les37b

So from their own website where they list over 5000 agents they recommend to book via, that’s ok? You are basically allowing the promotion of said specific agents over others and makes a mockery of what I think is a silly rule anyway.

Yup, he is definitely on the Muse at the moment.

The title said TO Alaska not FROM.…. Hence the question.

Were you on the Osaka to Seward cruise? I have to admit its my worst ever SS sailing and despite some great highlights, wouldn't have gone if I'd known how it would pan out. I loved Japan (especially the warmth from the people in Miyako), but found the voyage from Japan to Seward challenging. The weather no one can control obviously - and the seas a little rough at times - but I actually liked that. Just boredom set in. Cold weather cruises and 8 or more sea days in a row if you dont count the aborted Kodiak and obviously missed Dutch Harbor, really was more endurance than enjoyment. You're comment re suntan lotion kinda suggests you must be referring to a different crossing. It was certainly warm on the sea day Osaka to Tokyo, but after that I thought the weather was poor.

As promised, just uploaded a section of the video taken on my phone of our departure. These friendly welcoming people who had been at the dock from before our arrival in the morning and long after we’d left waiving and shouting their thanks for visiting and come back soon. A highly positive moment from my cruise a week ahead of yours. Did you see it too? I’m absolutely certain they would have done similar? Hope you are ok with sharing. No hijack intended. If you watch all the way, you will see what I mean. I was honestly blown away.

Yes, but a sly kick. I doubt it hurt. The knee was worse. The German man could have flattened him but just stood his ground and wasn’t going to be pushed around. I expect everyone on the inside probably saw it, but only a couple on the outside. I actually had spoken with the Aussie guy several times and seemed a nice guy. Clearly not!

We were in 656 on the Muse, 654 on the Moon...... Zero noise... apart from the missus snoring. 🤣

I actually saw near fisty cuffs on a boat ride in Seward 4 days ago. Passengers were on the inside "whale waiting" and some outside in the passage. Banging on windows and aggressively telling people to move. A German guy moved to the side but no further. Big guy aged about 45. Out pops the 80 Y/O Aussie trying to push him out the way. I had visions of someone ending in the 3C waters! The German doesn't budge. The Aussie squares up in his face, knees him and takes a swing with a boot. I think both their cruises were spoiled through this most unnecessary confrontation. Yes, the clocks going back and forward really is a killer on your cruise. We arrived back home 2 days ago from a similar schedule to yours. I'm still wide awake in the early hours and so tired in the afternoon. Going though so many time zones one after the other isn't much fun. We found ourselves never getting up for breakfast. First for me that to miss that day after day! Quite depressing. Hopefully you got to get off in Dutch Harbor. We didn't. Our berth got taken by commercial and Navy ships. Then in Kodiak, no berth there either and expected to be too rough to Anchor and tender. So our Alaska stops both lost and obviously the Russian one too, made a pretty miserable and long crossing from Japan to Seward. No fun in Sea Days without the sun. Weather was horrid and like you have, quite rough. Muse handled it very well I have to say. Not sure if you got to berth in Miyako? Not much there for tourists, but the people who took the full brunt from the Tsunami, are probably the most exceptionally friendly people on the planet. The send off was like no other. Made us feel quite humble and probably the thing I won't forget from this cruise. I will see if I can upload some of the video I took. They should recess Triv for these departures when they clash. Missing all the stops, bad weather and train cancelled really put a dampener on our Osaka to Seward cruise.

Current times of a test in the North Pacific on way to Kodiak Island. What I have noticed, is getting on cc is nigh impossible to log in without using a VPN. It’s noticeable other apps are the same. As this is titled a nerdy thread, anyone able to recommend an eSim that will work in Kodiak and mainland Alaska? With Alaskas remoteness I’m unsure if it will be of benefit to buy a 5 day sim or not. No point if the network isn’t included and I’ve no idea what it might be. The one I got for Japan for $25 for 12 days unlimited data was well worth it.

