Port Power

I still believe you should be offered a similar length cruise at no extra charge. A 15% discount off fares that have increased since you booked is not a fair exchange. That’s not going to happen either, along with 25%!

Perhaps snorkeling was allowed because of Seabourn’s partnership with local traditional caretakers? I do remember the wind and current picked up. Before it became too strong and we were called back to the Xplorer, many less strong swimmers used noodles to help themselves float.

You have showcased the scenery of Australia and New Zealand beautifully. A lovely video. Thank you. I watched it over breakfast and a cuppa rather than reading.

Don’t tell me after all these years that @mysty and @jpalbny are the same person? Boy, they travel enough for two people, much less one! 🤣

What about @mysty? I think she was the gem. 🤔

@highplanesdrifters posted a trip report when she did it last year (April May) before I joined the ship in Cairns. Well worth having a look. Lots of information about activities and experiences.

S.A.L.T. Restaurant is an alternative choice as a main dining. No bookings required. Their main menu if local flavours changes daily or every second day, then there are regular menus that lasts about four days. Plus standard faves. You can also request dishes with sufficient notice. Just enjoy!

I snorkelled at Ashmore Reef and Scot Reef earlier last year when on an Australian registered expedition ship. When I was on a foreign registered vessel, it was not permitted. We could only zodiac to view bird breeding colonies, rays and turtles. Therefore I was surprised when JP said they snorkelled in that area. Their good luck! All those expedition ships, including Silversea, provided snorkels, masks and find for the duration of the expedition. (On Silversea we snorkelled off Queensland islands.)

Fingers crossed for you. I just read about a couple denied boarding when they arrived after the all aboard time. Evidently it has something to do with clearance paperwork the ship has to give to port authorities. On the other hand, on another cruise I was on, a couple whose delayed flight was quite late arriving telephoned the ship as soon as they landed. Doing that meant they were registered as boarded on the paperwork, even though they turned up just before the tops were released. It pays to let the ship know.

You had to book a cruise after the status match announcement to receive the discount. Discounts are not retrospective. Your booking sounds borderline.

It’s amazing that there was any water falling at all at this time of year! Lucky you. Did you see Ospreys and an osprey nest?

I visited the Canary Islands last year on Silver Dawn, Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale. The tours were very good to excellent. Unfortunately some those great tours are now select, or don’t exist. I agree you should read @Fletcher’s trip report from earlier this year.

Where did you put your suitcases? That’s a lot for under the bed, even with the spare bedding removed. Did the ship store them somewhere?

Thank you, Mysty. Like you, I look up the average temperatures along the itinerary and plan accordingly. I won’t have really cold weather, so no need for boots and parkas. Even the scenic “float past” of Antarctica will only need a puffer jacket. I will need more hot weather clothing, so won’t scrimp there. It sounds like four large suitcases will certainly be enough for one person. I still have the shoe hanger from our very early cruising days. That was an early Cruise Critic hint. It was used over the bathroom door to hold toiletries and sundries though, not shoes. I also have stronger magnetic hooks now, so another one inside the wardrobe actually for shoes is a good idea. I’ll look for cheaper fabric boxes, Kmart rather than IKEA. Why did you take cloth hangers? Wouldn’t the ship be able to supply as many as you needed? But you have made me think that connectors to hang one hanger on another will be very useful. I’ll collect pull rings from baked bean cans to take with me. I appreciate your suggestions and taking the time to respond. 😀

Do you have a few days in Sydney? How will George manage the winter weather? I guess he was only thinking of the tropical north and not the cold and wet winter of Sydney. Perhaps find a Salvo's charity shop for a temporary fix? Or will he just tough it out? 💪