Port Power

13 hours ago, agape01 said:

One thing that Silversea does not allow you to do is to make reservations for multiple venues on the same day.

For example, I would like to go to Silver Note at 7pm have some bites then head over to The Grill later for some hot stones steak. I am not able to do that. 

It would make more sense to book The Grill for dinner, then later pop into Silver Note and sit at the bar to listen to music.  No booking required.

7 hours ago, Guinness1000 said:

The HAL WC prices came out yesterday, but since it's going to be on the Volendam you have to book a Vista Suite if you want a real balcony and those start at $52K/pp. That's too much for us, at least right now.

I checked out the HAL website for the 2026 world cruise. A pity there aren't more balcony cabins.  If I were to go on a World Cruise on HAL, I would want a balcony, so I priced the Vista suite as a solo.  The fare was practically the same as the Crystal World Cruise in a luxury window cabin, with many more benefits and fewer people!  Back to Azamara.

2 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

I'm reading positive comments about Azamara's world cruise.  If I were to book it, I'd want to do so well in advance and at my age, there's always a possibility that I might have to cancel.  I looked up Azamara's payment and cancellation penalties

https://www.azamara.com/booked-guests/before-you-board/payment-cancellation

but can't see whether they are different for the world cruise, as they are on some lines.  Can anyone answer that question or direct me to that information, please?

Someone who has done a world cruise might answer that question.  However, I always pay the deposit on my platinum credit card, so travel insurance commences immediately. If I had to cancel for medical reasons, any non-refundable deposit would be covered.  Also the air fare that I usually book 11 months in advance.

4 hours ago, MamaFej said:

After posting, I checked Endeavour Roll Calls and I see that others have needed to rent. I should have thought to check there before posting. 

That does surprise me.  I am sure I read that boots are included on Endeavour.  I remember being disappointed because I was booked on Silver Wind and either had to rent boots or buy my own. (I bought Boggs.)

8 hours ago, rojaan19 said:

Time for some of my photos  !  

Fuji View Hotel and grounds -  the hotel  has extensive grounds = acres  ! going down  to   a large lake.

 

 

 

 

These two  photos are from the other side of the lake to  the hotel.  =

 

 

I have many completely clear photos of Mount Fuji from when I was there in late March last year.  However, I do not have any of when I stayed in the same hotel where you are.  Fog completely blanketed everywhere!  We sailed across the lake in fog.  The next morning I could just see those stone "picnic settings" and the edge of the lake, but no further.  Mount Fuji was just a figment of the imagination.

So glad you had such a lovely, clear day there.

36 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi,🙂 I sailed Infinity many years ago. Hope you have a good time. She is smaller than the E class ships too. She is the group of Celebrity ships called "M" class. (the M class are the Millennium Class).

Lois, I have sailed on Celebrity Infinity through the Panama Canal in the past and liked the smaller ship.  Also C. Millennium Hong Kong to Singapore. However, in this post I was referring to the solo infinity cabin on Celebrity Edge, responding to @DavyWavey70 when he said he is going to post his video from his January cruise in said cabin.

14 hours ago, DavyWavey70 said:

I’ve just been working on my latest holiday vid Lois that features the solo verandah on the edge. Hopefully will finish it before you sail.

I have booked the solo infinity for November next year, Sydney to Tassie, and then to NZ.  You inspired me to try it.

2 hours ago, Janet&Carl said:

 

 

Come on the 2026 with us - fellow Aussies onboard.  We used to live in Perth and still have family there.

I have a cruise booking in March 2026 that I cannot cancel. Otherwise I would be on board with you. I’ll look at partial world cruise.

2 hours ago, 2ndsailing said:

Our Azamara World Cruise included businrss class airfare to Fort Lauderdale and home from Barcelona, one night pre cruise at the JW Mariott and a gala party, some money towards excess luggage, can't remember cost, a large obc around $7,000, some special events and our charter flight to the Taj.

I think they are now giving you money towards those flights instead of booking them, not sure on that. Also we have had great Azamazing Evenings and guest entertainers.

I have to say the food has been outstanding and there has been deck parties, and many special events. 

It has been a fabulous experience. 

 

I would definitely take Azamara over Princess any day.  A whole different cruising style.  Azamara is more premium, and with a better staff:passenger ratio.  Plus smaller ships and a more personal experience.

On 5/11/2024 at 3:42 PM, Janet&Carl said:

I think after months and months of debating, adding up new ports vs already been to ports, sea days vs port days we have almost very nearly 😉 made a decision to sail our WC with Azamara.  Lots of considerations including the ambience onboard, but the major one was the ports and not only the new ports we will visit but how long we spend in each port.  MSC was close because of the cost, they included drinks at meal times and shore excursions. Costa had very little time in port, HAL didnt have very many inclusions so everything was extra, Princess had good itinerary going places we want to go but their seaday port day ratio let them down.  Oceania didnt include drinks and Viking was booked out in the category we can afford so its Azamara.   We can no longer afford 2025 due to DH having the past 5 months unemployed and eating into our savings.  This will be a once in a lifetime deal for us so we are pleased to have made the decision.

Thank you for doing the research for me.  I figured Azamara would be my next world cruise. 😀

3 hours ago, les37b said:

 

100% agree. Miyako not only set up the stands, dancers etc and send off, but the shuttle busses that were laid on and funded "by the "mayor" of Miyako. The town itself wasn't too memorable, but the welcome and friendliness of the people (especially the kids) was second to none.... and the send off blew me away. Could still hear them 30 mins after we left! Very humbling. Long my SS continue to support this town. 

