Port Power

The nets work much better if you wear them over a hat or baseball cap with a brim to keep the net off your face. But I guess that is difficult when you’re wearing a beanie to keep your head warm!

That’s a bit drastic! However, I do agree not being able to select a cabin is wrong, especially when we have booked two years out. I cannot see any reason for not being able to choose. Besides which, surely suites have been set aside for the duration so that segment bookings don’t muck up the system?

I have the same situation for the 2027 World Cruise. No ability to book an actually balcony cabin, only guarantee. My Australian TA has clout, and was able to have a suite allocated on my preferred deck. However, my USA TA hasn’t been able to do the same. I’ll let you know when my cabin is allocated.

On my most recent cruise there was a horse riding excursion. Age limit 70!!! There were passengers in their 70s and 80s who owned horses and rode regularly, so this was ridiculous. The age limit was imposed by the provider, not the ship. But I absolutely agree about those passengers who just shouldn’t go on some excursions when they normally use a walking frame on the ship. Unfortunately the shore team are not allowed to say “no”! Just highly encourage not booking. One such couple insisted on boarding the tender on a really rough sea, putting the lives of seamen at risk.

The only problem going directly to the airport is whether check-in (or luggage drop) is available. Sitting around with your luggage instead of being in an airline lounge is so sad! 😢 Hopefully you meet up with fellow cruisers to watch each others luggage while using the facilities. Unless there is luggage storage? I totally agree with you about MIA.

I was in Lautoka for the day in March. We went by bus up to a thermal area and enjoyed a series of mud baths. You fully cover yourself with mud and let it dry, then wash off through four pools. Great fun! The ladies also gave back massages.

What an interesting and different itinerary. I’ll be reading along, also, then when on Silver Ray in February, I can book some future cruises. 😀

I agree with @jollyjones The Roll Call is the place where fellow CCers will look to discuss and share a particular cruise. You might consider starting it.

Unfortunately you have followed up much too late. The terms for the referral savings are very clear. If you and your sponsor did not receive the emails within the first week, you needed to have followed up with Silversea back then. The credit could have been applied to your cruise after booking it. It is disappointing for you, but most likely nothing can be done now. Silversea's "Sail With Us" referral program offers exclusive savings to both Venetian Society members and their referred friends who are new to Silversea. Members can refer up to 10 new guests per year, earning a $500 referral savings per suite booked. The referred guest also receives the same $500 savings on their booking. Here's how it works: Referral: Venetian Society members share their name and Venetian Society number with a friend who has never sailed with Silversea. Booking: The new guest provides the referrer's information to their Travel Advisor or Silversea Cruise Consultant at the time of booking. Savings: Both the referrer and the referred guest receive an email confirmation with the referral savings, which can be applied to a booking. Redemption: Venetian Society members can redeem their savings on their own booking, which can be on the same sailing date or a later one. Limited Time: The "Sail With Us" promotion may have specific terms and conditions, so it's best to check the Silversea website for the most up-to-date information.

I experienced the delayed flush several times during the world cruise, deck 8 starboard. The general manager explained how the pipe walls clog up over time (just like blocked heart arteries!), and they cannot be accessed to scrape them out. All plumbing will be replaced during the dry dock in November.

On arriving home from the World Cruise, I found the Regent luggage labels on my kitchen bench. Two lots of them, actually. They arrived well after I had flown out of the country! Didn’t matter: staff at luggage drop labelled the suitcases.

I am also in the March TA on Silver Ray. Having done westbound TAs in the past, I’m looking forward to the change. As I don’t spend much time on my balcony, the temperature doesn’t bother me. We ate at the Grill in Antarctica, so expect I will also be on deck in mild March!

I’ve added the link to my World Cruise live report. Go to Page 17, post #409 for pictures of the new bathroom and closet layout. The General Manager did say that all veranda/concierge cabins will have this layout, so it seems the British will not be able to enjoy soaking in the bath tub in future.

The Grand Arctic itineraries each of the next few years sound great. It’s on my list! Really enjoy your segments. You will be busy. The adage remains: Itinerary first!

No offence was ever meant. I apologise to @rojaan19. Obviously I just did not get that it was a joke, and perhaps was not the only one not to. My post was not nasty: I really was scratching my head after Lois also didn’t understand.

Thanks, Martha. My next door neighbours are continuing on the New York. There is also a couple who are staying on for the Grand Arctic! Several of the World Cruisers have booked next year’s Grand Arctic on Mariner. Enjoy your second cruise this year (or third?) on board this lovely ship. It was lovely getting to know you. Perhaps we’ll meet again some time. 👋 🌊

I am ready to go home. This has been a very long cruise. I have found during the last two weeks that I have lost interest in going on shore excursions, even though this segment is a great itinerary. Most world cruises I think are more like 120-130 days. After all this time on board, I know over half of the crew/staff by name and the ship really does feel like home. I will miss the interaction with them all, as well as other passengers. Our community is breaking up. A regular 14 day cruise is surely going to feel very strange after this?

An official looking ship heading into the port lock. It is a Coast Guard ship. It also has an accompanying tug boat. Water displacement commences. This is some of the 55 million gallons Mariner’s individual passage has emptied into the ocean. Our aft, starboard mule. The final gates are opening! Bon voyage, Mariner. The gates are now closed behind us.

The last lock gates have opened and we will move forward. Upon exit we will be in the Caribbean Sea. It is 3:19pm as we start moving in, so pretty much on schedule. Here is a screen shot of Regent Seven Seas Mariner from the Gatun Lock webcam just now at 3:25pm. Now I have to start packing my second suitcase. ☹️

Today’s schedule. Mariner is now at Gatun Lock, which is actually a set of three locks. Coming towards us is a bulk fuel tanker. You can see the ropes tying it to the mules, which keeps the ship centred in the lock. Up ahead is our travelling companion. After view to see the other lock and gates. Earlier on there was a crocodile swimming in the empty lock! Over to starboard is the new, wider lock. There is a glimpse of water by the cobtril building. One of the larger container ships transiting the new lock. The white superstructure is more easily seen.

I’m coming out of retirement to post a few photos during the Panama Canal transit. Around 7:15am as Mariner is getting into position for the Miraflores Lock. The tug boat accompanied us. The guest lecturer is commenting from the bridge. He grew up and went to high school here during his father’s posting. Our constant companion was the RORO car carrier, and its tug was in the lock right behind it. That’s the carrier in the lock to port. (Bridge camera view.) The World Cruisers were invited out on Deck 7 from 9:00am for the Pedro Miguel Lock. There was a small marquee for shade, a musician playing, champagne, mimosas and Spumante being served along with nibbles. What a treat! Captain Abhi even popped down for a few minutes. We were alongside the car carrier. It’s huge!

No. Free laundry cones after completing 100 days, or the cruise where that number occurs. Free laundry also is granted to RCI and Celebrity passengers with sufficient reciprocal status.

Silver Wind is expedition ship, which means you are pretty busy during the day participating in the expeditions. The evenings are taken up with the expedition crew doing a recap of the day’s activities and explaining what will be going on the following day. There will also be presentations/talks by the expedition team members related to the flora, fauna or history, etc, of your expedition. There really isn’t much time for trivia games on Antarctic expeditions, but I seem to remember the cruise host running a quiz in the lounge another time. Not sure if my memory is correct here. If you find someone else to play bridge with, of course that is an option if you have the time. Silver Wind is a small ship there is not sufficient outside space for a pickle ball court or indoor space for a table tennis table. Expeditions are often both in the morning and the afternoons, but will depend on the location of where your cruise goes.

Actually, it is not true. It is eight months later. Rather, Fathers’ Day (September) is four months after Mothers’ Day (May) in the same calendar year. Irrelevant data anyway. 🙂

Probably the OP was referring to either the outdoor smoking area outside Horizons Lounge, or even the Connoisseurs Lounge attached to Horizons, rather than inside Horizons Lounge itself. I have NEVER seen anyone smoke in the Horizons lounge. They would certainly be pounced upon by guests and crew alike!