Port Power

Perhaps because it's the Caribbean?

The pool was “open” in Antarctica, so definitely in Norway! Last year on Dawn in Norway there were people swimming, but I cannot say whether the water was heated. Usually the pool is drained only during really rough sea conditions, and is netted at night.

I took my usual international carry-on, and admit it was overweight, so don’t worry too much. Nothing was weighed. On the way back, the extra weight of the parka inside the backpack was also taken into account as the pilots knew everyone would have that extra weight. As the centre seat along one side of the aircraft is not used, there is some leeway if people don’t go stupid.

If you look on CruiseMapper, you will see that most relevant ships are sailing around Cape Horn rather than risk being hit with a missile near the Red Sea. For instance, Silver Moon sailed empty and is nearing Capetown now on its way to Mumbai for a delayed start to the February 11th cruise. Changes in ship movements are all over the world news! Decisions have not been published yet for March and April cruises, as there is hope that China can arrange a cease fire.

I’m sailing next year’s World Cruise and I definitely will be bringing evening wear. Not ball gowns, of course, but cocktail dresses or similar. It is nice to dress up a bit more occasionally, especially if on board for five months. In any case, I think these ships and restaurants are worth dressing up for. It will not bother me if a neighbour has on slacks and a nice blouse when I’m wearing calf length chiffon. I hope my choice won’t bother anyone else, either. 😀

Well, I’m not. I’m not on the ship! 😆 (I am actually cruising to New Zealand next week.)

I like your “qué sera, sera” attitude. You are having a wonderful time and are safe. You know the logistics people will work out a new, safe route and shore excursions will be arranged. There is no need to stress over what that route will be, or know the details to the nth degree beforehand , just enjoy the results. Such a better attitude than seen on some other threads. I am doing the 2025 World Cruise, not having sailed with Regent before, so your excellent thread is proving much insight. You don’t stress over the small stuff, either, and maintain a lovely, positive attitude.

If you are reading this on an iPad or phone, you can just press on a photo until the menu comes up, and choose “save to photos”. I always mention the source when I show to friends.

Sofa bed.

I was in 538. Deck 5 is my preferred location. Easy to run down two decks to the mud room for excursions. Directly along from Dolce Vita and entry to the show lounge for the daily briefing. Higher decks do not get a better view, just smaller animals! Too far forward, not only do you hear the anchor chains, motion is felt more. The higher the deck, the more motion. I have also been in 521, which was almost as good.

I know nothing about Carnival, but I have been cruising solo for four years now. Although I prefer smaller ships such as Azamara as a solo, NCL ships look after solo travellers very well. There is a shared solo table available for lunch and dinner, or just ask to join any share table. You can also meet people through the roll call and subsequent Meet & Mingle. Enjoy your cruise, whatever you choose.

Plus “anywhere dining”. I’ve seen people enjoying a late lunch delivered to the Panorana Lounge. Soup and a sandwich tides them over until dinner.

You have been a member for awhile but not posted much, so here is a hint for you if you don’t mind. When you reply, don’t post the quote in one reply and your comments in a second reply. Under the quote in the shaded space, write your answer in the white area below. That is much less confusing for readers. 🙂

Please be realistic and not overly optimistic. It has been stated this is wedding season in India. There probably weren’t 300-400 rooms available for three or four consecutive nights at the Oberon! You know you have confirmed hotel accommodation, meals and tours. Just let yourselves be surprised by what unfolds when you get there. No, you probably won’t have the same daily value. More likely, definitely not. Remember this is not Silversea’s fault. They didn’t choose to take the ship the long way round to reach Mumbai. They could have cancelled the cruise all together, citing the perils of rocket attacks, and left you all to claim on your travel insurance. I do hope you have great tours and a good trip overall.

Do not book the hotel yourself. The three nights are being booked by Silversea for all passengers in place of your ship cabin. P2P is irrelevant at this stage. In a much smaller way, last year we had a day on land before boarding the ship at night. Silversea organised tours for that day, including lunch. The buses were fuller than the usual shore excursions, but the tours were excellent. That night, dinner with wine/beer was at a well rated restaurant. Don’t sit back and wait. Your rep sounds pretty slack. Phone him every day until he realises he needs to keep you informed.

You mean you have not heard directly from Silversea? Other Australians have seen the email from Silversea posted on the other thread 10 hours before your post and advising the new arrangements for the February 11th cruise. You say you have been advised by Silversea that the January 26th cruise has been cancelled. Are you on the February 11th cruise as well? Wow! That makes booking an airfare extremely difficult. Sounds like an insurance issue now, although SS will probably offer full refunds. I hope it works out somehow.

i don’t know know which specialty restaurant those photos are from, but the plating looks far better than Atlantide.

The email reads very much as I expected. For circumstances beyond their control, Silversea has done a good job. Along with other cruise lines, they will have lost a lot of money having to relocate the ship, and without paying passengers. Probably claiming on their insurance now!

The cruise would be taken off the website because SS would not want anyone new to book it. Until Silversea knows for sure what the next steep will be, better not to take further bookings. Surely Moon will head to Mumbai, even if SS has to put all the passengers in a hotel for two nights and pay for meals?

A dog for the ship’s crew is being trialled on Icon of the Seas. There has never been any mention of Silversea being involved in a similar trial.

Silversea is not a child free cruise line, although there are not often many kids on board. On Silver Dawn my friends had the Silver Note dinner ruined with two kids running around. I love Azamara, but it is country club casual at all times. Silversea requires jackets for men even on informal nights, and then there are formal nights as well. I dressed up more in the evenings on SS than Az, and enjoyed doing so. The included wines are a higher level on SS without a package surcharge. The main difference is that a shore excursion in each port is included.

No. There is a permanent room service/dine anywhere menu, then at 7:00pm a selection of the main dining room menu is available. Usually the standard “always available” items.

It was a very easy walk on a flat path. The bus did all the work taking us up there. However, I did not go up the tower. The fit few who did enjoyed the view, but said it was narrow on the stairs up. The previous gardens had a much longer series of paths, with a steepish gradient in two or three sections. Unfortunately we were rushed along in parts, and many of us slower people missed some of the guide’s commentary. I was also recovering from a foot injury and had not taken my hiking stick that day, so I just took it slowly and managed quite well. Pausing to look at the view always helped to regain stamina! 😆. You should be fine.

Reading @DavyWavey70’s posts and pictures, I am seriously thinking of booking an Edge class ship for the experience. It’s been many years since I was aboard a Solstice class ship. Perhaps it isn’t too big for a solo cruiser after all! Really enjoying your posts.

Slacks and a blouse, pullover or long sleeve top. Most people wore their sneakers.