Bit of a blog - Spirit of Adventure - Treasures of the Adriatic - Oct 2023

[NorbertsNiece]

Captain Jason has just announced that we are behind our scheduled arrival time in Lisbon, due to the late departure from Cagliari and the very strong head winds we are currently experiencing. Was hoping to be out on deck for our passage through the Gibraltar straits. Doesn't look like a possibility atm.

 

On a lighter note it's 'National Champagne Day'! 🍾🥂

[NorbertsNiece]

I've been to the Officer's Talk in the Playhouse. Made notes directly into phone so apologies for lack of grammar. Suffice it to say that all questions were answered directly by Capt Jason and HGM Werner. Chief Engineer Steve answered the most pertinent questions directly and with a lovely tongue in cheek humour the others!

 

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Capt Jason

 

SS Australis father captain..... 

SS Amerikanis first cruise ship

 

Daily routine?

0530 start of day except 0330 Venice (not bitter). Sail in. Admin. Planning for next cruise with navigator for the next and following cruises. Checking emails, deletes them (laughter). Responds to emails. May take a break. Departures from port.

 

At home? 

DIY not as keen as he used to be. Occasionally coaches Rugby minis (had been a keen player until injury) Likes nothing to do with sea and ships, enjoys a beach.

 

Why Saga? 

Once worked with a holiday company with ships.... Saga higher end, fewer guests, more refined, brand new, pod propulsion.

 

HGM Werner

 

Wanted to be a Travel Agent. Went to architect school but didn't enjoy it. Quit. Enjoyed helping at home. Watched 'Love boat'.... travelling for free! Went to hotel school. Age 19 became a bus boy on a cruise ship

 

Daily routine?

0645 up and out doing deck rounds. Picks up breakfast in Living Room. Meets head of all departments. Checks / sends emails 😉 (more laughter)

0930 checks back of house areas.

Lunch in Officers Mess

1715 quality checking dinner.... Massimo offers his services.

 

Home time? 

Has a small pleasure boat in Istria, not far from our missed port of call Rovinj. Very keen mountain climber.... goal next year is Mont Blanc. Motor biking.

 

Why Saga? 

Had worked with Crystal. Joined Saga 2021. 2 on and 2 off length of contract. Doesn't want to sit many hours on a plane to join a ship!

 

Eggs 48pp this cruise 17620 total

2.73 rolls toilet paper pp, 4000 total, had to buy more in Cagliari!

13416 bottles of wine

 

Chief Engineer Steve.

 

He is VERY self effacing. Looked like he was totally out of his comfort zone and would rather be back with his team. Said he comes from a Circus family and is now working with a bunch of clowns! (Much laughter!) Outstanding military career. 34 years. Served many active fronts. Some of his colleagues didn't make it back. Saga Pearl job offer. Worked his way up.

 

Daily routine

 

0500 up and out. Army man of routine.

Checks in with colleagues

0730 meeting.

Oversees the entire working environment

 

Home time? Studies how to win the Euro Lottery!!

 

Why Saga? Selection of ice cream on board

 

Strangest thing to fix? Nothing shocks him.

 

Soot.....and here he's totally focused on his subject. Committed 100%. It is a problem. Tier 3 engines 85% power optimum. There is a black box regularly inspected. All working correctly. Exhaust gas emissions equipment (forgot the word he used sorry) recently updated. They are doing all they can to resolve the problem. Very demoralised. Fuel is correct type. Not burned until checked and complies with law. Environmental standards to the highest. Burn waste in incinerators. Not allowed to dispose of glass, batteries, plastic, oil. Taken to recognised shore facility.

 

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These gentle men are totally committed to SAGA Cruises Ltd. Passenger safety, comfort and well-being at the forefront of their efforts. You could not ask for a more dedicated leadership of a professional, hard working crew.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 27, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[LandC]

Thanks for posting Norbertsneice.  The Officers talk is so informative.  Steve was the Chief Engineer on our last cruise on SofA.  Such an interesting military career, and as you say, he is very modest.

[NorbertsNiece]

Geoff tells me the curry lunch was very good.

 

One of the two self laundries on board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

410pm

 

 

 

[Bloodaxe]

We sailed with captain Jason several times on Azamara and had a nice chat with him on our September Saga cruise.

Although we had not seen him for over 10 years he remembered us, lovely man.

Edited October 27, 2023 by Bloodaxe

[NorbertsNiece]

1610

 

Coast of Spain

 

1720

Still approaching the straits. Being followed closely by a container ship, 'Dublin Express'

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Was very, very windy out. The first pic was taken from deck 12. Big mistake. HUGE. The deck should've been closed off. I managed the shot sitting down before retreating back into the Britannia Lounge. The rest of the pics, mostly Gibraltar, the rest North Africa, from deck 14 sheltered by the panels.

 

Was quite a rush up there! Less than half a dozen of us braved the elements. Quite an experience!

 

Photo dump follows!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited October 27, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

1830 ish Captain just announced we are unlikely to arrive before 10am into Lisbon.

 

Currently dining alone. It's rugby tonight. Dining started early so Geoff ate early whilst I was being blown about on open deck! Have asked to be seated alone, my social conversation battery requires a recharge. Ooops some people just sat at the neighbouring table!! Couldn't make this up!!

 

This ship alongside us is a vehicles carrier, the Alliance Fairfax.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Tarifa. Many, many wind turbines

 

Had a lively dinner conversation with the people on the next table. 

 

All sorted now for Lisbon tomorrow. The last time we were here I hailed a tuk tuk driver who was absolutely wonderful. She's taking us out tomorrow for the day, we'll be visiting Belém and the seven hills. Rain forecast.

