Prompt Politics

In Seydisfjordur, the weather reverted to cold and damp but this did not deter TSH and Diva from taking a short walk around the town. As this is their 3^rd visit of the cruise, they are becoming quite familiar with it. Some tourists from the USA (from Silver Spirit or Viking Mars) stopped them as they walked and asked where they might find a coffee bar. It then took about a minute and a half for the Americans to express dismay with the state of US politics. They seem to be seriously considering emigrating to the UK.

Back on board Silver Spirit, Diva is experiencing the usual trouble with her suite card becoming regularly demagnetised, in spite of care to keep it away from her phone.

The crew are as attentive as ever and beginning to remember what drinks TSH and Diva have. One afternoon, they brought Diva a cup of hot water because the last time that waiter served her she had decided to supply her own tea bag (she always carries a few for variety).

They overheard a group of American women asking a waiter what beer they should drink. He suggested Budweiser, Heineken or a new one – Newcastle Brown (!!). They tried all three and seemed quite impressed with the NB.

Replaced by Regent

In Seydisfjordur, TSH and Diva were expecting to dock, like last time they were here a week or so ago. Instead, they were forced to anchor and tender because Regent Seven Seas Splendour had taken the only berth. As this is such an attractive town, they went ashore for a walk in spite of the inconvenience. In the tender on the return journey to Silver Spirit, they chatted to climate change deniers from Ohio. Fortunately everybody remained civil.

In Djupivogur, they decided not to go ashore because a long tender was involved and there is very little to see in the town. Instead they admired the magnificent views from the Silver Spirit of the smooth waters of the fjord and the jagged tops of the mountains. The sky is now blue.

TSH and Diva have some On Board Credit included as part of their booking. It has to be spent on board on this cruise or lost forever. So Diva decided to treat herself to an incredibly over-priced tinted lip balm. For which the ‘boutique’ had no testers or colour charts!! She did not purchase. Her pedicure went well in spite of an attempt to persuade her to move from ‘basic’ to something more expensive – unspecified, as price lists are not readily available. The woman who did the pedicure was kind and totally unlike the brutal one on Saga.

TSH had a lunch-time dessert immediately followed by 2 scoops of chocolate ice-cream. The server asked if he needed 2 spoons for ‘sharing’. The answer was a resounding ‘no’.

Most of the crew, including the security officer, are now addressing TSH and Diva by name and the restaurants manager regularly curtseys.

Overheard on board

Whilst looking at a German ‘Mein Schiff’:  Crew member ‘That is a German ship. They pay very well but if you work there you have to speak German’. Guest: ‘I should think they would have to pay more if you have to learn German. English is a much better language.’ Note that for very few crew members is English a first language.

During the escorted walk in Seydisfjordur, they were shown an archaeological dig and told about the dangers of avalanches and rock falls. Both are common and unpredictable. People asked what they should do in such an event. The answer was ‘run’ but there was no advice about in which direction.

Refreshments were served in a hotel whose plain interior seemed more like a climbers’ hut (not that Diva has ever been in a climbers’ hut). TSH collected some items which he thought were chocolate but turned out to be some kind of dried fish. No information was available about any of the food offered. The weather was cold but the heaters made it possible for burgers on deck for the second time on this cruise.