Spirit departing LA on March 27 to Ft Lauderdale

[spinnaker2]

Good news ...we rarely drink corona.

Boarded and just finished the dreaded unpack, but made all the better while sipping some Pommery Louise 1999.

Lots of pax tried to board early. No way. Could not get on until noon.

No worries. It's lovely and we have already seen a number of Crew aboard we know from prior cruises. Nice to see them.

We loved the tropical flower arrangement from Victoria and Bob.

They are gorgeous, Hawaiian ginger and other plants. We appreciate it and the good wishes sent with the flowers.

Our butler has already proved himself amazing. He apparently has done his research and knows what we like. Our suite is stocked!

I don't post photos so apologize in advance. I filled up a photobucket account and no more room gratis.

Off to the drill.

[TLCOhio]

Boarded and just finished the dreaded unpack, but made all the better while sipping some Pommery Louise 1999. Our butler has already proved himself amazing. He apparently has done his research and knows what we like. Our suite is stocked! I don't post photos so apologize in advance. I filled up a photobucket account and no more room gratis.

 

Great to hear that you are boarded, unpacked and enjoying some French Champagne. Congrats!! Look forward to hearing more from your "adventure". Doing a Panama Canal cruise is on our future "to-do" list.

 

BUT, say it ain't so that there will not be any pictures!!! Why not? It's easy and does not cost that much more to get added space for your Photobucket account. We need to get you into the 21st century!!! Visuals are it!! That's why television has done so well. And, movies, etc., too. Need to work on your "photo game" for future cruises.

 

Glad that you mentioned Champagne from Pommery. We visited this French Champagne house located in Reims ten years ago. The house was founded in 1858 and run by Louise Pommery for many decades to make it one of the region's largest Champagne brands. Pommery is now also associated with the Heidsieck & Co Monopole brand that can found on Silversea ships in some locations such as Le Champagne. Louise Pommery pioneered in purchasing limestone and chalk pits, or crayères, carved underneath 12 miles of the city of Reims by Roman soldiers during their occupation of Gaul. These cellars allowed her to store and age over twenty million bottles in a temperature-controlled environment. Many other Champagne houses later followed her approach. Below are three of my pictures from visiting the Pommery house and their chalk caves 60' underground in 2005. Drink more on the Spririt from Pommery. Ask for that brand. It's very good. Nice that you brought back memories from being there in France's famed Champagne county. Hope you do not mind me sharing these Pommery details and visuals. Since you're not doing pictures, I'll add these to the "mix"!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 104,410 views for this posting.

 

 

Here are three visuals from the "source" of Pommery Champagne that are served on Silversea. From Reims in the heart of Champagne country, the first picture shows the exterior for the Pommery operations. Second is in one of their chalk caves that are 60' below ground level. Third is one of the large wall art pieces in these caves where Pommery ages its Champagne. Enjoy!!:

 

 

 

 

 

[venture13]

Hi. I will be on the shadow on 4/16 so would like to hear about the same ports we both will be visiting. This is my first Silversea cruise and also will be solo. Any tips would be appreciated! Enjoy your trip! Thanks

[Emtbsam]

My guess, and it is only a guess, is that there was a major reprovisioning being done in LA (labor intensive) and on top of that there were a number of crew members departing which would have made the early embarkation more problematic for the remaining crew members.

[spinnaker2]

Sea day number 1 was relaxing day.

Chilly start although we ate outside at la Terrazza for breakfast and lunch, and had dinner at hot rocks.

By mid day it was hot and sunny. Many at the pool enjoying the sun.

Not sure about the major provisioning. We have been told that much of the wine was not replenished in LA, they have already run out of one French chard.

But there are lots of berries!

We are enjoying the weather.

We have been also advised that 60 pax will get off in Cabo, they have been on since LA.

We continue on to Cabo.

[tripperva]

It's surprising that SS would sell so many cabins from LA to Cabo when those might have been sold for the full voyage. But 60 fewer pax will be nice for the remaining cruisers.