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 20 Lisbon eventually 🤞

 

Good morning and thanks for following! You're still here! Have a medal 🏅

 

It's blowing out. Little video here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favourite hot breakfast ever!

 

Edited October 28, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Captain just announced @ 0957

 

Touching 5 metres swell affected speed. Parked up Lisbon around 1430. Departure time not decided yet.

[NorbertsNiece]

2nd attempt at posting.

 

Have let our tour guide know we're not going to make her tuk tuk tour. She was bringing us back at 1430 originally and has other clients at 1500

 

That's the AidaStella ahead of us approaching Lisbon

 

 

 

[lincslady]

That is a shame, but the weather is the weather, and at least you are sanguine about it, unlike a few folk who would grumble like anything if things do not go just as they should.  

 

I am enjoying reading your cruise news, and have to say that the meals on board look pretty impressive, some interesting and unusual dishes.

[Windsurfboy]

How did the ship take the swell, did you feel it in the cabin. We will be crossing Atlantic in just under two weeks. 

 

You are very adventurous with your breakfast,  my adventurous eating gene doesn't kick in till lunch at the earliest. 

 

Edited October 28, 2023 by Windsurfboy

[NorbertsNiece]

19 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

How did the ship take the swell, did you feel it in the cabin. We will be crossing Atlantic in just under two weeks. 

 

You are very adventurous with your breakfast,  my adventurous eating gene doesn't kick in till lunch at the earliest. 

 

Ship is fine. Plenty of people around. Living room full.

 

1100 Massimo announced Paella lunch will be in Supper Club. Excursion infotmation reliant on future advice.

[NorbertsNiece]

I really struggled posting this morning and have loads to catch you up on. Am posting my notes as written at the time.

 

From Massimo 1300

 

Arrival time in Lisbon still around 1430.

All paid tours will be cancelled.

Shuttle bus service will start at 1500. Tickets can be obtained from reception. All aboard 1830 latest.

 

There's a long line for the shuttle tickets.

 

Portside view sailing in to Lisbon. Didn't book the shuttle in as it takes 45 minutes due to the traffic issues we were advised of days ago. We'll go for a walk about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 28, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Sanctuary of Christ the King, Almada

 

 

 

 

 

The Port Authority control tower

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Belém

 

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

 

Monument to the Discoveries headed by Prince Henry the Navigator.

 

 

 

Pilot boarding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to passage under the bridge video here

 

The 25 de Abril Bridge (25th of April Bridge) Portuguese is a suspension bridge connecting the city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, to the municipality of Almada on the left (south) bank of the Tagus River. It has a total length of 2,277 metres (7,470 ft), making it the 46th longest suspension bridge in the world.

 

At the time of its inauguration in 1966, the bridge was named Salazar Bridge (Ponte Salazar), after Portuguese Prime Minister António de Oliveira Salazar, who ordered its construction. After the Carnation Revolution in 1974, which overthrew the remnants of Salazar's Estado Novo regime, the bridge was renamed for April 25, the date of the revolution. It is also commonly called the Tagus River Bridge.

[NorbertsNiece]

The Praça do Comércio is a large, harbour-facing plaza in Lisbon, and is one of the largest in Portugal, with an area of 175 by 175 m, that is, 30,600 m². Facing the Tagus to the South, the plaza is still commonly known in Portuguese as Terreiro do Paço.

 

We are berthed near the Ambition, sister ship to the Ambience we sailed on a year ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By 1430 we're all tied up and waiting for the port authorities consent to disembark. It's raining. It's sunny. It's raining. Repeat.

 

 

 

Edited October 28, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 21 Penultimate sea day

 

Good morning and thanks for following; not long to go now! 😭

 

If we were to take shelter from the rocking and rolling in Vigo you'd have no complaints from me Captain!! It's happened before on a cruise where sadly the following cruise embarked a day late.....

 

It's optional formal night tonight! We're currently an hour ahead of the UK who put their clocks back last night. Vigo time.... 😉

 

Lisbon visit to follow later 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 29, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[FannyLiz]

54 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

 

 

 

If we were to take shelter from the rocking and rolling in Vigo you'd have no complaints from me Captain!! It's happened before on a cruise where sadly the following cruise embarked a day late.....

 

 

Don’t you dare !  Please make sure he gets her back on time. I have a close neighbour who is off to the Canaries on her next Tuesday.

 

Enjoy the rest of the trip and thank you again for your blog. I swear I’ve put on several pounds just looking at the photos of the food.

[Medeba]

22 minutes ago, FannyLiz said:

Don’t you dare !  Please make sure he gets her back on time. I have a close neighbour who is off to the Canaries on her next Tuesday.

 

Enjoy the rest of the trip and thank you again for your blog. I swear I’ve put on several pounds just looking at the photos of the food.

We too know a couple due to start their cruise next Tuesday so 🤞🏻there will be no delay!

[NorbertsNiece]

You can all breathe again.... we've passed Vigo!

 

 

Am back from my last craft session with Supercraft Cruises and Jolly Super Things.

 

I made the bowl, brooches and pendants. Missed the earrings session. Geoff came for the first time today and made a couple of block print bags. 

 

 

 

 

Have had the best time with these guys and can't thank them enough for giving me the confidence to get stuck (pun intended) into something new!

[NorbertsNiece]

Ship related photo requests. ..... this is your final call, by midnight GMT please x

[NorbertsNiece]

Lisbon contd

 

Queueing to disembark

 

 

 

It's lovely being back in Lisbon again. It's quite a walk from the ship to the terminal. Love the mosaic covered buildings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 29, 2023 by NorbertsNiece