taxatty

Free money either way. I bought my RCI stock many years ago--it's been paid for several times over with these OBCs, as has my Carnival stock.

A good result for our previously-booked Muse Mediterranean cruise next year--$2400 price reduction for a Classic Veranda Suite plus $1000 OBC, confirmed by Silversea through our TA.

Absolutely correct. It also explains the ability of cruise lines to significantly increase fares without apparently reducing demand. It all comes down to two pieces of advice: 1. The perfect estate plan is to spend your last dime the day you die. 2. If you don't travel first class, your children will!

The funniest video clip I ever saw was from a nature movie many years ago in an IMAX theater. Two lions mated, and within 3 seconds thereafter, the male lion rolled over on to the ground and started snoring loudly. Every adult woman in the theatre couldn't control themselves laughing.

One of the highlights of our excellent Silver Explorer Kimberley cruise last year was an up close (but not traversing) view of the spectacular Horizontal Falls. The Silversea zodiacs were not allowed to cross the falls, but on several occasions we got very close to them. We did watch powered speedboats go through them several times, but this will now apparently be banned per this CNN article. The article also includes some pictures that show what it's like being close to the falls on a zodiac. https://www.cnn.com/travel/horizontal-falls-australia-tourism-ban-intl-hnk/index.html

10:00 AM from the Miami port to MIA is too early, especially disembarking the giant Icon, and if it's a weekday. You could chance it, but I wouldn't.

TAP is currently the only nonstop between Miami and Lisbon. AA, for example, requires a connection through Philadelphia or Madrid.

Very much looking forward to learning what you will be able to visit via landings and Zodiac on South Georgia given the current avian flu situation.

We've done two NZ South Island land tour itineraries: West Coast trip--Queenstown (flight from Auckland) for day trips to Milford Sound (by small plane, rained out twice), Arrowtown and wineries, bus pickup for overnight cruise at Doubtful Sound (much quieter and far less crowded than Milford, wonderful), then (by rental car) Wanaka, Franz Joseph, Hokitika, and via Arthur's Pass, Christchurch. East Coast trip--Queenstown (flight from Auckland), rental car to Te Anau (a great base for nearby hikes and Milford Sound, where as a guided day trip we did the Nature Cruise and hiked up and back the last few flat miles of the famous Milford Track--very glad we didn't drive ourselves to Milford on that crazy road), then Kaka Point (for the scenic Catlins area), Dunedin, Mt. Cook Village, and Christchurch. We also did several North Island stops on each trip. Even with about a month total in NZ, we've only seen about half of it. If you can handle driving on the left side on what are mostly very good roads (although the one way bridges are a bit scary), I agree that you'll see far more on a land trip than a cruise with shore excursions. As a small example, one thing you can't do on the latter that was great--the evening dinner feast at the Hobbiton on the North Island.

Just got this from Silversea with the details of the revised itinerary, which explains the "Waitlist" status. For you knowledgeable folks out there, Is the revised itinerary an improvement or a negative change? Durban appears to have an excellent nearby game preserve (Tala) that we would now be missing. Dear Esteemed Guest, We hope this letter finds you well. Today, we are writing with important news regarding your 5 February 2026 voyage aboard Silver Muse. Due to unforeseen logistical and operational changes, we have had to readjust our sailing schedule for Silver Muse in 2026. As such, your voyage will now sail 13 nights from Cape Town, departing on 5 February and arriving back in Cape Town on 18 February in lieu of 19 February. In making the necessary modifications to your itinerary, you will enjoy extended overnight discovery in both Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and Walvis Bay, Namibia, and a visit to Luderitz, Namibia, in lieu of calls in Durban, Maputo, and Richards Bay. We apologize for these changes to your expected travel plans and are grateful for your understanding. If you choose to remain on your currently booked voyage, you will receive a 10% saving off the full cruise fare. All shore excursion reservations affected by these modifications will be automatically cancelled. Please visit your MySilversea in the coming weeks to explore and reserve shore excursions in the new ports of call. For your ease of reference, both the original and revised itineraries are shared below: Original Itinerary: Revised Itinerary: Thank you for your kind attention. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to your travel advisor or cruise consultant. We all hope to have the honour to welcome you aboard for this unforgettable adventure exploring our planet’s authentic beauty. Best personal regards, Silversea Terms & Conditions Apply. Refund of full cruise fare The cash refund of the booking cruise fare paid to Silversea will be credited to the original method of payment and could take up to 90 days to process but will typically be received within 30 to 45 days of Guest's request. The refund of 3rd party items purchased via Silversea, such as air upgrades, air deviation fees, transfers, insurance, hotel, land tours, pre and post, and overland tours, will be net of any penalties assessed by the suppliers. Regarding the refund of 3rd party items purchased independently, such as air upgrades, deviations, transfers, insurance, hotel, land tours, and pre and post and overland tours, please contact the airline carrier, tour operator, or hotel supplier/chain directly to discuss options. Other restrictions may apply

What did you book/get?

This saga has been even more interesting than tracking the Chinese spy balloon.

The hotel directly.

With regard to hotels, if you independently book extra nights at the Silversea pre or post cruise hotel, and you have elite status with the hotel group in question, the hotel may provide you with an upgraded room and your elite benefits (such as early/late check out times, use of a special lounge, etc.) for your entire stay period. This most recently was the case for us at the Hilton Darwin.

Another vote for not taking the 11AM flight and instead spending a night at the Rydges hotel at SYD. It's a nice hotel, especially if you get a room with a runway view, and if you have the time, it's easy to take the train back to the city to spend the day there.