Wednesday, March 26, 2025 – Photo of the Day – En Route to Banjul, The Gambia
Where in the World Are We?
Sailing from Takoradi, Ghana, to Banjul, The Gambia, off the west coast of Africa.
Today’s Activities included:
9:45 Enrichment Lecture with William Lokey – Volcanoes Have Changed the World and Will Again!
Explore volcanoes from Indonesia to Iceland – with a look at their impact on African and world history – and see how a community deals with a dangerous one in its backyard.
11:00 Enrichment Lecture with Lloyd Camp – The Man-Eating Lions Of Tsavo
The ghosts of the darkness, and why you won’t get eaten by wild animals on safari.
A special “Lunch Under The Lifeboats” was held for World Cruise passengers.
3:00 PM – Future Cruise Director presented Expedition Cruises in the Galapagos.
Dinner was in the Atlantide Restaurant
MEMORIES
WITH HEADLINE ENTERTAINER SIMON BOWMAN
Simon has performed in concerts worldwide, alongside some of the world’s most famous artists, including Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Rod Stewart, Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, Mariah Carey, and Lionel Richie. A class act for a special evening of songs from Simon’s amazing career, ranging from classical, pop, rock, and swing.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 – Photo of the Day – En Route to Banjur, The Gambia
Where in the Word Are We?
Sailing from Takoradi, Ghana, to Banjul, The Gambia, off the west coast of Africa.
Today’s Schedule Included:
9:45 Enrichment Lecture with Keith Muras – Tea with a Despot
Mugabe and Zimbabwe, the land that lost its way. At independence, it was Africa’s breadbasket. 35 years later, famine, a broken economy, and political dictatorship. What went wrong? How and why?
11:00 Intermediate Bridge Lesson
3:00 Enrichment Lecture with Michael Sears: – The Internet – a Historical Journey into the Future
Trace the fascinating evolution of the internet, from its origins as a military project to a global communication network, exploring key milestones, technological innovations, and the profound impact on society, culture, and everyday life.
Dinner was in the Atlantide Restaurant
IMPOSSIBLE
SHOWTIME WITH HEADLINE
ENTERTAINER BRENDON PEEL
Brendon Peel is an internationally acclaimed mentalist and magician whose dynamic blend of magic, mentalism, and humor has captivated audiences in over 50 countries.
Witness the impossible made magically possible!
Monday, March 24, 2025 – Photo of the Day – En Route to Banjul, The Gambia
Where in the World Are We?
Sailing from Takoradi, Ghana, to Banjul, The Gambia, on the west coast of Africa.
Today’s Activities included
9:45 Destination Lecture with Dr. Glenn E. Robinson – The Gambia and Senegal: Embodying Africa’s Challenges
The Gambia is the smallest country in continental Africa, surrounded by Senegal. Both are poor countries struggling to keep up in the modern world.
11:00 Enrichment Lecture with Lloyd Camp: – Truths, Tales And Taboos
A medley of bizarre myths and legends from the world of African Safari guiding.
Dinner was in the Atlantide Restaurant
CLASSICS ON CUBAN CANVAS
WITH HEADLINE ENTERTAINER ELIO ROJAS
Experience the elegance of classical music intertwined with Cuban culture’s vibrant rhythms and colors. Classics on Cuban Canvas brings timeless masterpieces to life, painting a vivid portrait of passion and tradition. An unforgettable celebration of music and heritage awaits!
Friday, March 21, 2025 – Photo of the Day – En route to Tema, Ghana
Where in the World Are We?
We are sailing from Luanda, Angola, to Tema, Ghana, off the west coast of Africa.
Today’s Activities Included:
9:45 Enrichment Lecture with William Lokey – Ancient Disasters and the Legends They Inspired:
Extreme events have always been a part of human life, and ancient peoples from the Arctic to Africa had their way of explaining them. Can we learn from them today?
11:00 Enrichment Lecture with Michael Sears – The Singularity – When will the Robots take over?
Examine the concept of the singularity, questioning whether we’ve reached a pivotal point in technological advancement where AI surpasses human intelligence, and explore the profound implications for society, ethics, and the future of humanity.
7:00 Tonight’s Party! Silversea proudly presents: South African BBQ (Braai) & Rock The Boat Pool Deck Party.
