Photographed Tuesday, Silver Shadow (in the distance against the mountains) anchored in Akaroa, New Zealand, with no other cruise ships in sight. The day before, two ships disgorged a few thousand passengers into this town of 700. Why the Steinlager sign? It was my favorite beer when I traveled the north and south islands more than 20 years ago. It is good to be back in New Zealand.
This week, we pose a question: Are you a big-ship cruiser or a small-ship cruiser?
In October my friend Leah and I traveled to Manhattan, New York to board the Silver Whisper, one of many beautiful ships from the luxury cruise line, Silversea. Aboard this all-inclusive cruise ship we had many delightful experiences during our 10-days travelling from New York to Barbados. Upon checking in we were greeted with a very friendly and personal welcome from the Hotel Director, Norman Rafelson and the Cruise Director, Don Fluke.
In collaboration with Slow Food Italy, Silversea Cruises has designed an exclusive three-night program that will highlight the culinary and cultural traditions of Tuscany and introduce participants to local wine producers and products that adhere to the Slow Food philosophy of preserving biodiversity and gastronomic traditions.
It often pays to plan ahead, and for those who heed such advice, now may be a good time to begin planning for 2013. One compelling reason is a new offer by Silversea Cruises. Make a deposit on a 2013 sailing by February 15, 2012, and save an additional 10 percent on a selection of 2012 voyages. On top of this are attractive savings incentives in 2013 that include almost double the number of Free Air gateways available (on select sailings) to travelers departing from the U.S and Canada, and Onboard Spending Credits of up to $1,500 per suite on all voyages (with the exception of Silversea Expeditions).
All right, so you’re an experienced Caribbean cruiser.
You’ve docked in places like Phillpsburg and Bridgetown so many times you qualify for frequent visitor status. You’ve slathered yourself in sun lotion on more palm-lined beaches than Columbus ever claimed. But I bet there are still big gaps in your Caribbean life list; places that hardly ever show up in cruise itineraries. Maybe it’s time to look into some islands off the well-churned cruise routes that are places that can only be visited by smaller ships. The experience is sure to be one that won’t have our friends saying “been there, done that.”
Our roving reporter, Ralph Grizzle, sails aboard Silversea Cruises ultra-luxury expedition ship. This video provides you with a detailed look at life aboard the Silver Explorer.
During our Atlantic crossing on Silver Cloud, I saw something I did not expect to see: an audience stand not only to applaud but also to participate in a powerful performance by six young and extremely gifted vocalists.
We spent a fascinating day in Agadir, Morocco, which I photographed from the kasbah, the citadel overlooking Agadir.
Today just so happens to be my birthday. To celebrate, I ordered room service and spent a relaxing morning sailing along the African coast. Sipping a cup of coffee from my balcony, I gazed out at fishing boats against the the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, undulating along the distant horizon. Africa beckoned from afar. I was a “traveler in romance,” a phrase coined by one of my favorite authors during my youth, W. Somerset Maugham.
There will be more to come about my cruise on Silver Explorer, which ended Friday morning in Panama. For now, however, I am posting this brief “Summing Up” to answer questions that readers asked during my voyage and to give you a few of my impressions.
