Saga Rose Greenland Voyager August 2007

[Saga Ruby]

Thanks for your comments on your visit to Reykjavik, Ruby. I am reading a little AA Book on Iceland and had decided I would visit that spectacular church on the hill. I also enjoy visiting local cafes and supermarkets during my travels. I often pick up different kitchen utensils, to remind me of my travels, whilst I cook.

 

Klaksvik in Faroe islands, Skjolden/Sognefjord and Bergen in Norway.

 

Would you like to cruise on Silversea again, even though it is expensive? How did you find the amount of consecutive sea days? I found some passengers became bored on the 4th consecutive day of my TA.

 

I recently attended a function by Orion Expedition Cruises which introduced their cruises with National Geographic from March, 2014. They have some wonderful unique cruises planned, but oh so expensive.

 

What a great idea to pick up kitchen utensils as souvenirs on your travels!

 

I will always cruise on Silversea. I will travel when I can afford it which is probably every other year. My current travel obsession is Montreal, Canadian Provinces (thanks to you) to Charleston NC. There is only one ship so far that has that itinerary - I'm hoping S/S will eventually come up with that combo. By the bye, onboard Whisper, I was surprised at how many pax pronounced it "Silverseas" instead of the correct word.

 

I will be writing a review of my cruise from Cape Town to FLL. It will consist of much praise to the executive chef, Anne-Marie Cornelius, and the winning productions of the pastry chef whose name escapes me. When desserts were served, we would hold up our plates and show the excellent designs of various ingredients which always tasted delicious. Beautiful painted plates with plumes of chocolate coming out of the mousse.

 

One night on Pool Deck, we had a "BBQ Grill" which had many tables of every kind of local and foreign food you could think of. Such fun.

 

On the penultimate night of the cruise, during lunch, throughout the ship were foods of the various continents enjoyed by the World Cruisers. We walked from deck to deck to enjoy offerings from Asia, Africa, China, and one food I asked to be identified, "American." Whoops!

 

I also appreciated the constant, intense boat drills at several ports. There is no doubt in my mind that I was on a very safe ship.

 

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

 

I will always cruise on Silversea. I will travel when I can afford it which is probably every other year. My current travel obsession is Montreal, Canadian Provinces (thanks to you) to Charleston NC. There is only one ship so far that has that itinerary - I'm hoping S/S will eventually come up with that combo. By the bye, onboard Whisper, I was surprised at how many pax pronounced it "Silverseas" instead of the correct word.

 

I will be writing a review of my cruise from Cape Town to FLL. It will consist of much praise to the executive chef, Anne-Marie Cornelius, and the winning productions of the pastry chef whose name escapes me. When desserts were served, we would hold up our plates and show the excellent designs of various ingredients which always tasted delicious. Beautiful painted plates with plumes of chocolate coming out of the mousse.

 

One night on Pool Deck, we had a "BBQ Grill" which had many tables of every kind of local and foreign food you could think of. Such fun.

 

On the penultimate night of the cruise, during lunch, throughout the ship were foods of the various continents enjoyed by the World Cruisers. We walked from deck to deck to enjoy offerings from Asia, Africa, China, and one food I asked to be identified, "American." Whoops!

 

I also appreciated the constant, intense boat drills at several ports. There is no doubt in my mind that I was on a very safe ship.

 

Ruby

 

That would be a wonderful itinerary, Ruby.

 

Looking forward to reading your review. Nice to read that food was a highlight, especially after reading that food standards have declined on other cruise lines.

 

(I'm fussy with regard to what I choose to order, so was only disappointed with one meal choice, on my last cruise on Ocean Princess. This was quickly replaced with no fuss.)

[Conte Di Savoia]

I will always cruise on Silversea. I will travel when I can afford it which is probably every other year. My current travel obsession is Montreal, Canadian Provinces (thanks to you) to Charleston NC. There is only one ship so far that has that itinerary - I'm hoping S/S will eventually come up with that combo.

When desserts were served, we would hold up our plates and show the excellent designs of various ingredients which always tasted delicious. Beautiful painted plates with plumes of chocolate coming out of the mousse.

