.......idle jottings

[Jim Avery]

I have used the firm of Smith & Wesson often and can attest they are very reliable. Happy Cruising.:D

[MACT]

Dennis the Menace recommends...

 

Keene, Sharp & Wiley

[ho-hum]

Guest Comment Card & Scores for last week

 

1. Yacht Embarkation: 7

2. Stateroom Appointments: 7

3. Stateroom Stewardesses: 10

4. Cuisine: 10

5. Restaurant Services: 10

6. Bar Services & Sommelier: 10

7. Concierge / Reception & Shop: 10

8. Onboard Recreation: 7

9. Shoreside Activities: 9

10. Ports of Call: 9

11. Spa Services: 10

12. Overall Appearance of the Yacht: 8

13. Overall Impression of your Voyage: 9

 

Comments

Love the ship.

Love the crew.

Goran (waiter): outstanding !

Enes (maitre d'): creates great team

Conditions onboard were tough for ALL crew (wind, rain etc..)

Downgrades not due to vessel's shipside management but shoreside management; just to be clear ! Capiche !

[ho-hum]

I just read the most amazing review of Sea Dream Yachts on caltonnutrition.com

 

So having spotted this link on another thread ("First time on SD"), ho hum was curious to check it out.

Here is an easier link to site:

 

https://www.caltonnutrition.com/seadream/

 

It seems that the guy who produced it is a "Nutrition" expert and loved SD for the "Raw Food & Vegan Cuisine" served (because the Owner is a "nut" about this kind of crap).

We see him and his wife travelling around the Caribbean and if you have a spare hour !

Check it out.

10/10 for effort old chap but maybe due to eating the kind of food the Owner proselytises, it is a tad long "wind-ed". Geddit.

 

Whilst on SD recently, HH and fellow diners were appalled by the drivel written about on the back of the menu that basically told you not to eat anything in the damn menu except the "Raw Food & Vegan Cuisine" !

Oh and only drink a glass of wine or some such nonsense !

Extraordinary is'nt it !

We come to e joy good food and goid wine and he comes out with this !

[ho-hum]

Despite an extensive checklist of things to do and things to pack, Ho Hum ALWAYS forgets something !

This time it was PANTS & SOCKS !

How could you Hum ?

It's a gift.

.......Yes of course HH did ! Soon after arrival and un-packing !

What kind of man do you think Hum is for God's sake !

No Hum is not going "Commando" !

What have commandos got to do with it anyway ? Would someone kindly explain ?

 

The pants were not the size Ho Hum is accustomed to wear.

No that's not a boast !

Really what the hell's the matter with you ?

In reality there would be plenty of room in the front, yes enough for a couple of pounds of sausages in fact, but Hum's "lardy" a*+* was the problem !

 

As a result of the tightness HH spoke in a higher voice than normal and he walked around like an amateur geisha girl !

Yes quite a sight !

When sitting at the bar and having a drink given to him by the barman, he enquired "Nuts" ?

How the hell could he tell !

Yes crushed a bit, HH replied.

Sorry we only have what they give us he answered......right so got that one wrong too !

Edited March 17, 2015 by ho-hum

[gcmv]

Oh, ho-hum - what a "story" ... ;)

 

Needless to say, that on Europa 2 you can have nuts crushed, plain, shaken, salted or any other style (just to fire your imagination) ... :D

[MACT]

Oh, ho-hum - what a "story" ... ;)

 

Needless to say, that on Europa 2 you can have nuts crushed, plain, shaken, salted or any other style (just to fire your imagination) ... :D

 

It thus appears that Europa 2 is offering an intriguing taste of the Far East to delight its discerning clientele.

 

Perhaps a new marketing campaign opportunity here..."We really are the dogs b******s cruise line"

[ho-hum]

Oh, ho-hum - what a "story" ... ;)

 

Needless to say, that on Europa 2 you can have nuts crushed, plain, shaken, salted or any other style (just to fire your imagination) ... :D

 

 

"Story" ! "Story" ! Dammit tis all true !

Maybe not the barman bit but the rest.......

 

So what you are saying Ralph is there are a lot of German "nuts" on Europa 2 !

How can Ho Hum resist that.......

[ho-hum]

It thus appears that Europa 2 is offering an intriguing taste of the Far East to delight its discerning clientele.

