Invited On-board

The article in the link from the OP also notes that Holland America and Cunard ( Queen Victoria) have suffered from similar outbreaks also this year

There are Cruise Reviews on CC for Hapag Lloyd Cruises, not a huge amount but hopefully enough to give you a flavour

Grace,hope you and your Dad have the most amazing voyage and its great that this ' live report' has provided you with information and a perspective that has eased your nervousness.

Never great when a much anticipated vacation is disappointing. Hope you are able to get back onboard Europa2 very soon and enjoy your next cruise

If the voyage is included in the offer, not all of them are. Whoever you manage this with, a SS Cruise consultant or a TA they would be able to advise if your existing booking qualifies for the offer. Out of four future booked cruises three apply for us and we have had significant savings plus $1K OBC added on each. I think that figure is based on double occupancy ie $500 per guest ,x 2 in a suite equals $1000. Implying a solo would achieve $500 and there would be no further credit for a third guest in a suite,which some can accommodate. If your existing voyage is included in the offer it is definitely worth submitting a request to your SS Consultant or TA

Local immigration is cited as a stipulation, that all disembarking guests are off the vessel by certain time, I think the latest we achieved was 09.30/ 9.45 in Fort Lauderdale ( Feb 2024) Though of course others may have different experiences. It is likely a status quo that suits ports, immigration and cruise lines equally. As nice an idea as it is,being able to access public areas of a ship prior to disembarking at a time that suits,logistically it would be problematic at best for a cruise line. It seems fair that all of their resources should be focused on preparation for the next itinerary. I'm a little bit confused re Viking,Seabourn, Hapag Lloyd info,as previously you mentioned that the complimentary Debark Tours on VK/ SB are now chargeable and that HL had appeared to have stopped the ' staging post conference room option"?. Port to Port may have been worked better, as booking flights independently is required, which may have resulted in a flight departure that suited.? Possibly an option you do not require the information for as from what I recall though the overall SS experience is not one you wish to repeat. That is the great thing with choice, everyone has options. Hope it isn't too long before you are back onboard a ship and enjoying another cruise.

What would you wish Silversea to have done for you and the other guests while waiting for a ' later bus ' between disembarkation and airport arrival for the return flight? You previously mentioned the Debark Tour for Rome was unsuitable and also that Seabourn, Viking and Hapag Lloyd have altered how they facilitate disembarkation.

That's great. Apologies as it did not initially occur to me, my post concerned a UK perspective . Deals in other geographic regions can of course be different, as in your example 👍

Blacklane transfers are for home to departure airport only . Same on return ,arrival airport to your home address If your booking is for two people there should be four BL transfers, x2 for outbound x2 for inbound . Airport- ship and ship- airport transfers are totally separate from Blacklane. Arranged by SilverSea with local transportation and may include coaches, minibus, SUV etc dependent on numbers of people involved. Please keep in mind that in the event of an issue with the Blacklane transfer it has to be discussed with Blacklane themselves as SilverSea, per their t&Cs ,have only acted as an agent for the Blacklane service. Have a great voyage

Yes,it was the OP who was referencing a follow up e-mail. I have completed mine, initially on paper and latterly online via 'My Cruise' Web page on 'My Silversea' prior to disembarkation

Where the Panorama Lounge and The Dusk Bar closed for your voyage on Silver Nova?

Seems as if that aspect is becoming more common in the sector, referencing Ovener's experience "Last year on Seabourn and Viking Debark Tours were free. But I think they are victim to the new cutbacks across the industry. Even Hapag Lloyd have stopped their helpful interim staging post of a hotel or conference centre"

Tbf I think the 'My Cruise' page of My Silversea disappears as soon as disembarkation occurs and cannot say as to whether there is a follow up e mail. It is disappointing when aspects haven't been as they should, still onwards and upwards there is always your next SB itinerary to look forward to and enjoy.

Had all the Debark Tours ( that are designed to offer an option to fill the time between disembarkation and flight departure) on the day sold out or was it something that didn't appeal ?. From memory they have previously appeared on the disembarkation preferences letter that is left in the suite a few days prior the end of the voyage or can be booked thru your mobile device via the My Silversea Web page which is where you could have also completed the end of cruise survey to ensure your feedback was received.

Glad,that as a whole, the various sources of information were useful in allaying concerns re transfers, taxi provision.Though in my case , fair disclosure, it is not due to great insight just a highlighting of information available on the Silversea website. Re post cruise in Lisbon, there are two different properties on offer, so there might be separate transport for each hotel.. Also as regards the awful situation the originator of this thread found themselves in, please be aware that Silversea has only acted as a booking agent as regards Blacklane transfers and in the event of an issue a customer needs to resolve it with Blacklane (as per Silversea general booking t&cs) Hope you have an outstanding expedition cruise.

Whilst not a good situation it is a positive step that accountability for the situation is being accepted by a party. I hope the following is of use from SS t&cs. "Silversea makes arrangements for transportation, other than ocean passage, only as a booking agent. Silversea’s responsibility does not extend beyond the vessel. In arranging for the transportation of guests to and from the ship, Silversea does so with independent contractors". "Standard cruises as well as “Special Combos”, “Grand Voyages” and full World Cruises qualify for this inclusion, on Silversea’s “Door-to-Door All-Inclusive Fares” (reduced rates do not qualify). These transportation services are not operated by Silversea. Guests choosing to accept this service must complete their booking and agree to the terms and conditions provided by Blacklane on www.blacklane.com or their mobile application. Guests must plan their pick up accordingly based on flight departure and arrival scheduled. Silversea will not be responsible for any delays, which could cause a guest to miss their flight and/or their cruise"

By looking on the SS website at your specific cruise and then scrolling to the itinerary details it starts with a number of different of boxes,headed, Private Executive Transfers, International Flights etc . Annotated as included for Door to Door using the drop downs reveals information concerning each item, hopefully supplying answers to the questions regarding these points you may have. They are repeated again at the end of the cruise itinerary regarding the return journey home

It is not immediately clear if Dakar is your end of cruise/ disembarkation port? . If it is ,as D2D fare passengers your transfer to the airport for the journey back to the UK would be by SS organised transport, locally arranged. From memory this is indicated in the letter placed in suites regarding disembarkation preferences towards the end of your voyage. It used to be that the Blacklane transport referred to start/end of journey,in this case in the UK, though appreciate it may be different now.