I’ve been ready to release this for months, but things got complicated. But now it’s (seems) cleared up – I’m taking another world cruise on Silversea. After my first world cruise in 2019 I told myself “never again”, 4 1/2 months is just too long away from home. However, there are so many bucket-list thing on this I decided to sign up.
To make the decision more… interesting… there have been some changes. More about that below.
- Segment 1 – I get another chance at Chichen Itza (missed in 2023 due to local political issues) and Machu Picchu (also missed in 2023 due to local political issues – heck, we couldn’t even leave the ship when in Lima!)
- Segment 2 – Easter Island. Depending on the weather we might not be allowed ashore, but you have to be there to take the opportunity.
- Segment 3 – new South Pacific islands, and then I take a “field trip” and spend three days exploring New Zealand.
- Segment 4 – I’ve never visited Tasmania and the southern and western coasts of Australia before.
- Segment 5 – Complete the western coast and finish in Singapore.
Here is where things changed a few months ago. Originally, we were to spend many days in Sri Lanka and India, crossing over to the Red Sea and transit the Suez Canal and finish in the Mediterranean. Plan was to have a 5-day field trip into India’s interior, visit Petra and the great Pyramids and Istanbul. I haven’t been to Greece nor the Adriatic Sea area since I was six years old.
BBBBUUUUUTTTTTTT – some folks near the Red Sea started throwing rockets at passing ship traffic (again), so Silversea decided to change the itinerary. Understandable, but frustrating.
- Segment 6 – A shorter visit to Sri Lanka and southern India. I will take a 3-day field trip to at least visit the Taj Mahal. I hope to set up a much longer inland visit to India in the next couple of years.
- Segment 7 – Many safari options offered in Kenya and South Africa during this party. Well, you guys know I’m a sucker for safaris.
- Segment 8 – Parts of Western Africa I have not visited and Tenerife. At the end I will visit my sister in Barcelona for a couple of weeks.
Should be a fun trip. Silversea handled the whole “sudden change” very well, offering full refunds or rescheduling. I think seeing the full list of new field trips being offered is what made me decide to stay the full voyage.
The cruise begins in Fort Lauderdale on 6-Jan-2026. I’ll be traveling on 4-Jan to meet up with friends that live in central Florida before boarding. I’m looking forward to this, but I need to pack smartly – from South Pacific islands to South America mountaintops!