labrasett

Thank you so much Lirio, animals are very much my "thing" but age and resultant decrepitude are somewhat a limitating factor in my ability to get right into the places to see them!

Yep just had it.

This description of a Kimberley cruise plus the photos are so enthusing me.   I want to go down there in 2026.   Not looking forward to the flights from UK but possibly not quite as bad as from parts of US, brutal nevertheless and BC is the only way to go so saving up the pennies.  Keep posting please and keep enjoying yourselves.

This was a very unfortunate situation.   As a former lawyer in the insurance industry I would suggest (1) never buy your insurance from your travel company unless you are absolutely certain what the terms and conditions are and that they are both reasonable in their own terms and cover all the risks you wish to have covered (think hard about it) and the cost is comparable with similar freestanding cover   (2) always always read the policy terms and conditions very carefully and consider what are the risks you wish to cover and are they included in the policy (3) consider the type of payments you are making, is your deposit refundable or mostly refundable if you change your mind if so you might put off buying your insurance until you make your final payment (4) would an annual policy offer you a better overall deal, quite often single trip cover costs nearly as much as annual cover and if you are travelling regularly it is a no brainer.   In UK quite usually single trip policies can only be purchased within a relatively short period before the trip ie possible only 30 or up to 90 days before the date of departure.   Always always ensure you declare every medical condition you have and complete any medical history questions accurately so as to ensure that in the event of an unexpected medical issue you are not denied cover due to avoidance of the policy because of the failure to disclose full medical history from outset.    Shop around prices vary hugely.  Never ever decide to "wing it" and travel without cover well, that is unless you are mega rich and could afford to pay for a private medevac from some far distant part of the world and/or some monumentally expensive hospitalised in somewhere like, say, US of A.   Happy sailing everyone.

19 minutes ago, Fletcher said:

I think if wildlife is a real priority then you might need to find a lodge in the Pantanal for things like jaguars and anteaters.  Also, a cruise on something like the Delfin in the upper Amazon or a lodge in Peru or Ecuador.  I found this friendly anaconda in the grounds of Sasha Lodge a few years ago.

He's certainly long though not as fat/round as I would expect but sadly I have little chance of getting down to the Amazon although I am very glad for the recommendations should there become an unexpected opportunity to do so.

14 hours ago, Woodrowst said:

I can attest that the Amazon is hot and steamy. 90 degrees and 90% humidity in the afternoon.   That is why our small boat took us out in the morning, late evening, and night.  They let us rest onboard in the heat of the day.  It was still hot and muggy when we went out but not being in the direct sun made it manageable.  Wearing hot weather performance fabrics makes a big difference.  As to insects: If you are referring to insects that bother people that is surprisingly not much of an issue if you go up the Rio Negro.  That river has a salinity and ph that bugs don’t like.  In a week on the Rio Negro I did not receive a single mosquito bite.

Thank you so much Woodrowst that is really good information as the Amazon has long fascinated me (I think it is tales of Anacondas and big cats, neither of which I actually want to meet close up) which captured my imagination.  My bucket list still has a few places on it and ano dominii is fast catching up plus my husband really doesnt like hot and steamy places so the Amazon may get missed but it certainly looks and [now] sounds like somewhere I could have enjoyed but maybe no on the Wind!!

On 4/30/2024 at 9:23 PM, Woodrowst said:

 

 

I do not know why so few are on your cruise.  But I do know that the stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to Manaus - the trip most cruise lines take - is considered the most boring part of the Amazon.  It gets much more interesting as the river narrows and splits into the Amazon and Rio Negro - where the meeting of waters occurs.  You generally need a much smaller boat to go up the rio negro.  I took a 12 passenger boat for a week from Manaus up the rio negro and we got very up close and personal with birds, insects, trees, plants, flowers, fish (piranha fishing), and the indigenous population.  We bought fish from local fisherman who made their catch within hours of using their canoes to come alongside the boat.  We swam in the Rio negro (the piranha get a bad rap and will only attack if they smell blood).  We went out in canoes after dark to see Caiman, snakes, spiders, sleeping birds, the amazing night stars, and other things you can only see at night.

 

I guess what I am saying is that maybe there were few passengers because word gets around that a cruise ship that goes from the Atlantic to Manaus is not the best way to see the Amazon; there are better options.

 

Please understand I am not trying to be mean or belittle your choice of cruise.  I just want those researching Amazon cruises to have this perspective as part of their research.

I too have wondered about the Amazon but rejected it as too hot and steamy and too many insects, then to follow with a trans Atlantic which is pretty devoid of life once you are a good few hundred miles clear of land and finally to end up in West Africa would in total for me be a kind of hell.  Many years ago I worked as cabin crew for an airline with serviced west africa.  I am afraid there is very little there which would attract me back and certainly I wouldnt want to go on an SSC cruise there.   It was interesting to read of the discussion between Fletcher and the young man who was asking why there were so few tourists going to Sierra Leone.  In the late 70s there were a couple of hotels there which did have occasional tourists but there are issues with malarial mosquitoes in Sierra Leone, food which is not entirely to the taste of most tourists and there was general poverty.  Since then there has been a pretty bloody civil war and there is very little positive news which comes out of the area which might encourage even the most curious mind to visit.   Both the Amazon and most of west africa experience similarly high humidity, excessive heat at times and torrential rain, I wouldnt suggest that no one should ever consider travelling to these places but I would advise doing so only after having done very significant research so anyone actually travelling would not be too taken by surprise.

