LIVE from Sirena Oranjestad to Barcelona - March 20 through April 10, 2023

[pinotlover]

Joe;

 

Miami and Lisbon are two examples of major restocking ports, but not non exclusive obviously.

 

Buenos Aires is the major restocking port for SA. It’s why when certain commodities weren’t restocked there in our cruise, the staff said the ship would probably be out until Miami, 40 days later.

 

I willing to bet your ship did a major restocking in Miami shortly before it sailed on to Aruba for your TA.

[jwindham]

I watched the Sirena get a Major restocking in Barbados in February. Two big containers full of stuff and it took them all day to load it on the ship. I was able to watch a good bit of it from my balcony. So I would say that is a large stocking port and since the Sirena has not been to Miami since I was on it I am willing to bet they got restocked there again. Julia

[LHT28]

Years ago  FDR posted about how they ship containers to  the ports  to restock supplies   so I am guessing this still happens

 

They want to insure safe food  in some of the Countries where buying on shore could be a problem for food safety

 

I have seen in some ports  the local trucks  pull up with fresh fruit/veg & the Chef out there checking it over before he accepts it

They also might get fresh local fish  as well

It is  a mixed  bag of how they get food supplies

 

[WayneLaR]

There was a show on Discovery a few years ago, Mega Cruise Ships or something, and one of the episodes detailed exactly the process LHT28 describes above.  I was impressed how rigorous the inspection was before any bit of food is accepted onto the ship. 

[JoePDX]

17 hours ago, pinotlover said:

Joe;

 

Miami and Lisbon are two examples of major restocking ports, but not non exclusive obviously.

 

Buenos Aires is the major restocking port for SA. It’s why when certain commodities weren’t restocked there in our cruise, the staff said the ship would probably be out until Miami, 40 days later.

 

I willing to bet your ship did a major restocking in Miami shortly before it sailed on to Aruba for your TA.

Thank you for the additional clarification on provisioning locations.

 

 I do stand by my original assertion that NCLH brands are doing a major disservice to its passengers if items might be unavailable for up to 40 days due to a provisioning error.    The recent postings about lack of jam are a prime example - at the next port send someone to the super market to buy al the Bonne Maman they can.  Instead of individual jars spoon it out like salad dressing.  Or air freight the items to a future port.   
 

Joe

 

 

[JoePDX]

Yesterday was Lisbon and the end of the 14 night transatlantic cruise.    We wandered around Lisbon and had lunch at the Timeout (Ribera) Market.   That was outstanding.

 

Back in the ship late in the afternoon.   We continue on for another 7 days to Barcelona.  
 

What a passenger change!   A large group of wine drinkers from Wichita (fun group) and a large groups of Spanish passengers.   Average age probably dropped by 20 years and we have a dozen or so children on board. We are loving the energy change.  😊

 

Today was Portimao, Portugal.   A fun day for six of us and a private guide.   Tonight is Captain’s Welcome Aboard reception.

 

OH the Sticky Buns today were superb!   Jeff saw them and got them for me as I had given up….  
 

Also one of the string quartet has vanished…they were announced last night at the Welcome Show as a String Trio.

 

Our new trivia team did not place in the top three today.   But we did do good.  So better luck tomorrow.  
 

All is still great on Sirena.

 

Joe

 

 

[JoePDX]

2 hours ago, WayneLaR said:

There was a show on Discovery a few years ago, Mega Cruise Ships or something, and one of the episodes detailed exactly the process LHT28 describes above.  I was impressed how rigorous the inspection was before any bit of food is accepted onto the ship. 

I witnessed the same review of fresh produce coming on board Sirena while we were in Lisbon.   the show is Mighty Cruise Shios.   😊🛳️⚓️

 

Joe

 

 

[PhD-iva]

Here’s a short clip from the Country Fair. The dancers did a manual slot machine. And a little jig for the winners. The performers were all so lovely, I really enjoyed their company around the ship, and Maddie was the social hostess for the Solo Travelers group.

[JoePDX]

34 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

Here’s a short clip from the Country Fair. The dancers did a manual slot machine. And a little jig for the winners. The performers were all so lovely, I really enjoyed their company around the ship, and Maddie was the social hostess for the Solo Travelers group.

Hey Robin -

 

Thank you for sharing this.   So nice to meet you - sorry we didn’t have a chance to say so long….  We both hope our paths will cross again!  😊

 

JnJ

[PhD-iva]

5 hours ago, JoePDX said:

Hey Robin -

 

Thank you for sharing this.   So nice to meet you - sorry we didn’t have a chance to say so long….  We both hope our paths will cross again!  😊

 

JnJ

Thanks so much, ditto on my part. The passengers that I meet and the friends that I make onboard are what I like best about Oceania!

[JoePDX]

A great start to the day.

 

For the third day in a row, the Sticky Buns have been excellent!   😊🎉😊

 

Second day here in Seville.   Taking shuttle into historic center and just wandering.

 

Azamara Quest just arrived.   The former R3 and R4 sisters reunited.   🛳️

 

Joe

[JoePDX]

Correction in by post above…Azamara Onward, not Quest.

