Port Power

I’m having trouble connecting to WiFi on my iPad, so I’ll post yesterday’s photos later. However, I was back just in time to join my S.A.L.T. Lab class to make paella. Valencia style; no seafood! It tasted delicious. (My team mate and I removed the skin before serving.)

Malaga in the morning.

Silver Dawn has docked in Valencia, Spain. This might not be the most picturesque port view, but I couldn’t resist the sunrise. (Far over to the right, out of picture, is one of the mega cruise ships. 🤢

For those who are interested in the ship itself, Silver Dawn is just lovely! Dolce Vita might be more work for the bar team, but the central location of the bar means that waiters circulate through the whole room and don’t forget people in the corners! I had poached eggs for breakfast in La Terrazza. Perfect eggs and very good service. For lunch I went to Kaiseki for sushi, and thoroughly enjoyed. I will be booking for dinner. Yesterday I booked some classes at S,A.L.T. Lab, one being confirmed for tomorrow afternoon. The others are waitlisted as passengers can only book one confirmed class per trip. Chef also said to call by in case someone doesn’t turn up. Looking at you, @highplainsdrifter, you would enjoy the ship. Even my lowly deck 5 cabin is spacious. I love deck 5 due to its pro to Dolce Vita. I collect my green tea from the bar every night on my way “home”! I have been into a Silver Suite (as favoured by @drron) but have not seen the bigger suites. I love the Observation Lounge on Deck 11 for a pre-dinner cocktail or an after dinner drink.

On return to Palma, only half a dozen passengers continued on with a walking tour through the old town and past the cathedral. I took a photo from the bus. There are more boats and yachts than you can count out here!

Mallorca was not created by volcanic eruption, and is limestone. We saw along the way that hillsides have been terraced, using said limestone to make dry stone retaining walls. There are orange groves everywhere, along with almond and olive trees.

This morning’s excursion was to the delightful interior town of Soller. There were 31 in our tour group, but seemed less. Our excellent guide was a retired historian. We drove to Soller by coach, then walked about one kilometre past backyards and pretty buildings to the train station. Another walking impaired lady and I had a delicious coffee at the train station while the group did an hour’s walk through the town. By all reports, extremely pretty. The train and vintage carriages took 50 minutes back to Palma, with scenic views and several tunnels. One tunnel was about 5km long! (random passenger)

Early morning at Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

I decided to do a trip report “Dawn to the West”, so I will comment on the ship along the way. So far I am very impressed with the ship and most staff. Not too sure about my butler, though. She said she couldn’t change the champagne in my suite while we were still in port due to licensing regulations. I could go to the bar for a drink while in port, so that sounded weird. I hadn’t fully unpacked before going to events and dinner. The open suitcase of clothing was on the bed, surrounded by hangars. The butler took all the hangars away! She brought what I needed back again, but why would you do that! I’ll log it up to a very busy embarkation day.

I think my TA may have booked door-to-door without flights, as I did get Blacklane transfers from home to airport and back. We then booked an around the world flight itinerary as I will be going on to Santiago for the Antarctica expedition cruise. On this leg I chose the Casablanca all day tour with lunch from Virtuoso. On the transatlantic I was given US$200 OBC.

Hmmm, I haven’t heard anything. Yesterday I returned my excursion ticket for Casablanca as I have been given a private tour there through Virtuoso. Max at Shore Excursions didn’t mention any cancellations. I will ask later on today.

Beats me! It is a photo of the container terminal, but the ship was moving and flash turned off.

I had 2pm listed as my boarding time. I expected to sit in the terminal for an hour or two with my book, so was very pleasantly surprised. Access to rooms was not until 2:00pm.

Departing the port of Barcelona. Always pretty at night.

Boarding was a breeze! I stayed at a lovely 3-star hotel near the port. Only one night, checkout st 12pm. The hotel rang for a taxi and I was at the ship check in within 15 minutes. I’m not sure driving at 80kph along the port drive is actually legal, but the driver did it! I was the only passenger in sight. The porter took my bags and I went into terminal to check-in. Successfully completed, I walked through the building, past the shopping areas up to escalator, and was quite surprised to find that I was actually boarding the ship just after 12 noon. Access to suites wouldn’t be until 2pm, so off I went for lunch at Atlantide. (Delicious seared tuna, cooked to perfection.) The afternoon consisted of drinking Champagne and chatting to fellow new passengers, drinking champagne and unpacking, drinking champagne and booking SALT classes, followed by heading to the muster drill, and then going to dinner at S.A.L.T. kitchen. Silver Dawn departed around 10:0pm for our next port, Palma de Mallorca. The best news update is that the theatre format has changed again due the public feedback. There are now four singers, at least two of whom are also accomplished dancers, and two accomplished dancers. So much better, as this evening’s show confirmed.

I boarded Silver Dawn today en route from Barcelona to Lisbon and thence transatlantic to Fort Lauderdale. I’m not sure how a cruise blog will go on this itinerary, but I’ll give it a try. Part 1 encompasses Palma de Mallorca, Valencia Cartagena (Spain), Malaga, Gibraltar, Casablanca, Tangier, Cadiz snd Lisbon. Unfortunately I had to cancel the day trip to the additional Alhambra because of my foot injury, but I will give some feedback on ship excursions to from the other ports. If anyone has questions relating to the ship itself, please ask.

This thread has become “nonsensical”. And very, VERY repetitive.

When I was on Dawn earlier this year, I was part of a group and didn't get to experience the whole ship. Which is why I was looking forward to Muse so much. One of our group, Grace, went to most of the SALT lab classes and loved them. I will certainly provide some feedback for you. 27 days aboard should provide a certain insight!

That is a real pity about missing Phillip Island. Seeing the Fairy penguins would have been a highlight off the trip. Station Pier in Melbourne really is very small. The ferry to Tasmania relocated to Geelong to leave more space for cruise ships. Space-wise, possibly all ships would fit, two each side, but the facilities probably wouldn’t cope. (As it happens, my son and I will be on Norwegian Spirit. I’ll wave to you!)

I am very sad and apprehensive to hear this. I am booked on Regent Mariner for the 2025 World Cruise. I was concerned about the age of the ship at the time, but was reassured by agents. (Who, or course, are totally honest and independent!). Since booking that I have sailed several Silversea cruises and really like the brand. I can only hope Regent improves over the next twelve months.

There are numerous threads on this topic. One called “Why I love Silversea Air” (on Page 4), and the previous one something along the lines of “Why I hate Silver Air”! I’m not good at links, but I’ll try to find their exact titles.

I’m sure I have read the same. Biodegradable and suitable for the water recycling system. Please @RELS and others, don’t use your own detergent pellets without checking with the environmental officer.

Aah, Pablo! Fast tracking to be a maître d ‘hotel.

I'm sure @cruiselvr04 will appreciate that information. I have my own Opal card already and keep it topped up.

Sydney. All public transport: ferries, trains, buses. Yes, a separate card per person. A card such as a VISA debit card or a credit card.