Saga Rose Greenland Voyager August 2007

[Conte Di Savoia]

Do you find that crews usually sign up for another contract for the same ship or do they let the calendar determine their next assignment? Will I be seeing some crew from Shadow or, in your experience, will this be a totally different staff?Ruby

 

They do move some of the crew around from ship to ship but I suspect that there are some with enough seniority to put in a request. I think the MD we had three years ago is currently on Silver Cloud as he was then. CD's seem to move around quite a bit. There are often postings on the SilverSea boards inquiring if a particular favorite is aboard. The staff comes from a company called V Ships which has multiple divisions involved in the supplying and training of staff, from the below deck sailors to the wine stewards and officers. We did have the occasion to run into someone we new from SilverSea aboard a Regency ship, but I believe that relationship has ended. I think V Ships might be staffing Oceania now, but their Web site was vague when I just checked it out. So the bottom line is that yes, you might run into someone you know from your previous trip.

 

Well, have a great time on your trip, but I don't envy you that flight. I doubt that we will be ships passing in the night but I'll wave if we should cross paths somewhere in the Atlantic!

[Conte Di Savoia]

Ruby

Have you finished packing for your trip? I hope you've included a pith helmet for your African adventure and if you have you need to post a picture for us. I know you like to go off on your own when in port. Do you intend to do that in Africa as well or are you planning to go with the Silversea tours?

Whatever you do we are anxious to hear about your cruise, one of the more exotic.

BON VOYAGE!

[Host Sharon]

Bon Voyage Ruby - looking forward to your reports when you return.

[Host Sharon]

Farewell - off of Discovery today so see you all again in a week's time.

[Conte Di Savoia]

Have a great trip. I'm looking forward to your report on this classic vessel. Pictures would be nice!

 

Donald, I just saw on another Web site that Celebrity Century failed its February 2013 CDC health inspection with a score of 78. Presumably they corrected their deficiencies by the time you made your cruise. You can find the report here.

 

I hope Ruby is enjoying her African adventure. According to the schedule she is in Sao Tome today.

[MMDown Under]

Farewell - off of Discovery today so see you all again in a week's time.

 

Bon Voyage, Sharon. Looking forward to reading of your experiences on Discovery.

[MMDown Under]

 

Donald, I just saw on another Web site that Celebrity Century failed its February 2013 CDC health inspection with a score of 78. Presumably they corrected their deficiencies by the time you made your cruise. You can find the report here.

 

I hope Ruby is enjoying her African adventure. According to the schedule she is in Sao Tome today.

 

I saw that Celebrity Century (also Summit ?) failed their CDC health inspections with really low scores. As this is bad publicity for Celebrity, I'm sure they will soon rectify the problems. I am particularly concerned about staff working when they are ill.

 

As I loved Century, I'm looking forward to it cruising Down Under next year, then redeploying to SEAsia.

 

I've been thinking of Ruby on her African adventure and hoping she is having a wonderful time.

[Kapricorn]

I did not notice much amiss in the way of health standards on Century during my cruise. However, someone from my roll call did say that she had norovirus on the last four days of the cruise. No-one else reported having it.

 

Donald.

[Saga Ruby]

I've been thinking of Ruby on her African adventure and hoping she is having a wonderful time.

 

I am having a grand time. These Silversea ships are devoon. I thought y'all might enjoy hearing about the last memo we got. It is a 2-page instruction about what to do about the pirate threat off the coast of Nigeria. Turns out the Somalis have been tamped down but the Nigerians have taken up the challenge.

 

We are asked to close our drapes at night and keep our cabin lights low. If we are attacked, we have specific places to go for shelter and safety.

 

The most riveting note is to get the h*** out of the pool should the ship's horn sound the alarm. Guess where the water cannon are gonna be supplied? Zowie!

 

Ruby

Edited April 13, 2013 by Saga Ruby

[MMDown Under]

I am having a grand time. These Silversea ships are devoon. I thought y'all might enjoy hearing about the last memo we got. It is a 2-page instruction about what to do about the pirate threat off the coast of Nigeria. Turns out the Somalis have been tamped down but the Nigerians have taken up the challenge.

 

We are asked to close our drapes at night and keep our cabin lights low. If we are attacked, we have specific places to go for shelter and safety.

