Leaving the volcano

The scenery around Naples and Sorrento includes many dramatic mountains but it is all dominated by looming Vesuvius, making for a dramatic sail-away.  The sea was moderately rough that night but seasoned sailors TSH and Diva did not need to take any medication. On arrival in Civitavecchia, the weather was sufficiently gloomy that TSH and Diva, along with many other in-transit guests, spent the morning in the assigned Panorama lounge whilst the rest of the ship was sanitised ready for the embarking guests and the next leg of their Grand Voyage.

Not many birds have been seen during this voyage, but there were hordes of Gulls around the ship in Naples.

The most recent ship-wide testing session revealed an additional guest who tested positive for Covid. The current total is 6 guests and 4 crew (all asymptomatic or with only mild symptoms) in isolation – 1.2% of the onboard population. TSH and Diva were told by a guest who had tested positive earlier in the voyage that the procedure is to stay in your suite pending a follow-up PCR test. If that is also positive, you are required to pack a bag and then you are put into a wheelchair and the crew run you into isolation. Surprisingly, the food arrangements appear to be less than satisfactory.

 

1st itinerary change

The plan was for the Silver Moon to anchor off Sorrento from the middle of one day until 18:00 on the next. The forecast of increasing swell and winds led the Captain to decide that the tender service would be unsafe on the afternoon of the second day and he would move the ship in the middle of the morning. So the tender service on the second day was really only for the use of guests doing excursions, after which they would be taken by bus to Naples, where Silver Moon would be docked.

On the first afternoon, Silver Dawn, the newest ship, was also anchored off Sorrento. There were announcements about its presence from the Captain and from the Cruise Director. But on the tender from the Silver Moon to Sorrento, some guests were amazed to spot the Silver Dawn for the first time. A member of the crew on the Silver Moon tender talked to them about it and they then asked him which of the ships he worked on!!

Sorrento is full of yellow because they grow lemons in the area. In particular, a bright yellow t-shirt with: ‘If life gives you lemons, make lemoncello’.

 

Still no butler!

The first evening meal in La Terrazza and the first lunch-time burgers have been consumed and are as good as ever.

The Silver Spirit is anchored off Sorrento in the Bay of Naples - an extremely scenic spot. Early breakfast delivered by Room Service - the new butler was reportedly  'busy'. TSH and Diva went to Pompeii by a tortuous route involving the tender, a shuttle bus and a tour bus, followed by a walk to reach the site. All in reverse to get back, so lunch was at the unseemly time of 14:30.

But walking in the steps of people who perished (or fled) almost 2000 years ago is quite an experience. More of the site can be visited than either TSH or Diva remembered from their visits long ago.

Pompeii was built on the site of a prehistoric lave flow from a previous eruption. Which should have given them a clue about what could happen.

At the time of writing, there is no sign of the new butler but there are now 3 bottles of champagne in the fridge.