DTtravelers

We were on Quest, which just finished its last run to Antarctica, so my answer is only partly useful. Venture and Pursuit are now the two ways to go. In 6 days we went out 9 times, including 3 kayak, 5 landings, including an ice landing in the Wendell Sea, and zodiacs. We could also have kayaked at Elephant Island (a rarity), but ran out of steam. We were blessed with magical weather Dec 2019. Next time will include South Georgia!

Cruising the Kimberly area sounds very interesting, so I checked out what it would take to get there. Spending 20+ hours in the air for only a 10 or 11 day cruise isn't something I would ever consider. It would take at least 3 weeks for the flight ordeal to recess sufficiently in my brain to go through it again. Actually, sailing back would be way more appealing... I would consider a longer trip with land and sea elements to explore the region, so this type of arrangement has some appeal.

Hi RyanJCanada: Earlier might be better for the Falklands, South Georgia and Elephant Island, but probably not Antarctica itself. In 2019, we were at Waterboat Point on December 9th and the Gentoo's were all sitting on their eggs (and stealing pebbles from each other). Three days later in Yankee Harbor, we got to see one-day-old Gentoo chicks. Orcas were also very active then as we saw at least 40 in just one location. When we go back, it would not very likely be in October or November. 10 days earlier at that time of year is not a plus. For what it's worth, we got to kayak at Elephant Island on December 13th and go ashore in the Falklands on December 15th, but they told us we were quite lucky to accomplish either of these as weather is the controlling factor.

If you are thinking about Odyssey, then yes, they have ship-based zodiac tours. We did the 14 day Vancouver Round trip in 2022 and 2023. Do not miss the Inian Islands zodiac trip. It can fill up, so book early. Alaska forces cruise lines to remove their own zodiacs and replace them with zodiacs supplied by Alaska-based vendors. And only US citizens are allowed to operate them. Venture could not fulfill Alaska's requirements last year, so could not do zodiac trips. There is a thread all about this. Many passengers were not happy about this, but offloading all the zodiacs in None and shipping them to Vancouver to reload them would have been a logistical nightmare for Seabourn. Dawes Glacier, Endicott Arm Inian Islands

Hurray that she/he is going to Encore! Can you remember their first name? I'll seek them out and report back in the following weeks. And thanks for the heads up on reducing the sweetness.

The reasoning is indeed mysterious, but the offloading and on-loading of zodiacs is probably not. We did 14 days on the Odyssey last and this year, and were told that cruise lines were required to use zodiacs supplied by Alaskan companies for use in Alaska, even though Seabourn has it's own. So the ones offloaded in Vancouver were probably being returned to the Alaska vendors, while the ones moved back on belonged to Seabourn, and were probably stored in Vancouver for the season. All zodiacs pretty much look alike except for size variations, so removing them and then putting them back would have indeed appeared strange. This would also explain why the Venture could not do zodiacs trips: they would have had to on-load Alaskan zodiacs in Nome then drop them off in Vancouver, even though they carry 24 zodiacs of their own! Logistics of that would be problematic. We were also told last year and this year by multiple Venturing team members that only US citizens were allowed to operate the zodiacs in Alaska. Indeed, some highly qualified Canadian Venturing team members confirmed to me that they were not allowed to operate the zodiacs while in Alaska, but they could while in Canadian waters. I tried to corroborate this stuff, but my internet searches came up empty (other than the normal endless list of unrelated stuff that searches always return). Happy sailing! btw: I really like the Odyssey and am very sad to see her go next year...

