highplanesdrifters

15 hours ago, B-HQC said:

I believe submarine bookings are made for the first day of each cruise segment and then guests will be assigned to an avaliable day on the voyage when the subs will be in use, same as with the canoes.

Aha!  What a great piece of information. Thank you. 

 Our friends said they had booked but were waiting for their assigned day.  She couldn't remember how she did that though.  Fortunately we booked the sub excursion we wanted once on board.

19 hours ago, mraven said:

Curious about the sub/kayak pricing. I have 2 expeditions booked in 2025 and when I try to reserve, it shows I get (club preference) discount of 15%, but the price doesn't show with the line through it and the discounted price under like it does for other excursions. I notice on the benefits page, the excursion discount is foot-noted with "some restrictions may apply."  Is the sub/kayak not eligible for the discount?

We booked on board $900, and got the 15% discount which brought it down to $765.  Nothing was available for the sub before the trip except the major ports like Guam and Papeete.  Rediculous because there will be no sub action in major ports.

On 9/9/2024 at 5:51 AM, lincslady said:

That 'sculpture'  looks rather rude!  Never had one anything like that in all my SB cruises.

Yes, we had quite a chuckle and eye raise about the third leg.😅  Have never seen anything like this on Seabourn either.  We love our room attendant though. She could easily be a senior butler on Silversea.

Crisis averted...there is now Contreau on board.....whew. Resupplied in Guam. Our bartender was in a panic.

Food so far, pretty tasty.  Cocktails quite good.  Included wines....still haven't found anything drinkable.

French Onion soup, 6.5.

Lobster, 8.5

Towel Animal sculpture thing and plastic flowers, 4.3.  Hmmmmm.

And got the Go Pro up and running in Guam.  Been awhile.  Not the best snorkeling at the Hyatt, but good practice. 

Trigger Fish.

Embarkation went relatively smoothly yesterday.   Suites were ready when we arrived around 1pm. Luggage arrived by 2pm.  It's always a hectic time settling in even when you know there are 2 sea days ahead.

Day 2 also busy with mandatory briefings,  gear sorting. Expedition team looks great with some familiar favorites.

As for booking the Submarine and additional tours....grumble grumble.  Communication is lacking and it's every man for themselves. We scrambled as soon as we boarded and got one of the last slots for the Chuuk dive.  Thanks @kej1!  New tours are showing up randomly and are already Sold Out....grrrrr.

Excursions aside, the ship has a good vibe.  Lots of extremely helpful and smiling faces.  

Always a welcome sight!

Shade was lacking at luggage drop which included a search by U.S. Coast Guard.  Slowed things down.  I think Seabourn should have sprung for another tent!😃

Time for some R&R.

2 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

I had zero nights in a veranda suite and we received a bottle of DP - 2013 because of the AMEX-P.  Tasty. 😁

Bet you had to choke it back.🤣

28 minutes ago, markandjie said:

 

I think a cruise is definitely the way to see Easter Island. The moai are incredible but after seeing several different spots plus the quarry where they're carved that's pretty much all there is to the island. Perfect for a cruise stop... Not quite worth the 7 hour flight from Santiago. 

Good to know Grasshopper chose wisely.🤣

We hired a taxi to see what's what.

First stop Two Lovers Point. Usual story of kids being denied parental approval.  As one would do, they tied themselves together and hurled off the cliff to seal their love forever.

I wonder how that worked out.

The lesser know three Lovers Point.

Fortunately the commercial powers that be will sell you a lock an heart for $6. Material is made for writing your name on it.  IMHO a much better option than the cliff hurling AND quite affordable. 

It's quite a drop!

Tumon Bay is quite spectacular. 

Now for the exciting part, a trip to the Micronesia mall to pick up a few things.

Guam even has its own Statue of liberty.  There was a bigger one but the last Typhoon took it out.

Another overlook with some very old Spanish Cannons.  There is quite a bit of influence from them on the Chamorro in both language and culture.

The island has a plethora of massage parlors. 

And then there is the luxury shopping right next door.

Jimmy, our most excellent guide for the day.  He is originally from the Philippines.  He told us that Philippine Guam population is about 30%.  Many came via military marriages when we closed bases there.  The government is currently building much housing expecting the same from Japan.

We loved our tour. Such a fascinating and beautiful place.

Topped off the day with a little pool action.

Our evening bartender made us some endless Pina Colidas.

Dinner at NIJI Japanese restaurant . Very popular with locals and tourists for birthdays and celebrations.

Serious Sukiyaki. Lovies favorite.

