cruzer9 Posted January 26, 2014 #1 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Big SBN Quest fan but very happy that we choose to go to Antarctica and South Georgia this past December with the Silver Explorer. We are now converts and will return to Silversea. Now contemplating either Svalbard on the Silver Explorer or looking at the Silver Discoverer. Went to the Adventure Travel show near London this weekend and spent some time with the Silversea staff, and I have to say the Discoverer itineraries look amazing. Especially the Russian Far East and New Zealand trips. In fact too many to choose from. :D:D:D So the question is, has anybody been to the Russian Far East, and or New Zealand Sub Antarctic islands. It looks like these are very diverse and wildlife rich trips. But it also throws in some culture and history . Anybody else booked on the Discoverer? Not much on this forum about the ship and people going on it? Talking to the Silversea staff, including one of their Expedition Leaders that was at the show, it seems that they are doing a major refit of the ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5waldos Posted January 26, 2014 #2 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Sounds like you know more about it than I do-hadn't heard about refitting the ship. Check roll calls and there is a discussion going. I agree that the itineraries sound amazing and on the brink of booking one segment in the Micronesia starting in Palau. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duct tape Posted January 26, 2014 #3 Share Posted January 26, 2014 The first voyage has been postponed until sometime in early April. We were booked on the first 4 segments, or so, and they were all cancelled until the new schedule. I assume they are refitting the ship. Not sure what will happen. It is leased for 5 years, not purchased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Retired Posted January 26, 2014 #4 Share Posted January 26, 2014 We are booked on the mid-June 14 Russian Far East cruise. Looking forward to experiencing a "different" itinerary on a newly refitted ship. Seems pretty expensive in comparison with the Explorer and the accommodation is much smaller. Hope we avoid the settling-in issues which dogged the new Galapagos ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare drron29 Posted January 26, 2014 #5 Share Posted January 26, 2014 if doing the NZ sub Antarctic islands make sure it visits Macquarie Island.it is the gem. 3 years ago we went to Antarctica from New Zealand so got to see the sub Antarctic islands. I did a trip report.the first part is a week in NZ prior to the cruise and the cruise begins at Post 43.Macquarie Island was on our way back from Antarctica. http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/trip-reports-and-trip-photos/antarctica-27099.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzer9 Posted January 27, 2014 Author #6 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Thank you all, Did not know they will not own the ship, but I think that is common these days. I wish that Silversea could tell us more about the refit or what the ship will be like. ....... The New Zealand trips do look fantastic. It includes the Sub Antarctic islands and Maquarie Island. Having been to South Georgia this will really complete the circle, with all that wildlife. And then on top it goes to the fjords, and the wine area. all of the trips look so good:confused::confused::confused: which one to go on.......? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzer9 Posted February 5, 2014 Author #7 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Just been told by my travel agent that Silversea is offering free economy air on all Silver Discoverer departures for 2014, or reduced business class travel. Now there is no longer an excuse not to go....:D:D:D:D:D packing bags already for the Russian Far East. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jpalbny Posted February 5, 2014 #8 Share Posted February 5, 2014 We just got that e-mail as well. Guess the ship must not be selling well. Too bad; the itineraries look amazing! We're already overbooked for 2014 as it is, otherwise I think we'd be signing up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise22 Posted February 5, 2014 #9 Share Posted February 5, 2014 The ship is the old Clipper Odyssey. Don't know what the refitting will be but you could try and find some info on websites for the Odyssey. It was leased by Zegrahm for 5 years and previously by Intrav. I have cruised for over 10 years on the ship mostly all over the South Pacific. It is a favorite of mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duct tape Posted February 5, 2014 #10 Share Posted February 5, 2014 That is good to hear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare RachelG Posted February 5, 2014 #11 Share Posted February 5, 2014 The itineraries look amazing, but I am hesitant to book till I know the ship has been refitted. However, if the business class fares are good enough, we might be enticed. To the OP, we have done Svalbard and Bafffin Island/Greenland on Explorer and really loved those trips. Highly recommend if you don't mind cold weather and the potential for rough seas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising kirby Posted