Silver Moon: Late Dec., Jan. Sailing Challenges/Questions??

[Fletcher]

4 hours ago, taxatty said:

 

Doing this trip takes some serious testicular fortitude.

Yes, including a solo lady in her 80s from the Southern States of the USA.

[TLCOhio]

The Silver Moon has just arrived in Cape Town. Great News!!

 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[TLCOhio]

Earlier on another board, Peter from the UK shared: "I spoke to a member of management from Silver Moon who disembarked on 16 January and he gave the following insights: The shore excursion team will disembark at Cape Town and fly to Mumbai to set up pre-cruise excursions. The planned stop in Cape Town will only be 6-7 hours, refuel and any crew changes. No crew shore leave."

 

Very interesting and helpful from Peter.

 

Thanks!  Enjoy.  Terry from Ohio

[The Dog Fosterer]

Is it possible that the Silver Moon will arrive in Mumbai early?

Interesting that the excursions team are flying over.  Are they trying to set up something a bit more interesting.  Let's hope so.

Almost time to leave the UK now so probably won't hear anything further until we arrive.  We have no tickets etc. so it's a bit of a leap of faith.  See you all on the other side. 

[TLCOhio]

6 hours ago, The Dog Fosterer said:

Is it possible that the Silver Moon will arrive in Mumbai early?  Interesting that the excursions team are flying over.  Are they trying to set up something a bit more interesting.  Let's hope so.  Almost time to leave the UK now so probably won't hear anything further until we arrive.  We have no tickets etc. so it's a bit of a leap of faith.  See you all on the other side. 

 

YES, I have the same "hope" that flying the Silversea Silver Moon excursion team to Mumbai could mean adding some more "creative" and interesting options for our three days in Mumbai.  Fingers crossed!!

 

As of 9 am ET in the US, the Silver Moon has not yet departed Cape Town.  Should soon be doing its sail-away.   Below is a picture showing the ship docked there with better lighting and the famed mountains dramatically showing in the background.  Great memories of Cape Town from 2016 when we had five days there before boarding the Silver Cloud.   Also below is a www.cruisemapper.com chart saying the planned arrival time in Mumbai to be right after midnight for when it is arriving in India.  Fingers crossed!!

 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog while sailing on the Silver Cloud. Now at 55,670 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

[mrlevin]

Cruisemapper times are in GMT.  0030 GMT equals 0600 Mumbai.

[TLCOhio]

1 hour ago, mrlevin said:

Cruisemapper times are in GMT.  0030 GMT equals 0600 Mumbai.

 

Appreciate this great "timing detail" and follow-up from Mr. Levin.  Am watching this sailing to Mumbai closely.  Below is the current Silver Moon position as it heads around to the southern tip of Africa and sailing towards India.  

 

Current ship speed is 17 knots.  Hopefully they will speed up to around 18-19 knots for the timing to work correctly on this 4599 nautical miles journey.  It will require 10 days 16 hours, at an average 18 knots speed.  

 

Looking forward to be on the ship the evening of Feb. 14 in order to buy Valentine's Day dinner for my wife.  Plus, some special wine and drinks.  

 

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 248,606 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

 

[TLCOhio]

The Silver Moon is right now rounding the famed Cape of Good Hope with the Silver Spirit shown sailing just ahead in the same direction.  Good progress and it will be fun to follow along in this amazing journey over the next twelve days to Mumbai.  

 

Now, it's back to packing up, going the bank for added cash, etc., as we prepared for our Sunday flights to NYC JFK airport and then the long 15-hour flight to Delhi.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

[fdnycruiser]

Good news for everyone on the voyage ! ( I’m not)  Hopefully everything is smooth sailing, trouble free and a great voyage and stay in Mumbai.

[TLCOhio]

19 hours ago, fdnycruiser said:

Good news for everyone on the voyage ! ( I’m not)  Hopefully everything is smooth sailing, trouble free and a great voyage and stay in Mumbai.