Until I re-read and saw “states” I wasn’t sure if you meant Mexico or Canada! 😅

To be fair, I did call AR when the tickets were issued to ask if there was a train booked but could only get through to their ticket booking line. They suggested their general offices wouldn’t be available until after the public service started. Also, having worked in the rail industry for 40 years, things can and do happen particularly on tricky lines. I did look to see if there was anything in the media for landslips or similar, but not found. The rail problem wasn’t mentioned in the email, that was the ship adding plausible creative reasons… and suggesting it was the cause. I don’t expect to get a reply on the ship, which you can read into that I think. If it is something out of SS control along these lines, I’m genuinely ok. Things happen on travels. SS have the opportunity to come clean. I hope they take it because the alternative “facts” if it is the case is embarrassing.

I hadn’t realised that was who it was, but not surprised. I suspect when it was pointed out last year, the respondent even after the information given than likely would affect the ability to run, didn’t flag it up to anyone in operations and simply gave a lazy answer. Inexcusable given the importance, but since it’s now being given as the reason it wasn’t booked (more likely than cancelled given how charter bookings work), then the guarantee given 2 weeks before sailing is what I want to find out. The cruise ticket stated the transfer was being dealt with by Alaskan Adventure. I called them. They only deal with coaches. Silversea assured me that my transfer was definitely train despite what that ticket said. (Ironically, I still had my doubts on this response.) Two things. That ticket suggests they knew damned well before the email sent after we boarded. That email suggested “logistical difficulties”. I’m still awaiting a reply to what that means. The ship at first were quick to say there were rail defects (which if true would be a completely valid reason). But since, the ship are saying it was because AR don’t start running until 4 days later….. something I’d flagged up 6 months ago and brushed aside. Net result, “you are not on the train journey you bought, but going by coach. Tough luck buster.” … no hands up we messed up, no compensation, not even a partial refund. Some might suggest it’s only a small thing, but it’s a huge part of this journey and the “excuse” was highlighted last year. That’s why it’s inexcusable and I intend to dig deeper and not let drop until the lame “logistical” reason is pinpointed. I think this has made me more angry than the actual highlight train being missed… and that somehow having a 4h15m train being turned into a 3h coach was doing us a favour. I suspect many will just accept the reason as valid and also point (as intended) as Alaskan Railways being to blame. I suspect SS know that. But there are more than a few on this voyage who intend to make their thoughts known when we get home. This will be the second voyage in a row, I’ve not made a future booking and very much doubt I will again unless there’s a good deal on offer. That decision is not train related, just general dissatisfaction with the pricing policies.

To be honest, I think they are a little different. They should never have given that sort of guarantee on an inaugural sailing. I completely understand your concerns and why you asked the question. It’s ready and hoping all problems ironed out should have been their highest appraisal (IMHO.) They were also wrong to sell out so you couldn’t be moved. That said, I think on your trip, the thing I would have exploded on was your tender being hijacked by a senior manager. In my mind, doing such a think should receive disciplinary action and showed complete contempt. Unforgivable in my eyes. I suppose the answer I got could also be considered as giving the words I wanted to hear, but the answer was a binary yes or no. They simply didn’t check I guess despite flagging things up: The cancellation took no blame at all and suggested it was someone else’s fault, which is simply not true. Obviously since this involves a third party, I do intend to ask them if SS insist it’s their fault. It still could be, but noises on the ship suggest the train was never booked and they simply forget to inform guests until already boarded. Had we been aware, we would have transferred to the September reverse crossing. Unfortunately the response is never mind… and since it was included in your fare, no compensation or refund… just like the missing port and “free excursion”. (Ananther reason I dislike D2D and would much prefer a fare that didn’t include…. Without the awful P2P penalties.

Commercial vessels take priority… sounds like one to avoid given tender isn’t an option. We were booked on the bunker hill hike… probably just as well cancelled with this wind and freezing rain! Overall conclusion, purely based on experience since leaving Japan, the reverse schedule may be better, though this voyage is definitely not one I’d chose again. I’d return to Japan though in a heartbeat. I’ve since heard a fair number of passengers very unhappy on learning the train journey has been cancelled. Still awaiting the real reason the booking isn’t being honoured. Depends on who you speak with… some pointing the finger at AR others suggesting SS messed up and forgot to inform guests. I’m confident it’s the latter, making it even more annoying since I flagged up the public start dates anomaly last year and again a couple of weeks before sailing and assured it was booked and transfer 100% guaranteed to be by train. I think I’m now more annoyed with this and the lack of ownership. “Logistical reasons” really doesn’t cut it.

