Silversea Dawn

Monday the 13th…our luggage was out by nine and we meet downstairs in the conference room for a bus to Happo en. There are 180 of us on an almost 600 passenger boat for the full world cruise. We had actually found that 180 versus 300 plus on a world cruise makes meeting the full world cruisers easier. …and makes events on the ship or on land easier!

This event venue was large enough for our group – hard to find on a major holiday especially since it is also a wedding venue. January 13th is a national holiday in Japan called, Coming of Age (second Monday in January). It used to be a celebration when you turned 20 but I believe for some, the age has gone down to 18 now. To not let most of the world cruisers be forgotten, there is one called Respect for the Aged on the third Monday in September – not sure what the Japanese think Aged is but they have quite a few centenarians. May 5th is Children’s Day! They don’t leave anyone out except possibly Moms and Dads since I didn’t see those listed in their national holidays!

Our room overlooked the garden and we did see many people for various weddings outside. We also had a cute “world peace” well traveled kids group that played the marimbas etc. They were adorable and kept us entertained – doesn’t take much! We met a couple in the elevator at the hotel that were on the 2020 World Cruise that was truncated in Perth. We sat we another delightful couple as well as Jonny (Walker) as he calls himself who was on our covidless cruise in 2020.

Our room, all 300 plus square feet, floor 8 middle of the ship. Smooth sailing and Larkin complains it doesn’t rock enough in the middle. As I write this we are in the library observation lounge on 11, in the front – it rocks and the seas are not high. Choose wisely.

We have chosen to put our warmer weather clothes under the bed as this Controtempo cruise means we start in Japan in winter and sail into warmer waters etc in China on our way to Hong Kong. Magnets are our saving grace. Wish we had brought all the ones I purchased but alas, we didn’t think we need more…our first shopping quest was magnets…we finally found different ones over the course of 3-4 days but none had the great nobs to hang coats or double hooks.

Every ship is different, every cruise line is different. We are attempting to learn the names of the restaurants and bars – including which ones require reservations for dinner. Our first day was at sea and yes, we did massages first thing…missed breakfast but I certainly don’t need the calories!

Now we are learning where to sit to type or read, always finding our new friends all over the boat.

The state rooms are all toward the front of the boat and none at all in the back. The hall is singular as all rooms come off the center hall. It is wider than most ships with two hallways and I would think it would seem crowded but it doesn’t! I do miss walking the floors like a track…

Only six elevators for 596 passengers and three sets of stairs I use now and then. My new knee likes flat ground but still hates stairs down especially. Again, I thought the elevators would seem crowded but they don’t – you just have to remember to push button on both sides so your chances are greater in case the other side has one already available. Quirks of a ship!

We are enjoying the food on the ship. We have found where we won’t go for breakfast or lunch as neither of us really likes a buffet and having to wait if you want something different. Our first few days it seemed as if those buffet restaurants had lots of new staff but not much ever happened quickly. Having to wait for hot water or hot chocolate while all those around you got their magic coffee drinks quickly was disconcerting. We haven’t gone back…nothing new as Michael, Larkin and I didn’t usually like buffets on any ship!

The restaurants we continue to haunt include Japanese sushi with Larkin’s favorite Macha latte, the regular menu lunch spot and SALT which has a new front page at every new destination. I love the pizza on the deck above the pool – authentic Italian pizza. Burgers – I won’t crave those on the ship.

Off to start the blog on Kyoto and Osaka…as I try to catch upon our cruise adventures…