A Silver Shadow Over The World - December 2023 to May 2024

[Grand Duchess]

On 2/1/2023 at 7:44 PM, mysty said:

This will be the second time that we will visit Osaka.  In the serendipitous nature of things (before our first visit in 2019)  I found an interesting article in The Sunday Times from October 7, 2018....Top 10 Things To Do In Osaka written by Duncan Craig.

 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/top-10-things-to-do-in-osaka-r2v939wrs?shareToken=baf29f68bb604bfd72633e966e202807

 

Some of the ideas are a little quirky and they do sound like fun!

For example, from the article:

 

"Try takoyaki

If there’s one thing Osakans love to talk about, it’s their balls. Smeared in mayo, pickled with ginger, these lightly battered, octopus-filled dough balls are available on every street corner. You’re eating them at Dotonbori Kukuru, in the buzzing Dotonbori district, for three reasons: the cool, shoes-off seating in the back; the giant model octopus out front; and its Russian roulette takoyaki menu of eight pieces, one of which is filled with straight wasabi (£7); "

 

What caught my eye in this article was the mention of a sushi spot:

 

"Eat at Osaka ichiba zushi

There are swankier restaurants in Osaka, and certainly more famous ones: Genroku, the world’s first conveyor-belt sushi outlet, for one. But I defy you to have a better meal experience than at this diminutive counter restaurant, hidden away two blocks north of the Dotonbori canal. Beaming sushi maestros stand behind counters stuffed with swordfish, strips of octopus as long as watch straps, scallops, conger eel, sweet shrimp... every conceivable sushi ingredient. You point, they roll, your beer gets topped up liberally and the whole restaurant cheers you out when you leave (sushi from £1.35; 2 Chome-7-3 Shinsaibashisuji)."

 

We didn't explore the options mentioned in the article the last time.  Hoping we can squeeze some in for 2024.

Thank you very much Mysty, this will come in handy in a few weeks end of March when I will start my Osaka to Kobe cruise on the Muse.

Looking so forward to visiting Japan once more, and yes, those octopus balls are 😋 

[mysty]

35 minutes ago, Grand Duchess said:

Thank you very much Mysty, this will come in handy in a few weeks end of March when I will start my Osaka to Kobe cruise on the Muse.

Looking so forward to visiting Japan once more, and yes, those octopus balls are 😋 

 

Most welcome Grand Duchess!  I'm glad you can make use of the list!  Have an awesome sail!

[silkismom]

58 minutes ago, Grand Duchess said:

Thank you very much Mysty, this will come in handy in a few weeks end of March when I will start my Osaka to Kobe cruise on the Muse.

Looking so forward to visiting Japan once more, and yes, those octopus balls are 😋 

I think we are on the cruise after yours, have you heard what hotels they use yet?

[mysty]

One of the websites we like to access on our adventures is:

 

http://www.marinetraffic.com/

 

MarineTraffic displays near real-time positions of ships and yachts worldwide.
Connected to the largest network of land-based AIS receivers, the app covers most major ports and shipping routes.

• View VESSELS ON THE LIVE MAP, search for ships, boats and seaports and see what's near you!
• More than 100,000 VESSELS PER DAY report their positions via MarineTraffic AIS
• View live wind and 48-hour WIND FORECASTS on the map.

 

We had an interesting experience on our 2016 cruise while sailing from Hong Kong to Ha Long Bay.  We were navigating through the narrow channel called the Qiongzhou Strait between mainland China and Hainan Island.  There was a very dense fog and visibility was limited.  The ship's horn sounded from time to time.  Then the horn blare started to last longer and longer.  We accessed the internet and the navigation site I mentioned above which shows the ship's position and the position of ships in the area.  The Silver Whisper and a Chinese tanker ship were on a collision course.  As we watched the progress of both ships we could see the Chinese tanker changing course to pass us on the starboard side.  Collision averted!  This situation happened a few more times until we were out of the Qiongzhou Strait.  An interesting time!