I also appreciated the constant, intense boat drills at several ports. There is no doubt in my mind that I was on a very safe ship.

 

Ruby

 

It's great to hear that you are becoming a Silversea groupie...sounds like it won't be long before you reach 100 days and get that most important perk...free laundry service!

I see that Regent Seven Seas Navigator will be doing the itinerary you want in October of 2014 when it sails from Montreal to Miami. We've been on her and she is a very comfortable small vessel. The downside to Regent, IMHO, is that they include tours in each port. They advertise them as "Free" but of course they aren't that at all which can be seen when prices are compared to other upscale lines like Silversea. I know you don't like tours and would rather do it on your own at your own pace. Seabourn has also followed this itinerary but they haven't listed this cruise as yet for 2014.

 

My spouse celebrated his birthday while we were on board for the crossing. He opted not to be serenaded in the DR but our butler insisted that he had to have his cake and eat it too. So Patrice arranged to have it delivered to our cabin and set it up with our gifted Champagne when we returned from a hard day by the pool. This picture illustrates the designs that the pastry chef used to lead us into even more sin.

[Kapricorn]

My spouse celebrated his birthday while we were on board for the crossing. He opted not to be serenaded in the DR but our butler insisted that he had to have his cake and eat it too. So Patrice arranged to have it delivered to our cabin and set it up with our gifted Champagne when we returned from a hard day by the pool. This picture illustrates the designs that the pastry chef used to lead us into even more sin.

 

WOW, if that is sin I am all for it! :D

 

I'm glad to know that both Conte and Ruby enjoyed their Silversea cruises. :)

 

Donald.

[Saga Ruby]

It's great to hear that you are becoming a Silversea groupie...sounds like it won't be long before you reach 100 days and get that most important perk...free laundry service!

 

I've got a real chip on my shoulder about the laundry service on Whisper. The day I boarded, I turned in a bag of laundry that disappeared for 2 days then came back with clothes missing. Later, I sent in a caftan that was returned with a mangled collar. My lovely butler personally took it back for a re-do and waited while the error was corrected. My butler's comment, "The Laundry Master is shorter than I am; I can take him!" Bah humbug about free laundry - if it isn't done properly, it is hardly a perk.

 

I see that Regent Seven Seas Navigator will be doing the itinerary you want in October of 2014 when it sails from Montreal to Miami. We've been on her and she is a very comfortable small vessel. The downside to Regent, IMHO, is that they include tours in each port. They advertise them as "Free" but of course they aren't that at all which can be seen when prices are compared to other upscale lines like Silversea. I know you don't like tours and would rather do it on your own at your own pace. Seabourn has also followed this itinerary but they haven't listed this cruise as yet for 2014.

 

A year ago, I checked into the Regent cruise from Montreal but, when I realized that all shorex are automatically included in the tariff, I backed briskly away from that cruise line. I'll make arrangements for my own shorex, thank you very much.

 

My spouse celebrated his birthday . . . but our butler insisted that he had to have his cake and eat it too.

 

Doncha just luv the photo of the b'day cake? Just another fine day on S/S.

 

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

 

My spouse celebrated his birthday while we were on board for the crossing. He opted not to be serenaded in the DR but our butler insisted that he had to have his cake and eat it too. So Patrice arranged to have it delivered to our cabin and set it up with our gifted Champagne when we returned from a hard day by the pool. This picture illustrates the designs that the pastry chef used to lead us into even more sin.

 

Makes me want to celebrate a birthday on Silversea.

 

No wonder, Ruby feels like Dorothy in Oz on board.

[MMDown Under]

Thinking of you and hoping those destructive tornadoes are nowhere near you, Ruby.

 

Does anyone know why the US has so many of these types of tornadoes?

[Kapricorn]

Thinking of you and hoping those destructive tornadoes are nowhere near you, Ruby.

 

Speaking of weather, Ruby, what is the summer forecast for your area? I hope that it will not be more of the same extreme heat and drought as experienced last year.

