Live from Silver Wind: Lisbon - London (19-31 May)

[Tothesunset]

1 minute ago, Fletcher said:

The GI bug was with us on the Wind from Manaus to Lisbon, as noted on my blog, and we had the pool and hot tubs drained as a hygiene measure.  Learned later it was aboard on the BA-Manaus cruise as well.  It's on the ship.  Stay firm. 

I remember you mentioned it. I hadn't realised it was still taking victims by Lisbon. The problem is trying to get all passengers to act in a sanitary fashion. There's always a few that feel the rules are for other people. 

[drron29]

Totally agree with you. We prefer Atlantide/MDR as well. We have had lunch in La Terraza only once in the last 160 days.That was on a changeover day when they had the crappy burgers on the Muse.

Still more than likely that the ?virus has been re introduced by a passenger than persisting onboard or it has been introduced by one of the foods loaded. Beware the frozen berries.

And Pia is our favourite chef as well/

Edited May 24 by drron29

[Tothesunset]

Excursions

 

This is marketed as an expedition cruise, however the 12 day sector we are on is more like a classic cruise. Indeed, it seems unlikely that the Zodiacs will be deployed at any point. I'm fine with that - we knew when booking that the itinerary wasn't challenging and as ex-military we've had enough of doing dangerous, uncomfortable and tiring stuff without needing to pay SS prices for a geriatric version of same. 

 

1.  Historic Porto and Douro river cruise. 

 

Mainly just a coach tour with an hour spent on the Douro river. All very lovely. Maybe 25 people on the tour? The best part was visiting a large Port wine producer which included a tasting session.

 

I'd rate as 4 out of 10.

 

2.  Cies Islands Discovery (Vigo, Spain) 

 

This was a great tour. A catamaran took us across to the islands, a journey of 40 minutes. Although the tour group was quite large, maybe 40 or so, the hike was broken down into 3 groups: soft; moderate; hard. 

 

Most seemed aware of their own abilities and self-selected which group to join. We did the hard group and walked 5 miles with a climb up to a lighthouse (500 ft climb in 1/2 mile - 'twas steep!) which tested the fitness of the group. The guide was knowledgable and interesting and I'm sure all the participants enjoyed the trip. Tremendous scenery and keen birdwatchers seemed to find lots to ooh and aah at. All good stuff. 

 

8 / 10

 

3.  Panoramic Belle Ile (France) 

 

First tender port. This tour was coach-based sightseeing with a couple of stops for photos. Maybe 30 on board. Decent commentary and a rather spectacular little island. Should have done a hike. Still, got to go to some small shops for a proper pain au chocolat. Nobody, and I mean nobody, does croissants or pains au chocolat like the French. Fact. 

 

4 / 10

 

4.  Coastal Scenic Walk (Concarneau, France) 

 

The tour started straight off the tender with groups of around 10 passengers per guide. 6 miles of mixed road, beach and wood trail. The weather was kind - cool and dry - and the scenery rather splendid. At the end of the walk a coach took us back to the tender station. Everyone seemed to really enjoy this. 

 

8 / 10

 

5.  Jersey by ebike. 

 

Participants were expected to be familiar with cycling and have previously ridden an ebike. I considered being the owner of a BMW R1250RT qualified me, ditto OH's Honda. Well, I was very impressed with these ebike things. So easy to ride. Hills? Who cares, just keep pedalling and let the battery do the work. 

 

Of course, Jersey is a picturesque place so it really wouldn't have been possible to have a bad ride. Add to that a very competent group leader, dry weather and the politest drivers in the world and we really had it made. Most of the 20 miles were on a repurposed railway path. And with the ebikes even the less physically robust were flying along like the Tour de France peloton. I think there were 15 of us. 

 

Best tour yet. 

 

10 / 10

 

Now, each destination had a selection of excursions, history walks and birding walks. In my view the trips off-ship have been well selected for variety and well organised. I'm actually a little bit impressed! 

 

The expedition staff accompany the tours but, of course, there isn't really much going on to exercise their specialist skills. Having said that, those we've chatted with are clearly keen and competent. 

Edited May 26 by Tothesunset
Surfeit of typos.

[les37b]

Your route up the Thames looks like will be cloudy but no rain. Rain is due from about 1 to 5pm which puts a dampener on a La Terrazza lunch or drinks on Panorama veranda overlooking the Bridge…. But great no rain for a chorus of Rile Britannia sailing into the pool.

