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

[TLCOhio]

On 2/6/2024 at 6:33 AM, Bennyeggs said:

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. 

 

YES, the Taj Mahal Delhi hotel is very, very impressive in quality, service, etc.  

 

Here below were are right near lively Old Delhi’s sprawling and hyper-busy market areas as we are shown at the largest Mosque in India.  Can hold up to 100,000 worshipping here.    Super nice weather, air quality decent and better this morning.  It's a fascinating city!! 

 

Sorry about the various OBC questions/issues.  Will inquire more after we get on the ship in Mumbai after the 14th.  

 

For a sample of life in Old Delhi, here is a one visual from Street Food in action.  

 

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 110,749 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

[peace out]

Loving the pictures Terry! India will be our next destination.  I am so happy that this has turned out well for most of you who will board in Mumbai.  Please keep us posted as to what the staff have to say about this ordeal. 

We will be boarding the Moon in Singapore! The countdown is real!  Is anyone else on the blog boarding in Singapore?

[Neilio]

Terry, Congratulations! I have been following your ups and downs the past month. So happy that your trip is now here. Wishing you and lovely  DW a most happy and safe voyage. Will be enjoying seeing your great pictures and writings along the way.

 

Safe & Happy Travels

Neilio

[fdnycruiser]

Terry, you finally made it !  It is  great to see both you and spouse enjoying India. I’m sure your cruise will go well too. Enjoy your well deserved trip!

[Charli001]

Thank you Terry, enjoying your updates so much. I too will be boarding in Mumbai so looking forward to it. Look forward to meeting you.

 

 

Charlie001 Sydney

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

11 hours ago, Charli001 said:

Thank you Terry, enjoying your updates so much. I too will be boarding in Mumbai so looking forward to it. Look forward to meeting you.   Charlie001 Sydney

 

Appreciate the kind comments and nice wishes.  After Delhi the past two days, today will be the REAL THING!!  The historic Taj Mahal in Agra.  

 

Yesterday in Delhi was Humayun's Tomb from the 16th century.  Very amazing setting and structure here in Delhi.  But, our guide has already explained the background  for this one as a resting place for a male ruler and how it was different than the lover offering as a monument to his wife in Agra.  

 

 

Things continue to looking on schedule for the Silver Moon reaching Mumbai early on the morning of the 14th.  

 

Any great India tips as we head to Agra, Jaipur and then Mumbai?  Loving it ALL so far.  Trying to stay healthy and safe.  Glad I am not trying to drive here.  That's a really "wild sports" on the highways of urban India.  Tomorrow we will see how the highways and traffic are between two major cities.  

 

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 74,092 views:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

[Kauaijim]

You will enjoy it and the red fort nearby . We were staying at the Oberoi nearby and once you work thru the phalynx of vendors outside the gates it is serene inside. Arrive early if you can 

[Bennyeggs]

5 hours ago, Charli001 said:

Thank you Terry, enjoying your updates so much. I too will be boarding in Mumbai so looking forward to it. Look forward to meeting you.

 

 

Charlie001 Sydney

 

 

 

 

 

 

So glad you have at long last your itinerary sorted. Safe enjoyable travel.

[Charli001]

Thank you so much, so happy that things are finally sorted, I’m looking forward to the 3 days in Mumbai, can’t wait to board Silvermoon. I have absolutely loved this post very excited about hopefully meeting some people who have contributed to this post.

 

Cheers,

 

Charli001 Sydney

 

 

[Fletcher]

The Taj is often shrouded in pollution these days, though it looks to be currently free of scaffolding.  @Kauaijim is right - get there as early as you can to avoid the crowds.  Getting the Taj free of people is difficult these days, though I managed it easily enough in 1992!  Be aware there is a fantastic view of the Taj from the Yamuna River - there are frequent boats available.  

[TLCOhio]

12 hours ago, Fletcher said:

The Taj is often shrouded in pollution these days, though it looks to be currently free of scaffolding.  @Kauaijim is right - get there as early as you can to avoid the crowds.  Getting the Taj free of people is difficult these days, though I managed it easily enough in 1992!  Be aware there is a fantastic view of the Taj from the Yamuna River - there are frequent boats available.

 

 

Things looked good today.   Need proof?  See below.  We are just completing our third day in India. What did we see?  Can you guess from this visual?  Perfect, clear, sunshine-filled, cool, comfortable day. The nice breeze helped keep the air clearer today.   BUT, lots of big crowds at the Taj Mahal.  

 

 

An interior view of the amazing craft skills used to carve these marble decor items over 300 years ago.

 

Staying at the Oberoi Amarvilas.  What class, tradition and perfection!  Have a third-floor balcony room with a great view of this famed historic site. Here is the view with my camera of the Taj Mahal from our room.  Like the flying bird as a visiting co-star?

 

From checking early today and later this afternoon, the Silver Moon is averaging a speed of 18-19 knots. Nice, winning pace for the early Feb. 14 arrival in Mumbai looking very realistic.  Glad to hear that things are coming together for those from other areas, including from Australia.  Safe travels for all.  

 

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 62,547 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

[Charli001]

Greetings all. Stunning photos Terry, please keep them coming.

