Celebrity Eclipse & Silver Spirit UK Debut
Another new ship arrived in Southampton on the 7th May 2010.  Silversea's new 36,000gt Silver Spirit was due for 7.30am, staying overnight and due to sail on the 8th at 5pm.  She entered service on the 23rd December 2009 on a maiden voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon before crossing the Atlantic on the 3rd January, arrving in Fort Lauderdale on the 19thand being named on the 21st.  She did a 91 night cruise rounding Cape Horn before returning to New York on the 23rd April and re-crossing the Atlantic, calling at Boston, Halifax, St. John's (Newfoundland), Cobh, Cardiff and Plymouth, before ending up on my doorstep.  It had been three years since a Silversea ship had called and this was the first of two, Silver Whisper popping in later this year.  In 2011 they will have three ships calling, including this one.  She is also the first newbuild possibly since Queen Mary 2 to have deck on the stern instead of cabins, though I'm prepared to be corrected.  It makes a change anyway.  Top marks Silversea!  We went down the marina, catching the first bus.  Celebrity Eclipse was already in and bunkering.  We were the only ones down there, which wasn't surprising considering the weather was more winter than spring.  I have never know it so bitterly cold in May.  At 6.43pm we finally saw her emerge from around the tankers at Esso.  She's so small we knew there was no chance seeing her at Calshot.  The sun was just coming up creating a slight sunrise among the dense cloud.
						Next
			(C) Copyright Patricia Dempsey 7th May 2010 Not to be reproduced without permission