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Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3396 07/02/04 06:51 AM
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petlover Offline OP
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Thinking waaaay ahead to perhaps 2006, I'd love to hear any experience with the combination of an African cruise and wildlife safari. I noticed a Silverseas itinerary which offers several wildlife excursions. (oops... editing because the link didn' work)from Cape Town back to Cape Town for 14 nights.

I've been hearing that African safari's will someday become a thing of the past and to enjoy it while they're still available. Maybe we should forgo the cruise and just do a safari only...?? Anyone else want to come with me ??


Marcie

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3397 07/02/04 06:55 AM
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KarenS Offline
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Marcie, I have been dying to do a safari and cruise the Seychelles as well. As soon as we hit the nearly 1/3 billion dollar Mega Millions lottery tonight, we will start planning it!


Karen

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Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3398 07/02/04 07:00 AM
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Karen, I'm with you...last weekend my mother-in-law was in town visiting and we both bought lottery tickets and said that if we win we are going on the world cruise...

Unfortunately, no one won but there is also tonight...


Ronnie
Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3399 07/02/04 07:17 AM
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Sheri Offline
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My parents did that on one of the tiny Renaisance ships...it was their favorite cruise ever...I salivated over the pictures...it is the ONE trip I have on my MUST DO list. It's a long flight though.
It was an unbelievable trip!


Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3400 07/02/04 07:19 AM
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KarenS Offline
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Don't worry Sheri, we will be going in our private jet! :hyper:


Karen

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Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3401 07/02/04 07:24 AM
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Sheri Offline
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okey dokey...twist my arm!!!! :D
Let's get Ngaire on that immediately!! hahahahaha


Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3402 07/02/04 07:43 AM
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petlover Offline OP
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I know Ngaire and Ken have done an African safari (she LOVED it so much, I bet she'd want to go back!) I think Lawrence is up for this too....Sheri, my Mom always told me that this was their favorite cruise as well! We need the lotteries to come through!


Marcie

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3403 07/02/04 07:52 AM
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Marc Offline
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I have combined a cruise with a safari before. Unfortunately, it was only a three day safari in the middle of six months in the Indian Ocean on an aircraft carrier. The safari was fantastic!! We were in Kenya. I hear that the safaris in South Africa are even better (although I still think Mt Kilimanjaro is a better sight than Table Mountain).

We would love to go back and do a longer safari; Arlene has never been to Africa. Marcie, sounds like you have volunteered to plan this great group excursion! :D



Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3404 07/02/04 07:55 AM
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Sheri Offline
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It sounds like a plan....NAIIIIRRRREEEEEEEEEEE....


Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3405 07/02/04 08:14 AM
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Claudia Offline
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Quote
Originally posted by Sheri:
My parents did that on one of the tiny Renaisance ships...it was their favorite cruise ever...I salivated over the pictures...it is the ONE trip I have on my MUST DO list. It's a long flight though.
It was an unbelievable trip!
Your parents are so lucky...
That is the one I always wanted to go on - the "R" baby ships- only held 112 people.. we took alot of cruises on them, but the safari the Seychelles....we missed..so if there is a great cruise on small ship ..... ;) I could be packed..


Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3406 07/02/04 08:20 AM
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We did a five day package, at the end of our Mariner cruise; 2 nights in Capetown and three nights in Singita. Singita was an experience of a lifetime. Voted by Conde Nast magazine number one spot in the world two years in a row. Each day we had a sunrise game drive and a sunset game drive.The living quarters was a private bungalow with every conceivable luxury, including a private pool on the veranda. We are now thinking about a safari some day in Kenya.

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3407 07/02/04 08:28 AM
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KarenS Offline
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Irv, I think I could "rough it" in Singita!

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]


Karen

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Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3408 07/02/04 08:32 AM
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Sheri Offline
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Irv - I think I saw a travel show...something like, "vacations for the rich and famous" :D about that place. It was stunning! Was it the place that sat up on a mesa (is that the right term) and looked out over a stunning panorama of scenery?

Claudia - My parents adored that ship. I saw pics of their cabin...talk about luxury...the walls wee all mahogany...they said there were about 50 people on board, and the seas were a bit rough, so they generally had the entire dining room to themselves...somewhat of a private yacht!!!


Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3409 07/02/04 08:41 AM
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Marcie; Host Richard on CC has done the Silver Whisper transatlantic to Capetown and has time in Capetown area. Don't know if they did a safari, but you might back channel him regarding it. We were in Cape Town last year and stayed with folks who are very familiar with the many nature parks in SA. You can also get a lot of info on the parks and packages on www.southafrica.com. We didn't do a safari, but spent all of our time there in the western cape area. There's so much to see and do in the Cape area that we just didn't have time for the nature parks. If I can be of any assistance, you can e-mail me.

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3410 07/02/04 09:00 AM
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Karen, you brought a tear to my eye with those pictures. We did "rough it" in a way. We had to get up a 5AM to get ready for the morning drive.We were in an open Land Rover and it was pretty cold out there at that time of morning, but we forgot all about that as soon as we saw our first animal. (Could have been a Rhino,elephant,lion, giraffe, leopard or even a warthog,etc.

Sheri, it wasn't on a mesa but the view was very jungle-like. Sitting on the veranda we had a few monkeys come to visit. We understand (we were not there at the time) that a full herd of elephants passed right by. If we wanted to go to the dining foom between 5PM and 7AM, we had to call a ranger to escort us. Leopards and other wild animals were known to frequent the camp.

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3411 07/02/04 09:22 AM
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Marc Offline
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double posting



Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3412 07/02/04 10:06 AM
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Sheri Offline
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Irv,
My parents told me a lot of really funny stories like that. They (at first) couldn't figure out why a ranger had to escort them to their bungalow...they thought maybe the ranger was worried they would get lost. One evening they were joking about getting lost, and he shined his flashlight into the brush, just feet away...my parents almost fainted at the many glowing eyes of ALL heights staring back at them!!! They got a real kick out of that. My mother was more scared of the rather big and very hairy spider that seemed to make its home in their shower. My stepfather was rather amused at the blood curdling screams that came from the bathroom...they still giggle about it! :D

My mother is standing here relating some stories about the ship...she said they had what they called "wet landings"...well, they found out what they were...they would come in to chest-deep water and the musicians and other staff would carry all the women to shore...the men had to fend for themselves! ;)


Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3413 07/02/04 01:24 PM
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Marci,
A wonderful book to read is " Don't Lets Go To The Dogs Tonight", An African childhood by Alexandra Fuller.
Reserve it at your library or bookstore. I couldn't put it down!


Suzie

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- Joshua Slocum
Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3414 07/02/04 01:29 PM
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petlover Offline OP
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Irv, that place looks gorgeous! I will begin to do some research as a wildlife safari really is on my MUST do list. The accommodations will need to be nice with good food and wine or I won't convince Tom on any of this.
He'd just as soon take me to the San Diego Zoo for the day!

All ideas and suggestions are welcome!


Marcie

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3415 07/02/04 02:21 PM
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Bette Offline
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We went on a 12 day safari with A&K called Wings over Botswana. It was fabulous.The only bad part was having to get into one of those tiny airplanes every 3 days or so to move to a new area.A&K really took care of us.
To break up the long flight to South Africa we stopped in Switzerland and Germany for 5 days on the way over.

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3416 07/02/04 02:40 PM
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I told Mark about this thread, and he wants in, too! He's been wanting to do a safari for the last 20-odd years, but I don't rough it.

So, add us to the list, wherever it is.

BTW, where's Lawrence? Did I miss a cruise that he's on?

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3417 07/02/04 03:06 PM
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Suzi, I just finished the Fuller book - what a great read about a Rhodesian family, through the civil wars in that region. Other good books that give you a flavor of Africa are The Long Journey Home - Nelson Mandela's autobiography; that wonderful series of books about Botswana by Alexander McColl Smith (I think) about the female African detective in Botswana; a memoir by Beryl Markham about her early days as an aviator in Kenya; The Grass is Singing - the novel about white African farmers that put Doris Lessing on the map; Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton - landmark novel about the freedom movement in the 1950's; last but not least, Dark Star Safari - Overland from Cairo to Capetown, the latest book by travel writer Paul Theroux.

These are just a few books I have read in the past year or so that make me yearn to go to Africa. I don't want to rough it, and there's no reason to with all the great photo safari trips offered by people like A & K. If you get something going that includes cruise plus safari, I just may join you all myself!

