A Northern Summer(?) on Navigator

[Gilly]

Oh heck, it sounds like you've got similar weather conditions as we had last year.  There's a really narrow lock to access the berth in Leith (with Britannia)  and we couldn't transit it either because of high wind - except we were stuck inside it rather than outside and had a third day in Edinburgh instead.  

Enjoy your sea day and fingers crossed for better weather later/tomorrow.

[flossie009]

Very disappointing (& costly) for anyone with independent tours booked, or for those with tickets for the Tattoo or other Edinburgh Festival events.

 

Problem seems to have been with navigating the narrow channel & lock into Leith harbour, due to adverse wind.

 

Not sure why we couldn’t have anchored off Newhaven & tendered in - presumably too late to make the alternative arrangements and/or sea swells not suitable.

 

 

 

[Jlhalldc]

Sad to miss a full day in Edinburgh and we had independent tickets to Tattoo, so we are disappointed, indeed. But the staff is pulling together more events, games, speakers, officer’s challenge, dance class and another headline act for tonight. And they had the new schedule delivered to suites an hour after the Captain’s initial announcement. That destinations team must be pulling their hair out. And I know the 71 folks on the Grand Voyage are especially sad to miss their VIP event at the Tattoo. Well, at least it’s sunny and 64 degrees. Think I’ll go for a walk on the deck. 

[flossie009]

24 minutes ago, Gilly said:

Oh heck, it sounds like you've got similar weather conditions as we had last year.  There's a really narrow lock to access the berth in Leith (with Britannia)  and we couldn't transit it either because of high wind - except we were stuck inside it rather than outside and had a third day in Edinburgh instead.  

Enjoy your sea day and fingers crossed for better weather later/tomorrow.

Yes, hope we can get into dock tomorrow morning - Captain says he is aiming for 04:30am.

Also hope we can leave again in the afternoon …………. otherwise we risk being late to our next port, Hamburg.

 

We will miss the piper who was meant to be coming on board for a local show this evening 😉

 

[Gilly]

2 hours ago, flossie009 said:

We will miss the piper who was meant to be coming on board for a local show this evening 😉

 

Are you sure?  🙂

 

Leaving Leith last year was an incredible sight and a real testament to the Captain's skill.

 

 Of course I can get this through there!"

 

Fingers crossed for tomorrow.  I'd not want to miss Hamburg (we only missed Newcastle which was a shame, but c'est la vie)

 

 

 

 

[pappy1022]

Our stop in Edinburgh on Splendor in September says that we will tender in Newhaven. Do all Regent ships go to Leith instead?

[fruitmachine]

4 hours ago, flossie009 said:

As I write this Captain Aris has just announced that we cannot dock today (due to wind????). So a day at sea then he will try again tomorrow 🤨

The same thing happened to Azamara Journey on Saturday. They diverted to Rosyth, but only after a delay of about 12 hours circling in the Firth of Forth and the North Sea. 

[fruitmachine]

24 minutes ago, pappy1022 said:

Our stop in Edinburgh on Splendor in September says that we will tender in Newhaven. Do all Regent ships go to Leith instead?

No. It is mixed and will depend on the tides the size of the ship, whether any other ships are here, and the length of the stay. 

[flossie009]

2 hours ago, pappy1022 said:

Our stop in Edinburgh on Splendor in September says that we will tender in Newhaven. Do all Regent ships go to Leith instead?

No, Leith can only accept the smallest cruise ships due to the size of the entry lock.

There are various locations used for cruise ships to access Edinburgh (https://cruiseportwiki.com/Edinburgh)

If your schedule says that you will tender into Newhaven then that is likely where you will anchor. Still convenient for a tram ride into Edinburgh and a short distance to see the Royal Yacht Britannia

 

 

When Navigator could not enter Leith dock this morning, the Captain did look at alternatives. However another cruise ship was occupying the anchorage at Newhaven and Rosyth had some technical difficulty.

 

[mrlevin]

Susan, have you heard of alternative plans for Grand Voyage Event yet?  I know I would be gutted if I had to miss Tattoo along with, I am sure, a special meal.

[flossie009]

The forced day at sea gave another opportunity for an Officers v Guests challenge; taken very seriously by both sides. 
Today it was Baggo

 

 

The scorers were concentrating throughout

 

Captain Aris took on the last challenge

 

 

Very even today with guests winning more rounds ………….. but officers scored most points  🙂

 

[fruitmachine]

7 hours ago, fruitmachine said:

The same thing happened to Azamara Journey on Saturday. They diverted to Rosyth, but only after a delay of about 12 hours circling in the Firth of Forth and the North Sea. 

