TLCOhio

From the London/UK Daily Mail this morning, they had this headline: “Seven reasons why your next holiday should be to Egypt - a fascinating 'time machine' ” with these highlights: “Visiting Egypt is like having your very own time machine – one that can catapult you forward and backwards thousands of years in an instant. There’s a reason why Luxor is often the second stop after Cairo in a tour of Egypt’s highlights, and that’s because learning about the riches of Ancient Egypt in a museum makes you yearn to see them in real life. The Valley of the Kings in Luxor is where the rulers of the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties are buried, in a dry river valley across the Nile from the ancient city of Thebes (now Luxor), and more than 60 tombs lie underneath the rock, with others possibly yet to be discovered.” Here is more: "After spending time underground in the tombs of long-dead Pharaohs, it made a refreshing change to explore above ground – even if it was in 44-degree heat. The Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Karnak are vast, open sites where you can walk along the very steps explored by the ancient Egyptians, under imposing columns and under the watchful eye of statues of kings, queens and the Sphinx." Full story at: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12266153/Im-travel-writer-seven-reasons-holiday-Egypt.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 247,814 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

Great update and details! Glad that you planned accordingly for both your pre- and post-cruise exploring of these two amazing cities with such excellent character, history, architecture, culture, etc. Wonderful. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Great news, Fletcher, with your booking for the Silver Wind from Manaus to Lisbon. Have pulled up that map and showing it below as this is a very interesting itinerary. Lots of unique and different stops. Cute line about using Jack Daniels, but those anti-malarial pills are important, too!! Look forward next year for following along with this great adventure. 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 71,988 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

Great thoughts from Mr Luxury. Yes to Belmond! Stayed in three of their excellent safari locations in Botswana in 2016. Nice and fun. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

One of our key objectives before boarding our cruise in Mumbai to Sri Lanka and ultimately ending in Singapore is to be able to explore the famed India Golden Triangle. From Conde Nast Travel+Leisure magazine last year, they had this headline: “India's Iconic 'Pink City' Is Continuously Voted One of the Best in the World" with this sub-headline: "Jaipur, the capital of India's Rajasthan state, is a destination filled with beautiful palaces, a rich history, and luxury hotels.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Jaipur forms a key point on the Golden Triangle, the tourist circuit that connects New Delhi, Agra, and Rajasthan. Jaipur's nickname is a nod to the pink buildings within its historic core, among them the iconic Hawa Mahal. Jaipur is also continuously named one of the best cities in the world by Travel + Leisure readers. A city of sprawling palaces, it's also home to ornate architectural masterpieces and sweeping views of lush green hills and idyllic lakes. It is the first planned city in India and has earned UNESCO World Heritage status. And its streets feel a little more manageable than the congested labyrinths of New Delhi and Mumbai.This is a city that inspired Paul McCartney to write 'Riding into Jaipur' and became the backdrop of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movies. It is a place to to feast on sumptuous meals in the banquet halls of royalty, and to reminisce about a bygone era of Maharajas. Ride elephants and explore Mughal architecture by day and enjoy some of the world's finest hotels by night.” Great background and details with this in-depth profile. Any tips to share from those who have been to Jaipur? Full story at: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/jaipur-india THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 54,426 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

Super appreciate these great Sri Lanka insights, comments and follow-ups. Very helpful. Wise background as to the challenges with the road conditions/limitations there. Sounds like it is not all easy, smooth, flowing Interstate Highways in Sri Lanka. Right? Will discuss more with my wife. Right now for Hambantota, we are leaning to do a ship's tour that includes the religious sites of Kataragama, plus Velgam Vehera. Then lunch at Jetwing Yula Hotel and then time at Yula National Park. Bundala might be less crowded, but Yula has a wider variety of creatures, birds, etc., there. Trade-offs?? Will keep researching and planning. At Trincomalee, we are looking at doing a ship's tour for the Ruins of Polonnaruwa. From the Eyewitness book on Sri Lanka, this sight/location seems to offer a nice variety of different settings and aspects of culture/history. With our two days plus in Myanmar/Burma being scrubbed, this means an added two full days at locations in Sri Lanka. Looking forward to any and all added tips and suggestions from those who have been there. On one of our days from Colombo, we are looking to go down to Galle, see its Fort, plus doing some sampling of the Madu River and its nature options. 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 104,695 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

