2026 World Cruise
January 6 - May 27, 2026
Category: John & Sandy
Tuesday, 11 January 2022 – Photos of the Day – Cartagena, Columbia
TUESDAY, 11 JANUARY 2022 CARTAGENA COLOMBIA Overnight Stay All Onboard: 12Noon Departure 12:30 PM
TODAY’S WEATHER
Mostly Sunny High: 89°F 32°C Low: 74°F 23°C
DRESS CODE: INFORMAL
For Ladies: DRESSES OR PANTSUITS
For Gentlemen: JACKETS (TIE OPTIONAL)
No shorts or flip flop type footwear after 6:00 PM in indoor venues
CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
Cartagena is a city of a thousand stories and more, steeped in a history that invokes admiration.
When it was founded in 1533 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena was the only port
on the South American mainland.
Cartagena’s magnificent city walls and fortresses, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enclose a
well-restored historic center (the Cuidad Amurallada, or walled city) with plazas, churches,
museums, and shops that have made it a lively coastal vacation spot for South Americans and others.
New hotels and restaurants make the walled city a desirable place to stay, and the formerly
down-at-the-heels Getsemaní neighborhood attracts those seeking a bohemian buzz. As night falls and
the sun is drunk down by the Caribbean just on the other side of the wall, the city unfurls: the
streets and plazas mill with horse carriages, street musicians, the odd vendor of grilled cheese
arepas; restaurants explode onto the sidewalks; and the city flexes her ever-growing gastronomic bravado.
Today, Cartagena is blooming, open, and in touch with the world more than ever, having been
re-created and reimagined as a city of romance, with polished wooden balconies, ancient brickwork,
and vibrantly colored bougainvillea fleshing out the air that is already thick with the Caribbean climate.
SIGHTS
• Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
• Plaza de la Independencia
• Church of San Pedro Claver
• Palacio de la Inquisición
• Las Murallas (city walls)
CUSINE
Cartagena has excellent restaurants offering seafood, traditional Colombian dishes, or international cuisine.
We went on another 1/2 day trip to see more sights of Old Town Cartagenia and the original fortifications. You just have to look at the amount of work the Spanish put into protecting this colonial gem of a city back in the 17th and 18th centuries, to know that Cartagena was an incredibly valuable possession. The galleons that set sail from here back to Spain would have been full of precious gold and silver that would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars in today’s money – the values of each ship’s treasures are mind-boggling.
That evening the Boutique featured TAG Heuer watches.
For more than 150 years, TAG Heuer has been undaunted in its pursuit of excellence and has continued pushing past the boundaries of ordinary watchmaking to set its own standards. The brand is inspired by legends of sports and entertainment who challenge themselves to perform at their best.
Emulating that determination, TAG Heuer creates such models as Formula 1, which combines the reliability of steel with the chic styling of ceramic and the luxury finish of diamonds.
THE BEST OF BRITISH
TONIGHT’S CABARET SHOW
TENOR ADAM BYRNE from the UK, from the Voices of Silversea, performed favorite songs made famous by some of the most loved British musical icons to emerge from the UK hall of fame including Elton John, Queen, and Amy Winehouse.
TRIPLE 7 BLACKJACK CASINO ONBOARD SILVERSEA
10:00PM – 11:00PM CASINO, DECK 5
Sometimes in Blackjack, there is a special occasion!
The Casino created a lot of buzz with Triple 7 Blackjack. It is arguably the most popular Blackjack variant among new and experienced players. Do not stop looking for 7s and you will be rewarded. Get a triple seven 21 and get paid as if you had a Blackjack.
Monday, January 10, 2022 – Photo of the Day – Cartagena, Colombia
Queen of the Caribbean Coast
MONDAY, 10 JANUARY 2022 CARTAGENA COLOMBIA Arrival: 8:00 AM
DRESS CODE: CASUAL
For Ladies: DRESSES OR BLOUSES AND PANTS
For Gentlemen: SPORT SHIRTS AND SLACKS
No shorts or flip flop type footwear after 6:00 PM in indoor venues
TODAY’S WEATHER Breeze Afternoon High: 88°F 31°C Low: 74°F 23°C
CARTAGENA DAS INDIAS
On the continent’s northern tip, Colombia is the only South American country that fringes both the
Atlantic and Pacific. It’s rich in emeralds, coffee, and oil. And because it straddles the equator,
it’s one of the lushest countries in terms of tropical flora and wildlife — there are more
species of birds in Colombia than anywhere else in the world.
