Jim_Iain – Silhouette Live Post April 8, 21, 30 - B3B - TransAtlantic, Portugal Spain, France and the Norwegian Fjords

[suewheldon]

6 hours ago, suewheldon said:

You just never know what the weather will bring. Our first EB on Navigator of the Seas was flat as a table all the way to Tenerife. The next one on Seabourn Odyssey definitely was not. 

FYI we were on the Silhouette in April 2019 for their 7 night Norwegian from Southampton. Visiting Bergen, Alesund, Geiranger and Stavanger. We had sun, rain and a cold wind.  I still marvel how they completed a 360 at the end of Geiranger without hitting the rocks. 

[hcat]

27 minutes ago, JaneStarr said:

Gorgeous! I think that’s the nicest arrangement I’ve ever seen sent to a stateroom.

On the  EDGE, we ordered that one and a few others.  Looked pefect in the niche by the closet. Smaller arrangement looks good in the indoor veranda..and a nice bouquet for SV veranda,.

 

Esp on Edge I like the organic presence of the flowers compared to the somewhat sterile decor items. ( Fake coral,  no water vase etc) . We have those remived

[mhoffrob]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

You guys have eagle eyes.   We have never heard of it and I googled to figure out what you were seeing that we couldn’t find.   I was looking at the wine only to find it was tonic. It was in our fridge along with another 

 

 

Fever-tree is my go-to tonic, but that Fentiman's Pink Grapefruit is AWESOME.  Coupled with Hendrick's Gin and some crushed basil leaves - heavenly!

Edited April 10, 2022 by mhoffrob

[ladylemondrop]

1 hour ago, capsplace said:

Make sure you add your anniversary to the Celebrations section of your cruise.  It’s in the general “manage my cruise” section.  If you have a Travel Agent, they’ll need to add it.  We added my birthday a few months back, and we were pleasantly surprised to find balloons, some bubbly, and a “towel cake” decorating our stateroom.  Stayed there the entire 10 days.

Will you be on the Reflection May 2?

That’s lovely! Yes, we will hopefully be on May 2nd sailing on Reflection. 
This trip report is just making me even more excited! Such great photos. 

[Redking]

3 hours ago, FlorenceItaly said:

Sorry for the threadjack....if you are a gin and tonic fan you MUST try HA'Penny Rhubarb Gin.  It is fabulous and not too sweet.   I agree about Fever Tree. 

I'll need to add that to our list. Sorry Jim this is becoming a gin thread!

[Jim_Iain]

Just now, barbette165 said:

Doesn't the Bermuda4U site say that the Orange route restarts in April 2021 rather than April 21st? Somewhere else in my googling there was a banner that said 2022 timetables would be the same as 2021 timetables. And this site https://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_000073.htm says that the Orange route usually starts in the 2nd week of April, so you may be lucky.

Concerning dinner time, I think, on average, Brits eat later than Americans, but for many of the British on the ship may only have been in Florida for a day or two, so their body clocks may still be on UK time. Plus, why try and sync with the full 5 hour time difference, if you're only going to have to start adjusting forward again, so eat early and go to bed early for the first few nights.

You are correct it does say April 2021 not the 21st.    My error...

 

I was taking the reference from the Retreat Manager who is from Southampton and was being kidded by the Captain's Club Manager (from Spain) about eating so early. 

 

All I can tell you is that at 6:00 the dining rooms have been packed and when we go at 9:00 we are about the last in the restaurant.

I guess I should stay away from categorizing "all Americans" or "all Brits" as there is so much regional and age differentials.   

 

It also may be that the demographics of this cruise are about 80%+ over 65.  

. 

[Jim_Iain]

Just now, terrydtx said:

Fever Tree is our favorite Tonic water, they even do a light version with less sugar and no artificial sweeteners. It makes a perfect Gin and Tonic. I also love their light Ginger Beer for making Mules. I hope maybe some of the ships bars are now using Fever Tree, but I bet if I ask for it in the Retreat Lounge they will find some for us.

