Spirit of Adventure Canary Islands and Cape Verde Nov 13 2023

[Kenmure]

We thought it would be a good idea to keep folk aware of what was going on on this cruise as it progressed. We have no intention of trying to equal NorbertsNiece fantastic blogs but to keep you informed of what is happening but not every day!

Well, with arrangement our transport arrived an hour early and we were in the first ten to board. Taken to the dining room for lunch NOT directly to cabin as housekeeping was still in progress. We’re advised that cabins were available at 1pm. All luggage waiting for us. A smooth embarkation.

Captain Kim Tanner (good), chief engineer Leonard Blinston, Cruise Director Shane Fortey (new to us), Exec Chef Francis Fernandes.

[JMMKUK]

You've got our favourite Captain. Never sailed with any of the others as far as I remember.

 

Have a great cruise. Don't think Storm Debi will send you to Falmouth but who knows what will happen at this time of year.

[LondonLad60]

I was on SoA in September, and Shane was the Cruise Director. Without wishing to tempt fate, I thought he was pretty good.

[Kenmure]

Just going into the Bay of Biscay. Sun is peeking out. Just a manageable swell now after a slightly choppy night. Trying to maintain 16 knots for first stop at Funchal.

[Kenmure]

Wednesday 15 November dawned as we left the Bay of Biscay. We are now level with Vigo. The Captain came on the tannoy at lunchtime with his weather forecast and progress announcements. Progress into the headwind yesterday has not been as expected  (13 knots instead of 16) so when we would have reached Funchal on Friday we would only have 6 hours there! However our Captain came up trumps which he usually does by persuading the authorities to allow him to be all fast a little later at midday on the northern anchorage on the town side and spend overnight and not leave until midday  Saturday so all trips could be saved. 

[Interestedcruisefan]

My parents are on board their first saga cruise with you and having a great time so far   

 

Impressed by the food and service and looks like they just enjoyed a formal night

[Kenmure]

Glad they are enjoying themselves!

Captain was in fine fettle last night at his Cocktail Party. He gets away with saying things others wouldn’t taking the ‘audience’ with him.

This morning calm seas and blue skies could be a great day.

[Interestedcruisefan]

An interesting comment from my parents (aged 80 and 78) was they almost feel like the oldest on the ship. 

 

I'm sure they aren't of course

 

But it's a first time saga cruise for them 

 

They've done celebrity, princess, Rcl, seven seas before

 

But did expect saga to be the oldest agegroup cruise  they had done

 

Obviously they've gradually got older themselves whilst cruising though!!

 

Lol

[Mollag]

1 hour ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

An interesting comment from my parents (aged 80 and 78) was they almost feel like the oldest on the ship. 

 

I'm sure they aren't of course

 

But it's a first time saga cruise for them 

 

They've done celebrity, princess, Rcl, seven seas before

 

But did expect saga to be the oldest agegroup cruise  they had done

 

Obviously they've gradually got older themselves whilst cruising though!!

 

Lol

There a long way of the eldest 97 is the oldest we’ve heard so far, just wondering at the moment who’ll be the latest passengers to return to the ship on Saturday morning to win the bottle of finest bubbles offered by the Captain, could be interesting 🤦‍♂️😂

[JMMKUK]

1 hour ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

An interesting comment from my parents (aged 80 and 78) was they almost feel like the oldest on the ship. 

 

I'm sure they aren't of course

 

But it's a first time saga cruise for them 

 

They've done celebrity, princess, Rcl, seven seas before

 

But did expect saga to be the oldest agegroup cruise  they had done

 

Obviously they've gradually got older themselves whilst cruising though!!

 

Lol

Must be the time of year or something. The Christmas cruises we've been on have always had plenty guests in their 90s.

I was 50 when I went on Saga Rose, there was one guest younger than me, with his wife & her elderly  Aunt. Most of the guests on that cruise had children in their 50s so it was like being with our parents.

[Denarius]

17 hours ago, JMMKUK said:

Must be the time of year or something. The Christmas cruises we've been on have always had plenty guests in their 90s.

I was 50 when I went on Saga Rose, there was one guest younger than me, with his wife & her elderly  Aunt. Most of the guests on that cruise had children in their 50s so it was like being with our parents.

Whilst I have only been on 3 Saga cruises so far I have found that the average age of passengers varies substantially depending on the time of year and the itinerary. Passengers on my Winter cruise to the Canaries (retirees like me after a bit of Winter warmth?) were noticably older than on my Summer cruise to the Baltic.

[Interestedcruisefan]

I have been sent this video of last night's entertainment on board

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fAWPWURVEWf8tenD8

 

Sorry it wouldn't let me load the video. Just the image.

