Saga Rose Greenland Voyager August 2007

[Kapricorn]

Speaking of weather extremes, Vancouver is in practically a heat wave for this time of year. Yesterday's high temperature of 12.0C (53.6F) nearly broke the record for the day of 12.2C (54.0F) set way back in 1941. The normal high temperature here for January 11 is 5.6C (42.1F).

 

The overnight low temperature of 9.4C (48.9F) is way above the normal low temperature for the date of 0.4C (33.0F)!

 

Lots of people are wearing shorts outdoors.

 

Donald.

[MMDown Under]

Speaking of weather extremes, Vancouver is in practically a heat wave for this time of year. Yesterday's high temperature of 12.0C (53.6F) nearly broke the record for the day of 12.2C (54.0F) set way back in 1941. The normal high temperature here for January 11 is 5.6C (42.1F).

 

The overnight low temperature of 9.4C (48.9F) is way above the normal low temperature for the date of 0.4C (33.0F)!

 

Lots of people are wearing shorts outdoors.

 

Donald.

 

Vancouver temperatures are hard to believe, Donald. However, I can picture Canadians in shorts outdoors because many are hardy outdoors type people.

 

Seems you picked a good year to refurbish rather than cruise. :)

 

Ahhhh - a blissful dream, temps in the 30s... - yes it did make our news. Hottest night ever I think. OK, I realise it is not funny, people die of the heat and the bushfires must be terrible. But it's snowing again!! I may have to miss another day's work if I can't get down this hill in the car, I am taking a hot water bottle to bed (which I haven't done for years!) and the Government is rationing road salt/grit!!

 

A cruise seems perfect round about now!

 

Guess your cruise to Chanel Islands is just a memory now, Sharon.

 

Thought Melbourne's record heat might have made UK news.

 

We've seen quite a lot of TV coverage on the state of your smaller side roads and the lack of road salt, etc. The longer it goes on the more of a problem it becomes for people trying to get out of their private properties.

 

Would you believe I take a hot water bottle to bed in winter, in the tropics? There is something inviting about fresh cold sheets, with a hot water bottle at your feet!

 

Who is about to cruise next, so we can share your anticipation?

Edited January 13, 2010 by MMDown Under

[Kapricorn]

Seems you picked a good year to refurbish rather than cruise. :)

 

Who is about to cruise next, so we can share your anticipation?

 

Yes, indeed, the re-carpeting was worth it. I love the feel of the thicker fabric, and can even see the tracks of the cats' paws across it. Vacuuming smooths out the carpet again.

 

I might be wrong, but I might be the next to cruise, as I am flying to San Diego on January 31 to embark the next day on a 11-day Mexican Riviera cruise. The roll call for that cruise has a lively group of 100+ people, so it should be an interesting one for me.

 

Those in the roll call who wish to participate are organizing a cabin crawl, for us to see the various categories of cabins - as well as picking up a card from a deck of cards in each cabin, at the end of which whomever has the best poker hand would win whatever we chipped in. That sounds like fun!

 

Donald.

[Kapricorn]

Vancouver's winter heat wave is continuing. Yesterday's high of 13.0C (55.4F) broke the previous high record for the day of 12.0C (53.6F) in 1981. It is overcast, though, with intermittent rain.

 

I bet that some of the Olympics visitors arriving within a month are expecting to see snowdrifts, igloos and polar bears. Yeah, right. They'll probably see people in shorts riding bicycles, in-line skating and jogging. I have no idea what the lack of snow will mean for some of the competitions, but I am sure that snow-making machines will be used where needed

 

The street in front of my condominium will be part of the pedestrian corridor linking several blocks of streets between Olympics venues for people to gather to view competitions and medal ceremonies on large screens. Traffic will be banned from these streets. I expect some disruption and noise during the Olympics, but, then, that's part of the deal.

 

Flags of participating nations have been appled in decals pasted to the sidewalks of the pedestrian corridor. The one immediately in front of my building is Finland's. U.S.A.'s flag is directly across the street on the opposite sidewalk.