Executive Chef Ross and the Galley Team have prepared a delicious South African BBQ (Braai) Dinner Under The Stars. Then, after dinner, around 8:45 p.m., enjoy our Rock The Boat party show with the Silversea Singers and Dancers, followed by DJ Gabor, as we turn the deck into a floating dance floor.
Sunday, March 23, 2025 – Photo of the Day – Takoradi, Ghani
Where in the World Are We?
We are in Takoradi, Ghana.
TAKORADI, GHANA
Ghana’s fourth-largest city
Ghana’s fourth-largest city plays serene beaches against a bustling commercial centre. People from around the world visit the shore for its beauty and to enjoy the fresh seafood on the sands.
Frantic city life awaits a short distance inland, where an economy fuelled by Ghana’s oil industry is most apparent in the maze of vendors at Market Circle. Takoradi is also the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Elmina and Cape Coast Castle.
SIGHTS
• Takoradi Port
• Market Circle
• Monkey Hill
• Fort Orange
• European Town
• Railway Station
• Bosumtwi Sam Fishing Harbour
• Harbour Bazaar
• Kakum National Park
• Elmina Castle
• Fort San Sebastian
• Bisa Aberwa Museum
• Acquah Bar
• Harbour View Garden
• Cape Coast and Elmina Slave Castles
SHOPPING AND CUISINE
Takoradi offers a vibrant shopping scene that combines traditional markets with modern shopping centers, giving visitors a unique shopping experience. From colorful street markets selling handmade crafts and local goods to upscale boutiques offering designer clothing and accessories, there is something for every type of shopper. Don’t miss the bustling Market Circle, where you can haggle for souvenirs and local produce, or explore the Takoradi Mall for a more upscale shopping experience. Whether you’re looking for traditional Ghanaian textiles or international brands, Sekondi-Takoradi has it all.
The cuisine of Sekondi-Takoradi is as diverse as its culture. Visitors can enjoy a variety of local dishes, such as fufu, a dish of pounded yam served with a variety of sauces, and jollof rice, a spicy rice dish cooked with tomato and spices. In addition, the city is famous for its fresh fish and seafood, which can be enjoyed at the city’s numerous restaurants and street food stalls.
Today’s Excursion – The Twin Cities of Sekondi and Takoradi
We visited the fish market where we viewed ice-making for the fishing boats and the fish market.
We visited a local village and were greeted by the Chief, his elders, and a colorful village band.
We stopped at a local hotel and were entertained by dancers and a band.
ITALIAN FAMILY-STYLE DINNER
Executive Chef Ross and the Galley Team created a special Italian Family Style Dinner menu, and Restaurant Manager Dinu and the Dining Room Staff welcome you. Guests
WHILE I CAN DREAM
SHOWTIME WITH SIMON BOWMAN
He has performed in concerts worldwide, including at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and the London 02 Arena. He featured the Valjean Quartet in the 25th anniversary concert of Les Misérables.
Tonight, we enjoyed a variety of performances from Simon’s musical stage career.
Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Photo of the Day – Tema (Accra), Ghana
Where in the World Are We?
We docked in Tema, the industrial port for the capital, Accra, Ghana, on the west African coast.
TEMA,(ACCRA) GHANA
The way Mother Nature intended it
From a modest fishing port to the biggest in Ghana, Tema’s industrial activity has all but tarnished the region’s charming postcard scenery.
The neighbouring white-sanded beaches remain immaculate, still testimony to the rich variety of birds found in the area. In the way Mother Nature intended it, gannets, boobies and kingfishers amongst other species fish in and around the cerulean waters of the coast. A light breeze tickles the inflamed, iron-filled soil of the mainland on which the railway linking Tema to Accra lures hundreds of visitors each day. On board one of the carriages to Accra, distinctively noticeable by their painted coats of red, yellow, and green that echo Ghana’s national flag, a peek out of the window will offer scenic views of the harbour and coast, as well as the fields that separate Tema from the capital.
SIGHTS
• Accra City
• Mausoleum
• Via Osu
• Nungua
• Beach Road
• Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
• Black Star Square
• National Museum
• Makola Market
SHOPPING AND CUISINE
Here are seven traditional Ghanaian gastronomies you need to try if you are visiting Ghana: Jollof rice, Waakye, Kenkey and fried fish, Fufu and goat light soup, Banku, Boiled yam or plantain with Kontomire stew.
