LIVE from Jewel May 15, 2024 - 27 nights

twangster · May 18

This is my office from where I prepared today's posts.

It reminds me of the story our guide told us this morning.

Sitting with his wife yesterday he saw something in the sky but couldn't recall what they call it. "It's the sun" his wife told him. "We see it so rarely here" he explained.

Today has become a beautiful sunny Scottish day.

twangster · May 18

Looks like they have made the day 5 cruise compass available for tomorrow.

JW May 15 day 5 cruisecompass.pdf

As a tender port, there is this notation in the cruise compass:

(Guests with ship excursions are already covered for the tender ride to shore)

Independent Guests

Guests who wish to head ashore independently should collect a tender ticket from 7:00 am – 9:30 am in the Schooner Bar, Centrum, Deck 6, when you are ready to go ashore. We invite one person only to collect tickets, for every member in their travelling party. Please note that there might be queues for tender boats at times when returning to the ship. The last tender to the ship will depart Lerwick by 5:15 pm.

Edited May 18 by twangster

twangster · May 18

Minstrels Duo string music in the Centrum so you know where I am right now.

Guests are streaming onboard with 4 minutes until gangway up time. One gangway is on deck 4 with an X-ray machine near the lobby stairs.

I’m not sure what the status is for the forward gangway to deck 3 I used earlier. It’s more level.

andreasfcb · May 18

Hey @twangster, thank you for your updates!

We have done this cruise exactly one year ago and we will join you for the Arctic circle cruise (which we have done nearly 10 years ago). These are hands-down the best itineraries possible, enjoy your time!

What's your equipment to take photos? It seems you use a mix of smartphone and professional camera?

If you are interested in wildlife and if weather permits, I would spend a lot of time on the helicopter landing area when cruising from Scotland to Iceland. Right after Scotland, we have seen dozen of whales and birds. This was an insane experience. I was able to take some incredible photos a year ago. While sailing around Iceland, we went outside after midnight (still bright) and saw dozens of humpback whales with blowing fountains. That said, we were absolutely blessed with perfect conditions. Sometimes the sea was flat and then you are able to see much more than with waves.

In Iceland I would absolutely go for whale watching tours, especially in Isafjordur and Akureyri. We loved it in Isafjordur because the boats do not have to exit the lake-lake fjords and you are less likely to have a cancelled tour. Our whale watching cruise in Reykjavik was cancelled due to waves (only 2 to 3m, but that is already enough for small boats).

shirazcruiser · May 18

On 5/16/2024 at 4:41 AM, twangster said:

I made the threshold for access to the Concierge Club.

Could you tell the happy hour time in the Concierge Club?

Jimbo · May 18

1 hour ago, andreasfcb said:

Hey @twangster, thank you for your updates!

We have done this cruise exactly one year ago and we will join you for the Arctic circle cruise (which we have done nearly 10 years ago). These are hands-down the best itineraries possible, enjoy your time!

What's your equipment to take photos? It seems you use a mix of smartphone and professional camera?

If you are interested in wildlife and if weather permits, I would spend a lot of time on the helicopter landing area when cruising from Scotland to Iceland. Right after Scotland, we have seen dozen of whales and birds. This was an insane experience. I was able to take some incredible photos a year ago. While sailing around Iceland, we went outside after midnight (still bright) and saw dozens of humpback whales with blowing fountains. That said, we were absolutely blessed with perfect conditions. Sometimes the sea was flat and then you are able to see much more than with waves.

In Iceland I would absolutely go for whale watching tours, especially in Isafjordur and Akureyri. We loved it in Isafjordur because the boats do not have to exit the lake-lake fjords and you are less likely to have a cancelled tour. Our whale watching cruise in Reykjavik was cancelled due to waves (only 2 to 3m, but that is already enough for small boats).

Great information!

shopaholic6 · May 18

@twangster fantastic photos! I’m from the UK and have been to Loch Ness before but your photos are something else! 👏

twangster · May 18

After enjoying the live string music in the Centrum I headed up to the Concierge Club.

However, after seeing the beautiful scenery outside I went back to my cabin to grab my photography gear.

twangster · May 18

Sail away from Invergordon had just started.

I could hear bagpipes playing...

A Royal send off...

What a glorious evening.

twangster · May 18

With a fresh paint job Jewel was sliding through the water.

twangster · May 18

That's when I spotted a whale.

twangster · May 18

The amazing colors and scenery continued we as left the firth and entered the North Sea.

DelMom18a · May 18

Amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing them with us! I took a whale watching cruise last year in Iceland and you had a better view and photos than we did. 🙂

twangster · May 18

Fast forward a bit and this brings us pretty much live.

This was moments ago off my balcony.

I spotted a wind turbine farm off the port side.

twangster · May 18

3 hours ago, shirazcruiser said:

Could you tell the happy hour time in the Concierge Club?

5 pm - 8 pm

twangster · May 18

Wave Benders are a pretty good cover band. They nailed a couple songs.

A little subdued for the Schooner Bar but I still love the music of Minstrels Duo

I’m very pleased with the entertainment on board.

Edited May 18 by twangster

twangster · May 18

Forgot to mention I popped into the theater for a couple songs. The Royal Caribbean singers tonight sounded pretty good too.

Sinders99 · May 19

3 hours ago, twangster said:

With a fresh paint job Jewel was sliding through the water.

OMG I love this shot of you on the bough of the ship!! So great to know in advance for our cruises that the helipad will likely be open. Will definitely head up there. I'm assuming you used an Insta360 camera and invisible extension pole to get a shot like this?

Would love to know what photography gear you took as I'm an enthusiastic snapper myself shooting on Olympus Micro 3/4 gear.

Edited May 19 by Sinders99

twangster · May 19

I'm trying to remember if Jewel was the ship that had a busted window in the middle of the glass wall midship. If so, it's been fixed in drydock.

Edited May 19 by twangster

twangster · May 19

Day Five - Lerwick/Shetland

Progress report:

Condition report:

Jewel was upgraded to super precision thermometers. It's precisely 50.02°F

Ut Oh...

Cheaters goin' cheat.

twangster · May 19

5 hours ago, Sinders99 said:

OMG I love this shot of you on the bough of the ship!! So great to know in advance for our cruises that the helipad will likely be open. Will definitely head up there. I'm assuming you used an Insta360 camera and invisible extension pole to get a shot like this?

Would love to know what photography gear you took as I'm an enthusiastic snapper myself shooting on Olympus Micro 3/4 gear.

Shot on an Insta360 X4.

Other gear includes a Sony RX100M6 and a Sony 7RM4A.