You can jump on a plane and in less than an hour find yourself in a different dramatic setting — be it the
cobblestone streets of a weathered colonial port, the stalls of a crowded market where Guambiano
merchants still speak the tongues of their ancestors, or at the base of snow-covered peaks rising
sharply from a steamy coastal plain.
A city of explorers, Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia on the
ruins of a local Karib village. This first settlement was nearly abandoned when Heredia realized
that access to freshwater was limited — an issue that would haunt the city in the centuries that
followed.
Cartagena’s magnificent city walls and countless fortresses were erected to protect its riches, as
well as to safeguard what had become the primary African slave market in the New World, receiving
hundred of thousands of slaves until the cruelest industry was permanently halted — although that
didn’t happen until the mid-19th century.
The city would also be first among the first to fight against Spain for independence, doing so twice, with the first battle in 1811 (after a declaration of independence in 1810); Cartagena was first to raise her voice for Colombia and would later take
the moniker “La Ciudad Heroica” (the heroic city), given by the great Simón Bolivar himself.
SIGHTS
• Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
• Plaza de la Independencia
• Church of San Pedro Claver
• Palacio de la Inquisición
• Las Murallas (city walls)
CUSINE
Cartagena has excellent restaurants offering seafood, traditional Colombian dishes, or international cuisine.
Here is a selection of photos from our morning tour of Cartagena by a horse-drawn buggy into the Old City. What was enclosed was pretty special – a superbly-preserved collection of colourful colonial houses, lavish churches, and huge palacios that were so evocative of times gone by.
But, rather than being just a living museum, the thing that marks Cartagena as special is its local colour and vibrant street life.
When we returned from the city tour we returned to a bird aviary.
The first of our Tale of Tales special events, Fiesta Cartagena got us moving to the rhythm of Colombia’s vivacious music tradition. See and hear performances in various dance styles and try some amazing local cuisine surrounded by unique colonial charm. We got a glimpse into this with an amazing World Cruise Event that was full of music and dance – pulsating drums that turned our walk from our outside venue to the restaurant into a full-on street carnival.
The story of Cartagena de Indias unfolded this evening through a celebration of its food and culture, from the bold simplicity of street food. The party began in Proclamation Square where independence from Spain was declared in 1811 (specifically at 11 AM, on November 11, 1811, therefore the lucky number of 11/11/11). The entire square was blocked off and set up for our Grand Adventure. After two hours of appetizers, colorful costumes, multiple bands, dancers, performers, and stage shows, we “paraded” a few blocks by bands and dancers (our procession was applauded by the people on the sidewalk) to Casa 1537. 1537 was the year in which the construction of the cathedral church of Cartagena is completed, presided over by Bishop Fray Tomás del Toro. The same place where Casa 1537 currently operates. It is a place of historical significance where the forward-thinking creative genius of celebrated local chefs tantalized our senses. Tonight we feast on traditional dishes reimagined with unique ingredients, symbolic of Cartagena’s reverence for its past and zest for the future. We about 200 guests, our show was put on by over 290 workers, servers, and entertainers.
January 9, 2022 – Photo of the Day – At Sea
Butler Service in Our Suite
SUNDAY, 9 JANUARY 2022 EN ROUTE TO CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
DRESS CODE: INFORMAL
For Ladies: DRESSES OR PANTSUITS
For Gentlemen: JACKETS (TIE OPTIONAL)
No shorts or flip flop type footwear after 6:00 PM in indoor venues
TODAY’S WEATHER
Clouds High: 77°F 24°C Low: 70°F 21°C
With a Day at Sea, it was time to hit the Fitness Center and Jogging Track.
10:00 Enrichment Lecture with Destination Consultant Jon Fleming:
The Show Lounge (6) Today’s Topic: Puntarenas – The Pearl of the Pacific
2:00 Dance Class with Gentleman Host David Panorama Lounge (8)
3:00 Fitness Seminar: ‘Secrets of a Flatter Stomach’ Observation Lounge (10)
9:45 Showtime ‘So… Violin or Fiddle?’ featuring International violinist Laszlo Pap Show Lounge (6)
Whether a devilish virtuoso in Europe’s famed concert- halls or on the sands of Miami Beach
with Luciano Pavarotti, Laszlo Pap is a violinist who can play anything from Bach to Bacharach.
The enthusiastic response from both audiences and critics have always been a part of
Laszlo’s career as a violinist, chamber musician, and orchestra leader around the world.
