world cruise 2015

[Silver Spectre]

Captain's welcome dinner tonight,and we'll be sitting with Norman the Hotel Director. That's it for now,and thank you for reading. Only 10 days left for us,and I'm trying to enjoy every last minute.

 

I hope you had a great and entertaining dinner with Norman, he is not only good fun, but also one of SS's good guys.

 

Have enjoyed your updates, hope you enjoy the next leg of the voyage.

[CruisinPashmina]

Norman is certainly one of SS' Good Guys, and one of the reasons why we continue to be so loyal. Please give him Deborah and John's love and best wishes.

[bettyboopcuiser]

With all that $ you can do what you want

[CruisinPashmina]

Say what??? All what $ ?

[bettyboopcuiser]

There was a farmer posted he won lottery and only has one old suit. Someone thought he was trawling a joke

[fdnycruiser]

After Chang May followed by a sea day we arrived in Saigon for a hectic and busy 2 days. Right now we're just relaxing in our cabin as we sail down the Saigon River. In Chang May we visited the Imperial City of Hue which was quite nice. Yesterday in Saigon we spent the day in The Mekong Delta,came back,showered and off to the Majestic Hotel for a show of local performers. That was followed by dinner at a local restaurant . We've become quite fond of the Vietnamese cuisine.

This morning I went to the CuChi tunnels,and the wife went shopping. Since I spent most of my time outside the city I really didn't get to explore much of Saigon. I will have to come back and do so,as it really is a vibrant city,and I managed to cross the street. Also,our guide gave me a ride on his motor bike to the barber where I got a $5 dollar haircut.It looks it too !

Being part of the generation that grew up during the war it's hard not to think of it. I had mixed emotions at the CuChi tunnels. Although of age during the war,I was never drafted. Visiting the tunnels gave me some idea of what our brave men and women went through.On the other hand,I didn't like the idea of people posing in front of life like images of Vietnam Cong or wreckage of tanks.I just feel that the area is sacred,and should be respected. However,I find the Vietnamese to be kind and gracious people.

Meanwhile aboard the Whisper there was an outside barbecue with entertainment. The pool deck was decorated lavishly,and the theme was

" Oriental Casual" We were out,but I heard it was a fun evening despite the hot weather. Some of the world cruisers got off in Chang May for a overnight adventure to Angkor Wat,and some got off today for a visit to Laos. Everything is still going well with the food and liquor supplies holding up despite my attempts to finish it all capped off with a cognac at the bar before bed. My wife has been trying to eat through all the different berries of which there has been plenty.

Only 1 week left for us. BTW,I wish I was a lottery winner so I could stay on until Ft Lauderdale and avoid the long flight home ! Thanks for all of you comments. I'll report after Bangkok.

[Silver Spectre]

Hi Fdnycruiser, another poster on the Wind board said that Helmut was now on the Whisper. If you have time before departing could you ask him when he gets off. Ta!

[Silver Spectre]

Hi Fdnycruiser, looks like that was duff info about Helmut, so pls ignore.

[joe_90]

Blog

 

 

 

I would like to take over and continue to give a daily report this port from fdnycruiser and keep the board informed on the worldie and if I can manage the internet time (600 minutes free every sector) correctly some pictures and speaking of pictures Tracey Fleming has been running an excellent photgraphy school and the result of a competiton are awaited by all the snappers. There were 3 catagories red, temples and silver whisper and if I talk to the winner nicely I will post winning picture.

 

We have arrived in Singapore and even better are at the old terminal and all the facilities that are on the huge site. The timing is a bit strange as we docked at 19.00 hrs and leave on Friday at 17.00 but never worry we can cope. The sail into the port was like a slalom course, we were weaving left and right for nearly 2 hours avoiding other ships.

 

We lose approx 80 pax and gain roughly the same so it was the same as other changeover days saying goodbye to a group of people and meeting some new and old ones. But as usual we had a shower during boat drill just to keep out of the way and then off to the bar.

 

This sector has 17 nights and for us starts the unexplored part of the world.

 

Any questions ?

 

Joe 90

[mysty]

Blog

 

 

 

I would like to take over and continue to give a daily report this port from fdnycruiser and keep the board informed on the worldie and if I can manage the internet time (600 minutes free every sector) correctly some pictures and speaking of pictures Tracey Fleming has been running an excellent photgraphy school and the result of a competiton are awaited by all the snappers. There were 3 catagories red, temples and silver whisper and if I talk to the winner nicely I will post winning picture.