:)


Glenda
Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3418 07/02/04 04:06 PM
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Suzie Offline
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Thanks Glenda, I wrote them all down. Didn't you love those putsi (sp) flies that invaded their clothes and laid their eggs? ugh :ohmy:


Suzie

The days pass happily with me wherever my ship sails.
- Joshua Slocum
Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3419 07/02/04 04:55 PM
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petlover Offline OP
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Pam, not to worry...I don't think any of us are into roughing it. (well, maybe Chip)
I've started reading and Seabourn has an excursion tied in with a pre or post cruise where they put you in what is described as "deluxe tented campground" for a 3 day/night safari. What is deluxe about tents?? Anyone heard of this? (sounds like an oxymoron to me)???


Marcie

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3420 07/02/04 05:03 PM
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KarenS Offline
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I think I like Singita better :)

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Karen

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Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3421 07/02/04 05:25 PM
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Marcie -

They use the term "tent" rather loosely. Todd and I did a Tauck tour in Tanzania and Kenya two years ago. Definitely one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had.

We stayed at a place in the Serengeti named Kirawira. The "tent" had victorian furniture in the front room and a marble bathroom! Think of a "tent" designed by Ralph Lauren. It was constructed of canvas, but that was the only thing it had in common with the tents I remembered from childhood.

I think you'd have an amazing trip.

Kathy

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3422 07/02/04 06:38 PM
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Denise Offline
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Kathy,

Good to hear that Tauck did it's usual incredible job in Africa.

Your "tent" sounds like my kind of roughing it!


Denise

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Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3423 07/02/04 06:46 PM
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petlover Offline OP
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Mine too! Gives a whole new meaning to word "tent"! The last tent I was in caved in during the middle of the night (guess we should have followed the instructions!)


Marcie

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3424 07/02/04 08:17 PM
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Claudia Offline
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Actually the tent with the Victorian furniture that Kathleen just mentioned is what was "supposedly" in the fabulous tents that Sheri's parents would have stayed in..Sheri ask your parents if they stayed in the pretty tents?
okay back to reality..
Seabourn goes there and Silverseas.........
and others..does Radisson want to take us? Plus
if we are going to fly that far we have to do safari ..Kenya ( that camp that Stephanie Powers and William Holden founded..awesome)plus Masa
Mari and I know that is not the correct name..sorry
Seychelles and perhaps end in Eqypt.. walk like Egyptians.. all of us....how fun!

i am so excited let's go!


Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3425 07/02/04 08:22 PM
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Claudia Offline
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here ya go read this old stuff from old Ren cruiser in "lux" tent in Masa Mari ( spelling is totally wrong I am sorry)
http://cruises.about.com/library/pictures/cruisecommunity/africa/blafrica04.htm


Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3426 07/02/04 11:04 PM
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Oooooooh ... (dreaming)

Marcie, can I squeeze into your Louis Vuitton trunk to go along?

Masaki

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3427 07/03/04 04:10 AM
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KarenS Offline
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It appears we are not winners of the $290 million Mega Millions jackpot.

TICKET PURCHASED IN MASSACHUSETTS WINS ESTIMATED $290 MILLION JACKPOT; SECOND LARGEST PRIZE EVER AWARDED TO A SINGLE TICKET
Somewhere in Lowell, Massachusetts there is a ticket now worth an estimated $290 million. That’s because it is the sole winning ticket that matched all six numbers in the Friday, July 2, 2004 Mega Millions drawing.

I guess I will have to start saving for the Safari cruise the old fashioned way ;)


Karen

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Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3428 07/03/04 05:02 AM
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We did a 2 week safari in Kenya - I have to say it is an experience not just a vacation. The lodges and "tented" camps in Africa are some of the most luxurious and beautiful places I have been anywhere in the world. We had a private dinner out in the bush one, private chief plus an armed guard for animals! We stayed at Stephanie Powell's and William Holden's resort at the base of Mt. Kilamenjaro (sorry for the spelling!) and talk about over the top beautiful - just hard to describe. Africa is truly a gorgeous country, the animals were healthy and we had just one experience, memory after another at the 4 parks we visited. One of the highlights was driving in the middle of the great migration. Another highlight was staying at the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi - it's true, the giraffes wonder freely and stick their heads through your bedroom window and you can feed them. After Africa, I don't think I could ever go to a zoo again.