You can visit the Arts & Crafts Market and the Casket-Maker’s Shop if you are looking for local products. Traditional crafts can be as simple as a basket or as complicated as fine, woven silk. Whether it is a rug, a knitted sweater, an iron hinge, or a hunting decoy, people often invest time and effort, beyond what is needed for basic necessity, to produce crafts that are pleasing to the eye.
Some arts and crafts to look out for are Kente cloth weaving, Adinkra cloth, tie-and-dye, batik, Krobo glass beads, Fantasy coffins, Brass casting, Bolga baskets, Sign art, and other painters.
Today’s Excursion – Accra Discovery
Explore the legacy and landmarks of Accra during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.
City Landmarks and Casket-Maker’s Shop
We drove along the beach road and through Teshie and Nungua Townships to Annan Cedi’s Casket shop. We viewed a collection of caskets carved into different objects depicting the African traditional belief of continuing one’s earthly profession after death.
Light House and Panoramic view
Arrive at the Light House. For the young at heart, climb the 121 steps for a panoramic view of old Accra. Viewed from a distance, the Wesleyan Methodist School (now Sempeh Basic Primary School) was established in 1830 as the first government school, Sea View Hotel, the first hotel in Accra, built in 1873, and European Trading Companies’ Warehouses in James Town, UAC (English), and CFAO (French).
Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Park
Next, drive to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Park. Explore Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Park- final resting place of
the 1st President of Ghana. Re-board your coach and continue to the Arts and Crafts Market to enjoy some shopping time before returning to the pier.
Pier-side craft shops
Tonight’s dinner was in Atlantide Restaurant
BE A STAR
SHOWTIME WITH BEATRICE
Beatrice has worked as a singer and dancer in Europe and performed in many musical theater productions in Italy (Grease, A Little Night Music, Les Misérables, We Will Rock You, and more!).
Her influences include musical theater, jazz, classical, and rock music. Join your Silversea Singer, Beatrice, for an engaging and energetic cabaret.
Monday, March 24, 2025 – Photo of the Day – En Route to Tema, Ghana
Where in the World Are We?
We are sailing from Luanda, Angola to Tema, Ghana off the west coast of Africa.
Today’s Activities included:
9:45 Enrichment Lecture with Lloyd Camp: Confessions of an African Safari Guide
Two heart-stopping tales from an African Safari guide.
11:00 Intermediate Bridge Lesson
2:00 Enrichment Lecture with Keith Muras: Cold War, Proxy War, and a Railway.
The story of the ending of Portuguese colonial rule in Africa and of a civil war in Angola. A proxy conflict between East and West with a railway as the front line.
3:00 Enrichment Lecture with William Lokey: A Cruisers’ Guide to the Deep Blue Sea
Explore the oceans’ depths, tides, coastlines, currents, animals, the “Green Flash,” and other fun facts and theories about what is happening beneath Silver Dawn.
Dinner was in the Atlantide Restaurant
LEANNE MITCHELL
SHOWTIME WITH WINNER OF THE BBC1’S THE VOICE UK
As the first-ever winner of BBC1’s The Voice UK in 2012, Leanne Mitchell was a dark horse whose emotion-drenched voice overshadowed the early favorites. Her voice is flawless throughout, a fantastic trajectory from when she first appeared in that nerve-wracking moment waiting for one of the coaches to turn around.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 – Photo of the Day – En Route to Tema, Ghana
Where in the World Are We?
We are sailing from Luanda, Angola, to Tema, Ghana off the west coast of Africa.
Today’s Activities included:
9:45 Destination Lecture with Dr. Glenn E. Robinson – Ghana’s Accra and Takoradi
Ghana was the first colony in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve independence. It has a rich history but is marked by many of the same developmental challenges facing much of Africa.
11:00 Intermediate Bridge Lesson
2:00 Enrichment Lecture with Michael Sears: – Lights, Code, Action:
How Film Shapes Our View of Artificial Intelligence The portrayal of AI in films has not only reflected societal attitudes toward technology but has also influenced how we envision the role of AI in our lives. This cinematic journey through AI in pop culture explores how these portrayals have evolved over the decades and what they reveal about our changing relationship
with technology.
