Robroy

Thanks to all for the replies! Cheers, Rob

Pretty sure they are but it's been ten years since we sailed with Silversea and we're looking forward to Alaska on the Nova next month. My wife wanted me to make sure there was a hairdryer in the suite. Must say we're really looking forward to returning to Silversea and expect to have a great time - despite some of the negative reports we've been reading. We've always felt you can make a cruise what you want it to be and we plan to really enjoy ourselves! Thanks, Rob

Hi John! We are doing the same route May 16th. You don't mention if you are "door to door" or "port to port" - we are "door to door" which includes transportation from home to airport, flights, transfers to the Silversea hotel (Captain Cook), transfers to the Silversea train which leaves Anchorage about 1pm and takes you on a scenic ride to Seward where you will embark the ship. I understand that luggage will be looked after from the hotel to your stateroom. On arrival in Vancouver you have a transfer to the airport included as well. Not sure of procedures for "port to port" however. Have a great trip! We certainly plan to! Cheers, Rob

We are D2D Seward to Vancouver in May and understand the Silversea train leaves ANC around 1:00 arriving late in the afternoon. Cheers, Rob

Jazzbeau: Thanks for the suggestion but we booked back in August and the current price is over 2k higher for the same trip. If it was simply flights we could look at it but with the hotel and train a-la-carte we'll stick with what we have. We're just four months out at this time and the rep my agent spoke to wasn't forthcoming with any creative solutions either. We will know for next time before we book D2D! Cheers, Rob

Just heard from my agent. The good news: you get a $1200 per person credit for the cancelled air. The bad (really bad) news: Silversea policy is if you decide to cancel the air once booked, you lose airport transfers (expected), hotel, transfer to the train, train to Seward and airport transfers (again expected). They value the transfers at $160 per person, hotel at $524 pp, transfer to train $160 pp, train to Seward at $290 per person and transfer to ship $160 per plus airport transfer pier to Vancouver airport $160 per person. Needless to say, we're staying with the air they have booked for us. This seems absolutely ludicrous to my agent and myself but needless to say, the flight program in this instance includes everything mentioned above - all or nothing. Makes port to port worth considering in future. Lesson learned.......... Cheers, Rob

Thanks Port Power - waiting to hear back from Silversea. Cheers, Rob

I have my t/a checking with Silversea tomorrow but am curious to see if any of the experienced Silversea posters on this Board would have any insights/experience on the topic. We are sailing next May on the Nova and have door-to-door booked - currently about 120 days out. Flights through Silversea are Toronto-Chicago-Anchorage with an included overnight at Captain Cook and sailing from Seward the next day. I've found better (but not cheaper) flights from Toronto-Vancouver-Anchorage and wonder if we can cancel the Silversea flights without penalty and get an air allowance with final payment already been made. I realize the transfer to the hotel would be our responsibility but wonder if we would still have the hotel included or would it be considered part of the "flight package". I've read conflicting reports on whether we would incur a penalty. At this point, nothing has been ticketed. Anyone run into this before? Many thanks in advance. Cheers, Rob

Thanks for this question and the replies. We are doing this itinerary in May with a late arrival into ANC and stay at Captain Cook the night before. Will be nice to start the cruise well-rested! Cheers, Rob

It might be worth checking prior to boarding just in case there's a deal to be had. We had a good experience earlier this year on Regatta - had a PH booked and noticed a Vista Suite languishing. Advised my agent to make an offer and we got it $1000 below the stated price. You never know.... Good luck! Rob

Any time we cruise I always tip the porter as I want to ensure my bag gets onto the cart and ultimately arrives in my cabin. Not necessary I know but for the sake of $5 or $10 it adds some peace of mind for me at least. Naturally a personal choice but after spending what we spend on a cruise I'd prefer not to take a chance...... Cheers, Rob

