TLCOhio

From the Wall Street Journal late this afternoon, below are the charts for a week that was not too positive, especially for Norwegian. Big drop off's from the 12-month highs in late June 2023 and early July 2023 for these three corporations. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 256,686 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/ From the Wall Street Journal, below are their charts for the three major cruise lines during the most recent five trading days. Rather negative slide downward this week? Why? Puzzling to follow and predict?: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

Yes, Spins, Mac & Cheese can be very good, especially with some lobster mixed into it. Below is a tee shirt design I saw today on the Internet. Anyone have a spouse you both love and fear? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Great updating and details. Looked at your itinerary and all of these various stops in and around Iceland seem to be wonderful and exciting. That country is "hot" and very popular these days. Appreciate your sharing and look forward to reading and learning more about this ship, its stops, the passenger mix, staffing performance, etc. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Yes, excellent and interesting comparisons and useful points by JSR. Excellent sharing!! Agree with Lois as to "I think comparing SS to X is like apples to oranges." We have done a couple of cruises with Celebrity, plus Princess once, plus Seabourn, Crystal, etc. There are always various and important pro/con factors to consider. For us, the itineraries are the top priority, but we also like quality service and reasonable "value". Nothing is perfect. Things also change and evolve from cruise to cruise, even on the same ship with the same crew. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Look forward, Lois, to learning more details from your upcoming Silver Dawn sailing in August. Were headed and ports to be visited? Especially interested in the new replacements for the Voices of Silversea, speakers, other entertainment, etc. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Cute comment and follow-up from our super expert in Oslo and Norway. Sorry, the word is out that you folks are cool there. Hard to keep it a secret!! Can't blame you for trying. But, understand why you would try. 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 247,933 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

Yes, per Lois, have "a wonderful trip"! My question: Are they done with the Voices of Silversea on the Silver Moon? What has replaced them? How were or will be the speakers, other entertainment, etc.?? Love any added sharing of details for food, staffing, capacity on this sailing, etc. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

YES!!! Super great follow-ups and helpful information from agape01. Will have some added questions after taking time to research fully and consider our various options. For WA Bubbles, hopefully you will post more after your seven days there in December. Always looking to learn and know more. The good news is that we will have three days there explore a number of the key options for Singapore. Keep it coming!! THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Appreciate this added info and follow-up. Am I assuming correctly that this Shadow started this new entertainment concept on their World Cruise in January 2023? Any other reports as to what other Silversea ships have started this switch-over? Yes, per pdaniel, would like to see or learn more as to what has been “reported elsewhere” as to these problems and issues. Inquiring minds always like to learn and know more. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Great background and insights from Dr. Ron and Mayflower1. Much appreciated!! Add me to the list of "Inquiring Minds" who look forward to learning more. What happens next and when? As the below visual shows, the general idea and concept for the "Voices of Silversea" was good for a certain period of time. But, that was then and this is now. For our upcoming February 2024 Mumbai to Singapore sailing on the Silver Moon, we hope the new group is finalized, practiced and perfected. Plus, being creative and interesting. Yes, as a Baby Boomer, I like hearing a variety of the classic and "oldies" hits from our younger days. From 2015 on the Silver Cloud with the "Voices of Silversea" doing UK hit songs: 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 247,933 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

YES, super nice job by Fletcher on the pictures posted to Flickr. Especially like seeing the various visuals from Oman that brought back nice memories from exploring that often-forgotten Middle East country that has so much great to offer. Look forward to more pictures being posted. Will be interesting to follow and see how the Saudi tourism efforts progress and are received by consumers/travelers for the future years. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Super appreciate these great information items, comments and follow-ups from skilled and knowledgeable agape01. Very, very helpful and excellent links!! Don't worry about TMI!!! I like lots of background as we have plenty of time prior to our early 2024 India to Singapore adventure to learn more and research accordingly. Keep it coming. As to many cruise excursions being overpriced. Yes, in general, this is very true. But with Silversea, most of their tours are included as a part of the overall pricing. Plus, especially on this first day, my wife likes the "security" and certainty in doing a ship's tour. Not perfect, but this will give us a good introduction on Day One to Singapore and early afternoon potentials for us to explore some on our own. But, we are especially looking for as to what other, best options should be considered for Days Two and Three. Lots of flexibility, etc. Plus, with what we will have done in India's busy and intense Golden Triangle, the four days of touring in Sri Lanka and a day in Kuala Lumpur; then two a half days upcoming for Tokyo, etc., our priorities and interests might evolve and change during this trip. Look forward to any and all added insights, tips, suggestions. Is my understand correct that most areas of Singapore are reasonably safe during normal daytime and early evening hours? Plus, easy to navigate most areas? Any especially good dining locations nearby to or in the JW Marriott South Beach? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 54,496 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

