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Day 12 June 10^th Messina (Sicily) Very hot, sunny and clear, windy.

As we sailed between the mainland and Sicily we could see the summit of Etna but it was a bit misty so did not photograph at all well.

We had originally intended to go to a beach in Sicily, but the trip was cancelled due to lack of numbers. We decided to just look around Messina rather than do another tour which would have been a bit too long for our liking.

As we have climbed up to the Church on the hill we decided to explore the shopping areas and then have a look at the Railway Station. We noticed that a Rome train was due so waited for that. After it arrived the engine was uncoupled and we realised that a diesel engine was going to shunt the carriages onto a ferry for a 35 minute crossing to mainland Italy.

This picture shows the rail tracks for loading through the open bow door, the car loading ramp raised on the left of the upper deck (passengers also use this ramp, mixing it with the cars, and Silhouette in the background. Great pic. Alan if he says so himself!

We then spent some time watching the carriages loaded on the ferry: it looked like they were all put on and then taken off but it might have been that they were shunted onto different tracks within the ferry.

Carriages just visible entering ferry – it was difficult to get this picture as Alan had to lean out of a window with Jack saying ' don't lean too far'!

We then enjoyed watching the various ferries come and go from the comfort of the ship. We were a little disappointed to visit Messina for the third time but having discovered the loading of carriages onto and off the ferries it certainly made the visit more interesting than we expected: yes we are sad train and ferry junkies!

Car only ferry enters the docks to join the four rail ferries

Final Silhouette cast show which we enjoyed, with acrobatics and jugling, but we found the music a bit durgy!

Day 13 June 11^th Naples Very hot, sunny and clear.

Our last visit to Naples was on a Sunday and we found the city a little intimidating and not very nice. However we decided to look around again and this time we found the main shopping and old town area. We even managed to go up to the fort overlooking the harbour on the funicular. Could not quite see the ship but the view over the city was worth the effort.

We really enjoyed Naples this time with its grand architecture and many ornate and imposing churches.

Piazza Plebiscito with St Francesco church

Inside one of the many amazing churches – this one is:

St Maria La Nova

There was a particularly fine 19^th century shopping mall called Galleria Umberto I, with its amazing high glass roof.

Galleria Umberto I

Exhausted we returned to the ship for lunch and a very lazy afternoon and evening. Have decided to miss show which is the magician that we walked out of last time.

So time for packing and up early tomorrow for our flight from Rome to Gatwick. We are ready to come home and will not miss drivers who chase you across pedestrian crossings, scooters on pavements, and the general hustle of Italian cities. Maybe the IOW weather will improve a bit!

Valletta - Malta

Day 11 June 9^th Valletta (Malta) Very hot, sunny and clear,no wind.

Clear and sunny as we watched the ship manoeuvre into the large natural harbour at Valletta, through the fairly narrow entrance. Valletta is a well fortified walled city on a hill with a harbour on each side.

Off ship early to miss the heat and crowds for a long walk around the city, with its Cathedrals and Palace of the Grand Masters.

St. John's Co-Cathedral known as the Church of the Knights of the Order of St. John

The shops are mostly familiar with Marks and Spencer, BHS, Accessorise, Dorothy Perkins and even Millies Cookies. The post boxes are red but with the Royal crest filed off and the telephone boxes are old style red.

 

Merchant Street (main shopping street)

Returned to the ship for a much needed swim and less needed lunch.

At Sea and thoughts on Celebrity Silhouette

Day 10 June 8^th At Sea warm, sunny and clear,no wind sea flat calm!

We need a day at sea after a full on cruise with a port a day so far. Time to reflect on the ship which we generally love. Good points are: the best indoor pool of any ship we have been on,

nice cabin,

nice buffet area and food, well laid out theatre,good dinner menus and food and a feeling that the ship is not crowded. We hear that although the ship's capacity is 2800 there are only 2200 on this trip. Today at sea the ship has never felt too full and there is never a problem in the pool or surrounding areas, unlike P and O Azura and Ventura.

We also like the central lifts which are glass backed and go through an open atrium the full height of the ship to a glass enclosed area at the top.

 

Although we do not have Coffee and tea making in the room like the British Cruise lines, there is easy access to drinks stations form our cabin which is actually easier than making it ourselves in the room. Here is one on the deck below us by the glass lifts at a place called the hideaway ( is this IT Pat and Steve?!). We actually use one which is nearer by the Solarium pool which is only a very short walk and up four floors by lift.

On the down side is the lack of a proper promenade deck, just a bit of deck partially down each side with life boats blocking the view. This is countered by the fact you can walk around the entire upper decks and at the front ( should we say bow!) the glass panelling is only waist high and you can see the bow which somehow makes the view much more interesting.

Food is good, and served nice and hot. Our waiters Lesmee from Chile and Bernadette from the Philippines (who won't see her children aged 12 and 10 till her contract ends in December) are excellent and have a nice sense of humour. We are getting on well with the two American couples on our table.

