VMax1700

Today's bread puddings. Decisions, decisions! With.........

Both MDR and Pinnacle Grill were open for lunch today.

We cruised last October on Eurodam in a suite (selected at booking time) and had HIA included in the booking. For the 12 day cruise our points were 12 + 12 + 12 = 36 (days + Suite bonus + Spend- HIA). On board spend points cannot exceed the number of cruise days. In June on Oosterdam, we booked a last minute reduced price for a Veranda, then got a great price to upgrade to Signature Suite and finally we added HIA at the reduced price on Navigator. Our points for this cruise were, as expected, 12 + 12 = 24. (days + Spending HIA) no points for the upgrade to SS.

The evening Lido dinner has been top notch on Rotterdam. Almost always repeating the mains courses from MDR with the options of lots mixing and matching and also the Asian counter with two cooks hand preparing a stir fry if requested. Last night the Lido had the Tangerine glazed duck, the tenderloin with shrimp and, wait for it, L'escargots.

And the original entertainment program for Wednesday. We have been told that additional events are being planned because of skipping Lerwick. Not holding breath on that one!

Wednesdays MDR menu:

It seems that during the night the winds increased as did the sea swells. This is what DW is telling me. She says that when she went to the bathroom and 4.15 am, she had to hold on to everything to get there and back safely. She says that my contribution to her safety was a few snores and a grunt.🤫 I had a good nights sleep apart from the time I was disturbed by a banging bathroom door. ooops!😉

Lerwick has been cancelled! The Captain made the announcement at 7.45 this morning that because of winds of 30/35 knots and the expectation that they would increase further this afternoon, he had taken the decision to cancel the port call. We are now rocking and rolling our way to Invergordon.

Last night in the theatre I did a 'survey' and reckon that there was 75/80% compliance with the masking 'recommendation'.

I am currently on deck 6 verandah. The main difference is that the desk, sofa and bed are in a different position to the Vistas. Vista has the bed closer to the window and further from the bathroom, whereas Verandahs have it the other way, i.e. sofa next to window and then bed closer to bathroom. They also have different carpet patterns! Verandah's have zigzags and Vistas have squares. 🤣 If you have any other question just ask and I will see if I can answer. Internet is a bit patchy today.

Just pour yourself a couple of glasses before you leave the MDR and you are good for an hour or so!

The masks that were provided by the ship are very good fitting and very comfortable to wear.

And as it is a Sea Day, MDR and PG are both open at lunchtime.

Tuesday is third 'Dressy' night, here is the MDR menu:

Mondays Daily Program:

Monday's MDR menu:

I would say that just over 50% of pax are masked. Crew are 100% masked. We have had a few 'neck breathers' too! We are wearing masks continually, except when eating and drinking, and are very careful in public areas. Using the elevators, we will share with a max of 2 others who are masked. If more than 2 with masks or any number of unmasked enter the same elevator, then we leave. There are notices about masking being recommended all over the ship and during the morning/evening briefings by Captain/CD they continually remind pax that masks are recommended. Overall we are comfortable with the way it is, but continue to take our own precautions.

Coming back onboard was just as troublesome. There was a short line for the tender, but I returned to the line as the tender was very full and most people were not wearing masks. On boarding the second tender I sat at the open door to keep the air moving as again they filled the tender and a lot of the pax were unmasked. When we reached the ship there was a ten minute delay as we lay to, waiting to approach the platform. I have no idea why the operation (both directions) was so poorly managed.

Sunset as we sailed away.

Some views around the harbour.

The Catholic church. (Iceland's official religion is Lutheran).

There was some interesting houses in town.

The tendering in Isafjordur (Saturday) was a disaster. Unbelievably slow. DW will not take a tender mainly because of the closed environment with too many people and the bouncing of the tender on the water causes her too much pain. So, I waited until the CD announced that 'now is a good time to go ashore'. So I headed to the BBK lounge where I was told that there would be a 30/40 minute delay before my group number would be called. I gave the ticket back and said no thanks. Then headed to the tender platform where I was asked for my ticket. Although there had been no mention of Priority tendering, I just brazened it out and said 'Priority tendering' and showed my keycard. Success! and I was on a tender were we waited for about 20 minutes whilst they loaded a few scooters and chairs and then some passengers. I just walked around the town and sent some flower pics back to DW by Whatsapp.

Sunday's Daily Program:

Saturday's Daily program: