YoHoHo

August last year we embarked at San Basilio in Venice. It was very convenient to our hotel. Quick and easy small terminal. After a quick document check, luggage scan we were escorted on foot (by Atlas rep) to the gangway. Seeing the beautiful ship waiting at the pier as we walked up was so much more interesting than the usual big terminal walkways and elevators. But exactly which terminal will they use for your trip as Jazzbeau wrote "only Atlas will know for sure". I realize not knowing makes it hard to plan assuming you are staying (at least) the night before in Venice and want a nearby hotel. If you are arriving the day of then less concern as there are several transportation means available form the airport. As our hotel was nearby we took Aqualina to Zattere and walked to our hotel and then a walk from the hotel to the terminal for embarkation. I know that bridges are a big problem with handling luggage, especially crowded bridges but doing (lots) of map checking using a street view you might find that some of the bridges are only ramps or some are stairs on one side and amps on the other (the locals need those for taking goods across, too) but they are usually larger, wide bridges. Some info on San Basilio: https://quickvenice.com/cruises/san-basilio.htm and the always useful: https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/transportation-from-san-basilio.htm

Atlas markets three types of sailings: Polar Expeditions, Epicurean Expeditions and Cultural Expeditions. The "expedition" is the journey itself I think is what they are saying. Sorry, I don't know what activities they might have on that sailing (which looks like a great itinerary; unique and interesting) beyond the purchased excursions. From our experience on an Antarctic expedition (and that met my expectations of an expedition) and a Adriatic / Mediterranean expedition (Culinary) they do strive to give pax interesting and entertaining things to see / do on shore. Can't see the optional excursions you mentioned but if there is one in each port then I suspect that is all there will be offered for that port. Possibly an "expedition" activity could be hike on a glacier but as a pay-for excursion. I would not expect them to haul out the cold weather gear (parkas, boot, life vests and such) for a one time zodiac ride unless that is part of the "expedition (like as is in Antarctica landings) . Still sounds like a great trip. I hope someone who has been on that or similar Greenland itinerary chimes in with first-hand experience but this board is fairly quiet so thought I'd add a couple of thoughts.

It is not good. Very dramatic headline. But still, not good at all. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/14/explorer-ernest-shackleton-grave-antarctica-south-georgia-bird-flu-dead-seals-aoe To avoid avian flu spread our expedition team last year was very strict with constant reminders to not kneel down, never put anything down, ensure your gloves are secure so don't drop a glove taking them off and on for photos, etc. And always, always stick to the paths they have laid out and don't stray (for the penguins safety), yet see fresh paths forged along side established ones as people are too impatient and have to pass others. Very annoying. And not following these rules can endanger this fragile environment. Hope it gets under control.

Thanks for the clarification. The effect of its use was to withdraw cash from an ATM and the funds were debited from the EQ Card account so hence the thought of a debit card. Yes, I only used it once and in Canada to see how that "no fee" use worked. I am fine paying (reasonable ) fee for the foreign ATM service. It is so very convenient. And would not have bothered with the EQ Card had my previously go-to TD Bank not raised the fee from the original 0 to 3.5% even with high monthly account fees and not the most favourable exchange rate to buy cash at a branch. When only infrequently travelling there was not so much a difference to worry about (other than being annoyed) but travelling a lot more now it does add up especially with a credit card and paying for the bulk of an entire trip in foreign currency.

Yes, as @gnome12 mentioned the EQ Bank debit card is a good choice for ATM transactions too. I really like the high rate interest is the same as in the regular account (and credited monthly to the regular account not to the debit card account). I have never used it outside of Canada so can't say if any issues (Hometrust Visa) was a real hassle twice when using it in Buenos Aires with security approval required but sent to a different (but related) device than where they sent the security alerts - so appeared just as a warning but was actually being denied after the fact) I tested the EQ debit card once locally, was charged an ATM fee by the bank 's ATM but EQ credited it to my card account so it worked great.

Scotiabank has at least one Visa card Infinite Travel or such) that has no Foreign Currency (FC) transaction fee.It has additional value such as some insurance component, points (though I've not figured out how to use them but recently changed to apparently make them more useable), and a generous compared to many airport lounge inclusion. It has a $130 or 140? annual fee but a 2nd card is n/c. Fee waived if $6k minimum maintained in (very high fee but waived) chequeing account. I also have a Hometrust visa that I got because it was a no FCT fee and n/c for the card and 1% in points. They still promote that card as no FCT fee but they no longer give points on foreign transactions so really is costing 1%. Still good as it is no fee for the card but I don't like that description of no FCT. Lower initial limits and really annoying multiple and badly / wrongly worded alerts when it is used outside of Canada but I've gotten used to it. I don't know if they still offer it but Roger used to have a sort of FCT free card. You were charged a fee but they rewarded points of equal value to "rebate". But the reward points could only be used for crediting Rogers account such as phone or internet. As I will not use such Rogers services I passed on that but it might still be available and work for you. Note when searching for a FCT fee free card I never found the FCT fee listed under fees. Even a search would have no result. You'll see it after selecting to apply. A Terms box will be displayed and the FCT fee I've found is listed there.

