Silver Cloud (17 July- 4 Aug, London, Scotland, Iceland, Ireland, England

[TLCOhio]

Love the added pictures, travel scenes, on-ship experiences, etc. Was especially interested to see the pictures of Hotel Director/Gianni and Restaurant Manager/Jorge. They were both on our July 2010 Silver Cloud Norway cruise. Their skills are super and we got to talk with them many times. Very impressed with them and the other staff members!! When you have skilled leaders such as them running things, it really makes a great, positive difference for such cruising. Those two are both the "best of the best" in my book. They really understand quality customer service. And, do it well!!

 

Keep the good pictures and sharing rolling along. Much appreciated.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 112,847 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[Threechicks]

I hope Karen and Ida checked out the Sheila Fleet store in Kirkwall.

Great photos of your trip so far.

[WesW]

Cloud Crew Member Profile

 

Please meet Johndrick Remoloacio, deck crew member who hoists the Cloud's flags every morning. He is from the Philipines, is married and has one child. Johndrick has been with SS for 3 yrs and most likes his generous salary, and working with his fellow crew and Cloud officers.

 

 

 

Please enjoy a few pix from Orkney taken this morning, off in 5 min for our afternoon excursion for Archeological Wonders of Orkney:

 

 

Ida at Tankerness House Gardens:

 

 

[Mr Luxury]

Hiya ....

 

It's great to see the man of military visiting our great cross-dressing nation. I hope he isn't confused ....

 

Wode is me ..... :D

 

Jeff

 

That picture of Wes and the piper is good.

She's certainly got some puff on her,what is Wes squeezing with his right hand to get that effect?

Is that Maureen lipman also in the photo?

[RachelG]

Loving the pics. We really enjoyed our archeological tour of Orkney. Guide was really good--a retired school teacher.

[wripro]

You always allow us to live vicariously, Wes. Thanks.

[txladycruiser]

Great day in Kirkwall!

 

Latest blog entry:

 

http://www.travelpod.com/z/thewrens/5/1374339453

 

 

 

Karen & Wayne

[WesW]

Please enjoy some more pix from our stroll into Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, this morning (via courtesy shuttle provided by Kirkwall transit agency).

 

The Great Hall in the Earl’s Palace, built by Patrick Stewart in 1600, is one of the finest examples of French Renaissance architecture in Scotland.

 

 

 

Let’s revisit pix of the gorgeous St. Magnus Cathedral, with its distinctive sandstone hues, is one of Orkney’s most significant landmarks. Parts of this impressive building have stood for more than 850 years and work continues to this day on its maintenance and restoration.

 

 

 

[WesW]

This afternoon we enjoyed the Archeological Wonders of Orkney Silversea Silver Cloud excursion. Outstanding, our exceptional tour guide took us to the 5000 BC village of Skara Brae, we visited the Skrall House, the Ring of Brognar, and the Standing Stones of Stennes. Pls enjoy these pix:

 

Village of Skara Brae:

 

 

 

Skrall House:

 

 

 

Visit to Ring of Brognar:

 

[WesW]

More pix taken from the Ring of Brognar (Circle of Stones...200 years older than Stonehedge)

 

 

One of the stones of Ring of Brognar and one of the stones in the Standing STones of Stennes were falling down, our tour guide asked in desparation if Ida and Karen could assist, pls see:

 

 

[WesW]

Another enjoyable evening on the Cloud. We were first treated by CD, Judie Abbot who presented, "The Life of a Lady Cruise Director." Exceptional presentation by Judie including the gowns that she made herself during her first CD tours on the Queen Fredericka and QE2 for 28yrs. Judie has been with SS since 1999 and will retire next year. She has been at sea for 49 years--what a remarkable lady, very special CD.

 

Took this pix with lights out in the Venetian theater:

 

 

Pix of TxLadycruiser (Karen, Left foreground, Wayne, Right foreground) and Ida and I in the background getting ready for a nice meal at the Grill on the pool deck. Took this pix at 8:30 (note how much daylight there still is):

 

[UKCruiseJeff]

Kernel,

 

I demand a picture of you in a KILT!

