Saga Rose Greenland Voyager August 2007

[Saga Ruby]

Sharon - are you safe and snug at home? I was quite surprised to hear on The Beeb that the Thames is overflowing its banks and that things aren't going well along the winding river.

 

Marion - I look forward to hearing Donald's comments but here's one thought from me: I would pick the ship, not the ports. There is a stultifying sameness to the ports with the rare oddity of salmon fishing or tourist shops lining a main street or float planes ready to serve you. Skagway has a marvy train trip but the suffocating tourist shops with no visible township was a bit much for me. If you go to Skagway, jump on the train and never look back.

 

Ruby

[Host Sharon]

Thanks for the comments on Alaska so far. Regrettably I feel Oceania may be too costly for a cruise this year (given the two booked and the one done!! But I will bear that in mind Ruby.

 

I am safe and dry (so far!) but I don't think there has been a single day since my return when it hasn't rained and friends say the same about January. There is no apparent end to it - half of my county is under water and some of it has been since Christmas. The rail link between London and Cornwall has been replaced in so many places by buses as the line has washed right away in Devon and is under water in other places. I had to drive through deep water in three places on my way to Southampton on 2 Jan and coming home, the river at Salisbury had burst its banks and you could see debris all over the roads all the way home. It is not just constant heavy rain but gales - more are forecast for us on Friday here - which whip the seas up over the coast. So depressing but so horrible for those with no homes to go to and not likely to be able to return for months.

 

I've seen it worse but this gives some idea in my home town

http://www.itv.com/news/west/update/2014-01-03/waves-batter-weston-sea-front/

Check out the height of the tide under the pier!

Edited February 11, 2014 by Host Sharon

[MMDown Under]

Thanks for the comments on Alaska so far. Regrettably I feel Oceania may be too costly for a cruise this year (given the two booked and the one done!! But I will bear that in mind Ruby.

 

I am safe and dry (so far!) but I don't think there has been a single day since my return when it hasn't rained and friends say the same about January. There is no apparent end to it - half of my county is under water and some of it has been since Christmas. The rail link between London and Cornwall has been replaced in so many places by buses as the line has washed right away in Devon and is under water in other places. I had to drive through deep water in three places on my way to Southampton on 2 Jan and coming home, the river at Salisbury had burst its banks and you could see debris all over the roads all the way home. It is not just constant heavy rain but gales - more are forecast for us on Friday here - which whip the seas up over the coast. So depressing but so horrible for those with no homes to go to and not likely to be able to return for months.

 

I've seen it worse but this gives some idea in my home town

http://www.itv.com/news/west/update/2014-01-03/waves-batter-weston-sea-front/

Check out the height of the tide under the pier!

 

I am enjoying your blog, Sharon.

 

Like Ruby, I also have been following the flooding in the UK and have been shocked at the extent of it and how long some of the water has remained.

 

Some hard questions will need answering, once the floods are over.

 

Somerset Levels and Moors consist mainly of clay "levels' along the Coast and inland "moors". What are Somerset Levels? Would that be what we call "flood plains"?

[MMDown Under]

Sharon - are you safe and snug at home? I was quite surprised to hear on The Beeb that the Thames is overflowing its banks and that things aren't going well along the winding river.

 

Marion - I look forward to hearing Donald's comments but here's one thought from me: I would pick the ship, not the ports. There is a stultifying sameness to the ports with the rare oddity of salmon fishing or tourist shops lining a main street or float planes ready to serve you. Skagway has a marvy train trip but the suffocating tourist shops with no visible township was a bit much for me. If you go to Skagway, jump on the train and never look back.

 

Ruby

 

When I think of you and Alaska, Ruby, I think of that exciting plane trip you organised.

 

If I had an endless pot of money, I would go on the smallest ship which went to the most unique places in Alaska, as Alaska is magical for those who take the time.

 

As I don't, I would love to cruise again on the Alaskan Marine Highway, esp the smaller ferries.

 

I wonder if I can fit Alaska in, en route to a wedding in NY, in August? Timing is right! :)

[Host Sharon]

I am enjoying your blog, Sharon.

 

Like Ruby, I also have been following the flooding in the UK and have been shocked at the extent of it and how long some of the water has remained.

 

Some hard questions will need answering, once the floods are over.

 

Somerset Levels and Moors consist mainly of clay "levels' along the Coast and inland "moors". What are Somerset Levels? Would that be what we call "flood plains"?

