Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Two

[Fletcher]

Thanks Jeff. The crowds at Rhodes are a bit alarming but we're outside the school hols etc so hopefully it will be bearable. We plan on renting a car for the day and also taking a ferry over to Symi for the day. I fancied that ever since I saw Rick Stein cooking there in his last series. Speaking of food, here is last night's roast Gloucester Old Spot . . .

 

[UKCruiseJeff]

Lovely crackling Fletch ...... do my eyes deceive me ........ is the plate upside down if such a thing is possible?

 

Rhodes. I think it more about cruise ships than avoiding school holidays. If you see a couple of cruise ships docked then it get's dire in the town. My tip is if you see cruise ships and you're wandering around the town get around by getting of the main central road where all the trash and trinket shops are and head for the walls and then follow the walls around. Here are a few piccies for you which show how quiet they are .........

 

Slideshow:

 

http://s612.photobucket.com/user/sparkyguts/slideshow/Travel/Rhodes

 

Jeff

 

...... and a few selected .........

 

 

 

 

[les37b]

i just conducted a quick test to check if I could post links (and url not banned)... For 360 Images.

 

I took a random photo to experiment to check and seems to work ok. Random image link now removed.

 

So hopefully I will be able to upload some 360 images that you can all check if you'd like. (It doesn't load the image on here.)

 

All packed and just final gadgets to ensure fully charged. The 4 cases are completely full! Just hope our digital scales are accurate, as they are 18, 18.5, 19 and 20.5 in weight. Our airline allows combined case weight and I was told, they have a tolerance of 1kg per case. So should be ok.... Will be wearing more clothes on the plane than planned otherwise!

 

So to everyone away or about to be, safe and enjoyable trips. I will try to coolerise when the opportunities arise!

Edited April 11, 2016 by les37b
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[Fletcher]

Nice empty shots of Rhodes, Jeff. I've checked and we have 4 ships in three separate days - the Wind Star, Olympia, Regent Voyager ad Carnival Vista. So quite manageable and we might head to Symi on the day two ships are in town. Thanks for tipping me off about this.

[UKCruiseJeff]

Actually Fletch, it occurs to me that there might be a really sub-culture thingy that will of interest to you in very particular about the heading for the walls thing. If you get my drift.

 

All the tourists and cruise people stick very rigidly to the main touristy drag street(s). Spurring off the main drag are these very much smaller lanes all largely heading for the walls. Most of these have hundreds of little houses. But dotted around in many of the houses are small local entrepreneurial foody places where they are selling single speciality stuff to their neighbours from their ground floor "converted" lounge into little lounges/pseudo shops. It might be a pie or a cake or something - but all very local Rhodes stuff and not touristy at all. So you might make a part of your Rhodes City days with this in the back of your mind. So in other words keep a carrier bag in your pocket and pick up stuff from these locals on spec for a late night feast at your hotel, perhaps with a bottle of something also picked up. Just a bit of added local colour interest that no one else but you and I would really get? Sad aren't we ;)

 

I only mention this because it is a bit of Rhodes that virtually everyone else would miss and not be in the slightest interested in, but I think would potentially be of real interest to you. Chercher les truffe, trouver des truffes, if you get my drift.

 

Jeff

 

ps Les ..... looking forward to your piicy pirouettes ...:)

Edited April 11, 2016 by UKCruiseJeff

[lincslady]

Fletcher - Symi is indeed worth a visit, gorgeous waterfront buildings, and no cruise ships, normally (well, we were there last year, but in a small ship).

[spinnaker2]

Morning all.

I won't double post as I already posted on the other thread.

 

Haven't seen Sophia, hoping to be in contact and hoping she made it aboard safely without any issues.

 

Enjoy the day.

[UKCruiseJeff]

Morning all.

I won't double post as I already posted on the other thread.

 

Haven't seen Sophia, hoping to be in contact and hoping she made it aboard safely without any issues.

 

Enjoy the day.

 

 

Spins,

 

She has sent me some nice piccies and I happen to know that she drunk a lot on the way, met some "very interesting people" (a very famous face that all Brit coolers would recognise included .....) ....and had she some nice nuts including cashews!

 

Enjoy the start of your adventure.

 

We've arrived at Seaside and the view from The Balcony is congenial and warm and I am looking forward to tonight's curry delivery as I haven't eaten since yesterday.

 

:)

 

Jeff

 

 

Edited April 12, 2016 by UKCruiseJeff

[Mr Luxury]

Can't forget the lovely sight of that tree Jeff,my friends still live just behind your development.

[specialcruisegirl]

Morning all.