A quilting friend has posted and shared this below item. Get it? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Appreciate these great comments and follow-ups from R&T and highplanesdrifters. Good news on overall inflation slowing, but food prices still very high and rising. From the Wall Street Journal mid-morning today, Royal Caribbean has dropped below $100 a share. Are things for the cruise stocks headed up? Or, down? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour. Visual Summary: www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

From the New York Post last week, they had this headline: “This hotel makes nearly $30K per day — from just one drink” with these highlights: “They say money can’t buy happiness — but it can buy you a great cocktail for nearly $30. At the luxurious Raffles Hotel in Singapore, there is a famous drink called the Singapore Sling that sells for $SGD39 a pop — approximately $29 in USD. According to News.com.au, the hotel sells about 1000 of the signature drinks per day during peak vacation times, coming to a daily grand total of $29,000.” Here is more from their reporting about this famed drink: "The drink was created at the hotel’s famous Long Bar in 1915 by a bartender named Ngiam Tong Boon, and it is largely thought of as the country’s national drink, per the hotel’s website. The cocktail, which is served up in a tall glass and garnished with a pineapple slice, contains gin, pineapple juice, lime juice, curaçao and Bénédictine. It also gets some grenadine and cherry liqueur added into the mix, which gives the drink a light pink hue, a color that the bartender designed on purpose. According to Raffles’ website, etiquette rules at the time mandated that it was unacceptable for women to drink alcohol in public." Anyone planning to visit this well-known hotel in order to experience this drink? Including ladies? Full story at: https://nypost.com/2023/07/09/this-hotel-makes-nearly-30k-per-day-for-just-one-drink/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 72,099 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

Appreciate this kind and nice follow-up from agape01 in Singapore. Very helpful!!!! Good questions for our interests and needs. For us, we are fairly experienced world travelers, having previously done many parts of Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangkok, Hong Kong, plus the Middle East, 23 different countries in Europe, etc., etc. But, it will be our first for Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, etc. We are in our mid 70’s in age and like to see and discover new and interesting things, places and people. BUT, not go crazy in trying to do too much, too quickly. Good, reasonable pacing is desired. We are not “Float on a Boat” types of timid, passive travelers. The culture, history, architecture, some limited shopping, people, food, etc., are all of importance and interest to satisfy our personal curiosities. Currently for our first day in Singapore while staying overnight on the ship, we have two tours set through Silversea. This includes for the morning in doing Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel SkyPark Observation Deck. In the evening, we are set for a Sights and Sounds night coach and riverboat tour, including Gardens by the Bay. Garden Rhapsody, Light-and-Sound Show, Singapore River, Riverboat-Cruise, City Skyline, Esplanade and a drink at the Fullerton Bay Hotel. The next day, we disembark the ship and will stay two nights at the JW Marriott Hotel next to the Raffles Hotel. Some of the nearby museums and dining places seem of interest. Part of the question is how much to do our own versus needing a local guide? How much to use the local transit system? What is special and unique given that much of Singapore seems to be "new" and of cutting edge design. Where is the character and interesting areas that give Singapore any sense of its historic "old days". Have read much about the periods of English control, the World War II take-over by Japan, the amazing economic growth in the past few decades, etc. Is the Night Zoo that much of interest given that we have traveled much in South Africa and Botswana? For dining, we like "good food", but not too much of the "over-the-top", "designer" stuff that is excessively "arty". Does this help provide more background? 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 247,933 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

