Dusko

I’m hoping that someone on Venture, casting off tomorrow, will give us some info on the food and other aspects. I think this is the first real trip of this Arctic season and it would be great to hear whether expectations are met and what Ms CEO has in store.

Andy, thanks for posting that. I apologize for repeating myself but we have done a trial pack and find we have about 6lbs unused between us and we can’t think of anything else to pack. I’m sure there will be some who never read the notice about this limit or are simply too important to comply.

We also are joining the Venture in the near future and will be interested in the food as part of the overall different experience. To repeat a well used expression, "This is an expedition not a cruise." Markham has mentioned provisioning in this thread and he touches on an important point. If a ship is sailing in the Med then there is a wide range of fresh produce easily available and the kitchen has no excuses if they don't take advantage. On June 4 Venture will depart Reykjavik on a 14 day trip. Iceland grows a limited supply in the way of fresh produce at this time of the year, relying on airfreight for supplies. Fish, etc. should be abundant, either fresh or frozen, and meat can be stocked frozen. I'm sure the designers of Venture were well aware of the potential limited supplies and she has ample freezer capacity. The next voyage (the CEO trip) takes Venture back to Reykjavik. Any "fresh" produce will have to come in on the charter aircraft with the guests joining the ship. As before, fish and frozen supplies should be readily available. What the kitchens make of these supplies will be interesting and I look forward to the experience. I am sure there will be somebody on board who insists that "I always have........for my breakfast and I am disgusted that it's not available". It won't just be the food that must be flown in. Other supplies will be on that aircraft and I'm sure the payload is not just for Seabourn. That could be one reason why the luggage limit is 2 bags/guest with a combined total weight of 23kg (50lbs) + a small personal item. (I expect to meet the "That doesn't apply to me because I'm special" person. Probably the same one who wants the special breakfast or their brand of bottled water. There's always on or more on board.) Definitely going to be a different experience and I'm really looking forward to it.

In another thread someone suggested I check out the Danish ice chart site. I did so and it was very informative. Could explain why the itinerary was changed. No big deal.

The flight, ZT 4382, back to Reykjavik is with Titan Airways who have a variety of aircraft. As a charter airline the contract will limit the overall weight they must carry for Seabourn. They will obviously have other contracts on the same flight including cargo to complete their payload makeup. I’m not going to second guess. I’m happy to live with 2 bags/person with a total weight of 23 kg. It’s not difficult to pack accordingly. They have laundry onboard.

Thanks for responding. I can only quote from the letter I received on Thursday: " Thank you for contacting Seabourn Cruise Line regarding the baggage allowance for your upcoming expedition cruise aboard the Seabourn Venture. Guests are allowed a total maximum of 50lbs per person. You may have up to 2 bags but the total combined weight may be no more than 50lbs. Additionally, you may each carry one personal item onboard the charter aircraft upon your return. The Helly Hansen anorak and Seabourn backpack must go inside your luggage and do count toward your 50lb/ per person limit. We hope this information helps, and if you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Kind Regards, Billy Seabourn Reservations Seabourn Cruise Lines" I can understand there may be a difference because of the cruise direction. If you are flying out to the ship on the charter the anorak and backpack would perhaps not be issued until you reach the ship. Obviously not a problem when you leave the ship in Reykjavik. Still, there's still a discrepancy about the number and weight of bags. Could you share your correspondence please?

I posted this in a theme about the preceding cruise. Just thinking it might be of interest on the President's cruise. My wife and I usually travel with a total of 4 carry-on size bags, each person piggy-backing one bag on another. We check two and carry on two plus a purse/laptop bag. On this trip we were thinking to pack a lightweight extra bag into which we would stuff the anoraks and backpacks acquired on the voyage. This we would check to avoid travelling in heavy coats. On checking with Seabourn to confirm we are advised that the anoraks/backpacks must be included in the 2 bag/50 lbs limit per person. No big inconvenience since we know ahead and can adjust what we take. It could be one reason why there are no formal nights (that we would miss anyway).

I hope they will still have ice for the G+T! 😉

Without looking to hijack the thread (which seems to have died) I just have a comment on luggage on this Expedition. My wife and I usually travel with a total of 4 carry-on size bags, each person piggy-backing one bag on another. We check two and carry on two plus a purse/laptop bag. On this trip we were thinking to pack a lightweight extra bag into which we would stuff the anoraks and backpacks acquired on the voyage. This we would check to avoid travelling in heavy coats. On checking with Seabourn to confirm we are advised that the anoraks/backpacks must be included in the 2 bag/50 lbs limit per person. No big inconvenience since we know ahead and can adjust what we take. It could be one reason why there are no formal nights (that we would miss anyway). Just thought this might be of interest to fellow travellers.