 

The Somerset levels are peat moors. In prehistory they were an inland sea with islands that people settled on - Avalon! - In the Bronze Age they built wooden raised trackways linking settlements of huts on stilts. It was in Medieval times I think that they started to drain them for agriculture using a system of drainage ditches (Rhynes) which every farmer was obliged to maintain. The recent issue seems to have arisen mainly because regular maintenance, clearing and dredging appears to have been stopped by the Environment Agency. Foolishly most people (including Government Ministers) thought there were experts in charge of the Environment Agency!!

[MMDown Under]

The Somerset levels are peat moors. In prehistory they were an inland sea with islands that people settled on - Avalon! - In the Bronze Age they built wooden raised trackways linking settlements of huts on stilts. It was in Medieval times I think that they started to drain them for agriculture using a system of drainage ditches (Rhynes) which every farmer was obliged to maintain. The recent issue seems to have arisen mainly because regular maintenance, clearing and dredging appears to have been stopped by the Environment Agency. Foolishly most people (including Government Ministers) thought there were experts in charge of the Environment Agency!!

 

My response was amongst those which went missing.

 

Thanks for the interesting information, Sharon.

 

Must be a worldwide problem, as we have overdevelopment, without forward planning and maintenance, on the canals and flood plains of the Gold Coast as well.

 

Saw some images of the strong winds on the TV as well as the flooding.

[MMDown Under]

Celebrity Century will sail its final season with Celebrity in April, 2015.

 

News

 

Being a regular cruiser on her, I imagine you will miss her, Donald. Will you fit in more cruises on her before she goes?

 

From March, 2014 to April, 2015, she will visit 77 ports in 32 countries, inc a 14 night President's cruise to Asia.

[Kapricorn]

Marion - I look forward to hearing Donald's comments but here's one thought from me: I would pick the ship, not the ports. There is a stultifying sameness to the ports with the rare oddity of salmon fishing or tourist shops lining a main street or float planes ready to serve you. Skagway has a marvy train trip but the suffocating tourist shops with no visible township was a bit much for me. If you go to Skagway, jump on the train and never look back.

Ruby

 

Ruby, I agree that Skagway with its 800 residents is lost in a tidal wave of 8,000 money-spenders from four or five cruise ships in port. The train ride is just about the only thing worth doing there. However, I do have fond memories of the helicopter ride that I did once to a glacier. We landed on it, we got out of the aircraft and walked on top of the ice (we were provided with spike-tipped boots). It costs more than the train ride, but ... maybe you can do both, as long if you will be in Skagway just once?

 

I wonder if I can fit Alaska in, en route to a wedding in NY, in August? Timing is right! :)

 

Why not, Marion? Might as well do it when you are on our continent.

 

As for the other ports ... my favourite in Juneau was a float plane ride over the area. The scenery was spectacular, but, of course, the weather was sunny on that day. I would buy that one on shore instead of on the ship, because it would be cheaper and the weather can influence one's decision. I also enjoyed the whale-watching tour there, as I also saw orcas, seals and eagles.

 

Ketchikan is lots wetter than Vancouver. I can usually expect rain there. I did enjoy another helicopter tour there, which I bought on shore when I saw how nice the weather actually was. The pilot landed at two sites where we walked around and took photographs. The only thing of interest in that port is the former red-light district that is over a creek full of salmon depending on the time of year.

 

I would give Icy Strait Point a miss. Nothing there of interest except the world's longest ZipRider line, 90 seconds of a thrilling ride from the top of the mount to the shore (I did it twice). You can find it on Internet.

 

I like Sitka, but there is really nothing much there beyond its spectacular location and Russian church.

 

Donald.

[Host Sharon]

Thanks for all the info guys. That's really useful. I'll let you know if we decide to go this year or later.

[Saga Ruby]

This new ship from RCI will offer skating, circus lessons, many exotic activities. No matter the size of the ship, King Neptune has a way of controlling his oceans as he sees fit.

 

How will the ship tell its pax that today isn't a safe day for one of these activities? Inevitably, certain pax will protest the equipment being shut down for heavy seas, inevitably someone's gonna get hurt.

 

Am I being an old grouch? What do you think?

 

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

This new ship from RCI will offer skating, circus lessons, many exotic activities. No matter the size of the ship, King Neptune has a way of controlling his oceans as he sees fit.

 

How will the ship tell its pax that today isn't a safe day for one of these activities? Inevitably, certain pax will protest the equipment being shut down for heavy seas, inevitably someone's gonna get hurt.

 

Am I being an old grouch? What do you think?

 

Ruby

 

No, just an experienced cruiser. :)

 

Sun Princess has just missed four Fiji ports due to cyclonic conditions, with local flooding. However, it is cyclone season, so to be expected!

