MrsWaldo

I did it in about 10.... 

Maybe because I clearly know exactly what I want and didn't have to really think too much... 

or maybe because my workplace delights in these types of surveys to validate

8 hours ago, cdn.cruiser said:

it probably takes an hour to get to the airport so we have to leave the hotel at5:15 a.m. I am not a morning person and will

 probably have to be up at 4:30 a.m. Not happy about that but cest la vie.

Its about 30 minutes to Changi airport from most hotels and you will be heading away from town and not in peak hour

30 mins more sleep

Thanks, 

No time limit either?

4 minutes ago, Daveywavey70 said:

. I Know there are some that give the children filthy looks despite them being impeccably behaved. 

Yes but that in itself hurts and makes you and the child feel less..

Miss W nicknamed 2 pax we met before our cruise in Stockholm on 06 at the SS hotel  (Grand)   They made a very loud comment about the hotel being unsuitable for children as the kids walked past picking up oysters from the buffet and yes they ate them.   My kids nicknamed them Strawberry Daiquiri and Hitler (mostly due to her having a Daiquiri every time they were seen and his moustache)  At the end of the cruise Daiquiri spoke to Miss W and we nearly fell over.

I don't want the lady to get on board thinking it will be sunshine and roses.  But I also don't want her to dread it.  

What worries me most is people being nice because the child has an issue, but the reality is different.  

Be assured, it happens...

I did but in a very careful way...

Because they haven't necessarily travelled with kids and seen/heard the attitudes 

There is a significant attitude when you board with them that does take the edge off what should be a great trip...

e.g. people throwing a book on the sun lounge beside as you walk up,  going to trivia and being told it's not a party, we dont want you on our team, until said 10yo knew the quote from Pride and Prejudice, being told straight out this isn't a line for kids,,,,,,,

Not to mention being ignored by cruise staff as you enter the boarding terminal

So you are saying my comment is snide?

I hope not because I actually work with Autistic kids on a daily basis and yes they need understanding and support.  I posted an answer from my POV

I'm curious because I experienced bias with my own kids, who were not on the spectrum.

It would be nice if the OP was getting a full view rather than a FB sob story ...where people could well be yeah  all good.  They aint on our cruise

Waldo Jr is in charge of the drop off BUT the cruise line has given him visiting rights as a past guest,  along with his DW who hasn't sailed before

(future proofing pax)

So what are our parking options that don't involve schlepping bags a long way? 

Happy to pay

For those of us on the Silversea passenger Facebook page do the positive responses for taking a 7 yo to the Caribbean worry you?

Yes Cat it was amazing.  And the wheels did fall off

Miss W is angling to go back to the Falklands next year to do an elective at the hospital as a pre med dr

hi to both of you 

Plus one on booking with Nyree.

Her own 4WDs head off first so you get a little time alone before the hordes arrive.

Similarly they tend to leave a little later and/or if time put a bit of an island/village tour at the end.

Ok so our day on Isle of Pines has a choice of Moro Island or Turtle Bay trips

Miss W dives but no option on either for this 

which one and why 

thanks every one 

8 hours ago, Colgal said:

 

 

Unfortunately there are many parents who have no concerns- and this is the dilemma. Cruising on the top three lines is not inexpensive and when unruly children/passengers ruin the experience it is time and money ill-spent. 

 

Have a lovely cruise with your daughter-she sounds delightful!

Maybe SS needs to do a pre cruise check of the kids😜

I’m going to jump in here with a positive BUT it is also unfortunate that not everyone sees things this way.

We first took our 2 on cloud as kids.  Miss W certainly wasn’t yet a teen.  We picked a port intensive cruise which had activities other than museums.   We went cycling in Visby as an example.   They attended the lectures and Miss W even took notes.  The first few nights we dined as a family until one of the guest lecturers invited us to join him. They knew that sitting at the table and behaving in an adult manner was needed.  They excused themselves when it was time and then took themselves to bed. 

On sea days they enjoyed puzzles and trivia was a must for both of them (our team ended up winning a lot)   The pool was for laps or reading a book and doing school work.  The hot tub was for adults 

I had spent a lot a lot of time training them for these type of things because they needed to learn How dinner parties and society worked.

They continually begged us to do another SS cruise but life was in the way.  

When Miss W was 18  Waldo Junior 21. we did our first Seabourn. Again port intensive.  The kids on that cruise her age did my head in.  It was about sneaking free alcohol (Miss w was legal drinking age but not allowed due to the 21 rule). The younger ones screamed and yelled through the corridors.  We had trouble getting a washing machine because a person with a baby was washing cloth  diapers/nappies every day on the long load setting. The cruise was heavily discounted 

despite that we booked Antarctica and was told there were to be no kids on the voyage. There were and the same drinking attitude prevailed and there were little kids. 

i went back to SS for our festive cruise and knew full well it would have kids and young adults.  Guess what, they were all well behaved. There was none of the rowdy behaviour 

We followed that us with another Festive where we met crushing pashmina and her family.  Her grandchildren were fantastic to be honest.  