On 5/24/2024 at 4:01 PM, Port Power said:

The makeup remover wipes are single packs and usually there are two in the bathroom on arrival.  Simply ask your room attendant to replace as you use them.

I found that leaving the empty box on the counter top beside the sink always produced replacements during the day.   

Face the fact - cruise ships are floating petri dishes, you either cruise and run the risk of picking something up or you dont.  SSC do their level best to sanitise and clean the ships fully on turn arounds and in daily and constant cleaning but stuff happens.    Passengers are significantly inconsiderate of others and hand washing/sanitising is another subject all of its own!   Norovirus runs through ships so very easily but also just easily through resorts and hotels or in fact anywhere there are a lot of people in a relatively confined space.   You either run the risks associated with travel or you stay at home.   I know what I choose. 

Over the years I have given four parkas (2 womens and two mens sizes) to a charity providing clothing to refugees in Calais (I live in UK) one very cold winter, I have given away two to friends who love them for walking on the UK beaches in winter and I have one I wear nearly every day to walk my dogs plus I still have one which is rarely worn but kept clean for "best" ie for non dog walking but outdoor trips in inclement weather.  I am looking forward to adding another one to my wardrobe as I am thinking my dog walking one is coming due for retirement.   They are wonderful garments worn in the various possible combinations.

20 hours ago, DavyWavey70 said:

We had a similar problem when we were on the Muse and it was very loud at all sorts of hours. Luckily we aren’t early to bed sorts but it was quite intrusive and our Butler wasn’t much help. 

I suspect you would have got better help from Head Housekeeper or CD than from your butler.

Why did she go?   Perhaps she had an offer she couldnt refuse.   Heading up Kempinski Hotels is a huge and very prestigious role, she now has the challenge of fulfilling the expectations placed upon her.   Will she do it?   I suspect she will, one very competent lady with a hugely relevant academic career behind her backed by in depth travel/hospitality industry experience and apparently a real feel for what luxury is all about.

No reason to believe you were "lied to", it may have been a mistake.  Your neighbours may have had hearing issues.  Your problem was solved by your move so why are you complaining quite so vociferously.  Sorry but there has to be some give and take and your problem was resolved.

On 5/18/2024 at 9:26 PM, eleang said:

Hello! We will be sailing in a week to Galapagos with Silverseas and as it is time to pack, I was wondering what the actual dress code is for dinner, do gentlemen wear jackets or just dress pants and collared shirts, are there formal, semi formal and casual nights as in regular cruises. We cruised Galapagos many many years ago in the Celebrity Xpedition and I remember it was on the casual side even though dinners were more formal.

The dress code is casual but no jeans or flip flops after 6.00.   Just a bit smarter than during the day but no ties and no need for cocktail dresses although some ladies do enjoy dressing up a bit. Just relax and enjoy your trip.

So who has been made redundant in SSC?   From the internet it looks like it has been mainly the people who co-ordinated business with "trade" customers rather than the person to person SSC agent in the various offices around the world.  Does anyone actually know?

9 hours ago, DavyWavey70 said:

That’s unbelievable. Over here (UK) if you made a person redundant and employed another in the same or similar role you’d be fined out of business. 

Well not really actually, first of all the penalties are not really that great and second the businesses find ways around the regulations even though that shouldnt be possible.   Think back to the Covid excuses.   British Airways changed terms and conditions for all their staff, dismissed and re-engaged and changed operating processes and practices to substantiate changes in roles.   In reality they succeeded in dispensing with the services of most of their senior (well paid and highly experienced) cabin (and I believe ground) staff and replaced them with new staff.  Virgin Atlantic did the same and they are facing a group tribunal claim this week that the covid related reorganisation was just and excuse to get rid of the older (better paid) staff in favour of younger and new employees on lower salaries.

On 5/4/2024 at 2:51 AM, phillipahain said:

Just do not understand why Silversea employ Guitar players who simply cannot sing let alone sing in tune especially on Endeavour 

 

The Pianist was wonderful  but last evening on Endeavour when you want to have a quiet drink in Observation it was spoilt by the awful playing and what purported to be completely out of tune so called uninteligble singing ....it had already driven us from cancelling bookings in the grill ..Has totally put us off ever thinking of SS 

But wasnt that just one night, unfortunate I will give you but only one night.

Wonderful narratives from TLCOhio, thank you.  So wonderful to see how you embraced India and the issues prior to boarding.   Have a wonderful trip and please keep posting.

