Robroy

Based on more information, we have elected to try and switch from the Silversea train to one of their busses. From more recent information, people have indicated the seats aren't particularly comfortable and there is no included food or drink service - pay as you go. It isn't the Gold Star service you can get with the Alaska Railroad. Evidently it leaves about 1:00 and arrives in Seward at about 5:30 and the route followed is pretty similar to the bus route alhough the buses start leaving around 11:00am and the trip is 3 1/2 hours. We had been excited about the train trip based upon a Youtube video we saw which seemed to infer food and drink service was included and people were having a grand time on the trip. This may well be the case but in favour of getting aboard and settled after an 11 hour travel day before and a 4 hour time differential (from the East Coast) we thought the bus might be the better venue. We shall see if we can make the switch. Cheers, Rob

Ii would have thought the scenery would be lovely and the opportunity to get up and walk around would be worthwhile. The only downside I saw was the late arrival to the ship. Wondering if it would be worth taking the bus instead to have an earlier arrival and similar scenery....has anyone done a switch from train to bus? Cheers, Rob

Thanks Alithecat! Rob

We are on the Nova May 16th sailing from Seward - first time to Alaska. We have the train transfer to Seward with an overnight at Hotel Captain Cook the night before. I understand luggage will be trucked from the hotel to the ship and we will transfer from the hotel to the train in the morning. Wondering if seating on the train will be assigned or first-come first-serve? Also wondering if there is food/drink service as it's the private Silversea train and not the Alaska Railroad one. Believe it arrives around 6pm also. Would appreciate input from anyone who has done this sailing before, Thanks in advance! Cheers, Rob

Thanks to all for the replies! Cheers, Rob

Pretty sure they are but it's been ten years since we sailed with Silversea and we're looking forward to Alaska on the Nova next month. My wife wanted me to make sure there was a hairdryer in the suite. Must say we're really looking forward to returning to Silversea and expect to have a great time - despite some of the negative reports we've been reading. We've always felt you can make a cruise what you want it to be and we plan to really enjoy ourselves! Thanks, Rob

Hi John! We are doing the same route May 16th. You don't mention if you are "door to door" or "port to port" - we are "door to door" which includes transportation from home to airport, flights, transfers to the Silversea hotel (Captain Cook), transfers to the Silversea train which leaves Anchorage about 1pm and takes you on a scenic ride to Seward where you will embark the ship. I understand that luggage will be looked after from the hotel to your stateroom. On arrival in Vancouver you have a transfer to the airport included as well. Not sure of procedures for "port to port" however. Have a great trip! We certainly plan to! Cheers, Rob

We are D2D Seward to Vancouver in May and understand the Silversea train leaves ANC around 1:00 arriving late in the afternoon. Cheers, Rob

Jazzbeau: Thanks for the suggestion but we booked back in August and the current price is over 2k higher for the same trip. If it was simply flights we could look at it but with the hotel and train a-la-carte we'll stick with what we have. We're just four months out at this time and the rep my agent spoke to wasn't forthcoming with any creative solutions either. We will know for next time before we book D2D! Cheers, Rob

Just heard from my agent. The good news: you get a $1200 per person credit for the cancelled air. The bad (really bad) news: Silversea policy is if you decide to cancel the air once booked, you lose airport transfers (expected), hotel, transfer to the train, train to Seward and airport transfers (again expected). They value the transfers at $160 per person, hotel at $524 pp, transfer to train $160 pp, train to Seward at $290 per person and transfer to ship $160 per plus airport transfer pier to Vancouver airport $160 per person. Needless to say, we're staying with the air they have booked for us. This seems absolutely ludicrous to my agent and myself but needless to say, the flight program in this instance includes everything mentioned above - all or nothing. Makes port to port worth considering in future. Lesson learned.......... Cheers, Rob

Thanks Port Power - waiting to hear back from Silversea. Cheers, Rob

I have my t/a checking with Silversea tomorrow but am curious to see if any of the experienced Silversea posters on this Board would have any insights/experience on the topic. We are sailing next May on the Nova and have door-to-door booked - currently about 120 days out. Flights through Silversea are Toronto-Chicago-Anchorage with an included overnight at Captain Cook and sailing from Seward the next day. I've found better (but not cheaper) flights from Toronto-Vancouver-Anchorage and wonder if we can cancel the Silversea flights without penalty and get an air allowance with final payment already been made. I realize the transfer to the hotel would be our responsibility but wonder if we would still have the hotel included or would it be considered part of the "flight package". I've read conflicting reports on whether we would incur a penalty. At this point, nothing has been ticketed. Anyone run into this before? Many thanks in advance. Cheers, Rob

Thanks for this question and the replies. We are doing this itinerary in May with a late arrival into ANC and stay at Captain Cook the night before. Will be nice to start the cruise well-rested! Cheers, Rob

It might be worth checking prior to boarding just in case there's a deal to be had. We had a good experience earlier this year on Regatta - had a PH booked and noticed a Vista Suite languishing. Advised my agent to make an offer and we got it $1000 below the stated price. You never know.... Good luck! Rob

Any time we cruise I always tip the porter as I want to ensure my bag gets onto the cart and ultimately arrives in my cabin. Not necessary I know but for the sake of $5 or $10 it adds some peace of mind for me at least. Naturally a personal choice but after spending what we spend on a cruise I'd prefer not to take a chance...... Cheers, Rob