Port Power

On Kodiak Island a group of us was driven up to Fort Abercrombie and left to do self guided wilderness walks, an included tour. A few of us started along the walking track around Lake Gertrude through the temperate rainforest. It was so clear and fresh! There were lily pads on the lake, and moss covering everything not moving. I sample a few late raspberries, which were delicious. And then it was farewell as we sailed away. Fortunately we did not encounter any bears.

I actually did ask this question of my butler when on Silver Dawn recently. Most of my clothes I machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold water, and they cannot be tumble dried. He was advised that there is somewhere that clothing can be hung to dry.

There is so much to do and see at Changi: butterfly enclosure, sunflower garden, movie theatre and more. It is very easy to move between the three terminals on the monorail, and the signage is clear and prominent. Departure gates have secondary security, so you need to be at the gate 10-20 minutes before boarding, as well as allowing walking time from the lounge to the gate. It is better to use the Lounge at your departure terminal. There are SilverKris Lounges at both Terminals 2 and 3 that I think Etihad uses. They are very good. I was there last week.

Apart from bringing canapés, what you describe is exactly what occurred with my butler on boarding the Muse last week: mini bar, bathroom products, daily canapés or not, etc. I guess not all butlers are equal.

My butlers have always offered to open the champagne and pour me a glass. I sort of miss the glass on arrival, but often hands are full with the carry on and a shoulder bag, and perhaps a jacket. Within minutes of boarding you can be sitting comfortably and order a fresh, cold champers though.

We also had such an enthusiastic guide. She had only recently completed her marine biology degree and will do her PhD next year. She did say that the calfs were now about a year old, so they will have to fend for themselves soon. I had dinner at Silver Note with another lady. So good! Delicious food served very differently and a wonderful singer. We stayed until closing.

We did the whale watching tour this morning, which was also a scientific trip as they record sightings as well as pull up a cray pot to check other sea life. Our pot included a Sunflower Starfish, a bit larger than a dinner plate and with lots of legs. It was eating te bait herring, so it’s stomach was on the outside at the time. < insert photo > My whale photos aren’t very good due to distance, but there were a lot of humpback whales. Their time to feed is almost over and they will be heading for Hawaii to in a few weeks. There was one group of three we saw several times, and the two of them breached together. What a display! No photo of course, as it happened so quickly. <insert photo >

I booked at the spa immediately on boarding Muse (a few days ago) and had no problems at all. First day discounts or deals were also available.

You can buy this type of net to put over your own hat from our local BCF store (boating, camping, fishing). Green net, which helps reduce sun glare. I have one for morning walks in summer.

I see you also enjoy my favourite breakfast. Carol #505 I’m going to put to use some of the hints from the iPhone photo talk yesterday. Such a lovely day to be out today. We saw whales yesterday while having lunch on the aft deck, so that was a good start to the cruise.

Interesting statistics from the cruise director on the first night is that there are 74 Australians on the ship (and 9 from New Zealand), making us the second largest nationality aboard. There is quite a large range of nationalities in fact. I haven’t come across anyone else from Cruise Critic yet though. It will be interesting to compare impressions with @photosg. I agree that the Japanese ladies looked lovely.

Without more information, I cannot find your cruise to see where it actually goes. Having just done a 10-night cruise, fjords and scenic cruising were definitely there. Plus I added an excursion choice that included more fjords.

I am at the same hotel in Vancouver that Silversea uses, booked myself like you. Boarding tomorrow. Today there is a Silversea desk set up, so I went to ask what happens. I was given luggage tags. I have to get my luggage to the ship myself and cannot use the Silversea transfer. Well, that’s all right because the terminal is across the road! And the hotel has complimentary luggage transfer anyway! In fact, my cases will go in the same truck as the SS included transfer ones and will be delivered to my stateroom. However, it does confirm that you cannot just latch on to the transfer group. In CPH, however, you will be able to prebook and pay to join the SS transfer. Most likely it will be as cheap to pay for your own taxi. It drops you right at the ship and porters will take your luggage. But at least you can get your luggage tags prior to leaving your hotel.

That is terrible! I hope Silversea refunds you the taxi/Uber/ chauffeur car fare. I still had my fingers crossed that all would go well, and it did. A text message came an hour before pickup with the driver’s name and car.

I booked ship to airport transfer in Copenhagen while on the ship last month. There are options for early and late flights, the latter including a city tour or similar. It was worth the price to me. If I had taken a taxi on disembarking, I would have been sitting at the airport for hours with my luggage before being allowed to check in. On Muse next month I have booked door to door, so the transfer and tour will be included. Any passenger can book on the same transfer for a fee.

My Blacklane experiences in Perth have been excellent. On time always both at home and on collection at the airport. Drivers and their cars are contractors, so not actually employed by Blacklane. One driver did Uber when not otherwise booked. Where you live might or might not have as good an experience. But I hope you do!

The locator number is issued while the tickets still haven’t been issued. So no ability to select seats until tickets are actually paid for but SS, whether 60 days or more prior to travel.

Shades of Azamara under RCCL/RCI.

Your seats are reserved, or held, but not actually ticketed until 60 days prior. They are fully flexible and easier to change if routes are cancelled, but still a firm reservation. Like something you have paid a deposit on but the store holds it until fully paid.

I already answered this 18 hours ago. The Atlantide menu is available for in-room dining every night, and lamb chops are included on the Atlatide menu.

I wonder if missing these two ports are due to Norway’s emission laws? “Greener” ships might still be able to head there. 7-night cruises just aren’t long enough to enjoy Norwegian fjords though.

Whole. I would have preferred reduced fat lactose free milk for a cappuccino, but was very happy just to be able to have the occasional one at all.

You can order room service dinner from the Atlantide menu or the room service menu. Or put in a special request with reasonable notice.

On Dawn a couple of weeks ago there was lactose free milk, soy milk, almond milk, and both whole and skim cow’s milk. After I wrote the request on the room service breakfast menu, my butler brought me a litre carton to keep in my suite refrigerator.