Dinner was in Atlantide Restaurant
COMEDIAN TONY DARO
Tony Daro’s hilarious routines have made him one of the established stars of the New York comedy scene.
Tony is the rare comedian who can be both inoffensive and gut-busting funny.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – Photo of the Day – Luanda, Angola
Where in the World Are We?
We ae in Luanda, Angola, in Southwest Africa.
LUANDA, ANGOLA
A study in contrasting economies
A study in contrasting economies shows that Luanda is a boisterous coastal city of haves and have-nots.
As the capital of Africa’s second-largest oil-producing country, it has been deemed the world’s most expensive city. Since independence in 2002, everyone seems to be gunning for a piece of the post-civil war economy. Its renaissance offers a range of experiences, from cushy hotels to a restaurant-lined oceanfront promenade to locals hawking handmade goods at crowded public markets.
SIGHTS
• Palacio de Ferro
• Marginal Bay
• Angola National Bank
• Museum of Anthropology
• San Miguel Fort
• Agostinho Neto Mausoleum
• Presidential Monument
• Benifica Market
• Slave Museum
• Capela da Case Grande
• Miradouro da Lua
SHOPPING AND CUISINE
A seafront promenade known as the Marginal runs alongside Luanda Bay. Nearby is the well-preserved 16th-century Fortress of São Miguel, which now contains the Museum of the Armed Forces. The fort has views of the harbor and the Ilha do Cabo, a long, thin peninsula in the bay home to beaches, bars, and restaurants.
With its rich cultural diversity and traditions, Angola offers a variety of unique souvenirs that reflect the country’s heritage and craftsmanship. Here are some of the most typical and best souvenirs from Angola!
• Hand-carved Wooden Masks
• Semba Music and Kuduro CDs
• Basketry and Woven Goods
• Musseque Paintings
• Traditional Dolls
• Capeulan (Capulana)
• Coffee (Café do Angola)
• Marble Carvings
• Kisanji (Mbira) – Thumb Piano
• Mupa Tree Seeds Jewelry
• Mucubal Jewelry
• Traditional Angolan Instruments
• Cuca Beer Memorabilia
• Basket Hats
• Embroidery and Textile Art
• Tchokwe Stools
• Mahogany Carvings
• Local Spices
• Luanda Postcards and Art Prints
• Benguela Jewelry
• Beaded Necklaces (Miçanga)
• Moccasins (Chokwe Sandals)
• Cassava Flour (Funge Mix)
• Clay Cooking Pots
• Capim Dourado (Golden Grass) Handicrafts
• Dondo Pottery
Today’s Excursion – The Changing Faces of Luanda
Located on the west coast of Southern Africa, Angola was under colonial rule until November 11, 1975, when it became an independent nation. The Angolan Civil War began after the end of the war for independence from Portugal in 1975. The war featured conflict between two primary Angolan factions, the communist MPLA and the anti-communist UNITA. By the time the 27-year war was formally brought to an end in 2002, an estimated 500,000 people had been killed. Today, Luanda is undergoing a renaissance of epic proportions, driven by the vast natural resources that the country has in abundance – oil and diamonds. Its people are determined and committed to turning around their fortunes and rebuilding a strong and united Angola.
“Palacio de Ferro“
After departing the quayside, drive along Marginal Bay, with the commercial part of the city on the one side and views across the bay on the other. Drive past the Igreja de Senhora de Nazare – a small church and a National Monument. Continue visiting the old Iron Palace “Palacio de Ferro”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is believed to have been built and designed by the famous architect Gustav Eiffel or by someone associated with Gustav Eiffel, the builder of the world-famous icon, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Statue of Liberty in New York City. The structure’s history is shrouded in mystery since no official record exists. It is believed to have been pre-built in the 1890s in France and was destined to be placed in Madagascar via boat. Instead, the building ended up in Angola’s Skeleton Coast after the ship drifted with the notorious Benguela currents. Portuguese rulers of the colony then claimed the boat along with its contents, including the palace. The building is undergoing renovation funded by profits from Angola’s oil boom.
Drive to and make a photo stop at the Gothic-style church of Los Remedios, which was built in 1719 as a chapel. Francis Xavier reformed the church in 1798, accomplishing the work with donations from the faithful. Currently, dos Remedios Church is considered one of the most beautiful and best-preserved churches in San Luis.
