pavementends

Yes, spelling and proofreading has been much degraded these days. And let's not even get into punctuation, specifically the apostrophe, especially so close to International Apostrophe Day. Another amusing one: a different cruise line offered an excursion to a Scotch distillery that was preceded by a bus ride through the Irish countryside.

On the other hand there are volcanos in Iceland but not in Svalbard. OP should do both. And if possible get north of Svalbard.

For us La Dame is not to our taste and one experience at Kaiseki on one ship was disappointing. So not having these included is not a problem. We were very happy with all the other restaurant options and the other things that were included. Those considering Silversea should read what is included, review comments found here and elsewhere, and make the choice.

On another itinerary- I paid for Air Plus and asked about a stopover on the return. They wanted to charge additional for the deviation. I canceled Viking air- got a full refund- and booked myself for about 1K less per person. This of course depends on the particular itinerary.

Yeah that's me, I decided that modest adjustments (take a jacket which I would anyway, buy some inexpensive black slacks, and take a tie) would prevent me from being an unreasonable outlier. (In terms of why I liked Silversea: (1) all-inclusive (2) not too may people (3) luxury-ish experience and (4) ports.) Some of the comments read like: there are some who are really looking for a place that they can strut their tuxedos and feel that this is normal.

It is quite unusual for the entire trip to Antarctica to be cancelled but it has happened. I remember the recent case of the Seaborne Venture which had a stabilizer failure. Trips can also be cut short because of injuries, severe sickness, etc. Apart from these (relatively rare) events weather mostly limits the number of landings or results in a route change. I am sure the podcaster case had to do with a flight; these are more often canceled and are a less certain way to get to Antarctica. And yes, there are a fair number of different operators to Antarctica but they all have to operate in the same environment with the same risks of weather, equipment failure, and accidents. The number of "luxury" expedition ships has increased recently. A web search will reveal some companies that represent multiple smaller operators and if OP wants to explore alternatives this is one way to do it.

Wind is probably more of an issue than temperature. You will want waterproof clothing including pants (ski pants probably fine). Warm underwear pants will help as will a hat. Remember you will be sitting on a wet zodiac and maybe get some salt spray besides. You are unlikely to have problems with camera operation. You are looking at the guaranteed specification not the temperature where the camera actually stops working. The camera is unlikely to cool down to ambient anyway. Take extra batteries, especially if you camera is a mirrorless.

I seem to get a Viking brochure every week. OP can have some of mine. (Too bad it's not that simple.) I'm sure if OP makes contact with Viking he will get the brochures he wants, but I rather suspect he will regret it after a while.

I have an upcoming cruise on Viking and I have done a couple cruises with another "all inclusive" line. One of the attractions has been that (1) I know what I am going to be spending and (2) I don't need to make microdecisions about, say, whether the person who helps me into the tender gets a tip (and how much). If I am persuaded that I am exploiting the masses by not tipping additionally I will just stop cruising and do only land tours. Ideally in countries with a non-tipping culture.

When I was in Argentina in January some (most?) US credit cards were giving close to the blue dollar exchange rate. So less cash advantage. Also- if you want to bring cash- be aware that crisp hundreds are the most desirable, with a worse exchange rate offered for smaller denominations.

With 'ya as I have never owned a dark suit, being neither a banker nor a penguin. I suggest having husband take a tie, which will make him OK anywhere except Atlantide and La Dame on formal nights, and maybe even there. I wore a tie with my jacket on formal nights. A truly exotic experience for me. We went to La Terrazza. I own several ties (not sure why) and if we continue cruising I may eventually be able to use them all.

1. The do-it-yourself laundry is always free. I was advised that machines were more likely to be free on the upper decks (with the big spenders are who get free not-done-by-yourself laundry). Detergent is available, again free. 2. SALT Kitchen, Atlantide, Silver Note, La Terrazza, and the Grill are no extra charge. 3. La Terraza, Kaiseki, Silver Note, and La Dame require reservations. 4. I recommended against Kaiseki on the Moon. May be different on your cruise. Scuttlebut is that Kaiseki is different and better on other ships. 5. The Atlantide menu seems to change some on every day but not completely. Silver Note seems to not change. La Terrazza changes, but again not completely.

I have thought about a similar calculation for a trip on another line with the difference that excursions were included. I decided that I probably came up a bit short in justifying the total price. But it came close. Then I thought: Not having to make a decision to spend money for every single item. Priceless. By the way, it used to be getting a nice multi-course dinner on land for $75 was quite possible. It seems not so anymore.

I have used the scopolamine patch and it worked. (Drake passage was a good test). There are also prescription pills (dramamine). I thought the ginger thing was bogus but it turns out there are actual published studies that say that it works. As far as the other ones- unless I see an actual study my suspicion is of a placebo effect. And the placebo effect works only if you think it's going to work. So it you decide to try these other things make sure you believe it's going to work. That is, don't go looking for studies and don't read this reply.

Some airlines allow seat selection at time of booking; some don't. The ones that don't usually charge for early seat selection. It sucks but that's how it is. Seat selection is another profit opportunity. It's more complicated that you might think because of code-sharing. For a recent purchase I had a choice between AA operated flights and BA operated flights with an AA flight number. Only the first allowed immediate seat selection without a charge. (For the particular fare class I chose, that is).

snakes on a ship... (there was a rather silly movie Snakes on a Plane. But weirdly enough there was a news item not so long ago...about snakes on a plane.)

About Cairo- I booked my own air (at a significant saving, by the way) and Viking offered to provide transfers with no charge.

The way I look at it- there are some activities that it makes sense to sell only if almost entirely full at a particular average price. These things include river rafting and small ship cruising (particularly Antarctica). These things do sometimes see discounts to fill available slots but- at least as far as I have seen- not extreme discounts. By getting the money up front Viking knows they will have enough customers. Presumably this allows them to commit for various purchases (food, fuel, etc.) at a better price. Yes, when I pay up front I forgo some interest income. Not that much these days but I figure that lost income is part of my cost. If, as a matter of principle, you object to this then you pay in potentially lost experiences. Your choice. Maybe you get lucky with last-minute bookings. Maybe not.

I think the square footage should be indicated cabin by cabin in a spreadsheet, and engineering drawings of the ship should be attached.

When I booked my first Viking cruise I asked for a couple of months delay in the final payment and that was granted. I don't have a problem with advance payment. The cruise was completely sold out a few months later so trying to book later would not have been an option.

I think that is confused. Muster drills are required for the passengers. Other emergency drills (always pre-announced, not involving passengers, and apparently not all the same) are for the crew.

It's the North Atlantic. You can be sure the weather will change. Many times, often in the same day. But cool, windy, and possibly rainy can be counted on. I think you will do some of the same ports on my reverse cruise. About excursions- we enjoyed several of the walking excursions although they would have been less enjoyable if it had rained. We were fortunate. Be aware that Glengoyne will be doing maintenance and not distilling right now. Oban distillery is right next to the tender dock and has a pleasant tasting room with several options. The Hillsborough Castle excursion might include a drive through the (formerly?) troubled parts of Belfast.

After dinner the Salt bar is usually quiet and very enjoyable. Before dinner fahgetaboudit. I think there is also a Silver Note on Dawn. It has a small bar and personally I enjoy the music.

I returned a week or so ago from the reverse trip (Southampton to Reykjavik). Had a great time and I expect you will also. Oddly enough my trip was not sold out. I'm not sure why. I found the itinerary most enjoyable.

Surely the dress-up crowd with the real tuxes and bespoke shirts will sneer at anyone wearing a bargain basement tux. That must be a much more serious violation of "standards" than, say, sports coat and tie.