 

The most riveting note is to get the h*** out of the pool should the ship's horn sound the alarm. Guess where the water cannon are gonna be supplied? Zowie!

 

Ruby

 

Thanks for checking in, Ruby. Good to hear you are having a grand time.

 

Here's hoping you don't have to put your instructions into practice!

[Kapricorn]

Ruby ... Grand time ... possible pirate threats ... maybe water cannon ... GOSH, this adventure of yours has ratched up in excitement considerably! I avidly look forward to your account of the cruise once you are back home.

 

I'm delighted to hear that you are again enjoying yourself on a "devoon" Silversea cruise. :)

 

Donald.

[Conte Di Savoia]

I thought y'all might enjoy hearing about the last memo we got. It is a 2-page instruction about what to do about the pirate threat off the coast of Nigeria. Ruby

 

Did you know you were enlisting for an "Adventure Cruise"? How was Cameroon? I've never known anyone who has been there and am anxious to hear all about it. This is a trip where a Vista category cabin sans verandah would be the way to go but stay away from the picture window.

[Saga Ruby]

Did you know you were enlisting for an "Adventure Cruise"? How was Cameroon? I've never known anyone who has been there and am anxious to hear all about it. This is a trip where a Vista category cabin sans verandah would be the way to go but stay away from the picture window.

 

Sorry but I have no particular news about Cameroon - Limbe was a tender port and I didn't go into town. However, the onboard lecturer said that the Cameroonians are quite hospitable, not angry or stand-offish to the tourists as some other African nations. I did attend an onboard Cameroon culture show - there was a shaman with wonderful mask and seed foot shakers that were marvelous. In one nation, I forget which one, the vendors will not accept USD and point toward a bank for currency exchange. There are no ATMs.

 

Ruby ... Grand time ... possible pirate threats ... maybe water cannon ... GOSH, this adventure of yours has ratched up in excitement considerably! Donald.

 

Due to blackout conditions at night on the ship, I wondered what it looked like outside at night. I shut down all my cabin lights and stepped inside the heavy curtains on my cabin window. I gotta tell ya - that is the darkest sea I have ever seen. We don't realize how much light is shed from one single ship onto the waves below - there was not one iota of light outside. My hope was that our radar was in good working order. A supertanker would plow over us like a sponge in the waves and never even know they hit us. Glub, glub.

 

After several summers in Texas with high heat, I find I'm not adventurous to "see what's out there" in this African heat and humidity. Ten mins. outside and I'm sweating thru my clothes. Uggghhh!

 

Ruby

[Kapricorn]

Due to blackout conditions at night on the ship, I wondered what it looked like outside at night. I shut down all my cabin lights and stepped inside the heavy curtains on my cabin window. I gotta tell ya - that is the darkest sea I have ever seen. We don't realize how much light is shed from one single ship onto the waves below - there was not one iota of light outside.

Ruby

 

That can well describe a few of my Alaskan cruises during moonless lights ... I go out on my balcony or look through my cabin window and see ... pitch-black nothingness.

 

How do you like your fellow passengers? Where are most of them from?

 

Donald.

[Saga Ruby]

There seem to be many Aussies, many Brits, some "Honorables," probably 40% American, but most are quite fun, well-educated and well-to-do with homes all over the world per couple, but quite down-to-earth. We have Icelanders, pax from Dallas I have not yet met, but a wonderful mix of internationals from whom I can learn so much.

 

At my dinner table last night, two very pleasant men got into it over being at the North Pole and a compass dancing in place and not pointing North. The retired submarine captain told the Florida guy that that was not true and, in a polite way, let the games begin. The FL guy would not back off and the conversation got quite lively. The submariner said that was absolutely not true, the FL guy would not retreat - fascinating.

 

I sail Silversea for the grand hospitality and service,yet a large part of my interest is in the pax I join at a different table every night. I sit and listen and learn a lot.

 

An Aussie banker, long since retired, was fascinating to listen to about the 2008 Crash. I stood up and wished everyone a good evening, told the banker I was disgusted about HFTs, the businessmen at the table said, "Huh?" and I told them to ask the Aussie who was nodding in agreement to my statement. As I said, a fascinating group to sup with.

