Live From the Jade, Nov 13 to Dec 21, from Athens to Cape Town

[Ken the cruiser]

4 hours ago, www3traveler said:

Thank you for sharing this wonderful adventure.

 

Have you changed Senior Officers during this very long cruise?  I thought I saw a different name on the letter from the ships' Master explaining the The HRA and the procedures for it.

 

I will add all those on The Jade to my Prayer List as this journey continues.

No, we still have the same Captain and senior officers. The Staff Captain actually signed the letter.

[Ken the cruiser]

It’s around 8:30 am, we’re clipping along at 19.2 kn, and we’re finally almost to the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. We were guessing we were going to pass through last night, but maybe a daytime passing is the much smarter move. Hopefully we’ll be able to get a glimpse of either coast line as we pass through later on this morning. 

 

  

 

Edited November 25, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

A little after Noon today we safely passed through the Strait. As you can see it was a little hazy, so sorry for the picture quality. 😁

 

 

Yemen was on the port side
  

 
And Djibouti on the starboard side

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Day 13 - Nov 25 - Day 3 At Sea (Cruising through the Red and Arabian Seas)

 

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

[vegas4ever]

4 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

As we wait to cross through the Strait, we went to breakfast. When we got back to the cabin, this was on our bed, as was the case for the other 162 or so passengers staying on for the next leg from Dubai to Cape Town. We went down to Guest Services to find out about the Yellow Fever shot requirement for the Seychelles and Madagascar, as we had never heard about this before. As far as the COVID vaccine and boosters, we’re good on that front.
 

To make a long “highly stressful” discussion shorter, it appears that if you don’t have proof you’ve had a yellow fever shot, the medical staff will hopefully be able to issue you a waiver if you’re in good health. They’re still working out the details with Madagascar. It will be interesting how this issue will develop with regards to the 1,500+ passengers boarding in Dubai a week from now. Stay tuned …

  

 

 

 

This is weird as you only need a yellow fever shot if you have been to or transiting through an affected area...which so far we have not done and also won't do on our way to Madagascar.

[Ken the cruiser]

It’s going to be interesting to see how our visits to the Seychelles and Madagascar on the next leg unfold. Now remember, this is the 3rd sea day in a row, so I’m trying to keep myself entertained during the slow times.

 

First, we got this letter this morning.

  

  

 
So I did some research, as NCL has never mentioned this Yellow Fever or COVID vaccination requirement for Seychelles or Madagascar over the past 2+ years we’ve had this cruise booked. Here’s what I found for Seychelles (as of 8 Nov 2022)

 

Do I need a vaccine to travel to Seychelles?

No. However, you must acquire your travel authorization, without which entry will not be allowed. 

 

What documents do I need to travel to Seychelles?

The documents that you need to arrive in Seychelles are:

• Seychelles Travel Authorization.
• A negative Covid-19 report, taken before departure.
• A valid passport.

https://www.ivisa.com/seychelles-blog/seychelles-vaccination-requirements-do-i-need-a-vaccine-to-travel-to-seychelles

 

Here’s what I found regarding Madagascar, which is far more interesting (as of Aug 15, 2022).
 

What are the vaccine requirements to travel to Madagascar?

Recommended

• Hepatitis A.
• Hepatitis B.
• Typhoid.
• Rabies (if your tour activities include being close to dogs or wildlife).

Required

• Yellow fever (if traveling from a place where the virus can be transmitted).
• Meningitis.
• Polio.
• Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) .
• TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis).
• Chickenpox.
• Shingles.
• Pneumonia.
• Influenza.

 

What are the areas with a higher risk of Malaria in Madagascar?

All areas, except Antananarivo capital city where there have been isolated cases. So, it is suggested that you talk to your doctor before the travel date to get prescripted antimalarial medication.

 

Is Dengue a threat for travelers in Madagascar?

There is a presence of Dengue mosquitoes in Madagascar but cases are either sporadic and unpredictable. 

 

Do I need to take a COVID-19 test to visit Madagascar?

• COVID test prior to arrival: Pre-departure tests are not required.