 

This link takes you to the current position of the Silver Shadow on its 2023 World Cruise:

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:368999/mmsi:308628000/imo:9192167/vessel:SILVER_SHADOW

[Randyk47]

We booked the precursor cruise December 27 2023 -  January 15 2024 to the World Cruise.  A trans-Panama Canal cruise was on our bucket list and the timing on this transit works for us and our friends/cruise partners.  This will be the longest cruise we’ve taken by one day, the other being 18 days on the Spirit Rome to Dubai five years ago.  

[mysty]

1 minute ago, Randyk47 said:

We booked the precursor cruise December 27 2023 -  January 15 2024 to the World Cruise.  A trans-Panama Canal cruise was on our bucket list and the timing on this transit works for us and our friends/cruise partners.  This will be the longest cruise we’ve taken by one day, the other being 18 days on the Spirit Rome to Dubai five years ago.  

 

If the travel gods smile we hope to meet you at some point.  😁

[mysty]

@Randyk47 and anyone else interested here is a link to the streaming cameras at the locks on the Panama Canal:

https://multimedia.panama-canal.com/

 

And here is a link to the Panama Canal Cruise Ship Schedule:  

https://crew-center.com/panama-canal-cruise-ships-schedule

 

We are scheduled to enter the Panama Canal on January 2, 2024.  Friends and family may be interested in following along.

 

[Randyk47]

24 minutes ago, mysty said:

@Randyk47 and anyone else interested here is a link to the streaming cameras at the locks on the Panama Canal:

https://multimedia.panama-canal.com/

 

And here is a link to the Panama Canal Cruise Ship Schedule:  

https://crew-center.com/panama-canal-cruise-ships-schedule

 

We are scheduled to enter the Panama Canal on January 2, 2024.  Friends and family may be interested in following along.

 

We had done a partial transit 17 years ago on the old Celebrity Galaxy and really enjoyed just going through the Atlantic side though getting up at 5:30 AM wasn’t a lot of fun.   In as much as there are only five or so ports this is going to be a lot of sea days.

[mysty]

We have been very fortunate to have visited Auckland a number of times.  In 2019 there were no included excursions for the cruise.  We had OBC and we wanted to parcel it out to cover our priority excursions.  We decided we would explore more of Auckland under our own steam.  We took the ferry to Waiheke Island.  We jumped on the Hop On Hop Off bus and toured the island stopping at a couple of wineries for tastings.  We had a spectacular lunch at Mudbrick.  To read about this outing here is the link....

https://mpworldexploration2019.blogspot.com/2019/01/day-23auckland-new-zealand.html

 

The ship offers something similar for the 2024 cruise as a "Select" excursion......

 

TASTE OF WAIHEKE ISLAND (AKL-I)  $199.00

HIGH-SPEED FERRY RIDE TO WAIHEKE ISLAND

Commence your day with a short walk to the ferry terminal and board a high-speed ferry for your journey along the Waitemata Harbour to the beautiful Waiheke Island. Waiheke is the second-largest island in the gulf, after Great Barrier Island, and is renowned for its charming scenery, dry microclimate and award-winning collection of boutique vineyards.

SIGHTSEEING DRIVE

Upon arrival, board your coach with a local driver/guide and travel throughout the island, stopping off at some of the island's most iconic vineyards for wine tastings, including one of the most romantic venues, nestled in a beautiful valley of olive trees and vines.

LOCAL WINERIES, WINE TASTING, RANGIHOUA ESTATE & OLIVE OIL TASTING, LIGHT LUNCH

Stop at one of the island's best-known winery, Mudbrick Vineyard, which combines world-class wines with fantastic 360-degree views of the gulf and surrounding islands. Sample a range of premium, internationally-awarded Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Rangihoua Estate and continue to Batch Winery, a producer of intriguing small-batch wines for wine tasting followed by a light lunch featuring fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. You last stop will be at the Stonyridge Vineyard, a winery that specializes in Bordeaux-style reds.

