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

[NorbertsNiece]

Late last night, due to a medical emergency our course was altered back to the Azores to Faial and the port of Horta where the passenger will be taken ashore.  

 

We will then resume our cruise, update this afternoon.

 

__ 

 

Weather out unpleasant and wet so unsuitable for helicopter I guess.

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Continuing Ponta Delgada!!!

 

House of the family who own everything on the surface of the crater(s). All property is otherwise leasehold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[paulatsea]

Thanks for the update - best wishes 

[mcloaked]

The Azores are beautiful islands - though I always remember a quote from our tour guide on one trip a few years ago - who said, "The cows on the Azores are the cleanest in the world as they get a shower almost every day of the year!" - when the rain does clear the mountains and the crater lakes are fabulous, as your pictures show, and the local foods such as cheeses are excellent.

[NorbertsNiece]

WiFi has been a 'mare today but I hope to catch up.

 

Touring the Sete Citades peninsula video link here

 

Heading back to port

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Pics from yesterday. Route from Google maps of previous day.

My first attempt at crafting. That's Julie Peasgood holding my pencil case. She recognised me before I recognised her!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 40 / 67

Day 7 Caribbean 

Sea day 

 

Good afternoon and thanks for following.

 

What a morning it's been. Really miserable to start and gorgeous now.

 

We were aware last night that something was up. My friend is a Master Mariner and senses the slightest change in direction. A look at the TV and the ship tracker app, while it was still working, confirmed his suspicions and calculations that we were headed to Horta.

 

I have assured Saga that I won't post information likely to cause concern until an official announcement is made. I really do appreciate being kept in the loop as it were, gives me a chance to get my head around what's occuring. Facts can change quickly so I hope you'll appreciate my caution in relaying information. Anyone who also noticed any change of direction could have availed themselves of the situation by calling Reception.

 

I've been to another craft workshop. I have no words to describe sticky back tape. I love my nails. So does sticky back tape. I am totally incapable of separating the sticky from the tape. Totally. Today was session 1 of 2 of making a flower wreath. I have been trusted with scissors. No person was harmed in the making of these 'flowers'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Now the sad bit. We are back at sea having disembarked a very poorly lady and her companion in Horta.

 

Sail in was lovely. Am fond of this port having visited two years ago. Very skillful reversing. There's an ooops pic at the end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 28, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

The deck 4 forward gangway, near the medical centre, was used. A van pulled up and quite a few boxes were taken on board. The ambulance arrived and 2 PPE wearing medics (?) descended. 3 PPE wearing Saga medics assisted the lady by wheelchair to the vehicle. Her companion was escorted to the van and both vehicles departed. Such a sad thing to witness. Do hope she's ok 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 28, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

After the ambulance left the pier I high tailed it up to the Grill for lunch. Managed to grab a few pics of Horta. Do hope we get to stop here on the way back.

 

My first ever self made earrings! 

 

There'd been an announcement, which I missed as I was being creative in Supper Club and public announcements don't seem to make it there! 📢 

 

We'll be a day late into Antigua. 4 pax and 7 crew test covid positive today. Info from Mark, Supercrafter who knows I'm blogging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 41 / 67

Day 8 Caribbean

Sea day

St David's Day

 

Good morning and thanks for following.

 

No LFT requested today!!!

 

We have a new Hotel GM Angelo Balbi. Never got to say goodbye to Jan who was such a morale booster. He really does deserve his leave.

 

Struggling to upload pics atm.

[NorbertsNiece]

 

The most painfully slow upload EVER!!

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

This morning's craft activity. Am now expert in cobra knots. Mark and the team show endless patience.

 

Just to add I thought I'd signed up for earrings not keyrings...... 😷

 

The last pic refuses to upload atm     

 

 

 

 

Edited March 1, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Captain Darin's midday address notes :

 

Fine weather to continue for the rest of the day, 19⁰c/20⁰c. Guest doing well in hospital. 

 

We are now due to arrive in Antigua at 0800 6th March a day later than planned. Tortola has been confirmed. The anchor call at Virgin Gorda has been cancelled and 8th March St Kitts confirmed.

 

An interesting but brief history of Transatlantic crossing by ship then followed.

 

Covid update : in the past 24 hours 3 symptomatic guests and 7 close contacts have been identified. Brings that total to 52. 16 will be released in the next 24 hours; starting to see curve flatten out.

 

In the last 24 hours 4 symptomatic crew were released and a further 5 will be released today makes a total of 51 crew. Another 9 to be released in 24 hours.

 

The Captain met with Ukrainian crew members today. All our hearts and prayers go out to them. We were asked to offer them our support.

 

🇺🇦 

[NorbertsNiece]

Supercraft Cruises what a super bunch of people!!

 

Here's today's offering. Part 2 from yesterday. Not all my own work.

 

Forget that. Pics not uploading.

[NorbertsNiece]

Someone asked me today who is Norbert? I said, "He's my uncle." 

 

I really didn't mean to sound flippant and briefly explained how I needed a name to join Cruise Critic and as I was about to cruise with Norbert that was the first handle I could come up with! 

 

My apologies to the lady and her hubby.

[NorbertsNiece]

1720 Captain's announcement 

 

4 passengers and 8 crew tested positive today. Numbers remain steady. Passengers and crew are slowly being released. Track, trace and testing continues.  ⅓ of the entire ship's complement currently tested. Full ship test results will be required for some islands.

 

Internet services / TV..... slower at times - added protocols have been put in place by many UK companies following recent sanctions in Europe in order to protect data against cyber attack as the war is going on there too. Bandwidth has been added.

 

There was a whale spotted off the forward starboard bow.

[NorbertsNiece]

The morning's final result.

 

 

From yesterday, creating the floral wreath. Macramé. Neither would have been completed without assistance from others ❤

 

 

 

[kruzgal]

Thank you for your photos and informative posts. Do you happen to know whether close contacts are being forced to isolate or are they just being tested regularly? 

[NorbertsNiece]

2 minutes ago, kruzgal said:

Thank you for your photos and informative posts. Do you happen to know whether close contacts are being forced to isolate or are they just being tested regularly? 

Hi.

My understanding is that currently if tested negative they do not have to isolate 

[NorbertsNiece]

Night nighr

 

 

[Windsurfboy]

9 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Hi.

My understanding is that currently if tested negative they do not have to isolate 

 

Which is at odds to policy in another thread , where not allowed on ship if driver tests positive,  even if you are negative. 

[paulatsea]

42 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

Which is at odds to policy in another thread , where not allowed on ship if driver tests positive,  even if you are negative. 

My view is that negative is negative regardless of who you may have been in close contact with - as it could well be more than just the driver and nobody would ever know - like if staying at a hotel the night before etc

- I’d hate to be denied boarding if I was negative and the driver wasn’t - we have a car booked for august - think I might change this.

 

I know several people who have been close contacts and didn’t test positive and others that did. 
 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Just now, Windsurfboy said:

 

Which is at odds to policy in another thread , where not allowed on ship if driver tests positive,  even if you are negative. 

Hi. Not really. Allowing a known close contact on board, potentially incubating, isn't the same as someone already on board; reducing potential cases has to be at the forefront of any policy. It was my prime concern when I arrived to embark after many hours on the road. I knew I'd be turned away if the driver tested positive.

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 42 / 67

Day 9 Caribbean 

At sea

 

Good morning and thanks for following. It's an absolutely stunning morning. Warm, almost hot out on the balcony at 0800.

 

Rustie Lee has a cookery demo this morning. Looking forward to that!