 

Vancouver's weather is expected to be more or less the usual. I don't expect to repeat La Dolce Vita in the park water fountain.

 

Donald.

[Kapricorn]

Does anyone know why the US has so many of these types of tornadoes?

 

Marion, cold air mass flowing down from the Arctic collides with warm air mass flowing up from Gulf of Mexico = tornadoes in the "Tornado Alley." If I am wrong, can someone please correct me. Edmonton way up in Canada had an extremely rare tornado during the 1970s that killed 28 people.

 

What I have noticed is that USA tornadoes love trailer parks, or perhaps there are just more of the trailer parks around?

 

Donald.

[Saga Ruby]

Thinking of you and hoping those destructive tornadoes are nowhere near you, Ruby. Does anyone know why the US has so many of these types of tornadoes?

 

Marion, cold air mass flowing down from the Arctic collides with warm air mass flowing up from Gulf of Mexico = tornadoes in the "Tornado Alley."

 

What I have noticed is that USA tornadoes love trailer parks, or perhaps there are just more of the trailer parks around? Donald.

 

I have not heard a long-term summer forecast for Texas and the DFW area in regard to heavy weather. And I would like to hear the heat level predictions for summer. although I'm almost afraid to find out. When I cruised thru Alaska on the way to Russia and Japan two years ago, I ate breakfast outside on the stern patio while it rained and cold winds blew. A lady on the ship came up to me and said, "Aren't you cold?" I replied, "Oh, yes, and i love it. We have 110* heat back home so this is a great pleasure." As you can imagine, it was hard to book a cruise to Africa where heat was guaranteed.

 

Last summer left all us Texans gasping with heat-related illnesses. It has been said that the economy in Texas didn't take off until a/c was brought into the state. We could not build tall buildings until the era of chilled air came into being.

 

Marion - to answer your question, DFW did not get those heavy F4 tornadoes but, mathematically, with global warming it is just a matter of time. If memory serves, your area of Oz had severe flooding last year and Donald's dog was wading thru very high tides. Nobody will ever convince me that, meteorlogically, the times they are a'changing.

 

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

 

Marion - to answer your question, DFW did not get those heavy F4 tornadoes but, mathematically, with global warming it is just a matter of time. If memory serves, your area of Oz had severe flooding last year and Donald's dog was wading thru very high tides. Nobody will ever convince me that, meteorlogically, the times they are a'changing.

 

Ruby

 

Thinking of the people of Oklahoma City, as I watch live the search and rescue operation following the devastation resulting from the Oklahoma Tornado. Just hope most people had shelters.

[Saga Ruby]

Here is the link to my recently posted review of Whisper from Africa to Fort Lauderdale:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=220578

 

Tell me what you think.

 

Ruby

[Kapricorn]

Excellent review, Ruby! From the way you wrote, I almost felt as if I was on the ship enjoying the service and treats. :)

 

Donald.

[MMDown Under]

Enjoyed your excellent review, Ruby.

 

You are a wonderful advertisement for Silver Whisper.

[Conte Di Savoia]

It's always a pleasure to read a stellar review, especially for a line that we also like. Even among Silversea passengers the Whisper is always spoken of as the best of the best. Maybe one day I will get aboard to verify that!

I'm particularly interested in hearing about your Cape Town experiences since we plan to be there in December for a few days before boarding the Wind for a Christmas/New Years cruise and post cruise extension to Botswana and Zimbabwe.

[Saga Ruby]

It's always a pleasure to read a stellar review, especially for a line that we also like. Even among Silversea passengers the Whisper is always spoken of as the best of the best. Maybe one day I will get aboard to verify that!

I'm particularly interested in hearing about your Cape Town experiences since we plan to be there in December for a few days before boarding the Wind for a Christmas/New Years cruise and post cruise extension to Botswana and Zimbabwe.