 

We have arrived in Singapore and even better are at the old terminal and all the facilities that are on the huge site. The timing is a bit strange as we docked at 19.00 hrs and leave on Friday at 17.00 but never worry we can cope. The sail into the port was like a slalom course, we were weaving left and right for nearly 2 hours avoiding other ships.

 

We lose approx 80 pax and gain roughly the same so it was the same as other changeover days saying goodbye to a group of people and meeting some new and old ones. But as usual we had a shower during boat drill just to keep out of the way and then off to the bar.

 

This sector has 17 nights and for us starts the unexplored part of the world.

 

Any questions ?

 

Joe 90

Thank you Joe 90 for taking over the helm here! It has been really awesome to have reports from fdnycruiser. I posted a question for the SS 2015 World Cruisers asking for their take at the half way mark of the cruise. Is it all you expected? Would you make this choice again knowing what you know now? And one final question - Are you expected to attend the boat drill at each segment? Thank You!

[fdnycruiser]

Thanks Joe for taking the helm. We're currently sitting in the Sinapore airport waiting for our flight. The hard part is now over,which of course was leaving the Whisper. We had a great voyage with no major issues. We really,really had a hard time saying goodbye to the crew. In my opinion they really make the difference. Since we live in Florida we plan on meeting the Whisper in Ft Lauderdale for lunch. Also, I should mention that the crew really appreciates if you mention their name in your questionnaire. They're also told when they've been recognized for their outstanding service. Thank you to all who've been reading my posts,and for your kind words. Joe, I look forward to reading your posts.

[Observer]

Thanks Joe for taking the helm. We're currently sitting in the Sinapore airport waiting for our flight. The hard part is now over,which of course was leaving the Whisper. We had a great voyage with no major issues. We really,really had a hard time saying goodbye to the crew. In my opinion they really make the difference. Since we live in Florida we plan on meeting the Whisper in Ft Lauderdale for lunch. Also, I should mention that the crew really appreciates if you mention their name in your questionnaire. They're also told when they've been recognized for their outstanding service. Thank you to all who've been reading my posts,and for your kind words. Joe, I look forward to reading your posts.

 

I agree: the crew are stunning. I try to mention several on each questionnaire. But there are hard-working crew in the gallery, the laundry, the engine room, etc., whose names we will never know. They can be recognized by a contribution to the crew welfare fund.

[spinnaker2]

Thanks FDNY for taking us along. We enjoyed reading about your travels. Wonderful that someone has stepped up to the plate to continue your saga from their perspective.

[joe_90]

I will try and answer the question does the world cruise meet our expectations.

 

In our case most definitely yes, although we have sailed with the company many times but from the time we arrived in the Montage Hotel Beverly Hills, Silverseas has hit the mark 99% of the time.

 

For us the crew are the lynchpin of the operation always ready to help and every time we ask for an item its found in the ship. I could make a list, 200 long of their names because each has contributed to the success of the trip and although we have our favourites (will not say in blog) we do mention their names to all the onboard managers and if we meet them the shoreside people who visit along with the sector questionnaires which we receive at the end of each leg, The ports we have visited up to now have been mixed between ultra modern –Singapore/Hong Kong to the quiet Pacific islands. All are different and they are home to the locals who in the most part have turned out the band for the ships arrival. This makes us more interested in their culture and in turn we tend to spend in their local shops.

 

 

Yesterday was a manic day.

 

Up at 6.30 for breakfast at 7.00 before travelling to KL 1 hour away for sightseeing and retail therapy,

Returned at 16.15 just in time for a scone and then on to trivia 16.45. No rest for the wicked as Jon’s port lecture on Penang was at 17.15. Just time for a wash and change to informal dress before 1st lecture by Ambassador Nazareth. Next was dinner on deck 4 (soft shelled crab, noodle soup and barramundi fish) and then to the lounge 22.00 to hear the flautist Clare Langan.

 

She was aaaaaamazing and along with the Polish Trio played their hearts out for the next 50 minutes. We sat in a very empty lounge listening to a world class performer. This is one aspect of our fellow travellers that I find annoying the company have tried to give us some variety in the stage shows over the last

2 months flying in many talented people for us. There are the same people who attend most shows but some just ignore the effort involved and then comment that there’s nothing to do.

