Prinsendam 2005 World Tour... it has begun

[Grumpy1]

Prinsendam 2005, February 26, Day 44

 

OK, folks, before you all think that Slinkie and Grumpy have forgotten their friends back home, Grumpy will try to get another episode written. Yesterday was a port day in Adelaide. Slinkie wanted to do the Barossa wine country tour, but Grumpy managed to wait too long to book, and both the short and long tour sold out. The remaining choices didn't appeal, so they decided to see the city via public transportation. The railway runs from the port to Adelaide about every half hour. A $3.20AUD pass allows you to use the rail system and the city bus system for the day. There are also two city loop lines that are free and circle the city very frequently. There are green jacketed volunteers around the port and in the train stations to assist and point you in the right direction. It really makes it easy to get around the area.

 

The train ride from the port to town, about 35 minutes, goes through several suburbs, past the race track into un underground station that just happens to be below the casino... very convenient... Setting off on foot from the train station, Slinkie and Grumpy found several stores close by and a large mall a block away. After wandering up and down side streets and in and out of dozens of stores it was about time for lunch. While heading up the street toward the cafes, they met ACD Jennifer coming the other way carrying her shoes... OK, they were new ones she was carrying, but just wanted to throw that visual in there... Anyway, Slinkie and Grumpy did find a nice restaurant and enjoyed some delicious garlic shrimp and a salad. After lunch, they hopped on the free bus and circled around to the stop close to Central Market and Chinatown. Grumpy finally figured out why the sun was shining on his thinning hair... he'd left his genuine authentic bush hat in the restaurant. Slinkie found a nice green patterned top that will look great on St. Patrick's Day and also show off her emeralds and Grumpy finally found a thermometer to hang out on the balcony. They then hopped back on the bus and got back to the restaurant just as they were locking up. The waitress recognized Grumpy, though, and unlocked so he could retrieve his hat. After a little more shopping time, Slinkie decided she'd done enough damage for the day and they hopped the train back to the port. ACD's Liz and Emily were also on the train... Grumpy's beginning to suspect that someone has assigned an ACD detail to track him and report back on his misbehavior...

 

All in all it was a pleasant day, very nice weather, nice friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere. Just what Slinkie and Grumpy have come to expect in Australia.

 

Sailaway was at 11p and Slinkie and Grumpy opted for the view from the Crow's Nest rather than the open deck. There was another "set your clocks back an hour" note in the Daily program, so Grumpy was able to stay up 'til midnight and still be in bed by 11.

 

This morning found the Prinsendam sailing across the Great Australian Bight with fair skies and calm seas... just what you all have been ordering up. The special program of the day was the noon Grand Buffet in the main dining room. What a spread! Ice sculptures, chocolate sculptures, a cake with a chessboard pattern on top, complete with white and dark chocolate chess pieces... tons of food! Grumpy took lots of pictures and probably gained 10 pounds just inhaling as he walked through. Slinkie wouldn't even go in there... not even just to look...

 

After lunch, Grumpy finished his perusal of the "Cunarder" and decided to write a brief review. It will be posted on this thread.

 

Tomorrow is another sea day before the Prinsendam arrives in Albany on Monday. After a short day, 7a to 2p, the Prinsendam will continue on to Perth on Tuesday and then head nort toward Bali.

 

localady asked how Slinkie and Grumpy are holding up. In a nutshell... fantastically well! Homesick? Nope! Well... gotta admit, it does seem strange to be a half world away from friends and family... grumpy misses his sister...a little, at least... but she's doing a good job of handling things back home, so there are very few things for him to worry about. Slinkie's youngest daughter got hit headon by another car a few days ago... she was bruised quite a bit, but not hurt otherwise. She's waiting to hear if they will repair her car or total it out. Slinkie is really thankful for Email to keep in touch.

 

Grumpy has noticed people getting creative about using their wireless connections. One woman was sitting on a chair half in and half out of her cabin, another guy was standing by the stairwell with his laptop perched on the scroll at the end of the railing. Slinkie and Grumpy are fortunate enough to get good connections form the desks in their cabin with the door closed. A friend reported that she can connect from her cabin, but only if the door is open. Grumpy saw one guy carry his laptop into Queen's Lounge with a web page open. He sat down in the front row and realized he had lost the connection and couldn't log out. He went scurrying toward the back to reestablish connection.

 

MurphyCat, cabin 128 is straight across and one deck down from Grumpy and Slinkie. You should enjoy it. It's a very convenient location.