 

Charli001 Sydney

[Downunder55]

15 hours ago, Fletcher said:

The Taj is often shrouded in pollution these days, though it looks to be currently free of scaffolding.

 

 

Pretty clear around this Taj (hotel) ......

 

[TLCOhio]

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

Safe travels all to Mumbai!

 

YES!!  We are all getting closer to Mumbai.  Below is the ship's sailing chart:  Will it on time for boarding early on the 14th. 

 

Here are four quick visual samples from our journey yesterday from Agra to Jaipur.  Will be here in the "Pink City" for two days prior to flying to Mumbai on the 11th.  Look interesting?

 

 

 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. 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

[Downunder55]

and very pretty at night …..

 

 

[TLCOhio]

20 hours ago, Downunder55 said:

and very pretty at night …..

 

Great above visual from Mumbai!!   Very nice lighting.  From your room at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel?

 

The Silver Moon is getting much closer to Mumbai and as this graphic from www.cruisemapper.com shows, everything seem on schedule for a an early morning arrival on Feb. 14.

 

 

We just completed a major and exciting day in Jaipur, the Pink City.  Yes, it's amazing.  Need proof?  Below are just a small sampling of the day's experiences.  

 

Now, mid-day, we head to the airport for our Air India flight to Mumbai.  Looking forward to learning the details for how Silversea will handle the food, beverages, tours, etc., at Mumbai's famed Taj Mahal Palace hotel for our three days there.  

 

Recognize some of the Jaipur locations and experiences?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 34,457 views.  Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

[TLCOhio]

Arrived in Mumbai late yesterday afternoon.  At the Taj Palace, but most of the Silver Moon people here are in the more bland Tower.  What about "luxury"??  Not exactly at the promised Silversea-level. People do not like being hit for the extra charges here in this offering.  After staying in our pre-cruise private "Golden Triangle" tour at the Taj Mahal in New Delhi and the Oberoi in Agra, this current room is, maybe, a step above Holiday Inn by comparison. Not that roomy and/or the feel of Silversea's promised high standards. We are OK. We'll survive, but I can understand why some are not that impressed.  

 

Here's the first hotel dinner update, that is both good and bad. Had two beers, no extra charges for having two. Beer was cold and good. Nice!! The food? Imagine an average hotel ballroom buffet. That was "it"!! Nothing special, unique and/or that interesting or inspiring. They had the same thing offered in two different large hotel rooms. Both buffets were very, very consistent in their offerings. Average at best. Maybe??  At this rate and quality, the good news is that I will NOT gain much weight as there is no desire to go back for any second helpings. Hoping things improve for food quality and variety at the Taj Palace Hotel and Tower. Am I being fair or unfair?

 

Things much warmer here in Mumbai.  Don't worry. Not "angry", just disappointed. Compared to what was promised in writing.  Silversea will need to do a few "extras" once on-board to say, nicely, "sorry". We will survive and super enjoy the cruise.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio 

[TLCOhio]

The Silver Moon is getting closer to Mumbai.  Now traveling at 18.2 knots.  Moderate waters.   The Captain can crank things up more, if needed.  The excitement is building!!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[texanaust]

1 hour ago, TLCOhio said:

Had two beers, no extra charges for having two. Beer was cold and good. Nice!!

Are Silversea providing unlimited drinks at the hotel bars?  What about champagne?  Is that included in their promised luxury?

[TLCOhio]

11 hours ago, texanaust said:

Are Silversea providing unlimited drinks at the hotel bars?  What about champagne?  Is that included in their promised luxury?

 

Do you work at some Comedy Club?  You must be joking!!  Of course not to your questions.  Everything is pretty besic. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

[texanaust]

37 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

You must be joking!!

 

No just hoping that Silversea was living up to its reputation and providing equivalent to what we expect at sea.  We are taking the same cruise (but reverse) in May and I suspect ours won't even sail.  Good luck with the rest of your journey!

 

Edited February 12 by texanaust
..

[9stilton]

4 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Do you work at some Comedy Club?  You must be joking!!  Of course not to your questions.  Everything is pretty besic. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Hi Terry 

If it any consolation then rest assured you would have been no better off in the Trident Hotel.   Lots of people are grumbling about what is on offer and Silversea have done themselves no favours in promising a 5 star service but delivering something well short of that.  Basic is an apt description.  Yes, we won't starve but equally it is well short of what we have all paid for.

Many have complained to the local silversea reps but I took the liberty of writing to the hotels general manager.  As of yet no reply has been received!!

[TLCOhio]

Things improving.  Breakfast worked well in the hotel's main breakfast place with a wide selection of god options.  Lunch today had more variety and selection, plus improved quality.  Nice tour this am, getting ready to finish that seven-hour tour now.  Included rail ride in the am, etc.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[Macarooney]

I am OVER the buffet and missing pre dinner champagne

 

[taxatty]

15 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

The Silver Moon is getting closer to Mumbai.  Now traveling at 18.2 knots.  Moderate waters.   The Captain can crank things up more, if needed.  The excitement is building!!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

This saga has been even more interesting than tracking the Chinese spy balloon.