Follow up on the light rail costs: As CalmSea pointed out, costs vary depending on direction. I was charged $8.51 (US) from Templeton to the Waterfront, and $4.64 back to Templeton. That said, it was clean, well maintained, quick and comfortable. If you have lots of luggage, it might be a bit challenging. We had an excellent cruise, even better than last year. I felt like the staff were all on top of their game. Friendly, helpful and engaging. I didn't meet any team members that I would have traded in for someone else. Our room Stewards were outstanding. The Venturing team is the best: we sailed with four of them in Antarctica in 2019 and it was great to see them again. We did eat in MDR once, otherwise we were entertained by Humpbacks (actually lost count one night), Orcas, Pacific white-sided dolphins, amazing sunsets... TK rib night generated a number of "those were the best I've ever eaten" from fellow travelers. Crab feed with baked Alaska twice in the Colonnade, Halibut at E&O was sooooo good! And the fruit was top notch. Zero complaints about food from me, but I am relatively easy to please. Entertainment was good. Enjoyed Michael playing guitar in Club and Observation Lounge. Roy Tan was back with us the first week, and treated my wife and I to an impromptu arrangement of Blue Skies, and Hallelujah with Craig on guitar after Observation Lounge shut down one evening. Words cannot describe the experience. Love the Odyssey class ships!

Hi FogGuys: We just got off the 14 day cruise ending last Friday. We ordered the black windbreaker/rain jackets, but I found the sleeves were too short for me, so I took it to the jacket exchange. I traded it in for the lined blue jacket which I used a lot over the course of the cruise. They still had piles of these older blue jackets available in most sizes. Some days short sleeves were okay, some days long sleeves, some days sweater/fleece or the heavier lined jack worked the best. Think layers, layers, layers, and you will always be okay. A brimmed rain hat or cap is helpful. We were treated to this sailing from Wrangell:

Or…. As another option you could take the light rail for $3.50 each. 26 minutes so it will get there before the taxi. Did this last week. Just tap your credit card. Note that the station downtown is about 3 blocks from the cruise terminal…. Not a bad solution if you don’t have a of luggage. Sunny and 75 here in Wrangell today. No, I am not making this up! 🙂 Have a great trip!

Hi ScotBrit17: My wife and I spent 43 days in a V1 on Quest, and 14 on Odyssey. We never felt it was an issue. The upper part is glass. Cannot guarantee you views like this though !🙂

So you are actually going through US customs while in Vancouver Place (to enter Alaska), correct? Is there a Global Entry line separate from the main line?

Well, I called the Mariner Society number yesterday and got a different story. I know, I know... We are at 197 days, and I told the agent I did not want to have to wait 11 more days in 3* status on our scheduled 14 day cruise. He said on day 3 to go to the front desk and have them submit an expedited request to the home office. As soon as it was approved, we would get 4* benefits during the cruise. Note: In this day and age, it shouldn't take involvement of anyone to make this happen. It should all be automated. The computer knows you boarded the ship and it knows your history. Making you wait until your next cruise or until someone punches a few keys on the computer to update you is archaic. But time will tell. However it all turns out, I will report back after/during the cruise...(March '24).

Did you book this with Flight Ease? I booked a flight to Auckland to pick up the Noordam next spring using Air New Zealand, and Flight Ease let me select the seats. It was an excellent fare. But I have a fear that if we wait to pay until December, maybe the seats will be taken away and given to someone willing to pay more? When you are over 6'6" tall, economy seat spacing on a long flight is not an option. For me, that would be torture and the idea gives me nightmares (literally, not figuratively). Has this sort of thing happened to anyone else when using Flight Ease and delaying the payment?

Hi Sea-n-Ease: I am guessing that you are talking about 2024? Both Koningsdam and Zaandam do 7 day round trips to/from Vancouver. If you have the time, Noordam does 14 day "collector" round trips to/from Vancouver (Vancouver to Whittier + Whittier to Vancouver). Big plus: Noordam stops at Hubbard Glacier and the others do not. If you have both time and money, consider HAL's close cousin, Odyssey, especially if you are interested in kayak or zodiac excursions. No matter which you choose, Alaska is a special place. You will want to go back.

Hi Nancygp: We will see you next week! We did the 14 day Alaska cruise last year and are doing it again this year. I will be easy to find... just look up (I am the tall guy). 🙂 89 in Redmond (east of Seattle) yesterday, but only 87 today. But it is dry heat! 🙂