 

Donald.

[Druke I]

Down in my neck of the woods, they're making a big deal of the 50th Anniversary of the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics.

 

If nothing else, those Games certainly changed that part of Northern California immensely.

[MMDown Under]

I might be wrong, but I might be the next to cruise, as I am flying to San Diego on January 31 to embark the next day on a 11-day Mexican Riviera cruise. The roll call for that cruise has a lively group of 100+ people, so it should be an interesting one for me.

 

Those in the roll call who wish to participate are organizing a cabin crawl, for us to see the various categories of cabins - as well as picking up a card from a deck of cards in each cabin, at the end of which whomever has the best poker hand would win whatever we chipped in. That sounds like fun!

 

Donald.

 

Sounds like you must be the next to cruise, Donald.

 

What a fun way to do a cabin crawl. I've heard of cabin crawls by members of CC roll calls before, but not the pick a card for a poker hand, which should add to the excitement.

 

Vancouver's winter heat wave is continuing. Yesterday's high of 13.0C (55.4F) broke the previous high record for the day of 12.0C (53.6F) in 1981. It is overcast, though, with intermittent rain.

 

I bet that some of the Olympics visitors arriving within a month are expecting to see snowdrifts, igloos and polar bears. Yeah, right. They'll probably see people in shorts riding bicycles, in-line skating and jogging. I have no idea what the lack of snow will mean for some of the competitions, but I am sure that snow-making machines will be used where needed

 

The street in front of my condominium will be part of the pedestrian corridor linking several blocks of streets between Olympics venues for people to gather to view competitions and medal ceremonies on large screens. Traffic will be banned from these streets. I expect some disruption and noise during the Olympics, but, then, that's part of the deal.

 

Flags of participating nations have been appled in decals pasted to the sidewalks of the pedestrian corridor. The one immediately in front of my building is Finland's. U.S.A.'s flag is directly across the street on the opposite sidewalk.

 

Donald.

 

Oh yes, Donald they will be expecting lots of snow and ice everywhere, after all these are the Winter Olympics.

 

Isn't it often the way - next year you'll be snowed in!!

 

BTW The area where my daughter is in currently in the French Alps, near Geneva, doesn't have a lot of snow either.

 

(I've probably mentioned before that our family once went to Canada for a white christmas in the East (biggest log cabin hotel) and there wasn't a spot of snow, just a sleigh waiting in vain on the grass! :))

 

Guess it is all getting rather exciting building up to the Winter Olympics, with the flags of participating nations, etc. How long ago was it since they won the Winter Olympics? It seems a long time.

[MMDown Under]

Down in my neck of the woods, they're making a big deal of the 50th Anniversary of the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics.

 

If nothing else, those Games certainly changed that part of Northern California immensely.

 

Yes, Games certainly change localities. I guess all the influx of money helps. Where is Squaw Valley, Michael?

 

Brisbane, Queensland's Capital, changed after Expo from a big country town into a big city, but retained its friendly casual tropical lifestyle.

Edited January 14, 2010 by MMDown Under

[Kapricorn]

(I've probably mentioned before that our family once went to Canada for a white christmas in the East (biggest log cabin hotel) and there wasn't a spot of snow, just a sleigh waiting in vain on the grass! :))

 

Guess it is all getting rather exciting building up to the Winter Olympics, with the flags of participating nations, etc. How long ago was it since they won the Winter Olympics? It seems a long time.

 

When I was growing up in Montreal, we always had snow. I had to shovel the driveway of our home, and every year the pile of snow on either side of the driveway extended above my head (I was a tall, lanky teenager then). When people say that Montreal now has green Christmases, I simply couldn't believe it.

 

I believe that Vancouver was announced as the 2010 Winter Olympics city just before the last one, four years ago.

 

Brisbane, Queensland's Capital, changed after Expo from a big country town into a big city, but retained its friendly casual tropical lifestyle.