Click the PDF below to download the Daily Chronicles. It lets you know each day’s agenda and much more.
January 8, 2022 – Photo of the Day – At Sea
SATURDAY, 8 JANUARY 2022 EN ROUTE TO CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
DRESS CODE: INFORMAL
For Ladies: DRESSES OR PANTSUITS
For Gentlemen: JACKETS (TIE OPTIONAL)
No shorts or flip flop type footwear after 6:00 PM in indoor venues
TODAY’S WEATHER
Partly Sunny
High: 77°F 24°C
Low: 70°F 21°C
successfully designing collections for women around the world who lead busy lifestyles. The company
and collections have been constantly evolving to meet the multidimensional needs of today’s
women.
At 10 AM, we enjoyed an Enrichment Lecture with Destination Consultant Fleming. Today’s Topic: The Panana Canal – One of Mankind’s Greatest Feats of Engineering.
At 2:30, we had a lesson from Jon’s wife, Tracy Fleming on Tips to master your iPhone and iPad cameras.
At 4 PM we attended a presentation by Cruise Director Fernando on “Classic Cruise Liners”. It covered the early cruise liners of 1900 – 1920. Very interesting, with more to come in his overview of the history of cruise liners by decade.
The evening was capped off by a performance in the Showroom by Ruslan Biryukov: Alone – An Artistic Adventure with a Russian Cellist.
Ruslan Biryukov is known for his “superb artistry, passion, and individuality,” representing a new generation of creative professional musicians whose artistic level is recognized not only by awards but also by a worldwide audience. Mr. Biryukov has performed throughout the world, including countries in the former USSR, Europe, and United States.
He was the only cellist ever invited to perform for 10 consecutive years solo recitals at the Sundays Live Concert Series in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the longest-running live radio broadcasted concert series in the United States, as well as the only Russian cellist invited to solo with the orchestra during the inaugural season of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
Memorable chamber music experience includes performances with world-renowned violinist Midori at the Disney Hall in Los Angeles, cellist Kirill Rodin at the Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory, and members of the Ysaye Quartet.
Click the PDF below to download the Daily Chronicles. It lets you know each day’s agenda and much more.
January 7, 2022 – Photo of the Day – Our Suite
Our Suite 529 is on a lower floor located mid-ship that minimizes the pitching and rolling from waves.
Our Suite 529 is located midship on a lower deck. This minimizes the rocking and rolling of the higher deck or being in the bow or aft of the ship. We have a comfortable living space, attention to detail, and a generous expanse of amenities. It is a cozy home while on the seas. But perhaps this suite’s finest asset lies just outside, as floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a private veranda, making every sunset feel as if it is ours alone.
- Veranda with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors
- Sitting area
- Twin beds or queen-sized bed
- Marbled bathroom with double vanity, separate shower and full-sized bathtub
- Walk-in wardrobe with personal safe
- Direct-dial telephone(s)
- Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
- Pillow menu
- Plush bathrobe and slippers
- Luxury bath amenities
- Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
- Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
- Unlimited Standard Wifi
- Flat screen TV(s)
- Complimentary interactive mobile content
- Champagne on arrival
What to do at Days at Sea?
Many of our friends asked, “What do you do at Days at Sea?” Here are activities from the Daily Chronicle.
FRIDAY, 7 JANUARY 2022 AT SEA EN ROUTE TO CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
DRESS CODE:
FORMAL For Ladies: COCKTAIL DRESSES OR PANTSUITS
For Gentlemen: TUXEDOS, DINNER JACKETS OR DARK SUITS & TIE.
