Itinerary Change

La Terrazza is back to its old self – calm and relaxing. During dinner there was an announcement from the captain. A massive storm – hurricane level – was forecast and would make the journey to Stornoway ‘uncomfortable’.  And then it would be impossible to go ashore safely. So…. The Whisper would sail to Belfast for the planned stop but then stay overnight to shelter from the worst of the storm. Then it would set off direct for Iceland, through the tail end of the storm and then out of it. So no Stornoway and no stone circle.

Two of the people on board told TSH and Diva that two years ago they did a similar voyage which was supposed to take 4 days at sea to cross to Canada. A storm meant that this missed all the ports except the disembarkation and were at sea for almost 8 days continuously. Please, no.

The Belfast Titanic exhibition is one of the best. Exhibits of the social history of Belfast, building up to the design, build, launch and fit of the Titanic. The voyage detail until that night.  And then the aftermath – search for bodies and the inquiries in UK and US. A 2 to 3 hour unmissable experience, in which you learn quite a bit about Belfast generally.

The extended stay meant there was time to take the shuttle bus into the city and walk around the centre, looking at City Hall, the Opera House and the Waterfront.

Its TSH and Diva’s 12^th wedding anniversary and they are storm –bound in Belfast. As unpredictable as the wedding day when they were clamped.

What’s happened to La Terraza?

La Terraza is the Italian-style restaurant on Silver Cloud. They take bookings and TSH and Diva like the peaceful atmosphere in there for the first and last nights of a cruise – it’s become a custom. But on the penultimate night it was full of large noisy groups, the tables were too close together and it was impossible to carry on a normal conversation. So the last night booking has been cancelled and the ear of the head maître d’ bent.

Today’s trip was to St Marie Eglise and Utah Beach, both important to the part the US played in the Normandy landings of 1944. But the British contribution was suitably included, unlike on the ship where the (Welsh) cruise director has used the phrase ‘here in the US’, implying that he thinks Silver Cloud is US soil. Last night, the entertainment was ‘The British invasion’, meaning the way British pop music has become so popular in the US. But we are in France right now, so he’s a bit confused.

TSH and Diva want to come back to Normandy and spend a bit more time looking at the monuments and museums concerning very recent history. But it would be good if it was warmer and less windy.