 

KathieKata, since this is now the paperless society... yeah, right...Grumpy doesn't have to worry about the big brown truck or Yellow Freight. It might take three hours to download on a broadband connection, though.... It's really nice to have so many "volunteers" that would be so willing to disrupt their lives to provide all of those essential port and onboard services for Slinkie and Grumpy... at Grumpy's expense, of course... but they're managing OK so far... your applications will be kept in the file for future consideration, though... Yes, the circular file...

 

Heather, no need to apologize for going off topic on the thread... Grumpy can't stay on topic, why should anyone else! He enjoys reading all of the questions and comments.

 

JaniceB, HAL offers a couple of options on the billing. As you are probably aware, they automatically add $10 p/p per day, posted daily to the account, to cover all tips and they are divided among the members of the crew that serve you based on a set formula. If you feel that is adequate you leave the charge on your bill. If you feel it is too much you can have it removed or reduced. If you feel it isn't enough, you can give cash in addition to those you feel deserve it. At the end of each segment, all charges are printed out and delivered to your cabin. You can dispute any overcharges, remove or change tips, etc at that time. You can also choose to have your credit card charged or pay off you account by traveller's checks or cash at that time or let it ride. After the ship sails for the start of the next segment, the past charges are frozen. No further changes can be made, even if you are letting the balance carry forward. Grumpy doesn't know for sure, but since the accounts are locked at that point, he suspects that tips are distributed at the end of segments.

 

Grumpy would like to request that any comments on the above paragraph not degenerate into a discussion of the fairness of the tipping policy. That horse has been beaten to death in a dozen other threads and doesn't need to be ressurected here. Slinkie and Grumpy are leaving the tips in place and plan to give a few special people a small extra amount, just to let them know that they are appreciated... what other's wish to do is of no concern to Grumpy.

 

Dakrewser, they must not stand on ceremony as much over in this part of the world. The wine company reps call them screw caps or screw tops, even on projector slides, and not Stelvin Closures... and those wines sell for a lot more than five bucks a bottle. Villa Maria Estates even had a movie that showed the proper way for the wine to be "presented" in a restaurant... Present the bottle to the customer for lable approval in the normal manner, hold bottle in right hand with the base of the screw cap tightly grasped between the base of the thumb and forefinger. Grasp screw cap with left hand and twist about a half turn to break the seals. Keeping the top of the bottle upward, roll the loosened cap along the inside of the left forearm sleeve to the left hand and pluck the cap from the bottle in one smooth motion. Slip cap into pocket while pouring the sample for approval. Since there is no cork to provide cork taint, there is no need (according to them) to present the cap for inspection. Grumpy thinks that tradition is going to be missed and there will probably be many that will insist on corked wines for many years to come.

 

Host Doug, Grumpy agrees that Stephen's book should be available for all onboard, ... but understand Stephen wishing to place the first copy in the Neptune. For those that are aware that the book is there, a request to Sheri for an opportunity to borrow it will probably be honored.

 

Tonight is french menu night in the dining room. Escargot... pate' de fois gras... french onion soup... chateaubriand...OUI !!!

 

Bye for now

 

Grumpy and Slinkie

 

 

 

 

 

Grumpy reviews "Cunarder"

 

Grumpy is happy to report that "Cunarder" has been returned to its place in the Neptune with no visable damage from being handled by the unwashed masses... He's a bit sad about having to return it though... It would look quite elegent on the coffe table back home alongside the autographed edition of Kerry Hallem prints... Just might have to order a copy. Hopefully, it won't cost as much as the Kerry Hallem... Grumpy bought an original painting to get the book.

 

"Cunarder" is a selection of Stephen Card's paintings of ships that were built for Cunard or were acquired and sailed under the Cunard flag. The 40 full page prints of more than 30 Cunard ships would be worth acquiring if that were all that was in the book, but there is so much more. Each full color print is accompanied by a "biographical sketch" of the life of the ship. The narrative tells where the laying of the keel occurred, where the ship was outfitted, information on the propulsion systems, tonneage, passenger capacities, crew compliment sea trial information and much information about the significant events in the life of the ship and much more. This information is not presented in tabular form as one might expect, but rather is presented in a very conversational way that is very easy to read. Problems that were encountered during construction are mentioned. Details of record breaking transatlantic crossings, significant events at sea, wartime service, and final disposition, for those vessels no longer under the Cunard flag, are told. Volumes could be written and in many cases have been written about any one of these great vessels. Stephen has done a masterful job of condensing so much information into just a couple of pages.

