dougburns

Duct Tape; Please pass my and Lynn's best wishes for a speedy recovery to Dieter Bloser. I sent him an e-mail, but don't know if he's watching it from his wheel chair. Have his butler bring him a good bottle of single malt scotch. That will certainly help with the pain. Thanks!

In the morning the Panorama Lounge aboard Spirit has coffee, tea, etc., as well as fruit, donuts and danish. The coffee is hot and good. Never had cold or bad coffee via room service aboard Spirit either and I'm a coffee lover; like it strong. We use 100% Columbian at home.

The easiest and best way to get to Europe from Phoenix IMHO is to take the night flight on BA (leaves @ 2045 and gets to London @ 1300 next day) direct to London Heathrow. If you're going on to Lisbon there is a connecting BA flight that is easy to make. The flight from Phoenix operates most days of the week.

I'm surprised at all the negative comments regarding the Silver Spirit. We've spent many a happy day on her and have thoroughly enjoyed every cruise. But then, we've always been fortunate enough to stay in a Grand Suite and have ice breaker parties there to get the social interface going. I know the Veranda Suite are a bit tight between the foot of the bed and the bulkhead, but they are spacious none the less. Hopefully, the Muse interior designers will correct that. Unfortunately, my lovely bride doesn't want to cruise anymore or I'd be aboard the Silver Spirit regularly. Enjoy!

There is plenty to do and see around the Lisbon area. I would stay at Lapa Palace or the Ritz. Lapa Palace is our favorite and one of the best we've stayed at worldwide. Take a tour thru Estorial and around the coast up to Sintra and back to Lisbon. It's a full day, but well worth it. I would also not miss Belem. Lisbon is also a great city for just walking; much to see.

That's why you need a good TA!

If I can talk Miss Lynn into it and if I'm still above ground by then we might try for the Fall '17 maiden crossing. I'm fairly sure that the Spring/summer cruises will be short Med cruises which are not our thing.

AMEN, Wes!

Just had an e-mail from a good friend in England who talked to Captain Corsaro recently. Apparently, he is planning to retire next year. IMHO that will be a big loss for Silversea. He is, without a doubt, one of the two best captain we have cruise with. They don't come any better!

Thanks, Wes! Finally a couple of pics of David. He certainly still looks in the peak of sartorial splendor. Please pass along Lynn's and my best to him and to Bob/Victoria. And, have a great day!

Great pix of you and Ida, Wes. Hope you have a wonderful cruise. Please pass our best to David and Bob/Victoria. Look forward to following your trip.

Things must have changed regarding the HB train schedule. Flying from Lima to Cuzco same day as departure of the HB could well be a problem. Cuzco does not have an instrument approach, so it has to be severely VFR and it often isn't early in the morning. We flew in the day prior to the trip to MP and stayed at the Monesterio for the night after a tour around the Cuzco area. As I remember, the train left Cuzco very early; it was still dark. Cuzco is at @ 11,000 feet, whereas MP is at @ 9,000. Many folks had trouble with the altitude in Cuzco, especially sleeping. Miss Lynn almost passed out walking up hill in Cuzco and she's in extremely good shape, as you know. We had a 4 hour delay for the flight back to Lima due to weather(ceiling) at Cuzco. The group before us had a full day delay.

First of all, the Silver Spirit is probably the most stable cruise ship of its size out there. I've been on a LOT of ships large and small, both commercial and military, so I think I am qualified to address that subject. Second, regarding 801 aboard Spirit, the door to the forward balcony is locked while at sea, because it's just too windy out there with the ship doing 20 knots or so, plus any natural wind on the bow. I always had the butler unlock the door before entering port and then close it after the sailaway. Spent many a happy hour lounging out on the "front porch" and it's great when you have a party in the suite. I always scheduled our parties just before the sailaway, so folks could enjoy a drink out there and also enjoy the sailaway; especially nice in the Caribbean. Go for it; you'll love it! 801 and 802 have the largest forward balconies, by the way.