February 5, 2014 #12 Share Posted February 5, 2014 I am booked in May on a Darwin to Broome Kimberley cruise on the Discoverer and it has been sold out for over a month. I have heard that the ship is undergoing a complete refurbishment, all cabins, bathrooms, public areas, so fingers crossed it will be a great experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5waldos Posted February 9, 2014 #13 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Just been told by my travel agent that Silversea is offering free economy air on all Silver Discoverer departures for 2014, or reduced business class travel.Now there is no longer an excuse not to go....:D:D:D:D:D packing bags already for the Russian Far East. Am booked on the Micronesian segment but have not received an email-wonder if we will? What did email say? This would be wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jpalbny Posted February 9, 2014 #14 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Here's a link to view the e-mail online: http://ws.silversea.com/TR/HTML/Silversea/EM14008-SD-FreeAir-Promo.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising kirby Posted February 21, 2014 #15 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Has anyone heard how the refurbishment is going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare drron29 Posted February 22, 2014 #16 Share Posted February 22, 2014 The Silverseas site now lists the 2nd of April Broome to Darwin as the first cruise so approx. a month late if that is indeed the first cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5waldos Posted February 27, 2014 #17 Share Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) Hm..Noble Caledonia seems to have chartered the Discoverer for a cruise in March- little info on it however (http://www.noble-caledonia.co.uk/information/detail.asp?section=vesselspecificinfo&id=2&spid=424). Or maybe not. Bit confusing as they list the cruise for July but say that they have chartered it for March. I have no idea what it all means. Edited February 27, 2014 by 5waldos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare drron29 Posted February 27, 2014 #18 Share Posted February 27, 2014 The link you provided just says to me that they are acting as a TA selling cruises on the Discoverer and they are highlighting the Japan to Alaska cruises. at the bottom of the linked page it says it is undergoing a refurb and wont be ready until April this year.So no different to current information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5waldos Posted February 27, 2014 #19 Share Posted February 27, 2014 OK- rereading this I think my still muddled brain made a connection that wasn't there. It seemed that they were claiming to have chartered the ship for March. This morning I read it differently. :confused: The recently traveled brain does not always function as well as it might. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzer9 Posted March 23, 2014 Author #20 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Has anybody received any information about the refit yet? When will the ship start operating? Very little information out there about the ship, and seems Silversea is very quiet about it......:(:(:confused::confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacko Posted March 23, 2014 #21 Share Posted March 23, 2014 We were booked on the first two segments. We are now scheduled on October 20 from Honiara to Auckland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5waldos Posted March 23, 2014 #22 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Has anybody received any information about the refit yet? When will the ship start operating? Very little information out there about the ship, and seems Silversea is very quiet about it......:(:(:confused::confused: Christening on Tuesday of this week in Singapore! So I assume it is mostly refitted by now. I gather that there should be a lot of news about it rather soon. It then has to sail down to Australia for its initial sailing in April. Really looking forward to hearing some news about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5waldos Posted March 23, 2014 #23 Share Posted March 23, 2014 We were booked on the first two segments. We are now scheduled on October 20 from Honiara to Auckland Several of us will be on the Honiara segment- we begin in Palau. The more I read the itinerary highlights the more excited I am about it! Hard to wait for another 6 months but it will go by quickly. Plan to spend the summer in the sun so that I don't arrive in Palau looking pale and wan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5waldos Posted March 23, 2014 #24 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Just bumped into this- http://livevoyagereports.com/expedition/silver-discoverer-christening/ Live something (blogging maybe?) from the event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farbster Posted March 24, 2014 #25 Share Posted March 24, 2014 My travel agent is in Singapore now for the Christening. He was invited by Silversea to stay on the ship etc. I've encouraged him to take lots of pics. If anyone is interested, please feel free to either email me or PM me and I'll forward his information. I think he'll be tweeting about it as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now