Buzz’s comments on his cruise from Singapore to Dubai on the Seabourn Encore March to April 2023

This was a great cruise.  I met many interesting people and Seabourn is now my first choice in Cruise Lines.  This ship is almost identical to the Ovation and I enjoyed eating lunch at the Sushi restaurant most days.

March 1st Seabourn booked my flights for a lot less money than I could have gotten on my own.  Qatar used the American Airlines Admirals club in terminal B for its business class lounge.  It is a significant walk from the check in and later to the gate.  Philadelphia to Dohar Qatar flight 728 (11.5 hours) on an Airbus 9050-900 in business class was very nice and close to first class on other carriers international flights.

March 2 Dohar to Kuala Lumpur Qatar flight 844 (8 hours) on a Boeing 777-300 was good but not as nice as the Airbus 9050.  The Kuala Lumpur airport was difficult to manage but I had a 5 hour layover so it was not a problem.

March 3 Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Qatar flight 5493 (less than an hour) on a Boeing 737-800 is a code share and operated my Malaysia Airlines.  The business class seat configuration was better than most domestic first class seat configurations using that airplane (more legroom).  Despite that this was a very short flight, a hot snack was served.  My garment bag did not arrive with me in Singapore.  It arrived and was delivered to my hotel about eight hours after I landed.

March 3 to 5 Hotel Four Points by Sheraton Singapore was pleasant and comfortable.

March 4th I went on a tour I found on Trip Advisor to explore Chinatown, Little India. Kampong Glam and taste the food from these districts.  The tour was excellent and the guide provided a historical and cultural impact that these communities had on the evolution of Singapore. The price of the tour included all the transportation and food described.  This tour did not provide an opportunity for any shopping but instead allowed the insight into shopping available to return to after the tour was complete. The tour required climbing up and descending down several flights of stairs and about 6000 steps walking with significant time sitting. I did not find that to be too hard for me an older gentleman who is not in top physical condition. We had a raining day that really did not affect the quality of the tour but extended the tour time from 5.5 hours to 6.5 hours.  We were picked up at our hotels in a van before the first stop in Chinatown. We had a group of seven that was a good size to keep together.  The streets and alleys were crowded in most of the area we explored passing through the shops and religious sites.  In Chinatown, we spent most of our time at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and at a (what we in the US call) food court.  There were about a dozen different items provided for us to eat served family style.  We proceeded to Little India on the subway and explored a very large food market before stopping to eat at another food court.  There were about ten items severed family style.  The guide cleaned the table for us at both food courts and provided new disposable utensils for the group to use. The food at both of the food court stops was very good and a much larger quantity that the group could consume.  The leftover food was donated and not trashed.  We traveled to Kampong Glam by bus and then explored that area which was much more tourist oriented than the first two neighborhoods.  We stopped at a halal gelato shop for a great desert.  We finished the tour at the Sultan’s Mosque.  The tour had a couple of rest room stops inside of department stores that had clean facilities.  We were returned to our hotels by ride share transportation.  I would recommend this tour to others who have a free day in Singapore.

March 5 to April 5 Seabourn Encore                                 

SUN 05MAR23 Sail from Singapore I attended the Solo Travelers Reception and the Welcome Aboard Party.  I was included in a dinner hosted by the Assistant Cruise Director LOULA.                                           

MON 06MAR23         Sea Day - Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

Tour Talk with your Destinations Manager, Sorin Featuring information on our tour program for our upcoming ports of call this voyage.

A CONVERSATION WITH GEORGE LOSEY Natural History of the South China Sea and Indonesia

TEAM TRIVIA

A CONVERSATION WITH PAMELA CHEN Have you eaten yet?  A discussion of how East Asian food varies,

SHOWTIME: BEN MILLS - LIVE IN CONCERT! Award-winning vocalist, pianist and guitarist Ben Mills performs his high-energy show full of hits from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.

