vandrefalk

We are on Jan 23 - Feb 6 with most of those changes each week.  SD told us (via our TA) that the changes were  made “ro enhance the overall experience in the region.  We are certain these lovely, intimate islands will provide you a most enjoyable yachting holiday.”  I’m ok with it as I’ve never been to any of the islands, either originally listed or revised.  What would have bothered me woul be if they dropped Turks & Caicos and DR the second week. On the 2019 spring crossing, they made a lot of changes when SD2 had to go into drydock in Lisbon for 4 days — we were on the following week and had several ports changed - all worked out ok!

Will be aorry to miss you, CTBJR and Trapper!

vandrefalk

Anyone notice that SD2 has moved out of Alesand - is currently stopped - and showing a track with ETA in Lisbon on 25 Ap?  At least according to Marine Traffic..... drydock?

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We are booked in Jan 2022 for a b2b Palm Beach to San Juan.  Thinking it might be ok by then.  We’re scheduled for vaccines, but not til March/April time frame - shortages here, sadly.

My understanding is that Larry left to free up $$ for the line - no idea if that is the case.  Johannes seemed to be pretty optimistic over the sale to a private equity firm.  He’s been moved to the Quest.  Guess we’ll have to wait and see what’s next!

There are a couple of folks on this board who have done Black Sea on SD so hopefully they will weigh in.  I know one cruise had some badly behaved kids on board and another had some issues with the Russians delaying clearances.  But they enjoyed the Black Sea, except for these issues.  I think they were in the summer of 2013?  Before the Sochi Olympics and rising tensions with the Ruskies?  I’m pretty sure SD hasn’t done these in awhile, so maybe a good sign?

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Just watched Ben and David - does anyone know who the server is who tested positive?  My heart goes out to ALL the crew!

Vandrefalk

Jess,

SD said you can stay in Barbados post-cruise - just not pre.  No pre-stay will be difficult for many.  We’ve always taken the flight from MIA that gets in at 2:30/3 pm, but always the day before.

I keep wondering what Ho Hum thinks of this new (and welcome) transparency.....

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Andreas, this is wonderful news!  Kudos for planning it.  Sadly, I have another commitment and won’t be able to attend.  Will it be recorded and available afterwards?  Hope so!

I also second a return to Norway in the future!  I was on the inaugural cruise in 2011 (with your family!) and loved every minute of it.

Vandrefalk

Thank you Andreas for the reality check and contradicting the misinformation from other posters.  While we all wish SD were more forthcoming about things- that is perhaps a lesson learned.  Know we wish you all the best and we hope to return when we can!

vandrefalk

Yes they do - or at least did - but it’s not fold out. Years ago on a President cruise, Bob Lepisto’s daughter stayed on it, I think

Well, the picture in the article certainly isn't SD!  There was a FB post from SD  that said all the crew were negative.  SD was very complimentary about the speed with which the tests were processed.  Guests on board were expected to be tested promptly as well.  Apparently Norway knows how to do this!  But so sad that the rest of the Norway cruises appear to be cancelled.  It was a great idea for them to do this and I know they do it well, having been on the first cruise back in 2011.  We will just have to wait and see what the future holds.

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HH, welcome back.  You have been sorely missed!

what WONDERFUL news about Capt Michael McLeod!!  Very happy to hear this!  Haved sailed with him several times.  Word of warning - he is exceptionally  good at Liar’s Club!

and, yes - the website is totally hosed.....

vandrefalk

Marine Traffic indicates that SD1 is enroute to Rotterdam?  I do know of at least one sales director in the US who has been brought back to work this week.  Don’t have any other intel!  Also know Capt Swein is no longer listed on the website....

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Great idea, Ragnar!  

Talking about Monserrat -- our very first SD cruise (2004) with Capt Berg sailed past Monserrat.  It was surreal to see Plymouth completely covered in ash.  I swore I would someday visit.  In 2008, Monserrat was on the itinerary -- main reason we booked that particular cruise (yes, I know you're not supposed to do that -- we're still trying to get to Anegada!).  However, that was also the year I broke my leg the day before embarkation!  I was still able to board but not sure I was going to be able to take the tour.  SD was trying to help the locals restart their tourism business and charged a very low fee.  The location for the vans was too far for me on crutches so SD thumbed a ride with a woman in a truck to take me to the vans!  From there, I was able to see almost everything (could not go in the volcano station).  Towards the end, crew moved me to a smaller van so I could have a better view of Plymouth.  Kudos to SD.

We went again a few years ago (and I was in one piece) -- this time we went further into the exclusion zone, which was an unworldly experience.  It was good to see more businesses and activity than on our previous visits.  

My happy place is sleeping under the stars, completely enveloped by downy comforters and floating away.  Of all the times we have done that, the most memorable was after the spring crossing last year when we continued on from Lisbon to Malaga.  Sailing past Gibraltar at night with the rock all lit up was one spectacular sight!  And as we sailed, we could still see the rock in the distance.  Favorite memory!

Hope everyone is safe and sound!!

Vandrefalk

And, latest update — a (former) sales director says all sales directors have been terminated.... US, Europe, all?  Don’t know but this was a good gal.  What are they thinking?

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Welcome home, HH!  You have been terribly missed!

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CTBJR - we saw the same post, right?  She is on her way home -- where she will likely face quarantine.....

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Marine Traffic is not incorrect.  The Activities Manager on SD 2 posted on FB yesterday that SD is indeed headed to Lisbon.  Very sudden decision it appears as everyone (crew) was scrambling to pack and get out.  No word on why, but SD 2 isn't scheduled to sail in the Med til may 7.  So they may well be going into drydock in Lisbon.  This is before the crossing that Beignet Boy got kicked off of because they were going without guests anyway.  BB - glad Windstar offered you a refund!  The fall crossing isn't for another 7 months, so we can only hope all this will be under control by then.  No word on what SD I is doing...…..

