Emtbsam

I guess the ship was going too slowly for the stabilizers at the beginning. We have had some amazing rolls when stabilizers had to be retracted due to speed. I must admit, I love rough seas especially pitching. I know this is not a popular belief!

Just had chocolate hummus for the first time. Sinfully delicious, way too sweet, and probably a waste of two perfectly good flavors, yet I will try it again!

We are considering segments of the 2026 WC from LA to Singapore. Hope we will be able to get a suite. First time on Crystal after 700 days on another line.

It makes me so very sad to hear that things continue to change for the worse. While provisioning wasn’t a problem on our Med and TA last year on the Nova, it was the poor training of some of the staff that was the issue. It was the first time I couldn’t wait to get off a ship at the end!

Things have changed on Silversea, but haven’t we all in the last 5 years!

We are on at the end of June. Sorry we will miss you.

We are also taking a look at Crystal. I believe we will see you on the second half of your cruise on the Wind!

My condolences to you both. May their memories be a blessing.

I don’t really know why this news hit me so hard, but I do hope she bounces back quickly. Chemo is no fun, but I am thriving 17 years after a nasty diagnosis, so if I can do it at my age and fitness, I pray that she can as well.

Pleased to report that Weatherstem has put a camera on top of the local fire station. After trimming a tree today, we have a view of our "Dock of the bay". It will be nice to see just how bad the storms are when we're not here. It updates frequently. https://franklin.weatherstem.com/fswnalligatorpoint

His trivia was the best of any CD on Silversea!

We took a tour to Penfolds from Adelaide a few years ago and highly recommend it. The wine tasting was superb and included a bottle of Grange among 5 others. Then we were set free to sit at the bar and sample anything. We discovered Grandfather Tawny which was quite a treat. We hope to go again in 2026 on the World Cruise.

Our team leader on the Moon TA in 2022 blatantly cheated writing down several answers and crossing out the wrong ones. It took all the fun out of it and was embarrassing. I called her out on it and left the team.

I went to Scarborough Country Day School in the States - not far from Sing Sing prison. The school was lovely but the lights would dim when the prison was executing someone!

If you are in First Class, do the champagne taste test Krug vs Dom.

I hope you are on Singapore Airlines!

Tonight’s sunset. I am in my happy place!

Too bad about the short stay in Adelaide - no time to visit Penfold’s.

My first trip to Perth was in 1968. I was on an extended cruise on P & O’s Arcadia. We stopped in Freemantle and drove up to Perth where I went to the tallest and seemingly only hotel in town on the park. The view from the roof was lovely. We went back to Perth a few years ago, and it is still there. last evening, I looked outside my house in north Florida and was greeted by our neighbor. Estimates put him around 500 pounds. He is much larger than the one I saw in September.

Lois - We are on Alligator Point.

I have been so impressed by all the wonderful photos posted of safaris, chateaux, churches in Brazil among others. On this last day of 2023, I found myself down on the dock of the bay at my house in North Florida in a very melancholy mood. Although this is far from an exciting part of the world, I was struck by the sheer beauty of the wildlife and solitude I am privileged to enjoy. I hope all Coolers have a very happy, safe and healthy new year.

Lirio - I was able to visit the Cloud in Maryland over the summer. Contact guest services a few months ahead of time and ask for the form. Once you fill it out and send it back, they will let you know if you are approved. It will still be up to the port security people the day you want to go, but unless things are different in Brazil or especially during Carnival, you should be okay.

Mysty and Myster - I still remember your excitement prior to your first world cruise. I hope this year exceeds the fun and joy you had on the first cruise. We will miss you. Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.

Lois - so sorry to hear you have been sick. Here’s hoping you feel much better soon!

JP - we were just in the Azores on the way home on the Nova. We had a great guide and saw a lot on our brief tour of Ponta Delgada. His name is Bruno but I do not know which company Silversea uses there. I would love to go back and am sure you and Chris will enjoy your time there.