les37b

This is why it's alarming. You can ask to change (which I have) but SS can say no... that's your flight. I always make them aware I want a decent connection time after missing a 4h15m connection in Atlanta. Will post once I hear back.

I probably didn't make myself very clear. It was the fact SS had allocated flights with a connection of 1h15m in Tokyo and 1h07h in Seattle for flights from / to London....... Which I don't believe should be viewed as connecting. Luggage needs to be collected, passport control cleared and 2 lots of security to go through. Not just that, but getting off the plane and getting to the departure gate 30 minutes before departure time. So really, 30 mins to do all of the above.... And that's in the hope it's on time! I'd much prefer a 4 hour connection. Thoughts?

Understand your anxiety. Mine isn't until next year. though have been through this 3 times on this booking and too want to visit Japan. However, if they swapped the itinerary and gave the option of 16 nights to the South Pacific instead. I'd grab it. As it stands I have a gut feeling if mine is cancelled, I will end up walking away with the cash paid in March 2019. My booking is already a series of FCC and adjustments and the invoice makes zero sense to me. This rebooking was from the cancellation from the sailing in May 2022 and I was simply transferred to the April 2023 sailing. I'd much prefer them to give an option with itineraries rather than offer a 115% FCC which isn't real for me as my booking was already made with a 125% FCC. April is a way of yet. But as mine is Osaka to Seward, I know this sailing won't happen if the Japan / Asia season is cancelled. I genuinely thought 2 weeks ago, regardless of 2022, my sailing was assured. I now have huge doubts now and explains why they aren't working on my flights for it.

Agreed. The letter posted doesn't fill me with confidence over what is on offer and my 2019 booking is cancelled for a 4th time. If they are stripping back to cash paid at the time, not cruise paid for and replacing like for like, then I suspect I'll reluctantly take the cash and leave. I'm happy with the booking I have. When the May 2022 sailing was pulled in January, it just got put back a year by transferring to April 23. I guess it will end being thanks for your loan to us for 4 years, bye. Fingers crossed my fears are not realised and the sailing goes ahead, though interestedly at the moment. I am trying to get them to change the impossible outward and return connection of 1 hour in Tokyo and Seattle with no success to date.

I the Seattle one is even worse. I chased the TA a week ago but not heard back so followed up again today (twice.) I've now got a promise of a call back. Both flights need to be changed. It's as simple as that. Though it seems to happen a fair bit. Bad enough in normal times, but in the current climate of delays and cancellations it seems crazy.

Yup... It was 1h10 in Tokyo and 1h07m in Seattle.

My next 2 on the radar, which were booked with air included have both now been allocated. I did give my preference details direct to SS prior to allocation, which they unfortunately ignored. Contacted once I saw and was easily changed without fuss to an early morning flight from LHR to Bridgetown. The second was always going to be more problematic as it was long distance open jaw. Embarkation Osaka and return flight from Anchorage. This booking with an agent. I spoke to give my preferences and concerned and requested a conversation with options prior to allocating. That was ignored and the one specific thing I said we wanted to avoid on connectiong flights, we got. We've been given a 1h05m connection in Tokyo and Seattle. I'm always ultra catious in the US after a 4h15m connection on Delta in Atlanta proved not to be enough. Having to clear customs and Passport control and go through 2 lots of security as well as the transit itself, I'd not want anything issued that seems impossible. Asked the agent a week ago to get changed, but nothing done yet. The last thing I want to happen is miss the expensive overnight paid for in Osaka or spend an airport extra day in Seattle and home a day later because the connecting times are just not feasible. Thoughts?

With lines stepping up to remove testing requirements, the difficulties in finding places within time frames is already becoming difficult. Moving forward to needing for a decreasing number of countries still needing one will amplify these problems. Lines all seemingly putting the responsibility to guests, it's an extra complication we all need to consider.

Ok. Shame you missed it... But worth sharing anyway. Horny ships! Europa 2 was the louder and funnier.... And won the horn off with ease. lol

Nah. Can't agree with that. Aldi and Lidl sell no brand budget stuff. Costco isn't (IMHO) a cheap store, but do think it concentrates on quality. I can't think that "middle aisle" cheap junk better suited for poundland, found in them would ever appear in Costco. My biggest grumble with Costco is leaving with a huge bill. It's not a store to replace a usual supermarket shop...but it's so much more. I even bought my car indirectly through them with a 6% discount better than everywhere else I checked. Doubt anyone would be doing that in Lidl! 😀 The other and possibly most important thing is the customer service and no quibble warranty. Second to none I'd say.

