| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
|---|---|---|---|
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26th Oct. 2022 |
Barcelona Catalonia Spain |
Eight mile walk! |
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27th Oct. 2022 |
Marseille Provence France |
Marseille Highlights Tour |
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28th Oct. 2022 |
Monte Carlo Monaco |
Roque- brune Tour |
 |
29th Oct. 2022 |
Civita- vecchia Italy |
Tarquinia by Trolley Train |
|
30th Oct. 2022 |
Livorno Tuscany Italy |
Monuments of Pisa |
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31st Oct. 2022 |
Toulon Provence France |
Highlights of Sanary & Bandol |
|
1st Nov. 2022 |
Palma Mallorca Spain |
Caves of Drach |
|
2nd Nov. 2022 |
Barcelona -> LHR -> BoMoH |
Home by 17:30! |
| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
I awoke early and watched my Barcelona talk on the TV from in bed. At seven o'clock I broke my fast with the full English in La Terrazza buffet. I was off the ship at eight o'clock, walking in to the city.
Unfortunately we were berthed at cruise terminal A and not at the more central World Trade Centre (WTC). I walked up La Rambla to Catalonia Place, where I went in the tourist information office and in El Corte Ingles to use the loo. I turned back into the Gothic Quarter to go round the outside of the cathedral and the King's Place (Placa de Rei). I discovered the church of Santa Maria del Mar, but it was closed. I went passed the expensive Picasso museum and then out in to the citadel park.
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I came back via the promenade to the ship at eleven o'clock, having done over eight miles of walking! At noon I had a ham baguette with the cheese plate in the Arts Cafe, before sleeping for two hours. I spent most of the afternoon working on my lap top.
At 5:45 I did six lengths of the long, very warm, salt water swimming pool, followed by 2 x 6 minutes in the port jacuzzi with a view of the Jewish mountain (Montjuic) looming over us. At 6:45 we had the introductions by the pool. At 7:30 I gave my 40 minute lecture on Marseille.
I then dined in the S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Tasting) restaurant, sat next to a gay couple, Harry & Trond from Norway. I had the Barcelona menu to eat, beginning with the duck ravioli, followed by the chicken in tomato sauce and finishing with the sweet pastries and nougat ice cream. I adjourned to my suite at ten o'clock and went to sleep at 10:30, having done over twenty three thousand steps, equal to over nine miles of walking during the day!
I awoke to my alarm at 6:30 ready for the full English break fast at seven o'clock in La Terrazza. At eight o'clock I was on duty to escort my first choice Marseille Highlights tour. I was with guide Catherine, driver Daniel and 25 guests. Our first stop was at the Longchamps fountains, followed by the war memorial on the prom.
Our third stop was at the famous basilica on the hill. This time I managed to see all six floors of the complex. We then had a generous hour and half free time down town. I began in the tourist information office and sat outside it to use the wi-fi. I traversed the pedestrianised shopping street and found the lovely little Cantini art gallery. This had free admission with three Picassos, one Seurat and one Francis Bacon amongst some other gems. I went in the church on the old quay and the Borse shopping mall.
Back at the ship, I had a cheese burger and fries, but with no bun for lunch in the Grill by the pool. I then slept for an hour and a half, before walking shore. I explored the very extensive St. John's Fort, which had been closed on my previous visit.
Back at the ship again, I gave my 35 minute lecture on Monaco. I then did six lengths of the long, warm pool, followed by 2 x 6 = 12 minutes in the port side jacuzzi with views of the city. At seven o'clock I hosted the solo travellers with Katerina, where I met Anne-Marie from Ontario, Ian from Newcastle and Robert from Ulster.
At 7:30 we adjourned to the Atlantide main restaurant, where I hosted a table for five and Katerina a table for six. I was sat with Thelma from Switzerland, Linda from Guernsey, Julie from Pasadena and Ann from Northampton. I had the crab bisque, the king crab starter, TWO tender loin Rossini steaks and the sour cherry yoghurt ice. Thelma gave me one of her two steaks, so I ate THREE in total! At ten o'clock, two of the ladies went to the comedian/magician's show which I had seen last week. Back in my suite, I updated this blog and worked on my next Ambassador bids. I went to bed at 10:45 having done nearly twenty thousand steps, equal to eight miles of walking during the day!
I awoke just before my TWO alarms set at six o'clock. At 6:30 I had a warm smoked salmon panini with a berry detox water in the Arts Cafe. At 7:30 I was on dispatch duty in the Venatian lounge, ready to escort my second choice tour to Roquebrune.
