Jump to content

'Twas the Week Before Christmas – A seasonal review of the Silhouette


cruisinskier
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi all. Let me start by saying thanks to all who helped in the planning process of this cruise. Appreciate all of your input!

 

We are just home today after spending an enjoyable week on-board from Dec 14-21. I will be adding lots of photos, the dailies, etc and providing some additional insights once I get organized and sort through hundreds of photos.

 

For now, given the holiday season, I thought I would start this review a little differently. Below is my revised version of "A Visit from St. Nicholas", more commonly known as "The Night Before Christmas". I have taken some liberties with the wording to make it fit the cruising experience. Enjoy!

Jerry

 

 

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and we sailed Silhouette

All the passengers were scurrying, would vacation needs be met?

 

The suitcases were packed, we knew what to wear

We had an aft cabin, where we cruised to…..didn’t care!

 

Western Caribbean, it turned out, would be the spot

With broken Azipods, would we would make it….or not?????

 

The adults they gathered, all snug at the bar

With visions of drink packages, they didn’t move far!

 

With the Mrs. beside me, we joined the slot pull

And we did end up leaving with our pockets more full!! (thanks again Ed & Mary for organizing!!)

 

Then out on the wake, there arose such a clatter

“Pace yourself,” they said, “or you’ll leave the ship fatter!”

 

Next day, to the buffet, I still flew in a flash

Ate pancakes and bacon, and they didn’t want my cash :D

 

We fought the chair hogs, found the perfect deck chair

A cruise day at sea, followed by Qsine dining fare

 

When what to our wondering eyes did appear

Our first port destination, Cozumel, it was near!

 

Early that morning, the captain said with a grin

“Be back on-board by 3, or to the next port you’ll swim”

 

We hopped in a taxi, once safe on the land

We made it to Nachi, for a fun day on the sand.

 

More rapid than eagles, the drinks they did come

You name it they had it, including the rum!

 

Drink Corona, drink Tequila, drinks frozen, drinks mixed

In glasses, in bottles, you could easily get blitzed!

 

From the top of the decks, and this ship isn’t small

We watched sail away, sail away, sail aways all!

 

Tonight’s special dinner, Son’s birthday as well

We felt pampered and spoiled, at the Tuscan Grille!!!

 

Next up to the cabin, the family they flew

We were full of food, and a few drinks too!

 

We then read in the Daily, which we found on our beds

In Grand Cayman we would be, when we raised our heads

 

We slept great that evening, balcony doors were ajar

Enjoyed morning room service, “Seven Mile Beach” was not far.

 

We were dressed not in fur, given the heat

We went to the Westin, walked the beach in bare feet.

 

A bundle of beach toys, flung over our back

We looked just like tourists, with our full knapsack

 

Our eyes, they were shaded. Our faces, how tanned

At port, hopped a tender. Great day! Just as planned!

 

Next morning in Falmouth, we wandered the port

Bought rum cake and coffee, saw souvenirs of all sort

 

We wandered the ship, decorated for Kris Kringle

Saw trees, wreathes and lights…..but no carols or jingles.

 

We lunched at the Bistro, put food in our belly

I am sure if you ask, they’d bring bowls full of jelly!

 

Dress code at dinner, “no shorts! Wear the slacks!”

At least by now we were starting to relax…..

 

A martini may have followed, some drink that was red

And then it was time, to fall into my bed

 

The crew was fantastic, like a team they did work

Have I mentioned the drink package…what a perk!

 

Labadee had nice beaches, in the water went our toes

And after great snorkeling, up the gangway we rose.

 

One final sea day, then our cruise it did end

We had great family time, and made many new friends!

 

And they heard me exclaim, as I disembarked the ship

“Happy Christmas to all, now let’s book another trip!” :D;)

 

 

Lots more to follow....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi all and thanks all for your kind comments. I am slowly...very slowly...sorting through details, photos, etc....oh, and we finished our Christmas shopping tonight :D

 

Now lets get this review started....this was our itinerary

 

Itinerarydec2014.jpg

 

 

And now we should at least introduce ourselves.....this is my wife Patti, and myself, Jerry. This was our 10th cruise, second on Celebrity.

 

DSC01573.jpg

 

And we did this cruise the week before Christmas as it was the only time our kids were able to join us. Our daughter is now into her final year studying marine biology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the east coast of Canada, and our son graduated a few years back and works full-time as a paramedic in the greater Toronto area.

 

DSC01395.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We arrived early the day before the cruise and stayed at what has become our go-to place, Lago Mar Resort. We really like the ambiance of this place and the fact that it is directly on the beach. We also like the fact that we can walk along the beach and watch the cruise ships go out....

 

Lago Mar

 

DSC01315.jpg

 

DSC01318.jpg

 

The view from our room

 

DSC01203.jpg

 

The pool area

 

DSC01212.jpg

 

DSC01214.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our son was flying in later that night but the three of us went for a wander around the area....

 

DSC01222.jpg

 

A few years back we had been lucky enough to be on the beach for nesting season and witness a mass hatching. Nothing like watching 80+ sea turtles all explode from the nest together!

 

DSC01223.jpg

 

DSC01225.jpg

 

DSC01226.jpg

 

And back to Lago Mar

 

DSC01230.jpg

Edited by cruisinskier
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We then headed over to the Winterfest Boat Parade which was happening that evening. We watched about half of the parade before we needed food. Bubba Gumps was near by and is always good. Then it was back to the hotel for a good night's sleep as tomorrow the cruise would begin!

 

DSC01284.jpg

 

DSC01287.jpg

 

DSC01289.jpg

 

DSC01294.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...