les37b

Good for him. He and Vicki are definitely our 2 favourite CD on any ship we've sailed.

Shame. I think the same happened with Kirk didn't it? Anyone know if he is still in the industry on called it a day?

They fell foul of the Schengen terminal in the airport. All "International" flights - ie that are foreign flights outside of the EU, go from Terminal D (I think that's the correct one from memory.) And yes, there is a queue to get through immigration at that point. I think it took us about 30 mins. Security to that point was a breeze. But once through into that terminal, you can walk freely and your gate is easily found once announced. This isn't that obvious and no one told us - I just worked it out looking at the flight board to see the pattern and then asked someone. We flew 3 months ago - out with BA back with Icelandair - economy both ways - on flights booked by Viking. Thought the Icelandair was better than BA - but to be fair, that's not meant as high praise! It was fine though. If the next expected "new volcano" erupts and is a "safe" one like the last 3 new ones in the last 3 years, then I could be making another visit as long as planes can land. Its getting a bit closer to Keflavik now - and Blue Lagoon and the nearby power station are currently closed I believe. I did have a visit last time on the day of embarkation, but the eruption stopped 2 days before (it had been erupting for 6 weeks) - so I missed out!

I didn’t notice any undue noise from our Muse voyage a few months ago, but maybe we had considerate neighbours or that final glass of wine before bedtime was a great sedative eliminating this problem! 🤪

Port Power, I certainly share your views on the fish markets. We had 2 tours featuring them. One thing of note apart from the eye watering prices - the smell - or moreover the lack of it. Without opening your eyes, you wouldn’t have known you were in a fish market! Quite incredible. One annoying thing from our voyage. The one thing I was looking forward to, was Japanese beer, which I was assured would be plentiful. Asahi is the only beer I’ve bought back home for a number of years, so was significant. When we boarded in Osaka, it was available in all bars. By the time we reached Tokyo 2 days later there was none left apart from in Kaiseki. Ordinarily, I’d just take that on the chin, but considering where we were and the news they’d ran out and not getting any more, despite being in Japan was a huge let down. Did you notice if Sapporo or Asahi was being served?

What hotel locations would you recommend or to avoid in Bangkok? My last visit was in 1985 so a little out of touch! lol No sky train or MTS back then. We have a cruise booked in March 2024 from Bali to Bangkok. Had intended on 3 nights pre cruise in Bali, but turns out on our chosen arrival date, Bali is closed for their “day of silence”. So now arriving with just one night and having 4 nights in Bangkok at the end.

Correction…. Osaka to Seward! Cruise critic broke down after posting so unable to edit it time.

Your photos bring back some great memories of our Seward to Osaka voyage on the Muse in April / May. Sounds like you did the same tours we did. Did you get a great send off in Miyako? Felt very humble. We didn’t get a death by chocolate though. We thoroughly enjoyed Japan and intend to go back for a land tour. On the down side, we hated the huge number of sea days once we left Japan. Rough weather meant we missed the 2 Alaskan stops and the time changes each night were horrible. Rained constantly too so no deck days. It was far too cold anyway. We also missed what would have been our highlight - the railroad journey from Anchorage.

Whilst its true to say, transfers to the airport which included a tour, was chargeable. However, when on a late flight (after 18.00), Silversea are meant (expected?) to provide a day room. Only on our Barbados cruise last January, that wasn't provided and a tour was provided that included lunch with no charge. That said, we had originally been allocated a simple bus ride tour and told "that was the only option".... But while at GS I learned of this one and got a place on it. There were about 4 variations so unclear why Id been told its that or straight to the airport at 8 I don't think anyone would be impressed being dumped at the airport at 9 am for a 7pm flight (which was then delayed by 3 hours to boot!)