[spinnaker2]

Sea day 2

Was quiet...chilly in the morning, but then the clouds burned off and it was warm and sunny.

Dolphins following along side and in the wake of the ship.

Very crowded by the pool with all the sun worshippers turning and basting.

Dinner at la Terrazza as it was formal night and we were invited to dine with one of the officers.

Today we arrived in Cabo, was a gorgeous sail in. We saw several whales and the famous Los Arcos rocks.

Very touristy venue with so much beach and pounding surf. Para sailers, surf riders, paddle boards, kayaks etc!

Many people enjoying Cabo.

Hotels on the beach blasting out rock music, loud enough to hear from where we were anchored offshore.

Carnival miracle arrived several hours after we did.

Our butler, Joel, continues to be terrific. Probably the best we have ever had, but he's been doing this for 18 years. Knows his stuff.

I swear he can read minds.

Crew too, are lovely.

[colonelretwes]

Thanks 4 robust on board report Candy, next time y'all dine in La Terraza pls if u get the chance pass our warm regards to Donato LT's Maitre'd

 

 

Sent from my iPad mini using Tapatalk

[spinnaker2]

Thanks Wes. We will be in la Terrazza again tonight for dinner, so will say hello to Donato. He is such a charming guy, always trying to make sure that pax are enjoying. We were talking yesterday about the whales we saw, he claims never to have seen one that was large, only a piccolino whale (small).

If we get to breakfast today I will tell him hello.

Puerto vallerta is today's stop. Beautiful morning, very calm seas, humid.

Our butler Joel says there is a good pescadoria in town where he usually goes to shop. He is also a chef, is there nothing he can't do?

We may try to go there to get him some fresh fish. May be too off the beaten path, depends on if el Larro is feeling adventurous enought to trust my espanol.

Victoria,flowers still holding their own!

Haven't perceived much difference in the numbers of pax, but then we pretty much keep to ourselves.

Adios y mas tarde!

Edited March 31, 2015 by spinnaker2
Spelling, Egads!

[Emtbsam]

Glad to hear the flowers are doing well and that you're enjoying your time on board.

 

Have you seen the new entertainers on board? The Artists of Silversea got off in LA and the new group was supposed to get on board.

 

I hope the rest of your trip is enjoyable.

[TLCOhio]

Puerto vallerta is today's stop. Beautiful morning, very calm seas, humid. Our butler Joel says there is a good pescadoria in town where he usually goes to shop. He is also a chef, is there nothing he can't do? We may try to go there to get him some fresh fish.

 

Appreciate your updates and details!! Sounds like you are having great fun, enjoying wonderful Butler, etc. Keep posting and sharing the exciting and interesting details. Look forward to reading more.

 

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 175,541 views.

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

[WesW]

Spinnaker2/Candy is having problematic internet on board the Spirit and asked if we could put her latest post on this thread. Please see:

 

We arrived into Puerto Vallarta early, before the one p.m. schedule. The Crown Princess was already in the small harbor. Maneuvering the Spirit took some time, but soon we were alongside the dock. Also moored was a US Coast Guard ship, called the Active.

 

The mountains surrounding the town were very green, and steamy mist enshrouded them. This was a contrast to the hills surrounding Cabo, which looked like brown desert. The nearest buildings to the ship were a WalMart Supermercado, a galleria, a SAMs Club and a casino. Many of the crew could be seen walking to the WalMart, only a short walk. We were greeted by a mariachi band, and some vendors lined the pathway to the parking lot. Two tour buses departed with Pax. Apparently one of the two tours were cancelled due to lack of interest.

 

We learned last night there are only about 260 Pax aboard. The harbor was very busy, plenty of party boats and the pirate party ship which seems to be en vogue now. The cacophony was amazing, between baile, baile, baile and uno, dos, tres, there was loud cheering and one could hear dance music, mostly American hits of the past thirty or so years from every direction on the water. The area surrounding the harbor has some beaches, and tall condos, we have been told American ex-pats inhabit them, for the most part. The weather was hot and humid.

