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Well, I have been home -- residing on the SS Secaucus-- for some four months. It has been wonderful -- just enjoyingfriends, my home, my own bed. But now time to return to those highseas. And what a way to return -- on the brand new, $700 million,super-deluxe Silver Muse! She's the new flagship of six-star,gold-plated Silversea Cruises. There's no staterooms -- it is allsuites with bathrooms the size of Montana, walk-in closets the size of manycabins on other ships & full living rooms and roomy terraces attached toevery bedroom. And everyone, even speakers like me, get butlerservice -- yes, white gloves, soft spoken & charming and all therest. Then there's a regular steward and the likes of the "pillowconcierge" -- guests select from nearly a half-dozen types. And more about the food later -- but yes, 8 onboard restaurants (meaning 8different cuisines or cooking styles) and throw in caviar for breakfast (ifyou'd like) and specially trained waiters that do it all with Ipads (no morepencil & pad).
One of Britain's finest creations (well, since the end ofWorld War II), my dear friend Howard Franklin will also be aaboard. We've been friends for some 40 years -- but haven'tlectured together on the same ship in at least twenty. So, yes, areunion of sorts. Howard is pure and glorious charm: he's an author, expert on many topics (like flowers, stately homes & theirgardens, the Queen's palaces & even her jewels), been a British TVpersonality, esteemed judge at the prestigious, annual Chelsea Flower Show inLondon and was a royal florist (serving the late Queen Mother, Diana andothers). Well, lots of fun, chatter & plain old jollies withdear Howard.
Myself, I fly over to London, give a talk to Southampton'sSeaCity Museum and then sail off on a delightful crossing to Canada with stopsin scenic Ireland, the charming Maritimes & time along the beautiful StLawrence River. Altogether, it's about 18 days. (By then, I will beready to cruise the aisles at Walmart, sit at my own desk and sleep in my ownbed.)


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MAIDENATLANTIC CROSSING: SILVER MUSE (Silversea)
Southampton-Montreal(16 days) (5 sea days)
SunSep 10 Lv Newark on United #934 at 8:30am; arrive London-Heathrow 8:40pm; two nights Jurys Inn, Charlotte Place, Southamptom (44-23-8037-1111)
MonSep 11 Lecture 2-3pm at SeaCity Museum & Tudor House in
Southampton(Tel: 023-8091-7696
TueSep 12 lv Southampton (England) 5:00pm
WedSep 13 Falmouth (England) 8:00am-8:00pm
ThuSep 14 Waterford (Ireland) 8:00am-10:00pm
FriSep 15 Cobh (Ireland) 8:00am-6:00pm
SatSep 16 Galway (Ireland) 9:00am-6:00pm
SunSep 17 at sea in the North Atlantic
MonSep 18 at sea in the North Atlantic
TueSep 19 at sea in the North Atlantic
WedSep 20 at sea in the North Atlantic
ThuSep 21 St John's (Newfoundland) 8:00am-6:00pm
FriSep 22 St Pierre & Miquelon 9:30am-6:00pm
SatSep 23 Sydney (Nova Scotia) 8:00am-4:00pm
SunSep 24 Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) 8:00am-5:00pm
MonSep 25 Gaspe (Canada) 8:00am-1:30pm
TueSep 26 Cruise Saguenay River (Canada)
WedSep 27 Quebec City (Canada) 9:00am-6:00pm
ThuSep 28 Disembark Montreal (Canada) 7:00am;, depart Montreal on United #8158 at1:35pm; arrive Newark 3:05pm