Ruminations from the Silver Muse.

[Flyfrequently]

Nice digs @drron .
Interested in your preference/criteria for choosing your cruise company.
(can't quite yet convince Mr Flyfrequently 🛳!)

 

[drron]

I never wanted to go cruising but Mrsdrron was smart. Started me out on an 8 person converted crab boat on the Inside Passage in Alaska. Fantastic experience. Was the Sikumi. They have 2 vessels now.

Next a 16 person catamaran in the Galapagos. A place where David Attenborough doesn’t give you the full experience.

Then a Kimberley cruise on an Australian vessel Orion with 100 passengers. The line went broke. But it was another great experience so we went with them to Antarctica. We were in Mawson’s hut on its 99th anniversary. Because of increased sea ice no tourists could get there for over 10 years.

However in between the two Orion cruises we had a Silversea cruise in the Arctic. Again a marvellous experience and a very much better ship the PA 2 now the Explorer. We were hooked and only one non Silversea cruise since.

 

[Flyfrequently]

I never wanted to go cruising but Mrsdrron was smart. Started me out on an 8 person converted crab boat on the Inside Passage in Alaska. Fantastic experience. Was the Sikumi. They have 2 vessels now.

Next a 16 person catamaran in the Galapagos. A place where David Attenborough doesn’t give you the full experience.

Then a Kimberley cruise on an Australian vessel Orion with 100 passengers. The line went broke. But it was another great experience so we went with them to Antarctica. We were in Mawson’s hut on its 99th anniversary. Because of increased sea ice no tourists could get there for over 10 years.

However in between the two Orion cruises we had a Silversea cruise in the Arctic. Again a marvellous experience and a very much better ship the PA 2 now the Explorer. We were hooked and only one non Silversea cruise since.

Thanks, gives me a starting point, I would love to do the Greek Isles !

 

[Quickstatus]

I never wanted to go cruising

Your ruminations on this and other cruise trips is making me re-think the cruise option.

 

[Pushka]

Thanks, gives me a starting point, I would love to do the Greek Isles !

We had a dreadful South Pacific cruise in the '80's. I swear the convicts had a better deal. It took 30 years and with husb swearing never to set foot on a ship. So, aound 2015 I booked a 7 night round trip Barcelona through to Rome, with some stops in France, Amalfi coast, in July. Stunning weather. Stunning scenery. At the end of 7 nights he was threatening to tie himself to the ship. He didn't want to get off. He's hooked now.

So start short but start with a real 'hit the highlights' itinerary. If you don't want to spend up big just In case, book something like Celebrity, HAL maybe Princess as a start. Cheaper options. Book a balcony not interior. Try avoid mid July - August - school holidays if kids can be onboard.

Drron does it in real style but we have booked our first ever suite in December, a river cruise, but normally it's just a balcony. We are now looking at cheaper options now, still a balcony but not with the exclusive lines.

 

[Quickstatus]

dreadful South Pacific cruise in the '80'

Whatever it is it must have excellent stabilisers. I hate sea sickness

 

[drron]

Time to get this TR back on track.
We stayed overnight in Yokohama. The next day the weather improved as the day went on.












A hitchhiker.

 

[drron]

On the first night we went to Atlantide. First the menu.








Mrsdrron had the beef carpaccio and then the lamb chops.




Whilst I had the beef and caviar tartar,the king scallop and enoki mushroom fusion and then the glazed lamb leg. All dishes were nice though not outstanding.








Unfortunately as you already know Mrsdrron had just a couple of bites of her lamb chops when she suddenly just stared ahead and then complained of double vision. So back to the suite we went and the nurse came up and all her vital signs and glucose levels were normal. However she has no memory of the event but apart from being worried as to what had happened has appeared her usual self. In fact today I was on a long excursion so our trivia team was just Mrsdrron and one other member and they came in 3rd.

However we cancelled our excursion for the Tuesday and remained on board.

 

[drron]

We had lunch in Kaiseki on Tuesday. The rolls are prepared as we watched them being made.


My selection. good to see the sea urchin back.


The always happy Roberto.


Soon after lunch we set sail for Osaka.

 

[drron]

It really is a large and busy port.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

The last of our sail away.

 

[drron]

Dinner the second night was in Indochine. We were guests of the Shore Concierge Manager so no photographs of the menu.
First the wines.




We found them quite acceptable.
Mrsdrron had the beef tataki ( I think )then the braised short ribs. She loved the ribs..



I had the Saku tuna then lemongrass beef. Both excellent.




We both finished with the Kaffir lime and ginger creme brulee. Wow!


Was a great night. Shared with an oilman from Houston who was great company and then joined our trivia team.

 

[drron]

Awoke the next morning as we passed Osaka's International Airport KIX. Great views of planes landing and taking off.

 

[drron]

Next steaming in to Osaka port.

 

[drron]

It was time for lunch in Atlantide.



The wines.





I started with some clam chowder. not the greatest.


Then we both had the honey BBQ chicken wings that were really good.


Whilst eating we came alongside to a nice welcome,

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

The views from our balcony.

 

[drron]

I went on the Kuromon market and Katsuo-ji temple excursion. Picked because of all the excursions that temple was the only place I had not been. As well I like walking around markets and that is where we started. now Japan is a land of vending machines and this one was where we got off the bus.


This was next door. looked good.


Just a short walk to the market which is mainly seafood.


But not only seafood.

 

[drron]

A few Kobe beef stalls. The dearest beef was $A500 / $US300 a Kg.








Huge oysters.






And eel.