ship and trip so far.  When you have time, a couple of queries - the cheese on board used to be a talking point; always quite a few varieties available (even a cheese trolley at dinner), in perfect eating condition.  Obviously that has changed somewhat. That did seem to be something lacking on most USA based lines.

 

I gather you are not big drinkers, but there has been a niggle by someone recently about a lack of bars available, I think especially outdoors.  Any opinion on that?    And, least important, they used to have photographers on board who did a video of the cruise, and would take portraits of those who wanted them in their finery on Captain's reception evenings  (which we always found amusing).  They also went round at dinner on those evenings, suggesting photos at the table, but were very discreet and took no for an answer straight away.  I imagine they might not be around at present, or indeed may never be again.

 

Even as a Saga fan, if not exactly cheerleader, I will not take umbrage if there are things you don't like, I promise.

 

L

 

On our 2 cruises on SoD in 2019, we really missed the brilliant ships' photographers that we had been used to - cruise video, always around on tours and ashore so that if your camera packed up you could still buy an assortment of photos (and fridge magnets) showing the things you had seen ashore.

The photographers on board mainly sell packages, whereby you book them to take posed photos of you in various places on the ship. They are still around on formal nights, but nowhere near as much as they used to be. We did not bother with the cruise video, as it did not include much.

I also missed the welcome on board photo, and the port photos when the photographers lurked ashore to take photos as you disembarked, and the photos then had details of the port itself added - so they made a very nice collection of souvenirs by the end of the cruise.

Apparently this has changed because of a decree from Head Office; the photographers themselves wanted to carry on doing all the on board, around ship, on tour and at port photos, but Saga Head Office had decided that this was an annoyance to their passengers.

So if you want to buy a package (some people did, rushing back to their cabin to get changed for different shots) of you artfully posed on various staircases, or postioned gracefully on deck, you will be well catered for.

If you simply want a selection of photos, with or without you, showing points of interest during the cruise - out of luck.

 

 

[Tothesunset]

5 hours ago, lincslady said:

Good to know you are enjoying the ship and trip so far.  When you have time, a couple of queries - the cheese on board used to be a talking point; always quite a few varieties available (even a cheese trolley at dinner), in perfect eating condition.  Obviously that has changed somewhat. That did seem to be something lacking on most USA based lines.

 

I gather you are not big drinkers, but there has been a niggle by someone recently about a lack of bars available, I think especially outdoors.  Any opinion on that?    And, least important, they used to have photographers on board who did a video of the cruise, and would take portraits of those who wanted them in their finery on Captain's reception evenings  (which we always found amusing).  They also went round at dinner on those evenings, suggesting photos at the table, but were very discreet and took no for an answer straight away.  I imagine they might not be around at present, or indeed may never be again.

 

Even as a Saga fan, if not exactly cheerleader, I will not take umbrage if there are things you don't like, I promise.

 

L

 

Right then. Cheese. There's no trolley just now, rather a selection printed at the foot of the menu. Once selected the cheese arrives on a plate with grapes and walnuts. We had a supposed mature cheddar that had a similar taste and consistency as a car tyre. Not good.  Stilton, Livarot and Brie are fine. Not exceptional but quite eatable.

 

No problem with the bars. I don't think there is an outdoor one. Hang on, I think there's one by the Lido area. Need to check that out. As far as we are concerned we get what we want but our needs are fairly simple. 

 

No idea about the onboard photographer - sorry. 

 

Still enjoying the veranda grill at lunchtime. Supper Club was disappointing but only because we thought there would be some background live music. There wasn't. The food was excellent, probably the best yet except for Khukhuri, but it really is just another restaurant with no real USP. 

 

Today may be our first afternoon tea. They're billing it as a chocolate afternoon tea. Well, that's just too much of a come-on to ignore, isn't it? 

Edited July 14, 2022 by Tothesunset

[nooosey]

We were on the previous cruise to The Baltic on SOA, a lot of the cheeses in the grill were untried to us, English cheeses, it was nice to try them.

The lido bar was open until 6:00pm, they also will serve soft ice cream on request in tub or cornet from the nearby machine. The Veranda bar on deck 12 aft usually serves drinks until 6:00 pm. They will also set tables there for evening meals if the weather is good. On occasion they will grill steaks and other items out there for evening meals if the weather is nice.

