Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #126 Share Posted May 18 This is my office from where I prepared today's posts. It reminds me of the story our guide told us this morning. Sitting with his wife yesterday he saw something in the sky but couldn't recall what they call it. "It's the sun" his wife told him. "We see it so rarely here" he explained. Today has become a beautiful sunny Scottish day. 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #127 Share Posted May 18 (edited) Looks like they have made the day 5 cruise compass available for tomorrow. JW May 15 day 5 cruisecompass.pdf As a tender port, there is this notation in the cruise compass: (Guests with ship excursions are already covered for the tender ride to shore) Independent Guests Guests who wish to head ashore independently should collect a tender ticket from 7:00 am – 9:30 am in the Schooner Bar, Centrum, Deck 6, when you are ready to go ashore. We invite one person only to collect tickets, for every member in their travelling party. Please note that there might be queues for tender boats at times when returning to the ship. The last tender to the ship will depart Lerwick by 5:15 pm. Edited May 18 by twangster 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #128 Share Posted May 18 Minstrels Duo string music in the Centrum so you know where I am right now. Guests are streaming onboard with 4 minutes until gangway up time. One gangway is on deck 4 with an X-ray machine near the lobby stairs. I’m not sure what the status is for the forward gangway to deck 3 I used earlier. It’s more level. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andreasfcb Posted May 18 #129 Share Posted May 18 Hey @twangster, thank you for your updates! We have done this cruise exactly one year ago and we will join you for the Arctic circle cruise (which we have done nearly 10 years ago). These are hands-down the best itineraries possible, enjoy your time! What's your equipment to take photos? It seems you use a mix of smartphone and professional camera? If you are interested in wildlife and if weather permits, I would spend a lot of time on the helicopter landing area when cruising from Scotland to Iceland. Right after Scotland, we have seen dozen of whales and birds. This was an insane experience. I was able to take some incredible photos a year ago. While sailing around Iceland, we went outside after midnight (still bright) and saw dozens of humpback whales with blowing fountains. That said, we were absolutely blessed with perfect conditions. Sometimes the sea was flat and then you are able to see much more than with waves. In Iceland I would absolutely go for whale watching tours, especially in Isafjordur and Akureyri. We loved it in Isafjordur because the boats do not have to exit the lake-lake fjords and you are less likely to have a cancelled tour. Our whale watching cruise in Reykjavik was cancelled due to waves (only 2 to 3m, but that is already enough for small boats). 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirazcruiser Posted May 18 #130 Share Posted May 18 On 5/16/2024 at 4:41 AM, twangster said: I made the threshold for access to the Concierge Club. Could you tell the happy hour time in the Concierge Club? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo Posted May 18 #131 Share Posted May 18 1 hour ago, andreasfcb said: Hey @twangster, thank you for your updates! We have done this cruise exactly one year ago and we will join you for the Arctic circle cruise (which we have done nearly 10 years ago). These are hands-down the best itineraries possible, enjoy your time! What's your equipment to take photos? It seems you use a mix of smartphone and professional camera? If you are interested in wildlife and if weather permits, I would spend a lot of time on the helicopter landing area when cruising from Scotland to Iceland. Right after Scotland, we have seen dozen of whales and birds. This was an insane experience. I was able to take some incredible photos a year ago. While sailing around Iceland, we went outside after midnight (still bright) and saw dozens of humpback whales with blowing fountains. That said, we were absolutely blessed with perfect conditions. Sometimes the sea was flat and then you are able to see much more than with waves. In Iceland I would absolutely go for whale watching tours, especially in Isafjordur and Akureyri. We loved it in Isafjordur because the boats do not have to exit the lake-lake fjords and you are less likely to have a cancelled tour. Our whale watching cruise in Reykjavik was cancelled due to waves (only 2 to 3m, but that is already enough for small boats). Great information! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shopaholic6 Posted May 18 #132 Share Posted May 18 @twangster fantastic photos! I’m from the UK and have been to Loch Ness before but your photos are something else! 👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #133 Share Posted May 18 After enjoying the live string music in the Centrum I headed up to the Concierge Club. However, after seeing the beautiful scenery outside I went back to my cabin to grab my photography gear. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #134 Share Posted May 18 Sail away from Invergordon had just started. I could hear bagpipes playing... A Royal send off... What a glorious evening. 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #135 Share Posted May 18 With a fresh paint job Jewel was sliding through the water. JW Sail Away Invergordon.MP4 16 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #136 Share Posted May 18 That's when I spotted a whale. 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #137 Share Posted May 18 The amazing colors and scenery continued we as left the firth and entered the North Sea. 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelMom18a Posted May 18 #138 Share Posted May 18 Amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing them with us! I took a whale watching cruise last year in Iceland and you had a better view and photos than we did. 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #139 Share Posted May 18 Fast forward a bit and this brings us pretty much live. This was moments ago off my balcony. I spotted a wind turbine farm off the port side. 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #140 Share Posted May 18 3 hours ago, shirazcruiser said: Could you tell the happy hour time in the Concierge Club? 5 pm - 8 pm 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #141 Share Posted May 18 (edited) Wave Benders are a pretty good cover band. They nailed a couple songs. A little subdued for the Schooner Bar but I still love the music of Minstrels Duo I’m very pleased with the entertainment on board. Edited May 18 by twangster 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 18 Author #142 Share Posted May 18 Forgot to mention I popped into the theater for a couple songs. The Royal Caribbean singers tonight sounded pretty good too. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinders99 Posted May 19 #143 Share Posted May 19 (edited) 3 hours ago, twangster said: With a fresh paint job Jewel was sliding through the water. JW Sail Away Invergordon.MP4 120.26 MB · 0 downloads OMG I love this shot of you on the bough of the ship!! So great to know in advance for our cruises that the helipad will likely be open. Will definitely head up there. I'm assuming you used an Insta360 camera and invisible extension pole to get a shot like this? Would love to know what photography gear you took as I'm an enthusiastic snapper myself shooting on Olympus Micro 3/4 gear. Edited May 19 by Sinders99 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 19 Author #144 Share Posted May 19 (edited) I'm trying to remember if Jewel was the ship that had a busted window in the middle of the glass wall midship. If so, it's been fixed in drydock. Edited May 19 by twangster 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 19 Author #145 Share Posted May 19 Day Five - Lerwick/Shetland Progress report: Condition report: Jewel was upgraded to super precision thermometers. It's precisely 50.02°F Ut Oh... Cheaters goin' cheat. 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 19 Author #146 Share Posted May 19 5 hours ago, Sinders99 said: OMG I love this shot of you on the bough of the ship!! So great to know in advance for our cruises that the helipad will likely be open. Will definitely head up there. I'm assuming you used an Insta360 camera and invisible extension pole to get a shot like this? Would love to know what photography gear you took as I'm an enthusiastic snapper myself shooting on Olympus Micro 3/4 gear. Shot on an Insta360 X4. Other gear includes a Sony RX100M6 and a Sony 7RM4A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 19 Author #147 Share Posted May 19 Today's plans: As a tender port I thought it would be good to go with a ship excursion. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 19 Author #148 Share Posted May 19 First eyes on Lerwick As a tender port Jewel was making her dual purpose lifeboats/tenders ready. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted May 19 Author #149 Share Posted May 19 (edited) Starlink performing well in Chops. Starlink gateway city remains to be London. If I override the Speedtest default to force a London based test the latency and performance improves. Not bad for ship WiFi. Edited May 19 by twangster 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shorehaven Posted May 19 #150 Share Posted May 19 Welcome to Lerwick, enjoy your day. This is the view from our window today! Jewel is one of our favourite ships. 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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