First Silversea cruise -- bound for the Amazon!

[CruisinPashmina]

You have an important point. I was also concerned, but going thru the narrows was a joyous experience. If you lived in the middle of nowhere and, rarely, a big white ship filled with smiling and waving people sailed by, I honestly feel you would be fascinated.

 

The only time I felt uncomfortable was a day or two later when we anchored off a village and the excursion was a very staged visit. The villagers paddled out and, essentially asked for both money and stuff. We had an easy decision: we stayed on the ship while many others tendered into the village where, we later learned, they felt hassled for money. Little kids were pushed to ask for money. Yucky, but, that said, some of the passengers seemed charmed.

 

This was definitely an exception. Except for this weird day, we LOVED the excursions...even the somewhat hokey ones..like the afternoon of piraña fishing I have described on an earlier post...that was SO fun and funny, as was a really low to the water trip out on the Amazon to a rain forest walk.

 

Pink Dolphins, pet sloths, the colorful waterfront in Manaus..the elegant totally unexpected Opera a House all combine to make up a terrific cruise. With the above exception...and who was exploiting whom?? The Amazon cruise is like nothing else.

 

Have a wonderful, memorable time. We'd like to go again!

[duct tape]

It was one of my favorite cruises, exotic and thought provoking.

[OctoberKat]

That's good to know, CruisinPashmina and duct tape.

[OctoberKat]

Just back from the travel clinic with good news. Yellow fever vax waivers for both of us due to previous injections. Even though our vaccinations are well over ten years past, current medical thinking is a single vax as an adult is sufficient lifelong. Hence waivers. Malarone to ward off malaria and cipro in case of galloping diarrhea unresponsive to imodium. And a hep A shot for me; Jim's still current from his Africa expedition

 

Now waiting on our visas and the famous Silver Box.

[OctoberKat]

Does the royal suite on Whisper have a CD player?

 

I did repeatedly try to check the Silversea web site for this detail but the site has been wonky all day.

[duct tape]

Absolutely.

[jpalbny]

Just back from the travel clinic with good news. Yellow fever vax waivers for both of us due to previous injections. Even though our vaccinations are well over ten years past, current medical thinking is a single vax as an adult is sufficient lifelong. Hence waivers.

 

 

Now waiting on our visas and the famous Silver Box.

 

Good to hear. I've heard that this may become official policy. WHO has been advocating for this for several years. Of course, our helpful CDC is overly conservative and still pushes for a 10-year booster.

 

Yellow Fever is one of those infections that is just frighteningly nasty, but the vaccine is no picnic either. One of the side effects is a "mild" form of the disease which is "only" 50% fatal! Will be very glad if we don't have to ever get that again...

 

Hope the rest of your documentation arrives soon - you must be so excited! Looking forward to hearing about the trip.

[OctoberKat]

Absolutely.

 

Thank you, duct tape. I ask because some luxury properties (e.g., Post Ranch Inn at Big Sur) offer an iPod or docking station instead of CD player. Despite time served (30+ years) in tech, we are yet iPod virgins sans lust for enlightenment.

Edited September 17, 2015 by OctoberKat

[OctoberKat]

you must be so excited! Looking forward to hearing about the trip.

 

We are, jpalbny. My pre-trip prep notebook is almost full and we're yet two months ahead of sailing.

 

Spartacus the cat has been booked into an extra large suite (he's a big boy) at the Cat's Inn, with a spa session (mostly brush-outs) every third day and extended play time. All cats should have such guilt-ridden servants.

 

http://www.thecatsinn.net

[jpalbny]

Oh my. If our cats see this they will be very jealous! We leave them home and have a sitter come in. Poor plebes!

Edited September 18, 2015 by jpalbny

[TLCOhio]

Good to hear. I've heard that this may become official policy. WHO has been advocating for this for several years. Of course, our helpful CDC is overly conservative and still pushes for a 10-year booster. Yellow Fever is one of those infections that is just frighteningly nasty, but the vaccine is no picnic either. One of the side effects is a "mild" form of the disease which is "only" 50% fatal! Will be very glad if we don't have to ever get that again... Hope the rest of your documentation arrives soon - you must be so excited! Looking forward to hearing about the trip.