 

I won't double post as I already posted on the other thread.

 

 

 

Haven't seen Sophia, hoping to be in contact and hoping she made it aboard safely without any issues.

 

 

 

Enjoy the day.

 

 

Hi Spins......I'm here on board and all in one piece!! Had an early night to recover froth jet lag.....!

 

I've popped a note in for you at reception so you'll know my suite number.....like yourself I'm chilling today on the pool deck...smokers corner...blonde hair tied in a pony tail....[emoji6]

 

The ship is in fine form as we glide along to Bermuda....deck buffet today...all looking good.

 

S[emoji4]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[spinnaker2]

Sophia,

Retrieved your note and responded.

'Twas a lovely day.

[les37b]

 

ps Les ..... looking forward to your piicy pirouettes ...:)

 

Greetings from Barcelona. Arrived safe and sound yesterday. Went down this morning at 5.45am to watch the Wind arrive in Port. Such a lovely sight. Enjoyed seeing it doing its three point turn before coming to stop and ready for the current passengers to jump off and make room for the new kids on the block!

 

I videod the arrival coming in and docking and took a few photos. Too dark really.

 

But this is a 360 image I made. Just zoom in and out and rotate. They will be much improved in better lighting.

 

Just heading down for breakie and will be in the Taxi at 12 to head to the Wind for lunch! :)

[mysty]

Greetings Coolers! Enjoy your cruises all! Enjoy seaside J!

 

Our grand adventure is almost over. It is amazing how quickly time flies! We were in Salalah, Oman yesterday. Our Frankincense Trail excursion took us to Mughsail Beach. It was awesome! Here are a couple of pictures.

 

 

 

Have a great day/evening all!

[UKCruiseJeff]

Good morning all from a sunny but misty seaside! Hopefully a long walk today!

 

Soapy, hope you ease your fellow passengers in slowly, and don't start wandering around in your house coat and curlers dropping fag ash everywhere too early .......:D What a treat you have in front of you Spins!

 

Les, great picture, it was almost like being there! hope you also include some "normal" piccies as well for us old lags who get dizzy too easily! :eek:

 

Mysty, I loved the piccies but felt a bit sad reading your note. Has it gone by so quickly? Still I guess that is the yang of the ying. But you have done it!!! That is the thing isn't it. What an accomplishment and so many memories!

 

all the best to all

 

Jeff

[mysty]

Jeff, it has passed in the blink of an eye! We have been so very happy with our grand adventure! Each new port offers wonderful opportunities to explore our glorious world! Absolutely no regrets! Some tours were better than others but the magic was there none the less. So many awesome memories! Returning to reality will be a shock. This has been the best thing we have ever done!

[les37b]

We've boarded and enjoyed a first lunch.

 

Before we set off from the UK we watched back to back episodes of "the cruise" (its on itv catchup).

 

Anyone seen it? There is a reason for asking and very relevant to the Silver Wind.

 

Sergio is our maitre d who we had on the cloud..... And sorted the beef wellington for us. Happy days. (his first trip back on from the cloud apparently)

Edited April 13, 2016 by les37b

[les37b]

Jeff, it has passed in the blink of an eye! We have been so very happy with our grand adventure! Each new port offers wonderful opportunities to explore our glorious world! Absolutely no regrets! Some tours were better than others but the magic was there none the less. So many awesome memories! Returning to reality will be a shock. This has been the best thing we have ever done!

 

And no one can ever take those memories that most of us can only dream about. Glad everyone is having such great trips.

[specialcruisegirl]

Good Day Coolers.......Still all at sea with everything ship shape....Jeffers you are wicked [emoji6][emoji16] as if !

Spins and l have touched base and will arrange to meet for drinkies soon

Tonight is our first of three formal so best have an easy day off the old vino! Bit cool this morning on deck......

 

Happy Day

S[emoji5]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[TLCOhio]

Jeff, it has passed in the blink of an eye! We have been so very happy with our grand adventure! Each new port offers wonderful opportunities to explore our glorious world! Absolutely no regrets! Some tours were better than others but the magic was there none the less. So many awesome memories! Returning to reality will be a shock. This has been the best thing we have ever done!

 

Great to see these additional visuals and the update for how well "things" have worked out during your wonderful adventure. As I have noted previously, since we have not, yet, had a chance to travel in these Asia, India, Arabian, etc., areas, we love seeing any and all of your visuals from these unique areas. Keep up the great sharing!! We cannot get enough visuals, details, etc.

 

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 196,826 views.

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

[Tothesunset]

Good Day Coolers.......Still all at sea with everything ship shape....Jeffers you are wicked [emoji6][emoji16] as if !

