Archive for January, 2010

When Silversea Cruises’ new Silver Spirit reaches Fort Lauderdale this week, the 540-passenger vessel will show travel agents and media, and ultimately guests, a few things that no other ship of its size has shown before: stateroom televisions hidden behind mirrors and controlled by a single remote; six restaurants (luxury contender Crystal has more, but its ships are larger); service enhancements, including luggage cleaning, complimentary laundry and dry cleaning, and two free hours use of worldwide phone and internet.  Read more... (888 words, 1 image, estimated 3:33 mins reading time)

Clouds, a bit of misty drizzle, but otherwise warm weather greeted us as we docked.

There was, as in any port area, floating debris, but not for long. A crew assigned to pick up the trash was on duty.

I was first in Acapulco aboard a Greek ship, the Jason. A semi-regular on Petticoat Junction, I was traveling with Linda Kaye Henning and Mike Minor, stars of the series. After a late dinner at a hilltop restaurant, we hailed a taxi.  Read more... (517 words, 9 images, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)

It’s back !!

Sonette thought it belonged to Room Service. Room Service had no idea what it was and why it was in their kitchen. She found all by itself on an out-of-the-way kitchen shelf.

The sun shown on smooth water as we sailed to Acapulco. Even when we reached the area of Tehuantepec, which if the wind is up can cause large waves, it was calm. So calm that Michael twice saw sea turtles floating on the surface; a bird standing on its shell top.  Read more... (432 words, 9 images, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

We are now in one of the busiest and most modern ports in Central America. It is certainly not the prettiest. Vendors are set up on the freight dock.

The hawkers know which ship is which and, which is rich. The prices are set accordingly. One frog made of “jade” was $450 dollars. Another piece of nondescript jewelry was $250.

Let the haggling begin.  Read more... (288 words, 8 images, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

If memory serves me (but it hardly does) perhaps the most relaxed moment of my life took place this afternoon. The bow whirlpool

with the birds drifting overhead

was only interrupted by the squawking when one tried to land where there was no room for a stranger.

 Read more... (494 words, 8 images, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)

In 2011, Silversea Cruises’ five all-suite ships — Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and the new Silver Spirit — will offer 170 diverse itineraries, visiting more than 335 ports in more than 100 countries and island destinations. Among the offerings:  Read more... (414 words, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

The Canal opened in 1914, and since then close to a million ships have made the trip from ocean to ocean. Ten years ago last month we turned the canal over to Panama. Soon it will be bigger. There will be two new locks that will handle ships up to 160 feet wide and 1,200 feet long. It won’t be completed until 2015, but when it opens, it will be a big benefit to the cruise lines.  Read more... (495 words, 7 images, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)

A penne for your thoughts. Some thought I was being a bit persnickety (I didn’t know I even knew that word) in yesterday’s blog when I complained about the penne pasta. OK, you are right. I have no idea what provoked me to order it. The woman next to me had the best looking lamb chops I’ve seen on a ship’s plate.  Read more... (506 words, 4 images, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)

Geoff Edwards assesses Seabourn Odyssey.

It’s been just a week since my return from Fiji. I am sure by now there are Fijian mosquitoes dying for lack of my blood.

So empty the suitcases and fill them up again. Michael (my wife) and I are heading to Ft. Lauderdale for a transcanal back to Los Angeles.

This is the first leg of a world cruise for the new Seabourn Odyssey. We’ll be on her for 16 nights. Carrying 450 passengers, Odyssey is quite a bit bigger than Seabourn’s other “yachts.”

Seabourn's Odyssey

We took the red eye on American to save some hotel money. We didn’t leave until 1 AM to arrive in Lauderdale at 10 AM. This got us to the ship about two hours before the 1 PM scheduled boarding time. Hopefully, they’ll let us on a bit earlier.

Seabourn calls Odyssey “luxury redefined.” They do not tell us, however, what it becomes.  Read more... (839 words, 8 images, estimated 3:21 mins reading time)