Silversea – was not meant to be!

On Monday 22 May I was booked to go on a ship visit of the ‘Silver Whisper’ by Silversea Cruises.  We get invited to see ships all the time but do them on our days off as too busy to take time out of a working week. That’s how dedicated I am to see as many ships as possible as so much easier to sell when you have seen them.

I had been looking forward to seeing this ship as have never seen a Silversea ship, it had been booked for a few weeks and I made my arrangements at home as Adam (hubby) was away for a few days, so needed my neighbor to look after my boy Patch until I got home later that evening.

We usually get around 4 hours on board to look around, take photos, view cabins & the public areas and then finish with a full lunch (same as passengers) to experience the food then leave approx 3pm.

My brother Paul was in Southampton that day as on the way to Isle of Wight for work, so I had arranged to meet him for a coffee once I had left the ship, then to visit Bernie who I met on Fred Olsen Boudicca in March as she also lives in Southampton.  So i had made lots of plans and was looking forward to a great but busy day before driving home around 6pm to miss the traffic.

I set off at 7am from Coventry, it is approx 2 hours to Southampton but I always allow plenty of time in case of traffic.  We were to meet at the port at 10.45am so I knew I’d be early but would go grab a coffee and chill out until time to board.

The A46 was very busy and I got stuck in heavy traffic and crawled most of this road, I just prayed it would clear once I got onto the M40 motorway.  It did clear so I was pleased with that as I was already 20 mins behind schedule but not to worry I had plenty of time if no more hold ups.

Then a warning light came on my dashboard which was the temperature gage (after I googled it as not mechanical) meaning my car was overheating.  Oh great I thought so I rang Adam to tell him and ask what do I do, luckily I was right by Warwick Services so pulled in there and the car just died on me.  I panicked a little as was on my own but I am a member of the AA so called them to come out.  I was praying they would be able to sort it so I could continue to Southampton….

The AA took an hour to arrive so was 9am by the time my car was looked at and I knew I probably wouldn’t make it unless he could fix it in 2 minutes.

But… that was not meant to be as there was a problem with my thermostat & the water bottle as the cap was broken & stuck in the opening.  It wasn’t budging so he couldn’t test it resulting in me having to be towed back home as not safe to drive.

I was so upset that my day had been ruined.  I had to call my colleague Phil who I was meeting there and the contacts at Silversea to let them know I would not be able to make it. I held back the tears in front of the AA man (I think) as I made my calls.  He started to tell me what was wrong with the car but it wasn’t sinking in so he spoke to Adam on the phone to explain.

Half an hour later my car was hooked up to the van & I was on my way home. I am just thankful it happened where it did and not on the A34 dual carriageway with no hard shoulder!

I have been lucky with this car though, no major problems till now & the first time I’ve been towed home.

Adam was in France and arriving in on the ferry to Cherbourg he face-timed me to show me Costa Favolosa – he got nearer to a cruise ship than I did.

Paul was upset as we couldn’t meet for coffee but he did say he would go to the port and take some pictures of the ship for me, which he did after sending me every ship docked in Southampton… ‘no not that one’ I kept saying and I knew he was being daft.  I was just gutted I couldn’t take the pictures myself but thanks anyway bruv – much appreciated!

Here are the pictures he sent me, even from the Isle of Wight as Silver Whisper passed by.

Norwegian Jade docked in Southampton

QM2

Silver Whisper sailing past Isle of Wight

Bernie was upset too that I wouldn’t make it as I called her when I got home, I’m sure she’d made cake or something – oh well next time I hope there will be no problems and can make it to see her.

I’m very thankful to my friends Tom & Sue who took me out for lunch and a few glasses of wine to make up for my disastrous day – thank you both I owe you one…

Not quite the 6* lunch I was expecting today… but great company!

Rachel was also upset as had been looking forward to looking after Patch – there will be other times I’m sure.

Have you ever missed a ship due to something like this or any other reason?
I would love to hear your stories.

 

 

 


About Me

My name is Barbara Hopley (my real surname is now Neale) but most people call me ‘Babs’ – doesn’t sound as old as I’m not really that old. I am passionate about Cruise and have over 30 years of experience of travel knowledge. After working for various travel companies I…

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