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

[Hopafora]

1 hour ago, Charli001 said:

Agree with Colleen. I don’t think the moon will be full of passengers, I’m sure many have already cancelled the Red Sea sailing. I’m deciding whether to cancel the first part of the cruise in the Middle East and pick up the ship in Mumbai. Has anyone else cancelled their Middle East cruise? 

 

Charli001 Sydney

I have asked to join the 2nd part of our cruise ie from Muscat to Dubai (assuming the boat gets past the Houthis unscathed) but have heard nothing 

 

I’ve been watching /listening to “What’s going on with shipping” by Sal Mercogliano on YouTube that is very enlightening about the whole situation 

[Kauaijim]

We were told if we did not do the 1/6sail we would forfeit .they would not give us credit for first leg even if we joined in Muscat . So we moved the funds to a 25 trip.Royal Jordanian refunded our bus class tix minus $200 per ticket . 

[Hopafora]

16 minutes ago, Kauaijim said:

We were told if we did not do the 1/6sail we would forfeit .they would not give us credit for first leg even if we joined in Muscat . So we moved the funds to a 25 trip.Royal Jordanian refunded our bus class tix minus $200 per ticket . 

I’m interested you could “move your funds” We have been told we have a 100% forfeit 

[Kauaijim]

Our deadline was 12/8  we tried just doing the second leg etc . The trip was obviously fully paid for but we had to make the call stay or move by 12/8. We did it on 12/7 

[temerarious]

13 hours ago, Charli001 said:

Agree with Colleen. I don’t think the moon will be full of passengers

 

Adding a data point from the current holiday cruise (Dec 22 Athens to Jan 06 Aqaba) on the Silver Moon - only 289 passengers. 

[Colleen Higginson]

And today :

 

US destroyer shoots down Houthi missiles https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/us-destroyer-shoots-down-antiship-missiles-fired-from-yemen/news-story/d171bd80fbc54546c13a0dfef6b159f2

[CardowMD]

Looks like Moon at bottom of Canal transit. Now their fun begins! Safe travels to everyone aboard.

[TLCOhio]

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.:

 

[TLCOhio]

7 hours ago, Colleen Higginson said:

And today: US destroyer shoots down Houthi missiles https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/us-destroyer-shoots-down-antiship-missiles-fired-from-yemen/news-story/d171bd80fbc54546c13a0dfef6b159f2

 

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/

[Charli001]

SS is still venturing the Red Sea, must know something we don’ know re heavy protection . Cargo ships are once again being attacked and have put on hold going through the Red Sea. Iran has sent a warship into the Red Sea and India has sent another 3 ships to protect the Arabian Sea. If this conflict ventures into the Arabian Sea surely SS will have to cancel their sailings. Any passengers on the moon with updates?

 

Charlie001 Sydney 

[temerarious]

Currently on the Silver Moon, but will be disembarking in Aqaba on January 6th.  We are not traveling south of Jeddah on this cruise.  No word beyond what I posted previously, however, we are currently consumed with communication around Saudi Arabia restrictions.  In addition to the review of the conservative dress code, ALL alcohol is being removed from both the public areas and our cabins starting tonight.  No alcohol will be served on the ship until we leave Yanbu on January 4th.  

[TLCOhio]

8 minutes ago, temerarious said:

Currently on the Silver Moon, but will be disembarking in Aqaba on January 6th.  We are not traveling south of Jeddah on this cruise.  No word beyond what I posted previously, however, we are currently consumed with communication around Saudi Arabia restrictions.  In addition to the review of the conservative dress code, ALL alcohol is being removed from both the public areas and our cabins starting tonight.  No alcohol will be served on the ship until we leave Yanbu on January 4th.  

 

Appreciate this excellent sharing and follow-ups from our Southern California friend.  Keep it coming.  Ouch!!  No alcohol???  What's the point of cruising without being able to get a little 'BUZZ"?  But, yes, understand those are the rules for Saudi Arabia.  Loving the info flow.  Is the ship still only about half full?  How's the food and entertainment?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[Perfect50]

Are these restrictions something new for Saudi or is this always the case cruising around Saudi.  We are joining this ship on the 6th?

[Charli001]

I too appreciate the updates. Do you have any security on board and have you seen any navy ships? What has been the reaction to passengers when on excursions? Look forward to hearing your updates.