Angolan National Museum of Anthropology
Visit the Angolan National Museum of Anthropology, featuring various art, sculptures, tools, weaponry, jewelry, clothing, and musical instruments. Founded in November of 1976, it is a cultural and scientific institution dedicated to collecting, researching, conserving, presenting, and disseminating the Angolan cultural heritage. The museum consists of 14 rooms spread over two floors and houses over 6,000 traditional pieces. These include farm implements, hunting and fishing memorabilia, and photographs of the Khoisan people. Other features of the museum are its rustic furnace for melting iron and its room of the masks, featuring the symbols of rituals of the Bantu people.
San Miguel Fort
Drive to and visit the San Miguel Fort original built in 1576 by Paulo dias de Novias. It was a Portuguese fortress and was the administrative center of the colony in 1627. It was a major outlet for slave traffic to Brazil. The fort was, for many years a self- contained town protected by thick walls encrusted with cannons. Inside the fort, elaborate ceramic tiles tell the story of Angola
from its early years, and in the courtyard are large, imposing statues of Portugal’s first King.Its purpose was to defend the port and the city from attack by the marauding French, Spanish, and Dutch armies. It was successful until 1641, when the Dutch seized Luanda. During Dutch rule in Angola between 1641 and 1648, the fort was known as Fort Aardenburgh. Until 1975, the fortress served as the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese Armed Forces. Today, it holds the Museum of the Armed Forces.
Agostinho Neto Mausoleum
Driving along the New Marginal, visit the unique Agostinho Neto Mausoleum, a huge stylized obelisk. Rumor has it that this is the grave of Angola’s first president, President Agostinho Neto. Neto, who had very strong communist affiliations, died in 1979, and it is said that this was erected as a gift from the Russian government.
“Cidade Alta”, (Uptown)
Thereafter, drive through “Cidade Alta,” or uptown, a pleasant, airy, and calm suburb above the rest of the city, with several pink colonial buildings. Here, you can see the Presidential Palace, the Prime Minister’s office, and the Ministries of Defense, Immigration, Justice, Health, and the British Embassy. Drive past the beautiful Catholic Church, “Igreja de Jesus,” where many important people of Angolan high society get married. However, taking photos in the area is forbidden due to the proximity of the presidential residence and heavy military security.
‘Baixa’ (Downtown)
Depart to ‘Baixa’ or downtown to view the houses of parliament – both new and old. After driving past many areas in the city that are due for total upgrades and whole communities being moved, the group will realize that this is truly a city that has a
rapidly changing face – well on its way to regaining its mantle of yesteryear – the ‘Paris of Africa.’
Dinner was in Atlantide Restaurant
LEANNE MITCHELL
SHOWTIME WITH WINNER OF THE BBC1’S THE VOICE UK
As the first-ever winner of BBC1’s The Voice UK in 2012, Leanne Mitchell was a dark horse whose emotion-drenched voice overshadowed the early favorites. Her voice is flawless throughout, a fantastic trajectory from when she first appeared in that nerve-wracking moment waiting for one of the coaches to turn around.
Monday, Monday, March 17, 2025 – Photo of the Day – En Route TO Luanda, Angola
Where in the World Are We?
Sailing from Walvis Bay, Namibia, to Luanda, Angola, on the West Coast of Africa.
Today’s Activities included:
9:45 Enrichment Lecture with Keith Muras – Searching for Apartheid’s Bomb
Did apartheid South Africa develop and manufacture nuclear weapons? And did we know!
11:00 Intermediate Bridge
12:15 St. Patrick’s Day Pub Lunch:
Pubs are traditional meeting places where good food and drink are served in an informal, relaxed family atmosphere. The food is simple and full of flavor, often accompanied by music.
To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we will serve tasty pub lunch dishes prepared by Executive Chef Ross and his team to a background of pub music favorites.
3:00 Enrichment Lecture with Lloyd Camp – Africa Bites: two heart-warming wildlife tales from an African Safari guide
Dinner was in Alantide Restaurant
COMEDIAN TONY DARO
Tony Daro’s hilarious routines have made him one of the established stars of the New York comedy scene.
Tony is the rare comedian who can be both inoffensive and gut-busting funny.