I have asked for clarity, but no response. There was something posted from the GS manager in Miami stating that drones were now forbidden on board because of the uncertainty of rules around the globe. Signing a disclaimer or handing over as you suggested, Id have no problem with and i really don't see this being any different to SS declaring you are responsible for all individual visa or vaccine requirements. This really is no different. There most certainly are places that SS go to that are sensitive areas like Antarctic and Galapagos which do specifically ban drone usage by the public, so yes, not taking chances at these locations is understandable. Anyone flying from the ship from anywhere, I'd have no problem with SS immediately disembarking and banning them. Before any cruise, I always check the rules and have on my last two SS cruises decided not to take. One was and start and end in Barbados, which is the only western country with a full ban. The other was Japan, which while accepted and legal, there are too many restrictions and frankly most stops had issues or nothing with videoing. Plus you had to register in Japan. However, its perfectly legal to own and use there. Plus of course as mentioned above, a month ago, my use was manly pre cruise - it could have been post cruise. SS simply wont allow this.....other cruise lines will. In fact Viking not only assisted me, they stated they'd love to see the footage. I appreciate this very much is a minority and obscure thing, but in reality its a camera that is capable of stunning photography. Here is a good example. (Not mine - but would have loved it to be.) I think I'm pretty responsible on these matters and accept there are idiots that wont obey, I will obey this SS instruction. I doubt the idiots will.

You got the wrong end of the stick. Flying from the ship moving or stationary is quire rightly barred. Silversea has now taken it upon themselves to ban passage. ie you can’t bring them onto the ship and then use them at a location that may be 10s of miles from civilisation. Last month I sailed with Viking on a circumnavigation. The first 2 days before boarding, I was intending to use at the site of an active volcano, accessed by a 10 mile trek. Why should I be barred from doing that? (Which I would be unless I decided not to board with it!) Unfortunately, the volcano fizzled out 2 days before arriving and it was now just a small hill. So I did the golden triangle, which I’d happily have flown, but there were signs stating no drones. No problem and obeyed. At the top of another volcano later in the trip and at another less spectacular to gulfoss waterfall, Viking knew I had it and there was zero problem. Any pilot will tell you they know you can’t take off and land on the ship. So video and photos will be off ship and my responsibility to obey any restrictions. I have videod ships, but always from land. Silversea have been aware I bring one on with me (but not always) and have used my footage in their advertising. (Look at the Northern Europe video and I have a couple of clips in that compilation.) So, basically this decision on top of everything else is simply making things an unattractive proposition. The reason isn’t to do with privacy, ( though it’s a given you don’t fly too close to the ship)… it’s because some countries have banned then (mostly Middle East countries like Iran and Saudi), some you need to register, but most there isn’t a problem as long as you obey the flying rules which anyone flying in the Uk or US will be aware of as part of their operators license.

Blessed are the cheese makers! lol Though SALT is probably more expensive than gold in this instance. I’ve always been unhappy with the price hike for “included excursions”, though at least the choice is superior to those on Viking, which are simply not worth bothering with. On my last SS cruise, we lost 3 excursions and the scenic train journey at the end for which no refund was offered “because they were free”. That in itself is an insult to your intelligence and knowing the squeeze going on, I can’t help but think it’ll get worse. I am aware of one guest registering a complaint about the above and did receive a FCC. Funnily my SS rep did say I was mad not to have, but I’ve never complained about any sailing directly with SS and decided just to let it sit go. For the first time ever, no future booking was made on my last 2 SS this year. On my next, one of my booked excursions was cancelled, which happened to be the most expensive on the list. When I got round to rebooking, I was unable to add because a system glitch still had reference to my cancelled trip and wouldn’t allow it. I had to call GS to intervene. It got added but the free trip now chargeable. Luckily it was down to that glitch and the charge did get amended back to zero after a further email from the manager. Then I spotted a confirmed trip was now not only showing as wait listed, but now also chargeable. I can only assume someone bumped me and that weird glitch for cancelled by SS was back. I’ve chased this weeks ago and frankly appalled at the lack of response, though they did act quickly when I telephoned and spoke directly with the head of GS in London. It’s still showing wait listed and still showing chargeable despite it being “included”. It’s not the reps we speak to that’s the problem, but those dealing specifically with excursions with no contact with the public. You can add those dealing with flights into that category too. I was always asked what the attraction was with SS and always said it was the little things and attention to detail. I’m afraid those thoughts have virtually gone. I still enjoy the ships, but not their marketing and approach to administration on land. The offices have pretty much always had criticism, but think it’s got worse and doubt it will improve under RCL. My interaction with senior SS management has always been superb. One more to go and certain it’ll be my last. It’s been mostly fun and I sure will miss free laundry. I’ve a feeling we’ll probably be doing a few DIY land based trips starting with Japan, though would grab a half price bargain like the recent Southampton to Copenhagen should similar reappear, though the apparent blanket ban on drones, might even scupper that.