 

There are several prints that show more than one ship. In some cases, another Cunard ship will be shown, sometimes a tug, tender or supply boat is nearby and in some there are ships flying other flags. In deference to the HAL enthusiasts, or perhaps to increase his customer base, Stephen has chosen to include a painting of the Queen Elizabeth at Southampton Ocean Dock in the 1950's. He just happened to pick a day that another well known ship, the HAL Nieuw Amsterdam of 1938, was sailing away from the dock. Sneaky, Stephen...

 

Stephen strives for technical accuracy in his paintings as well as historical accuracy although he does admit to one glaring blunder in historical accuracy in one of his QE2 paintings. Rather than detail it here, you'll have to read the book for yourself to find out.

 

In addition to the paintings, there are 16 sketches included. Some are full page such as the ones inside the covers and on the facing pages. Some are smaller sketches in a "graphics box" surrounded by the narrative.

 

There is a separate section on the Queen Mary 2. In addition to Stephen's paintings, there is a two page tabulation of the technical data, 15 photographs of the ship during various stages of construction and during sea trials, and a 10 page narrative Maurizio Eliseo, marine surveyor and maritime historian, and the senior public area inspector during construction.

 

"Cunarder" places a lot of information before the reader, more than one would expect in a volume of only 175 pages. It is a pleasure to read the narratives and to be able to view so much of Stephen's work in one place is a magnificent experience. Most of us will be anxiously awaiting the publication of the HAL sister volume.

 

[Cuttle]

Thank you Grumpy, for another interesting travalogue, this time of Adelaide. It sounds like it is very easy to get around there on public transportation. Thanks also for the review of the "Cunarder". I will be watching for it as I have a special interest in Cunard as I was on a transatlantic crossing on the Carinthia in 1957. I hope that ship was included. Enjoy the rest of Australia at your two remaining stops.

[localady]

Grumpy & Slinkie-

 

Thanks for the update. :) We hope Slinkie's daughter has recovered from her accident.

Good to know that you are still having a great time on the greatest adventure!!:D Good to hear that you and your safari hat made it out of Adelaide intact.

As always smooth seas and blue skies!:cool:

[Aussie Gal]

We were up in the vineyards north of Melbourne just before Christmas and we were told that the Stelvin closures were being used more often now, the reason is to stop the wines from being "corked". They are used more so for white wines these days and most of the reds still have corks but the wineries feel that eventually all the wines will go over to "screw caps".

 

Often a wine is "corked" and it is a throwaway. It hurts when it is an expensive wine.

 

Jennie

[NitaBcruising]

Grumpy, thanks again for another good read! Keep on enjoying, and HI to Slinkie for me! :)

[PRINSENDAM]

I will be watching for it as I have a special interest in Cunard as I was on a transatlantic crossing on the Carinthia in 1957. I hope that ship was included. Enjoy the rest of Australia at your two remaining stops.

 

 

Dear Cuttle,

 

I hate to disappoint! In the collection I made three paintings of those SAXONIA sisters. One of the FRANCONIA (ex IVERNIA)in white livery. One of CARMANIA (ex SAXONIA) in green livery and one of SYLVANIA in Cunard's black hull livery. This was supposed to represent the original appearance of all four ships, including your CARINTHIA. Too bad I left your special ship out.

 

All is not lost though. Clive Harvey has written an excellent book on the lives of the four Cunarders, "THE SAXONIA SISTERS". Not to be missed! I made the cover painting for that book and it is a scene of CARINTHIA at her berth in New York whith a green hulled FRANCONIA in the river behind her.

 

Stephen

[Cuttle]

Thanks Stephen for your reply and information regarding "Cunarder" and apologies to Grumpy and Slinkie for this off topic WC posting.

 

I have seen "The Saxonia Sisters" book on the Maritime Matters web page. I wasn't aware that the Carinthia was on the cover. All is still not lost re: "Cunarder: My husband did a transatlantic crossing on the Ivernia in 1956 so we do have special memories and ties to Cunard. I look forward to getting the book, and the one on HAL in the future.

 

Thanks again, Stephen.

[PRINSENDAM]

Thanks Stephen for your reply and information regarding "Cunarder" and apologies to Grumpy and Slinkie for this off topic WC posting.

 

My husband did a transatlantic crossing on the Ivernia in 1956 so we do have special memories and ties to Cunard. I

 

.

 

 

 

Dear Cuttle,

 

Likewise... apologies to Grumpy & Slinkie for the OT posting. I suspect they are happily enjoying the sea days to Fremantle and too busy to read CC!

 

IVERNIA...as FRANCONIA was my first ship! 1967.... as Deck Boy... Chief Brass Polisher and Flag Hoister!

 

Stephen

[Cuttle]

IVERNIA...as FRANCONIA was my first ship! 1967.... as Deck Boy... Chief Brass Polisher and Flag Hoister!

