YoHoHo

True. I realize this one is strict but it is one I like because of the excellent coverage. I.e. CFAR is 80 or 90% vs as low possible 50% for some others. And can be requested within 48 hours of departure. And very few coverage exclusions / conditions. So great coverage but strict on time window and only for up to 30 days.

The immediate financial penalty means we must research and get quotes on insurance, and slog through their fine print, before booking a cruise now with O. One policy I like includes CFAR coverage if purchased within 72 hours of booking. Depending on amount of coverage, age and duration it can be competitive with non-cfar policies, or can be much more expensive so must check each time. Another policy requires purchase within 48 hours of the first non-refundable payment for the pre-existing condition waiver. Etc, etc, etc. Insurance coverage is an important consideration for us and unfortunately in Canada have limited options. An immediate penalty means we cannot just book and then get our other arrangements sorted so no more impulse purchases. This apparently small change has a large effect on our purchasing. The size of the penalty is less important than the effect it has. Sudden promotion or opening day bookings take more work. That is a reason we never considered some cruise lines that were otherwise appealing. Unsubscribed from most mailers as I knew would not book because of their immediate penalties. Now O is in the same boat as the rest and one thing less to differentiate O. This new penalty has expanded our list of cruise line possibilities so that is a good thing (for us). We are already drifting away. We are on three cruises this year, only one (upcoming) on O which always was our preferred line.

To clarify, there is no "marina". Some ships (other lines such as on Royal Clipper (primarily a sailing vessel)) have a platform that opens down from the stern that can be used for swimming or loading into kayaks, etc and it is called their Marina. World Navigator, and I believe W. Traveller is the same, does not have a marina or swim platform. It does have an opening in the side of the hill where steps lower to a small stand on platform. This platform is used, with assistance from strong deck hands, to load pax into the RHIBs, aka Zodiacs. Then these zodiacs towing kayaks and SUPs (I assume as they were not in use) go out a short distance from the ship (or a longer distance for experienced kayakers on Antarctic excursions) and the pax are loaded into their kayak off the zodiac. That platform is also used for the Polar Plunge (tethered) but not as a general swim platform. They have offered kayaking several times. It is announced the day before and must sign up for an available time slot. Wind is a key determining factor. Plus they must obtain clearance from the harbour authorities and the amount of other marine traffic and assigned anchor position plays into that. So it is not so simple as I was expecting. we've kayaked once and missed a 2nd opportunity as we were away on excursion. They announced a possible opportunity tomorrow(?) or next day (again if weather allows) and will try for morning sessions and Kate afternoon so those away on excursions can have a try. When we went out the wind and current did not seem at all strong but it was deceptive because the distance covered with a short time drifting was surprising. The water team are on zodiacs keeping a close eye on us and herding us together.

We're docked in Syracuse today. The small bridge to Ortygia is right at the exit from our port so could not have been docked better. It is cooler this morning. That is to say not blazing hot and humid. Warm but comfortable having breakfast on the fantail so was optimistic for our walkabout. Out by 9, around much of Ortygia seeing highlights and scouting out beaches for a return swim in the afternoon. Back by 11 and it now much hotter and humid. So an afternoon dip in the oh so clear blue sea will be welcome. Appears mostly locals on the rocky beaches, I will stand out I am sure.

FYI @Host Jazzbeau pasteis de nata available today at Paula's Pantry (coffee, cappuccino, sweet, energy drink, sandwich grab and go).

No, not a Portuguese culture on board. Very international staff from 26(?) countries. Nuno, the Hotel Manager is Portuguese and a wonderful host ensuring everyone is always taken care of whether one needs more attention than others or prefers little attention. But yes, they did offer pasteis de nata but just the one time. The dinner menus can be themed or several times had an additional local specialty of the port visited also offerred.

World Navigator. Excellent. It is a small (lovely) ship that only holds <200 pax so naturally selection is less than larger ships but the quality of ingredients and production has been very good. Minor thing to most folks but this is the first time in a cruise ship I have received medium poached eggs as requested. Breads and pastries are excellent, meats very good (though a little under seasoned (S&P) for my liking but less salt on a cruise ship is usually welcomed), full range of fresh and interesting items on salads at lunch though veggies are a little scarce at dinner. Separate page of offerings of vegan / vegetarian items.

Good suggestion @Host Jazzbeau. No, the charge is not home-based but on the amount of data. We received 1 GB each with a 2 MBps bandwidth limit. Just to add, the internet response does seemed nice dependant. This Fire tablet, which I prefer for browsing and typing with the larger display and keyboard, sometimes will report no new mail after a refresh but my phone will pick up new mail. I had to take my phone and this tablet to Reception to get them to make the initial Wi-Fi connection. Got invalidated then just connection time out, etc. They got this tablet to connect by closing everything including all open tabs. But my old Samsung phone I had to leave with them for a few hours and they did get it connected. I was not the only one having trouble with that initial connection. Oddly on both of my devices, and at least two others I know, even after connection Fong and getting an IP address the Wi-Fi indicates connected but no internet. But it IS connected with internet. So it might appeared to be not functioning but it is. A problem with the data allotment is there is no indication of how much is used or is left so being careful perhaps unnecessarily. I do know two people working from the shop on their full laptops who both say it is aok. Have to run as pulling into amazing Valletta harbour now.

Having a wonderful time. If you have any questions I'll try to answer. (Was planning on writing a 'live' post but internet to slow (for my impatience🙂))

@ShopperfiendTO no inner shoes are worn inside the boots. We both felt the boot size wanted was pretty close to our regular shoe sizing. I wear 12 1/2 shoes and could wear the size 12 boots even with my extra thick socks. But they were a little tight so went to 13 and that was fine. Before we left I was concerned of cold feet so layered them too. We both wore very thin sock liners then a heavier winter sock designed for warmth. Both the sock and liner are made to help wick moisture. Socks were J.B. Fields brand, excellent product. With the sock layers our feet were very comfortable and we never gave them a second thought. Atlas supplied Muck brand boots - they are excellent. For both of us the jackets seemed a little on the large size even with shirt layers underneath. Too small would be even more restrictive (all bundled up one is already a little awkward moving about). I ordered my usual men's size jacket. I wore a thin technical long sleeve undershirt, a regular short sleeve shirt and once or twice, a thin fleece vest which was not needed. With that under the jacket and the jacket's removeable inner padded vest I still had space in the front to have my camera on a neck strap under my jacket while crossing to the landing site in the RIB. I would not order a size larger than you normally wear. As @rloke wrote there is a fitting session while crossing so can go up or down a size if needed. However, on our sailing there was an usually highly demand (their words) for small size jackets and that in turn put demand on the mediums. DW had ordered a large and it was too large for her and wanted to down size but one was not immediatly available (they did get her one). The larger would have worked for the landings but would have been pretty useless to her at home. We were never cold except face in the wind while going for the landings (we brought a good selection of head gear and buffs for that) and hands when my gloves got splashed on those same rides, twice. That was miserable. I found my gloves to be a significant problem keeping dry and were awkward getting on and off to use the camera. It was not that cold. Windy conditions would be cold but they do not go on landings if windy conditons predicted and keeping dry is important. If you go on the longer hikes / routes then sweating is a bigger concern. Before leaving I was concerned of cold feet standing on snow and ice but was never an issue.

As you noted there is a floor lamp in the corner near the window. I purposefully took a photo of the outlet but can't find it it right now. That said, I recall the lamp has a large oversized plug. I *think* it is because the lamp is an LED and the socket is a USA type B (standard 2 prong plus ground) outlet but that is just a guess. I'll post the photo when I find it. The desk across from the bed has a series of outlets in the top. Open a small door in the top and IIRC there are USB, USA type B and maybe also European C or E. Again, have to find the photo I took of them. But those outlets are at the far end of the desk from the window so not a lot closer to the window than the bed but a good surface for the devices. If you must use an outlet near the window and there was just the one outlet, I would unplug the floor lamp and if needed us an adaptor. I'll be back when I find the photos.

This is excellent to see an official AOV member on Cruise Critic now. Welcome aboard, Jason. I see @AOV Communications had made a number of replies since Tuesday. I've not yet read through them but very happy to see this communication channel open.