 

Perhaps a new marketing campaign opportunity here..."We really are the dogs b******s cruise line"

 

Very sophisticated MACT ......... you're not in advertising are you ?

 

Any other gems ?

[ho-hum]

Fantastic article on mega-cruise ships with wonderful pictures and very funny comments:

 

http://gizmodo.com/these-mega-cruise-ships-look-like-small-cities-from-the-1692214419

 

HH just does'nt get it ....... what possibly is the appeal ?

Would'nt go if you paid HH.

Ghastly dahling, simply ghastly, eewwww, no, not for me, come along now, we might catch something !

Edited March 19, 2015 by ho-hum

[ho-hum]

One thing about being home in the cold is....red wine tastes sooo good.

Hell HH's missed you guys soooo much.

[Jim Avery]

Fantastic article on mega-cruise ships with wonderful pictures and very funny comments:

 

http://gizmodo.com/these-mega-cruise-ships-look-like-small-cities-from-the-1692214419

 

HH just does'nt get it ....... what possibly is the appeal ?

Would'nt go if you paid HH.

Ghastly dahling, simply ghastly, eewwww, no, not for me, come along now, we might catch something !

 

And 21,000 gallons of sewage a day to boot! Hardly gets better than that. BTW, congrats on your 1,000th post.

[ho-hum]

Fantastic article on mega-cruise ships with wonderful pictures and very funny comments:

 

http://gizmodo.com/these-mega-cruise-ships-look-like-small-cities-from-the-1692214419

 

HH just does'nt get it ....... what possibly is the appeal ?

Would'nt go if you paid HH.

Ghastly dahling, simply ghastly, eewwww, no, not for me, come along now, we might catch something !

 

So Ho Hum may be right ! Was there any doubt ? At least concerning Brits that is !

 

Cruise Line International Association data showed bookings fell by 4.8% from 1.72 million to 1.64 million. The first fall in a decade.

 

The bubble may be bursting with many put off by:

- ever larger ships

- having to fly abroad for first port

- cost of flight

- health scares

 

More Germans are now sailing than Brits: 1.77 million.

Overall the number of Europeans taking a cruise rose by 0.5% to 6.39 million.

 

Despite the 2008 economic crisis: the cruise industry had risen by 44%.

 

Comments on the reported article identified some reasons:

- tipping

- health worries (norovirus)

- parking costs of vehicles

- queuing

- noise

- unwanted attractions

- expensive tours

- shuttle buses not free

 

Oddly Costa Concordia incident was not popularly cited but it still msy have been a factor.

 

Lessons for Sea Dream

- small ships are in

- better sanitary emphasis needed at embarkation

- get representatives in Germany but you will need to drastically improve your

Reservations Department. Germans expect far better service than Brits !

 

How do you like them facts Cabbie !

[ho-hum]

And 21,000 gallons of sewage a day to boot! Hardly gets better than that. BTW, congrats on your 1,000th post.

 

Thanks Jim.

Loved the comment "a Conga line to the washrooms" when commenting on norovirus risk on larger ships !

 

A 1,000 posts eh ........ your record will never be beaten here but are there others with more than your good self on other forums ?

 

First target reached. What next 100 pages or 2000 replies: its neck and neck.

Kind of go together though.

Edited March 19, 2015 by ho-hum

[Jim Avery]

So Ho Hum may be right ! Was there any doubt ? At least concerning Brits that is !

 

Cruise Line International Association data showed bookings fell by 4.8% from 1.72 million to 1.64 million. The first fall in a decade.

 

The bubble may be bursting with many put off by:

- ever larger ships

- having to fly abroad for first port

- cost of flight

- health scares

 

More Germans are now sailing than Brits: 1.77 million.

Overall the number of Europeans taking a cruise rose by 0.5% to 6.39 million.

 

Despite the 2008 economic crisis: the cruise industry had risen by 44%.

 

Comments on the reported article identified some reasons:

- tipping

- health worries (norovirus)

- parking costs of vehicles

- queuing

- noise

- unwanted attractions

- expensive tours

- shuttle buses not free

 

Oddly Costa Concordia incident was not popularly cited but it still msy have been a factor.

 

Lessons for Sea Dream

- small ships are in

- better sanitary emphasis needed at embarkation

- get representatives in Germany but you will need to drastically improve your

Reservations Department. Germans expect far better service than Brits !

 

How do you like them facts Cabbie !