 

Stephen

 

Stephen:

I'll bet the brass shone :D and it still needs polishing. I am sure you have empathy for the HAL crew who do that chore today.

Cuttle

[dougnewmanatsea]

I made the cover painting for that book and it is a scene of CARINTHIA at her berth in New York whith a green hulled FRANCONIA in the river behind her.

I have to admit that I didn't even realise that that painting is not in "Cunarder" - but any SAXONIA-class fan should have Clive's book anyway.

 

Personally I think that "The Last White Empresses" is even better though. I prefer the cover painting of that book too, but only because in it is EMPRESS OF CANADA which is my favorite of all the St. Lawrence-route liners of the era.

 

But both are great books, with great paintings.

 

Incidentally my dad saw FRANCONIA at Southampton in 1966 when making a crossing on ROTTERDAM V and because of her green hull it made a big impression on him. He still calls that shade of green "FRANCONIA green" :) !

[sable1]

Greetings G & S,

Found this site last night, read up to post #350 at 11p.m. and was so tired had to go beddy bye. Well, slept about an hour and woke up wondering what the rest of the story was. So I got up at 1 A.M. to continue. Just finished and it's 3A.M. What a great adventure and to be able to vicariously go on a WC with you.

Many, many thanks.

I see Ausiegal (Jennie) and Ruth are here also. Will have to talk to you in July.

Happy cruising, Joanne, the chocoholic

[PRINSENDAM]

Grumpy, Slinky & Group,

 

I'm afraid that I must leave the group for the next three weeks. I have a strong urge to get my feet wet!

 

Ruth and I fly over to Auckland first thing in the morning.... take off at 0700 hours. :mad:

 

By 2 pm we shall be sitting in the North Cape Bar on board the m.s. SAGA ROSE. We sail from Auckland on Tuesday at 1300. Wednesday in Napier, Thursday in Wellington, Friday in Christchurch, Saturday in Dunedin, Sunday in Milford Sound then Monday & Tuesday next week at sea. Wednesday and Thursday in Sydney, Friday at sea, Saturday in Hobart, Sunday at sea. Monday in Melbourne, Teesday at Sea, Wednesday in Adelaide, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at sea. Sunday arrive Fremantle and disembark. Overnight in Perth and Monday evening we are back in Sydney.

 

The ROSE is on her world cruise. She departed Southampton on 7th January and has worked her way down the east coast of South America, up the other side and across the Pacific, calling at all the small islands, Easter Island, Pitcairn, Papeete, Bora Bora etc. From Fremantle she heads to Madagascar then aroudn South Africa and then works north and back to Southampton on 26th April.

 

This will the fifth year I've been able to make a world cruise segment in SAGA ROSE. Some of you may not know the ship, she is the former Norwegian America Line's SAGAFJORD. In her heyday she was one of 'THE' ships! Smaller than the PRINSENDAM at 24,000 tons, she can carry just about 500 passengers... usually around 450 on the world cruise.

 

Fillippino crew, British officers. My good friend and father of my Godchild is also joining the ship tomorrow. He is the new captain! SAGA ROSE is very much like the old ROTTERDAM. Old world style. Lovely ship. Some of the best service and food I've ever experienced on board ship.

 

The only 'catch' is that I have to work! Saga Cruises have an age limit of 50 which means that I can sail but Ruth can't. So, the way around this is for me to sail and paint on board as guest artist. It is a great job! ;) I will do at least one lecture and on sea days I set up my trusty easel in the library and paint. I usually make to paintings, not too big. One piece will remain on board as part of the ship's permenant collection and the second piece will be auctioned off at the passenger's charity auction.... sometime after leaving Fremenatle and arriving Madagascar. My first painting this year is a scene showing SAGA ROSE and her new sister the SAGA RUBY at anchor in a Norwegian fjord. The auction piece is a portrait of the 4-masted barque DUNDONALD which was wrecked in the Auckland Islands on 5th March 1907.

 

Anyhow, passengers stop and chat and watch the work in progress. A lot of them are repeaters, so it is very much like a club on board.

 

So, I will say 'Tot Ziens' and hope to catch up again with you in three weeks.

 

Stephen

[tropicalsunset]

STeve, Grumpy and Slinky.... I am enjoying the virtual WC and the OT conversation.... Love these boards...

Steve; enjoy your cruise!!!!

 

Lorraine

[KathieKata]

WOW..........SABLE1 sure glad you found this thread now and not in a few more weeks!! You could have been doing a round the clock 24 hour reading!! Get some sleep today you most likely will be tired!!

