Saga Rose Greenland Voyager August 2007

[MMDown Under]

[quote=seabourndt;35825970 i am too going to ship show on saturday in london going to be the last in its present form special as it is my birthday

dave

 

Birthday wishes from Down Under. I hope you have a wonderful day at the Ship Show in London.

[Host Sharon]

Hope you have a good time on Saturday Dave. I was asked to speak but cannot make it. Ian Gibb should be good.

[Saga Ruby]

I am in the Ocean Liner Society, as I find its information and publications very invaluable. When I met Ruby in Vancouver, on embarkation day on her Silversea cruise, I gave her two or three of my past subscriptions which she seemed to find interesting. Donald.

 

I found it quite generous of Donald to contribute 3 of his OLS magazines when we met on Shadow in Vancouver. After sailaway, I enjoyed perusing these magazines and was pleasantly surprised at how packed with factoids they are.

 

Is the magazine a lagniappe to a membership to OLS or can one pay for a subscription? Can you give me a rough estimate of the cost of either? I am up to my eyeballs in magazine subscriptions and am hesitant to take on another one, but this magazine was quite interesting.

 

Ruby

Edited October 28, 2012 by Saga Ruby

[Kapricorn]

I found it quite generous of Donald to contribute 3 of his OLS magazines when we met on Shadow in Vancouver. After sailaway, I enjoyed perusing these magazines and was pleasantly surprised at how packed with factoids they are.

 

Is the magazine a lagniappe to a membership to OLS or can one pay for a subscription? Can you give me a rough estimate of the cost of either? I am up to my eyeballs in magazine subscriptions and am hesitant to take on another one, but this magazine was quite interesting.

 

Ruby

 

25 British Pounds covers a year's membership in OLS, entitling one to receive four issues of Sea Lines, printed once every season. I think that it's worth it to receive these glossy, interesting and informative magazines.

 

Donald.

[Saga Ruby]

25 British Pounds covers a year's membership in OLS, entitling one to receive four issues of Sea Lines, printed once every season. I think that it's worth it to receive these glossy, interesting and informative magazines.Donald.

 

Thanks for the info. In addition, I meant to ask if you felt the offshore earthquake from Vancouver? My first experience of an earthquake was in NZ back in 1998. Once you've felt an earthquake and temblors, it is EZ to recognize when one hits the area where you live. And, yes, we have started to have low-level earthquakes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since all the natural gas drilling has been going on.

 

Conte - I am concerned about Hurricane Sandy visiting your part of the world. It seems that she is on course to visit Long Island and environs. All best wishes for a safe experience for you and your loved ones.

 

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

Conte - I am concerned about Hurricane Sandy visiting your part of the world. It seems that she is on course to visit Long Island and environs. All best wishes for a safe experience for you and your loved ones.

 

Ruby

 

I share your concern about Hurricane Sandy, and the possible damage along the East Coast. It is the No.1 news item here.

 

The earthquake off BC didn't get a lot of coverage here, but the possible tidal wave in Hawaii did.

[Kapricorn]

I meant to ask if you felt the offshore earthquake from Vancouver?

Ruby

 

David and I, who were watching television at the time of the earthquake, did not feel anything. Others in Vancouver mentioned seeing swaying vertical blinds and clattering picture frames.

 

I last felt an earthquake was around 1995, when the mattress on my bed flapped up once. The cat that I had was on the bed beside me, and she dashed out the door fractions of a second before the bed shook. Animals are able to detect earthquakes before human beings feel it.

 

This morning's newspaper quoted scientists who said that Vancouver has a 1 in 10 chance of a major earthquake within 50 years. How silly for the Italian judges to punish scientists who did not warn of an impending 'quake! At this point, there's just no system to pinpoint exactly when one will occur.

 

Donald.

[Host Sharon]

My thoughts and prayers to everyone in the path of Samdy. I hope that after all the preparations the effect will be mitigated to some degree.

[Saga Ruby]

The earthquake off BC didn't get a lot of coverage here, but the possible tidal wave in Hawaii did.

 

I was late in learning about the tidal wave in HI. After the fact, I read details in the newspaper and online; fortunately there were few after-effects to this one.

 

I last felt an earthquake was around 1995, when the mattress on my bed flapped up once. The cat that I had was on the bed beside me, and she dashed out the door fractions of a second before the bed shook. Animals are able to detect earthquakes before human beings feel it. Donald.