Have fun spins. Hoping Greenland lives up to expectations. We were dead lucky in Iceland with weather. Predicted rain the whole time we were there, but they got it wrong thankfully. Fingers crossed you get the same luck we had.

Quite often (maybe 50% or more) I elect not to take the included transfer and make my own way. Obviously it depends on the port and distance from the hotel. On one trip a year ago, I used the official taxi rank at Lisbon airport and got totally ripped off. Same for Barcelona…. But found using Uber cheap speedy and efficient. Worth exploring.

Given your comparison opinion is based on personal experiences of travelling recently on both, I’d suggest it’s more valid than from those that haven’t. (Which includes myself as I’ve never been on Crystal.)

I had one of those dodgy emails claiming my computer had been hacked and all my contacts known and they would be forwarding my porn site history and web cam footage they’d captured of me. Seem this nonsense lots of times, but this one was different. The claims were still complete BS, but it was the fact it was sent to my email address and FROM my email address. I couldn’t work out how that could be faked, especially as it WAS showing in my sent folder. Got to the bottom in the end and the headers revealed the IP address was from Medelin. I use google mail as my catch all account. I have a personal domain I use and I can send or receive inside this account. However, there was a password breach - but it was with the domain host and simply changing the password with their webmail which was what they used blocked it off. Took ages to work out how they did it, but as always, there is an explanation. Needless to say, no funds were transferred to a banned word digital currency as per instruction, or contacts contacted and their ability to post from my domain blocked off. As to the OP, as suggested, check the headers and change your passwords. I recommend using something like Bitwarden to manage them and enable you to use full strength passwords without needing to remember them.

Ah, that’s interesting. I hadn’t realised there was a choice. Had I realised, we would have walked to the ship as well. Just assumed the coaches were because pedestrians weren’t allowed. Noted for future reference, though getting off, we’d need to locate where bags have been taken, so maybe the bus disembarking is easier unless you have your bearings (you see the ship on the way in!) Meanwhile my last sailing (Viking to Iceland - last month, where my planned and booked hike to the active volcano was cancelled as it stopped erupting 2 days before arrival.) - had a further setback! They’ve moved Triv from 4.45pm to 8pm saying it was better attended at that time. So it started just as we left the bar to go to dinner. Apparently it’s ship wide, so got this non event to look forward to next march too. PS … I just remembered that cruise I mentioned before was the bunny cruise! lol

I did a Barbados to Barbados in Jan this year and have a Ft Lauderdale to Barbados next Jan. We decided to board independently and still a bit clunky, once we boarded the transfer, we were on the ship and checked in 40 mins later. Leaving was a pain but it was just the addition of the bus to leave the ship that was the hassle. I agree the process at the port is not as convenient as it could be, but I’d swap that for the ordeal experienced at Ft Lauderdale airport security any day of the week. (And had to do it all again 2 days later because BA eventually cancelled our flight after waiting at the gate for 6 hours!) I genuinely felt that on the first time around, it just wasn’t worth the hassle. Being told I had to decant all the camera gear into individual trays (lots of them!), which I never got sight of again for about 20 minutes was frankly just awful and I simply had to hope other passengers hadn’t touched it while I had that long wait in line and then being frisked. Actually that was from a cruise we were both on, so you may even recollect the fiasco. It put me off for some time… and Mar 2019 to Jan 2022 was a fair recovery gap, though of course Covid was the culprit!

One is simply a reservation without commitment, the other is a confirmed booking. If SS ticketed at 270 days out and you decided to change to a different cruise, they’d be left with the bill to pay for a flight booked (not reserved) in your name. At 70 days you are liable to pay the full bill for your airfare plus an admin fee, so they wouldn’t be out of pocket if you decided to cancel. Once that deadline is breached you are filling committed to the fare and SS go ahead and ticket it. Should you wish, they will ticket earlier (something I have done on one occasion), but that full cost commitment will be amended from 70 days to the date it’s ticketed. Hope that helps the distinction and the reasons.