That would depend who you asked. People born in Northern Ireland are generally considered British citizens by birth under the British Nationality Act 1981 if one of their parents was either a British citizen or legally settled in the UK at the time of their birth. However half the population would not like that title and consider themselves Irish. The port has 2 berths, both taken by freight which apparently takes priority. He said he asked permission to tender but was denied. I’m actually more annoyed the highlight train journey from Seward to Anchorage has been cancelled after we had boarded with a couple of dishonest reasons I know to be untrue.

No offence taken… just correcting, and happy to share the accolades with the other countries that form the UK. Indeed, my reply had a glaring error… each country does have its own flag and are nations in their own right! I think I just Americanised the UK there! lol Meanwhile our voyage has just been met with some bad news the 6 sea days is about to become 7 and not calling at Dutch Harbour. Our berth given to a cargo ship and port refusing to allow us to tender. On top, we will be battening down the hatches tonight with force 9 winds. Gonna be a bumpy ride!

Got away from the Venetian Lounge at 2.45… last man standing .. room clock is 1 hour forward! No chance of Brecky tomorrow. Lois… it’s British … UK and NI… one nation… one flag. At least how I see it and certainly the monarchy. The Scots, Welsh and NI would like to be included….. but not all… but that’s ok too.

Probably 70 to 75 in Venetian and no idea how many in panorama where the chronicle said it would be shown. Enjoyed it. As TTS said we Brits do do this stuff well and long May the UK continue to do so. Friends in the US up at 3am to watch. Not even sure I’d do that! Th only downside I predict is the Netflix Victim ignored show. One downside I guess. Currently 01.29 and clocks going forward 2 hours! Yikes. Breakfast missed 4 seadays in a row! lol Hope everyone enjoyed… and if you didn’t.. don’t begrudge those who did.

Ok, not a heading to invoke anti or pro Uk monarchy… but more to acknowledge on the Muse they are serving special menus and showing the Coronation Live (in Panorama but also seemingly in the Venetian Lounge when I just walked paste. Anything on the other ships in the fleet? I think we are -12 hours to GMT so quite a gap… But hey ho… plenty of champagne! Sailing has 360 on board… but with 60 from the UK, 63 from Oz and 60 from Canada, it’s certainly potentially of interest… and even if not, still a big deal…. So we’ll done SS for that. At least the rough seas provides cover if a few too many downed! My chair had slid several times with the waves! Loving being at sea!

Forget that, I just looked and see it’s not a port of call, Not much to see, but the people must be the friendliest on the planet! Do you know it guests disembarking and embarking in Seward have a train transfer? They have just cancelled our falsely blaming Alaskan Railroad. They didn’t or couldn’t book the train charter because AR public service doesn’t start until 15 May…. Or maybe cancelled because of low passenger count. I flagged this anomaly last year and again on 4 April when the train wasn’t shown on the cruise ticket. I was again assured it was a train journey and all booked. Most guests are oblivious to the transfer now being coach. The official notice to my TA want until after we had boarded. When I spoke with GS at first they tried to say there was emergency engineering works on the track, but other ship sources have confirmed that’s not true.

Have you called in to Miyako yet? Dont miss the send off. The crew all did a celebration jig when we left Japanese waters on Silver Muse a few days ago, when mask wearing no longer compulsory.

It means I didn’t double check the auto correct that took place on my phone and should probably wear glasses when using my phone. Here is the stair case…. This doesn’t exist on the moon or Dawn. Second photo is from deck 8 showing the other end of the stair case.

Not really anything of note between the dawn and moon, but the Muse certainly has many differences. Though I prefer Indochine to SALT, there are many other big difference, with the biggest being Dolce Vita. On my first sailing, the cavernous bar has been improved and near divided, the bar itself is horrible in comparison to Dawn and Moon. No USB in rooms either. Other changes are locations of La Dame, arts cafe and silver note… and something I noticed last night… a start case into panorama nigh in the dance floor. Theyve certainly learned from their mistakes.

Suitably wetted and singing a song about mad dogs and Englishmen.

I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it.