LIFE ON THE SILVER WHISPER

Our experience on Day 1 of our cruise on the Silver Whisper was greater than fine.  Possibly, this was the best beginning of a sea journey ever.  Before sharing why, a few news of the day items.

• The first story is also related to our cruise, because we are headed towards three hurricanes.  The first few hours were calm and safe.  As we entered the Pacific Ocean, we already were experiencing the effect of those storms, for through the night, I had difficulty walking from my bed to the bathroom and back.

• 
  I yesterday provided details on those three hurricanes,
• About Karina.
• Attained hurricane strength on August 30.
• Got up to 145 MPH on August 31, but also weakened down to 125 MPH,
• Up to 140 MPH on September 1.
• Up to 145 MPH on September 2.
• Down to 105 MPH on September 3, yesterday,
• Now at 90 MPH.
• Will further weaken and become a tropical storm either tomorrow or the next, September 6, my birthday,  Good gift if so,
• The Silver Whisper will not get to the Big Island of Hawaii until September 10.  By then, Karina will have passed sufficiently north of the state, but could also affect the height of waves through which the ship will pass
• We will spend September 10 in Hilo, move to Kahului, Maui on September 11, but return to Kailua, Kona on September 12.  We finally disembark in Honolulu on September 13.
• 
  Marie:
• Became a hurricane yesterday
• Is up to 100 MPH today, or Category 2 status.
• She will weaken back to a Category 1 hurricane tomorrow
• Maintain hurricane status on September 6, my birthday,
• Should become a tropical storm on September 7.
• The good thing about Marie is that her path now seems almost parallel to the Baha Peninsula, keeeping her far from Hawaii.

Hurricane Lowell has become truly dangerous.

• From Hawaii News Now,

That graphic above makes me wonder if these hurricanes an join to make a super hurricane.  So I asked Google AI:

Hurricanes Lowell and Karina will not combine into one giant hurricane, but Karina's weakening energy will be absorbed by a larger upper-level weather trough that alters Lowell's track toward Hawaii. [1]

How the Storms Interact

No Direct Merger: Unlike rare historical events where two equal tropical cyclones collide and merge into a single vortex (the Fujiwhara effect), Karina and Lowell are following separate paths. [1]
Energy Absorption: An approaching low-pressure trough from the North Pacific is expected to absorb Karina's remaining energy. [1]
The Steering Effect: As this trough absorbs Karina, it creates a larger weather pattern that breaks down the high-pressure ridge holding Lowell back, effectively steering Lowell sharply northward toward the Hawaiian Islands. [1, 2]

So no Fujiwhara effect.

Can Lowell's turn north send the eye over Niihau, Kauai or Oahu?  

• While possible, looks like that cone of uncertainty seems at this time only projected for Niihau, the westernmost island.  
• However, Niihau is only 17 miles from Kauai.
• The eye of Lowell is projected to pass west of Niihau by about 150 miles as a Category 2 hurricane late September 7.

Of course, there was Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

• Caused around $10 billion of damages (in 2026 dollars).
• Moved across Kauai at 100-120 MPH with gusts of 175 MPH. But downdrafts went as high as 200 MPH,
• Even Oahu experienced peak gusts of 82 MPH.
• Four weeks later, only 20% of power was restored on Kauai.
• Fighting chicken coops were flown apart, leading to what is today a minor problem with feral chickens today.

The projection for Hurricane Lowell is something similar.

The other big story of the day has to do with a what I've now and then been posting on this summer, as on 21August2026.

• The America's positivity rate was then 1.6%.  
• I reported:

Under 5%: Transmission is generally considered low and under control.
5% to 7.9%: Moderate community spread is occurring.
8% to 9.9%: Substantial spread is taking place.
10% or higher: High transmission and widespread active outbreaks are indicated. [1, 2, 3]

• Today, the U.S, rate is 4.6%.
• Hawaii?  Honolulu 10% and the island Kauai, 13%.
• Should you with to test yourself.

Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test: Widely recognized as the best budget-friendly choice, costing around $8 to $10 per test, and known for its high accuracy and ease of use. [1, 2, 3]

iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test: A top-rated option that features a companion smartphone app to track and log results, typically priced around $15 for a 2-pack. [1, 2]

BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test: One of the most trusted and widely available 2-test drugstore kits, usually costing about $23.99 at major pharmacies like Walgreens. [1]

CorDx TyFast Flu A/B & COVID-19 Rapid Test: A great combination choice if you want to test for both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, priced around $15 to $31. [1, 2]

• 
  Latest info.
• Wave of summer 2026 is not as high as the summer of 2025,
• Texas if #1.
• Wastewater scans are detecting COVID-19 variants XFG, LF.7, NB.2.8.2 and BA.3.2.  There seems to be no new variant.
• In May, the USFDA  recommended the updated COVID vaccine targeting the XFG variant named Stratus,
• The FDA approved this vaccine from Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech ane Novavax-Sanofi.

Checking in baggage and the registration process were smooth,  Excellent greeting.

These bottles were provided to our stateroom at our request.  No cost,

The Silver Whisper departed Vancouver Port at 5:30PM.

We ordered caviar with all the trimmings, plus vodka for our veranda departure party.

Pre-dinner drinks with rhodoedendrum.

Dinner in The Restaurant was a joy.  Everything went well.  Started with soup and salad.

Wine was a bottle Cabernet Sauvignon from Grand Barossa, Australia.

Caesar Salad and New York Steak.

A blue cheese plate to end the meal

Went up to the Panorama Lounge.  Macallan with philodendron.

We closed the Panorama Lounge.  What a great day.  Probably our best first day on any cruise.

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SILVER WHISPER from VANCOUVER to HAWAII

According to Wikipedia:

• The Silver Whisper is a quarter century old.
• Passenger capacity of 382, with crew of 295.
• Features teal balconies.

• 
  From Google AI:
• The Silver Whisper is a top-tier luxury cruise ship operated by Silversea Cruises.
• Complimentary caviar on demand.
• No children's facilities.
• A 14-minute tour of the ship.

As we depart Canada, maybe for the final time, but probably not because I still have a lot Canadian money, some golden summaries of Canadian entertainment masterpieces,  I asked Google AI to pick the top Canadian-related films of all-time:

Three of the most critically acclaimed and popular films with a strong Canadian connection are Titanic (1997), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), and Arrival (2016). While Canada boasts a rich catalog of completely homegrown indie cinema, its connection to global blockbusters spans legendary Canadian directors, prominent filming locations, and historic national events. [1, 2, 3]

1. Titanic (1997)

The Connection: Directed by Canadian filmmaking icon James Cameron.

The Details: While much of the movie was shot on custom water sets in Mexico, the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia serves as a major anchor for the production. Cameron spent significant time conducting historical research at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax. Furthermore, Halifax holds a real-world connection to the tragedy, acting as the final resting place for many recovered victims of the sinking. [1, 2]

2. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

The Connection: Filmed and set entirely in Toronto, Ontario.
The Details: Unlike many Hollywood productions that use Canadian cities as a cheap double for American locations, this cult classic proudly celebrates its local roots. The film highlights identifiable, real-life Toronto landmarks as central plot locations, including Casa Loma, Lee’s Palace, the Baldwin Steps, and the iconic local grocery chain Pizza Pizza. [1]

3. Arrival (2016)

The Connection: Directed by French-Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and filmed in Quebec.
The Details: This highly acclaimed, Oscar-winning sci-fi drama was filmed largely in Montreal and the surrounding Eastern Townships of Quebec, standing in for rural Montana. Villeneuve, a Montreal native who has since helmed major global franchises like Dune and Blade Runner 2049, utilized local Canadian crews and visual effects studios to bring the surreal alien landscape to life. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Hollywood Reporter provides the 51 best Canadian films of all-time.

• Why the number 51?  Canadians keep getting reminded of President Donald Trump's intent to make this country his 51st state,
• None of those above films made this list, but that is because:

Canada has its own, independent cinema tradition and, in the spirit of good-natured retaliation, we present our 51 Greatest Canadian Films of All Time — one for every imaginary star on Trump’s reworked American flag. Defining what is and isn’t a Canadian film can be tricky. For simplicity’s sake, we’ve mostly excluded big Hollywood films directed by Canadians (so no Titanic, no Fiddler on the Roof, no Dune) in favour of earlier homegrown works.

The most memorable one on this list is The Fly.

1. Mind you, the original version was made in 1957.  This one starred Vincent Price and got 95/71 scores from Rotten Tomatoes.
2. The Canadian remake starred Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis.  Good 83/83 ratings from Rotten Tomatoes.

Stingray has a top 10 Canadian songs of all-time.

1. Summer of ’69

– Bryan Adams

2. New Orleans Is Sinking

– The Tragically Hip

3. Life is a Highway

– Tom Cochrane

4. Takin’ Care of Business

– Bachman Turner Overdrive

5. Tom Sawyer

– Rush

6. Working for the Weekend

– Loverboy

7. American Woman

– The Guess Who

8. Bobcaygeon

– The Tragically Hip

9. Roll on Down the Highway

– Bachman Turner Overdrive

10. Heart of Gold

– Neil Young

But these are all recent songs.  What about:

• O Canada?  Even Google AI agrees with me.

Yes, "O Canada" is widely considered the most popular and recognized patriotic song in Canada, serving as the country's official national anthem. [1]

• Also going back in time, Guy Lombardo--you hear Auld Lang Syne every New Year's Eve--and Percy Faith had numerous hits, like the 1952 Delicado and 1959 Theme from A Summer Place.
• I recall Moments to Remember by the Four Lads.

• 
  No Celine Dione?  Her 1997 My Heart Will Go On, for example, sold 18 million singles.
• Surely, Leonard Cohen's 1984 Hallelujah got to be way up there.

• 
  Rose Marie?  Everything took place in Canada.
• Music by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart and lyrics for Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II.
• 1924 on Broadway,
• 1925, West End.
• 1928, silent film, with Joan Crawford.
• How can anyone forget the 1936 original with Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy and James Stewart?
• The 1954 version starred Ann Blyth, Howard Keel, Fernando Lamas, Bert Lahr and Marjorie Main, with choreography by Busby Berkeley.

• 
  Indian Love Call became the signature song for Jeanette Macdonald and Nelson Eddy.  And only Canada can have a Royal Mounted Police singing Rose-Marie.  Okay, many scenes were filled in Lake Tahoe, Nevada...but they were supposed to look like Jasper National Park.

Speaking of Rose-Marie....there is at this moment a triplet of hurricanes heading in the general direction of Hawaii, and one is named Marie.  Most of you won't be bothered by this combination of ocean storms, and perhaps Hawaii itself will be able to avoid them.  However, by the the time you read this posting, we will be on the Silver Whisper heading from Vancouver to Hawaii.   To quote that article:

On September 2, 2026, Tropical Storm Marie strengthened into a hurricane. This hurricane joins two others already spinning in the Pacific Ocean: Lowell and Karina. The last time there were three simultaneous hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean of any strength was in September 2015. Those hurricanes were Kilo, Ignacio and Jimena. They all became major Category 4 hurricanes.

According to Google AI:

In August and September 2015, a historic weather event occurred when NASA Science captured three simultaneous Category 4 hurricanes—Kilo, Ignacio, and Jimena—spinning across the Pacific Ocean. [1]  This was the first time recorded that three major hurricanes existed at the same time in the Central and Eastern Pacific basins.

So let's take a look at all three.  The one of real danger to the islands of Niihau and Kauai is Hurricane Lowell:

• See that right turn northwards?
• But note also that the usual path is north, and perhaps a little northwest,
• Hurricane Lowell is turning a bit northeast.
• And, of course, if he turns north a little earlier, even Oahu will be in grave danger.
• Lowell will then be a a Category 4 hurricane.
• The latest from the Star Advertiser.

Hurricane Karina.

Karina became a hurricane on August 30, and that day increased to 145 MPH, a Category 4.  Weakened down to 130 MPH on August 31, but strengthened to 140 MPH on September 1, then back to 145 MPH yesterday.  Today, down to 115 MPH.  Karina should have passed north of Hawaii by the time the Silver Whisper gets close to Hawaii.  But that is not certain.

Of greater uncertainty is Marie, which today attained hurricane strength,  The projection show that she will increase at least up to Category 2, but should weaken.  However, our ship and Marie are heading for the same spot in the ocean.  Our paths could cross.

Our cruise path.

The Silver Whisper will be approaching Hilo on September 9.

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