TLCOhio

Do not know exactly what Celebrity (or another company) might be offering as a "side trip". But as background, many river cruises go up the Douro River valley with a variety of stops at wineries producing their famous Porto wine, etc. These sailing also offer a variety of different historic and other charming locations,, villages, etc., along this scenic route. It's great that you are going to fly into Portugal ten days in advance. Many, many excellent options to see, do and enjoy for Lisbon, nearby, etc., etc. We had five days in advance of our cruise that sailed out of Lisbon, going up the the Atlantic Coast with stops in Porto, Spain and France. Does this help a little? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit. Now at 34,289 views. Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

From the London/UK Telegraph this past week, they had this headline: “Why Venice is Europe's ultimate winter city break" with this sub-headline: "A £4.30 daily tax on all tourists for 30 days between April and July 2024 makes the Italian spot more affordable at this time of year.” Here are some of their reporting highlights by Abigail Blasi: “Approaching Venice a week before Christmas, we were enveloped in light: silver-blue meeting pearly sky. Lacelike palaces and domes, a mirage, began to sharpen. Venice is at its loveliest in winter. There’s a new reason to visit Venice outside peak times. In 2024, the city is trialling a daily tax of £4.30 (€5), with a complicated system of timings from April to July. All visitors must register, with many exclusions. Venice’s councillor for tourism, Simone Venturini, emphasises that the aim is to reduce 'hit-and-run' visits, saying, 'Venice is, and will always remain, an open city.' ” My first visit to Venice was in December 1970. Yes, with no tourist crowds and just the residents there, it is a different and wonderful experience. Good, interesting story. Full story at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/venice-europes-best-winter-city-break/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal. Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 32,650 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

Appreciate this above info and follow-up about Hambantota and nearby. Keep it coming. Great sharing. From the London/UK Sunday Times this weekend, they had this headline: “Best holiday destinations for 2024” with one of their highlights focused on this upcoming location where we will visit in February. Among their reporting highlights for Sri Lanka: “The five-star hotels, on beaches, in paddy fields, beside rivers and close to ancient wonders, are architectural masterpieces. The dining is exquisite, the guiding expert and the experiences exclusive. You can hike the new Pekoe Trail through tea country; be shown the secrets of the Dambulla cave temples; climb Pidurangala rather than Sigiriya, or Lion Rock, because it’s hardly visited and the views are better. Then there are dawn explorations of the jungles and waterfalls of Horton Plains; and you’ll maybe travel on the train through the Hill Country.” Full story and other travel ideas/tips for 2024 at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-best-holiday-destinations-for-2024-a-month-by-month-guide-jvds5pq6s THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Venice: Loving It & Why??!! Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 109,836 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

From the London/UK Sunday Times this weekend, they had this headline: “Best holiday destinations for 2024” with one of their highlights focused on this location. Among their reporting highlights: “Aruba has long been popular with US visitors and the Dutch, who colonised the Caribbean island in 1623. Just 18 miles north of Venezuela, Aruba claims to have the best beaches in the Caribbean, offering the sunset-facing white sands of Eagle Beach as the first exhibit and following up with a dozen more — all irritatingly perfect.” Full story and other travel ideas/tips for 2024 at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-best-holiday-destinations-for-2024-a-month-by-month-guide-jvds5pq6s THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 247,560 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

From the London/UK Sunday Times this weekend, they had this headline: “Best holiday destinations for 2024” with one of their highlights focused on this Africa location. Among their reporting highlights: “Namibia is perhaps Africa’s most visually fascinating country, from the sand mountains of the south along the fog-belt of Skeleton Coast, through the fantasy landscapes of the Brandberg Mountain Range and the ephemeral rivers of Kaokoland in the north. And to the east, Etosha National Park: an 1,800-square-mile salt pan wandered by lions, leopards, elephants and oryx. Driving here is mildly challenging: the gravel roads demand low speeds and concentration; you should fill up at every petrol station you pass; and you should carry a ten-gallon jerry can of water — just in case.” Full story and other travel ideas/tips for 2024 at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-best-holiday-destinations-for-2024-a-month-by-month-guide-jvds5pq6s THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 247,560 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

From the London/UK Sunday Times this weekend, they had this headline: “Best holiday destinations for 2024” with one of their highlights focused on Botswana. Among their reporting highlights: “Once upon a time Botswana was far and away the priciest destination in sub-Saharan Africa and, while it’s still not cheap, prices in rival nations have increased so much in recent years that a safari on the Chobe, Okavango and Khwai rivers no longer seems quite such an extravagance. December, guides say, is the secret season — partly because there are fewer tourists but mainly because of the Chobe-Nxai Pan migration of about 15,000 zebras. They’re not the sole attraction, either: green season — dense bush, muddy tracks, high humidity — brings tens of thousands of elephants, high predator activity and good birding.” Full story and other travel ideas/tips for 2024 at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-best-holiday-destinations-for-2024-a-month-by-month-guide-jvds5pq6s THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Venice: Loving It & Why??!! Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 109,836 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