 

May 5th was out International date line pass - so gutted it wasn't the day before so we had 2 May the fourths! lol

 

 

I always made a point of hanging over the balcony or deck to wave goodbye.  Not just because I enjoyed the drumming and music, but also to show appreciation of the effort the towns went to.

 

Now don’t let me start on the House of Aras from Tasmania!  Lots of superb methode champenoise wines down there.

2 hours ago, DavyWavey70 said:

I Was utterly infuriated TM! Every moment of my life, I’ve always known exactly where I was and where everything else was but for 4 days I didn’t know my left from my right or my North from my South.

You do have to get used to shadows pointing north instead of south.  It takes me awhile when I travel in Europe.  Like you, I usually have an excellent sense of direction.

I don't suppose it will matter when I get to Glasgow later this month.  There isn't any sun to create shadows, is there?  🌧️

20 hours ago, luv2kruz said:

Great desert and Billy Joel tribute.

I always remember that a dessert has more sugar.

On 5/8/2024 at 9:57 AM, gnome12 said:

I can't imagine using a brand/formulation that I didn't select myself to my own preferences. I will always bring my own.

You do need to make sure that your preferred brand is marine friendly.  Otherwise what washes of people will coat the coral and kill it.  Ask the expedition crew.  There is one ingredient that cannot be used, but many retail brands are still okay.

1 hour ago, Salbags58 said:

A fellow Brit I totally agree with all your comments above.  Having recently returned from our first Silversea cruise around Japan and before cruised on Seabourn and Scenic we would not return to Silversea.  The food was so disappointing and the entertainment dire!

I wondered why you posted someone else's review.  Then I read this at the bottom of the review which didn't make sense as part of the review.  So I assume this is your comment?

May I be of help?  When you are replying with a quote, write your comments in the white area below the blue shadowed quote.  Those words then show up as written by you, the poster.

Princess Cruises emailed today to advise they have redeployed Grand Princess next year and she is not coming to Australia.  Obviously both my cruises have been cancelled.  Just as I was becoming familiar with how life on a Princess ship works!

1 hour ago, Will Work for Tiramisu said:

Stickman, Thanks for your thread, I'd love to cruise Japan soon.  We are boarding the Muse in Seward in June for two weeks.  A question for you, are there binoculars provided in your Deluxe Veranda Suite?  Don't want to miss wildlife, but nice to not pack binocs if don't need to.  Thanks. 

 

No, binoculars are not in veranda suites.  I’m definitely glad I took my own for the Alaska section. (Binoculars are not in cabins on Silver Wind/Cloud in Antarctica either.)

5 hours ago, bohaiboy said:

Both  pre and post .  Atlantide overwhelmed by customer at 700.  Then customers sit around chatting   We arrived at 835 pm tonight. Not seated until 905 pm. Missed 930 show.  We just booked a SB cruise.  Fed up with SS and the RCL management

Arriving in the dining room at 8:35pm, there was no way you were going to be finished and out for the 9:30pm show anyway.  

39 minutes ago, Mahogany said:

My interpretation of Bohaiboy's comment was that they were sitting around talking waiting for food, not AFTER the food.

I think he meant they were remaining at the table chatting after eating, and therefore blocking other passengers who were waiting to dine.

4 hours ago, bohaiboy said:

On the Muse currently.  Have 130 days on SS.  We have two more booked but we just booked a Seabourn where we only have 18 days onboard.  SS has basically no enrichment or learning, the quality of the entertainment outside the Venetian has deteriorated, and the food quality has gone down.  There is  and rush for dinner at 700, and we have often not even been able to get in to Atlantide until almost 850.  Too many people at one so food is slow coming out and then folks sit around and chat while others are waiting for a table.  

 

There is a lot of new competition out there, Ritz, Explora, Atlas, Four Seasons and Eclipse not to mention Seabourn and Regent.  SS needs to step it up a little but afraid the new CEO will take it down further.

Notwithstanding your other comments, I think one of the pleasures of dining is to sit after the meal and enjoy conversation. Perhaps with another wine, a coffee or a port/liqueur.

You have posted some lovely, atmospheric photos.  Cloud and grey skies make for wonderful lighting and contrast.

13 hours ago, Lookingtocruise42 said:

That’s actually the cruise we are joining! It hits SF tomorrow and we are hopping on for the 3 days to Vancouver and then from Vancouver to Anchorage.

 

the butler will move our stuff from one room to another right? We have a base ish room on the first chunk and then move to an Otium suite.

Pack your toiletries and items from shelves and drawers* into a suitcase for crew to move.  Clothing on hangers will be transferred on a trolley.

*Ask about items in drawers first.  Sometimes the attendants just swap over the entire drawer from cabin to cabin.

2 hours ago, vickykay said:

Ken, what time are the shows on Princess?  Thanks.

See post #212 above, and post #188 on the previous page.  Ken has posted the daily program several times.

14 hours ago, GMIAC said:

Never mind - I got the 2025 list from the RSSC website. 

 

Wow, that 2025 cruise completely skips Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Is that still considered a "World Cruise?"

Definitely still a World Cruise!  It is probably an even better itinerary now that it doesn’t have to be re-worked to avoid the Suez Canal.  Itineraries have to be swapped around to help avoid repetition.