Sounds like it may have been a corporate decision, given the BVI ban on cruises?  Just don't know and it would be nice if SD's PR were better...…..

Vandrefalk

I started following this thread when Jim Avery was on board (Hi Jim!) and stayed with it as your stories are amazing!  Magical Mystery Tour indeed!  I am delighted at the attitude almost all of you show and your ability to weather these strange times!  Will follow your adventures with interest.

Jim agree with you about the TP.  While I've never used a lot of hand sanitizer and seldom know where it is in the store -- now it's easy!  Just look for the empty shelves😃

Vandrefalk

What a major bummer!  Bb, do you have crossing directions backwards?  Coming out of Malaga this weekend is westbound, right?  And April 2020 ending in Lisbon would have been eastbound?  Of course, I can be directionally challenged.

if you look at the voyage calender, SD2’s last cruise in the Caribbean ends March 21 and doesn’t pick up again til May 7!  There might be a charter or two in the Caribbean, but an original departure of Ap 20 with no pax must mean a LOT of work in addition to drydock!  Fall 2017 didn’t get everything done and Spring 2019 got cut short to replace bow thrusters.  Mysterious....

Hope the windstar substitution works out for you so you can keep the airfare!  Would be interested to hear what you think about Windstar, if you do it.

vandrefalk

Jim, finally realized you were probably doing a thread here!  Will enjoy following you and love the pics being posted.  We did a lot of your early ports on our Silversea UK cruise last year so nice to revisit!

you should think about the SD2 TA next fall from Malaga to San Juan.

Hi to Lois!

vandrefalk

When SD had to go into drydock in Lisbon in May, we were the only ones coming back for the follow on cruise.  They very kindly allowed us to leave most of our stuff (we only took what we would need for the 4 days) “as is” in the cabin.  It was a huge help!  For you, I suspect it depends on how full the charter is and whether or not you have to change cabins.  Certainly worth asking the question!

vandrefalk

Enjoy every minute — wish we were there!  Please say hi to all the crew, especially Brian, Mikee and Rose and Frud!  And Capt Bjarne!  Miss them all!

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OK, I know it's been a while but I thought I should probably do a final report on the crossing and the follow-on.  We got home mid-May and I had spinal surgery two weeks later, so have not been on top of my game.

We loved the crossing!!  Weather, for the most part, was absolutely gorgeous.  We had pedal to the metal most of the time -- guess having an appointment in dry dock is like going through the Panama Canal -- better not miss it!  We did so well that the Captain DID decide to stop for a swim!  Sadly, as they lowered the platform, they realized the swells were a bit too much and then -- jellyfish!  The blue bottle, Portuguese man of war type!  So that was that.  At least they tried!  The last day was an adventure -- breaking waves of 19 feet!  As they hit the bow, I could see the remains smack our window on deck 3.  A lot of folks (including Fred) were down for the count.  Even Matt had a few sinking spells, but managed to persevere.  I was ok as I religiously took my bonine but even I had to lie down for a bit just to keep from falling down!  Quite the adventure.  

Disembarked in Lisbon and said we'd see themin 4 days.  Did some touring with Beignet Boy and DW -- weather was great!  Tried a great wine bar built in part of an old aqueduct and a couple of other restaurants we had been to in the past.  All in all, a very nice 4 days.  Oh, I forgot to mention that they let us on early in Barbados (due to the rumor that we were departing early) -- we stayed in a corner of the main salon to stay out of everyone's way, but the crew just couldn't let us sit there.  Even though they had to get ready for the rest of the guests, they brought us bubbly, food and whatever we wanted -- isn't that just the SD way!

Anyway, we reboarded and had Capt Steiner for this 5 day.  And this time, there were only 37 pax!  We were the only in-transit guests.  Several were first-timers -- other cruises they had booked were cancelled or something, so their TAs got them on SD.  All those I spoke to were really impressed (of course!).  We  sat with several nice folks.  With so few on board, the only excursion that filled up was Gibraltar.  Anna arranged a walking tour in Cadiz (pronounced Caddis, which I never knew) and a lot of folks did the tour in Gib.  We had the front bed that night and it was amazing to see the Rock all lit up as we sailed by!  In Puerto Banus (which has changed a lot since we were there 30 years ago), they had shuttles going to Marbella.  We had lunch in the Orange Square, which still looked familiar, but the town has really grown.  

One afternoon, I was sitting by the pool and someone on deck 4 called me -- lo and behold, it was Christophe!  Sudesh was also on board!!  So great to see two of my favorite people.

  Did have some discussions about the Innovation.  Everyone seems excited about it, but they are aware that it will take some doing to recreate the same atmosphere.  I think the crew (at least initially) will be a mix of experienced and newbies as they ease into things.  I think they can do the service, food, etc. but, inevitably there will be some changes.

We disembarked (unwillingly) in Malaga and took the train to Madrid.  Spent three nights there and did day trips to Avila and Segovia.  Also went to the Prado and Botanical Garden, so It was a nice ending to the trip.  Flight home was fine.

I have to say this was a truly enjoyable trip -- almost no glitches, good weather, good company -- there was almost nothing to complain about except for the insane taxi drivers in both Lisbon and Spain (most of whom don't understand English, so you have to show them a business card or a map).  Small price to pay for getting to see nice stuff!

It will be hard to wait til the next trip!!

Vandrefalk

I think we all miss him!

Vandrefalk