CurlerRob

Your extremely charitable interpretation does you great credit! 🍺🥌

It doesn't forgive the lack of foresight, but in looking at the original shoreEx, the buses ran every 15 minutes from 8:30 until departure. Depending on the route time, it might have required up to 8 buses to keep the schedule alive. I'm not sure how many there might be in DH, but I suppose it's possible that a "bus flu" has impacted the fleet ... As well, the dockage looks very commercial, so I suspect there is no option for pax to wander off by themselves due to safety / security concerns. Frustrating, we were looking forward to a unique stop. 🍺🥌

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While not all cruises are required to report to the US CDC VSP, when they do, they must report all GI issues. E. coli is the second-most common, but others also show up. Have a look at the link for prior years and you'll see that it's not only Noro that must be reported through this channel. 🍺🥌 https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/gilist.htm

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E. coli or C. difficile are possibilities. Both are highly transmissible, cause severe bowel issues and generally respond to high-dose antibiotics (not a course of treatment that you want to experience, as it can cause issues down the road). Nothing on the CDC VSP site at present for Sirena ( https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/gilist.htm ), but that may be due to its itinerary, which I don't have at hand. 🍺🥌

No. Rotterdam is over 60km south, with it's own access to the sea. 🍺🥌

Have a look at Google maps. To reach the North Sea from Amsterdam, you must exit through a lock at IJmuiden. Tides, weather and marine traffic can affect the transit times. Until you receive your Boarding Pass Package shortly before embarkation, your departure time may change - so flexibility in your shore plans is important. If you are not doing so, you may want to arrive earlier in Amsterdam and avoid feeling rushed - the city is well worth it. Enjoy your cruise. 🍺🥌

It's about a 20 minute walk from the wharf in Darling Harbour to Circular Quay. A bit more depending on where you're heading in the Rocks. 🍺🥌

The website is shilling the max speeds - i.e. one user. Consider the effect of multiple users at the same time - if you have 40 Mbps and 40 pax are downloading at the same time, that's effectively 1 Mbps for each person. In addition, the bandwidth/speed is shared with other functions on the ship - crew, booking agents, shops, etc. That's why speed gets a lot better when usage is low - as in the middle of the night. 🍺🥌

https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005475473-What-Not-To-Bring-On-Board There are some lines that specifically prohibit curling irons and hair dryers (other than those supplied). Item 21 in the Oceania list could conceivably expand to cover a curling iron, but one would think it would be singled out if that were the case. In the absence of a specific prohibition, you might want to ask O directly - or go with the CC advice. 🍺🥌

Now I have to try this on our April cruise ... I'll blame you 😈. 🍺🍺🥌

Viking has no issue with pax bringing alcohol on board from shoreside. There is no corkage and you are welcome to bring your bottle to a lounge or dinner. They are the most civilized of all the cruise lines in this regard. 🍺🥌

If I can add one thought to @fruitmachine's very insightful advice - however you get to the Castle, save a bit of time to explore the Scottish National War Memorial (no pictures inside). It contains multiple extraordinary tributes to various service branches and famous regiments - each with its own alcove. One of the finest remembrances of military service I've ever seen. As sailors, you may find the maritime (naval and merchant) sections very touching. 🍺🥌

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Svalbard is very special, but a couple of thoughts: It's at a much higher latitude than where you would have been to in Antarctica - if that sort of thing matters. You'll be much closer to the pole than down south. IMO, the scenery will not be close to the spectacular sights in Antarctica - the mountains are somewhat less imposing and sea ice will tend to be flatter - more "bergy bits" than icebergs. If polar bears are a huge draw, you might want to consider a land trip to Churchill, MB, Canada. Likely a lot cheaper and the excursions there will almost certainly provide sightings and/or up close encounters. Svalbard has lots of bears, but seeing them (especially up close) is not common. We loved our first trip there and are returning in 2025 - but you should gather lots of input in order to make your decision. A couple of photos that may help: 🍺🥌

You win! 😉 🍺🥌

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We also prefer to eat privately. However, we believe that the onus is therefore on us to find a 2-top for that purpose. If we have to sit at a larger table, we would never refuse a request to be joined - it's a public space - not "our" table because we arrived first. We would expect the same courtesy from others. 🍺🥌

Thanks Clay. Folks should also read the FAQs from the document - the decision to vax over age 60, especially if it's the first time, warrants some research. 🍺🥌 Who should not get yellow fever vaccine? Infants younger than 6 months of age should not get the vaccine. In addition, anyone with a severe allergy to any part of the vaccine, including eggs, chicken proteins, or gelatin should not get the vaccine. Anyone who has had a severe reaction to a previous dose of yellow fever vaccine should not be vaccinated again. If you have any of the following conditions, your healthcare provider can help you decide whether you can safely receive the vaccine: HIV/AIDS or other disease that affects the immune system Weakened immune system as a result of cancer or other medical conditions, transplant, or drug treatment (such as steroids, chemotherapy, or others that affect immune function) Thymus disorder Adults 60 years of age and older Infants 6 – 8 months of age Pregnant women and nursing mothers

Thanks Clay. Folks should also read the FAQs from the document - the decision to vax over age 60, especially if it's the first time, warrants some research. 🍺🥌 Who should not get yellow fever vaccine? Infants younger than 6 months of age should not get the vaccine. In addition, anyone with a severe allergy to any part of the vaccine, including eggs, chicken proteins, or gelatin should not get the vaccine. Anyone who has had a severe reaction to a previous dose of yellow fever vaccine should not be vaccinated again. If you have any of the following conditions, your healthcare provider can help you decide whether you can safely receive the vaccine: HIV/AIDS or other disease that affects the immune system Weakened immune system as a result of cancer or other medical conditions, transplant, or drug treatment (such as steroids, chemotherapy, or others that affect immune function) Thymus disorder Adults 60 years of age and older Infants 6 – 8 months of age Pregnant women and nursing mothers

Andy, those are all actually "safety beers" - you can see your enemies coming through all of them (with the exception of your choice!). In my case, opaque beer is hazardous to my health - you are clearly universally beloved. 😈 🍺🥌

You are correct. 🍺🥌

I suggest you do a search using "SSBP", as this topic has been discussed many times and you'll be able to see the variety of opinions that exist. Long threads short: if you order 2-3 drinks per person per day (depending on your choices) outside of the included offerings the economics work; some pax simply like the feeling of convenience that comes with prepaying and don't worry about whether it's a $ win/loss; some pax like to experiment with new drinks and don't want to feel constrained. Lots of reasons and always unique to the person. Note: the SSBP is only a way to prepay for drinks - all beverages on the ship are available to all pax, nothing is reserved. There are two specialty restaurants. Both are included in your fare. Pax opinions appear split 50/50 as to favourites. Try them both and see how you like them. Bon Voyage. 🍺🥌

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