Appreciate this above very good suggestion and follow-up. Will check at our library for that author and this book. Am right now fishing reading the 480-page, highly-detailed "Freedom at Midnight" book. It covers the period leading up to, around and after Aug. 15, 1947, when the UK handed India back to the native populations. But, it became two countries, Pakistan and India. And, as the say, the rest is history!! This book was strongly suggested by a good friend whose father was William B. Saxbe, the U.S. Ambassador to India in the 1970's. His tip was a great one!! Fascinating reading as this 1975, non-fiction book centers around all of the events leading up to the Indian independence movement and partition. Much is covered for the last year of the British Raj when Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of British India. It goes up through the death and funeral of Mahatma Gandhi. The author's style really "takes you there" to understand so very well the long and tangled history of this highly-populated sub-continent with its battles between Hindus and Muslims, plus the Sikh religions and interests, etc., etc. The parts about the colorful and extravagant lifestyles of the various Indian princes brings out another key part of their history and traditions that might be forgotten or missed. Much is about the reasons and fatal results from the partition of British India into India and Pakistan based on the centuries of religious differences and mistrusts. Then, there was the terrible bloodshed that followed. Also pictured on the cover above are Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, two of the key leaders during those challenged times. Much background is also included going to back 1599 when the first Queen Elizabeth authorized the initial exploring by the British to India as a way to get around high Dutch prices for spices. This book was an inspirations for the 2017 film Viceroy's House, starring Hugh Bonneville and Gillian Anderson. Many details are also outlined for how the British played off the various sides to keep control of this highly-diverse area with its many factions and deep religious divisions. And the wealth and riches?? Yes, the history for India is complex and fascinating. This helps better understand the vastness of the British colonial empire at its peak and the "twists and turns" involved over those centuries. Highly recommended reading for this book and other sources to better appreciate so much as to the "why" and "how" for India today and in the past. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture. Now at 54,940 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

Look forward to any and all of your reports for this exciting "Norway Adventure". Glad that the Silver Dawn is looking new and excellent. Hopefully before boarding, you had a chance to explore charming and historic Bergen. Wonderful city!! One of the real "stars" for Norway. Looking at your upcoming stops for Geiranger, Hellesylt, Trondheim, Ålesund, Flåm and Copenhagen, we visited all of these in 2010 on the Silver Cloud. Much to see and do at all of these stops. Will you have added time in Copenhagen at the end of your cruise? Been there previously? Any chance to share any visuals from these stops, on the ship, of the food? Always love seeing "eye candy" from these localities to bring back memories from past visits. 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 247,814 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

Cruise stocks are mixed this morning. Royal Caribbean down a little, the other two up somewhat. Many questions as to where the economy is headed for the second half of 2023. Uncertainties? Few clear forward answers!! From the Wall Street Journal this morning, they had this headline: “Markets Ignore the Looming Debt Peril" with this sub-headline: "With rates still rising, the economy will be held back by the need to shore up highly indebted companies.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “This was supposed to be the year that higher interest rates started to bite, taking down dodgy borrowers who had loaded up on too much debt. Some are now in trouble. But investors don’t expect problems to spread far. Even as distressed companies start to hit the headlines, notably a major water utility in Britain, the riskiest part of the bond market has performed the best. The CCC-rated borrowers closest to default have returned 10% this year. The worst performing are safe investment-grade borrowers, with AA-rated corporate bonds returning 2.7%. The big macroeconomic surprise of this year: The U.S. economy has been strong even as inflation has moderated. The weakest borrowers benefited because the most widely forecast recession in history simply refused to arrive.” Full story at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/markets-ignore-the-looming-debt-peril-aac19b32?mod=hp_lead_pos1 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture. Now at 54,940 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

