Jim_Iain Apex Key West, TansAtlantic and British Isle with a Week in Amsterdam

[kwokpot]

38 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Library on Apex. 

 

is this in Eden in one of the seating nooks along the spiral ramp?

[Lastdance]

5 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Lulworth Castle was an unexpected stop.  Danny said it isn’t always open and since it was we shouldn’t miss it. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

My hubby would love to put me in one of those, but would rarely let me out before I had to go back.

[Dorset cruise fan]

Durdle Door seems to have migrated to Scotland and Abbotsbury Monastery was founded in 1044, but thank you for the stunning pictures of our beautiful county.

[Beachlover1989]

Jim, is there a game area on the ship anywhere? If so, are there cards around or various games available?

[Redking]

12 hours ago, chemmo said:

Hi Wendy,

 

The Edge Villa misses our brief on two counts. As you have already guessed one aspect is my mobility issue. The second issue for the villa is it doesn’t allow two true separate sleeping areas and if I am cruising with my son and his GF that is a must. We happily cruised as a four in the S class PH and have cruised zillions of times as a three in a RS. The layout and balcony size meet our needs in both suites.
 

Much as I am reassured by many on the E class RS I sort of feel I am paying more for less if that makes sense….Another option is to fly to cruise and stick with S class or return to the M PH. My husband and I cruised both Millie and Summit in the PH and always planned on doing one again much as ship wise we prefer the S class. Time to get browsing…
 

Funny how time changes. When we first started cruising it was all about itinerary and visiting new places now the ship is more important. I may just let my son and GF choose an itinerary and then go with the flow on the ship and room….

Whatever you decide I'm sure it will be wonderful and you'll "make it count".

Please come back and share with us. Xx

[Redking]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

We started with Dundee Door.  It was so nice out and we were all so fit he suggested we walk down.   No one was there and even Danny was taking pictures.  He said it is early this clear and warm. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Another one for the arch list! May even be the one another member posted on your Solstice live? Looks stunning.

[hcat]

13 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I was able to get my Amazon Sticks goin lg so watch YouTube tv home station.   I like to watch our home news.  We also watch Jeopardy when we retire in the evening.  Ok. We are hooked. 

we are J fans too...who do you like for permanent host/ess or do you like rotation? (writers' strike is having an impact)

 

we used to get a game show on X TV

( British?) where balls or something comes down  lanes..( memory fades)  we loved the game and the very interesting contestants...gone from the line up!

 

[hcat]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Last night was Alex’s Birthday at Eden 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Wishes!

glad u are Celebrating in Style and with loved ones!

[asnaleah]

Lovely family photos! Enjoying your report as always. I’m even more convinced now to skip the RS on E class. We truly enjoy balconies and having meals there too. 

[REEtired]

13 hours ago, upwarduk said:

Exactly.

My husband now likes to go from Southampton and it’s Silhouettes last season here.

We took a long time deciding where we were going this year, as I really wanted to go on Silhouette one last time and he has fallen out with flying ( maybe because he’s due for a replacement hip).

Time will tell.

I must have missed it. What is happening to Silhouette and where is she going.  Sorry to hijack Jim. SIL is one of our favorite ships.  Marie 

[Barwick Cruiser]

Wow, Jim, your photos are always the best but the series of swan photos are just wonderful! Lucky you early in the season to capture the Mum and her babies as well as the Mum protecting her future cygnets. So glad you’re taking us all along with you! 🦢 

[DaKahuna]

Jim,

 

Your pictures continue to amaze me.   They put the ones I tend to post to complete shame! 

 

[Reel Love]

As always Jim, your photos are absolutely fabulous.  I have always been partial to your pictures of doors, and the photo of the blue door that you posted earlier today is hands down my favourite to date!  Once again, thank you so much for generously sharing your talent with us 🙂

Edited May 17, 2023 by Reel Love

[hawkesbaynz]

6 hours ago, REEtired said:

I must have missed it. What is happening to Silhouette and where is she going.  Sorry to hijack Jim. SIL is one of our favorite ships.  Marie 

She is being replaced by the Apex as the Southampton based ship in the Summer season.. Not bad in itself but the prices are astronomical. The Silhouette I believe is being based in Holland in the Summer and Caribbean in the Winter with shorter cruises.

