TIME FOR ANOTHER TRIP
It’s almost time for another trip on a ship.
Last year’s cruise assignment on Saga’s Spirit of Adventure was the first since everything fell apart with the pandemic of 2020 (and my previous voyage to Sydney on the Columbus), and a great experience it was too. I’m pleased to confirm that, exactly two weeks today, Tracey and I will be joining its sister ship, Spirit of Discovery, on a voyage to Venice and Croatia (a cruise I will also be repeating almost port-for-port later in the year, when we re-board the Spirit of Adventure).
The last time I went to Venice was 14 years ago, in 2009, on the Fred Olsen ship Boudicca. On that trip, I also visited Dubrovnik… both destinations made a lasting impression on me. In the intervening years, Dubrovnik has doubled as Kings Landing in Game of Thrones, and in July 2021, Venice banned large ships from entering the city via the Giudecca Canal. I’m pretty certain the old historic cities haven’t changed much at all, though, and I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with them. I should also add that Tracey hasn’t been to either, so it’ll be a first for her.
As is traditional, I will endeavour to keep a daily account of events on board ship and of the ports we visit. I feel I should say that this blog (and its previous incarnations) were always only ever intended as a personal record of my travels, and have found it to be an invaluable reference and aid to memory. By sharing my thoughts and observations, however, I understand that some of my content has also proved helpful to other travellers and interested parties. As always, I’m happy to share my experiences online and answer any questions that readers may wish to pose, via the comments at the end of each post.
I should also add that I have managed to get myself into trouble several times over the years. I was younger and more impetuous then, and more likely to speak my mind, whatever the consequences. We now live in different times, though, and my intention is never to offend or stir up trouble, but purely to inform and entertain. That said; should I ever bump into ‘Mr Angry’ again, who made everyone’s life a misery on the Magellan in 2018, I will let you know, and I will desist from describing any ailments on board as ‘the Marco Polo Lurgy’ for fear of receiving any interrogating phone calls from lawyers (‘cough…’ CMV… ).
These days, I’m a lot mellower, happy to do my thing (running onboard painting classes) to the best of my abilities, and to do as I’m told. Saga look after their tutors exceedingly well, and my experience on board the Spirit of Adventure last year was really quite transformative. All cabins (sorry… ‘staterooms’) have outward-facing balconies, drinks and gratuities are included, and the excellent, ship-wide wi-fi is free and available to all. What more does one want? The weather here in West Yorkshire has been somewhat wild, cold and windy of late, and I for one am looking forward to some Mediterranean sunshine (oh… and we plan to climb the Rock of Gibraltar on foot… watch this space…).
The adventure starts on April the 9th. Tune-in from then to share the experience with me.
Bring it on.