I took up the challenge and a glance on Google shows a price of 92p per test was the cheapest I found. Unremarkably it said they couldn't be exported to the US. Not sure if that's to keep prices inflated a general ban or company policy. I suspect these "cheap" tests are not allowed for travel purposes.

As you probably realise, he was American and that was his target. The Cruise however was in the Med and guests were about 40% from the UK. I did speak with people on our tour and they suggested he was "ok". They understood some of the baseball references for example that were lost on us. I don't think he said a joke I found funny... And that included ones I got... But just unfunny!

I can remember walking out of a comedian show on a Carnival ship and I was half hoping he was going to pick on me as we left. "We are off to find where the comedian is tonight... Thought it was in here but obviously got that wrong."

We spent some on excursions pre cruise. Some on ultimate drinks package and the bulk in the shop where I spent $350 on a watch and wife spent $500 on jewellery. I was concerned I wanted to make sure I had none left. It should have been concern we didn't spend more than we had...... The wife won!

I think you were being accurate! lol

I bought my first house in Peterborough. I lasted there 6 months. In a remarkable coincidence, my old boss, also bought his first house there..... In the same road. Small world. Have to admit, the age range and lack of international flavour are things that would concern me too. The ship and expected standards however I suspect would be fine.

VID_20220119_204808.mp4

Single antigen self tests (once free for a pack of 7) can be bought in the UK for £2 The mark up is worse than you think. I'm in 2 minds about testing pre cruise. Clearly if you eliminate positive guests from boarding, there is a better chance to avoid infection. But the truth is, COVID is likely to be on most if not all ships. The issue of course is when you are unfortunate enough to test positive, disembarking and need to pay for quarantine in a foreign country and pay again at inflated prices your return flights. Silversea were fantastic when we had these issues in South America, but there is no guarantee it'll always be that way. Ecuador had a quarantine period of 14 days. An eye opener and something to avoid.

From memory, the tent that JJ advised is located where I've marked with a yellow dot, so the suggestion of Starbucks is a very good one. It's a shame that you would struggle with your luggage or I would have recommended arriving on the river boats now run by Uber. To board, you would go from the tent and down the ramp to the pier. I've marked with red dots where you'd need to go. From there you clear customs and security and take the taxi boat to where Spirit will be berthed about 150 yards from the red dots. I've also posted a YT video I did that should clear up those details, plus a good look around Silver Spirit too. Hopefully fills in some blanks. Wind the video forward to 3 minutes to cancel the transfer to Greenwich.

That is some deviation from Santiago to San Francisco.... I'd want a discount! Ive just requested my TA get my options for Japan to Seward in 9 months. The options they could come up with for that are frightening.

Whilst I might agree on the ongoing unknowns and certainly the strictness in place in the far East, my booking is unfortunately a third time lucky jobbie. I certainly would make it as a new booking right now, though I do have one in 2024 for Bali to Bangkok I'm more hopeful with.

Not showing as yet on the SS website, but just got the nod for a change for my Osaka to Seward next April. Japan is still obviously up in the air, but the Russian Federation stop in Kamchatsky has unsurprisingly gone. Replaced be a further stop in Japan and increase in continuous sea days. No surprises... Apart from the update being relatively quick. Given the current situation in Russia and the Ukraine, Silver Muse will now call Muroran, Japan in lieu of Petropavlovsk (Kamchatsky), Russian Federation. With all the issues regarding testing, vaccinations and flight delays, cancellations etc, I'm not particularly looking forward to this now and the prospect of a 360 of the Earth in the northern hemisphere. Fingers crossed things return to some sort of normality sooner rather than later..... And Japan opens up to tourism.

Yes, absolutely. Up the top of the escalator, after you go through passport control and security. You can't miss it. It's quite well stocked. Most ports don't have one, but many do. Valletta had a great one.

Completely agree. I was in the queue to board (well wife was)... I had already got the gin and went back for another. While there I got a call to say we were moving forward, so I panic bought without thinking. And to make matters worse, we were still queuing 45 minutes later! And the silly thing.... I never drink indoors at home. The number of times I brought a night cap drink back to the room (any cruise) and never drank it. So it was a one only before leaving to go out in the evening and it lasted rather well. lol

Nope. The duty free in Lisbon is right next to the embarkation station and clearly visible in the bags being carried on. Whilst wine would receive a corkage charge if drank in the restaurant, consuming in your room is fine. It lowers their bar bill if you think about it logically. I knew the orange gin wouldn't have been available onboard...... But wished I'd swapped the Smirnoff for some fever tree Clementine tonic. 😆