TUE 07MAR23 Sea Day - Formal night dinner at the Thomas Keller Grill.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

TEAM TRIVIA

A CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL TYROPOLIS Megacities of Asia: Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur

Captain’s Welcome Cocktails - Captain David Bathgate and his Senior Officers will say ‘Hello’ and ‘Welcome

SHOWTIME: SIR TIM RICE - THE CIRCLE OF MY LIFE: Seabourn Singers & Dancers in celebrated the musical career of EGOT-winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice

WED 08MAR23         Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand - I booked the excursion: Sanctuary Of Truth It was a 45-minute journey to North Pattaya, where I visited the Wooden Pavilion—the Sanctuary of Truth. This mystical building was constructed according to ancient Thai specifications, and is the largest wood-carved structure in Thailand. Designed as a pagoda-shaped pavilion, the building is more than 340 feet tall and is a fusion of religion, culture and art. Originally crafted entirely from Thailand’s native teak, parts of the pavilion have been replaced by more durable redwood to withstand the ravages of the salt air. Every square inch of the building is covered with intricate wooden sculptures depicting the Ancient Version of Earth, Ancient Knowledge and eastern philosophy. I viewed the cavernous inner chapel, which reveals Chinese, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions. After exploring the pavilion and surrounding ground, I re-boarded the motor coach for the return drive to the ship along beautiful Pattaya Beach Road.         

Entertainment included:  SHOWTIME: CHARL DU PLESSIS performed a piano recital of classical pieces with his own interpretations.

THU 09MAR23 Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

TEAM TRIVIA

A CONVERSATION WITH GEORGE LOSEY – Coral Reefs

SHOWTIME: WORLD OF WONDER – Songs from Stevie Wonder

FRI   10MAR23 Ko Kood, Thailand – Beach Barbeque Day

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

A CONVERSATION WITH PAMELA CHEN - Tones, Dialects and 8000 Characters

SHOWTIME TONIGHT: CORLEA BOTHA - Known as ‘The voice of South Africa’, Corlea moves effortlessly between literally any genre with a stage personality to match! 

SAT  11MAR23 Sihanoukville, Cambodia – I took the free shuttle bus to/from the market place.  This was the first port we visited where driving was on the right.  Traffic regulations like lane directions, stop signs, traffic lights and turn lanes were regularly ignored.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

TEAM TRIVIA

A CONVERSATION WITH GEORGE LOSEY Creatures of the Coral Reef

PRE-DINNER ENTERTAINMENT: BRITISH PUB NIGHT!

British Pop Hits with Angie!                 

SUN 12MAR23 Sea Day - I had a hosted dinner with the Cruise Director, Aimée Lake

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

A CONVERSATION WITH GEORGE LOSEY: Modern Oceanography

A CONVERSATION WITH PAMELA CHEN: The Relentless Asian Learners

TEAM TRIVIA

A CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL TYROPOLIS: Vietnam

PRE-DINNER SHOWTIME: CHARL DU PLESSIS performed a piano recital of classical pieces with his own interpretations.

SHOWTIME TONIGHT: VIVA ITALIA Celebrating Italian culture from film, fashion & music - to literature and opera.