Today we have had some pool time but also have been to a talk on navigation by the Captain which was very interesting and we found Captain Pagonis both informative and humorous. He told us about a transatlantic voyage in 2006 when one of the passengers fell while the ship was mid Atlantic and had an open fracture which required immediate surgery, A nearby US Navy ship with 6 operating theatres returning from the Lebanon was diverted to pick up the passenger and he was transferred mid Atlantic. We also saw a cooking demonstration which was also most enjoyable.

Last formal evening: only three on this cruise as the Americans are not so keen on dressing up. Posh menu with Lobster, Chateaubriand (which we both had), baked Alaska and white chocolate cake. Jack could not decide between these two puds so had both! She is now regretting it. Our fellow table companions are in higher class cabins which have wine supplied and they shared it with us tonight so we are not only over fed but over drunk as well! Long chat with our waiter who is a lively Chilean with a great sense of humour. He said that crew are much happier on smaller ships where everyone helps each other out: this does not happen of the larger ships. Lionel Ritchie Tribute in the theatre,lasted half an hour before going back to watch tele in our cabin – Euro football.

Corfu

Day 9 June 7^th Corfu (Greek Island) very hot, sunny and clear

As we have already seen and done Corfu Town we decided it would be nice to spend the day on the beach. After a port a day for the last seven days it turned out to be a very sensible decision! A most relaxing morning watching the sail in past Corfu town with its two fortifications to dock at 8am, which after a time change was in effect 7am.

Corfu Town from our Balcony

We left by coach for Dasia beach at 10am and had a very relaxing time on the beach and around the Dasia Beach Resort Hotel's pools before returning to the ship for a very late snack lunch. The sea was calm but surprisingly cool, but at least Alan can say he has swum in the Adriatic Sea.

 

Nice beach, but a bit stony

Pool at Hotel a bit bigger than the one on the ship!

Nice dinner and the show was a comedy magician who was a bit weak and we left after half an hour. Celebrity seem to have more 'stars' rather than in house productions when compared with P and O or Cunard. We very much prefer the in house production shows with the singers and dancers.

Bari - Italy

Day 8 June 6^th Bari (Italy) very hot, sunny and clear

Woke just in time to see us sail into Bari harbour and moor at the Cruise Terminal. It was wonderfully clear and we had great views of the harbour and town behind.

View from our balcony over Bari

After breakfast we decided to use the shuttle bus into town as it was very hot and we needed to conserve our energy. Seven ports in seven days is tiring and it's meant to be a holiday! Good look around the Old Town with its numerous churches and narrow streets.

One of the many narrow streets

Basilica of San Nicola

Then a little look and the new shopping areas and seafront which is advertised as the longest in Italy: it did seem to go on forever.

Back to to the ship for a cooling swim, lunch, more swimming and just lazing around as we are on holiday! Dinner followed by Mark Donoghue, multi-instrumentalist in the theatre, which we decided to miss and have another early night.

Kotor

Day 7 June 5^th Kotor (Montenegro) warm but overcast with a few sunny spells

Kotor is situated 15 miles inland up what can only be described as a fjord. As we wanted to see the sail in we were up at 6am ( yes we know its a holiday but we like views!). A little overcast but some sun greeted us and the views were worth the effort. We had breakfast on the terrace so as not to miss any of the scenery and were on the first tender ashore just after 8am. A good look around the Old Walled Town before we decided to make the climb up to Fortress of St John, a 45 minute climb from the town. Very hard work on mainly loose steps but the views were well worth the effort.



Ship moored in 'Fjord'



Old town of Kotor

Back to the ship just in time for lunch and a very lazy afternoon recovering. Just enough energy for a guided tour of the ships galleys which we both enjoyed along with the glass of champagne they gave us!

 Evening formal dinner and second show from the Silhouette Production Cast called Velocity which we both enjoyed: although Alan had difficulty staying awake!

Dubrovnik

Day 6 June 4^th Dubrovnik Hot and sunny -again!

Awake early enough to see us sail into the Dubrovnik cruise terminal which is to the north of the Old Town – as we sailed in from the north we could not see to old walled Town. It was however very pretty and we followed Costa Classica which must be soon due for retirement! After breakfast were were on the first shuttle bus to the Old Town and eventually found the well hidden cable car in time for its first assent at 9am. Only 5 of us on it so easy to see the wonderful panoramic view as we ascended.

Old City from top of cable car - 403 Metres (Strincjera)

We had a good look around and took far too many photos of the views in perfect clear conditions. Only people on the descent and then,as we had walked the walls before, we looked around the harbour and Old Walled Town before returning to the ship. The town was becoming very busy with 3 cruise ships in today.

Main Street ( Stradun Placa)

Cathedral

Alan went to an interesting talk about how ships are tied up before another nice dinner and Lindsay Hamilton in the theatre, who we had seen before and only stayed about ten minutes as we wanted to be up early tomorrow for the cruise into Kotor.

