Things we didn't know @ Sea

  And so with heavy heart, cricked neck and in need of a decent cuppa tea, we bid farewell to Celebrity Edge and all who sail with her.  As the many seagulls farewelled as at Melbourne - believe us there were millions more than in this photo - so too from us - adieu, adieu, adieu.

We have two categories of fine dining. This is where there is a menu to choose from, a waiter or two hovering and others hovering with the inevitable wine list (plus payment pathway). The first are the four complimentary restaurants. They seem to have the same menus, rotating around, although with several dishes identified as 'restaurant specials'. We were allocated to the Italian-flavoured Tuscan Restaurant between the sitting time of 5.30 to 6.00pm, a little early for Sue really. Meals enjoyed include:                                    snails in garlic butter lamb T-bone french onion soup with gruyere  creme brulee apple crumble The Cosmopolitan has easily the most eye catching entry sculpture - the magnificent headless winged woman. The chairs are enticing too, but we have yet to dine there. Perhaps tonight as we are determined to try a different ambience. Then there is Nor...

  A Sea of Food: The Culinary Adventures of Cruise Dining Bon voyage—and bon appétit! That’s how every day feels aboard this floating paradise where a sea of food awaits 24 hours a day. See the end of the post to see what was in this bowl Mornings with a View This morning started perfectly. At 6.30 a.m., we had fruit platters, muffins, and coffee delivered to our room. Sitting in our favourite chairs by the balcony, we watched the endless blue waves while savouring the soothing sound of waves. An afternoon snack, after a busy day on Seal Bay and Kangaroo Island. After all we broke the bus by leaving it 10 minutes running its Air Conditioning while we were lounging at the Visitor Centre. Although there was a mystery surprise for us while we doing this. Raisin scones - forget the 'clotted cream' option, definitely suss. The best part? If we’re still peckish later, we can always go for a second breakfast! Whether it’s fluffy pancakes in the main dining room or a quick grab f...

Clare was fortunate to consult our Scottish genealogy expert, Chris Paton, on the perplexing matter of finding Janet McCray/McRae. Find this dilemma further explored on the main Buchan blog . She explained that there was an absence of documents for Janet's marriage (to Robert Buchan) and birthing of her son (another Robert Buchan). Then she showed him the Monumental Inscription page of Buchan graves interspersed with Brown graves, one of whom was Jane McCree/McRae who had a sister Janet McCree/McRae just a few years younger than Robert (the husband of Janet). Untangle this development here . This is a graphic of the relationships between all the people in the grave if they were so related. Could the deceased wife of Robert Buchan (Janet McCray/McRae) be buried in these four adjacent grave plots, to 'entitle' her sister Jane McCree Brown, a granddaughter and another baby related by marriage, to join them? Chris thought it was possible... but just speculation.  He suggested C...

  We were surprised when Captain Matt interrupted last night's lecture to meet us. He asked us to not study too hard, and in doing so miss out on other activities of the cruise.  We were happy that he wished to be photographed with us: Vice-captain Igor, Clare, Captain Matt and Sue on Level 4 We were very impressed by Captain Matt. As well as his 9.45am report to all over the loud speaker, always interrupting the first lecture, he ended with quite memorable quotes - not that I can remember them. He gave a 90 minute live presentation and Q&A on the last sea day. He was the captain/mariner consultant on the design and production of the Celebrity Edge. He was very proud of it's 200 innovative features. It could even be plugged into powerpoints at a Northern Hemisphere port, but no such facilities exist in the Southern Hemisphere. They had permission to discharge waste in Alaskan ports because all waste water was so well treated!  Finally he stood at the end of the gangwa...

There are many ways any ship owner tries to provide beautiful, evocative or meaningful visual delights for her guests. Here are  some of our favourites - you'll know which ones are for you! The Tuscan Restaurant Our allocated restaurant was the Tuscan. We hope this art work does not reflect the common experience of the diner leaving after the same meal over 9 nights. Perhaps it is the hapless waiters, of which there were hundreds, all responding to our culinary requests. 

Part of the Hobart Penitentiary is a Memorial to the 75,000+ convicts who came to Van Diemen's Land. Three were Clare's direct ancestors. Via an ipad she could identify each of them, and 'queue' them into the display module - a four sided pillar suspended from the ceiling of an old court house. The first side of the pillar was a rolling display of hundreds of names in different sizes and colors.  Suddenly JOHN GILL appeared in white, and floated over the corner and onto the second side of the pillar. Here was displayed his age at conviction, 18, for stealing wheat from his employer. He was a miller. I think he got 7 years, but as the guide reminded us, people with needed skills, such as food providers, were sought after criminals for the new colony, and maybe the judge saw an opportunity to aid New South Wales.  The third side of the pillar was the best - an AI generated image based on the physical characteristics recorded about convicts in order to recapture them shoul...

  It's Wednesday at 7 a.m., the sun is shining, and we are just passing Arthurs River, leaving Tasmania. We are travelling at 20.9 knots, and the sea depth is 3290 metres. We have travelled 940 nautical miles so far on the trip. Yesterday, we spent time in Hobart, exploring one of Australia’s most poignant historical sites under the drizzle of rain and the challenge of a 1.5-kilometre walk uphill. Our destination? The National Trust of Hobart for their Unshackled Exhibition —a remarkable journey into Tasmania's convict history. Entrance to the Penitentiary Chapel (this entrance for the free folk) The exhibition is a four-part experience that immerses visitors in the lives, struggles, and stories of the 75,000 convicts transported to Tasmania between 1803 and 1853. Here's what made our morning unforgettable: The Pandemonium segment took place in the prison chapel and used a powerful widescreen presentation to depict Tasmania's convict years from 1803 to 1853. The...

Launched in 2018, the Celebrity Edge has redefined luxury cruising with its sleek design and innovative features. This magnificent ship can accommodate 2,918 passengers and boasts a crew of 1,377. With 15 decks, the Celebrity Edge is like a floating city, offering endless ways to relax and explore. We can indulge in culinary delights at 10 different restaurants , a continuous buffet, and many coffee centres and bars. The ship features four swimming pools and a walking track that allows guests to enjoy stunning ocean views while staying active. The top-deck garden is a tranquil space, and the ship also boasts a range of shops, spas, and gyms to cater to every interest.   at this moment It’s a picture-perfect Monday afternoon out here. The seas are calm, the temperature is a crisp 18 degrees, and the sun is shining brightly. We’ve covered 406 nautical miles so far and are cruising along at a steady 18 knots. As we approach the Lady Barron Islands on our way to Hobart, w...

  Arrival time mid afternoon at the Overseas Terminal in Sydney, in the midst of five minutes of torrential downpour. All going well till we realised there is no kettle, no cups, no teabag, no fridge (but a very big safe instead). Aaargh, thanks for nothing Americanos. Sue and I are both cuppa tea first thing in the morning drinkers. Like 6.30am early. How could we cope? A thermos (to be bought in Hobart), nicked tea bags, milk in another thermos, maybe teabags bought in Hobart...... A cuppa in the top-deck cafe before our morning walk on the ship's Walking Track was our best solution. We were resigned to the double need. Luckily we met Wayan wrangling a big mattress out of another door. He is our Stateroom Attendant. He wanted to help us, he said. We need a kettle, cups, teabags and milk, we cried. "No problem" said Wayan, "you shall have them by tomorrow". Oh well, cuppa on Level 14 Oceanview Cafe (where the Walking Track is, see that post). In the meantime, w...