Yes, I spent time on the O board but not posted there in a while. I'll be back.. The food on O is generally better. I will keep this brief and avoid a review here as I (still!) intend to write a proper one and want to choose words carefully and not sound too harsh. First off, as you mentioned it was an Antarctic Expedition so is different than a more normal cruise elsewhere. They have big supply chain issues with Ushuaia and have to scramble at the last minute to fill shortages. And the chef has to rework menus. They did an excellent job with that - full marks. The meats and seafood were excellent (other than the odd sausages at breakfast). In general better than O. Also perfect, in season fruits, and like O wonderful European cheeses, a wonderful bakery with a constantly changing offerings of a variety of breads, Jamón Ibérico or Presunto tidbits sliced and laid out at lunch, a prepare/plate to order seafood or pasta station, etc., etc. Breakfast and lunch buffets, with its carvery of perfectly prepared, changing daily offering were great (though the buffet layout is strange). Skip dessert. Lunch has a station with a variety of "squares"/ All very colourful and attractive and equally tasteless. The ship made ice cream is excellent. I assume I had dessert at dinner but cant remember any. Sweets such as pastries and giant cookies available all day at Paula's pantry are good. Dinner is more formal in appearance with tablecloths and table service but the service is very poor. The staff try hard but are not well trained and seem used to "mass feeding". Taking an order they prefer to want it ordered at once: which wine, appetizer, main, and dessert. Leave and drop and wont see them again. In fairness there were a couple of very good servers and I noted them on survey as they worked hard and had great interest. The kitchen does a very good job and I noticed after a few days some tables (very large groups or those preferring ethnic / familiar choices) were given meals just for them. Very top notch. This is what I would hope for from a small ship experience and they delivered. It is unfortunate service is not up to the same standard (nor the included house wines though a decent size selection and bottles for purchase at reasonable prices) Oh see, I have gone on and on far too long. Bottom line is breakfast made to order eggs are table service and can add from the extensive buffet - all good. Lunches are buffet, fresh with ample selection and excellent quality meats, dinner is table service that needs someone to manage the front of house. Table service / dinner itself cannot compare to O. It will be fine but it not what I think Atlas thinks it is. Edit: I am looking forward to the outdoor dining and specialty grill on an upcoming Mediterranean cruise and the specialty restaurant that are not open on the Expedition cruise. I expect they will both be excellent.

Thank-you Primus for these details of the various venue opening times - you keep great notes 🙂 Summarize for our case, lunch buffet in main dining room is a maybe on some days available after 1:30 -2:00, 7 Aft small buffet to 2:00 then burgers to 4:00. Paula's Pantry had excellent looking pastries, cookies and great looking healthy juice / tonic offerings but little in hot food on our sailing. Pizza a couple of times but always gone in a flash. The cold sandwiches looked simple and that is a positive thing as I am a sucker for a simple sandwich, great bread and high quality but simple filling. But not worth returning to the ship for. Room service, other than an (untried) excellent breakfast selection, on our cruise consisted of four items, a bizarre "clubhouse" (in quotes because it had three slices of bread and that is the only part that resembled my expectation of a clubhouse sandwich despite the menu description), a chopped chicken wrap (Caesar dressing replacing the mayo in the clubhouse), a hamburger and something else (salad perhaps?) I have just learned that a number of the ports we will be tendering so I think we will plan instead to enjoy lunch in port rather than return to the ship. I was hoping for the nice lunch buffet and then perhaps dinner in port when we have the late night stays in several ports. We like to have a meal locally and on board I enjoyed lunch offerings so seemed like a good plan but re-thinking. Your details have been very helpful.

@cruisemom42 have you made it to Pula, yet? I have read a number of your (informative) posts and I know it was high on your list. We will be there next month and wondering of your experience. It will likely be so hot we will be limiting our activities but looking forward to what seems like an excellent walk-about.

Thank-you @edinburgher for sharing your day in port. This is very helpful. We will be there until late night so going out out town in the morning then will wander about with your details in mind in the late afternoon / early evening.

