Bit of a Blog : B2B2B : SoA : embarking 20/01/22

[Dermotsgirl]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

Given that the current variant leads to symptoms that in the vast majority of cases are no worse than a cold, I think we do have to "live with it".

There’s ‘living with it’ and there’s  ‘ignoring it’. Most people who talk about the former usually mean the latter ! 

[mercury7289]

4 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Captain's update :

Warp factor 1 to Southampton arrival hopefully midmorning 9th but will update tomorrow. 

 

3 new crew and 1 guest tested positive in last 24 hours. Makes 57 crew and 143 guests currently infected. Includes those released.

 

Rebooked food delivery for Thursday just in case.

I've literally just had LFT.

Hi enjoying your blog, and other peoples reaction to it. Well done.

I note you mentioned 3 new crew?, any idea where they boarded and how long they have been aboard

[NorbertsNiece]

1 hour ago, mercury7289 said:

Hi enjoying your blog, and other peoples reaction to it. Well done.

I note you mentioned 3 new crew?, any idea where they boarded and how long they have been aboard

No sorry. Numbers from Captain Darin's noon announcement  

[paulatsea]

Hi NN - hope you enjoy the journey back - look forward to hearing what you are up to and weather reports etc .

[NorbertsNiece]

20 minutes ago, paulatsea said:

Hi NN - hope you enjoy the journey back - look forward to hearing what you are up to and weather reports etc .

 

It's raining. Deck 6 closed. 😉

[NorbertsNiece]

To allay concerns elsewhere I am assuring myself of crew welfare once passengers have disembarked and the ship has relocated to Tilbury between cruises. Will get back to you in due course with what has been organised during this 'down' time.

 

In due course:

Oh 

Further to my post about cruise welfare; all crew will get 2 days R+R in Tilbury, organised activities and excursions into London.

 

I have been assured that Saga really look after their crew's welfare both mentally and physically, especially being a long way from home.

 

Donations to the Crew Welfare Fund are being accepted at Reception. The fund, which benefits all crew, is used for on board crew events as well as supporting those who may require financial assistance in exceptional circumstances.

 

[NorbertsNiece]

THIS is pampering.

Thank you Saga ❤ 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Phone and watch already sorted!

[wowzz]

2 hours ago, paulatsea said:

Living with it and ignoring it are the same thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excellent point. Life has to go on.

[wowzz]

1 hour ago, NorbertsNiece said:

THIS is pampering.

Thank you Saga ❤ 

 

And a glass of champagne as well? 

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 47 / 67

 

Good morning and thanks for following.

 

Bay of Biscay beckons. I've made a video but will share it before disembarking the day after tomorrow.

 

Today Captain Darin is being interviewed in the theatre and we shall go to that. We're continuing to keep ourselves very much to ourselves, the only people we really chat to now are crew members, crafters and a few passengers. And the occasional Commodore 😉

 

We've played scrabble, a fair amount, and cribbage. I've crafted and have a darling bird thing as a souvenir. Sadly more projects will no longer be actioned. HOWEVER I have been motivated to order a Tom Daley knitting pack from John Lewis. So Supercraft Cruises thank you!!! Julie Peasgood is an angel and the team are just wonderful. To have motivated me to pick up the (knitting not felting!) needles again is some achievement! 🥰

 

 

 

[paulatsea]

Morning NN - have a great day.

[Windsurfboy]

13 hours ago, paulatsea said:

Living with it and ignoring it are the same thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depends what you mean by ignoring it. If ignoring it means not getting  vaccinated and not staying at home if you are ill , then that's very different to living with it.

 

Living with it means getting all the vaccinations you are advised too , every booster reccomended your age. Then like with a  cold or flu carry on with life. However if you are ill, then  like with these other viruses stay at home and dont pass it on to others. Acting  sensibly 

 

So for a cruise line to live with it , means insisting every passenger has had all the vaccinations advised for their age group. Making symptomatic people isolate until they test negative. But not continuously testing everyone , and not isolating contacts with no symptoms. 

Edited March 7, 2022 by Windsurfboy

[paulatsea]

7 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

Depends what you mean by ignoring it. If ignoring it means not getting  vaccinated and not staying at home if you are ill , then that's very different to living with it.