 

 

Jeff

[RachelG]

Showed George your pics. He kept saying "we were there. We were there." Looks like you are having a great time. Our guide in Orkney truly was one of the best ever.

[HanaleiSailor]

a man ceases to love life.

 

Ben Jonson

 

Aloha!

[WesW]

Good morning from Lerwick (Shetland islands) UK. Early this morning it was 50 degrees and cold.

 

Enjoy a few pix from our sail in to the port this morning below. First, a hint at our next Cloud Crew Profle:

 

He is the Chief Electrician on board. ___Hails from Croatia and has been with Silversea for ten years. Before Silversea he was with Renaissance Cruises. ____is married and has two children. First CCr to guess this outstanding behind the scenes SS crew member’s name, gets drinks on Ida and I on the next SS cruise we are all sailing on. Will post____ picture later.

 

 

[TLCOhio]

Pix of TxLadycruiser (Karen, Left foreground, Wayne, Right foreground) and Ida and I in the background getting ready for a nice meal at the Grill on the pool deck. Took this pix at 8:30 (note how much daylight there still is):

 

 

Appreciate your great and interesting pictures from the Silver Cloud and around the UK, etc. Keep 'em coming!! QUICK QUESTION??: You've done a great job having YOU also in many of the pictures! What your secret? Who's taking those pictures? Staff? Friends? Love to hear more on those details.

 

Tell Hotel Director/Gianni and Restaurant Manager/Jorge that Terry from Ohio said "HI!". Don't know if they'll remember me. Both of them have great memories, re-call and (of course) super personal and operating skills. Great customer service is tops for them.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 113,025 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[Threechicks]

Showed George your pics. He kept saying "we were there. We were there." Looks like you are having a great time. Our guide in Orkney truly was one of the best ever.

No Rachel. I had the best guide in the Orkneys. Mine was a school teacher too. Fantastic. Perhaps they were brothers. I was travelling with a couple who were in a different excursion group, probably yours. They loved their guide. Beautiful islands.

[RachelG]

Haha, Elsie.

[WesW]

Today TxladyCruiser (Karen/Wayne, us) enjoyed spending the morning and early afternoon exploring Lerwich/Shetland Island in a four + excursion, ”Jarlshof and a scenic mainline drive.” We found the Shetland Island’s natural landscape to be marked by dramatic coasts, dliff scenery, a number of tranquil, sandy beaches, as well as long—green rolling hills. Wildlife we saw included a few seabirds (alas no puffins), seals, and of course the native Sheltand ponies. Pls see:

 

 

 

 

We were 200 feet above the sea, if you look closely you can make the seal frolicking in the ocean:

 

 

]

 

 

Jarlshof; (Earl’s house) where we viewed a 4000BC (1000 years younger than Skara Brae (in Kirkwall) at this site going from top to bottom in a counter clockwise direction we viewed prehistoric, then Norse, and finally medieval settlements

 

[WesW]

More Jarlshof pix;

 

 

 

Please enjoy pix of Txladycruiser/Karen & Wayne shown below that was taken during the only 30 min break in the fog/mist we had during our 4+ hr excursion. Last pix is of Wes & Ida (oops Ida came down with the crud and took a break from this excursion to rest and keep fellow pax from catching this crud (sore throat, congestion, etc)

 

 

[duct tape]

We had a wonderful day in Lerwick and surrounds accompanied by Colin Brown's cousins. I was interested in all the art galleries and talent displayed. They spend a lot of time indoors in the winter! Enjoy and keep the pix coming!

[txladycruiser]

Here's our blog entry from Lerwick:

 

http://www.travelpod.com/z/thewrens/5/1374425890

 

 

 

Karen & Wayne

[Stumblefoot]

Just returned from being off the grid, camping in the mountains for a few days, and wanted to say continued thanks to Wes and txladycruiser for the continued excellent reporting from their voyage. Appreciate the effort you are making for our benefit!

[RachelG]

Karen, I am following your blog too and loving every minute!

[OrpingtonT]

Karen, I am following your blog too and loving every minute!

 

I am, too. Thank you. It is beautifully written in an elegant style.