 

Yes, the Silver Moon is making good progress.  There is still much distance to cover enroute to Mumbai, BUT, the good news is that the speed both last night and this morning (our time here) is 18 knots. That's above the average ship speed of 17 knots and shows that the Captain can crank things up to meet the scheduled early morning arrival on Feb. 14.  Appreciate the good wishes from fdnycruiser and the interest by others who are following along.  

 

When we get on the Silver Moon Feb. 14, it will be interesting to learn more from the ship's crew as to the "details" and background for what all they did during this long 20-plus days circumnavigation of Africa.  That has been a long, long sailing without benefit of many port stops and/or shore leave.   

 

See the current ship's position from www.cruisemapper.com shown below.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[TLCOhio]

As shown in the previous graphic, the Silver Moon has passed the Silver Spirit that is doing a sea-day and only traveling at a speed of 14 knots.  

 

Speaking of "journeys", below is the graphic for our upcoming American Airlines' JFK airport to Delhi air routing.  The normal route was varied somewhat due to the Middle East "tangles" and warfare.  Both ships and airplanes need to pick their routings carefully these days.  We are departing Sunday evening from the NYC airport in order to arrive in India for our pre-cruise "Golden Triangle" exploring.  First time for us in India and most all of these locations during this Silversea cruise.

 

From this air flight routing, it looks as if we will be flying over Scotland.  We will be thinking about the large number of passengers on this Mumbai-Singapore cruise who are from the wonderful UK.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[Fletcher]

Have a lovely time @TLCOhio, Terry, I can sense the stress levels falling.  India is . . . . in your face, no avoiding it, quite unlike Ohio.  You just sort of need to surrender to it and take all the wonders and horrors that you see on equal terms.  I'm sure you will tell us all about it. 

[Bennyeggs]

On 2/3/2024 at 4:32 AM, TLCOhio said:

The Silver Moon is right now rounding the famed Cape of Good Hope with the Silver Spirit shown sailing just ahead in the same direction.  Good progress and it will be fun to follow along in this amazing journey over the next twelve days to Mumbai.  

 

Now, it's back to packing up, going the bank for added cash, etc., as we prepared for our Sunday flights to NYC JFK airport and then the long 15-hour flight to Delhi.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Hi and interesting you mentioned Silver Spirit, we were booked on her upcoming voyage Dubai > Athens via Red Sea March 16.  SS were giving no indication of cancellation so we jumped ship 10 days ago and we're now sailing Singapore to Mumbai to Athens March 3.

Those of you that are showing concern over tours in Mumbai, on past visits I could just stay on Marine Esplanade and absorb the locals, it's a very long road, and oh the sights and sounds, the color and exotic smells, oh the beautiful madness of Mumbai. We can't wait to be back.

 

[Bennyeggs]

6 hours ago, Fletcher said:

Have a lovely time @TLCOhio, Terry, I can sense the stress levels falling.  India is . . . . in your face, no avoiding it, quite unlike Ohio.  You just sort of need to surrender to it and take all the wonders and horrors that you see on equal terms.  I'm sure you will tell us all about it. 

Absolutely wonderful advice Fletcher. I've lived in Ohio, Go Buck's and been back many times. Yes surrender to India. Your senses will be awakened. I hope you all manage sometime literally immersed with the locals, say, go to the main train station, go to the locals market, walk along the Esplanade with them. A beautiful place and we will be back in India taking my husband for the first time late March 24. Exciting. 

[Charli001]

Only 6 days to go before flying into Mumbai, still no news from SS re itinerary, excursions etc. is anyone else in the same situation?? am our reservations, excursions and personal information has been wiped off mysilverseas account.

 

Charlie001 Sydney 

[Port Power]

11 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

When we get on the Silver Moon Feb. 14, it will be interesting to learn more from the ship's crew as to the "details" and background for what all they did during this long 20-plus days circumnavigation of Africa.  That has been a long, long sailing without benefit of many port stops and/or shore leave.   