 

Joe

[JoePDX]

This is Holy Week so each afternoon there are processions through the historic center.   They draw lots and lots of people.    As I made my way back toward the shuttle bus location this afternoon I kept running into processions.   In the narrow streets you just can’t get through, so I just kept skirting in the general direction of where I needed to be.   Added 30+ minutes to my walk, but I can’t say it wasn’t helpful having been on the ship for nearly three weeks.   😊

 

Photos below:  Candle wax drips on the street from the processions.  A procession about to start.  A quick lunch for the food hall at El Corte Ingles.  VIP seats near the Cathedral.

 

Sirena departs at 8:00 pm tonight for the trip back down the river and then over to Tangier, Morocco.   We turn our clocks back 2 hours tonight.   I know we will lose them again!   😳

 

Joe

[jackdeb]

Great pics as always and commentary to match. Try 100 Montaditos for small sandwiches and drinks.

[SSFrance69]

On 4/4/2023 at 9:42 PM, PhD-iva said:

Here’s a short clip from the Country Fair. The dancers did a manual slot machine. And a little jig for the winners. The performers were all so lovely, I really enjoyed their company around the ship, and Maddie was the social hostess for the Solo Travelers group.

B089AC2F-70BC-468B-8325-BD7667616574.MOV

That video is adorable! That's one of the things I loved about our recent sailing on Riviera... the performers were around the ship being social and were so friendly and lovely. I really enjoyed engaging with them!

[JoePDX]

Salaam alykum from Tangier, Morocco.   We are sharing the port today with Zuiderdam and Silver Dawn.   Since we left Aruba on March 20th we have seen Silver Dawn four times.  We were about 30 minutes late docking due to port traffic.

 

We explored the Medina and Casbah with a guide today.    So much history.   Since it is Ramadan the Medina was very quiet until after lunch when residents were out in the area making purchases for their late evening meal.   A great lunch of tagine and cous cous for us.   After exploring the Medina we headed to the coast to see where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean after it dumps out of the Strait of Gibraltar.  
 

Captain has informed us we will have a bumpy ride tonight with winds at 30+ mph and waves at 8.5 feet.   We had similar last night as we crossed from Seville.   
 

Today is my last birthday of my 50’s.   We will celebrate in Red Ginger.   😊🎉🛳️

 

Tomorrow is Melilla, Spain in Spanish Morocco.

 

P.S.  Great sticky buns again today.   🎉

 

 

Edited April 7, 2023 by JoePDX

[LHT28]

They must of picked up a good cook that knows how to make sticky buns  😄

[LuAnn]

We were in Malaga right before Easter a number of years ago and just stumbled upon the warehouse where they were storing all the floats for the parade. They let us in to look at them..so special!!! 

[JoePDX]

Today we are in Melilla, Spain.   Despite the concerns from the Captain about last nights voyage, it was really quite smooth.   Winds where strong, but seas very agreeable.   We passed by the Rock of Gibraltar while we were having dinner.   The staff in Red Ginger brought me a birthday cake and regaled me with song.   Very nice day.   Melilla is a charming city of about 85,000.   Largest concentration of modernist buildings in Spain outside of Barcelona.   A protege of Gaudi moved here in 1909 and receives most of the credit.   Lucked out finally….I got two new pair of Adidas and Jeff got one.   The selection and prices of Adidas are so much better in Europe, but up to now I had been foiled.    We depart at 3:00 pm for Ibiza, Spain arriving tomorrow at 1:00 pm.   No more time changes!  🎉🎉🎉. Ibiza is also our last port before we disembark on Monday in Barcelona.   What a trip it has been!   🇪🇸 🛳️⚓️
 

 

[pinotlover]

18 hours ago, LHT28 said:

They must of picked up a good cook that knows how to make sticky buns  😄

Although relatively insignificant, hasn’t this saga of sticky buns demonstrated the huge inconsistency of foods offered? This inconsistency is witnessed not only on individual dishes, but in the restaurant s themselves from day to day.

[LHT28]

43 minutes ago, JoePDX said:

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday 

 

WOW those are some sneakers 🕶️

Enjoy the rest of the cruise  

Thanks for sharing  the photos

 

[WayneLaR]

Nice kicks, Joe!  And happy belated birthday!  Really enjoyed your daily updates.  Thanks for doing this.

[DeanoNorthPerth]

Those Adidas are a nice subtle shade of..........whatever colour that is. 😁

Thanks so much for your posts in this thread. I board Sirena on the 20th so have very much appreciated everything you have posted.

[JoePDX]

Just now, DeanoNorthPerth said:

Those Adidas are a nice subtle shade of..........whatever colour that is. 😁

Thanks so much for your posts in this thread. I board Sirena on the 20th so have very much appreciated everything you have posted.

Hi @DeanoNorthPerth

A fiery orange.   Orange is my favorite color.   😊

 

I wish you as a great a journey as we have had on Sirena.   The crew is just wonderful.   If you need anything Executive Concierge Juan Carlos Cortes is charming and helpful in every way.   We had dinner with him last evening.
 

Some special crew Mani in the GDR (we have requested his section nearly every night), sommeliers Geraldine and Rosa, Head waiter Ivan, Maitre D Maria in Red Ginger.   And so many more.  

 

The production cast is very talented.   We have thoroughly enjoyed all of their shows.   And they are very visible around the ship - it has been nice to get to know them.   
 

Have a great time.

 

Joe
 

 

[ToxM]

Happy Birthday! What a great trip you have had and I am very happy for you regarding the sticky buns!