“LIVE” Iceland & Ireland on Silhouette - The Suite Life - 11th August 2019

[groryjm]

We met up for a drink at Michaels before heading to Luminae for an early (for us) dinner at 6.45pm as  my DD wanted to get to the LGBT meet up at the Martini bar at 8pm. We were still there at sunset and DD had been along and returned . As we watched out the window the Queen Mary passed us by at speed on her way to New York,. we werent exactly sauntering it was just that the Queen seemed to be in a hurry, I had set my GoPro up on the balcony and caught this little bit of time lapse video....

 

https://youtu.be/nPNNAXZclNk

[Olive1950]

I hope you will write about the tours you take.  I haven't booked any for next August, mainly because I wanted to see if someone would critique some of these tours and tour operators.

 

Thanks in advance for doing this.  I'm enjoying following along....

 

BTW:  who is Suites Manager; and Michael's Club Concierge?  AND, Is Dharma still a butler on Silhouette?

[groryjm]

A couple of weeks ago I had passed on our requests to the shore side concierge - Campari, Courvoisier, soda, cider, iced tea and club soda for the bar with lemons, limes, oranges and a sharp knife. All these were in place when we arrived. The only thing missing was the weeks menus we like to have to plan which nights to visit the specialties. Jacky was very apologetic as only the first night was there but explained that the chief had not decided yet which menus to serve on which night. They did however turn up the next morning while we were in Saint Peter port. They are the same menus we have had in Luminae for the last Four years. The lay out has been redesigned  and an Appetizer, Entree and dessert Daniel Boululd Siqnature dish added. What wasn't apparent until we received the weeks menus is these signaiture dishes are the same every night so not much of an addition

 

 

I am not good at photographing food porn as I usually have half finished the plate by the time I remember. These are the ones I remembered

 

This is DDs seared duck brest with a side of Yorkshire pudding from the MDR

 

 

And my Burrata appetizer

 

 

[groryjm]

30 minutes ago, Olive1950 said:

I hope you will write about the tours you take.  I haven't booked any for next August, mainly because I wanted to see if someone would critique some of these tours and tour operators.

 

Thanks in advance for doing this.  I'm enjoying following along....

 

BTW:  who is Suites Manager; and Michael's Club Concierge?  AND, Is Dharma still a butler on Silhouette?

 

Luke is Suites manager and Briton is the concierge, not sure about Dharma.

 

Tours I will cover as we go.

[2flacruisers]

On 8/10/2019 at 10:53 AM, groryjm said:

DW has now been slaving over a hot iron for what seems like days…..

 

 

 

 The cases are packed and we’ve sent the cat to the Pussy Hotel .....

 

 

Just a few more hours and it’s time to load the Landy and collect my MiL for our short drive down to Southampton Dock.

 

Being in an RS we get “special delivery” which should get our bags straight to the room before we get to it. As I have ABP parking sorted I intend to drop DW, DD and MiL at the VIP drop off with our bags and then park the car with MiLs Sky suite bags and we will see which arrives in the rooms quicker.

 

I will try to post our experiences and insights as they happen and answer any questions about the cruise I can... (and of course lay back and enjoy the cruise 🍸 )

I am enjoying your blog...I have a question...how do you like your hard-sided luggage?  We were thinking about getting one or two pieces, but don't know how the wheels would hold up when flying...your input would be most appreciated..

[groryjm]

4 hours ago, 2flacruisers said:

I am enjoying your blog...I have a question...how do you like your hard-sided luggage?  We were thinking about getting one or two pieces, but don't know how the wheels would hold up when flying...your input would be most appreciated..

We have a mix of good quality and relatively cheap, the Samsonite and  Antler I would happily take on a plane the others I would be wary of the vulnerable wheels. Loading onto the ship seems to stress the cases less than the treatment of airport baggage handlers.

[2flacruisers]

28 minutes ago, groryjm said:

We have a mix of good quality and relatively cheap, the Samsonite and  Antler I would happily take on a plane the others I would be wary of the vulnerable wheels. Loading onto the ship seems to stress the cases less than the treatment of airport baggage handlers.

....Yes..I would think.  Thank's for your input

[Olive1950]

6 hours ago, groryjm said:

 

Luke is Suites manager and Briton is the concierge, not sure about Dharma.

 

Tours I will cover as we go.

 

Thank you so much....

 

I'm enjoying a cocktail, pretending I'm in Michael's, while reading your thread.

