Silver Shadow in Shanghai's city center. © Ralph Grizzle

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).  Read more... (1166 words, 7 images, estimated 4:40 mins reading time)

Tags: Silversea Cruises, World Cruise

An unforgettable sunset on seldom visited Bequia

By WALLACE IMMEN for The Avid Cruiser

All right, so you’re an experienced Caribbean cruiser.  Read more... (956 words, 3 images, estimated 3:49 mins reading time)

Temple of Dandara 28, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

“Tourists have been coming back to Egypt since early March,” our tour guide told Silver Spirit guests as we began the “Splendors of Luxor” tour from Safaga. “We appreciate you and those of you who are coming back. We really need visitors to return.”

   Read more... (172 words, 2 images, estimated 41 secs reading time)

Tags: Egypt

Orata all Griglia con Anguilla Affumicata, delicious and only 131 calories.

In my quest to quash a few kilos on my Silversea cruise, I have found a secret weapon.

Paper thin Carpaccio di Manzo, with only slightly more calories than paper, 123, but much more tasteful.

One thing that has made my quest easy to swallow (ha!) is Silver Spirit’s Wellness menu. The selections have been delicious, healthy and low-calorie, and I’m not tiring of them yet.  Read more... (219 words, 4 images, estimated 53 secs reading time)

At around 6 p.m. Saturday, Silver Spirit competed its transit of the Gulf of Aden, a region notorious for pirates who attack and hijack ships, with incidents recently escalating.

The International Maritime Organization reported in February that pirates were holding 685 crew and 30 ships for ransom along the Somali Coast. Attacks are becoming more frequent and more violent. Shortly after the IMO issued its report, four Americans were killed aboard their yacht by Somali pirates when military tried to intervene.  Read more... (308 words, 1 image, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)

Muscat, Super Exotic But Comfortable For Westerners

Leaving Port Qaboos, the port for Oman’s capital city, what was the take away on Muscat?

Note the temperature, 39 Celsius, about 102 Fahrenheit

First impression: It was hot, with the heat registering 39 Celsius, or about 102 Fahrenheit, but with nearly no humidity.

Don't forget to pick up - and return - your landing card when visiting Muscat.  Read more... (499 words, 14 images, estimated 1:60 mins reading time)

Lots of sea days and two overnights on this 15-day voyage of adventure.

Today, I embark on a 15-day journey on Silver Spirit. From the outset, Voyage 5109 has been the topic of much conversation, as I’ve told friends that I will be sailing in a region that has been making headlines for quite some time now.  Read more... (575 words, 2 images, estimated 2:18 mins reading time)

Unfortunately, on the morning we arrived, Disko Bay was not only choked with icebergs but also fog. Still, the transit into the bay was mystical – and memorable. As our ship pierced the fog, I thought of Titanic. Thankfully, we were plodding along slowly.  Read more... (110 words, 1 image, estimated 26 secs reading time)

Crystal Cruises’ new “Standby” program offers up to 75% off brochure fares on five May-June sailings in Alaska, the Baltic and North Cape, as low as $2995 for 12-day cruises. That’s less than $250 per day on Crystal, an unheard-off per diem on the luxury lines.

Standby fares are based on availability, require a $500 per guest deposit upon reservation, and will be confirmed on a “first requested, first confirmed” basis no earlier than 45 days before departure.  Read more... (285 words, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

A day at the Boardwalk on Allure of the Seas, Ralph Grizzle, editor of Avid Cruisers, with his Avid Cruisers in training, Alex and Britton

In a way, I wish I had waited to cruise with my kids on Allure of the Seas. Had I done so, I would have been tempted to bring along some of their friends, because today Royal Caribbean announced a special offer for families: Book up to three staterooms for summer sailings (June, July and August) and receive a $600 on-board spending credit. That credit could have gone a long way toward paying for shore excursions, spa treatments and the like.  Read more... (366 words, 3 images, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)