How BIG is "BIG" for future cruise ships? Here is more background. From the London/UK Independent this morning, they had this headline: “World’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, labelled ‘monstrosity’ ahead of maiden voyage” with these highlights: “The world’s largest cruise ship has been unveiled to a range of reactions, with many unsure what to make of the gigantic ship. Construction on Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas cruise ship recently completed in Finland, with the vessel expected to make its first official voyage in January 2024. According to Royal Caribbean, which describes the cruise ship as a 'game changer' for vacations, the vessel will boast amenities such as seven pools, including the 'largest pool at sea,' the 'world’s largest waterpark at sea,' six waterslides and nine whirlpools. The ship promises more than 20 ways to dine, and more than 15 bars and 'nightlife experiences.' ” Here is more from this reporting: "On social media, the first photos and videos of the cruise ship, which is currently undergoing sea trials, have divided viewers, with many expressing horror over the 'monstrosity'. 'As visions of hell go, that’s pretty much the most hellish,' one person tweeted in response to a photo of the new cruise ship, while another said: 'I’m sorry but this is a nightmare.' 'Netflix securing the rights to Titanic 2: Icon of the Seas,' one person tweeted, while another said: 'I think I’ve seen this film before and Jack didn’t like the endinggggg.' ” Full story at: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/biggest-cruise-ship-2023-icon-of-the-seas-b2374412.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 256,686 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/

Where is the future for cruising? From CNN, the cable news network, and MSN News in this past week, they had this headline: “The future of cruises: Bigger, longer and electric” with these highlights: “In travel news this week: epic cruise experiences around the world, crocodile ramen and other wild food trends hitting Asia, Construction is complete on the world’s biggest cruise ship, which is expected to set sail in Caribbean waters in January 2024. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is nearly 1,200 feet long and will be home to the world’s largest waterpark at sea. In Italy, where beaches are so overwhelmed they’re putting daily caps on visitors, misbehaving tourists are out of control. The latest high-profile incident was the man who allegedly carved his name into Rome’s Colosseum. He now claims he didn’t know the 'antiquity of the monument.' " For most Silversea cruisers, that "BIG, BIG" trend is not as desired. But, over the past decade or so, Silversea has roughly doubled the size from their original Silver Cloud and Wind ships with roughly 298 passengers. Now, the newer Silver Muse-class ships are a little under 600 as the maximum capacity. But, fortunately, that is not a ship holding 5000-6000 passengers. Full story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-future-of-cruises-bigger-longer-and-electric/ar-AA1dAJoY THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour. Visual Summary: www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

From the New York Times Travel Section coming this weekend, they had this headline: “Six Ways to Find a Little Elbow Room in Dubrovnik" with this sub-headline: "Visitors can get through the stone gates of this medieval city and meander through its cobbled streets without logjams, even in the high season. They can also get far from fellow travelers with easy jaunts to nearby islands.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “This compact, seaside city in Croatia has drawn millions of travelers from around the globe for years. Its popularity grew when HBO’s 'Game of Thrones' used it as a primary location and visitors soon overwhelmed the city, particularly in the summer. Officials have introduced measures to manage the crowds without limiting the number of visitors, but according to the Croatian National Tourist Board, this year is on pace to become the city’s busiest ever. Planning takes artful timing, minor sacrifices and a bit of luck.” This profile suggests six ways to consider, including "Game the cruise ship schedule", "Ditch the golden-hour photo shoot", "Take a breather in a monastery", "Find life outside the walls", "A green oasis, just offshore" and "Head farther to sea". Many options to consider, including being lucky when there that there is not too many big, BIG cruise ships in the port on your day in Dubrovnik. Plan and research accordingly. Good luck!! Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/11/travel/dubrovnik-croatia-travel.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour. Visual Summary: www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