Spins and l have touched base and will arrange to meet for drinkies soon

Tonight is our first of three formal so best have an easy day off the old vino! Bit cool this morning on deck......

Holy Moley! Was it really a year ago that we were sharing our TA voyage? I hope you have your place of honour already established in our favourite room.

 

Fair winds.

[les37b]

When reservations opened up for restaurants it was noticeable that le champagne couldn't be booked for the First night in Monaco. Found out the reason! The huge entourage of stage greeting the F1 guests and Prince Albert due on board was the reason. (We did actually want to book on the first night too!) I did recognise one of the F1 people but unsure on the others! A private booking!!!

 

And apparently we have been dislodged tomorrow from our prime dock location by Seabourn Quest. We are being moved out at 05.30am to anchor until 2.30pm and using tender. We've been gazumped! I hope the tender queues are not like they were for passengers on the two anchored ships. I reckon they had a two hour wait to get onboard!

 

And Jeff... The casino was pants. Cost €10 each to get in and after going back to put our evening clobber on, we find people in there in trainers, jeans and t-shirts. Not impressed!!!

[UKCruiseJeff]

Hi Les,

 

I would have thought it more probable that the "private booking" may be Manfredi if The Prince is attending. He is pretty well connected there and you may even see a few other interesting faces on board.

 

I know the casino was pants. As you know, I think the whole place is. Monaco is all in the mind, and there are a load more nicer places worthwhile along the coast.:)

 

Keep your pecker up!

 

Jeff

[les37b]

Hi Les,

 

I would have thought it more probable that the "private booking" may be Manfredi if The Prince is attending. He is pretty well connected there and you may even see a few other interesting faces on board.

 

I know the casino was pants. As you know, I think the whole place is. Monaco is all in the mind, and there are a load more nicer places worthwhile along the coast.:)

 

Keep your pecker up!

 

Jeff

 

There is security everywhere. The prince is on board along with the owner of silversea. The name I was struggling with was eddie jordon. All confirmed now. No idea who else. I asked a security guy who was here... He said if I told you... And interrupted and said "you'd have to kill me". He laughed. It's quite high profile while relaxed at the same time. The staff are on tender hooks. We've had a letter left on our bed from the owner. Its all to do with a charityhe is the chair for. I will try to fill the gaps but it's all a bit too unreal.

[UKCruiseJeff]

Les,

 

that is exactly what I suggested, Manfredi is the owner. It would have been improbable that he wasn't hosting such a dinner.

 

At least the ship would have been extra tidy and everything in ship shape order. Eddy Jordan has his own impressive Sunseeker "Blush" (155 footer) should be easily seen from your deck. From memory it cost his "trust" just under £40m ...... nearly as big as SS ;)

 

Not clear how this could be made to benefit charity. Is he charging The Prince for dinner? Doesn't sound right to me ... more a story to keep the plebs quiet about him taking over the restaurant. Cynical Moi? :D

 

;)

 

 

Jeff

Edited April 14, 2016 by UKCruiseJeff

[les37b]

Les,

 

that is exactly what I suggested, Manfredi is the owner. It would have been improbable that he wasn't hosting such a dinner.

 

At least the ship would have been extra tidy and everything in ship shape order. Eddy Jordan has his own impressive Sunseeker "Blush" (155 footer) should be easily seen from your deck. From memory it cost his "trust" just under £40m ...... nearly as big as SS ;)

 

Not clear how this could be made to benefit charity. Is he charging The Prince for dinner? Doesn't sound right to me ... more a story to keep the plebs quiet about him taking over the restaurant. Cynical Moi? :D

 

;)

 

 

Jeff

 

Jeff, yes I hadn't connected the name but I've now read the letter. The charity is called Maruzza Foundation. I did think it might have been a letter explaining what was going on, but you'll be pleased to know it was a request fro the owner for donations of $1 per day for each day of the cruise.

 

I took hundreds of photos yesterday and expect Eddies bad boy will be amongst them.... Along with a few dozen Lamborghinis and Bugatti's. (I couldn't be bothered with the porsche amd Ferraris! Lol

 

They also staged the monaco tennis tournament yesterday, so Monaco was heaving! (3 ships in yesterday too) Not sure on today. I can see the Quest from our suite but not ventured out to check the other side. " What's in port" accurately showed our displacement time this morning and only us today, so expect that's so.

 

Want to do a helicopter ride today, but wont be uness we find to victims to join us. Silversea want $300 .... We can get the same ride time, pick up and company going direct for €115 for a 20 flight. A big difference! But we need 4 people!