For those interested from Wikipedia

Guam, along with the Mariana Islands, were the first islands settled by humans in Remote Oceania. It was also the first and the longest of the ocean-crossing voyages of the Austronesian peoples, and is separate from the later Polynesian settlement of the rest of Remote Oceania. They were first settled around 1500 to 1400 BC, by migrants departing from the Philippines which was followed by a second migration from the Caroline Islands in the first millennium AD. A third migration wave took place from Island Southeast Asia, likely the Philippines or eastern Indonesia, by 900 AD.[16][17]

These original settlers of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands evolved into the Chamorro people, historically known as Chamorros after first contact with the Spaniards.[18]: 16  The ancient Chamorro society had four classes: chamorri (chiefs), matua (upper class), achaot (middle class), and mana'chang (lower class).[18]: 20–21  The matua were located in the coastal villages, which meant they had the best access to fishing grounds. The mana'chang were located in the island's interior. Matua and mana'chang rarely communicated with each other. The matua often used achaot as intermediaries.

1 hour ago, jpalbny said:

 

I have people for that.

 

If I tried to follow this and make sense of it, I'd have whiplash. Up one day, down the next... Not much logic in the markets these days.

I hear ya.  Is bad news, bad news or is it good news today?🤣 

I guess it's just second nature when it once was your life.  At some point before they're wiping the drool off my chin I'll get some peeps.

12 hours ago, lincslady said:

Me too - although I would not  be indulging in many active trips, being pretty old and a slow walker.  Always happy to be on a Seabourn ship, however.  Your trip will be  mostly new to me, as Papeete is the only port on your route I have visited, so whenever you can spare time we will enjoy reading about it.

Always lovely having your onboard, even if it's just virtually.  If you care to share:  Pretend our drinks have just been served, close your eyes and tell us what trip pops into your head.

6 hours ago, FauxNom said:

Your Final Silversea Cruise

Did they think the ship was going to sink?

Just now, TLCOhio said:

Friday Fright??

Friday fright is right.  Did fill a nice gap though.

Um HELLO market police. @RetiredandTravel.

Was this just all about revisions?  Does this mean I have to pay attention while traveling?

A very good tropical morning to you all.  Big sleep and right as rain today.

We went to the Club floor for a drink last night.  Met some fellow Pursuit guests. I guess we're easy to spot. 😃 I suspect a bigger crop will be rolling in tonight.

The Club (Regency) room was disappointing.  A series of hot small rooms

 Lots of rug rats.  There was a help yourself bar, along with a small buffet. All decent enough for a quiet night.

Soft straight rain.

A better look at the meandering pool.

9 hours ago, Hign n Dry said:

Thank you @highplanesdrifters appreciated, just for clarification did you wear your wellies on all walks? South Georgia, Tristan, Nightingale, Gough? Just had a squizz at the boot rental $148.00 Oz Dollars, it is what it is I guess.

 

Really appreciate the advice.

Crikey, $148..... that's bootflation!

Like @FauxNom said landings are rare on the Tristans.  VERY rare, including Tristan itself. Even the zodiac cruises are iffy. Our first time at inaccessible  the captain did  laps around the island...then he went the other way. 🤣 Staff threw in impromptu party around the pool. Expedition team sang and danced.  A good time was had by all.  Fyi, Sometime even  the supply ships are held up for days offshore. Tristan is one of the most interesting populated places I've ever been too.

As for the cold tush on Zodiacs, I bought thermal shorts for a little extra warmth and less bulk.  Also think about what group you are in. First group, very cold rubber. As the day goes on the sun and someone else's tush heats the zodiacs up. Think of that first group as the toilet warming slaves in Ephesus. Perhaps treat them a little nicer. Buy em a drink in the Obs lounge.

Another reminder, as you near Africa it's going to get a lot warmer.  Lazy pool days aplenty.

8 minutes ago, lincslady said:

So far - wow!!

Awww, you're so kind.  Wish you were here to enjoy in person.

After a breakfast food Coma rest we hit the pool and ocean. Turns out it's hot and muggy here.  Who knew?  

We usually don't stay at large resorts like this.  So far it's been great. Yes there are a far amount of families with crops of rugrats. They seem to be well behaved and kinda cute.  Also, it's not terribly crowded which helps.

Very well maintained property with a large pool that winds through the property with several slides.....lots of nooks and crannies to hide in.

Weather always rolling about. It goes from brutal hot to delightful tropical breeze every few minutes. 

If an Octopus were a plant.

 First stop GUAM!

We made it.  Only slightly road weary and a few minor bumps along the way. I will admit these long hauls are getting harder.

The airport was empty at 11pm. Immigration was a breeze with friendly agents.

Even pretty at night.

BTW,

@kej1 was right.  NRT was a breeze.  They don't make you jump through any hoops if you're transiting through.  Do you hear that Heathrow? Our arrival and departure gates a few apart. The UA lounge was next door and awesome.