 

Grumpy, do you see how far your fans will go to read your reviews! Thanks again for taking the time to write..........it MOST APPRECIATED!

[venicecruiser]

Stephen - Have a wonderful time on Saga Rose!

 

Claudia

[v702]

Grumpy & Slinkie-

 

Thanks for the great thread! Yours is the first I read each time I visit. Can't wait to take the WC myself but I'm afraid it's probably 20 years away yet. In the meantime I'll enjoy your cruise.

 

So glad to hear ACD Elizabeth mentioned! DW and I have sailed twice with her and she is a gem. This past December we had the pleasure of meeting her parents and sister SJS79 on the Westerdam.

 

Keep the posts coming. We love reading them!

[DesrtDrmr]

Dear Grumpy and Slinkie,

This thread is addictive!!!!

We love your writing style, and have so appreciated being taken along on your cruise. We, too, hope Slinkie's daughter is recovering

DD

Stephen, we have also enjoyed your postings, and love your paintings......they are so precise, and romantic, all at the same time.........history at it's best! Bon Voyage......

[ekerr19]

Grumpy & Slinkie - I'm thinking maybe "Mr. & Mrs. Globetrotter" might be a good fit! :D - Thanks again for the continued updates - Slinkie, I hope your DD is doing well after her auto accident... I'm happy to hear it wasn't worse.

Keep up the reports as you are able!

 

Stephen & Ruth - Bon Voyage! I hope you have a wonderful cruise - even though it will be considered a "working" vacation for one of you! I don't understand the age restriction, however... :confused: I will have to look that up online later.

[JaniceB]

Grumpy,

 

Thank you for answering my question. I certainly did not want a discussion on tipping. I was just curious if you were billed in segments or at the end of your cruise.

I was sorry to hear about Slinkie's daughter, I am sure she is feeling very sore, but lucky to not be seriously injured.

Your shore excursion in Adelaide sounds like something my DH would enjoy. He loves exploring new cities on his own. This is from his days as a Navy sailor. They usually had more time in port than is typical on a cruise ship.

 

Thanks for keeping us informed of your travels.

 

Janice

[DFD1]

G & S: Thank you for sharing Adelaide with us. Sounds like a wonderful place just to "wander around". I'm looking forward to your posting about Perth and the west of Australia.

 

There are thousands of us out here following you every mile of the way and we thank you for the opportunity.

 

Stephen: Thank you for this time together. I have enjoyed getting to know you and learning more about your work. My copy of "Cunarder" should be here this week (shipped from Catskill Publishing, US rep of Carmania UK). I'm looking forward to having it and I thank you for sending along the bookplate.

 

Have a grand cruise on the SAGA ROSE. I sailed on her many years ago as the SAGAFJORD. I agree she's a wonderful ship.

[blackbird71]

I thought of Grumpy and Slinkie last week on my RSSC Mariner cruise. I was at a table one night with two nice ladies from Guerney who take three cruises a year and have 14 on Silverseas. So we got talking about the two lines and what they liked better. Overall they liked Silverseas better than RSSC. You know things like "The cabins on Silverseas are a little bigger and the safe on here is much too small for all our jewelry. About that time I thought of Grumpy and Slinkie and wondered if their safe was big enough. :p:p

[TedC]

ekerr,

 

Saga is a UK-based travel organization for "senior citizens." At least one of the participants must meet an age requirement.

 

Brits I know claim SAGA stands for "Send a Granny Away."

[ekerr19]

TedC - thanks for clarifying it... I was wondering!

[dougnewmanatsea]

Saga is a UK-based travel organization for "senior citizens." At least one of the participants must meet an age requirement.

One pax must be 50, their spouse/partner can be 40.

[Cristiano]

Hi All,

 

if you were intrigued regarding the Saga Rose as I was and now that I am 'OLD" enough to travel on her, the web site from SAGA Travel group is informative and the detail is impressive.

 

I am looking forward to seeing her when she arrives in Sydney shortly.

 

Yesterday moored at the Darling Harbour side of Sydney Harbour I saw Fred Olsens "Black Watch", it is a shame that she had not moored where the Prinsendam had been opposite the Opera House and aside the Harbour Bridge.

 

Anyway looking forward to more narrative from Slinkie & Grumpy1 and hoping they enjoyed Albany & Perth before they travel north.

 

Cristiano

 

http://www.saga.co.uk/travel/Cruises3/crHome.asp?sel=1&bhcp=1

 

 

PS I hope I am allowed to post this it just occured to me that I was posting another travel groups web site, so my apologies if I have. Being a 'new kid' on the block is sometimes difficult.