 

Charlie001 Sydney 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

1 hour ago, Charli001 said:

Do you have any security on board and have you seen any navy ships? What has been the reaction to passengers when on excursions? Look forward to hearing your updates.   Charlie001 Sydney 

 

Based on our 2018 experiences sailing down the Red Sea toward Yemen, the "added security" personnel will come on the ship at the last port before heading south.  Those "specialist" will not board at Aqaba (Petra).  Most likely to board at the Saudi ports of Yanbu, Ras Al Abyadh or Jeddah, Jan. 8 or 9.  

 

But, it is not just about these "specialists", but, more important as to what "equipment" they bring on board the ship with them.  From years sailing in these challenged waters, the various shipping companies have had a variety of options, including special sound, high-pressure water, etc., devices.   However, now the ships are worrying about drones, missiles, etc.  It's a different, changing world with these rebels.   

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[dawntrdr]

1 hour ago, Perfect50 said:

Are these restrictions something new for Saudi or is this always the case cruising around Saudi.  We are joining this ship on the 6th?

it only applies when you are in Saudi territorial waters.  I understand from prior posts that suites will be inspected for alcohol, but they do not open your safe.

[Skyhigh]

Are you able to post the communications on the dress code?

[Fletcher]

42 minutes ago, Skyhigh said:

Are you able to post the communications on the dress code?

Flak jacket and tie required.

Edited January 2 by Fletcher

[temerarious]

1 hour ago, Skyhigh said:

Are you able to post the communications on the dress code?

Based on my experience, it's quite typical for conservative Muslim countries.  Men & women are expected to cover to knees and elbows.  Men were told they could wear long shorts.  Women were told they could wear dresses below the knee or capris.  Short sleeved shirts not recommended.  No head coverings required for women (although my understanding is if you want to visit certain religious places, that is a requirement).  I'm heading out on my first tour to Medina in about an hour.  I can post with updates when I return tonight.

[Perfect50]

2 hours ago, temerarious said:

Based on my experience, it's quite typical for conservative Muslim countries.  Men & women are expected to cover to knees and elbows.  Men were told they could wear long shorts.  Women were told they could wear dresses below the knee or capris.  Short sleeved shirts not recommended.  No head coverings required for women (although my understanding is if you want to visit certain religious places, that is a requirement).  I'm heading out on my first tour to Medina in about an hour.  I can post with updates when I return tonight.

Thank you that’s really helpful. Have a good day. 

[Fletcher]

I was in Saudi for a week last Spring on a Cloud trip. We docked in Jeddah for five days then a day was spent in Yanbu.  From Jeddah we did an overnight up to Al Ula and a day-trip on the bullet train to Madinah.  Also a wander around Jeddah's old  town.  Yanbu was a nothing place and TEL Lawrence's house has been demolished to make way for a tourist piazza.  They try and claim a terrace of houses under restoration is where TEL stayed and that's a lie - believe me, I once wrote a book about TEL and I know all about this.  Overall, we loved our visit to Saudi and happily complied with all the dress codes and alcohol restrictions. One or two passengers boasted about  drinking in their cabins which I thought was appalling.

 

As far as dress is concerned, as a man I always wore long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. Shorts would be out of place, even in Jeddah, and also because of the searing sun and heat.  Women in Jeddah can walk around without any head-covering but on a trip to Madinah women were given abayas on the bus to the train station.  My wife kept hers on all the time but some female passengers took them off on the train. 

 

 

[Skyhigh]

Does the dress code apply while on board the ship or just off-ship?

[Tothesunset]

5 minutes ago, Skyhigh said:

Does the dress code apply while on board the ship or just off-ship?

Not sure but to play it safe wear jacket, tie and hijab. 

[temerarious]

16 hours ago, Skyhigh said:

Does the dress code apply while on board the ship or just off-ship?

You do not have to adhere to the dress code restrictions on the ship - just the alcohol restrictions.   🍸

[Hopafora]

Small fry I know.
SS offers door to door service. But the company they use for pickups hasn’t arrived.
The guy at the Blacklane call centre said he could get us another car in 60 minutes.  Seriously ?!

Never ever ever cruising with Silver Seas again !!!!!