 

Living with it means getting all the vaccinations you are advised too , every booster reccomended your age. Then like with a  cold or flu carry on with life. However if you are ill, then  like with these other viruses stay at home and dont pass it on to others. Acting  sensibly 

 

So for a cruise line to live with it , means insisting every passenger has had all the vaccinations advised for their age group. Making symptomatic people isolate until they test negative. But not continuously testing everyone , and not isolating contacts with no symptoms. 

Yes - that’s what I meant . I agree . Should have said live with it - to be clearer.

Edited March 7, 2022 by paulatsea

[Windsurfboy]

12 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

 

 

Donations to the Crew Welfare Fund are being accepted at Reception. The fund, which benefits all crew, is used for on board crew events as well as supporting those who may require financial assistance in exceptional circumstances.

 

 

That's a great idea, haven't heard of it on other lines. A great way to make your appreciation known. Hate the principle of tipping but will readily give to something like this

[seasickphil]

Regent certainly has a crew welfare fund.

[lincslady]

So does Seabourn

[NorbertsNiece]

Captain's midday announcement 

 

In SW corner BoB. 35/40 knot wind

3m seas 11⁰c

Outside decks closed except for 6 portside access.... be careful when walking starboard. 

 

672nm to Southampton 

0500 pilot station Wednesday 

0730 berthed starboard side.

 

No guests infected past 24 hours, 1 crew member 

 

More info expected later this pm.

_____

 

While the announcement was going out I was on the phone to the UK. We will be donating our Arctic coats to assist, in a really small way, refugees from the nightmare in Ukraine. I have also been made aware that musicians fleeing their homeland may have had to leave their instruments behind and so their future livelihoods are in jeopardy. I hope to get involved in supporting them. Saga musicians may be affected 😢

[NorbertsNiece]

Pics from Captain's talk

 

 

Stern of ship looking forward showing the two Azipods with propellers that drag the ship through  the water 

 

Bow thrusters

 

Mooring deck

 

Engine control room

 

Bow of ship in builder's yard

 

Water purifiers

 

2 storey high main engine

 

One of the main switchboards

 

Galley assistant

 

Crew mess

 

Crew bar

 

Crew accommodation 😉

 

Crew gym

 

One of several crew galleys

[nosapphire]

NN - thank you for your posts, fair, factual and entertaining. I hope your next cruise succeeds in getting to where you want it to.

Had this cruise not been truncated, pretty sure that on one of the sea days (not! in the Bay of B) there would have been an event to raise money for Ukraine. Been to several charity ones over the years on the longer cruises, organised by the crew themselves, and the last few have been in the format of a "country fayre" - the crew set up an amazing variety of different stalls and games, and the passengers pay 1£ per go for everything. the noisiest ones are usually, the , housekeeping dept. Tried to upload the programme for the last one, not sure if it will work as it has been saved as quite a large file.

Country Fayre_20200116_0001.pdf

[mike x ftc]

I've followed along from the very start and have very much enjoyed your daily blogs, thank you so much for sharing your Adventure!  Such a shame it has been cut short, enjoy you remaining time onboard.  You have certainly convinced me to try a Saga cruise.   Thank you.

[NorbertsNiece]

Captain's update 

 

Reminder to be careful out there  

Consulting with Southampton authorities regarding our arrival, due to traffic and berth availability, as we are outside our normal cycle, pilot on Wednesday at 0630 and alongside at 0900. Guest debark with cars from 1030. Process will be explained later.

 

(My understanding is it will be deck by deck as opposed to congregating in large groups, but not confirmed🤞)

 

5 covid cases confirmed today. 40 guests and 8 crew released from isolation. So 121 guests and 47 crew testing positive 

 

Thanked for focus on protocol and patience during this process 

[NorbertsNiece]

Turns out they've thrown in a formal night tonight. We didn't get the message. At least I'm not wearing dungas.

[Kohima]

This captain seems to be good at understanding the need to communicate  clearly and straightforwardly with passengers. Knowing what is happening, rather than speculating about it, is so much more satisfactory for everyone.
Thank you for the interesting pictures of the crew quarters. Several of the crew have told us how much better they are than on the old ships and how they were consulted during the design process. Saga obviously treats them well, as many have been with the company for years. Now that the ships are bigger it’s hard for them to remember passengers’ names in the way they used to, but some of them still manage it!

[NorbertsNiece]

Last day tomorrow. Requests for info/pics by 1700 UK time Tuesday.