MON 13MAR23         Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam - I booked the excursion: The Soul of Saigon  Discover the major highlights of bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still commonly referred to as Saigon. The largest city in Vietnam, Saigon is a harmonious combination of the old and the new. Traveling past an endless stream of bicycles, trishaws, and motorbikes, I visited colorful markets selling everything from antiquities to French baguettes, and learn about the architectural landmarks of Saigon.  The History Museum houses an excellent collection of artifacts showing the evolution of Vietnam's diverse cultures, from the Bronze Age Dong Son civilization to Cham, Khmer, and modern day Vietnam. Here I saw Cham art, ceramics and traditional dress.  I visited the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City which was the first Presidential Palace in the South of Vietnam before the Unification Palace. It has been a museum since 1999, beside the two main rooms about American, French War in Vietnam, it has a room showing the timeline about Ho Chi Minh City, and how does it developed until now. I visited a secret air raid shelter that located under this building.  I continued travelling past Saigon's many landmarks and including Pass Cholon, also known as Chinatown.  I proceed to the 18th-century Thien Hau Temple, where the aroma of incense hangs in the air from burning spirals suspended from the temple's ceiling, and ceramic friezes line the roof of the inner courtyard.  I visited the Minh Phuong lacquerware workshop.  I visited the former Presidential Palace, now known as Reunification Hall, made famous when a North Vietnamese tank crashed through its front gates on April 30, 1975 signaling the end of the Vietnam War.  I had a hosted dinner with the Guest Conversationalist Pamela Chen.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included: LET’S DANCE PARTY     

TUE 14MAR23 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam - I booked the excursion: Cu Chi Tunnels Named in honor of the former king, Norodom Sihanouk, I made photo stops at the Golden Lion Square and Statue of Love before visiting Wat Otres. The temple is surrounded by numerous stupas, and its Khmer influence.  I stopped for photos at the city's War Memorial, before visiting a local market with its colorful displays of fish, poultry, palm sugar, tropical fruits, flowers, fabrics and crafts.  I visited the pastel-colored Wat Leu temple, known for its elaborate paintings depicting the life of Buddha.  I had dinner at the Thomas Keller Grill.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

A CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL TYROPOLIS- Zheng Ha: The Forgotten Great Explorer

Sail Away Party

WED 15MAR23         Sea Day

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

OFFICERS vs GUESTS TEAM TRIVIA

A CONVERSATION WITH PAMELA CHEN - Growing Up In A Foreign Land

A CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL TYROPOLIS - Future of Food

SHOWTIME TONIGHT: JAMES DOUGHTY - West End musical director James Doughty takes to the piano.

THU 16MAR23 Sea Day - I had a hosted dinner with JAMES DOUGHTY, pianist.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

Coffee Chat with The Officers!

TEAM TRIVIA

CONVERSATION WITH GEORGE LOSEY: Voyagers and Navigators Over the Ages

Popcorn Movie: Everything Everywhere All At Once

CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL TYROPOLIS: Food Feuds

SHOWTIME: PERFORMANCE of songs written for musical theater and the silver screen.

FRI   17MAR23 Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia - I booked the excursion: Best of Kuala Lumpur to enjoy Kuala Lumpur's scenic highlights on this full-day excursion. Following a 90-minute drive to Kuala Lumpur, I took photos outside the regal Istana Negara -- the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia.  I continued to Independence Square, surrounded by legacies of the colonial era, including the old Municipal Building and the Royal Selangor Club.  I walked to the Central Market, an art deco edifice that was once the capital's wet market. A short walk brought me to Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur's oldest settlement. I saw the Sze Ya Temple, the oldest Taoist temple in the city. The temple boasts elaborate interiors and intricate roof ridges, and was built by craftsmen from southern China.  I stopped to snap some photos (from a distance) of the Petronas Towers, which soar to 1,483 feet.  Following a buffet lunch I visited the Royal Selangor Factory.  At the factory, I saw the different pewter production processes -- casting, filing, polishing, soldering, hammering and engraving. I had a hosted dinner with Angie Brown, guitarist.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PUB NIGHT! - Some dancing & liquid delights to celebrate the luck of the Irish on their special day.

SHOWTIME TONIGHT: CORLEA -The voice of South Africa performs Popular songs from Films and Musicals to beautiful ballads, and her unique renditions of all-time favorites.

SAT  18MAR23 Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia – I had a hosted diner with the Guest Conversationalist George Losey.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

A CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL TYROPOLIS -Future of Travel - The future of cruising; The megatrends; Expedition, Space & Underwater Travel; Beating overtourism; And much more...