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

It has probably been a bit of a holiday for many crew members.  Without passengers, crew are often allowed to use the swimming pool and gym.  Without the need to service suites, housekeeping and butlers would have a lot more down time; waiters and bar staff also; kitchen workers.  Laundry workers wouldn’t be quite as busy. Possibly some spring cleaning going on, maintenance, and crew drills.  The logistics for crew changes will be another headache for Silversea, but the crew themselves have probably been enjoying the break.

[Macarooney]

Why is silver moon traveling so slowly?  Have the engines been derated? Is their maximum  fuel capacity low or consumption high? Other cruise ships on identical route are doing 20 or 21 knots.

[TLCOhio]

6 hours ago, Macarooney said:

Why is silver moon traveling so slowly?  Have the engines been derated? Is their maximum  fuel capacity low or consumption high? Other cruise ships on identical route are doing 20 or 21 knots.

 

In checking this morning, the Silver Moon (circled in red below) is traveling at 17 knots.  Yes, it can and will be going faster in order to make Mumbai in time, but the www.cruisemapper.com website reports that ship is encountering "rough waters" now.  

 

By my non-expert analysis, the Silver Moon needs to average around 17-18 knots in order to arrive in Mumbai by early the morning of Feb. 14.  Will continue to be watching closely as to the ship's progress. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[spinnaker2]

Safe travels all to Mumbai!

[TLCOhio]

On 2/4/2024 at 11:33 AM, spinnaker2 said:

Safe travels all to Mumbai!

 

Appreciate the nice best wishes from Spings.  Arrived in India!!  Good that our JFK-Delhi flight arrived an hour early last night.  Pick up and check-in at hotel all went well.  Super nice hotel at the Taj Mahal Delhi!!!  The Taj standards, quality, service are excellent.  Slept well.  Ready to explore Old Delhi and the new parts with our private guide, Parveen.  Pictured was our nice, friendly hotel greeting and check-in.  On top 11th floor, but a hazy, cloudy view this am.  Smog or fog?  Good luck to all for having safe travels.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[Bennyeggs]

8 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Appreciate the nice best wishes from Spings.  Arrived in India!!  Good that our JFK-Delhi flight arrived an hour early last night.  Pick up and check-in at hotel all went well.  Super nice hotel at the Taj Mahal Delhi!!!  The Taj standards, quality, service are excellent.  Slept well.  Ready to explore Old Delhi and the new parts with our private guide, Parveen.  Pictured was our nice, friendly hotel greeting and check-in.  On top 11th floor, but a hazy, cloudy view this am.  Smog or fog?  Good luck to all for having safe travels.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

The Taj Dehli is the best. My stay highlight was ordering room service for a pot of tea. In they wheeled a trolley, candles, flowers, teapot complete with real tea leaves, warmed milk, proper tea cups etc etc etc. And so resplendent in traditional dress. Try it. 

[CardowMD]

In Delhi the smog is terrible, similar in Agra due to the motor bikes. So glad you made it to Delhi with no delays! Enjoy the beautiful Taj. 

Had tea at the Taj when I visited about 20 years ago, it was the calm in a city of chaos. There is a shopping plaza nearby. Watch out for the kids throwing mud on your shoes to distract so they can grab your bags. Totally ruined a good pair of shoes…

Edited February 6 by CardowMD

[bajalin]

What happens with OBC we were entitled to on the canceled Jan 16 Silver Moon?

[dawntrdr]

When cruises were cancelled during Covid, the OBC just went away.  OBC is usually given to promote a particular cruise during a particular period where added incentive to book is desirable.   The only time I've been able to transfer it was on a voyage-to-voyage transfer, and even that doesn't work out all of the time.  

[fudge]

We had a cruise cancelled last year, we"lost" 1500 dollars, even though we booked the same cruise at a later date the OBC was not offered.