[groryjm]

Having spent a lovely evening after Luminae between the martini bar and Michael's with a brief dance in the foyer to some rock n roll until I had dance DW out of her shoes, literally, we headed for bed. We met and chatted to a lovely zenith couple in the Martini bar who we had met earlier  in Michael''s and are also going to be on the same cruise with us again on 13th October to the  Canaries and Azores 

 

I woke and looked out to see the of tenders getting ready outside and nipped down to grab a coffee at Cafe al Bacio 

then headed to Sushi on 5 to meet the rest of the group. The planned tour was a short walking to with a guide by the name of Annette Henry.this had been put together with a member of our roll call.

 

We managed to walk straight on to a tender at 8.15 and met Annette by 8.30. My DD and DW who had opted to shop rather than tour had a leisurely breakfast delivered by Jacky then tried for a 9.30 tender and were glad of the help of the Michaels club concierge Britton to avoid the long lines and need for tickets. 

 

The tour was fun and informative and highly to be recommended. Annette has a wealth of knowledge about her island and an excellent way of presenting it.

 

 

 

 

Having completed the tour and met up with the family we covered a couple more jewelry shops before heading back to the ship. To those Brits now used to using their phone plan minutes and data in Europe be warned that while Ireland and Iceland are usually included Guernsey is not so switch off your data.

 

 

leaving enough time for a leisurely lunch in the Ocean view before sail away. 

 

Edited August 12, 2019 by groryjm

[groryjm]

After another fabulous meal at Luninea and more interesting conversation in MC with another couple this time from the US we headed for bed.

 

Breakfast was again delivered by the amazing Jacky, and I must take a moment to recommend the granola berry parfait, we headed to Michaels to get a tender. Britton escorted us down and on t\o the next tender. At this point I must emphasis how simply and easily Britton smooths out the tendering process. Between him and Luke all one needs to do is wander down to MC and one or the other will have you on the next tender. no lines no tickets... as they say "simples".

 

At the port (East Dunmore)  there are coaches to take you the 25mins to Waterford. The round trip is €15 and they drop you off on the edge of the Viking triangle. we walked to the Waterford glass centre (10mins) and observed lots of blingy thick glass (Riedel would be appalled) that was beautiful to behold and ( in my opinion) no use for any practical use. This set of glasses and tray came out at  €580 when my know my favourite cocktail glasses from Dartington are only £50 for two and my every day Dartington ones are £6 each it is hard to justify the heavy bling for ten times the price.... may me its an Essex thing i just don't get  ( send on the flames)

 

 

We did wander back towards the centre and found another little glass studio that had some beautiful glass sculptures and ornaments , one of which we bought, that IMHO were better than anything in the Waterford shop. We wandered further and enjoyed a basic but delicious lunch in the book centre before finding ourselves back at the shuttle pickup point. on the return journey the driver dropped of those of us who wanted to walk back through Dunmore, the chance and we enjoyed a liesurely 15 min stroll to the tender port.

 

 

 

waiting for us were more excellent canapes from Jacky including a delightful box of gold covered chocolate treats

 

 

 

Another brilliant meal from Luminae delivered by Floyd and Agugn and more interesting conversation in MC this time with an English couple from our roll call, Eileen and "crazyman" Stephen we headed for bed and our cheese plate....... We had earlier discovered some actual cheese in the ocean view and brought a plate to our room .

 

 

[Olive1950]

Excellent.  I'm hoping to replace my very large Waterford martini glasses that were damaged when a hurricane filled my home with 8 feet of water in 2017.  When the water subsided 6 days later, several crystal glasses were broken.

 

Glad you're having a nice time.  You obviously have more energy than I do....

 

Continue to enjoy.

[Redking]

4 hours ago, groryjm said:

After another fabulous meal at Luninea and more interesting conversation in MC with another couple this time from the US we headed for bed.

 

Breakfast was again delivered by the amazing Jacky, and I must take a moment to recommend the granola berry parfait, we headed to Michaels to get a tender. Britton escorted us down and on t\o the next tender. At this point I must emphasis how simply and easily Britton smooths out the tendering process. Between him and Luke all one needs to do is wander down to MC and one or the other will have you on the next tender. no lines no tickets... as they say "simples".

 

At the port (East Dunmore)  there are coaches to take you the 25mins to Waterford. The round trip is €15 and they drop you off on the edge of the Viking triangle. we walked to the Waterford glass centre (10mins) and observed lots of blingy thick glass (Riedel would be appalled) that was beautiful to behold and ( in my opinion) no use for any practical use. This set of glasses and tray came out at  €580 when my know my favourite cocktail glasses from Dartington are only £50 for two and my every day Dartington ones are £6 each it is hard to justify the heavy bling for ten times the price.... may me its an Essex thing i just don't get  ( send on the flames)

 

 

We did wander back towards the centre and found another little glass studio that had some beautiful glass sculptures and ornaments , one of which we bought, that IMHO were better than anything in the Waterford shop. We wandered further and enjoyed a basic but delicious lunch in the book centre before finding ourselves back at the shuttle pickup point. on the return journey the driver dropped of those of us who wanted to walk back through Dunmore, the chance and we enjoyed a liesurely 15 min stroll to the tender port.