 

The sail away was breathtakingly beautiful. It was twilight and the fingers of fog were wrapping themselves around the mountains, the lights on the shore twinkled and we could, thankfully, no longer hear the music which had so pervaded the harbors edge.

 

We sat outside and ate our dinner at La Terrazza. Deliciously delightful. With so few pax, it was quiet and romantic.

 

Wes, Donato returns your regards. Did you know he was one of 13 children?

 

The show and the new performers last night was fun. They are talented and we look forward to seeing more of them. There was some raucous participation from the audience, as the performers did songs from the 60's.

 

Today is a sea day. Lectures and other activities planned for the pax.

 

Victoria, today the flowers met their demise. I think they lasted such a long time! We thank you and Bob again for thinking of us, and especially loved the idea of the band aid closure.

 

Tomorrow is Acapulco!

[RachelG]

Thanks for your reports. The Mexican ports are not my favorites due to too much partying, though if you can get out in the countryside (which used to be safe), it was interesting. Acapulco used to be a big party place back in the 70s too. I went there once with a bunch of my friends. Still can't believe my mom let me. It was an educational experience for sure.

[Silver Spectre]

Thanks for the updates Wes

[TLCOhio]

Spinnaker2/Candy is having problematic internet on board the Spirit and asked if we could put her latest post on this thread. The show and the new performers last night was fun. They are talented and we look forward to seeing more of them. There was some raucous participation from the audience, as the performers did songs from the 60's. Today is a sea day. Lectures and other activities planned for the pax. Tomorrow is Acapulco!

 

Appreciate the great efforts by Wes in doing this post for Candy. For different reasons than mentioned by RachelG, not sure that the Mexico stops would be our top priorities/choices. Worry on the various "safety" aspects connected with certain areas and elements in that country.

 

BUT, we are looking forward to lots of interesting details (and maybe a picture or two) in connection with the Panama Canal sailing. Keep up the good work!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 20,820 views for these postings.

[spinnaker2]

We arrived early in Aca..that's Acapulco. We could hear the roosters crowing as we sailed in. Aca was just waking up.

It's Holy Week and so many people from Mexico City have descended upon Aca.

It's chock full of vacationers who are local.

Lovely day, but quite hot.

We just got off the ship, and quickly back on. We were accosted from every angle by vendors, taxi drivers, etc.

I felt unsafe.

The pax who went on the tours told us they had jeeps with military machine gun escort. Not my cup of tea and sad we have come to this.

Beautiful harbor, with many empty buildings in various stages of construction. Many had domes on their roofs,we were told that was for worship.

Buildings cantilevered up the hillsides, with personal funiculars to the harbor area.

Harbor became very busy with the day advancing.

Tomorrow is a sea day.

[tripperva]

Did any of the pax mention the security issues in Aca or other Mexican ports? We are on the Spirit,same trip,next year and will be going out to play golf. It seems there is always some danger in certain countries. You mentioned machine gun security going out with tours, but they won't be going to the golf courses. Besides, it is hard to make a long putt with guns around.

Tripperva

[Mr Luxury]

We arrived early in Aca..that's Acapulco. We could hear the roosters crowing as we sailed in. Aca was just waking up.

 

It's Holy Week and so many people from Mexico City have descended upon Aca.

 

It's chock full of vacationers who are local.

 

Lovely day, but quite hot.

 

We just got off the ship, and quickly back on. We were accosted from every angle by vendors, taxi drivers, etc.

 

I felt unsafe.

 

The pax who went on the tours told us they had jeeps with military machine gun escort. Not my cup of tea and sad we have come to this.

 

Beautiful harbor, with many empty buildings in various stages of construction. Many had domes on their roofs,we were told that was for worship.

 

Buildings cantilevered up the hillsides, with personal funiculars to the harbor area.

 

Harbor became very busy with the day advancing.

 

Tomorrow is a sea day.