TEAM TRIVIA

SEABOURN SIGNATURE EVENT: EPICUREAN – We circled around the epicurean display and sample the delicious delights on offer to enjoy a farewell salute from your team members onboard featuring a special musical celebration from James Doughty, Aimée & Loula

SHOWTIME: CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC - An immersive journey through the decades, showcasing some of pop and rock's greatest musical icons ever.                             

SUN 19MAR23 Singapore I rode both of the Singapore cable car lines to Mount Faber and Sentosa Island. I had a hosted diner with the Cruise Director, Aimée Lake.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

SAIL-AWAY PARTY & CRUISE DIRECTOR INTRODUCTIONS

Solo Travelers Get-Together

WELCOME ABOARD PARTY

MON 20MAR23         Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia. I had a hosted diner with the Destinations Manager Sorin.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

SHOWTIME TONIGHT: JAMES DOUGHTY - West End musical director James Doughty takes to the piano.

TUE 21MAR23           Penang, Malaysia.  I roamed around this very colorful city to view the churches temples and historic buildings.  I had a hosted diner with Brett Sherwood, magician.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

TEAM TRIVIA

SHOWTIME: WORLD OF WONDER – Songs from Stevie Wonder                         

WED 22MAR23         Phuket, Thailand I booked the excursion: Temples & Skywalk - Phuket's Big Buddha is one of the most important and revered landmarks on the island. This huge image sits atop Nakkerd Hill. It is a reinforced concrete structure adorned with white Burmese jade. The lofty site offers fantastic 360-degree views of the island, with sweeping vistas of Phuket Town, Kata, Karon beaches and Chalong Bay. Wat Chalong, the largest temple found on Phuket Island and is a favorite with the local people. The temple complex was built in 1837. Some remains of older structures have been found here. The large grounds of Wat Chalong contain many buildings, of which the most visited are viharn and chedi. The viharn contains statues of three revered monks. They are covered with gold leafs placed there by local people to pay their respects. The sacred relic -- a fragment of a bone of the Buddha -- was brought over from Sri Lanka and is kept inside a glass case on top of the 196-foot-tall chedi.  I visited Hanuman World which included a short stop for a snack followed by a walk up to, across and descending from the 250-yard Skywalk. This walkway is elevated 150 feet off the ground and provided great views across the forest canopy. When we returned to the base, we were served a very pleasant Thai lunch.  I had a hosted diner with Tiffany Dissette, Seabourn Singer.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

          SHOWTIME: Brett Sherwood, magician

THU 23MAR23 Sea Day I had a formal night hosted diner with Thersa Duffin, Human Resource Manager.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

A CONVERSATION WITH STUART HENDIN -The United Nations: Is it Still Useful? Join Stuart as he discusses the history of this international organization that was born out of the ashes of WW II, its composition and agencies. Stuart will offer some thoughts as to the relevance of the UN considering current international events

TEAM TRIVIA

A CONVERSATION WITH BLAIR HALL - Into the Malacca Strait: Perenakans and the Bumiputera: For centuries, the ports along the Strait of Malacca have been unique places of commerce, exchange, intermarriage - and occasionally friction - between competing cultures and powers. This rich cultural history has indeed made Malaysia ‘truly Asia,’ as the marketing campaign says.

SHOWTIME TONIGHT: JAKUB TRASAK! Acoustic and electric violin experience across the genres featuring music from Stevie Wonder, John Denver and others.

FRI   24MAR23 Sea Day I had a hosted diner with Luiz Araujo, Spa Manager.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

A CONVERSATION WITH STUART HENDIN - Human Rights: Stuart explained the various components of modern day human rights and outlines what they are, and equally, what they are not. Stuart discussed the various limitations on the principles of human rights and was forthright in giving examples of human rights failures

SEABOURN SIGNATURE EVENT: CAVIAR IN THE POOL!

