highplanesdrifters

We are coming off the Wind in mid November. I still have no idea what hotel SS might use. We're going to chill in Santiago for a few days. Such a great city. Yes it has had some issues, but hoping some of the shine is still there. We got a great deal at the MO months ago so we grabbed it.

Staying at the MO this trip. Any neighborhood restaurant recommendations?

Thanks for reporting. Glad you're safely onboard. The engineers were working overtime on our trip fixing HVAC and other issues. Mostly in the hallways. We had issues with our door to the balcony whistling. They did a great job, and said they were very busy attending to all the things that went wonky from normal ship settling. Hope they fix yours easily.

Zodiac departure is about mid ship usually on the port side on the 3rd floor. Also on the 3rd floor are 2 rooms for boot storage and cleaning along with all the kayak gear. You can also store other things like hiking poles with your boots. Parka exchange is easy as it getting boots that fit. In general it's a very relaxed vibe. Especially during the day. Dress is pretty casual in Collonade. MDR, gents in collared shirts, occasional sport coat. Ladies in nice blouses and as some else said "fancied up black pants" 😀. There were 2 formal nights where folks spiffed up a bit. About a dozen tuxes appeared with accompanying dresses. But the more casual folks were not out of place. Occasional pair of jeans. No one looked mass market sloppy. You're going to have a great time!

Thanks!

Thanks @Lirio for posting about the Wind and west Greenland. Would also love to hear more about your excursions and how things are on the Wind. Other than the shower issues, any other problems? Thanks again.

Yay!!!

Hi Lois, Glad you had a good sail. A short one is better than no sail at all. Thanks for the report. 😁

What a great itinerary. Would love to hear your take on western Greenland and the Venture. Have a fab trip.

My kinda busy!

@FlyingScotSailors If you are serious, I don't know the name of the store but it's on the main shopping drag. Bankastraeti which turns into Laugavegur on the left hand side of the street if you're walking away from the center of town up the hill.

For me, not being able to easily get sugar out of a container falls in the category of a "First world problem", which is why I wrote it. I cannot speak for others. If others feel that not getting what they paid for on a luxury cruise liner is a second or third world problem, they have every right to feel that way. Do I feel that luxury cruise standards are not up to pre pandemic levels. You betcha. I have two choices. Stay home and wait till they recover. Or go knowing that there will be problems for at least the next year, probably longer. However when said problems arise I will do what I can to discuss and seek remedy for those problems. But I also know that I am so fortunate that these are the problems that I have.

Are you joking about the book in the gift shop window, or serious about the address of the gift shop? 😉 Just off the Venture. I am I love, what a ship. Hope you like it. Did a live from on the boards in case you missed it. Are you going all the way to St. Johns?

From a gift shop window in Reykjavik.

@jtslattery You mean these awful contraptions? The sugar clumps inside. Taking the top off creates a sugar mess all over your hands and the table. Even after you unclump it, the container needs to be almost full to work. Form is not following function. Chuck em overboard. Fortunately for us this was the worst thing on our recent Venture cruise. Except for the housekeepers not leaving toilet paper. First world problems.

Congrats on the Northern lights. That's a wake up call worth getting!

Thanks @jsea for an excellent recap. @PACruiser5hope the MDR comes through with something noteworthy for you.

Thanks for the update. Looks like you had a great day for a paddle!

My sentiments exactly! If you're not happy, you're not happy!

I love their mirror pose.

Thanks Sharkb8. And quite an adventure you had. Serious bear action! I am a bit concerned that you don't know how to have a good time. 🤣🤣🤣 It's going to be hard to travel on other ships after the Venture

Last time fishy and rubbery. This time I didn't go in till others gave it a thumbs up. Tasted like really good flank/skirt steak.

Well, the Scandis do like a good time when the sun is shinning. When I did business there in the 80s and 90s I could never keep up! It's been 6 years since I've been to Stockholm so things may have changed. It was just the music inside the hotel till 4 am. No hallway drunks or street noise. Fyi, I thought the rooms were pretty tired then. In Oslo our room was just lovely with a view of the square. Nice Juliette balcony. There were protests in the square every day, but that comes with the territory. I could live with that. What a shame about the other noise. Great hotel otherwise, and perhaps OK in early part of the week. Jet lag is hard enough. With the added Covid airport chaos sleep takes on new meaning. Our TA sent us this lovely treat! The hotel did a great job

Just a few of the wines from the Grillmarken tasting. All worth a purchase! Sorry about the fuzziness.😁

Belated Food Porn Oslo Grand Cafe Halibut with enoki and Beurre Blanc Sublime I don't remember😀 Muscles for days Lofoton Fish Restaurant Lobster Salad- I'd like 10 to go please. Oysters- small briny and sweet. Just they way I like them. Lofoton Fish soup Deceptively simple but yet oh so complex. Butter Flounder Lofotons Bouillabisse with tomato and black garlic. I could live on this. Rooftop Bar at Center Arnarhvoll. Grillmarkaourinn There are more courses than pictured. Insane. They also did a great job for our GF friend. Tiger shrimp tempura with kimchi, lemon and yuzu Beef carpaccio with chili pepper jam, candied almonds, herb pesto, and rock Salad Minke Whale - don't judge me🤫 Some over the top Fish thing. Things were getting pretty fuzzy by then. Grilled Flank steak with shishito pepper in Wasabi nuts and lemon oil. Kimchi and truffle yuzu dressing. Dessert Special GF Dessert GRAZZIE TRATTORIA Be still my pizza loving heart! Something light after the Grillmarken gorging.😂 Included Tea at Blue Lagoon Now we're starting to tone it down.