Appreciate the great visuals, details and follow-ups from J.P. Especially love it that this train has an open observation car. That really makes it nice to see and experience more. Keep it coming. Looks like great fun. Understand why you are "exhausted"!!! THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

YES!! More great travel adventures from J.P. and Chris. Looking interesting and exciting in Peru. As I warned (or threatened) early, we were attending this morning an old-fashioned, small-community July 4th parade and breakfast buffet. Below are some visual highlights. Yes, it was great weather and a fun time. Lots of "American Traditions", etc. 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 247,814 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/ A small sample of parade fun today, including creative flags, big bikes, live music, etc.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) High School class reunion members riding on their float thirty years after graduation.: From the Bexley High School Class of 1973, 50 years back, this guy was carrying their yearbook with the innovative and unique name (for that period) of FACEBOOK!! Who stole that idea?:

As I warned (or threatened) early, we were attending this morning an old-fashioned, small-community July 4th parade and breakfast buffet. Below are some visual highlights. Yes, it was great weather and a fun time. Lots of "American Traditions", etc. 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 247,814 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/ A small sample of parade fun today, including creative flags, big bikes, live music, etc.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) High School class reunion members riding on their float thirty years after graduation.: From the Bexley High School Class of 1973, 50 years back, this guy was carrying their yearbook with the innovative and unique name (for that period) of FACEBOOK!! Who stole that idea?:

Last night, we kicked off our local celebrations with what is called: "Red, White & Boom!". Excellent fireworks show rated as the biggest in the Midwest. Perfect weather last night after we had to deal with much rain earlier in the day. Below are a few of my visuals as proof that a "Good Time Was Had by All". Now off to an old-fashioned, small-community July 4th parade and breakfast buffet. 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 Central Ohio's "Red, White & Boom!", below are a few of visual samples for the exciting celebration for our nation's birthday.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

Yes, sadly, we must have lots and lots and lots of proctologists around in our Central Ohio areas based on their driving practices on our roads. Great funny! Sorry Misty will be MIA for a few days. Great reporting and we are enjoying the fun visuals from J.P. and Chris in Peru. Looking forward to many more. Appreciate the kind Fourth of July greetings from our good neighbor to the North from Canada. Last night, we kicked off our local celebrations with what is called: "Red, White & Boom!". Excellent fireworks show rated as the biggest in the Midwest. Perfect weather last night after we had to deal with much rain earlier in the day. Below are a few of my visuals as proof that a "Good Time Was Had by All". Now off to an old-fashioned, small-community July 4th parade and breakfast buffet. 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 Central Ohio's "Red, White & Boom!", below are a few of visual samples for the exciting celebration for our nation's birthday.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

From the Associated Press/AP this morning, they had this headline: “The wait for US passports is creating travel purgatory and snarling summer plans” with these highlights: “Seeking a valid U.S. passport for that 2023 trip? Buckle up, wishful traveler, for a very different journey before you step anywhere near an airport. A much-feared backup of U.S passport applications has smashed into a wall of government bureaucracy as worldwide travel rebounds toward record pre-pandemic levels — with too few humans to handle the load. The result, say aspiring travelers in the U.S. and around the world, is a maddening pre-travel purgatory defined, at best, by costly uncertainty. Passport seekers describe a slow-motion agony of waiting, worrying, holding the line, refreshing the screen, complaining to Congress, paying extra fees and following incorrect directions. Some applicants are buying additional plane tickets to snag in-process passports where they sit — in other cities — in time to make the flights they booked in the first place.” Many, varied details as to the history and growth in demand for overseas passports. Part of it is connected with an increased desire for "I want to visit the rest of the world." Full story at: https://apnews.com/article/us-passports-summer-backlog-wait-pandemic-84b7cd369a96d591319f2d04558e7840 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 21,918 views. Connect at: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