TEAM TRIVIA

A CONVERSATION WITH LADY SANDRA HOWARD - Hollywood life & Modelling in the 60's

A CONVERSATION WITH LORD MICHAEL HOWARD - Five Days in May

SHOWTIME: SIR TIM RICE - THE CIRCLE OF MY LIFE: Seabourn Singers & Dancers in celebrated the musical career of EGOT-winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice

SAT  25MAR23 Sea Day I had a hosted diner with Blair Hall and Valerie Brant.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

A CONVERSATION WITH STUART HENDIN -Failed States: What are they? Stuart will offer some explanations as to ‘What is a State’ and will then discuss why states fail. This presentation will consider Haiti, Yemen, Sri Lanka, and Lebanon and will then consider how ‘failed states’ become humanitarian crisis (In light of current events, this usually engenders discussion)

A CONVERSATION WITH: BLAIR HALL - Cooperation and Rivalry in the Indian Ocean.

TEAM TRIVIA

Party under the Stars on the Pool Deck

SUN 26MAR23 Galle, Sri Lanka I took the free shuttle to the Old Fort for an interesting self-guided walking tour.  I had a hosted diner with Randy Sprout, Arts and Craft Instructor.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

          Sail Away Caviar Event

SHOWTIME: JAKUB TRASAK! Acoustic and electric violin experience across the genres featuring music from Stevie Wonder, John Denver and others.

SHOWTIME: Brett Sherwood, magician

MON 27MAR23         Colombo, Sri Lanka I enjoyed the Life & Lore of Colombo tour – After departing the pier and we drove through the commercial district to Pettah Bazaar, with its seemingly endless rows of shops and proceeded past Vihara Mahadevi Park, created by the British as a botanic garden. We drove by a former cinnamon plantation -- now an upscale residential district known as Cinnamon Gardens.  Then, we delved deeper into Colombo's culture at the National Museum. Among the displays are a mask collection and Hindu and Buddhist bronzes. The museum also houses a collection of the regalia of the King of Kandy. Next, we drove by Galle Face Green, where Colombo high society once strolled against the backdrop of the neo-Classical façades of the Colombo Club and the historic Galle Face Hotel.  We paused for refreshments at Taj Samudra Hotel.  Finally, we proceeded to the Gangaramaya Temple -- one of the finest among the city's Buddhist temples. In this small and colorful temple filled with statues, and observed Sinhalese in their devotions. I had a hosted diner with STUART HENDIN.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

SAILAWAY

SHOWTIME: JULIAN GARGIULO    - pianist

TUE 28MAR23 Sea Day I had a hosted dinner with Oleg Gluschenko and Uliana Khuda Seabourn dancers.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

A CONVERSATION WITH: BLAIR HALL - Managed Chaos in India

A CONVERSATION WITH LORD MICHAEL HOWARD   - My Life and Times.

TEAM TRIVIA

 SHOWTIME: Andrew Derbyshire - Singer

WED 29MAR23 Sea Day - I had a hosted dinner with LORD and LADY MICHAEL HOWARD  

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

A CONVERSATION WITH: BLAIR HALL - Size Matters India just passed the UK to become the world’s fifth largest economy, and it remains on a steeply upward trajectory. Is India a wealthy country with many poor people, or is it a poor country with many rich people? India’s booming young population has the potential to provide a huge boost to its economic advancement… if it successfully can handle education, health and social issues that hold back its development

A CONVERSATION WITH STUART HENDIN - The Evolution of Peacekeeping. Stuart traced the development of ‘peacekeeping’ from its earliest iterations after the World War II to the modern and complex operations undertaken by the United Nations or other organizations operating under UN mandate. Stuart will explain the differences between ‘peacekeeping’ and ‘peacemaking’ and will engage in conversation regarding the necessity of the same.

TEAM TRIVIA

SHOWTIME: Performance featured songs written for musical theatre and the silver screen.