Iain's a big G&T fan and will be giving it a try this evening.    We didint' even know it was in there until 'ol eagle eyes spotted it     We have a 6 pack of Schweppes on the counter also.

 

[Redking]

3 hours ago, FlorenceItaly said:

Sorry for the threadjack....if you are a gin and tonic fan you MUST try HA'Penny Rhubarb Gin.  It is fabulous and not too sweet.   I agree about Fever Tree. 

A small stash 8f Fevertree at our place. Just need a butler, a barman and a chef and I'm on a cruise 🤔 Back to you Jim!

[Jim_Iain]

Just now, FlorenceItaly said:

Sorry for the threadjack....if you are a gin and tonic fan you MUST try HA'Penny Rhubarb Gin.  It is fabulous and not too sweet.   I agree about Fever Tree. 

You may notice that nothing is off topic here.    LOL.       

[Jim_Iain]

Just now, jenlock21 said:

Jim,

I’m enjoying cruising along with you and your husband. We will be in the RS for the first time in a couple of weeks and they emailed me about sizing for our PJs saying they run large. Do you find this to be the case? 
thanks!

To be honest we have 4 pair at home and just got another 2 last night,  we've never tried them on.      The ones they delivered are marked Large/XLarge so suspect they are on the large size.  

[Redking]

4 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Iain's a big G&T fan and will be giving it a try this evening.    We didint' even know it was in there until 'ol eagle eyes spotted it     We have a 6 pack of Schweppes on the counter also.

 

Schweppes is substance abuse compared to Fevertree and must not be mentioned in the same conversation 🤣 Ben Elton actually did a whole sketch on the rise of boutique gins and tonics. Very funny. Sadly can't find it on YouTube. Hope Iain likes it. 

[Jim_Iain]

Just now, gordylad said:

Love that Kendall Jackson cabernet..............

I think they gave us the Chardonnay as a substitution for the Champagne.

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, JaneStarr said:

Gorgeous! I think that’s the nicest arrangement I’ve ever seen sent to a stateroom.

I thought it was really nice.    Much nicer than the CC Rose they delivered last night

 

Edited April 10, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[sheeng]

I am enjoying your posts so very much🤗 Thank you!  We are on the Edge Transatlantic on the 22nd and I have a question about the jogging track. Is there a clock visible anywhere? I no longer wear a watch and with the distractions and my mind wandering all over the place I find it impossible to count laps. I’d rather not carry my phone. I do like to keep track of my miles and times.

keep the posts and photos coming. Thanks again.

 

Sheila.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

28 minutes ago, Redking said:

I'll need to add that to our list. Sorry Jim this is becoming a gin thread!

 

To add to the gin info--Jim, you should try Monday alcohol-free gin with your Fever Tree tonic.  Very refreshing.  Wonder if they have that on board.

[Jim_Iain]

Just now, hcat said:

On the  EDGE, we ordered that one and a few others.  Looked pefect in the niche by the closet. Smaller arrangement looks good in the indoor veranda..and a nice bouquet for SV veranda,.

 

Esp on Edge I like the organic presence of the flowers compared to the somewhat sterile decor items. ( Fake coral,  no water vase etc) . We have those remived

At least on Silhouette most of that junk has been tossed in the bin.    I noticed all the rockers are in the Sky Lounge and Retreat Sun Deck.    Lots of design failures for sure. 

[Jim_Iain]

Just now, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

To add to the gin info--Jim, you should try Monday alcohol-free gin with your Fever Tree tonic.  Very refreshing.  Wonder if they have that on board.

I've heard of the Alcohol Free Spirits but have never seen them as of yet.   I read that someone had inquired and they said no.   I'll ask tonight.

[bama4cruisin]

8 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Sunday April 20th

 

Awoke to stronger seas today with a pronounced yaw.   Got up at 8:00 (lost hour last night)

 

I ran up to el Segundo Al Bacio for my first Coffe of the day. 
 

Just walked away from the counter and the ship had a strong yaw to port.  CRASH 💥 plates and some of the serving trays went flying. 