Afterwards, enjoy sweeping sea views on your ferry ride back to Auckland and the ship.

 

If you want to explore independently here are some useful links...

 

For the ferry and the Hop On Hop Off bus combo.....

https://www.fullers.co.nz/experiences-tours/day-tours/waiheke-island-explorer-hop-on-hop-off-bus-tour/

 

For just the ferry.....

https://www.fullers.co.nz/timetables-and-fares/fares/?from=AUCK&to=WAIH

 

For Mudbrick.....

https://mudbrick.co.nz/

 

Waiheke is a wonderful place to explore.  Myster and I had a delicious adventure there.

[Port Power]

Do you go to Wellington?  There are great tours at the Weta workshop. Also the fabulous Zealandia. So hard to chose!

[mysty]

16 minutes ago, Port Power said:

Do you go to Wellington?  There are great tours at the Weta workshop. Also the fabulous Zealandia. So hard to chose!

 

We do go to Wellington. 

 

 

We have booked an "included" excursion in Wellington.....Storm Coast

Explore the maritime beauty and dramatic views of Wellington's wreck-strewn Storm Coast during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion to Pencarrow Station.

 

Wellington, Storm Coast, Petone, Hidden Lakes, Lighthouse, Maori Sites, Pencarrow Station

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 75-minute drive to Pencarrow Station and beautiful Wellington Harbour's easternmost point. En route, your drive along the panoramic route of the Storm Coast which follows the harbour shoreline and passes Petone, where Wellington's first settlers landed. As you drive along this dramatic coastline, see quaint coastal villages and bays, New Zealand's oldest lighthouse and hear tales of shipwrecks.

 

Morning/Afternoon Tea, Farm Dog Demonstration, Cook Strait, South Island's Kaikoura Ranges

Upon arrival at Pencarrow Station, one of the earliest settled sheep and cattle stations in the Wellington area, head to the Pencarrow Lodge, one of Wellington's best-kept secrets. Situated near the entrance to Wellington Harbour, the lodge offers spectacular vistas across Cook Strait to the South Island's Kaikoura Ranges. During a stop at the Pencarrow Lodge, you will enjoy a farm dog demonstration and savour the panoramic views whilst enjoying morning/afternoon tea, coffee and snacks.

 

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 75-minute drive back to the pier.

 

I'm thinking your suggestions might be more fun.  Thank you!

[mysty]

If you're looking for something different to do in Bali you might consider the THE ESSENCE OF BALINESE CUISINE (DPS-C) .  This is a "Select" Excursion priced at $140.00 USD.  Here is the short description...

"Capture the essence of Balinese cooking during this tour, hands-on cooking demonstration at Bali's Anika Balinese Cooking School. Bali is known for its flavourful cuisine and attractive presentation. This outing offers a unique culinary and cultural experience led by the chef of the school."

 

Here is the link to the school's website.....http://anikacookingclass.com/

 

Myster and I did this excursion in 2019 and enjoyed it. The price is actually lower for 2024.  Here is the link to the blog entry that describes our adventure.

 

https://mpworldexploration2019.blogspot.com/2019/02/day-41bali-indonesia.html

 

 

[mysty]

9 hours ago, mysty said:

If you're looking for something different to do in Bali you might consider the THE ESSENCE OF BALINESE CUISINE (DPS-C) .  This is a "Select" Excursion priced at $140.00 USD.  Here is the short description...

"Capture the essence of Balinese cooking during this tour, hands-on cooking demonstration at Bali's Anika Balinese Cooking School. Bali is known for its flavourful cuisine and attractive presentation. This outing offers a unique culinary and cultural experience led by the chef of the school."

 

Here is the link to the school's website.....http://anikacookingclass.com/

 

Myster and I did this excursion in 2019 and enjoyed it. The price is actually lower for 2024.  Here is the link to the blog entry that describes our adventure.