 

Were you in Vancouver when the mattress flapped? Here in the US, we have been taught for decades about the southern fault lines on our western coast but it didn't cross my mind that you live in a geologically shaky area. Do you have any kind of plan if the cat leaps out the door again? I know you live close to the subway system but that is one place I would avoid!

 

I keep thinking about Conte and send hopes to him that he and his home and family are safe. If I faced his circumstance, I think I would buy generators and a fuel truck to supply same.

 

Ruby

[Kapricorn]

Yes, Ruby, I was in my Vancouver home when I felt the 1995 earthquake. Here 'quakes are horizontal movements because the Pacific plate grinds underneath the continental plate (similar to last year in Japan). My mattress jolted at one end and then the motion quickly swept to the other end, within milliseconds.

 

I also hope that Conte is doing fine. I have been watching CNN for coverage of the storm. I am intrigued by the dangling crane near the top of the 90-storey apartment building under construction. If it does not eventually break loose and crash to the ground, I imagine that it would be quite a challenge for engineering specialists how to resolve the dangerous situation.

 

Donald.

[MMDown Under]

 

I also hope that Conte is doing fine. I have been watching CNN for coverage of the storm. I am intrigued by the dangling crane near the top of the 90-storey apartment building under construction. If it does not eventually break loose and crash to the ground, I imagine that it would be quite a challenge for engineering specialists how to resolve the dangerous situation.

 

Donald.

 

We have had continuous TV coverage here on our government news channel (ad free).

 

Did you see the replay showing it flip over, Donald? It is a wonder it didn't snap then!

 

Engineering specialists are going to be very busy, not only in Manhattan, but also in Jersey, Atlantic City and all along the coastline.

 

I've been impressed how well the Federal, State and Local Governments have handled the situation.

Edited October 30, 2012 by MMDown Under

[Kapricorn]

Did you see the replay showing it flip over, Donald? It is a wonder it didn't snap then!

 

No, I didn't see it. That must have been some sight, flipping over. The boom was over the building, but then flipped up and over to the other side of the crane?

 

LATER: Never mind, I went to YouTube and saw that accident. Amazing! It seemed to happen in slow motion. So the tip of the boom either struck the crane or the side of the building.

 

Donald.

Edited October 30, 2012 by Kapricorn

[MMDown Under]

No, I didn't see it. That must have been some sight, flipping over. The boom was over the building, but then flipped up and over to the other side of the crane?

 

LATER: Never mind, I went to YouTube and saw that accident. Amazing! It seemed to happen in slow motion. So the tip of the boom either struck the crane or the side of the building.

 

Donald.

 

Isn't the Internet wonderful - news at your fingertips. I saw it on tv news first.

[Host Sharon]

I hope everyone is OK after the storms. We too had full news coverage - that crane looks horrendous!

 

I have uploaded pictures of Oriana here

 

and the Caribbean photos here

https://picasaweb.google.com/114801993219771801790/OrianaToCaribbean2012#

 

for anyone interested.

[MMDown Under]

I hope everyone is OK after the storms. We too had full news coverage - that crane looks horrendous!

 

I have uploaded pictures of Oriana here

 

and the Caribbean photos here

https://picasaweb.google.com/114801993219771801790/OrianaToCaribbean2012#

 

for anyone interested.

 

Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos, Sharon. How do you manage to take so many photos without people in them?

 

Love the open tiered aft decks on Oriana and the "British" decor of the ship. This ship appeals to me. How does it compare with other ships you've cruised on?

 

What is the story behind the little boats in the pool?

 

Still to view the Caribbean photos.

[Host Sharon]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos, Sharon. How do you manage to take so many photos without people in them?

 

Usually by being up before most of them :) but Oriana isn't a crowded ship anyway.

 

Love the open tiered aft decks on Oriana and the "British" decor of the ship. This ship appeals to me. How does it compare with other ships you've cruised on?

 

I think, since Artemis has gone, she is my current favorite. I love the proper teak decks, shed loads of open deck space, observation deck so I can take forward-looking photos without a coloured glass screen in the way, lots of different public rooms and subtle decor. For me she is a nice size, especially for the three week cruises I tend to do since she is large enough for varied entertainment but not too big at 69,000 tons.

 

What is the story behind the little boats in the pool?

 

Still to view the Caribbean photos.

 

 

As for the little boats - most P&O cruises now have a "regatta". Passengers are invited to build a model boat that has to float, has to withstand someone jumping into the pool with it but has to be made from found or salvaged items on board. One of these was a cardboard box covered in clingfilm, one was a raft of empty mineral water bottles etc. Silly but fun!