Got the same notice. Don't know what the conditions might be to force a change except for ice. I tried to find out whether the Southeast Experience was less impressive but Google wasn't helpful. If you find anything , please share.

That’s true. I was robbed on a train leaving Croydon. I was sitting by the door in first class with my briefcase between my legs. One guy opened the door as we pulled into the station and a second snatched my bag.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

I need a Navy Blazer to go to the toilet! 😳 That’s bad news as I never pack a jacket.

We love those cruises with the trips on kayaks and zodiacs. Alaska and Norway were wonderful. Now we are looking at Greenland and a lot of time on Zodiacs or ashore in remote places. As a practical question: "How do they manage the toilet breaks?". A couple of hours is no problem but some of the hikes are quite long. From practical experience, preferably from someone who as done such a cruise, can you give us any tips? Thanks

We typically travel with two carry on sized bags each at the most. The one we actually carry on always has in it enough to survive in case the other goes missing. Not having a large suitcase means no problems lifting or carrying. One bag easily piggy-backs on the other. It also means no issues with the trunks of some of the smaller taxis one encounters. We have been thinking about our Arctic trip and believe we can manage as before. Shoes are always an issue but one learns to travel in the heavier hiking style shoes. Boots are apparently provided for the zodiac trips and wet landings. That leaves a light pair for round town or the ship and, maybe, an extra pair for evenings. We expect to be given the parka and liner but we are having a couple of days in Reykjavik so a down-filled jacket may be a good idea, even in summer. In terms of shirts, underwear, socks etc., the laundry service has always treated us well. We don't do the formal evenings so that reduces the load significantly. If the parkas prove bulky to pack for the return trip then they go in the second carry-on and it gets checked. The backpack becomes the carry-on. That's our thinking but if anyone has done the Arctic trip and sees flaws please don't hesitate to chip in. Always happy to learn.

Well, we’ll find out. We have our June trip on Venture to Iceland/Greenland. No interest in Antarctica and have done the Amazon. Where do we go from here?

At least they wouldn’t run out of wine. 😉

Not a big fan of logo wear? So presumably you wear nothing with Tommy Bahama, Eddie Bauer, Patagonia or, god forbid, Coach written on it? How do you find all non-branded clothing?

I wonder what the dress code will be with Mitsui 😉

Just wear a mask and a lifejacket at all times and nobody will notice the rest. 😉

We did the round trip Vancouver/Vancouver to Alaska in June last year and loved it. Because it was a longer trip we did take in the larger ports like Ketchikan but the highlights were definitely places like Wrangell and Misty Fjords. It was phenomenal to get in among the ice near the glaciers with the venture team in both zodiacs and kayaks. The team were great, readily available at all times to chat, point out wildlife and share photos. You are really going to love the Norwegian fjords. Hopefully you are going as far as the North Cape to meet up with the Sami and enjoy some very different scenery. Pulpit Rock is not to be missed! We did this cruise in 2019 and this year wanted something special. We looked back and decided that the Norwegian trip had been one of our favourites [along with the Amazon] and have booked Iceland/Greenland this year.

We did the Alaska trip from Vancouver back last June and were delighted with the jacket. Since November it has been my 'go to' jacket around town and out on the boat. Nobody has complained about the Logo where I live but I have had a couple of compliments on the jacket. 😉

We have asked when we booked our last two cruises whether we were interested in upgrades. Each time they have been offered and we have declined because of cabin location.

I hadn’t thought about being for or against the new policy so you prompted me to decide. I don’t wear blue jeans at all, not because I don’t like the look on others (in fact I have seen some very attractive bodies in jeans) but because I’ve never felt they looked good on me. I do wear lots of casual pants, from khakis to cords including some pants that have the pocket studs like classic jeans. From Spring to Fall I wear shorts almost exclusively. I’m retired and it’s a comfort thing. When I go on Seabourn I dig out a pair of dress pants and a couple of long sleeve shirts in case I want to eat in the MDR. We avoid formal evenings. I think I look and smell ok in more casual pants and have worn these in the MDR in the past without feeling self conscious. So……since the new rule doesn’t impose any new restrictions on me and the sight of someone in jeans doesn’t bother me……..put me down as in favour. Why not shorts and a short sleeve shirt?What I wouldn’t like is for pax to turn up in dirty, smelly clothes. It’s not the components of a look that make it good or bad. How about we work on banning loud people who shout “Where are you from?” Those words should be banned from any dining room, as should starting any discussion involving religion or politics.

Thanks for a very prompt and helpful reply! I read the thread you linked and it was very interesting. A June trip should hopefully avoid some of the weather issues, but certainly not all.