 

Not enough people do their research before they cruise.

[Host Sharon]

Indeed - I expect they will want compensation as well!

[Saga Ruby]

I see that Princess Cruises is increasing the fees for half- and whole-day visits to The Sanctuary deck which is adults only.

 

Have any of you had kiddie-free decks on your ships? I'm curious to learn how the half and whole day visits are enforced. Do they issue wristbands? When your half day is over, do they escort you to the door?

 

Ruby

[Host Sharon]

Bye everyone. Off tomorrow In Search of the Northern Lights! wish me luck please - I have wanted to experience them for years now!! Back end of March.

[Kapricorn]

I see that Princess Cruises is increasing the fees for half- and whole-day visits to The Sanctuary deck which is adults only.

 

Have any of you had kiddie-free decks on your ships? I'm curious to learn how the half and whole day visits are enforced. Do they issue wristbands? When your half day is over, do they escort you to the door?

 

Ruby

 

When my parents took the entire family - 13 of us - on a cruise aboard Carnival Jubilee in 1997, there was an adult-only deck on top deck forward. I did not see children there. :) Fees? None. What would adults get for their money on Sanctuary Deck?

 

Bye everyone. Off tomorrow In Search of the Northern Lights! wish me luck please - I have wanted to experience them for years now!! Back end of March.

 

Bring back photographs of the Northern Lights!

 

Donald.

[Saga Ruby]

Bye everyone. Off tomorrow In Search of the Northern Lights! wish me luck please - I have wanted to experience them for years now!! Back end of March.

 

I am sooo envious! These Lights are the last item on my bucket list. I've asked a friend in Canada that, if I call ahead, "they" could turn on the Lights right before I get there.

 

A green-eyed

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

Bye everyone. Off tomorrow In Search of the Northern Lights! wish me luck please - I have wanted to experience them for years now!! Back end of March.

 

I hope you get to see spectacular Northern Lights.

 

I recently learnt that there are Aurora Australis - Southern Lights - in Tasmania.

[Conte Di Savoia]

I may have missed this among the postings. Ruby, do you have any cruises planned for 2014?

[Saga Ruby]

I may have missed this among the postings. Ruby, do you have any cruises planned for 2014?

 

I am currently suffering from traveler's burn-out. And egad! even a cruise is not a high appeal right now. In the past, when I couldn't bear to travel to a new exciting location, I went to my wonderful condo/hotel in Kihei, Maui and sat on the lanai, watching the surf flow in and the tourists enjoying the beach. But, at this time, I'm just not into it. And I ain't going to push myself across 10,000 miles unless a location has a strong appeal. Short answer - I'm running out of places to visit.

 

Sharon's visit to the Northern Lights is the final item on my bucket list. I have been to Far North many times, always in the summer so, if the Lights were shining, the sun would wash them out. [heavy sigh]

 

I think I've said before that I would like to call ahead to Canada and ask them to turn on the Lights. At least I wouldn't have to fly more than 4 hrs.

 

Inertia and ennui speaketh.

 

Conte - do you have plans this year? And I'm sure Marion has plans - she and her husband are the Little Engine That Could. Aussies as a nation are travelin' fools - I so much admire how those world-enders think nothing of flying long distances to enjoy foreign sites.

 

Ruby

[Host Sharon]

Well, I am back and wow - what a fabulous adventure!! Yes - the lights came out for us on two nights and I just stood transfixed in -28C! The snow was stunning, we went reindeer sledging on a frozen river, sat around a roaring log fire in a Laavu and listed to Saami Yoik, caught to cable car in Tromso for a view across the whole town, white with fresh snow, sailed though a white-out blizzard and visited a Ice Hotel.

 

For the Aurora only - https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharonsshiptravels/sets/72157642957600414/

[Kapricorn]

For the Aurora only - https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharonsshiptravels/sets/72157642957600414/

 

Bravo, Sharon!!! Fabulous pictures! I'm very delighted that you got to see the spectacular atmospheric phenomenon. :):):)

 

Donald.

[MMDown Under]

Well, I am back and wow - what a fabulous adventure!! Yes - the lights came out for us on two nights and I just stood transfixed in -28C! The snow was stunning, we went reindeer sledging on a frozen river, sat around a roaring log fire in a Laavu and listed to Saami Yoik, caught to cable car in Tromso for a view across the whole town, white with fresh snow, sailed though a white-out blizzard and visited a Ice Hotel.

 

For the Aurora only - https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharonsshiptravels/sets/72157642957600414/

 

Delighed to hear that you had a fabulous adventure and got to see the Aurora!