As you know, Port Everglades is a total zoo compared with SP as Scott has confirmed in an earlier post. There was lots of space in the ride-share area. Not sure about the 8:00am time but at 9:00 there was virtually no lineup or mass of people to deal with. Our Uber was prompt in arriving and it was nice to know that exactly what your ride would cost with a fixed rate as we ran into some traffic tie-ups en route to LAX. I much preferred this versus watching the meter running....... Have a great trip! Rob

We arrived in San Pedro May 18th this year - ordered an Uber after debarkation at 9:00am. Waited about five minutes for the ride. Cost was $50 to Terminal 6. Very smooth process. Rob

Randy - Not sure when your flight is but we learned that tickets are not actually ticketed by Silversea until 60 days out. We have our locator (our flight next May) but without the actual ticketing being completed there is no way to go in and pay baggage fees/look at potential upgrades or selecting preferred seating. One definite advantage to doing your own air as you will control your booking from the outset. Cheers, Rob

My T/A was recently advised that if full payment has been received, they will issue tickets 150 days out. Will be interested to see if that holds true as I've seen various responses to this question. Cheers, Rob

Thanks for the comments. As I said before - lesson learned. The last time we booked Silversea Air was ten years ago and had a much easier and straightforward process. It seems ludicrous for them to hold off on ticketing until so close to flight time as I would have thought once I had "control" over my booking that the airline would simply advise me directly - as is the case when booking directly. The advantage of paying in full so far out completely disappears if I can't access the booking until so late in the game when possibly all of the business/domestic first/preferred seats are gone. Will follow up with Silversea on Monday but as I say, lesson learned...! Thanks, Rob

Good points - thanks. Our first choice would be to upgrade to business - should that not be possible, at least to secure a preferred seat in economy. At this point it seems my T/A will need to speak with Silversea early next week as I can't do anything directly with the airline. In the past I've always handled air on my own but decided to try Silversea Air this time as I wasn't sure if I could get flights, hotel and transfers as reasonably as they could. Lesson learned...... Thanks, Rob

We've booked Door-To-Door for an Alaska cruise next May and taken Silversea Air arrangements. Booked through a Silversea rep and turned it over to our local agent. My understanding was that within 270 days you could get air routing/seating as long as you had paid in full - which we did on Thursday this week. We have good routing and times but wanted to go into the American Airlines site to upgrade our seats for the ORD-ANC leg and was advised that "your agent or supplier has to pay for your trip" (online situation) - at this point still no access to our seating. Anyone know how long it takes Silversea to pay the airlines which would allow access? Our T/A plans to follow up with them on Monday but wondering if anyone here has any insights? Thanks, Rob

Wondering if you've noticed many two-tops by the windows in the restaurant venues? A few of the photos I've noticed seem to have mainly settings for four. Thanks, Rob

Thanks Kal! That's what we had hoped. Time to book! Cheers, Rob

My wife and I are looking at a May Seward to Vancouver trip on the Nova on the "door to door" plan. I assume they include a night in Anchorage but not sure if the transfer to Seward is by bus or the train. I had read earlier on this board that at one point Silversea booked an entire car on the train and luggage was transferred by truck. Is this the case now? Thanks in advance! Cheers, Rob

Thanks for another interesting tip. You're right - you can't expect the same experience on a small ship compared with something the size of the Explorer. Another thing to check out! Thanks, Rob

Seward for a couple of nights might be an option. We will definately need an overnight in Anchorage to be able to catch the train down to Seward and had thought of at least one night in Seward as it looks like a really nice town with lots to do and friendly people. Still investigating at this point - thanks for the tip! Cheers, Rob

Great idea! Hadn't thought of staying in Anchorage and then in Seward. Will check it out - thanks! Cheers, Rob

Appreciate the replies. With air travel the way it's been lately, I'm inclined to fly into Anchorage perhaps two days early and take the train into Seward the day we sail. Hadn't thought about taking Regent air one way - will perhaps look into that and deviate so we can get there early. Then again, you're at the mercy of whatever flights they come up with although Air Canada YYZ-YVR makes the most sense. Thanks! Rob