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3429 07/03/04 05:12 AM
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petlover Offline OP
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It really does sound like there is genuine interest...

Are you interested in a cruise with either a pre or post safari tied in (maybe 4 days) OR just a safari only (maybe moving to several different camps?
How about dates...maybe Fall 2005? Spring 2006?
I need feedback. We are open to whatever works for others.


Marcie

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3430 07/03/04 06:35 AM
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Pam Offline
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We can't do it in Fall 2005, because we have 10 days at WDW with kids and grandkids in early December. Even though Mark is doing much better, his energy still has limits (and he keeps telling me that the budget does, too, silly man).

This could be SO much fun! And as to cruise/no cruise, I think we'd go with the majority on that one.

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3431 07/03/04 08:17 AM
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Marcie, speaking for myself, I am definitely interested in spending a couple of weeks (at least) on safari. Wouldn't object to a cruise also, (the Seychelles, sigh) but the safari would be my main interest. Anytime in 2005/06 would be good for me. If we go in summer, my daughter can go too. :D


Glenda
Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3432 07/03/04 08:51 AM
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dixiechick Offline
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Just a note on the time of year for a safari, you want to check about the dry and wet seasons of the year. During the wet season, the animals are healthier and much more active. We went in August (end of wet season) during the great migration and it was perfect.

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3433 07/03/04 07:40 PM
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We went in March, and it was truly an experience. We had a 5-day A&K safari followed by one of the mini-Ren ships from the Seychelles up all the way to Athens. We joke about 'roughing it' in tents, but there was no 'roughing' involved! These were full-service tents with complete plumbing and all! And we sat on our deck and watched the hippos in the river at every opportunity -- our camp was right on a bend of the river. I was skeptical when we went -- figured we might see 'some' animals. We saw EVERYTHING -- and so many times that you get downright indifferent! "Oh, I've seen just too many wildebeests today!' We actually have a picture (taken by a friend in another Rover) of a cheetah standing on the hood of our Rover while I stand in front looking out (and my husband is well behind, using me for a shield!). There were two or three (only a couple at night) excurions into the Masi Mara every day in the Rovers without tops. It's one of those trips I'd gladly repeat at any time -- wonderful, wonderful!

Oh, one caveat -- if you have the opportunity to buy the very expensive visa to visit Djbouti .... DON'T!!! It is truly the armpit of Africa!! Dusty, dirty, hot, miserable -- nothing but a gas station for the Suez. Another memorable travel stop that we won't repeat. It would be a good day for an onboard massage...

Betty

Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3434 07/04/04 03:02 AM
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Sheri Offline
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It would have to be 2006 for me, and I am interested in a trip that includes both the Seychelles and the safari. I can only do a two-ish week trip....unless someone is interested in suporting me after I get fired!!!! :D :D :D

Claudia, I sent that review to my mom. She just loved that trip. It will bring back lots of great memories!


Re: Combination Cruise and seeing African wildlife #3435 07/04/04 06:01 AM
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petlover Offline OP
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Betty, do you remember what park(s) you visited?

Sheri, most of the itineraries are for longer..hard to find the shorter ones. Add on 4 days pre or post for the safari part. You may need more like 2 1/2 weeks vacation. Here is an example of one 2005 Silverseas that includes Seychelles: (not sure why that didn't copy and paste as it appeared on the Silverseas web site.)

Isles of the Indian Ocean
Mahe to Port Louis Voyage 2531

11 Days | Silver Wind


November 2005 Arrive Depart
29
T
Join Silver Wind


Mahe, Seychelles

30
W
Mahe, Seychelles 6:30am



La Digue, Seychelles 9:30am 6pm
December 2005 Arrive Depart
1
Th
Desroches, Seychelles 8am 4pm

2
F
At Sea

3
S
Mayotte, French Comores 9am 5pm

4
Su
Nosy Be / Nosy Komba, Madagascar 8am 6pm

5
M
At Sea

6
T
Toamasina, Madagascar 8am 4pm

7
W
Pointe des Galettes, Reunion Island 5pm

8
Th
Pointe des Galettes, Reunion Island 6pm

9
F
Port Louis, Mauritius 8am

10
S
Port Louis, Mauritius
Disembark Silver Wind


Marcie

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