We join the Silversea Spirit cruise today

We had breakfast and then resorted our baggage and had to leave the room around 1200 although we were not leaving the Hotel for the ship until 1500. Whilst sitting in the lobby there were lots of people checking in who had just left the ship with their baggage everywhere and us with many others waiting to join the vessel all hanging out in the lobby. Jennifer purchased some paninis with chicken and cheese and one ham and cheese, not great but filled a gap.

Finally we left the Hotel for the twenty minute drive to the port where we would have to enter what you might describe as a steeplechase horse race where we would have to undergo a further documents check for PCR testing, Vaccine certificate , temperature check and then a passport check before we went on to the next stage which was the Covid Test which was a ‘one nostril only’ test, actually I was expecting a more rigorous test and then sit around for about 20 minutes waiting for the test results. It at that point you have been diagnosed with COVID you would be declared unsafe to travel and have to go to a Hotel for quarantine for about seven days, so you are are really hoping they don't find anything and our case they did not. Then you go to the cruise check in and finally on board to your cabin on out case 709.

When we arrived at the suite the Butler, yes a Butler is waiting for you to arrive to do a further temp check and confirmed details re the muster requirements and also confirm that our three suitcases were in the cabin. We then had to watch a film about safety on the TV and then enter confirmation that you had watched it. By this time it was about 1715 and Noel had to have a meeting with the maître di and head chef regarding his dietary issues and that was at 17.30 and so i=of he went whilst Jennifer started unpacking the cases.

The meeting with the Maître di, head chef and deputy maître di lasted about ten minutes but it was strange that they were not aware of the FODMAP diet however Noel had prepared a one page note of the dos and don'ts. Then rushed back to the cabin to start his unpacking before at 1800 we had to go for muster which lasted about half an hour. Then back to the cabin for a shower and change for Dinner.

For tonight's dinner on Valentines day we had  boked to the the GRILL which is on the swimming pool level and in the open air but with temperature around 25 degrees it was very pleasant. In this restaurant you are given a hot rock which is heated to about 400 degrees upon which you cook your own steak and/or anything else you have ordered ie various cuts of steak, fish, lamb and pork . You of course can have a starter and so noel had the salad after the head waiter had come to introduce himself to say that he was fully aware of my food issues and don't worry he will ensure that everything would be as I requested.

We both enjoyed the filet mignon with two large Madagascan prawns on the side plus noel had French fries and Jennifer the baked potato and we both agreed they were  the best filet-mignon we have ever tasted. The wine was flowing but we were both careful as Jennifer did not want to over indulge whilst Noel was concerned how an unknown wine would affect him so he had only one glass of California Chardonnay.

We thought about going to the lounge following the meal to relax but then as were were tired after todays efforts and jet lag a bit we went back to the room for an early night.

At the moment most of the guests seem to be American or Brits and of course we understand the ship is only about 70 per cent full and so there is space everywhere. An American who we had met whilst waiting at the hotel had some friends who had been on the ship for the past nine days and said there were only about 300 people on that cruise so a load factor of about 50%.

Tomorrow we arrive in St Georges ,Grenada where we have not booked any excursions with the plan of having a very quiet day and taking it easy. And so to bed……….