 

https://mpworldexploration2019.blogspot.com/2019/02/day-41bali-indonesia.html

 

 

 

@drron29, have you done this?  If so, what did you think?

[drron29]

We haven't been to Bali this century as the place is overrun by Aussie bogans ( chavs in the UK and I suppose red necks in the USA).

But last century we did a cooking course in Ubud which was very good. Ubud would be a nice place for an excursion. I went white water rafting there. I had fun though most on the raft didn't as our guide loved tipping the raft over.

[jpalbny]

40 minutes ago, drron29 said:

We haven't been to Bali this century as the place is overrun by Aussie bogans ( chavs in the UK and I suppose red necks in the USA).

But last century we did a cooking course in Ubud which was very good. Ubud would be a nice place for an excursion. I went white water rafting there. I had fun though most on the raft didn't as our guide loved tipping the raft over.

 

Don't you mean last millennium? 

[mysty]

If all goes according to plan (and seriously, these days, does anything go according to plan) we would be in Aomori, Japan on April 29, 2024.  Yesterday this amazing video showed up in my news feed.

 

Japan's northern prefecture of Aomori has become the site of 'snow monster' trees coated in snow and ice, creating fields of odd, snowy formations.

 

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2169779267574/

[jpalbny]

That's pretty! We saw some similar trees in Northern Finland and were impressed with the beauty of all that snow.

[Grand Duchess]

On 2/3/2023 at 5:37 PM, silkismom said:

I think we are on the cruise after yours, have you heard what hotels they use yet?

Hello silkismom, still no feedback from my Silversea TA what hotels will be used pre-cruise although I asked for details last week. I will probably have to send a chaser by the end of  this week, this seems to become my standard procedure lately with Silversea🙄

[Grand Duchess]

On 2/7/2023 at 1:52 PM, mysty said:

If you're looking for something different to do in Bali you might consider the THE ESSENCE OF BALINESE CUISINE (DPS-C) .  This is a "Select" Excursion priced at $140.00 USD.  Here is the short description...

"Capture the essence of Balinese cooking during this tour, hands-on cooking demonstration at Bali's Anika Balinese Cooking School. Bali is known for its flavourful cuisine and attractive presentation. This outing offers a unique culinary and cultural experience led by the chef of the school."

 

Here is the link to the school's website.....http://anikacookingclass.com/

 

Myster and I did this excursion in 2019 and enjoyed it. The price is actually lower for 2024.  Here is the link to the blog entry that describes our adventure.

 

https://mpworldexploration2019.blogspot.com/2019/02/day-41bali-indonesia.html

 

 

That‘s what I had booked for Bali on my last cruise in November on the Muse, but like so many of the „selected“ excursions at the time it was cancelled. 
I do hope you have more luck!

[mysty]

There is an mid-voyage excursion for the 2024 World Cruise that caught our eye.  No pricing has been established yet.  The cost of the travel insurance for our cruises may rule out this idea.  However, the excursion in question is....

04MIDSHA-T: Tibet, the Roof of the World

Duration: 5 Days/4 Nights

Departs from: Shanghai, April 9th 2024

Re-join ship: Tianjin, April 13th, 2024

Tibet has long tantalized the imaginations of travelers with visions of its majestic scenery, colorful and distinctive culture, glittering religious monuments, and the true devotion of its people to their own brand of Buddhism. Despite the control asserted by Beijing and a spreading veneer of Chinese culture, a visit to the "Roof of the World" is still an inspiration. In fact the Dalai Lama encourages travelers to visit and learn as much as they can about the country and its people.

 

In 2016 we did two mid-voyage excursions that we thoroughly enjoyed.  Here are the links from the blog that detail the trips.