At 8:15 I led my tour down to the tender and we were ashore in Port Hercule by 8:30. We then had a panoramic ride around Monaco before driving around Menton. Our first photo stop was on Cap St. Martin, looking towards the Italian border.
We spent most of the morning in the lovely hill side village of Roquebrune (Brown Rock). We had refreshments with lovely lemon mousse, but no wine or beer, just coffee, juice or sodas. I had a full strength Pepsi Cola, as I wasn't planning on a siesta that afternoon. We climbed up to the castle with spectacular 180 degree views back to Monaco.
Back at the tender dock just after one o'clock, I caught the free electric ferry across Port Hercule to the famous Casino.
I went in the Tourist Information Office and the Metropole Shopping Centre for the loo.
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I then caught the free electric ferry back across the harbour, followed by the tender back to the ship. Here I had a small puttanesca pizza at three o'clock.
At four o'clock I gave my 45 minute talk on Civitavecchia: the Port for Rome, skipping over the videos. At six o'clock I did my usual six lengths and twelve minutes in both hot tubs, with views of Monte Carlo. At seven o'clock I hosted the solos with International Hostess Thaiis.
At 7:40 we led: German Gisela, Geordie Ian, American Barb, Irish Aleish, Canadian Anne-Marie and Ulster man Robert, down to the Atlantide main dining room. Swiss Wilma and LA Julie, who had come to the meet up, dined elsewhere. There were also two other newcomers at the cocktail party. I had the pate de fois gras, the crab bisque, the sirloin steak and the raspberry dessert, with just one glass of red wine.
At 9:45 most of the party went to see the "Rock Rhapsody" Queen tribute show by the six Voices of Silversea, which I had seen last week. I adjourned to my suite to do some paperwork, going to sleep at 10:45. During the day I had done over thirteen thousand steps, equal to more than five miles of walking!
I got up at a quarter to six, fifteen minutes before my alarm, to do some more paper work. At 6:35 I had a warm smoked salmon panini with a berry detox water in the Arts Cafe.
At eight o'clock I was on escort duty on the quayside with guide Claudia and driver Roberto. We were going on my first choice Medieval Tarquinia by Trolley Train tour. We had an hour and a half's ride around the ancient city with several stops on the way. We went in a lovely Romanesque church and the City Hall with medieval frescoes.
During our one hour of free time, I went in the courtyard of the Etruscan archaeological museum, the Cathedral and the Tourist Information Office. I then had the included gelato. I choose the lovely strawberry sorbet cornet. Tarquinia used to be called Corneto!
Back at the ship, I had the cheese burger with fries and no bun for lunch in the Grill by the pool. I then slept for an hour and a half. When I awoke, I walked passed Celebrity Apex, which I lectured on last summer, and passed HAL's Oosterdam, to get to Michelangelo's castle, where I recorded my piece to camera.
Back at the ship again, I did six lengths in the warm pool in the hot sun shine, followed by 3 x 6 = 18 minutes in the port jacuzzi chatting to a lady from Dallas in Texas. At 5:30 I gave my forty minute talk on Livorno with the Masagni Terrace video at the end.
At seven o'clock I hosted the solo travellers with Geordie singer Hollie. At 7:40 I led Barbara from Ohio, Anne-Marie from Ontario and Gisela from Lake Constance down to a table for four in the S.A.L.T. restaurant, whilst Hollie hosted Geordie Ian and Irish Aleish on a table for three. I had the rigatoni pasta, the saltimbocca veal and the ricotta cheese cake for dinner with just one glass of red wine.
The tables broke up at 9:25 ready for Vicki's tour de force one woman comedy life story, which I have seen several times. I adjourned to my multi-roomed suite and did some work instead. I went to sleep at 10:30 having done over fifteen thousand steps, equal to over six miles of walking during the day!
I awoke at six o'clock, but it was now only five o'clock on winter time, so I watched some of my presentations on the television. At 6:30 I broke my fast with a warm smoked salmon panini with a berry detox water in the Arts Cafe as the sun came up over the Tuscan Riviera.
At 8:15 I was on duty on the quay side with guide Barbara and Driver Roberto, ready to go on my third choice tour to Pisa. We had a long walk from the coach park to the monumental Place of Miracles (Piazza de Miracoles). We went in the Baptistery for the usual acoustic demonstration and in to the foyer of the Cathedral. We then had one hour of free time, so I splashed out five euros on the wall walk.
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Firstly I headed south to take the iconic pictures of the four great monumental buildings. I then headed east along the north side of the city. Next the wall turned south and half way along the eastern side of the city, I descended back to ground level. I then retraced my steps alongside the great city wall back to the famous Piazza. Here I bumped in to Future Cruise Manager (FCM) Joshua from Genoa, so we walked back to the meeting place for our noon rendezvous.