 

They said they were great though

Edited November 17, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan

[JMMKUK]

55 minutes ago, Denarius said:

Whilst I have only been on 3 Saga cruises so far I have found that the average age of passengers varies substantially depending on the time of year and the itinerary. Passengers on my Winter cruise to the Canaries (retirees like me after a bit of Winter warmth?) were noticably older than on my Summer cruise to the Baltic.

The long cruises are unlikely to have many working guests. Most companies don't allow a month off in one go. Although on Silversea Americans & Australians were working from the ship.

Our first Saga cruise was to the Baltic with overnight in St Petersburg. Maybe it was the trip to the ballet there that attracted all the over 80s.

[Denarius]

5 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

I have been sent this video of last night's entertainment on board

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fAWPWURVEWf8tenD8

 

Sorry it wouldn't let me load the video. Just the image.

 

They said they were great though

Video played fine on my laptop, and they were! May depend on your browser; I am using Firefox.

[Kenmure]

We were all fast in Funchal at 11.45. No complaints about the weather 25c at present only dropping to 20c during the night….. so looking forward to eating under the stars tonight from the Portuguese Buffet Dinner from The Grill.

Captain is offering a bottle of champagne to the last person on board tonight…. With tonight meaning up to breakfast at 07.00 tomorrow. We are threatened with temperatures of up to 30c in the morning before sailing for La Palma in the afternoon.

 

[Kenmure]

Actually it was only 27c with a bit of cloud when we left. Now in a flat calm sea.

The winner of the last on board did so at 0130 for the champagne prize. The show cast did an excellent Latin American set in the Britannia Lounge last night. 
This afternoon there is a presentation by Sue Barker BBC ex presenter and tennis star and this evening a one act play ‘Rats’ by Agatha Christie in the Playhouse. First come first served on both events for seating!

[LandC]

You are lucky to have Sue Barker on board.  Enjoy!

[Interestedcruisefan]

Was sent a nice Sunday Roast image today from the ship

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kpTSm51S6mVzuNnt6

[Kenmure]

The audience with Sue Barker was excellent. Carefully controlled by the Cruise Director followed her whole tennis career and subsequent BBC tennis commentating and Question of Sport series. The day was topped off with the Agatha Christie playlet with a very professional production by the Show Cast. A new one for Saga!

Overnight we caught up with our original itinerary and arrived at 0900 at Santa Cruz, La Palma which we had missed on a previous trip due to volcanic activity. Weather still dry and hot. A quick trip overnight to La Gomera. Still calm seas and hot enough in the water to go swimming in the bay at San Sebastián!. Tonight is Elvis night. Packed theatre… well initially until some left before the first song had finished! What were they expecting? Elvis couldn’t leave the building as he would have drowned so decided to stay for another performance on Wednesday. Now of to the Cape Verde Islands. It’s getting a bit tropical outside but still hot with full cloud cover. Pleasant balcony hours!

[LandC]

Sounds like you are enjoying yourselves.  We’re on board for the Christmas cruise.  Not keen on Elvis, but  I hope the Agatha Christie playlets will be performed then! 

[Kenmure]

We are now in the Cape Verde islands. Weather superb 31c, sunny with a gentle breeze. Yesterday we did the 4x4 trip on Porto Praia. Very comfortable transport 3 guests in each car. The cars had air con and seat belts. Visited several beaches, a church and a primary school where we went in and met the teacher and 8 children. Tour finished at a restaurant overlooking a lovely bay and we were treated to local nibbles. Last night we were entertained by the assistant cruise director in the Britannia Lounge. He has a fine voice and sense of humour.

 

Today we been on a tour which included a coach ride to the highest point on Porto Grande which gave us stunning views. We then visited the market and then had time to visit a lovely beach which is only 15 mins walk from the ship. There was time for a paddle in the sea.

[JMMKUK]

Would that be the ACD that reminds me of the Go Compare adverts?

[Kenmure]

It is Corey and he is doing another show today in the Playhouse whilst we are at sea.

[JMMKUK]

Seems a really nice guy. He came to chat to us, when he was in the Entertainment team, on a foimal night. Then he was ACD on our last cruise.

[Kenmure]

After a couple of sunny and calm water days we arrived in Tenerife on Monday. Cloudy but plenty of blue sky all around which never reached us in Santa Cruz. Amazingly we were the only cruise ship in port!. Sail away at 5pm. We arrived Arrecife Lanzarote early morning to sun and no wind (which makes a change!). Apparently over 700 on trips today. We are taking the shuttle bus and doing our own thing!