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Place the cursor over the photos to read the
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Page 3 of 9 |
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Page 3 of 9 |
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Ten years ago,
almost to the day, Royal Caribbean's
Enchantment of the Seas
anchored off the town of Lerwick on Shetland, but winds were so strong
that tendering passengers ashore was deemed too dangerous.
Our fellow passengers were so furious about the cancelled
Lerwick call that the Captain was quick to arrange an 'open
bar' to calm them down.
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As I look out of my porthole in the morning I see a
windswept coast, pretty much like that stormy September day
back in
1997. Braemar is approaching the town of Kirkwall
on the Orkney Islands, located just north of Scotland's
mainland. As we pass the rugged islands that
make up this North Atlantic archipelago, the pilot comes
on board to direct Braemar to the Kirkwall jetty.
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Alas, our ship's thrusters cannot cope with the strong
winds and the Captain announces over the PA system
that he will have to take the ship out to open waters
again. In complete contrast to the scene on Enchantment of
the Seas in 1997, most British guests shrug their
shoulders, order another cup of tea, say "oh well" and continue their game of
shuffleboard.
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As an antidote for our over-stressed lives, it actually
ain't half bad to be stuck on a ship on the Atlantic Ocean
with nothing but a book and a frothy cappuccino. Braemar
acts like a gently rocking living room where we feel completely
at ease on this lazy Sunday. |
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As our ship
heads north to find shelter from the strong winds off the Shetland
islands, formal night sees most guests dressed in dinner jacket
and evening gown. A few kilts are spotted, too. Dinner in
the Thistle Restaurant is a mixed pleasure. The quality of the food definitely is an improvement over
previous Fred. Olsen cruises. The menus are varied,
presentation has been vastly improved and the quality of
the food is good. I wish I could say the same about the
dining room service. Our Thai waiter really doesn't speak
any English and can't wait to get the dinner ceremony over
and done with. When the waiter starts pulling the menu
from your hand and later throws the plates with food on
the table, there is really something wrong. Some training
is badly needed here! |
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