Diva, the Prince and a cut finger

Monte Carlo is in preparation for Formula E racing (Diva has no idea what this is). So, walking into the centre of town and viewing the Casino was impossible. Grandstands are being built and racetracks laid out. There are no pavements and every local driver appears to be indulging a fantasy of being in a Grand Prix.

So, in the interests of health and safety, TSH and Diva took the extremely steep path up to the Royal Palace area instead. Where they saw Prince Albert II leave his Palace for a while. With many motorcycle outriders and a lot of blue flashing lights. When he returned, there was a trumpet fanfare to greet him.

When putting a used towel into the bin in one of the toilets onboard the Silver Moon, the hinged cover sprang back viciously and cut Diva’s finger. She thought that reporting it to the ship authorities would involve much form-filling and a visit to the doctor, so she reported only to TSH, who supplied a plaster. There was a lot of blood at the time but it now appears to have stopped bleeding.

TSH has had his hair cut on the ship. The hairdresser – male – had a very ornate hairdo and TSH wanted very much that he would not leave with something similar. The colour of his hair – natural dark brown with some distinguished grey – was admired.

On arrival in Monte Carlo, the Cruise Director insisted that no-one should leave the ship without photo id (passport or driving licence), as otherwise they would not be allowed back. TSH and Diva carried their driving licences but were not asked to show them at the port or anywhere else.

Covid update: There are now 8 guests and 2 crew who have tested positive for Covid. All are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms and the captain of the Silver Moon has assured the guests that all is under control.

The handshake

Back at Monte Carlo again – this time for two days. The first day the ship was anchored in a very heavy swell. The sea conditions for going ashore by tender were much worse than other days when the captain decided against it and went to another port. Could this be because senior Silversea people based in Monte Carlo are getting on the ship for a 'special event' tonight?

This is not just a Venetian Society reunion cruise - it is also celebrating Silversea's 25th birthday. There have been special events and gifts. The haul so far is: box of toiletries (Diva's favourite), Silversea tie/scarf pins, Silversea 25th anniversary tie/scarf pins, passport holders, commemorative small plate with traditional Monaco emblem. 

Diva and TSH dined with the SVP Hotel Operations & OBR who sounds important and is based in Monte Carlo. His home town is Sutton Coldfield, which detracts from the glamour a bit. Before the dinner, Manfredi appeared and shook hands with everybody at the table. Diva vowed never to wash again. Manfredi is referred to as 'the owner' (of Silversea), although, since he sold the majority share to Royal Caribbean, this is not actually the case. 


Diva decided against going ashore on the first day – short legs and a bouncing tender make the transfer from ship to tender very difficult. TSH has longer legs and took the bumpy ride into Monte Carlo. He then walked around - past the casino but importantly not into it. The return tender was loaded with a number of boxes which rumour has it were treats for the senior Silversea staff.

On the second day, Silver Spirit was docked and TSH and Diva were able to take the local bus to the 'jardin exotique' - a very pleasant cactus garden with spectacular views across the city and harbour.

From Monaco to the Italian Riviera

The ports in this region mostly require tender operation, which is difficult when the sea has a high swell as a left-over from a recent storm. The weather is good (apart from a sharp shower in Portofino) and there is nothing about the sea which troubles the Silver Spirit. But transfer from ship to tender is difficult and, at Monaco, had to be suspended for a while during the afternoon - fortunately after TSH and Diva were back on board. The visit to Portofino did eventually go ahead but at one point it seemed likely that the day would be spent in Genoa instead.

They have had dinner with the Cruise Director but were appalled that they were not invited to Venetian night (for guests who have cruised with Silversea before). An oversight which as yet no-one has explained or apologised for.

The arrival in Monaco was to the old port, which meant that they decided to go into the old town and view the outside of the royal Palace. Different from central Monte Carlo, where they usually go, but there are still defibrillators at regular intervals to assist the wealthy residents who cannot manage the hills.  There were many helicopters overhead - obviously a standard mode of transport locally.

From Portofino, TSH and Diva boarded a local boat, which took them to visit the picturesque towns of  Santa Margherita & Sestri Levante.

For the first time, TSH and Diva have met a crew member from Kazakhstan - the waitress in Indochine was from there.  
They have an invitation for later to a 'bloody mary and mimosa party' in honour of guests like them who are staying on for the next cruise.