I will start today by briefly reviewing our evening and first impressions of the dining room & our waiter’s. We managed to get just enough time to enjoy a pre-dinner drink which was in the Ensemble Lounge on deck 5. It was then down to deck 3 port side to find our table (109). I had read some recent criticism regarding the food on the Silhouette but judging by what we were served last night then I think we have nothing to worry about at all. Our waiter Apong from Indonesia and our assistant waiter Damion from Jamaica are going to be great fun, both very professional and attentive on our first night and let’s hope they continue their excellent start.
Our morning started when we were awoken at 6:30 by the sound of the pilot boat. We then edged slowly alongside the jetty at Ravenna where for 15 minutes it was ghostly silent. No buses or anything,even the ship was quiet. I have never been anywhere on a ship and experienced such silence, it was like the world had come to an end.
One major disappointment is the coffee machine in The Haven has now got specific hours when it is switched on. Previously it was on all day and very busy in the morning with many guest making use of the location. Its hours are now 9:00am to 8;30 in the evening. It was a real bonus having it there on our last cruise.
At 8:30 we left for breakfast where we again enjoyed being able to sit out on the back in the sun. A nice omelette with everything for me followed by some delicious melon.
The trip into Ravenna is by ships shuttle which runs until 4:30 and costs 14 Euros. The journey takes about 15 minutes and drops you off more or less in the centre of Ravenna. Having researched Ravenna prior to arriving we knew more or less the places we wanted to visit and the first place was the Basilica di San Vitale which is famous for it mosaics. The photos do not do it justice.
In the same vicinity and out the back is the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia where there are again some fine mosaics. Because of its size viewing is limited to 10 minutes.
Our final stop was the Basilica di Sant Apolinaire Nuovo which again boasts some fantastic mosaics. I have to many photos to post here and these are just a small selection of what I took today.
Having seen what we planned to we decided to head back to the ship and hopefully beat the rush back.
Its aways a welcome sight when you get back to the ship and today meant time for some lunch and then a lie out in the sun. It is a formal night tonight so we will be getting or glad rags on later which hopefully will be a great evening.
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