 

 

 

waiting for us were more excellent canapes from Jacky including a delightful box of gold covered chocolate treats

 

 

 

Another brilliant meal from Luminae delivered by Floyd and Agugn and more interesting conversation in MC this time with an English couple from our roll call, Eileen and "crazyman" Stephen we headed for bed and our cheese plate....... We had earlier discovered some actual cheese in the ocean view and brought a plate to our room .

 

 

Excellent service. Thank you for the review, this is on our bucket list. Did you ask for the canopies and chocs or did the butler just provide them. Curious to know as we have our first RS experience next month on the Solstice.

[groryjm]

1 hour ago, Redking said:

Excellent service. Thank you for the review, this is on our bucket list. Did you ask for the canopies and chocs or did the butler just provide them. Curious to know as we have our first RS experience next month on the Solstice.

We didn't ask bit when he showed up with canapés on the first day we didn't say no, So probably you coild stop them but i think the butlers dolike to brimg them. 

[groryjm]

Today we docked at Cobh at about 7am and having grabbed a coffee from Cafe al Bacio we headed off the ship at around 8am. There are trains to Cork every half an hour but while the station is literally on the pier there is a short walk the other end so on Briton's advice we grabbed a taxi. This was about  €40 for three of us in the car so the train might have been a little cheaper. Our plan had been to head for the English market then wander the shops.

 

Cobh as seen from the Solctice deck

 

Both here and Waterford we had not organised any tours with the intent on doing it alone. In Waterford yesterday that worked really well but in hindsight while the English market was OK Cork itself was not hugely different to any large UK town and we returned to Cobh at about 11.30am wandering through the town as we wended our way back to the ship. 

 

An amazing bit of Cobh wall art

 

We headed fairly directly to the OV buffet to find it pleasantly empty at 12am, After a pleasant lunch, not forgetting my I Julios Greyhound....

 

... I did my quick 8 lap constitutional. On heading back to the room I noticed the OV was packed so we had chosen our time right.

 

I also found the secret place I had promised my self I would find

 

 

I have, I now realise, forgotten  to mention our brilliant butler Jacky 

 

 

One of our pre cruise requests along with our spirit needs had been for fresh lemons, limes and oranges and a sharp knife. These were all waiting on our arrival and Jacky has been keeping us supplied

 

 

Using these and the shaker and juicer I brought I have been able to satisfy my pre dinner cocktail needs with the occasional gin or tequila grabbed from one of the othjer bars as a straight up drink without ice. Jacky has been keeping two ice buckets full of ice ready in the cooler so I have all I need. I know if I headed to any bar or even MC they would make me my choice but I do like to mix my own some time too.

 

 

2.45pm was a helipad sailaway which is a great place for a good view. Not many there today but still fun

 

 

 

 

[Suite Susie]

Sounds like you are having a great time, despite the rather gloomy weather we are experiencing.

 

Can you let me know which deck your RS is on and whether you are Port or Starboard.  We board in a 2 and a half weeks and have a CS on the Starboard side of Deck 11.  Rather hoping we will get Jacky as he sounds very good.

[groryjm]

6 hours ago, Suite Susie said:

Sounds like you are having a great time, despite the rather gloomy weather we are experiencing.

 

Can you let me know which deck your RS is on and whether you are Port or Starboard.  We board in a 2 and a half weeks and have a CS on the Starboard side of Deck 11.  Rather hoping we will get Jacky as he sounds very good.

we're in 1116 in the middle of the hump on deck 10

[KayJay4]

Really enjoying your review! Thank you for taking the time to post. I love Silhouette - we will be on her for the second time in a few weeks - on the cruise you are also on to the Canaries.  So looking forward to it. Our first time in Aqua.

[Redking]

🤫 don't tell everyone about that secret place!

[groryjm]

7 hours ago, KayJay4 said:

Really enjoying your review! Thank you for taking the time to post. I love Silhouette - we will be on her for the second time in a few weeks - on the cruise you are also on to the Canaries.  So looking forward to it. Our first time in Aqua.

Getting the ship ready for you. Checking all the bars are up to scrstch. See you in October 😀

[groryjm]

7 hours ago, Redking said:

🤫 don't tell everyone about that secret place!