 

You are on to something. We are currently inundated with really good deals for all European cruises, even river cruises. Unfortunately there is a big problem........Air. I think we have reached an impasse with the airlines. I will not fly crammed in the back any more. For a family emergency I would but not for pleasure. Then, I will not pay more for a Biz class flight than for a week or so of all inclusive luxury on a ship. That is just insane pricing. So that leaves nice drive to getaways. The pendulum of airfare crazy has swung too far. Stick around, it will go back too far the other way at some point. But yes, airfares are hurting many European options as is the reality or the perception of unrest and violence. Add it all up and that seems to be affecting many traveler's plans.

[ho-hum]

HH loves Atlanta airport !

 

So after leaving SDII we took a short taxi drive, then a buggy to Senesta Ocean Point Hotel.

Had to wait from 10.30am to 3.00pm !

But, as is our custom we drank champagne taken from the vessel and sipped it on the roof terrace and watched the planes fly in over beach dwellers and sun bathers. Fascinating.

We chatted endlessly about SD, the crew, our chums......we had a lovely time.

Then an amazing pizza and a so so New World Cabernet Sauvignon.

Then a snooze and hey presto room was ready.

The hotel is OK and the staff are really nice but they have the attention span of ......... Err something that has a low attention span !!

We ordered a couple of bottles of wine and settled in for the night.

The patio door was unlockable and the air-conditioning could not be adjusted: it was 76F !

Call maintenance. Dumb and dumber arrive quite incapable of speaking English and grinning like insane inmates from the "funny farm".

Finally D&D fix the door but after an hour of constant interrogation finally admit the A/C is incapable of being reduced !

They stand around waiting for a tip.

"Oh you want a tip do you ? Here's one: never stay in a hotel where you cant alter the A/C ! Now vamoose home to your air-conditioned home !

Bloody extraordinary !

 

Our flight is in the Sunday, which is a good move as chums report the airport is heaving from disembarked cruise ships the day before.

 

Arrive on a Delta flight from St.Maarten into Atlanta.

It arrived late into St.Maarten and so took off late.

We rubbed shoulders with the Captain and he began chatting having deduced we were English because he had a flight into London next week and wanted to know good restaurants and things to do.

Yea Gods ! HH's a passenger not a bleeding travel agent ! Call the plane to find out where it is, once onboard after supplying liberal amounts of champagne, HH will gladly engage with you in the cockpit.

"No can do, you might be a terrorist or mentally un-hinged !"

Do you want travel advice or not ? HH replies.

A standoff ensues. A deal is struck, a bottle of champagne will be sent to us on boarding.

Blondie takes over and he is well satisfied especially as the dollar is strong right now: he will have a grand time !

 

Finally we board. Champagne bottle pops out from curtain true to his word. As it gets closer, it is bloody Cava !

 

So during the flight HH tries to watch a really stupid film: forgotten it already !

But a couple of wimmin in front chat loudly through the whole film about operations they have had ! Yuk ! Does colon irrigation qualify as an operation ? "The amount they got out !" the heavy set one said just as spaghetti bolognese arrived !!!! No HH declined it and drank a number of glasses of disgusting New World Cab Sauv.

 

Now we arrive at hell city. Atlanta airport.

Off plane pretty sharpish. A long shlep to immigration. No queues and very friendly staff all along the way guiding you along.

And then our first encounter with an electronic customs system.

Yea Gods ! We were through in no time !

On to "Connecting Flights" through a shortish security queue and into the Lounge drinking a few cans of Samuel Adams lager before boarding British Airways for champagne, a meal, great wines and a "dormez bien" before arriving at London where we will be picked up by Parker in his Merc and home to the pile in the posh part of the UK countryside.

[MACT]

Very sophisticated MACT ......... you're not in advertising are you ?

 

Any other gems ?

 

SeaDream apparently not for your average Joe...

 

Read an article the other day about the ever increasing attractions, including the retail offering, on board the ever increasing size of new cruise ships.

 

There was a quote by a professor of marine transportation at Maine Maritime Academy ...no me neither... who stated "The average person today would be bored to tears on the Titanic. Back then the only distractions were playing cards, reading, socialising, and sitting or promenading on deck taking in the sea air".

 

Is this not a fairly accurate description of just about any day you care to pick on SeaDream? I do love to "promenade" around deck 6, mostly trying to remember where that forward wc is located after sliding off one of the bar stools at TOTY.