Appreciate these follow-up details about the India Visa process. Am planning to do this coming week. Bringing lots of care and patience!! From the London/UK Sunday Times this weekend, they had this headline: “Best holiday destinations for 2024” with one of their highlights focused on this nation/location. Among their reporting highlights: “Never been to India? Don’t know where to start? Then this could be the holiday for you: a 15-night tour of the northern and southern regions of the subcontinent that begins in Delhi and climaxes in Kerala. In between, you’ll enjoy the Taj Mahal sunrise; Sariska for the tigers; Jaipur for its marvels of science and architecture; Kochi for dinner with a local family and Munnar for the tea estates.” Our plan will take us to four of these mentioned highlights for India, plus other key sights, sites and stops. Full story and other travel ideas/tips for 2024 at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-best-holiday-destinations-for-2024-a-month-by-month-guide-jvds5pq6s THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal. Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 32,650 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

WOW!! Sadly, real-life sea drama. Hopefully this does not happen with the Silver Moon. From ABC-TV News within the past hour, they had this headline: “US Navy sinks 3 Houthi boats attacking merchant ship in Red Sea" with this sub-headline: "The U.S. Navy sank three small boats, killing the crew, military officials said.” Here are some additional details and background from their reporting highlights that might be : "U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire and and sank three small boats carrying Houthi militants in the Red Sea on Sunday, after U.S. warships responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel. A Maersk container ship, the Singapore-flagged Hangzhou, issued a distress call at about 6:30 a.m. local time, U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Sunday. The merchant vessel said four small boats were attacking it. Helicopters from two U.S. ships -- the USS Eisenhower and the USS Gravely -- responded. Sunday's incident was the second time in 24 hours that the Hangzhou had issued a distress call.” Full story at: https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=106016731 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 22,294 views. Connect at: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

Great news!! Safe travels to the port. And, on the Silver Moon. If handy, see who might be the Cruise Director on the Silver Moon in February. The current CD will be on vacation for most of that month when we are sailing, Feb. 11-29, Mumbai to Singapore. Any and all sharing, tips, insights, etc., for the Silver Moon will be appreciated and of interest. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

YES, Lois, Happy New Year. It's already happening in other parts of the world. Below is a visual from scenic and fun Sydney where they have welcomed in the New Year, 2024. Below is that picture sample to illustrate their celebration earlier. Love the added visuals, etc., from J.P. for their wonderful adventure in the historic Loire Valley. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Appreciate this great shipping visual and follow-ups from Fletcher. Very interesting amount of traffic down there. Will check out their website as the Silver Moon gets closer to the danger zone around Jan. 11-12. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

YES!! The Silver Moon has completed the Suez Canal passage. See below!! Now ready to enter the Red Sea. Appreciate from temerarious that this ship is only half full with 289 passengers and the copy of the letter from ship's Captain. For those boarding the Silver Moon on Jan. 6, we look forward to live reports (and visuals, if allowed) during the key Jan. 11-12, 2024, period when this ship needs to be navigating through the narrow passageway near Yemen and the pesky rebels. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From www.cruisemapper.com, below is their map showing the Silver Moon, blue in color and circled in red, as it completes its sailing in Egypt and for doing the transit of the famed Suez Canal.:

YES!! The Silver Moon has completed the Suez Canal passage. See below!! Now ready to enter the Red Sea. Appreciate from temerarious that this ship is only half full with 289 passengers. For those boarding the Silver Moon on Jan. 6, we look forward to live reports (and visuals, if allowed) during the key Jan. 11-12, 2024, period when this ship needs to be navigating through the narrow passageway near Yemen and the pesky rebels. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From www.cruisemapper.com, below is their map showing the Silver Moon, blue in color and circled in red, as it completes its sailing in Egypt and for doing the transit of the famed Suez Canal.:

From the Wall Street Journal to reflect at the stock market's closing yesterday afternoon, below are their charts for the three major cruise lines. Very different trends for Royal Caribbean versus their two main competitors. RCL hit a 52-week high on Friday before sliding a bit later in the afternoon. But, for Carnival and Norwegian, things slid downward during the four-day week. Why and how? What does Wall Street know that we do not understand? Happy New Year!! And, the best for 2024. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Canada 2022/2023: Scenic visuals, details from Canada Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island). Plus, new from Aug. 2023, exploring historic/charming Quebec City. Visual/Info Summaries: www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums Here are the Wall Street Journal charts to reflect the past four days of trading for the three major cruise lines. It was a holiday-shortened week with Christmas on Monday.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

