SonjaWinson

Hi, Terry,

It looks like you are having a fantastic time. Thank you for posting all the images!

I am curious about what time you boarded in Lisbon. We'll also be boarding the Spirit in Lisbon in a few weeks, and we'd like to be on board in time for lunch, too. Our documents say boarding begins at 2pm, which might be late for lunch.

Karen

Does any Cooler have any experience of electric hot smokers please? I've lots of experience of cold smoking salmon and cheese etc ... but ribs and perhaps pulled pork and brisket are on my mind.

 

I'm pretty close to allowing temptation to overcome common sense and order one. I am thinking mostly of St Louis and other slow smoked pork bbq ribs. Charbroil seems the only brand avalable in the uk although Masterbuilt would have been my first choice.

 

With most Coolers being Americans I'm hoping .... so any opinions appreciated.

 

Thanks.

Hi, Jeff,

I asked a friend who cooks BBQ professionally for suggestions. He likes Cookshack equipment for restaurant use and said if he were looking for something to use at home, he would get one of the smaller residential Cookshack electric smokers.

Karen

Welcome to the cooler, Karen/SonjaWinson. Terry does love to answer questions, and so do the rest of us here.

Thank you....I will try to think of something to ask.

I grew up in Niskayuna, by the way.

Karen

Great sharing with these tips for our Silver Spirit sailing and the kind wishes for our trip. Yes, arrived in Lisbon ahead of schedule this morning. Took just six and a half hours going from Philadelphia to Lisbon by air.

 

Super love this charming town with so much architecture, character, history and style. Below are just a few quick sight-seeing examples from this afternoon's introductory activities as we walked from our hotel on Avenue da Liberdale down to the waterfront area. Ready for lots more action in and around Lisbon. Have three and a half more days to enjoy Lisbon and nearby before boarding the Silver Spirit next Wednesday. Been catching up on some needed sleep, too! Will start live/blog after getting on the ship.

 

Surprised by the many hills and twisting roads in our first visit here. Lots to see and enjoy in Lisbon!! Now we need to get some dinner. Any maybe have some beer or wine.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean adventure that started in Barbados, here is the link for that live/blog. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.):

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 51,320 views for these postings.

 

 

Hi, Terry,

 

I am yet another Water Cooler lurker who has read, enjoyed, and learned from everyone's posts for several years....and been too shy to post.

 

We'll be boarding the Silver Spirit, also in Lisbon, on 7 July. It will be our first time on the Silver Spirit (we've sailed on the Silver Wind and Silver Cloud, which we thoroughly enjoyed), so I am looking forward to reading your live blog and picking up any tips you pass along. I hope you won't mind if I pester you with questions from time to time.

 

Lisbon is such a fascinating city -- I am sure you will have a great time there!

 

Karen

Nope. There is no ticket. There is a page entitled "Your Cruise Information" but then it specifically says it is not a ticket and the ticket will be emailed 5 weeks before the cruise. I am not too worried. I cannot imagine they would not let me board, although I had a small concern since Silversea is providing the airport transfer. I do have local contact info. I wonder if anyone who has sailed in the past has also sailed recently and can report if Silversea has changed it's procedures. Thanks again.

Hi, Clou,

I, too, am leaving on a Silversea cruise soon. My TA forwarded electronic tickets to me via email toward the end of May. Silversea did not send them to me directly.

I will print the email and take it with me, but I can't recall anyone asking to see actual tickets at check in. I do recall being asked for my name and my passport at check in.

It's possible that someone in port security might ask to see your tickets; I imagine showing the Your Cruise Information page in the Travel Journal would be sufficient. I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about it.

I hope you have a great trip!

Karen

Hi Sonjawinson

 

The Venice issue is currently a big issue on board but only for a few of us so far as there are only 12 in transit at Civitaveccia.

 

I understand that there will be a bus transfer from Maghera to the Port Maratime Main terminal ( said to be 40 minutes ) and then MAYBE a further Bus transfer to San Basilio on 18th, and MAYBE a Vaporetto shuttle to St Marks.

 

On 19th I understand there to be an earlier than usual disembarkation again by Bus to Maritime Terminal to identify Luggage and then onward transportation to Airport/Hotels etc.

 

Due to uncertainty I have cancelled a private Limo transfer to the airport and have booked a Silversea Group transfer to the airport - no private transportation will be allowed to Maghera.

 

It looks as if we will see nothing of the Redentore Firework Display from the ship at Maghera.

 

I understand these arrangements to be a continuing ' Work in Progress ' and they may change - its the best info I can offer at present.

 

It is super hot here in Portofino today ( about 40 ) so hope the weather is good for your arrival - have a safe journey.

Hello, Mayflower1,

Thank you very much for the information. If the situation is still a Work in Progress when we board, I think we will book a hotel in Venice for the night of the 18th and disembark early. The Redentore fireworks are spectacular; I'd hate to miss them.

We leave for the airport shortly for our flight to Rome. I will prepare myself for super hot weather!

Stay cool,

Karen

Just a short note to say that we boarded The Wind in Barcelona and have now completed a week and are today in Calvi Corsica. the weather has been extremely hot throughout but its summer in the med !!!

 

The ship is in a fine state and we are being looked after really well - Helmut is the HD and Franz Maitre D, so all aspects of Service are first rate. Food has been extremely good throughout.

 

The new Entertainers are the most talented that we have come across for many years and are also very friendly and always helping Colin about the ship with the activities.

 

For you Brimary we have met your friends Joan & Peter and we are all going to be together in the Baltic next June - we have had a couple of fun Dinner sessions. You may be reassured that the negative comments made recently about the Line do not apply to what we are experiencing on board now. Hope you are both well.

 

I will provide an update on the next Sector Rome to venice.

Hello Mayflower1,

I will be boarding the Wind on Thursday, so I am delighted to hear your positive report!

I wondered if you have heard anything about shuttle service from Porto Marghera into Venice on 18 and 19 July. When my TA asked on our behalf, Silversea said there would be shuttle service on 18 July, but it did not know how frequently it would run. A few days later Silversea told her there would be no shuttle service, but they would provide a bus on the 19th to take disembarking passengers and their luggage to Marittima. (Of course, the best news of all would be to hear that the Wind will dock at San Basilio or Marittima.)

I hope to meet you in person soon,

Karen

Does anyone have suggestions for a transfer from Cruise to Ataturk Airport. Our flight is early so hopefully Istanbul traffic is not too bad. I am thinking of arranging for a car myself via one of the online offerings, or should I wait until Cruise begins in Venice and have Silversea arrange a transfer. I don't even know if they would offer this. Also does anyone have a suggestion for a company to use.

 

Thanks

We have used Efendi Travel's transfer service a few times, from airport to hotel, from ship to hotel, and from ship to airport, and we were very pleased. They charge a fixed fee (about 25 euros as I recall) to take you from the cruise terminal to the airport. You can book on line (on their website) and pay in advance or pay the driver when you get to the airport.