Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises

Key Cruise Line Points

1. All-Suite Fleet and Exotic worldwide destinations.
2. The Most all inclusive product afloat.
3.  A rewarding loyalty program.
4. Caters to discerning guests,  ( well traveled, affluent, and well educated.)
5. Rated 'Worlds Best Cruise Line' and innovative pioneer in Luxury cruising.

Their Fleet:

An example of pricing:

A 7 day Caribbean cruise.  Vista Suite will run about $2798 per person.  An Owners 2 suite will run $2338 per person.  These rates are 60 off the published rates.

Pleasant cruising.

Kauai the flower island - Out Favorite will be presented on Thursday

Kauai is our favorite island. And we look forward to this posting. Unfortunately, our photos are on an external hard drive that did not accompany us on our RV outing. We will continue our series on Thursday, April 22nd.

Kona Hawaii, on the Pride of America

The ship arrived on the Kona side of the Island of Hawaii at 7:00am on Wednesday.  This was a tendered port. We had not signed up for any of the tours; so we had a leisurely breakfast while we waited to the the tour guests to be tendered to shore.

We finally went ashore and browsed the stores along the street where we had come ashore. Found a bar and had a Bloody Mary.  Had a chat with a couple of the crew that were on liberty.

We did not get a chance to see as much as we would have liked of Kona; guess that means we have to come back.

The ship left Kona that evening at 6:00pm; starting out on the longest leg of the journey to Kaui.

From Hilo to Kona on the Pride of America

The ship departed Hilo that evening at 6:00pm.  About time for dinner anyway.

Later that evening the ship passed the part of Island of Hawaii where the lave streams hit the ocean.  I tried to get some pictures, but digital cameras have there limitations. Fortunately we had met some new friends from down under who had the proper equipment.

Thanks for the pictures Mario & Veronica.  Hope we can cruise together again some time.

http://www.imageworksphotographers.com.au/

Tomorrow Kona

Hilo Hawaii onboard the Pride of America - Volcanos National Park

The Pride of America arrived at port in Hilo, Hawaii at 8:00am on Tuesday.  We would be docked here until 6:00 that evening.  This was our first visit to the big island.

We had signed up for the Volcanoes National Park shore excursion.

Volcanoes National Park is the home of Hawaii's Goddess of Fire, Madame Pele. They the tour bus drives along the crater's rim as allowed by park rangers; due to activity, parts may be closed.

Standing at just over 4,000 feet, Kilauea is not the tallest volcano on the Big Island, but it's certainly the most active.You drive by the Halemaumau Fire Pit and the Kilauea Iki Crater before stopping at the Thurston Lava Tube.

There you take  a short walk gives you the opportunity for an up-close view of an extinct lava tube. The tour also visits the Hawaii Volcano Observatory and Jaggar Museum.


On your way back to the ship, the bus stops to visit the Big Island Candies where you can sample the tasty treats and take some home.

A couple of shots driving through Hilo,

Some more shots around the ship. NCL's Pride of America

One of the many creations by our cabin steward.

The Pool. Being an early riser, these shots were taken while most were still in the cabin or the buffet line.

The Other is the Skyline Main Dining Room. Inspired by the architecture and skyscrapers of 1930's Manhattan, it has a Art Deco style.

The Liberty Main Dinning Room is one of two traditional dining rooms on the ship. The setting is the American Colonial Period.

The Lazy J Texas Steakhouse is another of the Specialty Restaurants available on the Pride of America.  The Menu included beef, pork, chicken and seafood selections.

So we depart Maui for the big Island of Hawaii.  Next Port is Hilo.

Maui on the Pride of America - continued

While we were enjoying beautiful Maui, the crew got a chance to do a lifeboat drill.

We had been to Maui before and took the shuttle to one of the malls on Maui.  The wife got to do some shopping. We also picked up a couple of bottles of wine.  As I recall, at one port we were able to bring our wine purchase to our cabin and another the had us turn it in and collect it on the last night.

 We normally purchase a wine package when cruising.  On this particular cruise they offered a package that included wine and 5 specialty restaurants.   The first night we had gone to the seafood buffet. Tonight we would be visiting the East meets West specialty restaurant.

This was a real treat and our favorite specialty restaurant. There was quite an array of Pan Asian cuisine and many authentic Asian dishes to choose from.

Maui on the Pride of America

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The ship arrived at Kahului, Maui at 8:00am on Sunday morning. This would be an over night stop; and we would be leaving at 6:00pm on Monday. Part of the reason for the extended stay is the Road to Hana shore excursion which takes 8 - 1/2 hours. It is a super excursion, and runs about $140 per person.

On the bus ride you can sit back and enjoy the sights along the famed Hana Highway without having to navigate the twisting, curving road yourself. An expert driver takes the wheel, while you take in the incredible scenery: lava cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, the rugged northern coastline, and tropical hillsides. You'll visit various sites along the way to 'heavenly Hana,' the wonderfully isolated, unspoiled region between the eastern slopes of Haleakala and the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy lunch on your own at Hana Ranch before heading to the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. There you'll have the chance to photograph the glistening pools formed by several waterfalls cascading down the side of Haleakala. Before heading back to your ship, indulge your taste buds and try some local wine at the Tedeschi Winery.

I need to say that this is not an excursion for someone prone to motion sickness, or has a back problem.

 If you have been to Maui before and have done most of the tours; you can have a great time on the ship.

This is the Cadillac diner.  It is a 1950's retro diner with Cadillac seats.  Needless to say, they plays 50's Rock 'n Roll and offers up a classic menu of burgers, fish 'n chips, potpies and wok-fast dishes.  And it is open 22 hours a day.

 There is never a problem finding a beverage.

And every cruise has art auctions.

If you take a land vacation to Hawaii and have a rental car you now have the option of taking the car from Island to Island on the Super Ferry.

( update 4-8-2010 )

JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE SUPER FERRY IS HISTORY.




( to be continued )

Pride of America leaved Honolulu

Finally the land portion of this vacation comes to an end and the cruise portion begins.

Pride of America leaved Honolulu.

Aloha to the Honolulu Skyline.  Our next port is Kahului on the Island of Maui.

 An unusual shot; usually the photographer is not in the pictures.

View  on Deck.

Another unusual shot, an empty pool.  When folks first come on board they usually hit the buffet, then the bar, and finally when they are ready, their stateroom.

Until tomorrow, aloha.

Hawaii - Honolulu Elks Lodge 616 on the Ocean

Honolulu Elks Lodge 616 is located in Waikiki, right on the Ocean.

If you are an Elk and find yourself on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu you have to visit  Elks Lodge 616 located in Waikiki.  It is near to near the zoo.

Stunning setting, right on the ocean.

Enjoy a drink while listening to the waves.

Or take a dip in the pool.