Postcard from Minerva August-September 2008

I boarded little Minerva at 13.30 on Saturday 9 August and immediately found lots of ‘Swan’ and crew friends on board, and one or two passenger friends too! In my cabin I found a lovely bottle of wine awaiting me from my Cruise Director friend, Hugh, who sadly was not to be on this cruise. After the Safety Drill I unpacked and then watched us sail in dreadful weather – pouring rain and very windy, but once on way it seemed to calm down.

After a calmish night we approached Guernsey at 8am. Sadly the swell was too bad to allow us to board the tenders so we never got to Guernsey so we headed South in very very rough weather. In the evening I had a bowl of soup in my cabin as I didn’t feel up to the dining room! The next day we rolled and bounced our way across the Bay of Biscay, but during the day I had an invitation to the Captain’s table at dinner that evening, so that cheered up a dismal and rough day. The Welcome Party went well but everyone had to sit down for the reception as it was still pretty rough, but I had a lovely evening at the Captain’s table. The new Captain is Italian, Giovianni Biasutti – and I sat on his left so we had a very cheerful and chatty evening.

On the morning of Tuesday 12th, we awoke to warmer calmer weather and by 10am I was on the top deck in my bikini! We arrived in Leixoes in Portugal at midday and in the afternoon I went on a City Tour of the delightful little town of Oporto, finishing with a Port tasting at Sandemans. It was a good afternoon in lovely weather – at last! On Wednesday it was Lisbon – cruising up the Tagus River we arrived in glorious sunshine and a strong wind. I took myself into the Centre by shuttle bus and bought myself a delicious lunch of sardines and vinho verde, sitting in glorious sunshine writing postcards! Then back to the ship for a little more sunbathing on the top deck where I once again met up with our Italian Captain and had a long chat! At 6 o’clock that evening we sailed for Portimao, where we arrived at 9.15 in the morning. I took myself off to Praia da Rocha to have a look but it was so ghastly – full of English tourists! - that I returned to the top deck for an hour or so. In the afternoon I took an excursion to Lagos, Sagres and Cape St Vincent. Had a very good guide, but it was a poor tour with not that much to see, and at Sagres and Cape St Vincent it was very windy and quite cool. Back to the ship soon after 6pm and I then watched us sail at 7pm. In the evening watched an excellent presentation by the Captain on Antarctica.

On Friday 15th at 7am we arrived at Cadiz and I went on a wonderful excursion to Jerez – walking around the delightful little town and fortress and making a great visit to the Tio Pepe Bodega, where we not only had an excellent tour but a fun sherry tasting too. On Saturday we arrived in Malaga at 7am and I went on a rather disappointing tour to Antequera, a little town way up in the mountains. We walked around the castle and church area which was pretty but that was about all! By the time we were offered free time all the shops were closed and bars were not easy to find! At 8pm we sailed for our two day cruise across the Med which I spent mostly on the top deck! Saw some wildlife – bottleneck dolphins and some sea turtles. Had a nice Ladies Evening dinner the first night, and on the second night I went to drinks with some friends in their very smart suite, we then dined together. After dinner I went to the party on the Pool Deck, breaking off for a while to watch us arrive in Cagliari in Sardinia. When I rejoined it I found myself with all the Swan staff and some of the crew, even joined by the Captain later on. We partied and danced until 1.45! A very good evening!

On Tuesday 19th I went on a good walk around Cagliari followed by a short scenic tour of the area. We were dropped off in the Town so I joined a new friend and walked around the shops before walking back to the ship to watch us sail for Civitavecchia. After an afternoon on the top deck, I dined with an old friend, Steve, who is the Hotel Director. The next day we were in Civitavechia but I spent the whole day on board soaking up the sunshine. In the evening it was the Farewell Party, which finished up with another good drinking and dancing session on the Pool Deck!