 

But what else can we think that SeaDream also offers similar to Titanic that could be turned into a marketing message?

 

How about something along the lines of "SeaDream also lets you swim in the se...(that's enough, Editor).

Edited March 20, 2015 by MACT

[gcmv]

But what else can we think that SeaDream also offers similar to Titanic that could be turned into a marketing message?

 

How about something along the lines of "SeaDream also lets you swim in the se...(that's enough, Editor).

 

How about this: At TOYBar on Seadream it often becomes moist but you never get soaked to the skin ... ;)

[ho-hum]

SeaDream apparently not for your average Joe...

 

Read an article the other day about the ever increasing attractions, including the retail offering, on board the ever increasing size of new cruise ships

"..............................................................................................ll............l.l

How about something along the lines of "SeaDream also lets you swim in the se...(that's enough, Editor).

 

 

How about this: At TOYBar on Seadream it often becomes moist but you never get soaked to the skin ... ;)

 

OK Saatchi & Saatchi !

Or should that be Such-drivel & Sich-drivel !

[ho-hum]

So Ho Hum is not in the greatest of shape and so went to see a specialist nutritionist: a Japanese doctor in fact.

 

Here's how it went

 

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?

A: Heart only good for so many beats, and that it... Don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.

 

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: Oh no. Wine made from fruit. Fruit very good. Brandy distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Grain good too. Bottom up!

 

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can't think of one, sorry. My philosophy: No pain...good!

 

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food fried in vegetable oil. How getting more vegetable be bad?

 

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: You crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!

 

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming good for figure, explain whale to me.

 

Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! 'Round' is shape!

 

Well... I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

 

And remember:

 

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"

 

AND......

 

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

 

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Brits.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Brits.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Brits.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Brits.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Brits.

 

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Hmmmm, i wonder if this sort of an outburst is an effect of prolonged exposure to the SeaDream raw foods menu?

[ho-hum]

Now it's only a rumour BUT there is "talk" that SDI has achieved a 100 score from USPH (US Public Health) just recently.

 

If that is true......then congratulations to ALL onboard.

An outstanding achievement bearing in mind the age of the vessel.

 

Anybody out there able to confirm this ?

[ho-hum]

Hmmmm, i wonder if this sort of an outburst is an effect of prolonged exposure to the SeaDream raw foods menu?

 

Ho Hum has found the only antidote to this abomination of food ?

 

A heavy bodied red wine......a Rhone maybe......it scours the mouth from this yuck !

 

HH goes one step further. Avoids it altogether and just drinks the wine.

 

But Blondie loves the "Taco Salad" (as does the hypocrite himself HH).

 

But really the Owner is always trying to find ways of cutting costs....cut this stuff, it takes an age in preparation too for:

- the food has to be prepared in a section of the kitchen turned into a temple

- the kitchen staff preparing the food must be virgins

- they must do 2 hours zen meditation before preparing the food

- they must never touch the food

- they have to pray continuously whilst preparing the food

 

And even after all that it still tastes like cardboard (apart from the taco salad).

[ho-hum]

A very interesting article on turning around one of those gigantic ships.

A nice read for a Sunday.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/business/a-luxury-liner-docks-and-the-countdowns-on.html?action=click&contentCollection=Europe&module=MostEmailed&version=Full®ion=Marginalia&src=me&pgtype=article

[kathyanddanny]

Ho Hum has found the only antidote to this abomination of food ?

 

A heavy bodied red wine......a Rhone maybe......it scours the mouth from this yuck !

 

HH goes one step further. Avoids it altogether and just drinks the wine.

 

But Blondie loves the "Taco Salad" (as does the hypocrite himself HH).

 

But really the Owner is always trying to find ways of cutting costs....cut this stuff, it takes an age in preparation too for:

- the food has to be prepared in a section of the kitchen turned into a temple

- the kitchen staff preparing the food must be virgins

- they must do 2 hours zen meditation before preparing the food

- they must never touch the food

- they have to pray continuously whilst preparing the food

 

And even after all that it still tastes like cardboard (apart from the taco salad).

 

HH,

Maybe I should be watching what Blindie orders!? The problem with me is...my head says arugula but my heart says pizza...anyway! time to shop for another mau mau! Hahahaha!

Kathy