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dchip, so happy to hear this. I know that snacks are often brought back, but the local fruit would be so amazing. It's interesting how different countries handle food/produce items brought on/off the ship. Thank you, Cherie

It's too bad that you cannot bring fresh fruits and berries on board when you are in a port. Even though you would expect these to be on-board it seems like fresh fruits and berries often become unavailable. Did you attend the 2020/2023 Fremantle reunion? Sounded like fun. How wonderful to spend such great days/evenings with long time friends. Cherie

Wow!!!!!!!! Beautiful photos of Port Arthur. Looking forward to what your day is like. As many others, I really look forward to your posts and impressions of your cruise. Cherie

So don't.

rd64 and 3rdgencunarder, REALLY? What helpful responses. A blender? Is that what you bring? and a fan? and a microwave? This was about fizzie water. Nothing more. There are options that the OP is looking for, nothing more. Hope you feel good about trying to make someone who wants to bring their own fizzie water feel like they are jerks. Of course you can pay for it on board. If you are paying for a cruise this is not a big deal, but what if you want to bring your own fizzie water on board, thats your choice or maybe not on HAL. REALLY? what is so upsetting to you about options? JMO

Have you thought of bringing onboard something like a SodaStream? You can make your own carbonated water easily, if you can purchase your carbonating cylinder near the port, I think that getting it thru airport security is pretty difficult. I'm sure you can get citrus on board if you want to add it. Just a thought. Cherie

No green mussels? This is such a beautiful spot. I especially loved collecting shells on the beach. When we visited I was sad to hear how hard it is for non NZ citizens to purchase property here. Loving every post!!!! Cherie

Recently we purchased a very inexpensive French coffee press, $18 at Marks and Spencer in Prague, that we can use when traveling. All you need is your favorite ground coffee and hot water. We like milk in our coffee so have it in the room frig. I am not a fan of pods. There are less expensive French press coffee pots available and if you have to leave them at the end of the trip...at least you've had good coffee. Cherie. p.s. we have a cold/hot container that we put the coffee into to keep it warm.

If this is the itinerary I think it is awesome. I still like the 2020 itinerary the best but would consider this one. Cherie

Thank you Renova, I'm going to ask our library to try to locate a copy for me. And tennisbeforewine... thank you again and again for letting us cruise with you. I'll also be cheering for the 49ers tomorrow. Cherie

Thank you both. Interesting, I was looking at cabins that are wide, not deep. Cherie

You have been enjoying my second favorite place on earth, French Polynesia. I never give up my CFP, if I keep some I am hopeful of returning. We were in Raiatea several years ago when we hired a captain and catamaran for a 7 day adventure. Like you, I was looking forward to baguettes. Unfortunately there was no flour so...no baguettes. I loved the long "mail boxes" that were for baguette delivery not mail. Our captain stopped on Tahaa for his wife to deliver baguettes to us. Just loving your trip and thank you for bringing us along. Cherie p.s. several WC's ago you were reading a book that I think was about a young woman coming from France to Tahiti. I cannot remember or find the name of the book. Can you help?

Great condensed version of your review of the ship. We have a booking in December and I will be soooooo disappointed if things have not changed. Will definitely follow Osterdam reviews before our final payment. Thank you for letting us cruise with you. Your posts and photos have been fabulous. Thank you, Cherie

When choosing a cabin is there a benefit to port or starboard cabins? Thank you, Cherie

Your post #75 is my favorite post so far. From a whiskey after a disappointment to the celebration of a landing. Loving all of your posts and looking at Viking for our Antarctic adventure. Thank you so much, Cherie

Do you know people who actually ask ALL of these questions? Once our bags are taken out the front door we are on vacation. We have done the best we can to plan for a great trip but...things happen. Things that are important to us are not important to others. If someone wants to know who the officers are, what the dailies are, what the menus are...it's not important to me...but it may be important to them. Everyone travels and plans their travels with their own comfort level. Personally, there are things important to me when planning a cruise that you might find offensive, etc., etc., etc...like cabin location, ports, dining venues and reservations, and excursions. You have to be flexible but if something is going to be a problem you can try to sort it out before you leave your front door. JMO Cherie

CDNPolar, Thank you for such a detailed explanation. The good news is that, weather permitting, all guests have one landing per day and possible boat cruise. Only the exceptional activities are included in the lottery, if I understand. I was afraid that most activities were lottery controlled. Watching the beautiful scenery while cruising this area would be amazing. Thank you again for the post and reminding us of needing to be extremely flexible. Cherie

Really great review. I'm wondering what do those who do not win the lottery do? Do those with a more expensive cabin get preference in the lottery? I might be a bit cranky if I was on a cruise to Antarctica and was unable to experience the adventures I am hoping for. I'm flexible when traveling but this is a trip when flexibility does not always allow for substitutions. The food is not the big deal for me, because I would not be planning or cooking, but the activities are really important. If you don't win the lottery do you have other fabulous options? Again, great review. Cherie

Don, thank you for those links. A fun way to calculate distances. hbtraveler, thank you for the info on the 13/15 day cruises. I agree that 15 is better than 13 in hopes of making landings. We just need to decide on the month now. Heidi13 - the number of miles seems enormous but when I'm not driving and it is scenic I will look forward to it. Thank you to everyone, Cherie

Thank you so much. Because of comments similar to Northern Aurora I have decided to look at smaller ships for Antarctica. We are seriously looking at dates for Viking. It really seems like a smaller ship is important if wanting a true Antarctica experience. Thank you for all of the very informative posts. We'll save the Eclipse for another cruise!! Cherie

Thank you Don, I did look at the map and it seemed like a huge distance to do South Georgia. I appreciate your detailed info which supports my first impression. I think we will stick with Antarctica for our first trip and really like the Viking itineraries. Now just deciding on 13 or 15 days and which month might be best. I know that there are no guarantees for weather. Thank you to everyone for the responses. Cherie

Thank you. South Georgia Island does not seem to be included in the 13 and 15 day itineraries. I have not seen an 18 day trip but will research. Thank you, Cherie

I am currently looking at both of these itineraries. I always think more days is better but the map is a bit confusing. Any comments on these two itineraries? Thank you, Cherie

Great posts. the penguins...are you saying that the cost per day on an expedition cruise is probably lower than Celebrity or Princess because it would be less days? I'm looking at all options now including an expedition cruise. It seems like it would be perfect to combine an expedition cruise with a main line cruise back to the U.S. Thank you to everyone who is contributing!!! Cherie

the penguins, Thank you so much for this response. Definitely need to do more research. Also happy to hear how much you enjoy the Eclipse. Cherie