[chemmo]

11 minutes ago, hawkesbaynz said:

She is being replaced by the Apex as the Southampton based ship in the Summer season.. Not bad in itself but the prices are astronomical. The Silhouette I believe is being based in Holland in the Summer and Caribbean in the Winter with shorter cruises.

Totally agree about the prices. We have always found price per night from Southampton more expensive than the Caribbean but suites in particular are (in my opinion) too high. RS for two guests, 13 nights £28,000. I guess the market will decide if I am right or wrong…

[Jim_Iain]

21 hours ago, JackE said:

Glad you got your TV going. And thanks again for bringing us along. We also watch Jeopardy as a nightcap! 

We watched 1st episode of the Championship last night.   With weekend our recordings of regular were short a day due to weekend. 

[Jim_Iain]

20 hours ago, Bernd_ffm said:

@Jim_Iain interested in understanding who quoted the 1,550 on the Norwegian cruise as on the ship they twice mentioned (first day and captains club gathering) it would be close to 2,000 on the ship. 

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip and love your blog. 

You really feel the difference.  
 

no lines anywhere

[Jim_Iain]

20 hours ago, Bernd_ffm said:

@Jim_Iain interested in understanding who quoted the 1,550 on the Norwegian cruise as on the ship they twice mentioned (first day and captains club gathering) it would be close to 2,000 on the ship. 

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip and love your blog. 

Both Captain Alex and the retreat hosts looked it up on the computer.  
 

Even the MD in Luminae said the dining room was really empty with Iconic and 20 SS empty. 

[Jim_Iain]

14 hours ago, kwokpot said:

is this in Eden in one of the seating nooks along the spiral ramp?

Yes near the very top 

[Bernd_ffm]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Both Captain Alex and the retreat hosts looked it up on the computer.  
 

Even the MD in Luminae said the dining room was really empty with Iconic and 20 SS empty. 

Strange that the captain tells us 2,000 and next week takes it down to 1,500 - anyways if it was 1,500 than it must be really crowded if it is full as  it was easy getting restaurant and bar seats all the time last week on the Norwegian cruse. 

 

anyway again thanks for your answer and your posts and pictures!! 

[Jim_Iain]

15 hours ago, hcat said:

we are J fans too...who do you like for permanent host/ess or do you like rotation? (writers' strike is having an impact)

 

we used to get a game show on X TV

( British?) where balls or something comes down  lanes..( memory fades)  we loved the game and the very interesting contestants...gone from the line up!

 

I like Ken.  Myran kinda bugs me when she pauses to listen for the judges to tell her the answers.   Ken seems to know them or memorized them. 

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, Bernd_ffm said:

Strange that the captain tells us 2,000 and next week takes it down to 1,500 - anyways if it was 1,500 than it must be really crowded if it is full as  it was easy getting restaurant and bar seats all the time last week on the Norwegian cruse. 

 

anyway again thanks for your answer and your posts and pictures!! 

At most times on our cruise there are empty seats at Martini Bar.  Even for the light shoe c

[westcoastsue]

22 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

We started with Dundee Door.  It was so nice out and we were all so fit he suggested we walk down.   No one was there and even Danny was taking pictures.  He said it is early this clear and warm. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Durdle Door. I used to go there as a child.

[westcoastsue]

22 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Abbotsbury Swannery

 

Abbotsbury Swannery is the only place in the world where you are able to walk through the heart of a colony of nesting Mute Swans. A visit to this beautiful and tranquil place is one of the most popular things to do in Dorset.

 

Located on the dramatic Dorset Coast, this unique natural wildlife habitat is spread over a site of some 25 acres and is home to the only managed colony of free-flying mute swans in the world.

 

The 600-year-old swannery is a natural history paradise. The Swannery was established by Benedictine Monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury in the 1940s.

 

During the nesting and hatching period (end May to end June), it is possible to be standing next to hatching eggs and if you’re very lucky, you may even witness a cygnet being born right before your eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Dorset Tour was like a trip through my childhood - I grew up in Somerset (the next County over) but moved to California when I was 19.

You were blessed with gorgeous weather and I love your photos.

[Jim_Iain]

18 hours ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

Wow, Jim, your photos are always the best but the series of swan photos are just wonderful! Lucky you early in the season to capture the Mum and her babies as well as the Mum protecting her future cygnets. So glad you’re taking us all along with you! 🦢 

It is incredible to see the eggs, babies, mating rituals and nest building.