TODAY’S WEATHER Mostly Sunny High: 77°F 25°C Low: 70°F 21°C
SUNRISE 6:42AM • SUNSET 5:43PM
GOOD MORNING
7:00 Morning Walk (signup required) with Personal Trainer Nemanja Jogging Track (9)
8:00 Today’s Silver Quiz & Sudoku are available on request. Please ask at reception Reception (5)
(return the Silver Quiz to Reception by 3:00 pm prize points for the first, most accurate quiz received)
8:00 Pathway To Yoga with Personal Trainer Nemanja Aerobics Room (10)
9:00 Table Tennis is available for your enjoyment throughout the day Lobby (3)
9:00 Boot Camp Join your personal trainer Nemanja for a high-intensity workout (fee applies) Aerobics Room (10)
9:00 Shuffleboard is available for your enjoyment throughout the day (unhosted – until 7:00 pm) Forward Deck (10)
10:00 The Library is open with a selection of books. (When returning books please place in the drop box not back on the shelves) Library (8)
10:00 Board Games are available on request – please ask at reception Reception (5)
10:00 Bridge Lesson: Beginners with Bridge Instructors RoseAnne & Jerry Card Room (7)
10:00 Enrichment Lecture with Destination Consultant Jon Fleming: Cartagena – Colombia’s Historic Gem The Show Lounge (6)
10:00 Easy Spanish Class with Cruise Director Fernando Panorama Lounge (8)
10:15 Coffee Chat with Gentleman Host David Panorama Lounge (8)
10:30 Fitness Seminar: ‘Detox for Health and Weight Loss ’ Observation Lounge (10)
11:00 Bridge Lesson: Intermediate with Bridge Instructors RoseAnne & Jerry Card Room (7)
11:30 Boutique Special: Visit the Boutiques to check out our stunning collection of Louis Vuitton Leather goods 10% Off today The Boutique (5)
11:30 Mileage Pool – Guess how many miles Silver Whisper has sailed since leaving Fort Lauderdale Pool Deck (8)
GOOD AFTERNOON
12:00 Nautical and weather information given by Captain Public Address System & In-suite TV Bridge Cam Channel
12:15 Music by the Pool with Cocktail Pianist Alex (weather permitting) Pool Deck (8)
1:45 Duplicate Bridge Play with Bridge Instructors RoseAnne & Jerry Card Room (7)
2:00 Cards & Board Games are available on request – please ask at reception Reception (5)
2:00 Dance Class with Gentleman Host David Panorama Lounge (8)
2:00 Arts and Crafts with instructor Linda Wissler Observation Lounge (10)
Today’s Topic: Poseidon Art “A Sunset to Remember” Watercolor or Choose Your Own Subject
3:00 Table Tennis Tournament with our International Hostess Lobby (3)
3:00 Fitness Seminar: ‘Relieve Back Pain’ Observation Lounge (10)
3:00 Water Volleyball with The Voices of Silversea Pool Deck (8)
3:30 Boutique Event: Évocateur. Alluring, art-driven jewelry featuring 22K gold leaf and sterling silver leaf, The Boutique (5)
which fuses innovative design with glamorous sophistication.
3:45 Easy Italian Class with Cruise Director Fernando Panorama Lounge (8)
4:00 Afternoon Teatime: music by Piano Vocalist Remon The Bar (5)
4:00 Prize Points Bingo for fun with our International Hostess Panorama Bar (8)
4:15 Easy French Class with Cruise Director Fernando Panorama Lounge (8)
4:45 Team Trivia with Cruise Director Fernando and International Hostess for fun and prize points. Panorama Lounge (8)
5:00 Stretch and Release with Personal Trainer Nemanja Aerobics Room (10)
5:30 Golf Putting Challenge with The Voices of Silversea. Prize points to be won! Lobby (4)
GOOD EVENING – DRESS CODE: FORMAL
6:00 Sabbath Service with fellow guests (unhosted) Conference Room (7)
6:00 Boot Camp returns with personal trainer Nemanja (fee applies) Aerobics Room (10)
6:15 Cocktail Pianist Alex entertains you while you enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail Panorama Lounge (8)
6:15 Piano Vocalist Remon captivates you with his beautiful music The Bar (5)
6:30 Complimentary Posture Analysis Aerobics Room (10)
7:00 Captain’s WELCOME COCKTAIL RECEPTION Show Lounge (6)
Captain Ivo Botica invites Guests to the Welcome Cocktail Party and introduces the Senior Officers. Music by The Silver Whisper Trio
7:30 Solo Travellers – Get Together with fellow guests and Gentleman Host David Panorama Lounge (8)
9:30 Cocktail Pianist Alex returns with his great swinging sound Panorama Lounge (8)
9:30 Piano Vocalist Remon & Cocktail Pianist Alex alternate during the evening for your musical pleasure The Bar (5)
9:45 Showtime: No Strings Attached featuring International violinist Laszlo Pap The Show Lounge (6)
Charming and elegant, Laszlo will delight you with his fiery gypsy music, tango, jazz, classical, Broadway, and more…!
10:30 Resident DJ Gabor with your dancefloor favorites into the late evening Panorama Lounge (8)
Click the PDF below to download the Daily Chronicles. It lets you know each day’s agenda and much more.