 

 

This brought back a memory from a few years ago on Solstice in Australia-New Zealand.  The night we were crossing the Tasman, there was “movement” . . . a good bit of movement.  After listening to some music, Chuck decided to spend a little time in the casino.  I was in the room and was in bed reading.  A particularly large yaw caused the television to swing wide from the wall, taking out the two wine glasses our steward had placed just so on the tray.  I thought I had been shot!  It sounded like a shotgun had been fired.  Then there were all the glass shards to deal with😳🙄

[Jim_Iain]

Just now, sheeng said:

I am enjoying your posts so very much🤗 Thank you!  We are on the Edge Transatlantic on the 22nd and I have a question about the jogging track. Is there a clock visible anywhere? I no longer wear a watch and with the distractions and my mind wandering all over the place I find it impossible to count laps. I’d rather not carry my phone. I do like to keep track of my miles and times.

keep the posts and photos coming. Thanks again.

 

Sheila.

 

I know they had clock at the pool deck on M-Class.   I don't recall seeing any on Edge.   Iain said he lost count of laps yesterday.       I'm sure my mind would wonder also.    I have a Fitbit and just shoot for at least 20,000 steps.   

[terrydtx]

16 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Iain's a big G&T fan and will be giving it a try this evening.    We didint' even know it was in there until 'ol eagle eyes spotted it     We have a 6 pack of Schweppes on the counter also.

 

We buy when we can find them in the 16.9oz bottles with the screw top. it will not lose its fizz for weeks in the fridge after opening. The whole Fever tree line is all natural ingredients and no corn syrup sweeteners and natural spring water.  The ginger beer uses real ginger root, not artificial flavorings. They have an elderberry flavored tonic that makes a nice and different G & T.  We discovered the brand at our local Ruth Chris Steak house and the bar tender shared his secret tonic ingredient (Elderberry FT Tonic), that was about 4 years ago.

[Redking]

2 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

We buy when we can find them in the 16.9oz bottles with the screw top. it will not lose its fizz for weeks in the fridge after opening. The whole Fever tree line is all natural ingredients and no corn syrup sweeteners and natural spring water.  The ginger beer uses real ginger root, not artificial flavorings. They have an elderberry flavored tonic that makes a nice and different G & T.  We discovered the brand at our local Ruth Chris Steak house and the bar tender shared his secret tonic ingredient (Elderberry FT Tonic), that was about 4 years ago.

The Elderflower is one of our favourites too. Jim, if Iain wants a wee taste of Scotland, he should try Harris Gin (from the Isle of Harris) with tge Eldeflower tonic 👌

[Jim_Iain]

Just now, Redking said:

The Elderflower is one of our favourites too. Jim, if Iain wants a wee taste of Scotland, he should try Harris Gin (from the Isle of Harris) with tge Eldeflower tonic 👌

You are giving him Idea.    So much to be discovered.   I may have to pour him off the ship.   There was a lady in Retreat last night having a Gin and Elderflower.  

[Jim_Iain]

Last night was the first Chic Night.   With all the OBC I bought a unlimited photo package.   Very reasonable and you can view them on your PC and download them at will

 

Iain wasn't big on the idea but with a great photographer he got into it.    First we reposed for the photo that was taken for my Icon. 

 

 

 

 

 

[jules27556]

22 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I know they had clock at the pool deck on M-Class.   I don't recall seeing any on Edge.   Iain said he lost count of laps yesterday.       I'm sure my mind would wonder also.    I have a Fitbit and just shoot for at least 20,000 steps.   

20,000 steps!  Impressive! 😍 My goal after zumba and pilates reformer is 10,000.  I need to "step" up my game! 

[Jim_Iain]

 

I had the Lobster Salad and we both had the Rack of Lamb from MDR.  Thought it was a real boring menu

 

 

 

 

 

I had a bowl of Ice Cream and Iain had his Special Iris Desert- Double Bailey’s o. The rocks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 10, 2022 by Jim_Iain