Saga Pearl II in Lisbon (2017)
Just wanted some winter
sun so booked so booked a 19 night cruise with sister Ann and brother
in law Michael in early November calling at Madeira,
Tenerife, La
Palma, Mindelo (Cape Verde),
Praia (Cape Verde), Lanzarote
and Lisbon. The weather wasn't
wonderful (although it was very hot and sunny in Cape Verde). We would
have preferred the sun in the Canaries where the temperature would have
been more comfortable.
Anyway, there were many plusses about the holiday. About one week before
we went we had a phone call saying that our cabin needed some work done
so they wanted to upgrade us to a Junior Suite! Excellent, our own terrace
and plenty of room (and Butler Service!).
I've been a bit disparaging about the quality of Saga's entertainment
in the last few years but this cruise went a long way to making up for
all of my complaints. Firstly, when we got on we found that the Perfect
Mood Duo , who we
had seen and raved about several times on the Sapphire, were on board.
New to the Pearl and a pleasant surprise. Then we checked the list of
entertainers who were coming aboard and saw mention of Carlos
Bonell! A classical guitarist who we saw in concert with the Bournemouth
Symphony Orchestra over 40 years ago, we also saw him in 1978 with the
London Symphony Orchestra but had forgotten that. He was brilliant and
what a coup for Saga. There was also a brilliant pianist (Chris
Hamilton) and the Lirica Piano Quartet (Ukrainian) were as good
as any classical group we've seen on any ship. I must also mention
Stuart Anderson, who we had seen on the Sapphire earlier in the
year - I said he was excellent then and I say he was excellent now!
We were also invited to dine on the Captain's Table, first time for
11 years.
The cruise covered the
11th. November and there was a lovely Remembrance Service on board.
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