On 2/15/2024 at 11:42 AM, Silver Spectre said:

Interesting to get a different perspective from new SS cruisers. Mine is based on 20 years  with SS and a number of cruises since lockdown and the RCL takeover. I also have friends on the Whisper at the moment who experiencing similar issues.

I am sorry to hear that I also have friends (two lots) on the Whisper and they are having a wonderful time.

On 2/16/2024 at 3:36 PM, daddyo said:

Back home now.  Had a great trip. We had dinner with the Captain very early in the cruise.  He was cordial and certainly competent.  My comment about the cow, meant that he knew, I knew, he knew they were going to cancel upcoming coming voyages but obviously could not tell me.  Hence, the statement.  I apologize if  that blew anyone's "skirt up".

Yes it did blow my skirt up a bit, sorry I failed to read between the lines.   But, of course, we all knew that the future itineraries would be foreshortened, there was really no point in asking.   World cruising is in such turmoil, I have sympathy with the people who are doing the forward planning, no sooner does one area of the world settle (a bit) then another blows up.   Its all a bit of a lottery at the moment.

13 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

P.S. a lot of upset and unhappy guests on both SS and SB boards and social media groups due to cancelled ports and other changes. lay don’t think that Oceania is worse than other lines when it comes to port cancellations. But I guess perception is everything.

I have to say I get particularly cross about complaints about missed ports.   The reasons are almost always pretty obvious at the time and are way outside the control of Silversea.   Changes to itineraries are generally brought about because of changes in berthing and on shore arrangements which again are things that Silversea cant control.   It is disappointing but the crew on SSC seem to do their utmost to make the best of what they have got.   We were on Whisper the cruise before Host Jazzbeau and I would tend to agree with his comments although we didnt go to trivia or bingo!   I did enjoy Dover Sole and two styles of lobster in the MDR but mostly I dont enjoy the style of cooking at dinner on SSC generally but I am perfectly happy to pick and choose and eat only those items from the menu which I fancy.  I thoroughly enjoy the lunch buffets and always find something delicious and breakfast is perfect for me as I only wish for fresh fruit and yoghourt.   I am very fortunate to come home only slightly heavier than I go away due to being so picky but I fear the weight I do gain is more related to wines and champagne than food.   Onwards and upwards, it will be the Endeavour for us next.

20 hours ago, daddyo said:

We’re on the Whisper now.  I asked the Captain last week if they were going to make the dry dock. He looked at me like a cow looking at a passing train. I can sympathize with those that have been cancelled and believe that the decision could have been made much earlier. But, talking to the crew; most will disembark in Singapore with no further wages when they were going to be on until Athens. Those that remain on board will be on reduced wages as there are no passengers on board. They will suffer to a much larger degree than Silversea passengers.

I absolutely cannot reconcile "the Captain looked at me like a cow looking at a passing train".  The current captain on the Whisper is the epitome of a gentleman and he is charming.   I am glad you have noted that the crew will suffer much more than passengers.   There is so much "me" amongst disappointed passengers at the moment.   Stuff happens and SSC are having to make the best of a bad job.

25 minutes ago, Pumblechook said:

 

If I may.  I used Ponant in the Kimberlys Australia (Le Laperouse) last year, and SS (S Wind) here and now.   Both have pros and cons.  So far, Ponant had better expedition team but of course there you get calm, warm water and here its often blowing hard and there is Bird Flu affecting landings.  But the SS team seems to have a number of first timers to the area and detailed knowledge is often lacking. We don't get an evening recap of what we saw during the day, only a very general forecast of the locations for the next day, which I think is a major deficiency. I have given feedback about that.

 

Food and bev better here on the Wind (especially the wines), although again, I feel that many of the wait staff are pretty new so lack some experience.

 

Our Captain is very passenger-experience-friendly, deviating for us to see big icebergs, so far, and there have been announcements about wildlife while sailing.  The captain on Le LaPerouse last year was NOT passenger friendly and we never heard about passing wildlife.

 

So far I'm calling it a draw, but again noting different cruises and different conditions.

I absolutely hate comments which compare like for like in the same place at much the same time.  Who can whether Ponant have a better expedition team it is in the perception of the passengers at the time with no like for like comparison (who wouldnt be possible).  Just get on with your cruise and enjoy what YOU.  This is very personal what is great for one person is less so for another.

On 12/21/2023 at 5:48 PM, Jaco2 said:

Cruising from Aqaba to Dubai Almost Two weeks before departure and no world from SS …. First and last time with SS. They should stop this game and issue a full refund! 

Sorry Jaco2 but if you didnt ask to cancel and have a refund then you have a cruise coming up for which you have paid and which, apparently Silversea is going to provide.  This isnt a game or maybe you have been playing it as a game, who knows?

22 hours ago, Carolfay said:

Yes, but I think you've identified one of the reasons this topic is so problematic for many women.

Nonsense no problem I dont have a LBD but I do have a couple of very pretty floaty tops which constitute "formal" wear worn over black trousers, little opportunity to wear this type of clothing elsewhere but just occasionally it is lovely to "dress up" so even if it usually only cruises then I will continue to do so.