Good and interesting background and insights. Suggest posting separately as it might get more notice and higher readership via than a Cooler posting. Things go fast at the Cooler and it could get missed here. Would suggest title of "Silversea & Others: What Doing Well?" Looking forward to your sharing of these details. Agree with reality of Mysty saying: "Some folks avoid the Cooler! " THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Agree with Spins and others that such a BIG, Mega ship is not for me. But from this news story, here is some added background as to how super large will be this sailing ship. They had this headline: “We're in Awe of This Comically Gigantic Luxury Cruise Ship.” Here are some reporting highlights: “As if hulking luxury cruise ships weren't big enough already, Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas is here to break all records. It's almost 1,200 feet long, weighs a quarter million tons — that's five times as heavy as the Titanic — and can carry 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew members across 20 decks. It'll also feature six water slides, seven pools — one of which will be the 'largest pool at sea' — and nine whirlpools. A 'Central Park' will also feature thousands of real plants. It's an entire opulent municipality that can journey across the ocean.” Full story at: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/were-awe-comically-gigantic-luxury-142716670.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 247,933 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

Great, J.P., to hear you made it back home reasonably safe and sound. Kind of?? A little later than planned, but not bad under these challenging circumstances. Not a short, easy drive that night from Newark to Albany. Once you get recovered and rested, interested in any additional background and details from your South America adventure. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Any updates from J.P. and Chris? Did you make it home to Albany, NY, OK, on Sunday night? How was Monday as a work-day? Things really bad for parts of New York State, in Vermont, etc. It was THE major national news last night about the rains, flooding, etc. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Lots in the news these days about real estate, safety and other challenges for San Francisco. From those living there and/or visiting recently, any updates and insights to share? From MSN News and an Internet website in the last week, they had this headline: “San Francisco: The food capital of the West Coast” with these highlights: “Many cities throughout the United States are central to any list of foodie cities. When it comes to traveling to the West Coast, San Francisco is one locale that can’t be avoided. Multiple outlets recognize San Francisco as one of the top food cities in the world, and it deserves to be recognized as the food capital of the West Coast. Everything from American, Honduran, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, and much more are available in San Francisco.” Added details at: https://localpov.com/posts/san-francisco-the-food-capital-of-the-west-coast?utm_source=RSS Full MSN story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/san-francisco-the-food-capital-of-the-west-coast/ar-AA1dpN5e THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Early 2020, many visuals and details from New Zealand/South Pacific in going from Auckland to French Polynesia. This includes Bora Bora, Fiji, NZ experiences, etc: Live/blog: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2735732-live-terryohio-“new”-regatta-south-pacificnz-pix’s/

What is new and best for Singapore? First time to be visiting Singapore and these other locations. Love to learn any smart tips, suggestions and secrets for these various, exotic parts of the world. Our overall plan for early 2024 include doing private tour options for Agra, New Delhi, etc. Then fly to Mumbai/Bombay Feb. 11, a day there, then starting 18-day Silversea cruise with stops at Mormugao (Goa) and Cochin. Then stops in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, etc., before finishing Feb. 29 in Singapore. Three days in Singapore, then fly to Tokyo for 2.5 days there before flying home through DFW. Previously, this cruise was going to offer two and a half days for Myanmar/Burma, but that has been scrubbed due to the military/government uncertainties in that challenged country. Below is my graphic for our general travel plan. Tips, ideas, insights? From CNN, the cable news network, they had this headline: “Destination Singapore” with these highlights: “A truly modern metropolis, the city state of Singapore is a jewel of Southeast Asia. Founded as a trading post for the British Empire, its rapid development and Western style are a counterpoint to the more visceral Asian cities of Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. While sipping on a Singapore Sling at the renowned Raffles hotel is a quintessential experience, there's still plenty of local color to be found, with hawker stalls serving up spicy noodle soup and fish dumplings, especially around Smith Street. Nowhere showcases the city's modern heart better than Marina Bay, where the spectacular vertical gardens of Supertree Grove nestle alongside the Marina Bay Sands resort, home to one of the world's best rooftop bars.” Everyone I have talked with has great things to say about Singapore. Clean, safe, etc.? What are your personal favorites, biggest surprises, don't miss ideas, etc., for Singapore?? We will be staying at the JW Marriott hotel next to the historic Raffles Hotel. Is the Raffles' classic Singapore Sling over-rated and over-priced? Or, worth it? Full CNN profile at: https://www.cnn.com/travel/destinations/singapore 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 244,373 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/