 

I was in Brisbane in 1983, and you described it perfectly! I'm glad to know that it's still the same way. Vancouver became a big city after our Expo 86. My condominium building is on the site of one of the former parking lots - I remember that my father parked here and then the three of us - including my mother - walked over to one of the Expo gates.

 

Donald.

[Saga Ruby]

Down in my neck of the woods, they're making a big deal of the 50th Anniversary of the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics. If nothing else, those Games certainly changed that part of Northern California immensely.

 

As a visitor to South Lake Tahoe a few years ago, I decided to drive around that enormous lake as a day trip. Imagine my surprise when I chanced upon the Squaw Valley Olympics entrance which is covered with wooden logos and national banners. It almost looked ready to host a new winter Olympics.

 

I had never been to an Olympic site nor had I ever seen a real ski jump. The sight of those nose-bleed high ski runs and ski jumps was memorable. I couldn't believe the severe angles of each of them. To think of Olympic athletes taking those runs and jumps at highest speed makes one contemplate the courage and skill of the individual skiers and jumpers.

 

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

As a visitor to South Lake Tahoe a few years ago, I decided to drive around that enormous lake as a day trip. Imagine my surprise when I chanced upon the Squaw Valley Olympics entrance which is covered with wooden logos and national banners. It almost looked ready to host a new winter Olympics.

 

I had never been to an Olympic site nor had I ever seen a real ski jump. The sight of those nose-bleed high ski runs and ski jumps was memorable. I couldn't believe the severe angles of each of them. To think of Olympic athletes taking those runs and jumps at highest speed makes one contemplate the courage and skill of the individual skiers and jumpers.

 

Ruby

 

What a nice surprise to come upon it, Ruby.

 

It is interesting that you mentioned the Olympic ski jump at Squaw Valley, as that is what filled me with awe when I viewed them close up as well.

 

Winter Olympics involve a lot of different venues, over a big area, yet it is the ski jump which stays with you.

 

In Cortina, in the Dolomites, last Christmas my daughter and I walked through the snow to view the ski jump from their winter olympics. It was off the groomed paths, but well worth the walk and imagining the efforts of the competitors representing their countries.

 

I remember I felt the same way in Inisbruck, Austria and somewhere in Norway.

 

Trouble with attending a Winter Olympics for visitors, it is outside and SO COLD! In Cortina, I'd stay sitting with my feet almost in the fire, until I could smell the rubber.

[MMDown Under]

I finally received my Voyages to Antiquity Cruises Brochure in today's post. I'm so excited!

Edited January 14, 2010 by MMDown Under

[Druke I]

Ruby answered your question to me - Squaw Valley is up at Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra Nevada Range. Truckee would be closest CA city, but most air passengers come in via Reno NV, about 45 minutes East of Squaw.

 

For all you solo travellers, some interesting news. NCL's newest ship (megaship Epic) has studio cabins for singles, with no supplement for being alone. Cruise Critic says it is 1st ship built in years setting aside cabins for singles. That is an idea that is overdue - and hopefully it will catch on. I'm by no means endorsing NCL or megaships (I don't care for either).

 

Ruby - look at the count for "your" thread. It is really up there!

Edited January 14, 2010 by Druke I

[MMDown Under]

Well, inspired by Fran and everyone's talk of small ships and cultural cruises, I have have just booked with a friend to travel on Swan Hellenic's Minerva in Feb 2011. Has anyone been on her? I will have to do my first long haul flight as we sail from Bangkok to Chennai in India, via Singapore, Malaysia and the Andaman Islands. I am sooo excited!

 

Is this the same Minerva which was a popular ship cruising Antarctica?

 

When we stopover in Bangkok, we feel we are almost half way there. :)

[MMDown Under]

How wonderful to be going on the first cruise of the new line, with the added bonus of visit to your friends outside Venice. You must be excited.

 

I'm still waiting for the brochure, with anticipation. Post takes longer Down Under.

 

I was impressed that there will be a number of single cabins.

 

You must be getting more excited now Fran, with 3.1/2 months to go for your inaugural cruise.

 

Do you know whether the ship's refurbishment is going to schedule?

 

You'll be pleased to know that I received my brochure this week.

[MMDown Under]

Ruby answered your question to me - Squaw Valley is up at Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra Nevada Range. Truckee would be closest CA city, but most air passengers come in via Reno NV, about 45 minutes East of Squaw.

 

For all you solo travellers, some interesting news. NCL's newest ship (megaship Epic) has studio cabins for singles, with no supplement for being alone. Cruise Critic says it is 1st ship built in years setting aside cabins for singles. That is an idea that is overdue - and hopefully it will catch on. I'm by no means endorsing NCL or megaships (I don't care for either).

 

Ruby - look at the count for "your" thread. It is really up there!

 

Thanks, Michael. I couldn't picture where it might be. We have driven around the bottom part of that lake and stayed overnight there on one trip.

 

I'm pleased the cruise industry is recognising the need for single cabins, as it is a growth market.

 

Most people I speak with here, who are in a position to cruise, wouldn't pay a single supplement or share.

 

I'm delighted to see that the small Aegean Odyssey has 16 single cabins.

[Saga Ruby]

Ruby - look at the count for "your" thread. It is really up there!

 

Ever since Conte answered my thread two months after I posted it in Jan 2007, I have continued to be amazed at this little corner of the cruise world that did, indeed, "live long and prosper." We have a fine group of educated, well-traveled people who continue to help this thread thrive long after any expected "sell by" date.

 

Thanks, everyone - even all you lurkers!

 

Ruby

[Saga Ruby]

I've read several books in the past about Haiti which has a troubled past of colonialism, socialism, corruption. It is a beautiful island beset by centuries of corruption and lack of management or fruitful direction. Add into this sad mix a 7.0 earthquake directly under Port-au-Prince and it is a perfect recipe for disaster.

 

When Mexico has earthquakes, the buildings that collapse and dissolve are always government buildings because they are poorly built while everyone involved in building them is getting a "taste" of all the money put toward making a building. The concrete used to build those edifices are a recipe of a bit of cement and lots of sand. And Mexico's problems look like a walk in the park in light of the disaster in Haiti.

 

I am troubled by Labadee, the privately-owned area of North Haiti that Royal Caribbean uses for its "private" port. In Cruise Critic, a passenger says, "It was hard enough to sit and eat a picnic lunch at Labadee, before the earthquake, knowing how many Haitians were starving. I can't imagine having to choke down a burger there now." From an economic standpoint, it could be argued that a tourist dollar helps the locals.

 

To paint a larger picture, the snapshot of Independence OTS pax sitting on a white sandy beach with blue skies and bright sun, sipping pina coladas, close to where tens of thousands have died, is gruesome. There is a stationed militia beyond the borders of Labadee which keeps locals from approaching or harming the tourists. What is wrong with this picture? We are enriching the dictators while ignoring the reality of the third most impoverished nation in the world?

 

One would hope that a complete restoration of a good infrastructure could be made in Haiti to give them a start out of poverty. But, like the dictators in Burma - oh, excuse me, Myanmar - who adamantly refused international aid after the tsunami, dictators are not leaders but greedy jerks who will keep themselves in power at all costs to their own people. The word "humanitarian" is not in their vocabulary.

 

I wonder - whither goest Haiti? Give me your thoughts.

 

Ruby

[Druke I]

Haiti is a Republic, and has been moving closer to that goal ever since the Duvalier (sp) family was "kicked out". Papa Doc and his son were despots!

 

They have a long ways to go - but I was surprised to see on the news last night that former President Clinton is a Special Envoy to Haiti, and has been working with their government (and the US government) on a long range economic plan, trying to lift them from the dubious distinction of being the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

 

Royal Caribbean, according to Cruise Critic, has alrady pledged massive aid to Haiti.

Edited January 15, 2010 by Druke I

[Kapricorn]

To paint a larger picture, the snapshot of Independence OTS pax sitting on a white sandy beach with blue skies and bright sun, sipping pina coladas, close to where tens of thousands have died, is gruesome.