 

Ruby

[Conte Di Savoia]

Gotta watch out for those alpha males!

[MMDown Under]

There seem to be many Aussies, many Brits, some "Honorables," probably 40% American, but most are quite fun, well-educated and well-to-do with homes all over the world per couple, but quite down-to-earth. We have Icelanders, pax from Dallas I have not yet met, but a wonderful mix of internationals from whom I can learn so much.

 

At my dinner table last night, two very pleasant men got into it over being at the North Pole and a compass dancing in place and not pointing North. The retired submarine captain told the Florida guy that that was not true and, in a polite way, let the games begin. The FL guy would not back off and the conversation got quite lively. The submariner said that was absolutely not true, the FL guy would not retreat - fascinating.

 

I sail Silversea for the grand hospitality and service,yet a large part of my interest is in the pax I join at a different table every night. I sit and listen and learn a lot.

 

An Aussie banker, long since retired, was fascinating to listen to about the 2008 Crash. I stood up and wished everyone a good evening, told the banker I was disgusted about HFTs, the businessmen at the table said, "Huh?" and I told them to ask the Aussie who was nodding in agreement to my statement. As I said, a fascinating group to sup with.

 

Ruby

 

I would love to be a fly on the wall near your table, Ruby!

[Kapricorn]

I would love to be a fly on the wall near your table, Ruby!

 

Marion, make that two of us! Absolutely fascinating about Ruby's experiences nightly with a variety of interesting dining table companions. Makes me wonder how does the maitre d' mingle different dinner companions every night, or is it completely random (like Wheel of Fortune)?

 

Donald.

[Saga Ruby]

I would love to be a fly on the wall near your table, Ruby!

 

Marion, make that two of us! Absolutely fascinating about Ruby's experiences nightly with a variety of interesting dining table companions. Makes me wonder how does the maitre d' mingle different dinner companions every night, or is it completely random (like Wheel of Fortune)?Donald.

 

About a week ago, when I enjoyed the dinner conversations, at the end of the meal I would say my farewell and thank everyone for the interesting comments and conversations, remind them of my name, and ask them to tell the maitre d' to join my table some evening. It works quite well.

 

You will be surprised to learn that, during the discussions, I say very little; I'm learning and watching and enjoying, almost like a Ruby salon. When the conversation lags, I throw in another query or comment and on we go. Which is a large part of my enjoyment of cruising. As Conte says, watching the alpha males in the proverbial bear pit was an interesting turn of events. I was silently betting on the submarine captain but the FL guy would not back off.

 

Fresh off the press - I've been picked up by a nice fellow, a widower, to accompany him to the formal dinner tonight. Haven't had that happen in many years because I'm so good at doing the side-step. Stay tuned.

 

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

[quote name=Saga Ruby;38030546

 

Fresh off the press - I've been picked up by a nice fellow' date=' a widower, to accompany him to the formal dinner tonight. Haven't had that happen in many years because I'm so good at doing the side-step. Stay tuned.

 

Ruby[/quote]

 

Oh what good news.

 

Our flies on the wall have just moved closer to your table!

 

You must be in your element, with your gift of asking probing questions.

 

Photos later please, Ruby.

[Kapricorn]

There definitely will be a swarm of flies, jostling for vantage viewing positions! :D

 

Donald.

[Saga Ruby]

There definitely will be a swarm of flies, jostling for vantage viewing positions! :Donald.

 

Y'all have me laughing! The widower is so very nice and I am so very solo. We had a grand table last night - the executive chef, David Bilsland, was at our table plus another couple. Great conversations covering many subjects altho' Food was our favourite topic. On this cruise, I have eaten everything but my pillow. A bit scary.

 

Got on the elevator early this morning and there was the widower. We agreed we had the best table at dinner last night; he asked if I would care to join him tonight. Fortunately, I have an invitation to the Venetian dinner (returning pax) and was able to sidestep out of that very kind invitation. Fortunately he lives in San Diego so, when we disembark at FLL, this whole situation will go the way of the Dodo. Very nice man, very determined single lady.