 

https://www.ivisa.com/madagascar-blog/madagascar-vaccination-requirements-do-i-need-a-vaccine-to-travel-to-madagascar

BTW here is what the CDC says regarding the yellow fever vaccine for Madagascar, which is the same for the Seychelles.

 

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥9 months of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission.¹

 

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/madagascar

 

Edited November 25, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

38 minutes ago, vegas4ever said:

 

This is weird as you only need a yellow fever shot if you have been to or transiting through an affected area...which so far we have not done and also won't do on our way to Madagascar.

When I was doing my research just for reference, here’s what I found for Egypt, regarding their yellow fever shot requirement. At least they referenced some nearby hotspots, which I must note we did cruise by Eritrea just before leaving the Red Sea. 
 

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥9 months of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission. This includes Eritrea, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Zambia.1 In the absence of a vaccination certificate, the person will be detained in quarantine for up to 6 days afer departure from an area at risk of YF virus transmission.

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Back to the more fun part of cruising, watching the sunset over the Arabian Sea and then getting ready for dinner! 😁

 

[ringers0815]

We were on a cruise that stopped in the Seychelles and Madagascar in January/February 2020 and we did not need the yellow fever vaccine. We have it and its now good for life (I have had 3 because previously it was thought to be good for only 10 years) but we were not asked for it. We made it ashore in the Seychelles with no problem but passengers were not allowed in Madagascar because of Covid. But no mention of yellow fever.

[Jo and Gary]

Will happily follow. What cabin did you book? We will be on Jade in March leaving from Athens, but only 10 days. 
We will be in 10666 . Our first aft balcony. 
 

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, Jo and Gary said:

Will happily follow. What cabin did you book? We will be on Jade in March leaving from Athens, but only 10 days. 
We will be in 10666 . Our first aft balcony. 
 

Cool! We’re on deck 11 in a Club Balcony cabin. If nothing else, your cabin should be quieter than ours as we’re right below the tables on deck 12. We’ve kind of gotten used to the periodic chair moving noises, but no noise would be better! 😂

 

[Ken the cruiser]

After a tasty dinner at Moderno’s tonight, we headed to the early show and I have to say the shows are getting much better!! Tonight there was an acrobatic show that was simply fantastic!

  

 

Afterwards we headed back to the cabin before going to the Battle of the Sexes Game Show in the Bliss Lounge. 

[Ken the cruiser]

3 hours ago, ringers0815 said:

We were on a cruise that stopped in the Seychelles and Madagascar in January/February 2020 and we did not need the yellow fever vaccine. We have it and its now good for life (I have had 3 because previously it was thought to be good for only 10 years) but we were not asked for it. We made it ashore in the Seychelles with no problem but passengers were not allowed in Madagascar because of Covid. But no mention of yellow fever.

I guess time will tell. My DW had her Yellow Fever shot back when she was in the military and I would have gotten a medical waiver due to my age if I knew I needed it. But, that’s all mute now. It will just be interesting to see what happens in the next few days as we haven’t received any email notification regarding the Dec 2 leg which means no one embarking on Dec 2 has been notified yet of this “potential” YF shot requirement.
 

Hopefully, this will go by the wayside just like the infamous Dubai QR code requirement for the COVID vaccines did awhile back. 🤞

Edited November 25, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

Day 14 - Nov 26 - 4th Sea Day in a row

 

 

 

  

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Here’s our current location a little after 9 am, which is 10 hours ahead of Alabama and 12 hours ahead of Seatless, which means we’re pretty much on the opposite side of the world from all y’all! 😂

 

 

It’s also the clearest morning we’ve had during these past four sea days as well! 😁

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Now that we’re pretty much clear of the “pirate zone”, I found something else potentially more exciting to watch for on sea days in the Arabian Sea. Whales!! Who knew!! 😁

 

 

https://arabianseawhalenetwork.org/posts/
 

Edited November 26, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

Just talked with Guest Services and their current estimate for the next leg is 2,000+ passengers, about 500 more than are on this leg.

[Ken the cruiser]

After watching a pretty sunset, we headed off to another tasty dinner at the Alizar MDR.