 

duct tape: It was one of my favorite cruises' date=' exotic and [b']thought provoking[/b].

 

Appreciate these interesting details and updates from JP. With the wide medical and travel experiences of you and your wife, this is helpful. Our next major trip is early next year with South Africa and Botswana as the destinations. The CDC website says: "There is no risk of yellow fever in Botswana. The government of Botswana requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever." Same exact wording applies for South Africa. Sounds like we are in fairly good order.

 

On cats, we have two different Labs, one black female and the other yellow male.

 

Yes, agree with duct tape on the exotic and "thought-provoking" comments about seeing and doing the amazing Amazon River.

 

What are your latest questions, added info needs, etc.??

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 28,750 views for these postings.

[OctoberKat]

I've been researching effective insect repellents for the Amazon trip and this link to a WebMD piece featuring Consumer Reports conclusions matches up well with the recommendations from my travel clinic.

 

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20100525/6-insect-repellents-get-high-marks

 

Historically I've preferred spray and pad-wipe modes of application. And, of course, light-weight long-sleeved shirts, long pants, light cotton bandana (also useful for mopping perspiration off face [then reapplying repellent]) and a hat with brim (not bill).

[OctoberKat]

For boring medical reasons, I must be exceedingly careful of sun exposure so I've learned my way around the multitudinous offerings.

 

Research plus practical experience point me toward Neutrogena products in general, and specifically to Ultra Sport Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 100+. I also like, prefer actually, the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist sunscreen with a broad spectrum SPF of 70+. It has a lighter feel on one's skin.

 

In any case, I'll be loaded for, um, bearish sun as well as ravenous mosquitos.

 

Tapirs are so much nicer, don't you think?!

[mjnvoyager]

When we went to the Amazon 3 years ago we hardly got bitten at all. We took sprays containing Deet as recommended but had no problem. The ship is closed down at night with no outside activities and as long as you keep your balcony door closed you shouldn't be bothered with them at all.

[TLCOhio]

When we went to the Amazon 3 years ago we hardly got bitten at all. We took sprays containing Deet as recommended but had no problem. The ship is closed down at night with no outside activities and as long as you keep your balcony door closed you shouldn't be bothered with them at all.

 

Agree on the need for wanting to be prepared in the Amazon River areas for BOTH the bugs and sun!!! As noted above, we were fortunate to not have too many bug/insect issues. Yes, we had the good Deet products, but things were fairly easy and workable.

 

On the sun, YES, be prepared and slap on the "stuff" regularly. You are in and around the Equator where the sun is closer to the earth and much more intense. In the rainforest areas of the Amazon River that we explored on one day, however, the good news is that tree cover does provide more protection. Below is one picture example.

 

Keep bringing up and sharing the many good issues, questions, comments.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 119,662 views for this posting.

 

 

This one visual says it all for the "Indiana Jones" experience we were enjoying as if we were in search of some South American hidden treasure during our hiking in this remote wilderness area about 60 miles north of Manus. Lots of varied nature views and scenic angles, etc., during this walk in the actual Amazon jungle.:

 

[OctoberKat]

Herewith novels set in Brazil, some on the Amazon. I've read many of these and am confident others will enjoy some of them even though we all differ in preferences and genres. I love to read about the places I go and, of course, aboard ship. Your suggestions most welcome!

 

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett [contemporary novel with scientific / anthropological bent]

http://amzn.to/1adx5er

 

Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado, Brazilian writer [romantic, comedic novel]

http://amzn.to/1KvtzNM

 

Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands by Jorge Amado, Brazilian writer [unexpected]

http://amzn.to/1LH9nt3

 

The Seamstress by Frances de Pontes Peebles, Brazilian writer [historical fiction]

http://amzn.to/1KZPjaZK

 

Hunter's Run by George R.R. Martin et al. [science fiction]

http://amzn.to/1FWbyqI

 

Amazonia by James Rollins [thriller]

http://amzn.to/1KsDrsmk

 

Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig, Brazilian writer [originally a play, made famous by the movie, two men in a Brazilian prison]

http://amzn.to/1KpdJqR

 

At Play in the Fields of the Lord by Peter Matthiessen [heavy philosophical lit]

http://amzn.to/1NN7xNo

 

A Breath of Life by Clarice Lispector, Brazilian writer [something different]

http://amzn.to/1PhFJxS

 

For more on Amazonian literature and movies, this link is an outstanding resource.

http://www.brazilmax.com/columnist.cfm/idcolumn/82

Edited September 21, 2015 by OctoberKat

[TLCOhio]

Herewith novels set in Brazil, some on the Amazon. I've read many of these and am confident others will enjoy some of them even though we all differ in preferences and genres. I love to read about the places I go and, of course, aboard ship. Your suggestions most welcome!

 

Great listing of various novels, but you might also want to consider and read certain non-fiction books. My wife really enjoyed this book. It's . . . "River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey". From one review they noted: "Every critic enjoyed Candice Millard’s yarn about an ex-president’s fervent desire for adventure and self-acceptance. By focusing on the vivid details of Roosevelt’s journey to the Amazon as well as his relationship with his son, Millard creates much more than your typical ho-hum adventure. The beauty of this story is not just that Roosevelt’s rich history could spawn a thousand adventure stories, but that Millard’s experience with National Geographic is evident in her beautiful scenic descriptions and grisly depictions of the Amazon’s man-eating catfish, ferocious piranhas, white-water rapids, and prospect of starvation. Millard succeeds where many have not; she has managed to contain a little bit of Teddy Roosevelt’s energy and warm interactions between the covers of her wonderful new book."

 

While I did not read the whole book, this author, Candice Millard, is well regarded for how she puts together these details and human background. Great reading!!

 

During our cruise (and yours, too), you will not be in the dangerous areas that Teddy Roosevelt and other traveled. BUT, it is nice to get this added background for this overall area of the world that you will be visiting.

 

See more at:

http://www.amazon.com/The-River-Doubt-Theodore-Roosevelts/dp/0767913736

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 120,038 views for this posting.

[OctoberKat]

Oh, another Amazon book and by my favorite travel-adventure writer!

 

In Trouble Again: A Journey Between Orinoco and the Amazon by Redmond O'Hanlon

 

http://amzn.to/1ZseHdP

[Emtbsam]

OctoberKat - Thanks so much for the great list of books.

[OctoberKat]

In addition, we have just returned from that cruise in December. I wrote a daily blog (not anywhere near as good as terrys) which now appears in the cruise reviews under the Silver Whisper.

 

If you have 10 minutes spare you may want to read through it, I did put some tips and guides on there, sorry no photos.

 

This is mighty tasty blogging, good reading and informative, thank you Fudge.

 

Only three more weeks until we fly to Barbados to meet up with Whisper.

 

Appreciate the feedback, Emtbsam.

Edited October 19, 2015 by OctoberKat

[OctoberKat]

I am belatedly getting around to booking excursions for our November cruise to the Amazon aboard Whisper. I delayed booking because I'd heard on other boards, e.g., Regent, about how expensive are excursions, so, imagine my delight at learning how affordable are Silversea excursions.

 

Mind you, I've yet to enjoy any of these excursions but I am expecting good times. Especially the ones that don't leave until 9am or later.

[OctoberKat]

Would it be useful on this voyage to have reals? We will be on some excursions and want to have currency for tips and incidentals. We'll be in Barbados a week split between pre- and post-cruise. Should we have Barbadian dollars?

[drron29]

Terry I have read River of Doubt and would highly recommend it.An incredible story of survival.Should be compulsory reading for Americans.

Teddy Roosevelt was in his 50s with already remarkable acheivements when he made this journey.

[patnlcc]

OctoberKat, we did the same trip as Ron and duct tape. We didn't take either Barbadian dollars or reals. You'll find that US dollars are accepted everywhere. Just watch you don't get your change in the local currency though.

[OctoberKat]

Thank you, patnicc.