THU 30MAR23 Mumbai (Bombay), I booked the excursion: India Mumbai's Jewish Heritage to explore the evolution of Mumbai's longstanding Jewish heritage. We passed the Gateway of India en route. The first stop was at the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, built in 1884 by Sir Jacob Sassoonthat features an interior with decorated pillars and beautifully carved wooden doors. We drove past the Gothic-style David Sassoon Library, constructed in 1847 and one of Mumbai's largest libraries. We stopped at the Magen David Synagogue—the first Baghdadi Synagogue constructed in Mumbai and the largest synagogue in Asia. We visited the historic Tiphereth Synagogue, built in 1886. During the drive back to the pier, we passed by the Institute of Science, designed by Sir George Wittet in 1925 and funded by Sir Jacob Sassoon. We stopped for photos at the dhobi ghat, where I observed clothes being washed in a time-honored manner.  I had dinner at the Thomas Keller Grill.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

SHOWTIME: ANDREW LEE performed a Magic Variety show features a unique twist of storytelling, illusions, close-up magic and sleight of hand.          

FRI 31MAR23   Sea Day - I had a hosted lunch with Angie Brown, guitarist.  I enjoyed the special formal night menu at the Sushi restaurant.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

SHOWTIME: Broadway’s Two-Time Tony nominee, Christine Andreas performed standards from the American Songbook.

TEAM TRIVIA

A CONVERSATION WITH LORD MICHAEL HOWARD - The world in 2023

A CONVERSATION WITH STUART HENDIN – Migration and Refugees

SAT  01APR23  Sea Day – I played duplicate bridge with Lord Michael Howard, former Home Secretary of the United Kingdom.  I had a hosted dinner with Christine Andreas

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

A CONVERSATION WITH STUART HENDIN - The International Criminal Court: The Hunt for Justice Never Ends? Please join Stuart as he traces the evolution of international efforts to bring the worst of modern histories most despicable to justice leading up to the creation of the International Criminal Court. Stuart will be candid in explaining what this Court can and cannot do

A CONVERSATION WITH: BLAIR HALL - Into the Persian Gulf.

A CONVERSATION WITH LADY SANDRA HOWARD - Sandra hosted a chat about all the difficulties and obstacles to getting published and shares her own experiences by way of advice

TEAM TRIVIA

SHOWTIME: JULIAN GARGIULO    - pianist

SUN 02APR23  Muscat, Oman    I took the free shuttle bus to the Muttrah Souq.  I arrived before it was open so I roamed the streets for about an hour before returning to explore the Souq.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

SHOWTIME: CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC - An immersive journey through the decades, showcasing some of pop and rock's greatest musical icons ever.                             

MON 03APR23 Sea Day I had a hosted dinner with Andrew Derbyshire.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

A CONVERSATION WITH STUART HENDIN - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO A discussion of NATO, its structure, and what it does. Stuart talked about what is often overlooked. The discussion considered what NATO as an organization has and has not done considering current events.

TEAM TRIVIA

OFFICERS ON DECK & TEAM MEMBER SALUTE

ARAIBIAN NIGHTS DANCE PARTY

TUE 04APR23  Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates – Beach Barbeque Day. I had a hosted diner with Stephen White, Seabourn singer.

Entertainment that I enjoyed included:

SHOWTIME: Broadway’s Two-Time Tony nominee, Christine Andreas performed standards from the American Songbook.       

WED 05APR23 Dubai, United Arab Emirates                

April 5 Day Room at the Taj Hotel – this was an excellent hotel with a great room and several restaurants located in the heart of downtown Dubai with a shuttle to the mall.

April 6 Dubai to Munich United Flight 8741 (code share operated by Lufthansa) 12:50 AM to 5:45 AM on an Airbus 330-300

          Munich to Newark United Flight 8839 (code share operated by Lufthansa) 1:25 PM to 3:50 PM

          Newark to Philadelphia United Flight 4412 (code share operated by GoJet Airlines) 5:42 PM to 6:49 PM

Enjoy the pictures.

 

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