 

Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan - $6,999.00 USD pp

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-72-thimphu-bhutan.html

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-73-paro-bhutan.html

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-74-paro-bhutan.html

 

Temples and Pagodas of Bagan - $1,099.00 USD pp

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-81-yangon-myanmar-bagan-myanmar.html

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-82-bagan-myanmar-yangon-myanmar.html

 

[Daveywavey70]

6 hours ago, mysty said:

There is an mid-voyage excursion for the 2024 World Cruise that caught our eye.  No pricing has been established yet.  The cost of the travel insurance for our cruises may rule out this idea.  However, the excursion in question is....

04MIDSHA-T: Tibet, the Roof of the World

Duration: 5 Days/4 Nights

Departs from: Shanghai, April 9th 2024

Re-join ship: Tianjin, April 13th, 2024

Tibet has long tantalized the imaginations of travelers with visions of its majestic scenery, colorful and distinctive culture, glittering religious monuments, and the true devotion of its people to their own brand of Buddhism. Despite the control asserted by Beijing and a spreading veneer of Chinese culture, a visit to the "Roof of the World" is still an inspiration. In fact the Dalai Lama encourages travelers to visit and learn as much as they can about the country and its people.

 

In 2016 we did two mid-voyage excursions that we thoroughly enjoyed.  Here are the links from the blog that detail the trips.

 

Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan - $6,999.00 USD pp

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-72-thimphu-bhutan.html

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-73-paro-bhutan.html

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-74-paro-bhutan.html

 

Temples and Pagodas of Bagan - $1,099.00 USD pp

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-81-yangon-myanmar-bagan-myanmar.html

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-82-bagan-myanmar-yangon-myanmar.html

 

Sounds like an incredible experience M.

[mysty]

11 minutes ago, Daveywavey70 said:

Sounds like an incredible experience M.

 

It does doesn't it?  Myster has had a hankering to be in the Himalayas.   The Bhutan trip allowed him to view their majesty as we flew over them into Paro.  The Tibet excursion would be icing on the cake!

[Daveywavey70]

I Reckon it would. I Thought about incorporating the Himalayas into my last trip but it would have been too rushed to appreciate them. That might just be one of the highlights of your cruise xxx

[mysty]

There are currently 4 World Cruise events planned for 2024.

 

For the 2016 cruise there were 3 planned World Cruise events and 3 Silversea Experiences.  

The Experiences were to be a tour of Easter Island, the Junks of Ha Long Bay and Music in Muscat. 

We couldn't get access to Easter Island due to the swells.  This event did not take place.

Here are blog links to the Junks of Ha Long Bay and Music in Muscat:

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/03/day-66-halong-bay-vietnam.html

 

https://mpworldcruise.blogspot.com/2016/04/day-96-muscat-oman.html

 

In 2019 there were 4 planned World Cruise events and 4 additional World Cruise events were added.  The added events were:

Sydney - Night at the  Opera

https://mpworldexploration2019.blogspot.com/2018/12/22-days-and-countingnew-world-cruise.html

https://mpworldexploration2019.blogspot.com/2019/02/day-28sydney-australia.html

 

Cape Town - Ride to Freedom 

https://mpworldexploration2019.blogspot.com/2019/04/day-101cape-town-south-africa.html

 

Colombo - Entitled "Sights and Sounds of Sri Lanka" this event was an evening of Sri Lankan Culture.  It took place at Kingsbury where we were welcomed by a "wealth of traditions, all aimed at wishing us a long life".

https://mpworldexploration2019.blogspot.com/2019/03/day-78colombo-sri-lanka.html

 

 Gorée Island - Dakar

https://mpworldexploration2019.blogspot.com/2019/04/day-114sea-day.html

https://mpworldexploration2019.blogspot.com/2019/05/day-117dakar-senegal-pictures.html

 

It will be interesting to see what additional magic will be introduced for 2024.

 

 

[lincslady]

Golly  Mysty -  I had no idea until very recently you and Myster were such well travelled people.  I think you really have been everywhere.   I hope you can get any additional cover on your insurance if you need it for Tibet.  I feel pretty humble about my trips around the world after reading about yours.

 

I guess you know what the World Cruisers special events will be beforehand, and need to book in for them?

 

Lola