On Thursday 21st we anchored off Sorrento from where we had a great view of Vesuvius. I went into the Town for a short walk around, but it was full of awful tourists!!! So back to the ship where I of course spent the rest of the day on the top deck, joined by Captain and Hotel Director at times! At 7 o’clock that evening we sailed and by 7.30 I was on deck with friends – enjoying a glass of wine as we cruised by Capri at sunset, and we then stayed out on deck for our dinner, which was great. The next morning we arrived at Palermo in Sicily at 8.30 and an hour later I went on a good trip to Monreale where there is the most amazing cathedral with many many gold mosaics – absolutely incredible. Walked around the little town of Monreale from where there is a good view of Palermo, then back to the top deck for the afternoon. Saturday was ‘change-over’ day so I spent it quietly on the top deck except for joining the 15 others who remained on board for a light lunch.

On Sunday 24th I went on a drive around Palermo and then up Mount Pelligrino, from where there were good views. We then drove on to Mondello and stopped for a drink before returning to the ship. I spent the early afternoon on the top deck and then the Captain invited me to the Bridge to watch our departure – a very special honour. In the evening it was the Singles Party and afterwards 12 of us all dined together. Monday we were in Porto Empedocle but having been to the site before I stayed on the ship. In the evening we had Welcome Party no 2! This time I was invited to join Steve, the Hotel Director, at his table for a great fun evening which finished up dancing half the night away on the Pool Deck. On Tuesday 26th we were in Catania, but having been here before I decided to spend the day on the top deck! In the evening I had drinks with my old friends in their wonderful Owners Suite and then we dined together.

Wednesday and Thursday were sea days spent in the sunshine on the top deck; on one evening I dined with my Japanese friends – we first met on board in 2002! Then early on Friday 29 August we sailed into Venice and had a simply wonderful view of that magical city. In the morning I did a walk around the northern parts of the city, finishing up near St Mark’s and then took a launch back to the ship. In the afternoon I took myself back into the city and walked around for two hours or so, treating myself to a chocolate ice cream and a typical Spritzer! On Saturday I went to visit some islands and monasteries but the second monastery was closed. However quite a pleasant morning cruising the Lagoon! Was invited on to the Bridge to watch us sail out of Venice.

By 7am on Sunday morning I was breakfasting on the back deck and then watched us berth in the little town of Zadar in Croatia. There I went on an excellent walking tour of the Town. Captain Giovanni invited me to the Bridge for the afternoon so there I went at 3pm and watched us cruise through the most wonderful scenery of Croatian canals for 3 hours or so – lots of fun and absolutely incredible scenery!

On Monday 1 September we arrived in Dubrovnik at 8.15am and I went on a City Walk. Having been there before it was not new, but I wanted to go around the Cathedral among other places. After which did a bit of shopping - bought myself a nice turquoise necklace and earrings. In the afternoon went on a sightseeing drive to Cavtat. We had some fantastic views along the coast of Dubrovnik and then on to a little hostelry for some local hospitality before returning to the ship at 6pm.

Tuesday 2nd – my birthday – had a wonderful morning cruising the Gulf of Kotor in Montenegro. It was the most glorious morning and the scenery was absolutely stunning. Spent the afternoon lying quietly on the top deck. In the evening had a great Birthday party with Captain Giovanni, Steve, the Hotel Director, plus two Swan Hellenic friends, and three passenger friends – started with drinks in the Wheeler Bar, then dinner in the Dining Room, followed by a nightcap out on deck with Giovanni and Steve. The next day was Kefalonia where I did an island tour and fell in love with a delightful little town called Assos – lots of little tavernas, two small beaches, and many pretty houses covered with bourganvillea. Thursday morning we arrived very early in Itea, and I went on a trip to the monastery of Osios Loukas. It was a wonderful drive through the mountains, and the monastery was fairly impressive in spite of a lot of it being under scaffolding. The monks chanted for us for 20 minutes, an incredible experience. We left Itea around 4pm, and about an hour later the Captain found a school of dolphins which he chased for about 20 minutes – all was good fun! In the evening I dined with my friend Steve under the stars as we transited the Corinth Canal – quite an experience by night! After the journey was completed the Captain and Staff Captain came back to join us for drinks – another late, but fun night!

On Friday 5th we arrived in Nauplion at about 9am where we were at anchor. Having been before I decided to spend the day on the top deck and relax before the journey home. We arrived in Athens at about 4.30am! Spent the morning on the top deck where the temperature was about 97°. At 2pm I dressed up and prepared for my return home – went to say goodbye to the Captain and Hotel Director, and then left for my flight home that evening. A truly wonderful four week cruise.