January 6, 2022 – Photo of the Day – Silver Whisper
Click to see an overview of the ship.
THE VENICE OF AMERICA
Miles of sandy beaches, lively outdoor events, and a charming web of waterways help to make Fort Lauderdale a relaxed, vacation capital of Florida.
The excitement is palpable, as cruise ships and gleaming yachts gather in the harbor ahead of adventures and luxury journeys across the waves. Soak up the relaxed atmosphere in the canal-laced ‘Venice of America,’ as you enjoy big label shopping on Las Olas Boulevard – or visit fancy restaurants and bustling art galleries.
For a wilder experience, the swampy wetlands of the Everglades sprawl away nearby.
Fort Lauderdale Beach is a lively stretch of sand, bordered by palm trees, and sprinkled with crowds enjoying the Sunshine State’s generous weather. The charming promenade of redbrick tiles extends right along the beach’s length and rumbles with passing rollerblades and cyclists. Flick across the waves while paragliding, or relax with a coffee or a margarita in a beachfront bar, as volleyball games play out in front of you.
For a quieter beach option, Olas Beach lies a little down the coast towards Port Everglades and has extra space to spread out and tan on acres of smooth white sand.
Spot the backs of alligators waiting patiently, and the toothy grins of crocodiles patrolling the murky waters of the Everglades –
the USA’s biggest tropical wetlands. A haven of extraordinary wildlife, birds wade through its swamps, and black bears and panthers roam its wilds.
Take to a plane to appreciate the full scale of the national park or purr along exploring its waterways in a fan-powered boat.
SIGHTS
• Las Olas Boulevard
• Bonnet House Museum and Gardens
• Riverwalk
• Museum of Discovery and Science
• Beaches
• The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum
SHOPPING
Galleria Mall features upscale department stores as well as specialty shops and restaurants.
Las Olas Boulevard is the heart and soul of Fort Lauderdale. Not only are the city’s best
boutiques, top restaurants, and art galleries found along this beautifully landscaped street,
but Las Olas inks Fort Lauderdale’s growing downtown with its superlative beaches.
All Aboard: 5:00 PM Mandatory Life Boat Drill 5:30 PM Departure: 11:00 PM
ONBOARD EVENTS DRESS CODE: CASUAL For Ladies: DRESSES OR BLOUSES AND PANTS For Gentlemen: SPORT SHIRTS AND SLACKS No shorts or flip flop type footwear after 6:00 PM in indoor venues
TODAY’S WEATHER Afternoon Showers High: 81°F Low: 77°F
We 
January 5, 2022 – Photo of the Day – Our Cruise Itinerary
We have previously been to 104 countries.
This cruise adds 14 new countries.
Dwarika Hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal
Image
Dwarika Courtyard
When traveling we usually like to see everything and do everything we can during our visit. Stepping into the Dwarika’s Kathmandu Hotel changed all that. I never wanted to leave! Once you walk through the doors you’re in another world.
Dwarika’s Lobby
From the airport drive though dusty streets, jammed with traffic, all honking horns, you step into a serene, 13th century royal palace. With three restaurants, a spa, and travel agents you don’t have to leave!
Dwarika poolside & bar
There is the poolside FUSION BAR, the restaurant TORAN serving traditional Nepali cuisine, the more elegant dining experience of KRISHNARPAN, and MAKO’S Japanese fine dining.
Singing Bowls therapy at the Spa
PANACHA KOSHA SPA provides the expected array of services with Nepali style. I tried the “Singing/ Healing Bowls” one hour treatment. Singing bowls can be seen all over Kathmandu in all kinds of sizes and I was curious! Really impossible to describe the treatment. You should experiment yourself!
Dwarika’s ancient woodcarving
Dwarika’s Courtyard windows
Dwarika’s founder had a passion for conserving the architecture and heritage of the Nepali arts, especially the woodcaving of doors, windows, and architectural works. The hotel has Nepal’s largest collection of these dating from the 13th century. This is a museum or santuary that happens to be a hotel.
Dwarika’s courtyard walkway
By the time we had to leave I could definitely say that anyone visiting Kathmandu must stay at the DWARIKA to experience the true Nepal hospitality and culture.
Dwarika’s Grandson, now Managing Director and the Guest Relations Manager
The Dwarika’s Sales Manager, Sheba
A special thanks to those who made our trip so pleasant.
Starting our Round The World trip
Our 30th wedding anniversary, month long, RTW trip starts on John’s birthday, August 25th!