Yes, there is a barrier wall at the front of the side balcony with a door in it, which provides access to the front balcony. You should be able to use the front balcony during the canal transit, but you may not be able to hear the narrative of the transit of the locks from there. Normally, the transit of the north locks is in the early morning while the transit of the south locks is after dark. You'll have a great time if the weather is good. We've done the transit twice, but on Regent several years ago.

You won't be able to use the front balcony while at sea; too windy. The door to the front balcony is normally secured while at sea. I normally had our butler open the door before entering port and had him close it after the sail-away. You won't have the key; butler has to do it. We've stayed in all of the Grand suites aboard Spirit; 801 and 802 have the best balconies. This close to the cruise date you probably won't be able to get a Grand suite, because they usually go pretty fast. Don't take a Royal suite, because there is no forward balcony and the area is very noisy entering and leaving port.

Have only been in the Royal suite for a party, but, as I remember, the side balcony didn't seem any larger than that of the Grand suite. If it is larger, it's not very much more. I believe the partition you're looking at is just a separation from the forward working area. There's a a lot of activity out there entering and leaving port. Would not be my cup of tea!

The Royal suites are only on deck 7 and do not have a forward balcony; only the side balcony. Other than that, the Royal is the same as the Grand. Would not book a Royal because of the lack of forward balcony and also because the area forward of the suite is the chain locker and there will be a lot of noise entering and leaving port when anchored. Go for a Grand; you'll be much happier! 801 and 802 are the best, because the forward balcony is slightly larger than 901 and 902. We've stayed in all of the Grands and gone to a party in a Royal. Any questions, I'll try to answer.

Dieter; Thanks for your reports and pics. Debbie looks great! Hope the rest of the cruise is filled with fair winds and following seas. Miss Lynn and I will be going to San Diego 13-19 Oct for my USNA Class of '57 57th reunion. God I feel old!

A suit is acceptable for a man on formal nights. I usually alternate between a dark suit and a tux.

The Grand suites aboard Silver Spirit have wood; not plastic or laminate. It's just a lighter color than the Whisper and Shadow. Also, the furniture is more modern European than the other ships, but it is of good quality. Don't confuse the above pics of the Whisper with Spirit Grand suites; not nearly the same. To me the best feature of the Spirit Grands is that wonderful front balcony. Not usable at sea, but great entering, leaving and in port.

Don't know if I'll be able to post pics, but there are some of the suite during one of our cocktail parties on the 2010 maiden crossing thread for Silver Spirit; also on the 2011 and 2013 crossings east to west; all Fall crossings. The table in the suite living room is set for 4, but it can be expanded and there is plenty of room. For cocktail parties and/or a dinner party I have just gone thru the HD; usually Paolo Percevale. Very easy guy to work with. Just give the ship a day or two and they'll do a great job. Your butler will do much of the work, but we've often had 3-4 butlers and a bartender at the larger parties. There is no charge for any of this, by the way.

Miss Lynn and I have done several cruises in Grand 1 BDR suites aboard Silver Spirit. We've actually stayed in all 4 of them. We like 801 the best, because it and 802 have a bit larger balconies than 901 and 902. We haven't cruised Oceania, nor would we, since I am a smoker. That's why we left Regent after 250 days on all of their ships when Apollo took over. Needn't worry about the location of the suites for open ocean cruising, because Silver Spirit is very stable in rough seas. The balcony is great for arriving and departing port and the suites provide a wonderful place for parties. We've hosted several for as many as 50 people plus ship's officers and the ship does a wonderful job of it. I'll see if I can dig up some pics to post. The private bedroom and the bath are extra nice. We actually like the Grand suites better than the Owners Suite. GO FOR IT! You won't be disappointed.

Surely thought he would have been upgraded to one of the newer ships by now.

Does anyone know which ship Capt. Dag is currently on?

We've done several B2Bs on SS and we just treat it like any other day enjoying the ship. Usually have breakfast with departing friends and say our goodbyes around the ship, but otherwise a normal day aboard. I wouldn't bother going in to town unless there's something you need to get. You're paying for the ship; enjoy it!