2017 TransAtlantic

Yesterday was another sea day.  Our routine was pretty much the same as any other sea day.  We started with an hour swim.  Water is sort of warm but the air and wind, not so much.  Some of the people think we are crazy and I might agree with them.  We missed breakfast so went to the Cafe for tea and a muffin.  The muffin was over cooked so I only had the tea and a banana.  Good for the diet. Lunch was a beautiful seafood buffet.  So we sat outside and enjoyed the food.  Later I headed to needlepoint and then trivia.  We won the other day but not so good today.  Oh well. Dinner was in Chartreuse.  We were guests of Danyella, the food and beverage director.  We sat with two other couples.  'Chiron and Mark from Georgia and Raneeta and Don from Louisiana.  Both of these couples are members of the Keene Travel Group.  Dinner was terrific and we really enjoyed the evening. Today we are docked in Gibraltar. ...

Wednesday April 5.  We finally have reached land.  We are now docked in Funchal.  We have visited this island many times in the past.  So today we will take the shuttle into the town and have a local lunch. Funchal is the largest city in Medeira and the Capital.  It has a population of 11,892 and the 6th largest city in all of Portugal.  It is one of Portugal's main tourist attraction. Funchal city is nestled in a great natural amphitheater.  It faces the Atlantic with a backdrop of mountains.  It is located in the stunning south of Madeira.  It is one of the Atlantic cruise ships main port of call.  It has become a tradition that most European Liners, on their maiden voyage, call here. This morning we were up to swim for one hour.  We got to swim yesterday too.  The pool water is heated but I think they turn it off at night and then turn it on in the morning.  So the water is cool when we get in and warms up as we ...

I am taking this opportunity to post pictures of the ship. The above is La Veranda.  This is where we eat breakfast and lunch.  In the evening, it becomes Sette Mari.  Sette Mari is an Italian restaurant.  We have not eaten dinner there yet this cruise.  Need to do that soon. Above is the bar in the Explorer Lounge located on deck 4.  We usually have our cocktail here. This is the hallway on deck 4.  These stairs are the way we get to deck 4 from deck 5 as the regular stairway from the aft staircase does not go to deck 4.  The staircase is there but goes to the galley. One of the sculptures around the ship. This is the hall outside of Compass Rose.  To the left is the Casino and to the right is the Explorer Lounge.  We usually have our cocktails in the Explorer Lounge. Just another view of the hall going into Compass Rose. A view of the area below the grand staircase.  The two round objects are ele...

While we are crossing the Atlantic, the internet is very slow.   Up loading pictures takes forever and just to get to my blog to enter anything, is a challenge.  So I will post now and hope for the best. The seas have been very choppy and lots of pitching and rolling.  Not so bad but you must hold on to the railings.  Several times we had dishes fall.  Loud clangs.  Bottles sliding all over the place.  Our Butler put our bottles and glasses away.  At dinner, they place the wine buckets on the floor.  Makes for an interesting time.  This lasted two full days.  We are fine but it was interesting to say the least. And of course, with all this ship movement, the pool is empty.  So we have not been able to exercise like we like to.  But we are using the stairs when possible.  Not up to deck 11 but always down.  And up and down to decks 5 and 4. Trivia is fun.  We have come in third twice.  Problem is w...

Thursday was our second day in Bermuda.  We got up and headed to the pool.  Well, the good thing was the water was warm.  The bad thing was the air was cold and windy.  Really windy.  Everyone that passed us, thought we were crazy.  We did stay in and exercise for the entire hour.  The only part of you that was cold was your head and shoulders.  You ran like crazy to get to the hot shower. We then dressed and headed to La Veranda for breakfast.  The rest of the morning was crossword puzzles and needlepoint.  We decided not to go on our tour as it was a boat ride and the best way to see the homes was from the upper deck which meant you would be in the weather the whole time. Had a quick lunch at the pool grill as all the seats in La Veranda were taken.  Probably a good thing as we ate light.  Then back to the suite to nap for Bob and needlepoint for me.  The ship took off at around 3pm. Needlepoint was in the Observat...

Today we are docked at the Royal Navy Dockyards.  This was known as King's Wharf.  It was built by the British Nay in the 19th century.  The Georgian-style fort later served as a North Atlantic base during the world wars  In 1975 the Bermuda Maritime Museum opened and restoration of the Dockyard soon make the charming area a popular cultural tourism destination.  The Dockyard encompassed an area of less than one square kilometer and all attractions are within easy walking distance from the pier. A view of the area where we are docked. The Dock Yard Clock Tower.  They have converted this building to shops. Some of the passengers waiting for the tour of the famous homes here in Bermuda. Our tour today was Scenic Southern Shores.  We rode around the island in a taxi that held 6 persons plus the driver.  Our driver was Earl and he pointed out buildings and such.  It took about three hours.  This island is 22 miles long and ...