Appreciate your kind wishes for rain, but we have been getting almost too much rain in the past day or so. Might threaten our big "Red, White and Boom" fireworks tonight in Columbus that are the biggest in the Midwest. Look forward to hearing more from J.P. on Peru, etc. From MSN News and a financial news website this morning, they had this headline: “Carnival Cruise Lines Is Up 133% This Year. Just How High Can It Go?” with these highlights: “Carnival Cruise Lines has had quite a momentous week. After releasing its second-quarter earnings last Monday, the stock initially plunged -- only to rebound even stronger and finish the week more than 19% higher. Year to date, the beleaguered cruise line stock is up a staggering 133%. Carnival stock still remains 75% below its 2018 all-time highs, and there isn't much chance of getting all the way back there anytime soon. They had to take on tens of billions in debt and sell stock at depressed prices to raise cash. With a higher share count and triple the debt load, there isn't much chance to regain highs anytime soon. Yet even after this year's more than doubling, there's still room for the stock to run higher -- but how much is feasible?” Great background and questions!! How much higher is possible? Full story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/other/carnival-cruise-lines-is-up-133-this-year-just-how-high-can-it-go/ar-AA1dmwan 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 71,988 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

Great suggestion to check the fine print of your travel insurance. I would be surprised if most policies extend that widely, but it raises a good point to check for that option, if and if. Sorry to hear of these challenges for Shawski. Too bad in missing the wonderful Norway fjords on this nice Silversea ship. Hopefully you can get there in the future. 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 247,814 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

YES, super cute and creative about that "FLAN" railway being "pie in the sky". The real Flam rail adventure is fun and exciting. Need proof and evidence?? Below are a few of my visuals to prove it great drama and excitement. Hopefully, QueSeraSera has great weather and a wonderful sailing. Look forward to seeing reports and any pictures. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Just a couple of samples for the dramatic views experienced when doing the Flam rail adventure.: Stopping at one of the massive waterfalls along the track side to see its power "up close and personal".:

To celebrate my wife's birthday last night, we were in Barcelona. Sorry, not in Spain, but at a restaurant named Barcelona on their amazing patio on a perfect weather night. At this highly-rated dining star they always deliver top quality service, an excellent outdoor setting and super dining delights. It's in a charming, historic part of Columbus called "German Village". Below are some visual “evidence” that Penny had a super nice birthday (and to celebrate Canada Day, too) yesterday. Need proof? See the visuals. 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 256,662 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/ First were drinks, including red Sangria for me and “Big Girl” drinks for the ladies!: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) My wife Penny is showing off in Barcelona's great outdoor patio setting a colorful, patriotic quilt-style pillow from wonderful and skilled long-time friend, Janet. Does its design fit for the upcoming Fourth of July Celebration?: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!) Here was my Paella Barcelona with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, calamari, clams, mussels, piquillo peppers, peas, sofrito and calasparra rice. Super great and totally tasty!! Dessert? Barra de Frutas or raspberry lemon bar: Swiss meringue buttercream, blueberry bourbon compote, candied lemon chip.:

To celebrate my wife's birthday last night, we were in Barcelona. Sorry, not in Spain, but at a restaurant named Barcelona on their amazing patio on a perfect weather night. At this highly-rated dining star they always deliver top quality service, an excellent outdoor setting and super dining delights. It's in a charming, historic part of Columbus called "German Village". Below are some visual “evidence” that Penny had a super nice birthday (and to celebrate Canada Day, too) yesterday. Need proof? See the visuals. 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 256,662 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/ First were drinks, including red Sangria for me and “Big Girl” drinks for the ladies!: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) My wife Penny is showing off in Barcelona's great outdoor patio setting a colorful, patriotic quilt-style pillow from wonderful and skilled long-time friend, Janet. Does its design fit for the upcoming Fourth of July Celebration?: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!) Here was my Paella Barcelona with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, calamari, clams, mussels, piquillo peppers, peas, sofrito and calasparra rice. Super great and totally tasty!! Dessert? Barra de Frutas or raspberry lemon bar: Swiss meringue buttercream, blueberry bourbon compote, candied lemon chip.:

As we prepare for our first visit to India and doing the Feb. 2024 Mumbai to Singapore sailing, I have been researching much on India's long, unique, involved history, plus the many aspects of their amazing culture and interesting traditions. From the BBC in the past week, they had this headline: “Theyyam: The Indian trance where men become gods” with this sub-headline: "Predating Hinduisim, theyyam is an ancient and mysterious folk ritual, and one of South India's most mesmerising experiences." Here are some of the reporting highlights by Tim Bird: “With nearly 1.5 billion people and 330 million Hindu deities, India has no shortage of religious festivals and performances. Yet one of the most ancient and mesmerising is theyyam, which takes place in the southern state of Kerala and parts of neighbouring Karnataka. Meaning 'God' or the "'ncarnation of God', theyyam is an ancient folk ritual combining theatre, mime and worship that predates Hinduism but incorporates Hindu mythology. Despite the fact that theyyam harks back to an animistic, pre-Hindu time, a fundamental element of Hinduism underlines the performance: the caste system. ” Here was one of the pictures by the author to illustrate this art form from India: Full story at: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230628-theyyam-the-indian-trance-where-men-become-gods 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 71,988 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

As people get back to cruising again, Europe is a big destination this summer. But, what about for France right now? Things getting challenged there? From the New York Times this morning, they had this headline: “Traveling to France? What You Need to Know About the Protests" with this sub-headline: "Unrest has spread across France in response to the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old in a Paris suburb.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Violent protests have spread across France over the past week since the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old in a Paris suburb. More than 800 people were arrested on Thursday night after protesters caused widespread destruction in dozens of cities, setting cars and buildings on fire, looting stores and clashing with the riot police. On Friday, many roads in the Paris region and other major cities like Marseille were cordoned off, and public transport routes were disrupted as more than 40,000 police officers were deployed across the country to bring the protests under control.” Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/30/travel/travel-france-unrest.html 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 32,113 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

Great visuals and wonderful details for your exciting adventure. Appreciate you taking us along. Just able to catch up today. Sleep in and enjoy that needed sea-day. Keep up the great sharing. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Agree with AusMum and ArtofZen. Correct summary about: "see as much as possible while I'm there." We can sleep more later!! THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Appreciate this great follow-up from jollyjones. I learned something new. My guess is that most, like me, thought that just squirting that "stuff" on your hands was enough and did the trick. Cruise ships and others need to spread the word to get folks "re-educated"!! From the Miami Herald this morning, they had this headline: “Carnival Cruise Line Making Another Major Menu Change” with these highlights: “Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have recently made major changes to their main dining room (MDR) menus but the two cruise lines took very different approaches. Royal Caribbean, which has rolled out its changes fleetwide, slimmed down its menu getting rid of its 'Classics' choices which were a selection of appetizers and main courses available every night. Carnival Cruise Line has only reached the testing phase of its new menu. It has also slimmed down, but not eliminated, its selection of items that are available every day. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and every other major cruise line have to balance serving thousands of people at each meal with the dietary wants and needs of those customers. Some passengers have food allergies, while others follow special diets for health or personal choice-related reasons. That leaves every cruise line open to criticism about the choices it offers for any specific diet.” Not sure if for the future that Silversea will cut out its "Classics" choices and/or make other changes to their menus. Clearly for cost reasons and/or to make it easier to staff the kitchens, the cruise lines might consider changes. But, hopefully, Silversea is careful as to what they do. Or, not. Full story at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article276927538.html 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 33,551 views. Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358