YES!! Understand "Good News, Bad News". Did do a quick check as to your review. Agree, the only "Bad News" is being long. BUT, the Best News is that things in your summary are highly-detailed with many, many nice pictures. I recognize many of these locations from our 2017 time in Lisbon, Porto, etc. When handy, I look forward to going back and digging much deeper into this comprehensive review as we plan and prepare to put this on our future, scheduled listing of trips booked. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit. Now at 34,289 views. Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

Super appreciate the wonderful Loire Valley visuals from J.P. Keep 'em coming!! Fun and brings back great memories. Have visited the Loire twice, including 2005, when we saw part of the Tour de France there in that region. See proof below from being in 2005 at the amazing Chambord, etc. Great background from Host Jazzbeau as to how in the 1960's that the DeGaulle administration had worked to clean up and make improvements for these historic structures. From our 2017 first visit to Portugal before boarding the Silver Spirit, I look forward to doing a return trip there, including to sail up and down the Douro. Will review with strong interest that posting by Host Jazzbeau. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Appreciate these comments and follow-ups from our friend in wonderful Sydney, plus Colleen's legitimate concerns. From the website of www.cruisemapper.com, below is their map from a few minutes ago showing the Silver Moon turning and heading south to the Suez Canal. Clearly, this is confirmation that the Silversea management believes that things a safe enough to navigate this route to the Red Sea. Hopefully, this sailing will be with some military support and protection. For those boarding the Silver Moon on Jan. 6, we look forward to live reports (and visuals, if allowed) during the key Jan. 11-12, 2024, period when this ship needs to be navigating through the narrow passageway near Yemen and the pesky rebels. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 247,560 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/ From www.cruisemapper.com, below is their map showing the Silver Moon, blue in color and circled in red, as it sails towards Egypt and for the upcoming transit of the famed Suez Canal.:

Appreciate the update from fdnycruiser and the wise follow-up from 9stilton about "enormous risk". As shown below, this "situation" right now is very "fluid" and somewhat difficult to predict with much future certainty. Plus, other info from Charli001 and Hopafora in Australia. From the New York Times yesterday, they had this headline: “Shipping Giant Maersk Is Returning to the Red Sea After Houthi Attacks" with this sub-headline: "A shipping advisory that Maersk released on Wednesday showed that several of its vessels were headed for the Suez Canal, which lies at the northern end of the Red Sea and handles about 12 percent of world trade.” Here are a few of their reporting highlights: “Hapag-Lloyd, a large German shipping company, was still avoiding the Red Sea, its spokesman said on Wednesday. MSC, a Switzerland-based shipping company, said that one of its vessels had been attacked on Tuesday but that no injuries had been reported. Shipping tracking websites show many ships now traveling through the Red Sea, including oil tankers. A U.S.-led naval force has been assembled to defend vessels in the Red Sea and warships already there have prevented attacks on ships. ” Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/27/business/maersk-shipping-red-sea-houthi-yemen.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 249,792 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

From Forbes magazine in the past week, they had this headline: “Best Destination” with these highlights by Jon Nickel-D’Andrea: “Stellenbosch, South Africas: Situated less than an hour’s drive outside of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is one of the many wine-producing regions in South Africa. Wine lovers and foodies alike will find a haven here, with some of the top restaurants in the country nestled next to some of the best wineries. Wine tastings operate a little bit differently in South Africa compared to what you might be used to elsewhere. Expect to sit down and be attended to by one of the winemakers or owners of the vineyard, as many of these wineries are still family-run. It’s no one’s fault but your own if you leave thirsty or hungry, as wine-pour portion sizes are equally generous." During our five days in Cape Town in 2016, we super enjoyed visiting Stellenbosch and the nearby wine areas. Fun, exciting areas. Full story at: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/travel-rewards/best-places-to-travel/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 249,792 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

Agree above that more time and being overnight in charming, interesting ports such as Tallinn is the ideal and best. BUT, in one day during a ship excursion, you can still see and enjoy lots. Trade-offs?? From Forbes magazine in the past week, they had this headline: “Best Destination” with these highlights by Caroline Lupini,: “Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, is renowned for its beautifully preserved Old Town, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visiting Tallinn is like taking a journey back in time with its cobblestone streets, gothic spires and ancient city walls. In Tallinn’s Old Town, visitors can explore the Toompea Castle, a historic fortress that now houses the Estonian Parliament and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an example of Russian Revival architecture. The Town Hall Square with its markets and outdoor cafes is a perfect spot to soak in the medieval atmosphere, especially during the Christmas market season. The city is dotted with green spaces like Kadriorg Park, which was originally chosen by Peter the Great to be his summer palace. Just a short drive from Tallinn lies Lahemaa National Park, with its coastal landscapes, ancient forests and peat bogs. For an immersive experience, consider booking a bog shoe tour to delve into the heart of these wetlands." Full story at: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/travel-rewards/best-places-to-travel/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 249,792 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