Been on Adriatic / Mediterranean and Antarctica trips but not Iceland or Norway so can't give first hand experience of that area but relatable from the other two perhaps. And having been, I know understand better why Corporate might not know about use of "toys". Prior to our Med cruise I too phoned them and was disappointed with "they'll decide on board so maybe" response. Use of kayaks is very dependant on sea conditions but more so, wind. And not just now but in say 30 minutes later when you are trying to return. We were out in a tandem and doing well. Excursion team started rounding up the various kayakers to bring them back to the nearby ship (providing lee from wind). We were doing fine a little separated from the rest. We started paddling back. Harder and harder but just a wee bit better than just holding position. Nearing the ship we were surprised how far away the excursion team had drifted with their group rounding up the others to tow them back. Felt safe but an eye opener how strongly affected a kayak is in the wind. The other issue is the port authorities. We were anchored off Dubrovnik. The team were on stand-by waiting for approval. And that is also dependant on how the port authorities are predicting the weather and the port traffic. They do not want group of amateur kayakers interfering with other traffic or worse. So will you get to kayak? Maybe. I truly believe the ship team wanted to provide the experience and did their best to provide it when possible. As for other "toys" I can't say. Use of seado was not available for us due to insurance clearances ( so we heard though the rumour mill). As for zodiacs that, while still subject to favourable weather, and again wind seemed to be the big one (we were out in snow and hit light rain a couple of times) I think their use is more itinerary dependant. If your cruise is ports then no but maybe a ride within a fjord. That said the ships are so nicely small sized and manoeuverable that they can tour wonderfully within fjords I suspect. So after all that, maybe. Hopefully someone who has been on your particular itinerary will respond. I've just tried to give some thoughts on why "maybe".

No. See post #2. Look up Muck brand boots. Can't say for certain if Atlas supplied boots are Muck's Arctic model or similar. They are not a low boot. The pants go inside. Function over form. The objective is not so much for dealing with snow - you could be waking on snow but not trailblazing through snow. Rather the boots height is to keep feet and pants dry from water when stepping off the RIB on wet landings. Our pants maybe could have fit over the boot top as I had purposefully purchased pants with an adjustable gusset but never tried as we did as everyone following instructions to have the pants inside the boots. Ironically of course the added material in the pant leg bottom so more to stuff into the boot top. We knew of one person once who stepped into water too deep and so some water entered the boot over the top. I don't know if they immediately went back on the zodiac's return to the ship for the next load in order to change socks or hoped the trapped water would eventually warm like a wet suit. It would not have been pleasant.

My TA 's booking statements have wording saying to confirm things such as names (matching passport) and to report errors / changes immediately and that it is my problem (though that is arguable) if not corrected. A. If the TA has not responded yet to your messages and emails I suggest you escalate to a manager immediately. B. It might not be a problem, i.e. our first and middle names are often contacted into one word, though in the correct order. But it might be a really big problem so I would absolutely want to speak with the agency and get things in writing. C. In the USA the airlines have a cancel within 24 hours rule (subject to some conditions such as if they had been on a hold) D. A browser search for that in Australia had a result that includes Qantas page that they have a 24 hour CFAR. So if you can get action from your TA quickly this might be fairly easy to straighten out. Good luck!

The SM included drinks package is for beer and also wine by the glass in dining venues only when eating; no room service, no bars. Yes, all the wines listed in the "by the glass section" on the venue's wine list are included. Note a few unexpected things such as a glass of Port is included in the package but not a glass of sherry which they have put on the liquor menu. Another is exclusion is Saki that is sold in Red Ginger is not included. It is on the RG menu but not the wine by the glass menu. There is no hard limit to the number of glasses but I've read on CC that folks who have finished eating could have a "final" drink but say, can't just continue to sit in Waves pouring them back. No personal experience.

Yes, when O introduced selling in various currencies they served up page content relative to one's (apparent) location. Current as you noted is a easy indicator. O forces the currency of they offer it. Sometimes we gain a little sometimes lose a little bit it is annoying to not have a choice as some other sites do. Sometimes small sections / areas of a page can not display, or display in unexpected areas of the page depending on the browser, device and orientation. CC's search is useless on the tablet I am on now as no option to search just within a thread of forum but another device is okay. Or something like words on a side of a page do not appear at all unless change orientation, etc. *maybe* a field to the left is taking slightly more space today (even whitespace) so the page thinks there is no room for the SM stuff. If you go to the main "specials" page, not for a certain itinerary but overall offers, you might see a graphic about SM. Or as per others, today could be a day they are fixing things and next week will be resolved

With a VPN establishing my session in Netherland I see SM on de.oceaniacruises.com I don't know the "Oceania webpage (Europe) ". What is the URL in your browser's address bar?

Yes, I wonder what the CD said was the reason. Especially seeing Michael_A's track of all the Atlas ships there doing similar maneuvering for a day or so. What would have affected them all? Very curious. Sorry about your sailing @EricaD. I'd expect much disappointment with looking forward to such a great adventure. I am sure there was much discussion on board as to why, and conspiracy theories but I am wondering what Atlas had to say

Including that outdoor space certainly adds to the seating. I imagine it will be a popular place for a lunch.

Sorry, seems my speculation of where Aqaumar venue will go I started this rumour I did not realize Aqaumar would have such a small capacity (as would it into the La Reserve space vs Jacques). I had assumed (oops) it was a full size dining area like the specialties. And the idea that Jacques was on the way out came from reading previous threads on CC when Vista was revealed. There were posts that Jacques as a dining room (vs items featured on the GDR menu) was on its way out. I am hopeful it will survive.