Interesting Speakers and Land Adventures

Here's the line-up of guest lecturers and speakers for the World Cruise 2015.

Click here for the profiles and tour segments > Twelve Renown Guest Speakers on your cruise.

While you're in the Area, you may as well choose one of these 17 short land trips:

Click here for the descriptions > Land adventures along the way These are 1-5 night land-stay trips. You'll rejoin the ship at the next destination. Prices are to be sent to me for our review.  These adventures require a minimum number of participates to operate.  Once made, reservations are non-refundable if cancelled within 90 days of the voyage.

* Reservations begin 7 October for the Over Water stay in French Polynesia.

* There are two Australian adventures with a decision date of 1 November.

* The Bali to Java escapade requires reservations by 14 November.

* There are two Vietnam and two Thailand adventures with decision dates of 25 November.

* Another Thailand departure leaves for the Taj Mahal and Jaipur.  Even though it sounds enticing, please note this journey is 4 nights each in 4 different hotels, and drives as long as 3-3.5 hours utilizing local transportation, plus inter-country flights of 1.5 and 4.5 hours.  Reservations required by 6 December.

* There are 4 adventures in Kenya, so you will want to review the safaris.  Reservations close on 6 December.

* Finally, there are 4 South Africa adventures with reservations required by 23 December.

First Safari:
Look closely at the 1 night Phinda Private Game Reserve with luxury stay at Forest Lodge.  There are 16 glass-enclosed separate guest suites.  Here is the main lobby.

This is a Forest Lodge suite:

Second Choice:  The 2 day Pumba Private Reserve safari begins with a 3 hour drive to the Safari Lodge. Both nights' accommodations are at the Pumba Water Lodge. At the journey's end, you travel 2 hours to the airport at Port Elizabeth, take an 80 minute flight then a one hour drive to rejoin the ship near Cape Town.

Pumba Water Lodge

Third Choice for South Africa: 

This is the Escape to Etosha adventure in Namibia (you know the country where Brad & Angelina stay) which departs from Cape Town by a 2 hour private charter and stays 2 nights/3 days at the Onguma Safari Camp, aka The Fort due to the architecture style.  Return to meet the ship is also a charter flight.

4th Choice: Gorillas in South Africa is the final offering.  It is a longer land getaway at 6 days/5 nights beginning with a flight from Cape Town to Entebbe via Johannesburg.  The first and last nights are spent at the Lake Victoria Serena Resort, with the middle 3 nights at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in a luxury tent with en suite bath.

Over half of the 600 mountain gorillas are found here and this could be an incredible experience if you select this adventure.  Two flights with a change of planes met by a Silversea representative to assist you return you to the ship.

Lake Victoria Serena Resort photos:

Sanctuary Forest Gorilla Camp (ranked #1 by Trip Advisor)




Guests for dinner?




On this adventure once the gorillas are located, you are allowed to spend one hour with them before departing. The time for the guide to locate the group can vary from 1-9 hours, so it could be a long 2 days.

For all the details, see the link below at Silversea.

Click here > More on the land adventures at this Silversea link

Welcome Aboard

Silver Whisper: Your Home Away from Home

Crew 302

officers European

guests 382

tonnage 28,258

Length 610 feet/186 Metres

Width 81 8 feet/24 9 Metres

speed 18 5 Knots

passenger Decks 7

Built 2001

Refurbished 2010

registry Bahamas

Click the link below to see the Deck Plans:

http://www.silversea.com/uploadedFiles/silverseacom/Our_Fleet/Silver_Whisper/RE12500_Whisper_Deck_PlansSuites2013.pdf

Introducing Your Veranda Suite

• Teak veranda with patio furniture and 

floor-to-ceiling glass doors

• Sitting area

• Twin beds or queen-sized bed

• Marbled bathroom with double vanity, 

full-sized bath, separate shower

• Walk-in wardrobe with personal safe

• Vanity table with hair dryer

• Writing desk

• Flat screen television with DVD 

and satellite reception

• Radio/Alarm with iPod docking station

• Direct-dial telephone(s)

Wondering What to do During those first Seven Days at Sea?

Oh my, could this be The Villages on the ocean?

Here's what Silversea has in store for you!