Being as the Expedition cruises in the Arctic / Antarctic (I realize Atlas calls all their cruises "expeditions") have a ship full of captive pax at lunch time the main dining room is busy. Lunch was very good and a high point on our Antarctic expedition this year. But I don't know what they are doing for lunch on a port intensive cruise where most pax will be going ashore. Is lunch still offered in the main dining room? Is it scaled back. i.e. from what is offered on a sea day? What hours is it open? Our experience on other cruise lines is once the dining room / buffet is closed there is still meals on offer at a pool-side grill. Perhaps Atlas' Josper Grill Dining Experience at 7-AFT Grill wil be open (hope, hope) We are looking at some half-day excursions that are to return to the ship at perhaps 12:30, or 1:30 or maybe 2. Was thinking of then having lunch on ship and heading out on foot, if the heat is not too exhausting, in the afternoon. But maybe that will not work depending on what is on offer. I recognize it is difficult to manage with only 190 pax or so as a full complement but as this is marketed where we are ensured "you enjoy every comfort and that your every need is anticipated and fulfilled" (that IS a high watermark! :) I am simply hoping there will be some good lunch options for those returning from Atlas's shorex's. Does anyone have information / experience on their lunch options on port days?

Sorry, I have no specific brand recommendations. I took a pair of not expensive but brand name ski gloves that I have had for years just for cold / occasional snow in the winter (not for skiing). We also bought glove liners, made from a very thin wicking material gloves specifically for this trip. These would be especailly useful I think inside of mitts. I struggled with the gloves a lot but was *very* happy to have also had the liners. I could not use the gloves with the camera and on landings fumbled around getting them on and off. The excursion guides are very strict, as they should be, about anyone sitting down or placing anything, such as a day pack or camera case, on the ground / snow. Transmitting avian flu is a major concern. Consequently, did not want to drop a glove while getting them off or stuffing into a pocket, etc. So it was on and off and on and off and annoying. Removing the outer glove though the glove liner was often sufficient to keep the cold and wind away so once on shore I would just stuff the outer glove in my pocket and leave them unless hands got too cold. So for me, thin was better. But on the zodiac hands, are exposed hanging on to the rope ( I question its usefulness but made me feel better) so I did need them. NOTE: once on the zodiac I got a good splash, Parka and pants all fine but one glove got very wet and was far worse wearing it than not. I suppose any water "resistance" in the gloves outer shell had long expired. In a few minutes my fingers were numb. I have not used waterproof gloves and did not like the idea that hands could get damp and clammy inside. But that would be minor I think to wet gloves that soaked up the Antarctic water. I am guessing that the liners would not fit under thinner "touchscreen" gloves. When spending time out on deck I always just used the liners.

Thank-you @Primus for posting this disappointing news. Use of the Marina was definitely one of the features that induced us to book with Atlas. Previously we had booked on ship on another line, Royal Clipper (also small but more unique as a true sailing Tall Ship) because of its marina. That is the only ship of their three that have a marina. That cruise was cancelled due to Covid and so we thought for this summer we'd try this Atlas cruise as on hot days in the Med in clear blue waters swimming off the stern would be perfect. We envisioned returning to the ship after a day of touring and taking a quick dip in the ocean (assuming we are tendered) and then relaxing before dinner. That would be so good. Or maybe a stop at a cove en route to somewhere (as RC does). Of course, some of the itineraries and port times would not allow the use of the marina but the itineraries are mapped out in advance. I spoke to Atlas to ask if our booking was one of the "selected" cruises. She could not say yes or no; the decision is made on-board, safety...etc. if it is used. Not really an answer to my question. I realize use of the marina is dependent on safety, sea conditions, etc. but are they actually offering it - ever? Perhaps the President's cruise in August is one of the selected cruises and hopefully not the only one. We'll go with optimism and maybe we will be pleasantly surprised.

I wrote a far too long post (as I sadly do) but will save that for later. First comes down to a more simple question I hope someone here can help me with. Sep. 1 we will be docking in Trapani. Want to visit Erice and Segesta. I am not sure of taxi cost to get to Segesta (seen huge range of prices - have emailed for a quote but the pre-book sites I have seen promote they have lux cars and I really only want transportation so maybe they are too expensive). Midday we could take the bus ( http://www.tarantolacuffaro.it ) up at a suitable time but the next (& only) return is too soon (1.5 hours) and thinking we would like 2 hours. My immediate questions are: 1. Is it possible (reasonable to assume) there will be a taxi at Segesta available to take us back? 2. Any thoughts on cost? one-way, or both ways with a wait (or would they just leave and return at a agreed upon time)