Split

Day 5 June 3^rd Split Hot and sunny

Up early to see us sail in past some islands in clear and sunny weather. Light breakfast on the open terrace which is where we have eaten all our buffet meals so far. The ship moors off Split and we are tendered into the picturesque harbour on the ship's lifeboats on the first tender ashore at 08 15! Split is an old walled city but very compact.

Cathedral of St Duje and bell tower

Good look around, and we enjoyed the narrow streets and market areas. The seafront seems to have been recently re-done and is very impressive: pedestrian but not motor scooter free!

Back to the ship after a few hours, but the wind has got up and we cannot dock the tender at the ship despite several attempts. So while we wait with just 4 of us in the tender in rough open waters, the anchor is raised and the ship repositions so they can secure the tender in the lee of the wind on the starboard side. We seem to have a novice officer 'driving' the tender as we make quite a few abortive attempts to dock and eventually make a strong contact and are lassoed by the ships crew! Jack was a bit wary, especially as I had persuaded her to travel on the open top of the boat, where the motion was exaggerated! It seemed ages before we were able to board the ship!

Time for our usual swim before lunch, afternoon siesta by the pool, another swim and Alan enjoyed a talk about the ships propulsion system before dinner. Show was billed as David Deble a comedy juggler and that was what he was. Enjoyable and a bit different.

Blog 2 Koper

Day 3 cont.

….....formal dinner was nice with everyone dressed up, but most of the non British men wore lounge suits, not dinner jackets as we expected. Show was good with songs from musicals and before that we had a toast with the Captain and Officers in the theatre. Good idea: free champagne and chocolates and a chance to see who was who. What is it with fire and us on the holiday? At about 10 30pm we heard a PA announcement asking crew to go to cabin 3031 on the port side where there was a fire. Much speculation why a code was not used: hot money on needing to embarrass the occupants of that cabin. We heard a couple in the lift this morning who we thought were to blame excusing themselves as it was too much wine!

Day 4 June 2^nd Koper Warm but overcast – rain as we docked.

A new country for us: Slovenia. Up early to find it raining as we docked right in the town of Koper. Then breakfast before leaving early to explore to town. It's our kind of place, small, interesting and an easy walk from the ship. No silly and expensive shuttle buses. First people up the 12^th Century bell tower with its 204 steps- a bit scary for Jack.

Great views back to the ship in the harbour and over the old town area and further afield.

Back to an empty ship where we both had a relaxing swim before lunch, siesta, another swim and lazy afternoon before dinner.

Talked with our new American friends so long that we had to be thrown out by the waiter wanting to prepare for the late sitting. Enjoyed the singer piano player much more than we expected, but it was a little long so not much time before bed!

Silhouette - Blog One

Day 0 May 29^th Up to Gatwick Hilton

Uneventful journey to Gatwick well in time for a nice buffet dinner and do a dry run to North Terminal and our check in desk. Early night spoilt by a fire alarm at 10 20 – Alan was asleep; false alarm but we joined hundreds gathered at the front of the hotel waiting for the Fire Brigade to give the all clear!

Day 1 May 30^th Flight to Venice and afternoon and evening aboard Silhouette – Hot and sunny.

After a pretty poor night's sleep up early(04.50) for 07 40 BA flight to Venice. Late departure due to fog but arrived pretty much on time with good tail winds. Very efficient transfer and check-in so we were on board by 12 15. Lunch before exploring ship and unpacking. Decided not to visit Venice as we were pretty tired.

Day 2 May 31^st Venice Hot and sunny

Up early and after breakfast we walked through Venice to St Marks Square and back to the ship a different way via the Rialto Bridge. Used the People Mover to get from docks to City outskirts. This only costs one Euro for each journey and is totally unstaffed! Spent 3 hours wandering around Venice and enjoying the atmosphere.

 

Traffic jam of Gondolas!

Back to ship in time for a swim before lunch and then watched Celebrity Solstice, our sister ship sail out at 2pm. Spent afternoon lazing on ship: Jack even ventured into the pool! Then just time to see the impressive sights as we sailed out of Venice before dinner.

 

Jack on our balcony as we sail out of Venice

St Marks Square from Silhouette

We have two US couples either side of us at dinner from Austin,Texas and Philadelphia and we seem to be getting on fine with them: so far! Nice dinner followed by introductory show in the theatre.

Day 3 June 1^st Ravenna Hot but a little overcast.

Up too late to watch us sail-in but did not miss much as we are berthed in the commercial Porto Corsini. After breakfast we caught the overprice shuttle bus($14) to look around the town of Ravenna. Interesting but not earth shattering! Nice old squares and many churches. We went into the Basilica di S. Vitale with its ornate mosaic floors.

Jack by Silhouette on Quayside at Ravenna (Porto Corsini)

Usual afternoon of lunch followed by time round the Solarium Pool which we like very much: best pool of any ship we have been on. First formal evening followed by show by the Silhouette cast.