Silver Spectre

I tried that, but there are no more on the Moon

Tried the Duval Cuvee Prestige Rose last night, which is a huge step down from the LP that we used to get. It’s too dry and horribly gassy. My partner spent hours having it repeat on her. It’s also very obvious that BM’s Otium experiment has died a death, no more little jars of goodies and the bathroom Otium stuff feels like mass produced crap. Thankfully there is still Bulgari!

Today we are in Malta. Had a good dinner with the Captain yesterday evening, most guests dressed up for formal O, but it’s a little strange to see men in Atlantide without ties.

We also got rain in the morning. Went on the highlights tour which featured the multiple hair pin bends to snake up the mountainside. Stopped for a bit of smoked ham, cheese and wine. Then a visit to the reconstructed house/museum of the last king of Montenegro, Nickolas, in Cetinje. Lunch with more smoked ham, cheese, soup, meat and some good red wine, and decent WiFi! Finally a drive back to Kotor via Budva, and then got stuck in an awful traffic jam at a crap junction for almost an hour. Interesting driving from the locals, on the wrong side of the road, ignoring the lights to beat the jam. It just shows if you don’t enforce traffic rules you get anarchy. Crowds of Germans everywhere we went as we have been followed by Mein Sciff 6 and it’s very obvious that high season extends very late here. Too many ships and way too many people.

Good to hear that. The 90 day timeframe applied to Covid days and should have been adjusted to something much more sensible a long time ago to avoid causing distress to guests.

This screws up our friends trip and they are now looking to cancel. What a mess.

A misty sail in to Kotor this morning.

This one and the next one are both 7 day freebies. We are looking elsewhere after that.

The management on the ship is not thrilled with the current downgrade of the WiFi speed as it’s causing consternation with existing Venetian guests who waited so long for it to be improved under BM. Mother Royal really doesn’t care anymore about repeat guests IMHO.

After a lovely day in Zadar yesterday we are now in Hvar. The weather is good with clear, sunny skies. Yesterday was Captains Welcome and the new Formal Optional, so a mix of DJ’s, a couple of Tuxes and a lot of open knecked shirts. Also a few without jackets. Worst female attire was a dungaree thing with holes. Probably horribly expensive but looked awful. The ship is full, and has been for the last couple of months. Big Bob is the CD. The WiFi is running at a consistent 0.75MB, which is about a third of what I experienced on the Shadow in April and May. Unfortunately that is too slow for photo loading.

OMG, it’s a nightmare come true. Dining in Atlantide now opens at tea time! or at 6pm, last seating at 8:30! No main restaurant allows entry after 9pm! The dress code have been reduced to Formal Optional (whatever that means) and Elegant Casual. Mr Google defines that as wearing something called a dress shirt (??) and slacks? And, no Pouilly Fume anymore and we have already run out of the L’ostal Rose. Maybe I need to jump ship now 😎

Has anyone experienced this change yet?

About to head off to Venice on Thursday, joining the Moon on Friday. Here’s hoping the bean counters from Mother Royal haven’t been busy since we left the Shadow in May, although I hear that using WhatsApp to make calls on the standard WiFi has just been blocked on the ships! 😞

Late to the party, watching too much tennis! Here’s wishing you a fabulous voyage and thanks for your updates.

What is the itinerary and yes there are tables for 2

Agree with the above, there is nothing in here for a loyal SS cruiser.

I don’t think you, you will probably be better off with less of the older WCers onboard.

This morning we have arrived in San Francisco and our cruise and the 24 WC has come to an end. Moss Hills has been fantastic, Gilbert has finally retired and the vast majority of the crew have been great. It looks like most of the long term WCers we know and others we have talked to will be giving the 25 version a big miss and will be on GVs instead. We won’t be segmenting on 25 either.

Away from Vancouver on our way to SF with a fantastic crew show tonight

Dinner out in the Bluewater Cafe while the WC'ers eat in a tent

In Vancouver and visiting Stanley Park

It was good to see you both again. Until the next time.

I also don’t care that she left. Neither she or her staff were responsive to me when I most needed help and understanding. The way that cancellations and major itinerary changes were handled under her watch left a lot to be desired.

Finally found some Rose

Prince Rupert, BC. Huge container port and the railroad gateway to the east