Back at the ship, I had a small puttanesca pizza for lunch, followed by half an hour of siesta. I caught the three o'clock shuttle bus to Piazza Municipio, not Piazza Grande, in the city centre, but progress was slowed by the enormous queue for the Italian tall ship, which was holding an open day. I went in the Tourist Information Office (TIO), St Catherine's octagonal church and the New Fortress (Fortezza Nuova), but the draw bridge to the Old Fortress (Fortezza Vecchia) was retracted for half an hour of boat traffic in the moat. I then battled passed the long line for the training ship and got back to the ship.
At 4:40 I did six lengths of the warm, salt water pool followed by just 6 minutes in one of the hot tubs. At 5:30 I gave my thirty five minute talk on Toulon. At seven o'clock I hosted the solo travellers with Ian, Robert, Jitsu, Anne-Marie, Barbara, Julie, Wilma, Gisela, Ann and then Katerina. The latter arranged for us to dine in the S.A.L.T. restaurant, where I was sat with just Wilma and Julie. Katerina hosted the noisy main table of eight. I had the Italian omelette to start, the huge T-bone steak to continue and a simple dessert to finish.
At ten o'clock we were supposed to have had the Musica Maestro show, but Dimitri had food poisoning, probably from eating seafood, so Holly Gibson did her excellent one woman musical theatre cabaret instead. I went to sleep at eleven o'clock, having done nearly twenty thousand steps, equal to eight miles of walking during the day.
I awoke before six o'clock, so I watched my Toulon talk on the TV, knowing that there was one of my five rooms behind the set, so I wouldn't disturb the next suite along! At seven o'clock I broke my fast with TWO eggs Benedict, a tomato and a decaff coffee sat with Geordie Ian.
Back in my suite I up loaded the photographs from my previous ports of call this cruise. At nine o'clock I was on duty on the quay side to escort my first choice Highlights of Sanary & Bandol. I was working with guide Luis from Galicia and local driver Francis.
Our first stop was at the charming fishing town of Sanary-sur-Mer. The old brightly painted fishing boats were very photogenic! Unfortunately the medieval watch tower was closed to visitors. Our second stop was at the more commercial seaside resort of Bandol.
Back at the ship, I had fish & chips in the Grill by the pool for lunch. I then slept for an hour disturbed by banging noises. At three o'clock I popped in to the city, calling in to the Tourist Information Office, the free History Museum and the Cathedral.
Back at the ship again, I gave my thirty five minute talk on Palma de Mallorca at four o'clock. At 5:40 I did six lengths and spent 2 x 6 = 12 minutes in one of the hot tubs, but it was already getting dark with the Autumnal time change.
At seven o'clock I hosted the solo travellers with Thaiis. At 7:30 we went up to La Terrazza Italian restaurant. We were at a table for eight with Barbara, Robert, Anne-Marie, Jitsu, Gisela and Ian. We began with the shared anti-pasti platters, but no rose prosecco as previously. I had the minestrone soup (labelled as vegetable broth) and the huge veal chop in bread crumbs. I declined the dessert in anticipation of the later Death by Chocolate buffet. I had two glasses of Italian red wine to drink.
At 9:45 we moved up to the Panorama lounge for the Death by Chocolate buffet and the Spooktacular four Voices of Silversea. I did two dances with Anne-Marie: a social foxtrot and a rock jive, which Americans would call a West Coast Swing (WCS). Towards the end of the show, I joined in the Time Warp dance from the Rocky Horror Show. When the DJ played YMCA, I also joined in, but then went to bed at eleven o'clock. During the day, I had done nearly sixteen thousand steps, equal to over six miles of walking!
I awoke to the dawn at 7:15 ready for a freshly made cheese omelette with crispy bacon in La Terrazza restaurant. Back in my suite, I up dated this blog and worked on my Barcelona presentation. At 10:30 I gave my forty minute talk on Barcelona with one video before (Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe) and one at the end (Touropia Top Ten Sights) At 11:45 I had a small puttanesca pizza as an early lunch in the top deck Spaccanapoli pizzeria!
At 12:30 I was on duty on the quay side with guide Luisha and driver John for my first choice tour to the Caves of Drach. It took just over an hour to cross the island to the east coast. We entered the caves just after two o'clock and filed down to the underground auditorium passed magnificent stalactities and stalagmites! We then had a magical, mystical ten minute classical concert by a quartet in an illuminated boat rowed across the underground lake!
