SS Cloud Live...ish JUNE 1-14

[highplanesdrifters]

We boarded yesterday after a challenging journey. Will attempt to post details at some point.  SS has been excellent so far.  Our first time on the Cloud. Although I have read less than stellar reports of her condition, I must say she is a sight for sore eyes and looking lovely. The ship is full. This is surprising as we only booked 2 weeks ago and there was plenty of room available.  We are pulling into Bryher and Tresco,  Isles of Scilly. Must run for some fun. 

 

Bonus points and free drinks to the person that can explain the mosaic.

The last photo is of Solentfortes near Southampton. It has been turned into a corporate retreat. 

 

 

[jimdee3636]

@highplanesdrifters

I'm looking forward to your postings. We've only been on the "pre-expedition" Cloud (which we loved, despite its age) but are booked on a Reykjavik-to-Halifax Cloud expedition in September of 2023. Have a great time!

[highplanesdrifters]

@jimdee3636

Don't worry old Cloud vesteges remain, the showers leave a lot to be desired. 😉 There is still smoking allowed in The Pool Grill area. Would I have been convicted for throwing the chain smoker overboard? And bizarrely many of the public rooms reeked of cigarette smoke when we walked around the ship. No one could answer why. 

On to happy things.

Bryher- quick trot around the island with spectacular weather for the a.m. expedition. Local boats were used to tender. Nice treat.

 

[ronrick1943]

Happy you’re on the ship, looking forward to reading your post.  Thanks for taking the time.

[jimdee3636]

@highplanesdrifters

Regarding your "quiz" about the mosaic in the first picture, the inscription seems to refer indirectly (in Latin) to a King Charles. I'm going to guess it's the 16th century Holy Roman Emperor Charles I, among whose many accomplishments included overseeing the Spanish naval explorations (and often conquests) in the Americas. However, the ship appears to be from an earlier era, so I'm probably wrong. At some point, tell us the answer: you've piqued my curiosity.

[jimdee3636]

2 minutes ago, jimdee3636 said:

@highplanesdrifters

Regarding your "quiz" about the mosaic in the first picture, the inscription seems to refer indirectly (in Latin) to a King Charles. I'm going to guess it's the 16th century Holy Roman Emperor Charles I, among whose many accomplishments included overseeing the Spanish naval explorations (and often conquests) in the Americas. However, the ship appears to be from an earlier era, so I'm probably wrong. At some point, tell us the answer: you've piqued my curiosity.

Correcting myself: I should have said Charles V. I don't mind being wrong, but I hate being careless!

[highplanesdrifters]

@jimdee3636Thanks for sending us closer to an answer answer on the mosaic. Best guess from our query on board was "don't drink and row", pictured with a Chinese junk and  luggage trollys on either side.  Wrong AND careless is what I fear.😉

[highplanesdrifters]

There is internet at the moment on our way to Isle of Man. Will try and post more. 

Transit to London from the U.S. was a challenge. Missed connections caused an overnight in Denver due to short staff and weather. Lines and chaos reigned. Our Goddess of a TA scored us seats next to each other in UA Polaris following day and a room at the Westin Denver Airport. We felt very lucky to get those. Westin room service took 2 hours. Positives: A stop at baggage claim before our flight confirmed our bags were in the correct bin for our flight.  We flew through security with TSA/Clear in 5 minutes, yes 5 minutes. Polaris service was much better than it has been, food was landfill.  E gates in London worked perfectly. Our luggage was first off. Things going our way, YES.  Goddess TA procured early check in and upgrade at SS Hotel Waldorf Hilton.  Goodness, this hotel is a dump. What is Silversea thinking? I've already ranted about D2D pricing, another reason to switch.Our couch was so disgusting we requested a sheet to throw over it. Complaints from others were rampant. Goddess TA also procured us a private car to the ship to escape the busses which were late. Pre Jubilee traffic.

We were on the ship with cabins ready by 2:15.

[highplanesdrifters]

Masks:

Not required on the overseas flight.

An occasional mask was spotted in London. Folks have told us that it is rarely in the news.

Not many masks on the ship although crew are wearing them.

I do not know if there is any covid on board.

Temperature checks every day.

[Stumblefoot]

6 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Not many masks on the ship although crew are wearing them.

 

I do not know if there is any covid on board.

 

Temperature checks every day.

It’s amazing how different procedures are ship to ship.  Probably based on local requirements, but nonetheless, wonder if SS provides this wide degree of latitude to its captains?

[mysty]

Have an awesome cruise High! 🥰

[highplanesdrifters]

1 hour ago, Stumblefoot said:

It’s amazing how different procedures are ship to ship.  Probably based on local requirements, but nonetheless, wonder if SS provides this wide degree of latitude to its captains?

I've wondered that myself. I speculated that things are a but more is because the countries we are visiting are very open (no tests to enter & no masks). Who knows!

[highplanesdrifters]

18 minutes ago, mysty said:

Have an awesome cruise High! 🥰

Thanks, I feel like you're paving the way!

[highplanesdrifters]

 Tresco Gardens, Isle of Sicilly. A bit of the Mediterranean just off the coast of England.

[mysty]

Just now, highplanesdrifters said:

 Tresco Gardens, Isle of Sicilly. A bit of the Mediterranean just off the coast of England.

 

Beautiful photos!

[Stumblefoot]

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

 Isle of Sicilly.

That’s wild.  We literally just received a promotional email from SS today about this location.  
 

Had never heard of it before.  Can only imagine how to pronounce it based on recent postings in the forum. 😊

[NeilP57]

For the avoidance of doubt these wonderful islands are called the Isles of Scilly, pronounced “silly”. 
 

Sicily is an island at the foot of Italy. 
 

I agree they are great photos and a great place to visit. We were there for a week last year and booked for another week at the end of July. 
 

 

[jollyjones]

 

It’s correctly the Isles of Scilly, pronounced Iles of Silly. 
 

Bryher is Bryer, and Tresco is just how it looks. 

Edited June 3, 2022 by jollyjones

[frantic36]

Sicily was a highlight on a cruise I did in 2014 and one reason was actually seeing a red squirrel as I had never seen one before and likely won't get to see another one. It reminded me of my Disney films when growing up. Sorry for the blurriness.

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Thanks all for spellcecking me and helping with pronunciation! Phones...gotta love them.

[highplanesdrifters]

Yesterday,  June 3. Port of St. Mary's, Isle of Man.  A sleepy southern port. We have been in the North previously.  A quick stop here to the Rushen Abby. The 90 minute tour was 75 minutes too long. I heard the same about the train tour. Nice stroll through the town though. We have been slackers trying to catch up on sleep and find some energy. The day worked for perfectly for us. Isle of Man has so much to offer, stepped in Viking and Neolithic history. The TT motorcycle races started the day after we left. The Isle is worth an extended trip.

[highplanesdrifters]

June 4

Iona, Scotland

This is the day that travel dreams are made of. Except for the early rise, 5:30, ouch. We awoke to a sky so blue it might crack, sea of glass, light breeze, and temps already in the high 50's.  Perhaps I'm still dreaming.  Iona is a spit of land in the middle of the sea with wonderful seabird colonies. I'll let the pictures tell the story. Will attempt to post videos.

[highplanesdrifters]

Iona, Scotland

Landing and hike. Not a bad one. Slightly steep in places and just occasional bits of mud. 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Iona, Scotland

The Birds

[WesW]

highplanesdrifters; thanks for sharing your Wind expedition visits to St. Mary's Isle of Man, and Iona, Scotland.  Hike looked like fun, and good job on posting the video too.