Edited November 1, 2012 by Host Sharon

[Kapricorn]

As for the little boats - most P&O cruises now have a "regatta". Passengers are invited to build a model boat that has to float, has to withstand someone jumping into the pool with it but has to made from found or salvaged items on board. One of these was a cardboard box covered in clingfilm, one was a raft of empty mineral water bottles etc. Silly but fun!

 

Celebrity sometimes holds these model boat competitions, though a "tsunami" isn't involved. However, there are strong winds or rough seas now and then, so the water in the pool can be ... what's the word ... sloshy?

 

My favourite of the first batch of your photographs is the one taken at night along the side of the deck, with the moon in the distance.

 

Donald.

[Host Sharon]

I must admit it was a joy to wander the empty decks at night in the warmth. On all of my cruises to date it would normally have been decidedly chilly without a coat on! I am also breaking in a new camera with much higher ISO ratings which make darker photos much better.

[Saga Ruby]

Sharon - I very much enjoyed a stroll thru your vacation/Oriana pix. You certainly have the "photographer's eye" and quality composition. Loved the gecko, my favourite lizard.

 

Was the yellow house at Turner Beach for sale? I love that house!

 

Query - Is Pusser's Landing an actual town or a town built as a tourist attraction like so many of the Alaskan towns? It was heartwarming to see Saga Ruby in your photos. [sniff, sniff]

 

I was surprised to see you so calm in tropical clothes in St. Maarten. I thought you would be walking around with a towel wrapped around your neck and a portable fan at the ready. Your point about strolling the decks of Oriana without wearing winter clothes made me smile.

 

I was impressed with Oriana. Altho' my heart belongs to Silversea, perhaps Oriana will do a fall foliage cruise out of Montreal. I haven't yet found the exact itinerary I would like for that cruise.

 

Thanks for sharing your pix.

 

Ruby

[Host Sharon]

Sorry Ruby - I don't think the yellow house was for sale - the perfect spot though!

 

As far as I know Pussers Landing is a proper seaside village that has turned to tourism due to it's perfect harbour for yachts - lots of very expensive floating real estate moored there.

 

As for the tropical clothes - I gave up trying to keep cool and just accepted I was going to get hot and sticky and showered every hour or so! At least I didn't get sunburnt but just got a nice tan - well faded now though - unlike some people who looked like lobsters! And then there was the stupid woman who was confined to her cabin for days with heatstroke and sunburn who said how was she supposed to know the sun was dangerous as she had never been to the Caribbeean before !!!

Edited November 1, 2012 by Host Sharon

[MMDown Under]

and the Caribbean photos here

https://picasaweb.google.com/114801993219771801790/OrianaToCaribbean2012#

 

for anyone interested.

 

Enjoyed your Caribbean photos this morning. You have a good eye for photography, Sharon. I started to pick my favourite photo, but there were too many.

 

Thanks for the wonderful memories of places I've visited and sharing places I'd like to visit, such as St Lucia, and British Virgin Islands.

[Saga Ruby]

He sent me news, all good, along with a photo. They were, indeed, affected by this severe storm. He mentions playing Monopoly by candlelight during the height of the storm. His power was restored by Saturday evening.

 

He attached a photo of their clubhouse "before the major flooding. Normally the area in front is just lawn. Later the water came up over the window sills." I will let him make the decision as to sharing his photo on our thread.

 

It is such a relief to hear from a friend who has survived this terrible catastrophe in good order and a big Whew! for that. I hope he can give us further details as time goes by.

 

Ruby

[Host Sharon]

That's good news Ruby.

[Kapricorn]

I'm delighted to hear that Conte came through Sandy quite well, considering what happened to many other dwellings.

 

Donald.

[Saga Ruby]

In the News section of this website, there is an article about Saga Ruby having engine problems on a cruise in Portugal. The ship is on her way to Bremerhaven for scheduled repairs while the pax were offloaded, flown or coached home, and given full refunds plus "a sincere apology."

 

It seems that the juice has been squeezed out of this ship which retires in 2014. One wonders if she will make it to that date. But a tip of the hat to the cruise line which is investing a decent sum of money to keep her on course to retirement in Jan 2014.

 

I also enjoyed my cruise some years ago on Prinsendam. I wonder how long she will be sailing the seven seas. The idea of neon and chrome in the future for cruise ships makes me shudder.

 

Ruby