At the end of the recital, I didn't have time to take the boat along the lake, walking along the lake side promenade instead. Back out in the fresh air, I spoke to Ann from Philadelphia who had been on the Silver Moon maiden cruise with me. Our coach then drove up less than a quarter of a mile to the Majorica pearl show room. Here I sat and chatted to a couple from Haywards Heath. On the way back to Palma, I spoke to a pair of Australian ladies, one of whom now lives in Pasadena.
Back at the ship, I submitted my tour escort report form and then did six lengths of the long, warm, salt water swimming pool with 2 x 6 = 12 minutes in one of the jacuzzis. At 6:30 I went to the musical theatre show time, which I had heard last week too.
At seven o'clock I had to slip out to host the solo travellers with singer Hollie. Here we were joined by Patricia from Toronto, along with the regulars. At 7:30 I led her, together with Jitsu, Robert, Ian and myself down to the Atlantide main dining room. Irish Aleish joined us later. Anne-Marie, Barbara, Gisela, Wilma and Hollie dined elsewhere on the last night of the cruise.
I had the mushroom soup, the duck Caesar salad (which had a whole cos lettuce for a change cut in to long quarters), the escalope of veal and the sour cherry yoghurt ice cream. I had two glasses of Italian red wine to drink. This was the first cruise I had been on where the single gents had out numbered the single ladies! The table broke up at ten o'clock and I went to pack my suitcase. I went to sleep at 10:45 having done only seven thousand steps during the day.
My TWO alarms woke me at six o'clock and at 6:30 I had the full English break fast sat with Geordie Ian Macmillan. At 7:20 I was sat in my suite waiting for the announcements to start, when Ilana phoned to say that my tag had already been called. I rushed off passed CD Vicki who was chatting to Ann from Philadelphia and Ruth from Maine who had been on the maiden voyage of the Silver Moon with me. I dashed passed Katerina on the landing and Ilana by the gangway to get out to the coach in time.
We had a half hour run out to the airport. Here check in ($230 one way) took nearly an hour, but then I was able to relax. I wandered around outside and did some photography, before proceeding quickly through security. I then found a charging station with which to up date this web log.
I went through security quickly, but made the mistake of heading towards the A gates. When our gate came up it was D10, so I had to back track a long way, then go up a floor and walk back over the top of the A gates to get to passport control in front of gates D & E. At gate D10 I found a front seat with a view of aircraft landing. Ours landed late, but turned around quickly. Whilst waiting, I had a bag of nuts and a couple of biscuits from the ship.
On board, I was sat right at the back in the naughty corner with NO window. We finally took off nearly one hour late. We were given a bag of crisps and a bottle of water. I could then get my lap top out and up date this blog.
At LHR, I was quickly through passport control, but had to wait for my suit case to arrive. I caught the tube to Hatton Cross and then the bus to Henlys round about to pick up my car parked near my out bound AirBnB. I drove off at 15:30 and got home at 17:30 after an easy run to the coast. The new bridge at Ringwood had opened, but now the old bridge was being replaced as well.
One gent later wrote: "Thank you so much for your hosting and help on board the Silver Dawn, something which I appreciated very much"
I scored 8.69 out of 10 equal to 87% in the end of cruise questionnaire, just above the 85% threshold!
14 Silversea cruises 8 Solo travellers hosted 7 Day cruise 7 Port talks 7 Old ports 6 Tours escorted 6 Silversea Ships (Wind x2, Whisper x1, Muse x1, Moon x4, Spirit x3 & Dawn x3) 5 Break fasts in La Terrazza buffet 5 Roomed suite 4 New villages (Roquebrune, Tarquinia, Sanary & Bandol) 3 In cabin telephones 3 Lunches in the Grill 3 Break fasts in the Arts cafe 3 Dinners in the S.A.L.T. restaurant 3 Lunches in the Spaccanapoli Pizzeria 3 Dinners in the Atlantide main dining room 2 In cabin televisions 2 New art galleries (Marc Chagall & Musee Cantini) 1 Dinner in La Terraza Italian restaurant 1 Lunch in the Arts Cafe 1 Great cruise!
Silver Wind Silver Muse Silver Moon Silver Dawn Silver Spirit Silver Whisper Black Prince Black Watch Balmoral Boudicca Braemar Bolette Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Solstice Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Edge Celebrity Apex Saga Rose Saga Ruby Saga Sapphire Saga Pearl II Quest for Adventure Spirit of Adventure (Old SofA) Spirit of Adventure (New SofA) Spirit of Discovery Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) Queen Elizabeth (QE) Queen Victoria (QV) Queen Mary 2 (QM2) Crystal Symphony Crystal Serenity Seabourn Odyssey Seabourn Sojourn P&O Oriana P&O Iona Ambassador Ambience Sapphire Princess VoD Discovery