Each time I’ve sailed from Southampton recently, the traffic on entry to the port has been horrendous, partly because of other ships in port, but mostly because it’s not geared up for those numbers boarding. If arriving by Taxi and if you are on a meter, I’d walk the final few hundred yards if you are able to. Fingers crossed that traffic situation has now improved and would be useful for feedback if it’s the same now or improved. you have three other ships boarding and disembarking on the day and they are biggies!

Another vote for arriving at least the day before the cruise. We embarked and disembarked in Barbados 6 months ago. The airport is small and a little chaotic and when the planes arrive at the same time, expect a wait unless you book a speedy exit pass. Make sure you fill out your arrival paperwork, though if you forget, there are machines there for you to do it on arrival. Ironically I think that actually looked the quicker option as 95% had their paperwork. Boarding the ship is also a bit of a mare, as you will be registered and then wait for a bus to go inside the small port. They probably will give you a board time of 2pm, but the process will start at 1pm if you were to make your own way. Enjoy your cruise.

Curry also…. But several times we’ve had Beef Wellington prepared for us.

We arrived a couple of days before and stayed at the Osaka Imperial. On the morning of departure, I got up early and took the metro to shinosaka, then bullet train to Kyoto. It wasn't a sight seeing trip, but simply to tick the box for travelling on a shinkensen (which is highly recommended and cheap.) Obviously depending on the amount of luggage you have, I'd not be afraid to disembark and use public transport. The Osakako Station is about 150 yards from the berth and a change onto the Osaka Loop should be straight forward and on to Umeda for the Osaka Shinkensen station and bullet. I'd not want to do this by Taxi - it would cost a fortune and easily avoided. There is no warehouse district. If bot going on a coach or taxi, you would walk through the small shopping Mall. Use google maps to get around. Its superb. It will give visual directions as well as best carriage to board for your next stop on the metro. It was a joy to know we could find our way around such a huge city so easily. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Japan,+〒552-0021+Osaka,+Minato+Ward,+Chikko,+3+Chome−11−8+８…+Tempozan+-+Osaka+Cruise+Terminal/Kyoto+Station,+Kyoto+Station+Building,+Higashishiokoji+Kamadonocho,+Shimogyo+Ward,+Kyoto,+Japan/@34.7927391,135.4406983,10.69z/data=!4m15!4m14!1m5!1m1!1s0x6000e88cb26e751f:0xeab85412afcb6e95!2m2!1d135.4312234!2d34.6567051!1m5!1m1!1s0x600108ae918b02ef:0xb61a446e74a21c08!2m2!1d135.7587667!2d34.985849!3e3!5i1?authuser=0&entry=ttu Missing out of touring Kyoto was the only regret on my trip, but I really just didnt have the time to see Osaka AND Kyoto. You'll have a whale of a time.

That's quite ok. The info you posted is a good reminder to all. With the exception of my maiden flight back in 2015, which I thought was within the rules and in open parkland. Unfortunately it was a Royal Park and any flying objects are just banned! Ooops! It was a long time ago and the police even watched me fly, so way before it became common. Most of my flights tend to be over water. I rarely go over buildings, even though its completely legal. Just not worth the hassle. Sea and wide rivers are just dandy - and any error is a costly one. I try not to make any. This will be my first Volcano drone adventure, though I have taken up Etna with me, but with 35-40mph winds, not a chance of flying.

Did the Ghan in March 1984 when it was reopened with the grand name "Alice to Wonderland" with a first class berth travelling from Alice to Sydney to end my grand (land) voyage loop up the East coast by air and car to Cairns, back down to Townsville, unscheduled 3 night stop in Mount Isa due to flash floods, then coach to Alice. Absolutely fantastic way to travel and highly recommended, though the costs will be extensionally higher than the fare I paid, which Australian Railways gave me a BR employee at the time, virtually a free ticket, with only the berth and food to pay for at a discounted rate. Still enough though to put a dampener on getting over to New Zealand before returning home after my 7 months away trip. My over riding memory of the scenery from the train is its very red!