[MMDown Under]

I am currently suffering from traveler's burn-out. And egad! even a cruise is not a high appeal right now. In the past, when I couldn't bear to travel to a new exciting location, I went to my wonderful condo/hotel in Kihei, Maui and sat on the lanai, watching the surf flow in and the tourists enjoying the beach. But, at this time, I'm just not into it. And I ain't going to push myself across 10,000 miles unless a location has a strong appeal. Short answer - I'm running out of places to visit.

 

Sharon's visit to the Northern Lights is the final item on my bucket list. I have been to Far North many times, always in the summer so, if the Lights were shining, the sun would wash them out. [heavy sigh]

 

I think I've said before that I would like to call ahead to Canada and ask them to turn on the Lights. At least I wouldn't have to fly more than 4 hrs.

 

Aussies as a nation are travelin' fools - I so much admire how those world-enders think nothing of flying long distances to enjoy foreign sites.

 

Ruby

 

Ruby - Sorry to hear that you are suffering from traveler's burnout. That would be a great timesaver for me, as I spend so much time dreaming, planning, organising travel and travelling.

 

Now that you've seen Sharon's photos of the Northern Lights, maybe you should put Canada back on your agenda for viewing the aurora. Yukon, Canada would be a shorter flight.

 

At long last, with SEAsia being the flavour of the month, we are being tempted with new exciting cruiselines and destinations. You might like to check out Compagnie Du Ponant's cruises in our region.

 

Re Aussies being travelin' fools, I'll share bits of an amusing article, on flying long haul economy class, which I've just read -

 

"If long haul flying, economy class, was an Olympic sport, we Australians would be unassailable champions.

 

Whilst other nationalities complain about the agony of sitting in a plane for 5 or 6 hours, we stoically sign up to 21-hour marathons, most of the time stuffed into ridiculously narrow seats with our knees around our ears.

 

As with Chinese high divers and Soviet water polo players, recent generations of young Australians have been bred for the long haul. We're all getting broader in the beam. That's not because we're eating too much sugar - it's nature's way of giving us some extra padding for those hard, thin economy class seats.

 

I'm in training for an economy class flight to Europe right now. Having been occasionally mollycoddled in the pointy end of the plane, I know full well I can't take warm doonas and amenities kits for granted further back in seat 45C. Down there, I'm on my own.

 

So it is all about strategy, from seat choice to what to take on board. If I don't take it seriously, I may find myself hungry and freezing to death in a middle seat, staring at a glitchy entertainment system, with nothing to read, no sleeping pills and a 13 hour flight ahead of me.

 

My carry-on is lightweight and I've learnt to stash in it a change of clothes - delays do happen. I pack elastic socks to help prevent DVT, a neck pillow and my own comfortable eye mask. I bring along a wool or cashmere shawl that can double as a blanket, because I've never met an economy blanket that's warm enough, and I wear layers of clothes for when the A/c turns alternately Arctic or Saharan. The shawl also works very well as a burka when I don't want to engage with the passenger next to me.

 

Long haul economy may not be an elite sport, but we all deserve medals for doing it."

 

etc. You get the gist!

Written by a long haul Aussie flyer of my own heart!

 

BTW I'm looking at two long haul return flights this year. One to NY and maybe one to South America.

[Conte Di Savoia]

Yes, Ruby, I know the feeling. After our spending all those hours getting to and from South Africa, the thought of flying great distances is loathsome. The disappearance of the Malaysian flight is also unsettling. We too feel that we're running out of places to go although Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand remain on the list. But Thailand is having some serious political problems. And then there is Egypt but I'm giving up hope of ever seeing the pyramids. A cruise from NYC would be easy to do but the problem is that we've been to all of the places that these routinely visit, often multiple times. Maybe this year we'll just get into the car and drive to Maine where we can enjoy lobster three times a day!

 

Would love to see the aurora borealis! I've thought about getting on an Icelandair flight and going to Reykjavik for a long weekend....it's only about a 5 and a half hour flight from JFK. That's tolerable. Or we could do a Norwegian coastal voyage on Hurtigruten in the dead of winter. Strangely these trips to the land of noontime darkness have become popular lately Loved your pictures Sharon!

[Saga Ruby]

At long last, with SEAsia being the flavour of the month, we are being tempted with new exciting cruiselines and destinations. You might like to check out Compagnie Du Ponant's cruises in our region.

 

BTW I'm looking at two long haul return flights this year. One to NY and maybe one to South America.

 

I don't know about SEAsia. Sounds interesting. Is that a cruise line?

 

Oh, gee whiz! From Oz to NY? Pardon me while I shudder.

 

Ruby