We chose the Hyatt over Dusit.  Feeling pretty good about the choice.  They upgraded us to a monster suite.The Hyatt driver was waiting with a sign. A simple luxury when you're brain dead, it's 11pm, and you've been traveling for 2 days.

Crazy right?

 A sweet sunrise welcome.

We're starting to feel like we're in an alternate reality.  Everyone we have encountered at the Hyatt has been kind and  helpful.  Is this heaven, no it's Guam.

Breakfast Buffet insane and delicious. There must be 20 different stations.   Here's just a few.

They cater to a large Asian clientele, Japan, Korea, Philippines. Pot stickers for breakfast- sign me up.  Especially when my stomach thinks it's dinner time.

There was also an egg station, pancake and waffle station, kid station, barista corner,  and more.

@kbnovak

Did you make it to Guam?😁

4 hours ago, Hign n Dry said:

@highplanesdrifters As I’ve said above where doing Cape to Cape in March 2025. Are wellingtons really needed or just a good pair of waterproof hikers? Appreciate your advice.

Assuming you're doing Falklands and South Georgia, YES, you will need wellies. Unless you can get expedition staff to carry you from the zodiac to shore. 🤣 which I've seen happen.  We bought Bogs for our first trip down there, but rented last time.  Not worth the hassle of hauling for $75. They are surprisingly comphy to tromp around in. I bring Dr. Scholl inserts for arch support.  How old does that sound! Eek.

I did a live report, just go back to February. Might be helpful. Yell if you have any more questions. 

@FauxNom suffered through the trip with us.  I agree, quarter zip thermal top works best for me.

You're going to have an awesome time. Might be our favorite trip to date.  

17 hours ago, kej1 said:

The complimentary wines were below average on our 30 day Pursuit cruise last spring in the South Pacific.  We  made due some of the time with the Louis Latour Chard and the rose from Provence ( servers were excellent btw in knowing what we wanted everywhere on the ship), but mostly purchased premium wines at dinner - especially red although they ran out of many.   We don’t drink cocktails so wine with meals and as cocktails is important to us.  Living in San Francisco we are well aware the wine industry is really suffering right now in California.  Lots of overproduction and younger people are not drinking much wine.  Was in the news today that Constellation one of the huge liquor distributors nation wide is suffering financially due to large decreased wine sales.  Duckhorn ( California) which produces very nice and very popular wines  in the mid range made the news as sales way down as well.  I understand Seabourn is struggling post Covid but now would be a great time for a savvy purchasing person to acquire some at least better wines at great prices.  IMHO!  Just a suggestion if anyone from Seabourn mgmt is listening!  Great time to up the wine game!  Don’t expect the best but better than white zin and some of the others named by the OP that are really poor.  We still had a very nice time but “ fine wines” is false advertising!  

I think you should volunteer to be on Seabourns tasting team. 😂

11 hours ago, Port Power said:

No, I did Silver Wind Alaska, Falklands and South Georgia in December/ January. IMHO, I don’t think it’s worth going down there if you don’t include South Georgia.   @highplanesdrifters did the Cape to Cape.

@Port Power is right!  Have to do South Georgia.  Next time I'll be looking for a trip that does just South Georgia with South Sandwich. 

Cape to cape with @FauxNom was mind blowing, even for the expedition team. But we had perfect weather. Barely more than a few meter swell the entire trip.

Agree on clothes. Antarctica is not terribly cold. I use just a thermal layer under rain pants. Sometimes skip the puffer under the outer.  Be prepared for snow squalls with hat, gloves,  and neck gator.  Actually I just wear earmuffs and put the hood up if one hits. 

Found these gloves to be perfect:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXTYWQ2V?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

You'll want something like this for your phone:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CG9BBC3F?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

2 hours ago, kej1 said:

Hope you made it a little bit less stress free once you arrived in Narita to connect to Guam.    I used to connect a lot there on business trips ( when I wasn’t staying) and I recall the ground agents being very organized and good about getting people to their connecting flights. ( of course it was pre Covid so hope that hasn’t changed!)   🤞🤞you made it safely!

All good!   Got seats, GUM flight slightly delayed so all luggage should make it.  There's going to be a big sleep tonight with nothing on the agenda for tomorrow. 

Youre so right about traveling through and to Japan.  Spoiled for sure.

9 hours ago, kbnovak said:

We’re joining you (sitting in ICN awaiting our flight to GUM), and we will be continuing on with the Antarctic expedition as well.

Looking forward to cruising with you!  First drink is on me.

Sweet!

Feel free to chime in.  Always like different eyes!