 

The biggest surprise for me in Cape Town was how clean it is. No litter, no trash anywhere. As a solo female in the city, I was shown the greatest hospitality, from the bank teller explaining the differences in their ATMs to the bellhop at Cape Grace Hotel who put me in the hotel pedicab and wheeled me around that famous waterfront. We stopped in at a very busy supermarket on the waterfront, Pick n' Pay, and I purchased fresh takeaway and fruit. Wish I had a photo of me in the pedicab . . . .

 

The noonday gun on Signal Hill was a hoot and you always feel Table Mountain looming over you. I had a driver for a day trip to Cape Gulhas which turns out to be the southernmost tip of Africa. I was really surprised at this information but so much enjoyed going out to the lighthouse at Cape Gulhas.

 

The sailaway out of Cape Town Harbor was gorgeous, spectacular. The geography of that town, the harbor, the very pleasant locals, get an A+ from me. I doubt I will return to Cape Town but will always be happy to have been there.

 

I came home to discover Paul Theroux's final travel book, The Last Train to Zona Verde, which is about my itinerary and his train trip thru the western coast of Africa shortly before he retired. You might want to give it a look.

 

Ruby

[Conte Di Savoia]

Ruby

You've often mentioned your wonderful trips on ships of the much missed Royal Viking Line and so I thought you might like to see these pictures from our recent crossing on Silver Cloud. When we were in Funchal we encountered Alabatros which was on her first cruise after a major multimillion Euro refurbishment at the Blohm and Voss shipyard in Germany. You may have sailed on her when she was Royal Viking Sea. Phoenix Reisen, the German company which now owns her, spent a significant amount of money in refurbishing her, a distinctly unusual investment for a ship which is now 40 years old. Oh that Saga would do the same for your namesake.

She looked great tied up at the pier in Madeira. Later in the day she passed us at sea as she sped by off our starboard side. Passing or being passed by another passenger ship is always a great treat, especially when it is so close by.

]

 

 

She remains a great beauty. How I miss ships of this size, proportion and style! It doesn't get more elegant than this. What do you think, SagaVista, my good friend who also loved these RVL ships?

Edited June 3, 2013 by Conte Di Savoia

[MMDown Under]

Ruby

You've often mentioned your wonderful trips on ships of the much missed Royal Viking Line and so I thought you might like to see these pictures from our recent crossing on Silver Cloud. When we were in Funchal we encountered Alabatros which was on her first cruise after a major multimillion Euro refurbishment at the Blohm and Voss shipyard in Germany. You may have sailed on her when she was Royal Viking Sea. Phoenix Reisen, the German company which now owns her, spent a significant amount of money in refurbishing her, a distinctly unusual investment for a ship which is now 40 years old. Oh that Saga would do the same for your namesake.

She looked great tied up at the pier in Madeira. Later in the day she passed us at sea as she sped by off our starboard side. Passing or being passed by another passenger ship is always a great treat, especially when it is so close by.

]

 

 

She remains a great beauty. How I miss ships of this size, proportion and style! It doesn't get more elegant than this. What do you think, SagaVista, my good friend who also loved these RVL ships?

 

Phoenix Albatross will be in port at Bergen, whilst we are there, so I will check her out, with interest. Thanks for background information, as I hadn't heard of Albatross.

[Saga Ruby]

Conte - thank you so much for the pix of Albatross. Seeing the photos swept me back to the 70s and 80s when the only line I sailed was RVL's Star, Sea, and Sky. I sailed the world with RVL and one of the great delights was tendering away from the ship and admiring the blue stripe which encircled the ship and the blue funnel with the sea eagle on its stack. Wow! What wonderful memories you have brought back to me!

 

I'm sure we can all agree that those ships as shown in your photos look like greyhounds of the sea. As you say, I miss so much ships of this type. I am puzzled but admiring of Riesen for refurbishing this ship - I wonder which RVL ship she was?

 

On Whisper, I was invited to the CD's table for dinner. I was seated next to Fernando, the CD, and when the usual hullabaloo at table settled down, I softly sang the sailaway song from RVL to Fernando who worked on RVL for many years. When I got to the "French chalet" line, he turned to me and had the most wonderful smile on his face.

 

Sagavista - can you sing that silly song which is embedded deep in my cruising brain?