I was surprised that the captain of Journey decided to abandon the port entry as the wind speed didn't look particularly bad at the Forth Bridges....

But today's wind speeds are lower still...

 

As the cruise line will presumably be taking a major financial hit on cancelling ship-run excursions (both loss of profit and, I assume, still being charged by their supplier) I doubt that it'll be for cost-saving reasons.

[mrlevin]

15 hours ago, flossie009 said:

 

btw, Luke sends his best regards. He and is team are doing a good job. Looks like they will be under pressure with changes again today as we should have docked in Leith at 06:45; it is now 08:30 and we are still sculling around off North Berwick.

 

Susan, can you pass to Luke Arlene's best regards; your trip has sure brought back some great memories.

[flossie009]

13 hours ago, mrlevin said:

Susan, can you pass to Luke Arlene's best regards

Message passed ………… and returned by Luke 300%

 

[Gilly]

And....did Navigator make it into Leith or are you en route to Hamburg?

[crusin7]

Good morning Edinburgh…this time for real!

 

[crusin7]

We had a tour of the city and then went to Edinburgh Castle.  We had a great guide, Christine, who thankfully was very easy to understand.  We had an 0745 tour so when we left the Castle at 1120 I was shocked to see how the crowds had multiplied!  We were lucky, no rain and very comfortable temperatures. 
Castle

 

 

 

[Gilly]

Phew! I hoped the silence was because you were all too busy to post something!   So glad you made it in, now we are keeping everything crossed for tonight too!

[crusin7]

19 minutes ago, Gilly said:

Phew! I hoped the silence was because you were all too busy to post something!   So glad you made it in, now we are keeping everything crossed for tonight too!

No internet this morning.  It’s working great now.

[flossie009]

Yes, we made into Leith this morning and Navigator is docked near the Royal Yacht

 

 

 

This morning we took the shuttle into the centre of Edinburgh and then returned later on the newly extended tram (a very frequent, efficient service which is very popular)

 

We went on an exploration of one of the narrow closes that were built over during the 18th century. A fascinating guided tour bringing to life the inhabitants who lived through the difficult times of squalor & plague in the 17th and 18th centuries

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_King's_Close

 

https://www.realmarykingsclose.com

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186525-d191321-Reviews-The_Real_Mary_King_s_Close-Edinburgh_Scotland.html
 

There are other steep closes running down from the Royal Mile that are still in use today

 

Advocates Close

 

 

The Royal Mile in the centre of Edinburgh was full of tourists, street performers and students handing out fliers for the festival fringe events.

 

 

Weather is still looking calm enough that we should be able to leave Leith on time later his afternoon 🤞 Hopefully with nae bother

 

[flossie009]

Last night was a “British” themed buffet in La Veranda

 

Not sure that the menu exemplified modern British culinary expertise ………….. but as usual we found some tasty morsels to stop our stomachs rumbling

 

 

[flossie009]

Some of the dishes from yesterday evening’s buffet

 

 

 

 

 

Haggis did not make it on board due to our non-docking,

 

The fish & chips were very authentic, but we failed to track down any mushy peas - some might say that was a good omission 😉

 

The Battenberg cake was delicious, although in the wrong colours. So delicious that we requested a take-out to enjoy with our early morning coffee 😋

 

 

[Zqueeze1]

Flossie:

Great descriptions and pics.  Thanks so much for taking the time to post.  Can’t wait to read about your next stop. 
 

Z and TB

Edited August 23, 2023 by Zqueeze1

[flossie009]

Well, we made it out of Leith dock, in very calm weather

 

 

 

 

 

Plenty of room each side in the lock 🤔

“Nae bother, pal” or as our Captain might say “kanéna próvlima fíle mou”

 

The Haggis made it on board yesterday so David tried it last night in Compass Rose with the traditional accompaniments of neeps & tatties.

We both had delicious Scottish mussels to start.

A very enjoyable meal, sharing with @Jlhalldc

 

 

We are now on our way to Hamburg, arriving tomorrow August 25th and staying overnight.

 

[Gilly]

@flossie009  wonderful!  Bit of a squeeze isn't it?   But enjoy Hamburg (one of our favourites)!