I haven't said where it is 😉

[Beachlover1989]

Thank you for taking the time to do this - very enjoyable!  As was the cocktail countdown!  Cheers!

[groryjm]

Dear readers, I must offer my sincere apologies as I am now a little behind hand with this "live" review. 

 

I've finally starting to wane.... I need an early night. We have just had a very full on day and the lack of sleep, early ups and late beds, not to mention excessive food an alcohol, are beginnig to bite 

 

I will of course relay the details later and be caught up by Saturday. The details of Crazyman Stephens dancing, our encounter with a duck and others such titbits will NOT be missed missed...... 

 

Until tomorrow good night 🌛💤

Edited August 15, 2019 by groryjm

[groryjm]

....... After a fun sail away we headed back to change for chic night. I nipped down to the officers soiree in Micheal's, which at 5.45 was a bit early for DD and DW considering we usually head for dinner at 7.30. Officers duly greeted and an aperol spritz grabbed to take up to DD in room.

 

As an aside a number of people have asked on these boards whether one is allowed to remove drinks from Michael's the answer to which is yes. Although we have spirits in the room I will most days bring up an aperol spritz for my DD to have while changing for dinner.

 

We have only eaten dinner in Luminae so far and the food and our waiters Agugn and Floyd have been excellent. We have had a slight problem with our sommelier however as only my my DW drinks wine. My MiL prefers a brandy and soda with them meal and I prefer to start with a cocktail  then perhaps a campari soda. I sometimes like to have a Madeira,sherry or port with my main course which he finds just as confusing. He is unhappy if we order a drink from our waiters and looks horrified when I order a cocktail asking me to repeat the order then slowly writes it down as if he has never heard of it. this came to head tonight when for the third night in a row failed to ask my DD (20) what she would like. Now to be fair she tends to have a mocktail but is old enough to drink and even has the premium alcoholic drinks package. My DW highlighted this we left so we will see how things improve on Thursday.

 

We spent the rest of the evening in Michael's and the Ensemble Lounge and I finally worked out why most of the cocktails they make are so over sweet. They don't use Lime or Lemon but a mix instead that has a lot of sugar and doesn't quite taste of either. Well we fixed it and the bartender in Ensemble made me a Japanese slipper that tasted right. I first had this cocktail in 1984 in Stringfellows in London and it is a equal mix of lime, Midori and Cointreau......... TBC

 

 

[groryjm]

cont..... Stephen and Eileen joined us and with Stephen joining me we drank the the bar out of Midori. We left Stephen crazyman dancing. 

 

Chic night treats in Luminae

 

Thursday started with a very quick coffee from Cafe al Bacio then a run down to deck 4 to leave the ship and grab a shuttle into Dublin. There are no taxis at the pier and if you had pre booked one they have to wait outside the port . Those guests wanting to leave with out taking a tour or the shuttle were escorted in groups on foot to the port gate. To be fair the shuttle was not a celebrity one and only €13 for all day travel.

 

We had booked a Viking splash tour (citysplashtours.com/Dublin) around the city in the morning, which was only tens walk from the drop off point. This was great fun and only a tiny bit wet. Knowledge was imparted in a fun and entertaining way. This was my first time in a DUKW and unlike when my father rode in one in 1944 they had floats added for the water section

 

 

Having got our 75 min dose of history walked a for another ten minutes into the and out of the "hundreds" of pubs settled on one to have lunch in. Being an Irish pub I had my first Guinness in ages and we all had Irish stew. I am sure it was only a representation for the tourists but not bad never the less.

 

 

Our next activity planned was an escape room at Clockwork Door 

 

 

This unassuming door in Temple Bar next to the Ha'penny bridge is the entrance to a unique but increasingly popular form of entertainment. If you remember the crystal maze you will have an idea of what I'm talking about. We enjoyed it so much we booked another room for the next day 

 

Having walked quite a bit in Dublin's fair city we were all feeling it a bit but didn't want to miss the show as it was a group of musician and dancers from the City. I had planned to film a few excerpts but for the first time in my memory in a celebrity theater we ere asked not to film....

 

 

The show was followed by another excellent Luminae dinner this time with my favourite desert.... the chocolate bomb presented by the Wonderful Floyd

 

 

Tonight Carlos our sommelier did manage to ask my DD what she wanted to drink and personally brought her a peach schnapps on ice. So saying something to the maître d' did help.

 

It was at this point I bowed out and headed for bed

[Redking]

Great video of the chocolate bomb. Hope we will be able to witness the spectacle on the Solstice this September. We were told on our Australia/New Zealand cruise a couple of years ago that they are not allowed to do it - something to do with domestic maritime rules? Or maybe the someone just drank all the brandy🤣