 

 

My four days in the Cotwolds is looking the safer bet.

 

Hope things improve.

[specialcruisegirl]

We arrived early in Aca..that's Acapulco. We could hear the roosters crowing as we sailed in. Aca was just waking up.

It's Holy Week and so many people from Mexico City have descended upon Aca.

It's chock full of vacationers who are local.

Lovely day, but quite hot.

We just got off the ship, and quickly back on. We were accosted from every angle by vendors, taxi drivers, etc.

I felt unsafe.

The pax who went on the tours told us they had jeeps with military machine gun escort. Not my cup of tea and sad we have come to this.

Beautiful harbor, with many empty buildings in various stages of construction. Many had domes on their roofs,we were told that was for worship.

Buildings cantilevered up the hillsides, with personal funiculars to the harbor area.

Harbor became very busy with the day advancing.

Tomorrow is a sea day.

 

 

I feel really sad about Acapulco Spin. My experience in 1971 was so different and really enjoyable with a visit to see the divers at La Quebrada and soak up the atmosphere. The ship I was on did anchor out and I do recall local children swimming up begging but not causing any trouble at all. In those days a lot of movie stars had villas around the hills surrounding the bay and it was a case of how the other half lived back then!

Do hope you are still having fun on the Spirit though and enjoy the voyage...just a week or so to go until l board for the crossing.

 

Sophia 😊

[spinnaker2]

Hello all...

Sea day is just gorgeous with blue sky and calm waters.

Flying fish, Dolphins and a bird which seems to be flying with us. We had a similar bird in the Greek isles.

I really wouldn't worry about the golf experience, I think security is tight and while no machine gun turrets on the green, you will be ok.

It was our venture by ourselves that was not protected. We were accosted by all sorts of vendors and taxi drivers, and knew we were being watched.

I was uncomfortable, i unfortunately don't look Latin, and with my white hair am obviously a gringa.

So I turned us around back to the ship quickly.

Other pax confirmed the experience although many of the crew had a great meal at a phillipino restaurant close by.

This cruise is so low key and relaxed. Just extraordinary service.

Tonight is a new show by the Voices of silversea...a soap opera to music!

I would not hesitate to recommend the cruise...for those not port intensive people.

Tomorrow is puerto quetzal, guatemala...

Adios todos!

[Ithaca]

Like Sophia, my experience in the mid seventies was very enjoyable and safe. Cancún was not as developed as it is now, nor was it the mecca for pickpockets and criminals as it is now. Please understand that many of these truants are not locals, or even Mexicans, as they come from all over to prey on tourists. However, the same safety measures you would take in a large city, say Rome, you should take in Cancún, and not miss the opportunity to enjoy the Mayan ruins, like those of Chichen Itza.

[spinnaker2]

Quick update...

The seas this afternoon were like a lake, gently undulating. The amazing sights continued as we were on our balcony, hundreds of sea turtles enjoying the gentle waves went by, one by one, huge...

As our wake neared them they woul dive. More flying fish, birds and so many dancing Dolphins...

I feel like I am on an expedition cruise.

I hope others are also watching the seas, where we are only visitors.

[Herman The Cat]

What a fabulous description--sounds wonderful. And thanks for taking us along.

 

When you have a chance, can you find out when Donato in the MDR gets off and who is replacing him?

 

Looking forward to the rest of your journey!

[spinnaker2]

Magic in the water tonight as phosphorescent fish catch the light off the bow and become underwater stars for just awhile...we see them and it's unbelievable.

They only last a brief while, but enough to almost mirror the sky above.

While we cannot see the Dolphins we can hear them jump and smack the water.

I guess they seek our attention or .....

[Wellseasoned]

We were in Acapulco on the Spirit in January and took an extensive ship's tour. It was done in comfortable vans holding about eight passengers, and there were no military escorts, machine guns, or anything of the sort. Seemed perfectly safe. We did not explore the city on our own but were told to stay in the coastal area because the "real" Acapulco further inland was more dangerous.