 

That reminded me of a photograph taken in Phuket a few days after the tsunami, showing two morbidly obese Germans, in their tiny swim trunks and drinking from bottles of beer, as they surveyed the damage and collection of corpses on the beach.

 

I suppose that in these instances, what can people do but go on about their lives?

 

Donald.

[MMDown Under]

Ever since Conte answered my thread two months after I posted it in Jan 2007, I have continued to be amazed at this little corner of the cruise world that did, indeed, "live long and prosper." We have a fine group of educated, well-traveled people who continue to help this thread thrive long after any expected "sell by" date.

 

Thanks, everyone - even all you lurkers!

 

Ruby

 

Congratulations, Ruby on being the instigator of such an interesting thread.

 

I can't remember how I even got involved on this thread, but I suspect it was because you are all such a "fine group of educated, well-traveled people", who are willing to share your knowledge, and I respect your opinions.

[Host Sharon]

Yes - well done Ruby for starting this thread, and inviting me onto it in the now dim and distant past.

 

Yes Fran, Minerva is the ex Antartica ship and ex Explorer II and ex Saga Pearl - 12,000 tons!!

 

I know what you all mean about the terrifying ski jumps. I stood the the base of the Holmenkollen one in Oslo - I don't know how they can do it.

 

As for NCL Epic, she is most definitely not my kind of ship, but a move in the right direction re singles. The new P&O Azura is being built with single cabins too. From the number of offers around at present I guess some lines are struggling to fill these huge new ships so are chasing every market avaible to them.

[Saga Ruby]

Michael - today I received Oceania's brand-new brochure touting Marina's inaugural year in 2011. The only voyage I would be interested in would be the Miami to Barcelona crossing, altho' postponed 'til 2012. And I'm not sure I can bear another international flight unless things have eased in two years' time.

 

The oceanview cabin shows floor-to-ceiling glass walls in 242 sq ft - a beautiful room. Evidently the glass walls do not open so as to prevent the passengers from pitching out into the sea. I still cannot find personal enthusiasm for a verandah - the only reason I would like a verandah would be to listen to the glorious sounds of the ocean as a night-time lullaby. Which makes me wonder - what effect does an open balcony door have on the a/c in the cabins around me? Too complicated by half.

 

The brochure is gorgeously tempting as is the ship. I would have to eat many of those wonderfully delicious, pansy-shaped burgers in the pool grill. And where's that char in the specialty restaurants when we need it?!! Do you think that "they" can now char a steak onboard or will that always be a technical impossibility?

 

Everyone - is Saga Rose still anchored off the coast of Gilbraltar? Waiting for the best scrap bid or service in a, ahem, lesser cruise line? [heavy sigh]

 

Ruby

[Druke I]

My brochure still has not arrived, although I did download a pdf file. Apparently Marina is selling very well.

 

Virginia and I are not sold on balconies either - really depends on itinerary, etc. Reference open balcony doors - yes, they do have a sometimes negative effect on the air conditioning in adjoining cabins. Most of the balcony doors do have stickers on them requesting passengers to not leave them open for that reason, although some ships have micro switches on the doors to cut the air when the door is opened.

 

I do think an imaginative Chef could "char rare" a steak even on the ranges on ships.

 

I think Virginia and I will wait for Marina's unnamed sister, due out in July 2011.

[Host Sharon]

Ruby - on the now two occasions when I have had upgrades to a balcony cabin, you are discouraged from leaving the doors open for just that reason of overworking the air con. Also, it is not really a good idea to leave them open overnight in case a sea builds up, or in case of sudden rain storms. On Cunard ships, the doors open outward and have closers jsut so they cannot be left open (unless you wedge something in the gap as I did one afternoon). Sliding doors could open further or close completely in the night. I have to confess the best part (for me) about having a balcony, was to be able to dash out to take a photo or two early morning or very late, when coming into port or sailing near land, and not have to get dressed and out on deck. And of course the fresh air is nice occasionally.

[Druke I]

Is everyone snowbound?

 

This thread has been awfully quiet.