 

Fingers crossed. Don’t forget to wave to the port side as you approach Dartford bridge. I guess that will probably be a little difficult unless up and about at 5.45am lol

[Tothesunset]

Last full day tomorrow before arriving back in Blighty and will be spent at sea. Perhaps an opportunity to collect thoughts on this relatively short cruise. 

 

What I can say, though, is that we haven't really seen too much of a change since our last cruise with SS in 2019.  In fact, if I hadn't gone down the rabbit hole of others' experiences I doubt whether we would have  seen many differences from the pre-covid/RCI era. But we are simple souls and easily pleased! 

[Tothesunset]

As we start the ante-penultimate day of this cruise we find the Wind plodding along in the English Channel ready to take us up the Thames tomorrow. This is just the second sea day but we appreciate not having to scramble for breakfast before heading off on a tour that never quite lives up to its grandiloquent brochure description. Do they never run out of adjectives? 

 

There's always a part of me that feels I should be finding a list of "could do betters"; in truth, I'm struggling. 

 

I know some feel that the Wind is looking her age. But then so is Michelle Pfeiffer and that's fine by me. 

 

I didn't expect the floating-gin-palace vibe. The Wind is classy and comfortable in her own skin. It feels like home. It feels right. 

 

What makes her special is the intimacy and slightly toy town dimensions. Add to that the wonderful staff who seem incapable of being anything other than first rate. I can't praise enough the front of house experience. And at this point I'll restate the case for the Crew Welfare Fund - they all deserve recognition - as an alternative to individual gratuities (or as well as if you like). 

 

The food has met our expectations. That's vague enough, I think. In terms of comestibles it's impossible to truly critique because each person has their own requirements. However, since this is an opinion piece rather than an objective review I'll go with my gut instinct (pun probably intended) and declare satisfaction. My only real caveat is breakfast and lunch in Terrazza but that's more to do with my not being a fan of buffets in general and shipborne ones in particular. 

 

So there we have it. Let's recap. A good itinerary, even if maybe 30% overpriced. It's reasonable value at the price point but the premium for expedition cruising is, IMHO, unjustified for this sector. This has been a classic itinerary disguised (not successfully) as an exped. This is clearly not the ship to choose for bling, entertainment or vast dining venues options. We don't want or need that anyway but others do and we have heard a few negative comments in that respect. 

 

So has this been as good an experience as it was in the before-times? Yes. On balance we are quite content. We got what we were expecting, especially after reading so much negativity. Will we still look at SS for future cruising? Of course but, and it's a big but, the per diems are, we think, cheekily ambitious right now and it's that factor that will inform our future choices. 

[taxatty]

7 hours ago, Tothesunset said:

This is clearly not the ship to choose for bling, entertainment or vast dining venues options. We don't want or need that anyway but others do and we have heard a few negative comments in that respect. 

If anyone (or their travel agent) does the slightest bit of research before booking the Wind or the Cloud, they will know this in advance and can make it part of their booking decision process. I don't sympathize with anyone who just shows up and mistakenly expects bigger ship amenities.

[les37b]

I thought the gods were transpiring against me this morning. Up and showered at 4am. Left to get to flight control at 4.30 for what should have been a 18 to 20 minute journey. Arrived at the midway point to join the M25 only to find what appeared to be a warning sign the carriage entrance was closed. (Never seen this neon sign before!) Did a detour down the A20 and then half way there, found the road blocked for an accident that had taken place shortly before. (Astonishingly, google maps even had the accident showing - but didn't realised an air ambulance had been called and police cars had blocked the road. So as it was now after 5, I went back to route one only to be dashed to find the carriageway entrance was still signed. So did a detour in the wrong direction of the M25 to to the previous junction and then back to plan A.

 

So Google maps tells me to take a long winded route at the next junction which I decided to ignore as I knew best! About 1/2 mile later I found out Google actually did know best and was greeted with a 4 lane grid lock and overhead "Incident" warning. It just didnt look like it was meant to be.

 

After waiting a good 10 minutes, finally there was some movement and I was back on my way.

 

I actually arrived in good time - it was Silver Wind that was late! 

 

After setting up, I watched as she passed the bend at Tilbury docks and waiting eagerly to launch.

 

The video is fresh off the press and very quicky edited to upload so anyone onboard could browse while having breakfast in the pool of London.

 

Enjoy.  

 

 

 

Edited May 30 by les37b

[Tothesunset]

Brilliant, Les. 

 

Just sitting in the paranoia lounge waiting to be called for face to face immigration control. 

[Tothesunset]

Sadly, we didn't get up on deck until maybe half an hour after the QE2 bridge. 

 

I've passed the link on to some other passengers. 

[les37b]

Will post some photos from London Bridge shortly after we get up there! Hopefully the journey is less eventful than earlier today! If you see an odd looking fella with a monopod taking photos onboard, say hello!

Edited May 30 by les37b

[57 varieties]

Thanks Les. That was well worth your efforts! It has whetted my appetite for our cruise on her from Longyearben at the end of June.

[jpalbny]

Was hoping that the sail-in went according to plan! Hope everyone on board enjoyed it, and thanks for the video, Les!

[Port Power]

1 hour ago, 57 varieties said:

Thanks Les. That was well worth your efforts! It has whetted my appetite for our cruise on her from Longyearben at the end of June.

You must be getting on as I disembark.

[jpalbny]

1 hour ago, les37b said:

If you see an odd looking fella with a monopod taking photos onboard, say hello!

 

I read this line too fast...

 

 

Monopod, monocle... 

[les37b]

 

Ahoy there!

 

 

I waived but you wasn’t home!
 

 

 

 

Edited May 30 by les37b

[drron29]

A beautiful scene. We were privileged to board her via the Belfast when she still was a classic ship. Before the cruise we stayed at the Cheval apartments at the Tower of London so we were able to see her arrive.

The bonus was when we left to board the Silversea staff were collecting bags no more than 10 metres from where we left the building. Highly recommended.

[les37b]

3 hours ago, drron29 said:

A beautiful scene. We were privileged to board her via the Belfast when she still was a classic ship. Before the cruise we stayed at the Cheval apartments at the Tower of London so we were able to see her arrive.

The bonus was when we left to board the Silversea staff were collecting bags no more than 10 metres from where we left the building. Highly recommended

 

i do remember that sailing and it did introduce me to the best location to video in and out from. 
 

Had a lovely lunch but was told all ship visits because of the GE issues were close to being cancelled!  The final straw after today’s problems! lol

 

Well, I have heard we were very fortunate to get on board and potentially all visits being cancelled. Phew…. They weren’t!

[Host Jazzbeau]

8 hours ago, les37b said:

 

Ahoy there!

 

 

I waived but you wasn’t home!

If I'm not turned around, this pic is of the starboard side and TTS is port.

[Tothesunset]

2 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

If I'm not turned around, this pic is of the starboard side and TTS is port.

Correctamundo! 

[Host Jazzbeau]

And thanks for the tip on 738.  It does seem like a great location/layout.  And if they ever need to deploy those depth charges against a submarine attack, you'll be able to watch the davit lowering them.  [I used to the love the old b/w TV show 'Silent Service' 😉]

[Emtbsam]

15 hours ago, 57 varieties said:

Thanks Les. That was well worth your efforts! It has whetted my appetite for our cruise on her from Longyearben at the end of June.

We will see you on board. We will be with a family group of 12 - aged 25 - 86.

[les37b]

13 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

If I'm not turned around, this pic is of the starboard side and TTS is port.

Yup, you are correct. Strangely I had convinced myself 738 was on the port side. It’s been 5 years since I last stayed in it and I’m getting old and memory not as good as it once was! lol No wonder TTS didn’t wave from the window!

 

Had an enjoyable VS visit yesterday, The process of boarding has certainly changed and somewhat confusing. To get on, your passport is taken (as usual). GS then asked for my passport again and asking what my suite number was. It was resolved eventually after waiting 15 minutes and a “voucher” issued, which is something that I’d not seen before. (The voucher also said I had a named sponsor but no idea who that was!) I suspect this is to counter individuals getting a free lunch or several, if they attempt more than one venue. Good move if that’s what’s happened.

 

I was gutted when my 738 booking was cancelled for Aug 2020 on what was scheduled to be the final sailing of the Wind as a classic ship. The departure tomorrow it would seem is going to be the final Wind (or Cloud) use of Tower Bridge. Such a shame dropping this iconic port, but believe this is the LPA putting an end to it, not SS. 
 

Hope disembarkation went smoothly and everyone boarding today has an enjoyable cruise to Reykjavik. Hope you get to see the smoke and glowing red of the current volcanic eruption. I shall give a customary wave when it sails through the bridge at Dartford tomorrow.