 

Ruby

[Conte Di Savoia]

I wonder which RVL ship she was?Ruby

 

Royal Viking Sea

[Host Sharon]

Hi everyone - just back from a great cruise again on Oriana. I was interested to see the photos of Albatross - owned of course by Phoenix Reisen who bought Artemis and turned her into Artania. They specialise in buying up old but well-built ships and fully refitting them to make them good as new. As you say - pity they don't buy Saga Ruby.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Host Sharon

[sagavista]

To Conte,

The design of the Royal Viking ships helped make Wartsilia a pre-emanate cruise ship builder in the 70’s and 80’s the same way Cantieri Riuniti was a top ocean liner builder in the 60’s with the designs for the Italian Line, Costa and Home Line. It’s nice to see that all three are still sailing some 40+ years later. I know Fred Olsen re-engined both of his ships in the late 90’s which gave them added life. Like a heart transplant for humans. I had the privilege of sailing on the RV Sea, RV Sky(twice) and RV Sun and they were all memorable trips. Only people like us and the individuals who read this blog, who I will term as ocean liner aficionados, appreciate these classic designs.

To Saga Ruby,

Thank the Lord I can’t sing into a computers! But the words to the Royal Viking song was:

"When she sails away -Like a French Palaise -With the Lord and Ladies Smiling - We have Left the world on the shore - that's what paradise boats are for - She's a lovely sight o'er the waves so bright - like a royal swan she's gliding - We'll be all aboard - going far- on The Royal Viking (Star, Sky or Sea)." As a side note the Swedish American Line also had a song for the Kungsholm and Gripsholm.

[Host Sharon]

And Cunard's Caronia (no.3) had a special song too we sang on the last evening, together with We'll Meet Again. I'd forgotten that.

 

I'm still catching up - love the photo of the lighthouse Conte - looks like you had good weather as we did!

 

Ruby - a ship is laid up when it is taken out of service - that is what worried me !

Edited June 5, 2013 by Host Sharon

[Saga Ruby]

To Saga Ruby,

Thank the Lord I can’t sing into a computers! But the words to the Royal Viking song was: "When she sails away -Like a French Palaise -With the Lord and Ladies Smiling - We have Left the world on the shore - that's what paradise boats are for - She's a lovely sight o'er the waves so bright - like a royal swan she's gliding - We'll be all aboard - going far- on The Royal Viking (Star, Sky or Sea)." As a side note the Swedish American Line also had a song for the Kungsholm and Gripsholm.

 

Thanks so much for posting the lyrics. After many years of hearing that ricky-ticky song on sailaway, I am gobsmacked to see the word is "Palaise" instead of "Chalet." Whoops! I quickly learned not to stand under the tannoy on sailaway - too much of a good thing.

 

Ruby - a ship is laid up when it is taken out of service - that is what worried me !

 

Along these lines (pardon the pun), I know that Saga Rose was taken out of service due to her wooden superstructure. And yet I don't hear that reason very often. Are older ships laid up due to an aging ship and the expense of refurbishment or because they cannot pass SOLAS regs in various ports? Which is more common, a ship aging out of service or a ship unable to pass technical muster?

 

Why is Riesen able to find a financial gain to refurbish older ships when no one else does? And how do you pronounce "Riesen?"

 

Ruby

[Host Sharon]

Ruby - Reisen as in rye-sen.

 

I suspect it is more like not being able to pass SOLAS along with rising mainenantance and fuel costs - many older ships require heavier grade fuel oil wich is not very eco friendly and ports like Venice are cracking down on that.

 

Phoenix Reisen seem to have found a niche market which works for them. Their clientele like mid-small size ships - around the 30-40,000 ton mark and when they costed building a new ship of that size against the cost of refitting, sand-blasting to bare metal and re-engining Artemis, the latter won hands down! I guess that will only work with Scandinavian/German built ships where thicker better grade steel was used. P&O admit that the likes of Oriana (1995) and Aurora (200) both built in Germany will outlive the likes of Azura (2010) and Ventura (2008) both built in Italy.