  

 
After dinner we went to the 7 pm show to watch an Illusionist duo, Chase and Kaileigh, who put on a very entertaining show!

 

 
Then we watched Deal or No Deal until around 8:30 pm when we headed over to the Bliss Lounge to watch a very funny Who’s Telling the Truth Game Show with the entertainment staff. All in all it was a very fun night!

 
Tomorrow, we’re docked in Salalah, Oman where we’re going on the following excursion in the morning.

  

 

 

Edited November 26, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[LauraAnneC]

Really enjoying your trip report- thank you!

[Ken the cruiser]

Good morning from Salalah, Oman where the temperature is forecasted today to be 88F, and this is their winter temps! 😂

 

 

 
And look, after 4 days of not seeing any, wildlife!! 😂

 

Edited November 27, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

Today it was a little toasty in Salalah, Oman where the temperature got into the upper 80sF! Just for reference as to where Oman is in relationship with the other countries around it. The dot represents where our ship is currently are dock at Salalah
  

 

All 4 of the ship’s excursions were sold out for the day. But as you might imagine with this crowd, there were also multiple buses assigned for each tour.

  

  

We had a full tour bus with about 38 guests onboard, which we were on most of the 4+ hours except for the periodic vista view point stops along the way. 
 

This represents what much of the land looked like along the way in the unpopulated areas.
 

  

And then there were the camels we saw a long the way. All together we probably saw over 100 just out grazing along the roadside! 😁
 

  
We also saw 1000’s of sea gulls along the beach as we drove by. But if you look closely (or just enlarge the picture), you can also see a bunch of little Oman crab pyramids on the beach near them, which we thought was pretty cool! 

  

 

 

 

One of the places we stopped was at the ruins of the 2,000 year old fortified port city of Sumhuram, a UNESCO site, located at the mouth of the Khor Rori estuary.

 

 

 

 

 
As we were leaving we also saw a large flock of goats along the roadside!

 

 
Then we stopped at the tomb of the Prophet Mohammad Bin Ali, who died in 1135 AD, which also had a very large cemetery next to it.

  

 

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. But while I was walking around looking for a good spot to take the picture of the Tomb, I saw 2 relatively large “Oman” ants walking along a large cable. 😁

 

 
Afterwards we headed back same the 76 kilometers we came, so we got to see some of the things we missed on the way up, which is always nice. This was a waterfall off in the distance. On the way back I took another shot of it, with you guessed it, camels in the near ground.

 

 

 

Just a nice subdivision we drove by with some serious looking person advertising something.

 

 
Then we drove by a bunch of camels along the roadside!

 

 
This was the private entrance to one of the Sultan’s three residences in Salalah, which you can see in the background if you look closely (or enlarge the picture).

 

 
There also was plenty of acres of banana trees and other crops growing in the populated areas along the way.

 

 
But as we were heading back, my DW discovered a bee that had found a home on my hat, which we eventually set free once we got back to the ship, about an hour later after we made a quick stop to sample some coconut milk and folks could do a little last minute shopping. 😁

  

 

Edited November 27, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

And we’re off! Next stop Muscat, Oman day after tomorrow!

 

 
After another tasty and fun dinner at the Teppanyaki restaurant, we went to the 7 pm production show Palace of Lights.

 

 
 No game show tonight, so back to the cabin to see what new movies they have to watch! So far they’ve had a pretty good selection. 😁

 

[ringers0815]

I remember Salalah as being very hot and desert like. In Muscat we visited the Mosque, a museum, the Al Alam Palace and the Souq close to the port. Enjoy your visit!

[52saphire]

Charles and Marie here-sailing Norwegian Jade Dec 2-21 Dubai to Cape Town. Would like to meet ship friends to play board games and hang out at trivia etc. 

[Ken the cruiser]

17 minutes ago, 52saphire said:

Charles and Marie here-sailing Norwegian Jade Dec 2-21 Dubai to Cape Town. Would like to meet ship friends to play board games and hang out at trivia etc. 

Hi there! Welcome to CC! You may have better luck meeting folks by saying hi on the Dec 2 Roll Call. Let me know if you don’t know how it find it.