Afternoon tea was also available in The Living room, servers took orders for tea and there were a couple of trollies to choose scones, cakes and sandwiches from. Full service afternoon tea is always available in The Main Dining Room. I also spotted scones on the bar of The Discovery Lounge on deck 12 at tea time.

Photographers were onboard doing portraits etc, they were very discreet unlike on other cruise lines.

We got to the supper club twice and musicians started at about 7:30pm. When we were onboard some of the musicians were in isolation so those who were able to perform had to "jam" with others who were available in venues they did not usually play in. They seemed to enjoy being able to extend their talents. Hopefully isolation is not now a problem.

 

[Kohima]

In February there was live music in the Supper Club but I understand that subsequently there were some complaints that diners didn’t like their conversation interrupted by the music. Clearly difficult to please all of the people all of the time!
Re cheese, we found the best selection available in the Grill at lunchtime when you could choose your favourites. When we complimented the Food and Beverage Manager on the cheese, he very helpfully sent a list to our cabin of over 100 cheeses kept onboard. It’s a British ship so British cheese predominates but there was Norwegian cheese when in Norway and a good selection of French cheeses too.

[Denarius]

21 hours ago, nosapphire said:

On our 2 cruises on SoD in 2019, we really missed the brilliant ships' photographers that we had been used to - cruise video, always around on tours and ashore so that if your camera packed up you could still buy an assortment of photos (and fridge magnets) showing the things you had seen ashore.

The photographers on board mainly sell packages, whereby you book them to take posed photos of you in various places on the ship. They are still around on formal nights, but nowhere near as much as they used to be. We did not bother with the cruise video, as it did not include much.

I also missed the welcome on board photo, and the port photos when the photographers lurked ashore to take photos as you disembarked, and the photos then had details of the port itself added - so they made a very nice collection of souvenirs by the end of the cruise.

Apparently this has changed because of a decree from Head Office; the photographers themselves wanted to carry on doing all the on board, around ship, on tour and at port photos, but Saga Head Office had decided that this was an annoyance to their passengers.

So if you want to buy a package (some people did, rushing back to their cabin to get changed for different shots) of you artfully posed on various staircases, or postioned gracefully on deck, you will be well catered for.

If you simply want a selection of photos, with or without you, showing points of interest during the cruise - out of luck.

 

 

I have no experience of photographers on Saga as my only Saga cruise so far (I have 2 more booked!) was earlier this year. But I have experienced them on other lines and found them intrusive.  So I agree with Saga head office; better off without random photography, only phoptographs by prior arrangement.

Edited July 15, 2022 by Denarius

[lincslady]

I too do not normally like seeing photographers on a cruise, as they can be pushy.  The Saga ones, however, were very different, not too proactive, and taking good pictures and videos of the cruise, and being generally pleasant and unobtrusive.  Quite a few passengers used them for portraits etc., though not my bag at all.

[nosapphire]

The Saga photographers were very good and very unobtrusive. 

On Port days they were ashore , usually near the foot of the gangway but not in the way, and never ever tried to get people to stop - those who wanted a photo stepped aside and got one, those who did not kept walking (did not even have to say "no thanks").

And I found it amazing that with just three (sometimes only two) photographers they managed to get photos of all the highlights on board, highlights on most of the tours AND highlights of whatever port/town you were berthed at. Plus the cruise highlights video. I don't think they could have got much sleep.

There were at least 3 cruises on the Sapphire/Pearl 2 where we never bothered to carry a camera, as we knew that the on-board photographers would have much better evocative scenes and shots than we could ever take.

Mind you, it did greatly reduce our on-board account on the SoD without all those photos - "ooh look, they even got a picture of that iguana/sheep/statue/waterfall/church we passed....gotta buy that one".

Sigh. Now we have to take our own photos.

 

[lincslady]

Tts - are you thinking of doing a final report on your overall opinion on Saga and your cruise in particular?  I have enjoyed your extensive pieces from on board, and the reports from other people.

 

Just wondering if you would book any further cruises on Saga, or go back to your other choices.  Or both, of course.

[Tothesunset]

Life overtook us a little on return. Shan't bore you with the details. 

 

Another Saga cruise booked for next year. It's 90% as good as SS, which remains an option only if the price is right. 

 

Give me a couple of days and I'll do a summary.