 

 

What a day and for the next few days more like it to come it’s a hard life cruising.

 

Ps boat–drill is highly recommended for worldies but not compulsary.

 

Sorry no pic’s as yet

 

Joe_90

[mysty]

Thanks so much Joe_90! I am so glad to hear that you are very happy with the cruise so far. My husband and I are booked on the SS World Cruise for 2016 and I was a little worried because there have been so many negative comments on the SS forums lately. Your report was excellent and made me smile! Enjoy the rest of your cruise Joe_90!

[joe_90]

Hi all

 

I will continue to give a view of the current World Cruise and try to answer any questions and speaking of questions Trivia has become serious with some teams constantly questioning Fernando’s answer, we now have 8 teams of at least 8 members each it makes for a long consensus to appear for the harder questions. Don’t ask where we are placed - please.

 

Food wise

 

Anne Marie continues to put most visiting chef(s) in the shade but today we had a superman named Manoj Nair from Kerala (no helpers) who made stuffed squid in a mango sauce followed by fish with spices wrapped in banana leaves.

 

These were put on the menu tonight in the Main Restaurant and according to the Maitre De were a great success with approx 80 servings for most of the main courses.

 

Friday 13th was a special event day for the cruisers who were doing the 115 days, it was a visit to Pinnawela and a full report will follow separately.

 

Most people returned home between 6.30pm and 7pm only to find it was raining heavily and the BBQ was transferred to the Main Dining Room. We went to Terrazza for a quiet Italian meal then to bed.

 

Set sail at 6 am because Captain wanted to have a much time in daylight due to piracy concerns. Extra precautions have been taken but I wont say what.

 

Back to sleep now and onward to Mahe Maldives.

[mysty]

Thanks Joe_90 for taking the time and the valuable internet minutes to keep us posted. Much appreciated!

[MJN1]

Here are some pictures of the Whisper arriving in Bangkok 2 weeks ago (taken from the Wind).

[MJN1]

2nd set

[MJN1]

last set.

[ScottToronto]

2nd set

 

Hi MJN1, I don't think we've ever met. My name is Scott and I'm from Toronto. I noticed you're booked on Voyage 3605 February 2016 Singapore to Hong Kong with 4 stops in the Philippines. My partner and I look forward to meeting you in February.

 

Best regards,

 

ScottToronto

 

scott.lovell3@sympatico.ca

[MJN1]

Hi Scott,

only "met" you on various threads here. Have posted a roll call for 3605, so maybe you can sign up there too. Apparently way too early for registering on "meet&mingle". Looking forward to put a face to the username next Feb. :)

[joe_90]

Report on visit to Pinnawala Sri Lanka

 

Early breakfast in a busy La Terrazza heralded the start of a long day for the third special event for the full world cruisers (150) of us boarded 4 coaches for the journey to Colombo railway station. We were split into two groups because the train could only take half of the group, and we were on the blue train which until our return journey was comfortable enough for the 2 hours required to arrive at our destination.

 

The train ride was for this part of the world the very best available although some people did not appreciate the effort involved by the local employees! We always go with the flow on any trip as life has bumps on the road.

 

Coaches met us and we arrived at the Sanctuary in less than 15 minutes, unfortunately the rainclouds decided to open and things got a bit damp but the escorts produced from their back-packs ‘ponchos’ for all (planning is everything) for the next hour we wandered the park using many bytes of memory in hundreds of chips capturing the elephants at both feeding and play time.

 

Just across the road we were directed to the Elephant Bay hotel for a superb buffet lunch (really liked the curried prawns with rice) but the highlight was that the tables overlooked the river which became the playground of the elephants enjoying their daily bathing ritual.

 

All too soon we were back at the train station for our return but we had the red train this time and were amazed at the vintage carriages were in pristine condition and even free Wifi wonderful it seemed no time until Colombo appeared but perhaps that was the red wine!

 

The ride back to the ship was short and the crew were waiting for us with the usual drinks and signs of a welcome home.

 

After a lovely day out we went for dinner in the Restaurant which finished with a delicious ‘cheesecake’.

:)

[Silver Spectre]

Thanks for the continuing reports Joe_90, looking forward to joining you all in a couple of weeks.

[fdnycruiser]

MJN1,thanks for the great pictures. I know that a few of the crew were very excited that the Wind was in port. Some had either worked on it before,or had friends working. I know they were very happy that evening after seeing their friends.