Ahh … those heavenly days at sea, when time, at last, is finally on your side. Especially when there are so many stimulating activities to discover on board your all inclusive cruise.

Silversea offers an enrichment programme of the highest calibre. There are wine tastings and cooking demonstrations so that you can savour the flavours of the lands you visit. Take a dance class. Sit in on a lecture by an eminent guest speaker. Watch a wine video customised for your destination. Or devote your time to more active pursuits — jogging, swimming or an exercise class at the Fitness Centre. Or perhaps you prefer shopping in the boutique, indulging in a massage, or soaking in a warm whirlpool. On board Silversea all inclusive cruises, the choices are many and they’re all yours.

An Ocean Of Options

The ocean views and soothing sound of the surf can be quite intoxicating at sea, so it’s not surprising that daydreaming on deck is one of the most popular pastimes. However, every Silversea all inclusive cruise also includes a considerable number of more active pursuits — some for the body, some for the mind … and some just for fun. 

Afternoon Tea Bingo Board Games Boutique Shopping Bridge Tours Casino Gaming Lessons Computer Instruction Culinary Demonstrations * Select Voyages

Dance Classes* Destination Seminars Enrichment Lectures Exercise Classes Fitness Centre Golf Putting Internet Café Library

Matinee Movies Power Walks Shuffleboard Singles Events Spa Treatments Table Tennis Water Volleyball Wine Tastings

Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia

Prior to approaching Tahiti, you will be welcomed to Nuku Hiva, the largest of the volcanic Marquesas Islands.  This principle island was first claimed in 1813 by U.S. Naval Officer David Porter. France annexed the islands in 1842 and built a fort on this one.

Herman Melville, the American author, first visited the area in the 1840s and the setting for his first novel, Typee, is Nuku Hiva.

Vaipo Warefall, one of the highest waterfalls in the world at 350 meters is located here.



From Frommer's: "More than any other South Pacific islanders, the ancient Marquesans were masters at carving tikis from stone and wooden war clubs and spears from local hardwoods, adorning the latter with the same intricate geometric designs used in their tattoos (which covered most of their bodies) and on the tapa cloth they made from the bark of the paper mulberry tree. Their carving skill was evident even in everyday items such as bowls, axes, pestles, and fishhooks."

Temperature

Throughout the month of January daytime temperatures will generally reach highs of around 31°C that's about 87°F. At night the average minimum temperature drops down to around 23°C, that's 74°F.

Activities include Landrover excursions, horseback riding, hiking over mountain trails and to inland cascades, picnics on the beach or mountains, deep-sea fishing, sailing, motorboat rides, visits to archaeological sites, visits to artisansí workshops to buy wood carvings, tapa hangings and monoi perfumed oils.

2015 World Cruise

Where in the world is.....

Here's where you'll find the Silver Whisper beginning January 2015.
Click this link to see your day-by-day journey:
Silversea World Cruise 2015 itinerary

Enjoy your week at sea....a great time to delve into Pilates, indulge in the spa offerings, and savor the cuisine in the various dining venues with your fellow world cruisers.  These will be the most consecutive sailing days of the entire voyage.  So get prepared: a journey of memories begins!

World Cruise 2015

Here's "The World of Silversea" 
WARNING: Please don't watch this video unless you are prepared to be entranced by this spectacular cruise line!  Fear not, I am standing by to make your dream cruise come true. Karen

"Eight ships. Seven continents. Infinite possibilities. Come away with Silversea on a virtual voyage and discover an experience beyond the boundaries of traditional and expected. From uncompromising service to the luxurious freedom of an all-inclusive lifestyle, Silversea has perfected the art of travel. Savour multiple restaurants, the flexibility of open-seating dining, and exquisite gourmet meals with menu selections inspired by the Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux. All accommodations are sumptuous ocean-view suites, most have private verandas, and all offer the ultimate travel luxury of professional butler service. Silversea ships are exceptionally spacious with plenty of quiet corners and inviting lounges for socialising with like-minded fellow guests from around the globe who foster a convivial, cosmopolitan ambience. Upon arriving in each fascinating destination, Silversea truly shines with exclusive excursions and personalised touches for the most memorable of shoreside experiences."

Silversea Silver Whisper

What a way to see the world!

Who's going to explore the world in 2015? Bob & Bev, that's who!