Emtbsam

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

1 minute ago, dawntrdr said:

Passing on an item that might be of interest to you...

 

Many of us had the pleasure of sailing with Kirk Detweiler, recently CD on several SS (and RCI) vessels.  He is now executive director of the historic Palace Theatre in his home town of Marion Ohio.  On March 20, 2024, the Palace is presenting a lecture and presentation by Julia Hansen, a survivor of the Andrea Doria sea disaster of 1956.  Here is the link:

 

https://marionpalace.org/event/andrea-doria-a-famous-sea-disaster-and-a-survivors-story/

 

By the way, it looks like Kirk is still hosting Trivia night!

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.

3 hours ago, DavyWavey70 said:

I’d also love to visit Scarborough (yours not ours) and wouldn’t break out in a rash If I got to visit Bee Gees alley!

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!

4 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

 

We are. And we are excited to try it!

 

First big trip in at least ten years where we're not flying with an airline in the SkyTeam alliance. But SkyTeam has nothing useful in Australia, now that Virgin Australia isn't in the alliance any longer, so this made much more sense. Just a simple hop from JFK-SIN-Darwin on the way to join Silver Cloud, and Perth-SIN-JFK coming home. Simple. Other than the ridiculous flight times...

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

45 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

Jazzbeau & Jazzbelle are well underway. Just under 15 hours to go... Have a great trip!

 

 

This June we will fly the JFK-SIN non-stop route. Should be fun!

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.

DW70 - I am so sorry to hear what you have been going through.  It is heartbreaking.  How wonderful that lavender spray has such a calming effect.  I hope I remember that should I ever need it.

Deck 9 party central!

Say hello to the ping pong crowd for me!  Have a wonderful time.

JP and Chris - Your energy amazes me.

2 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hello folks, this will be my first Crossing ever and definitely looking forward to it! Flying out tomorrow and arriving in Lisbon on Monday and we sail on Tuesday.

I will check in on here and if I can help with answers will try my best. I am on deck 9 so will let you know how that is too. From what a few folks have posted on

the roll call, over 500 people are on the ship now and they are staying on for the crossing. Anyway, I am excited to try this new ship!😃

there are 700+ on board now.  81 are staying on for the crossing and there will be around 500 total for the crossing.

We will also be on 9 moving from 7.  The ship will arrive in Lisbon some time on the 6th so don’t be surprised if you see it.  The Captain announced that we will have slightly rough weather tonight and rough weather tomorrow evening.

looking forward to meeting everyone.

19 minutes ago, Reef Knot said:

Glad you got to enjoy some of the sights, shame about the Medina but probably understandable.  The French Embassy is in that area and recently there has been protests in front of the place, unfortunately they often get a bit animated. Not something that tourists should be seeing!

When I think about “risk” in foreign countries, I have to remind myself that I live in the US near Baltimore, one of the most dangerous cities in the country.  We did enjoy our brief stay in Tunis and were fortunate with the weather.  I would not want to go there when it is really hot.

ReefKnot - Thank you for the suggestions on what to do during our one day in Tunis.  We took the ship’s tour to Carthage and saw many of the attractions including Les Bains de Antonin, the Roman villas, and the aqueduct.  The tour also included time in Sidi Bou Said which was lovely if a bit crowded.  The weather cooperated with a slight breeze.  The visit to the Medina was cancelled due to security concerns although I must admit, I felt quite safe everywhere we went.  We hope to return to Tunisia some day.

3 hours ago, Tothesunset said:

We make the donation by getting them to debit our onboard account. No temptation for sticky fingers. 

They would not permit this on the Origin!  We tried.

2 hours ago, drron29 said:

 

 

But really worried by number 4. As usual we made a donation to the crew fund. As usual I just handed an envelope containing cash to the reception staff. This has not been a problem on the last 10 cruises. This time no recognition letter so asked why on the questionnaire. 1030 pm on the day I put in the questionnaire got a ring from the finance office as there was no record of the donation. It woke Rojaan up, I was not yet asleep. I was able to give the time i handed it in but I would be the worst person for a police sketch artist to draw a face but I said a line up I would have no trouble identifying the person. was just wanting to make sure the crew were recognised. So today a letter of appreciation from the Captain. No advice on what happened and I don't expect to find out.

But next cruise I will take a photo of the staff on Reception and ask for a receipt.

When we were on the Origin, we had the same thing happen.  We asked the HD several times, but NEVER got an acknowledgement.