Old Crew Out, New Crew In — But We’re Still at the Bar
Day 1 (Again), But Make It VIP
Changeover day on the Scenic Eclipse has a certain buzz to it — kind of like the last day of school, only with better catering and more sea legs. Today marked the end of one cruise and the beginning of another. But unlike the rest of the passengers, we weren’t packing. We had the rare honour of being the only two guests staying on for back-to-back cruises.
Everyone else was saying goodbye. We were saying, “Another glass, please.”
Croissants and comebacks
Over breakfast, we bumped into Ken and Karina — the lovely couple we’d met on night one. Ken was still recovering from yesterday’s swell (he described it as “a betrayal by Poseidon”), but in good spirits. We swapped stories, croissants, and sympathy before heading into Dublin for a little land-based wandering.
Castles, Cobblestones, and a Convenient Tram
A tram stop near the port whisked us toward the city centre, and after a short walk over the river and up a gentle slope, we reached Dublin Castle. From the outside, it might not scream “fairy tale,” but inside? Grand.
We toured the State Apartments, which once hosted royalty and now accommodate visiting heads of state. The Throne Room, with its glittering chandelier and Canopy of State, still oozes authority. The Drawing Room was all elegant pastels and polished floors. And St. Patrick’s Hall, with its vaulted ceilings and massive oil paintings, looked ready for a coronation at any moment. You could almost hear the historical whispers — or maybe someone nearby had a podcast on speaker.
We meandered back through Dublin’s streets, detouring for shopfronts and street performers, buying another suitcase (yes that now makes four!), before hopping on the tram back to port.
Watching the World Roll In
Back onboard, we grabbed a light lunch in Azure Café, watching the new passengers arrive with wide eyes and fresh lanyards. Some were already scoping out spa bookings. Rookies.
Ros treated herself to a nail and hair session — a proper pre-sailaway glow-up — while I slipped into the lounge for a leisurely drink. There’s something oddly satisfying about sipping a cocktail while watching the staff hand out welcome Champagne to newcomers. We’ve done our time in the welcome line — now we’re just here for the free show.
Bon Voyage, Round Two
The sailaway event was held up on the bow — the perfect spot for toasting goodbye to Dublin. With the wind in our hair (or perfectly set, in Ros’s case) and glasses in hand, we watched the city slip by, sunlight bouncing off its Georgian rooftops and church spires.
Lumière and Legendary Dishes
Dinner was at Lumière, the ship’s fine-dining French restaurant. They’d slotted us in tonight, knowing the first night’s always a bit quiet. We were hardly going to say no, were we? The courses came thick and fast, including a standout Black Angus steak topped with foie gras, nestled beside a rich potato gratin that nearly brought a tear to the eye. Each bite deserved a standing ovation. We stayed seated, of course — manners.
Signed on for another chapter
Tomorrow, the adventure continues. But tonight, we dined like royalty — the last two passengers of the previous voyage, blending seamlessly into the next one. Unpacked, unbothered, and undeniably full.