Miss W, now almost 25 and I are heading off on Muse in January.  Am I worried about kids on board.  Yes.  Because the cruise was heavily discounted for all (which seems to me to be a factor, not just kid friendly prices) .  She knows she will be one of the youngest on board, but she also needs to mix socially as part of her degree with a wide age range of people from a variety of backgrounds 

she often tells me, that early ss cruise taught her a lot 

I've encountered lots of kids on Seabourn

Including on our cruise to Antarctica......   and no they weren't dressed up teens...  one was in nappies

2 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

There is usually sashimi and sushi available in the La Terrazza buffet for lunch though.

Thanks,

I'm too picky about my Japanese 😉

I won't even do a "train"

Thanks

Dang 😞

Nothing like sashimi on/by the harbour in summer 😞  (well White Bay is close)  

Is Kaiseki open for lunch on boarding day?

I know it depends but roughish guideline?

Thanks braintrust

14 hours ago, Mahogany said:

. Is it inappropriate for a passenger, after receiving no help from staff, to speak to the offenders, not the children, but the parents?

IMHO No, but the parents may, can will arc up. 

I guess it boils down to would you ask the guy on your neighbouring balcony to defuse, turn down the television/music etc

Yep, sometimes kids don't know the line... but some parents think its written in chalk

We had more kids on each of our 2 Seabourn cruises than I have had in total on our Silversea cruises and they include 2 festive ones.

They were also running a kids club in the games room for our July cruise as Miss W was 18 and they asked if she wished to go 

6 hours ago, shipsmail said:

 

Gerko, thanks for your tips concerning transfer to White Bay. I‘ll check this out later in the year. We will stay for NYE at the Park Hyatt for a few days. So we may be able to see the MUSE coming in that morning from our room. Of course CQ would be even nicer, as from our hotel we could walk to this terminal. Any tips for NYE or the days around it?

See you on board maybe.

 

Booked and confirmed   Bring it on

Hope you don't mind,  I'm Sydney based too!

The NYE fireworks view from the PH is a bit dig as the big attraction is behind you (Harbour Bridge)  If there are tickets still available and you don't mind spending the cash the Opera Gala or one of the events at the Opera House are the way to go. Perfect view.  Alternatively one of my favourites is Midnight at the Oasis, however, it isn't weather proof.   Altitude or Aria restaurants are excellent as well.  Aria is worth it for the food alone.

NYE around the PH will be crazy busy, as will the surrounds of Circular Quay.  It has a real party atmosphere.  There will be alcohol check points and a high police presence.  I wouldn't walk around the rocks itself too late into the night as it becomes quite rough/backpacker central.

NY day is really quiet. IME if you are going to Zoo its an ideal day as not many local people are around.  

If you are interested in Aboriginal Art, the Art Gallery of NSW has a free guided tour at 10.30am each day.  Entry to the gallery is also free. The MCA (contemporary art) is almost at your doorstep.  It's worth a walk along Macquarie St as this is probably our oldest "grand " precinct. I'd also head into the Queen Victoria Building.  If you go up Macquaries St you could head over through David Jones which is our premium department store, through Pitt St Mall and Strand Arcade. 

If you are into walking then look at either Bondi to Bronte (not NYD) or my preferred Spit to Manly.  Both are coastal style. I wouldn't bother with the Manly Ferry.

With 3 days and the time of year I wouldn't do a Blue Mountains trip and Darling harbour is just another wharf redevelopment area. 

Happy to help with any specifics,

7 hours ago, Gerko said:

We residents of Sydney dislike White Bay as much as anyone.

Probably more.....

It is so much easier to public transport from home to CQ. 

My jump on the train option/stress free is now either hire a limo or uber... so my $10 return (Miss W has student rates) is 10x the price and 3x the time.

Les, the refresher is all sorted, unfortunately she will be just out of date after moving out of home.  Refresher can be done 15 mins from my home with a shore dive.  Unfortunately for her, now based in rural Aus, not much option, water is a scarcity.

I think I've found a local for Vanuatu...  

Gerko, I've not done any of the Crystal or Cunard but can say we always enjoy SS.  Are you into trivia by any chance?

I have to admit to being a bit scared of having 500pax on board

I bit the bullet and started the booking process on Friday

Pretty much all confirmed as the stars aligned

A few questions, mostly itinerary based.

1. Diving options.  Anyone done these ports and know whats on offer for dives, either through SS or outsourced.  Miss W is a keen and experienced diver.

2. Suggestions for outsourced tours.  I've been to Port Vila before and I have phone contact for private drivers.  Hmmm Dick and Willy!  I had to laugh the first time cos will told me sometimes Dick doesn't come...  Willy is reliable

3. I know White Bay is a horror.  Any tips?  Live local so it will be a limo (uber is dearer!)

4. We've gone Vista GTY (yes I know all the drawbacks) any thoughts, comments, tips on Muse Vista.  I've always gone Midship Verandah pick YO.

5. Anything else?

Thanks Rojaan,

I literally read it last night.

Looking at booking the Jan 3 SYD-SYD because Miss W has just had her holidays changed.

I know it's cyclone season and stingers and everything that says wrong direction time of year!

Do you reckon the pool area is big enough given we have a lot of sea days?   I doubt the cruise is full because they are still throwing incentives

Yep. Tell them when booking and then Just let your butler know.