 

About photos - take a deep breath, put on your seatbelts - I have not taken one single photo since Cape Town. Eeeek! And I was supposed to buy wooden bead necklaces along the way and no joy - probably because I am the world's worst shopper. I may wind up at home with only the 3 bookmarks I bought in Ghana. But I am Queen of the Postcards - 18 so far and major writing fatigue. Is that a good enuf excuse to be pixless?

 

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

Y'all have me laughing! The widower is so very nice and I am so very solo. We had a grand table last night - the executive chef, David Bilsland, was at our table plus another couple. Great conversations covering many subjects altho' Food was our favourite topic. On this cruise, I have eaten everything but my pillow. A bit scary.

 

Got on the elevator early this morning and there was the widower. We agreed we had the best table at dinner last night; he asked if I would care to join him tonight. Fortunately, I have an invitation to the Venetian dinner (returning pax) and was able to sidestep out of that very kind invitation. Fortunately he lives in San Diego so, when we disembark at FLL, this whole situation will go the way of the Dodo. Very nice man, very determined single lady.

 

About photos - take a deep breath, put on your seatbelts - I have not taken one single photo since Cape Town. Eeeek! And I was supposed to buy wooden bead necklaces along the way and no joy - probably because I am the world's worst shopper. I may wind up at home with only the 3 bookmarks I bought in Ghana. But I am Queen of the Postcards - 18 so far and major writing fatigue. Is that a good enuf excuse to be pixless?

 

Ruby

 

The flies are still waiting patiently on the wall for any more fascinating conversations or new invitations.

 

Sounds like you are over buying "stuff" on your travels, as I am. Fortunately, our Govt won't let you bring anything wooden in, without inspection and maybe costly spraying, so that reduces the temptation.

 

Was the intention to send the postcards? If so, hope you don't arrive home with said postcards plus useless local stamps.

[Saga Ruby]

The flies are still waiting patiently on the wall for any more fascinating conversations or new invitations.

 

Sounds like you are over buying "stuff" on your travels, as I am. Fortunately, our Govt won't let you bring anything wooden in, without inspection and maybe costly spraying, so that reduces the temptation.

 

Was the intention to send the postcards? If so, hope you don't arrive home with said postcards plus useless local stamps.

 

Yes, the postcards are timed to go out in the port agent's bag which is the last thing to leave the ship before departure. I like the foreign stamps on the 'cards as do my friends who sometimes return the cards when I get home.

 

Last night was a negative dinner for some of us. A group of travel agents from Cruise Specialists was literally screaming in drunken merriment nearby for most of the 2-hr dinner and the woman seated next to me at table did not stop talking for the entire 7-course meal. I was seated next to her and that voice became like a buzzing bee in my ear. Her husband is an elderly psychiatrist, in quite good shape with a bit of hearing loss. I was watching him watch her - he's seen this all before but, to be selfish, this is my cruise too and I will not sit thru such a noisy scenario again. I'll go to my room and have room service or change dining rooms.

 

Turns out the buzzing bee has been on Saga, which is rare for an American, and she talked into infinity about the cruise line. I finally turned to her and said that I have about two months onboard Saga and, for one brief and shining moment, she was startled into silence.

 

To top it all off, The Widower snagged me on the way out of the dining room and wanted to know how to spell my last name which I rarely give out - single woman traveling alone and all that.

 

Most days onboard are Shangri La; some few days - not so much.

 

Ruby

[Kapricorn]

Ruby, I also share your disinterest in shopping during cruises. In the past, I've had my souvenirs end up in a closet or drawer, never to see the light of day, until several years later when I decide to toss these into the trash basket.

 

A cruise passenger without a camera seems to be an anomaly to me. Just kidding, Ruby, is it the result of embarrassment about your "Miss Acropolis" costume pictures taken on Empress of Britain? I have a thin Sony camera which fits perfectly in my pants pocket. I remember the big Kodak Brownie camera which my father lugged around on family vacations during the 1960s.

 

There always is at least one Queen Bee on each cruise. Buzz-buzz-buzz!!!

 

I am surprised that drunken merriments occur on Silversea. Perhaps these travel agents got on the cruise through dirt-cheap fares, and their behaviour is a reflection on their social standards.

 

There are always positive and negative experiences on any cruise.

 

Ruby and Conte are passing each other on the Atlantic now?

 

Donald.