From Forbes magazine in the past week, they had this headline: “Best Destination Quebec City” with these highlights by Caroline Lupini,: “Quebec City, a slice of European charm in North America, offers a magical experience, especially during the holiday season. The city, with its cobbled streets, historic architecture and the unmissable Château Frontenac, transforms into a winter wonderland, making it a perfect backdrop for the Quebec Christmas Market. Inspired by the grand Christmas markets of Europe, it’s full of twinkling lights, charming wooden kiosks and the aroma of spiced mulled wine and sweet treats. You can even ice skate on the nearby rink. For a true taste of traditional Quebecois cuisine, head to La Buche, where the culinary experience is, in my opinion, best enjoyed by sharing dishes family-style. Not far from the city’s festive hustle lies Montmorency Falls—which is even taller than Niagara Falls. The falls are accessible via a cable car, a suspension bridge and several viewing platforms, which each provide different perspectives. In the warmer months, the falls are surrounded by lush greenery, making it a popular spot for picnics, hikes and even zip-lining or via ferrata for the more adventurous.” Nice to see this "shout-out" for La Buche. We enjoyed so much that charming and fun dining location in Quebec City. Full story at: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/travel-rewards/best-places-to-travel/#Quebec THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 249,792 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

From Forbes magazine in the past week, they had this headline: “Best Island Vacation Destinations Dominica” with these highlights by Kaitlyn Rosati: “Proving that not all Caribbean islands are created equal, Dominica is the epitome of a hidden gem in the region. Dominica is an untouched sliver of paradise for the most curious of travelers. Deemed the 'Nature Island,' Dominica is a lush oasis with an abundance of waterfalls, black sand beaches thanks to the island’s volcanic makeup and natural hot springs to soak away the stress of the hustle and bustle. Water enthusiasts will certainly find paradise here. Dominica is home to the unique Champagne Reef, which garnered its name due to the rising bubbles from the nearby volcanic thermal springs. For water viewing you can’t quite flip your fins in, check out the Boiling Lake, which, as the name suggests, is a ferociously bubbling lake located in Morne Trois Pitons National Park.” Full story at: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/travel-rewards/best-places-to-travel/#Dominica THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 249,792 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

Great news to hear!! Will keep monitoring and checking. Within the week, we will see and know for sure as the Silver Moon is scheduled to head south down the Suez Canal on Dec. 31. Good luck for all involved. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Out in Kansas for Christmas. Got snow yesterday morning and more snow coming today. Cheating in with one pix from Dec. 25 together with most of them from a couple days prior. Nice to have a White Christmas!! See visual below as proof. On our way here, spent a couple days in Kansas City, including at the historic Raphael Hotel overlooking the charming Country Club Plaza area. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 247,560 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/ YES, we had a "White Christmas" in Kansas near Fort Riley and the Manhattan campus of Kansas State University.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) The lighted buildings in Kansas City's Country Club Plaza are wonderfully inspiring for this holiday period.: To get ready for exploring India's Golden Triangle in February before boarding the Silver Moon in Mumbai, I visited the Kansas City Nelson-Atkins Museum with a nice collection of art from India and South Asia as shown below.:

YES, JP, love to see some of your wonderful visuals from this adventure in the charming and historic Loire Valley. Been there twice visiting Chenonceau, Chambord, etc. Great area of France. Great to know of the success with Mysty's big adventure and the update of "off the coast of Haiti! Cruise is going well!" Out in Kansas for Christmas. Got snow yesterday morning and more snow coming today. Nice to have a White Christmas!! See visual below as proof. On our way here, spent a couple days in Kansas City, including at the historic Raphael Hotel overlooking the charming Country Club Plaza area. Best to everyone to experience an excellent New Year's Day Celebration and an exciting 2024. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 247,560 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/ YES, we had a "White Christmas" in Kansas near Fort Riley and the Manhattan campus of Kansas State University.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) The lighted buildings in Kansas City's Country Club Plaza are wonderfully inspiring for this holiday period.: To get ready for exploring India's Golden Triangle in February before boarding the Silver Moon in Mumbai, I visited the Kansas City Nelson-Atkins Museum with a nice collection of art from India and South Asia as shown below.: