MBP&O2/O

When at sea,, the supplied bridge binoculars were like looking through a beer glass😄 Most watchkeeping officers bought there own and set them up accordingly. There was an unwritten rule that no one would use them. I bought a pair of Nikon 7x50 which was the best for what we needed them for. That was longer ago than I care to remember but they are still going strong. Quality binoculars. I also have a small pair of 10 x 40 but they are not in the same league. My sextant used a Tamaya 7 x 50 monocular which was excellent for working with stars, but not much use for general purpose use.

You live in Manchester so you can fly from there to Rome for a reasonable amount of money. Spend several days in Rome. Then take the train to Florence. That gives you time to see both cities without rushing around. That is what we did for Florence ... flights plus hotel for three nights was £200 more that the ships cheapest excursion. Rome was similar ... budget airline, direct flight, half decent hotel. Plenty of decent and inexpensive eateries in both cities.

Nobody panicked on our incident. Many were annoyed as the incident started just before lunch so that was cancelled, and within two hours we had zero power and no galley so no hot food.

I have just come back from Florence. We went early March and it was heaving. 2hr queues for the Uffizi! You mention dates around peak season to if you go it will be horrendously busy.Florence is reasonably compact which exaggerates the crowds but if you know what you want to see you can plan accordingly. Bear in mind the journey times to and from Livorno will eat into your day.

Yes .. on a merchant ship .. we sank🙂

Seriously I would rather not go than fly via Miami again. Awful experience whenever I have been. Rude and unhelpful staff who seemed not to be able to cope with the number of passengers. I fancy the Dublin option but flying from NCL means an overnight there, unless schedules change.

The first company I worked for was flying people all over the globe every week. At that time they has 100+ ships so crew members were changing all the time. They got fed up with using a third party so they bought out a small travel agent and installed them in head office next to the personnel offices. So yes it could be done, in theory. Present a good business plan to your boss and see what happens.

I agree with you. Last SS we had a meet and greet with the butler, and after pointing out ... quite nicely that I had more sea time than him, I suggested he went and looked after Mr & Mrs Demanding and I would seek him out if I needed him🙂 He indicated his understanding....with big grin. The one before that was 'intrusive' ...opening drawers to find and clean specs etc. We had to have words🙂 I have only used the butler once .. a very early breakfast for a stupid-o'clock excursion😒

Have a look at the first few pages on this forum. There is an abundance of advice and information there. Everything from weather to route to clothing.

Unless you watched the series Benidorm 😁😁

Post cruise: Our last one was Seabourn. Kicked off at 0830 for a flight at 1800, which was the only flight of the day. The only available excursion was $250pp for three hours. As it was DIY flights we had no options. As an aside the flight was $1000pp cheaper than SB offered.

John Bull. I agree with you. Is it under the Package Holiday Regs or similar? They must have a valid excuse ... sorry a valid reason .. to make " a significant change. If they don't then you can claim a refund. Minefield area🙂 I sympathise with the OP ... we have one booked for November and it was booked purely on the itinerary. If they mess about with it I will be seriously dischuffed!

Interesting comment about the staff. We returned from an SB cruise a few months ago and found the same problem with them🙂 The highlight was asking someone behind the bar for a drink only to be told the bar was closed, so if I wanted a drink i could go down to the pool bar and fetch it myself .... from two decks down and at the other end of the ship. It would have then been served in plastic glasses and probably been watered down by the the time I had struggled back with two glasses as it was raining heavily at the time.

FB can prove useful with the private groups. With public groups it is a matter of using common sense. Idiots and WUM's will post on FB and some people will believe without question😄 I would also suggest that there are some very VERY vociferous people on CC who will defend their beloved cruise line to the death 😏 and accept no criticism whatsoever.

The last few flights we have done have been classified as 'multistop'. Fly to destination 'A' and home from 'B'. I researched Google Flights and found what I wanted and passed the details to my TA.

I would have thought, that with the crowds, a walking tour could prove frustrating at best? Not something I would entertain. As stated earlier, tube and bus will get you everywhere.🙂

Wait until the start changing the ships names😁 Aura of the Silver Ray? Magic of the Silver Spirit? Poetry of the Silver Muse? The list could be endless. Of course there will be a small price increase to pay for this but hey ho the esteemed guests will oblige. If it is of any consolation I was talking to a manager in a local supermarket .. part of a chain, and he said their corporate head office was well aware that customers did not like the way they did things but that was the way they chose to and that was the way it would stay.

Silversea have a few that fit your criteria. However, recent reports are somewhat conflicting with quite a few people saying a drop in standards is happening. We have one booked in the Med for an off season November cruise .... 10 nights visiting Italy , Sicily, Malta, and Spain. We avoided Croatia but there were plenty covering that area. The pricing structure needs good research as to what floats your boat. A good TA would be worth their weight in gold.

600/700 or less ..... nothing bigger than 12000 Age immaterial. Adopted the same policy when at sea. Always accepted the smallest 'deep sea, non UK / European coast' ship I was offered.

We boarded in Vancouver in September... one other ship in port. I allowed for two hours ... it took 40 mins from leaving the hotel room to being in the waiting lounge sipping something fizzy. Embarrassing really. But yes it was a single queue for US Immigration.

Forecasters predict a very active year for 2024. Have a look at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/marine/?atlc which may give you the information you require.

Looking back at what Andy said, we used to get minimal notice for a drydock. Probably because we were 'tramping' and you never knew where you were going next? I suspect the companies booked the docks and then were slightly flexible with which ship would be available, obviously trying to programme movements accordingly. Being so far down the food chain it was a need to know basis🙂

Or .... it's been a while... this one often cropped up in oral exams .. SOUND AND LIGHT SIGNALS - DEFINITIONS Rule 32 - Definitions (a) The word “whistle” means any sound signalling appliance capable of producing the prescribed blasts and which complies with the specifications in Annex III to these Regulations. (b) The term “short blast” means a blast of about one second’s duration. (c) The term “prolonged blast” means a blast of from four to six seconds’ duration. Rule 33 - Equipment for sound signals (a) A vessel of 12 metres or more in length shall be provided with a whistle, a vessel of 20 metres or more in length shall be provided with a bell in addition to a whistle, and a vessel of 100 metres or more in length shall, in addition, be provided with a gong, the tone and sound of which cannot be confused with that of the bell. The whistle, bell and gong shall comply with the specifications in Annex III to these Regulations. The bell or gong or both may be replaced by other equipment having the same respective sound characteristics, provided that manual sounding of the prescribed signals shall always be possible. (b) A vessel of less than 12 metres in length shall not be obliged to carry the sound signaling appliances prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule but if she does not, she shall be provided with some other means of making an efficient sound signal. Rule 34 - Manoeuvring and warning signals (a) When vessels are in sight of one another, a power-driven vessel underway, when manoeuvring as authorized or required by these Rules, shall indicate that manoeuvre by the following signals on her whistle - one short blast to mean “I am altering my course to starboard”; - two short blasts to mean “I am altering my course to port”; - three short blasts to mean “I am operating astern propulsion”. (b) Any vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule by light signals, repeated as appropriate, whilst the manoeuvre is being carried out: (i) these light signals shall have the following significance - one flash to mean “I am altering my course to starboard”; - two flashes to mean “I am altering my course to port”; - three flashes to mean “I am operating astern propulsion”; (ii) the duration of each flash shall be about one second, the interval between flashes shall be about one second, and the interval between successive signals shall be not less than ten seconds; (iii) the light used for this signal shall, if fitted, be an all-round white light, visible at a minimum range of 5 miles, and shall comply with the provisions of Annex I to these Regulations. (c) When in sight of one another in a narrow channel or fairway: (i) a vessel intending to overtake another shall in compliance with Rule 9(e)(i) indicate her intention by the following signals on her whistle: - two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast to mean “I intend to overtake you on your starboard side”; - two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts to mean “I intend to overtake you on your port side”. (ii) the vessel about to be overtaken when acting in accordance with Rule 9(e)(i) shall indicate her agreement by the following signal on her whistle: - one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blast, in that order. (d) When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other and from any cause either vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of the other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken by the other to avoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall immediately indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle. Such signal may be supplemented by a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes. (e) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound one prolonged blast. Such signal shall be answered with a prolonged blast by any approaching vessel that may be within hearing around the bend or behind the intervening obstruction. (f) If whistles are fitted on a vessel at a distance apart of more than 100 metres, one whistle only shall be used for giving maneuvering and warning signals. Rule 35 - Sound signals in restricted visibility In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by day or night, the signals prescribed in this Rule shall be used as follows: (a) A power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes one prolonged blast. (b) A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes two prolonged blasts in succession with an interval of about 2 seconds between them. (c) A vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, a vessel constrained by her draught, a sailing vessel, a vessel engaged in fishing and a vessel engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall, instead of the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Rule, sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes three blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by two short blasts. (d) A vessel engaged in fishing, when at anchor, and a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when carrying out her work at anchor, shall instead of the signals prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule sound the signal prescribed in paragraph (c) of this Rule. (e) A vessel towed or if more than one vessel is towed the last vessel of the tow, if manned, shall at intervals of not more than 2 minutes sound four blasts in succession, namely one prolonged followed by three short blasts. When practicable, this signal shall be made immediately after the signal made by the towing vessel. (f) When a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit they shall be regarded as a power-driven vessel and shall give the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Rule. (g) A vessel at anchor shall at intervals of not more than one minute ring the bell rapidly for about 5 seconds. In a vessel of 100 metres or more in length the bell shall be sounded in the forepart of the vessel and immediately after the ringing of the bell the gong shall be sounded rapidly for about 5 seconds in the after part of the vessel. A vessel at anchor may in addition sound three blasts in succession, namely one short, one prolonged and one short blast, to give warning of her position and of the possibility of collision to an approaching vessel. (h) A vessel aground shall give the bell signal and if required the gong signal prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule and shall, in addition, give three separate and distinct strokes on the bell immediately before and after the rapid ringing of the bell. A vessel aground may in addition sound an appropriate whistle signal. (i) A vessel of 12 metres or more but less than 20 metres in length shall not be obliged to give the bell signals prescribed in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this Rule. However, if she does not, she shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes. (j) A vessel of less than 12 metres in length shall not be obliged to give the above-mentioned signals but, if she does not, shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes. (k) A pilot vessel when engaged on pilotage duty may in addition to the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a),(b) or (g) of this Rule sound an identity signal consisting of four short blasts. Rule 36 - Signals to attract attention If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel any vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorised elsewhere in these Rules, or may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel. Any light to attract the attention of another vessel shall be such that it cannot be mistaken for any aid to navigation. For the purpose of this Rule the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided. Rule 37 - Distress signals When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use or exhibit the signals described in Annex IV to these Regulations.

Personally I would have thought September was too early? You are more likely to see the northern lights in winter, between the months of October and April, because the night sky is darker in winter and there are fewer daylight hours.

External factors may come into the equation, but the port authorities may have the final say. Eg. A large ship with a large 'air draft' may need lower water to get safely under the bridge. There may be restricted movements? Who knows.🙂