Devonian

My wife and I are currently in Calgary, waiting to join Quark’s next cruise to the high Arctic, originally due to sail from Resolute today. Quark’s challenge this week stems from the fact that the charter flights to Resolute require a refuelling stop in Yellowknife - which will not be possible due to the current state of emergency resulting from bush fires. We are advised that Ultramarine is presently repositioning to Iqaluit where we will board the ship on Tuesday. This means a totally replanned itinerary, focusing on Baffin Island instead of Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg and a loss of 2 days on the ship. 
 

To their credit, Quark has kept us well informed as plans have changed. They are providing hotel accommodation in Calgary for the lost days at sea and a couple of free excursions to see Calgary and the Rockies. In addition we are promised a ”pro rata” refund of the cruise fare for two lost days and $200 per person to cover additional expenses in Calgary. While it is very disappointing to miss out on the planned itinerary, we feel Quark has responded very professionally to a difficult sequence of events.
 

Our fingers are crossed that the new itinerary can happen without further problems!

Tristan was difficult because of wind and swell from the north west making a zodiac landing in the tiny harbour unsafe. After two days circling the island and much frustration from passengers and expedition team alike we managed a short - and very wet - beach landing at Sandy Point. This was rather a disappointing outcome because we didn’t get a chance to visit the settlement or meet the local people - but that’s how it goes on an expedition cruise!

Saint Helena was much more successful. Hondius spent two nights at anchor, giving us the best part of three days to explore the island. Oceanwide arranged a comprehensive guided coach tour for all passengers and a variety of extra cost excursions were offered. Our highlights were sighting the endemic Saint Helena plover (the “wirebird”) and whale sharks in Jamestown harbour. Others appreciated the sites and history of Napoleon’s exile on the island. At least one passenger spent a night ashore in a local b&b as an apparently welcome break from life on the ship. 
 

Overall this was a well-run and memorable expedition. Be ready for a lot of long sea days and be sure you will be happy to mix with a very serious (borderline obsessive) group of international passengers. Most people on board were pursuing specific objectives; to set foot on remote territories or to spot  - and photograph - specific species of bird or marine mammal. The expedition team included very highly qualified birders and scientists - and did their utmost to ensure everyone was able to achieve their personal goals. 

We’re just back from the last cruise of the season on Oceanwide’s Hondius, visiting the peninsula from Ushuaia 14-27 March, followed by the repositioning voyage via South Georgia, Gough, Tristan, St Helena & Ascension. This was our third visit to the peninsula after previous trips in October (by icebreaker) and in December/January.

Whilst March was a good experience it did not live up to our memories of the earlier visits which were truly spectacular. Certainly we saw many thousands of penguins on the peninsula, but many were moulting. There were virtually no chicks and none of the nesting behaviours that are so fascinating to watch.  We had some great fin whale and orca sightings but, if whales are your priority, you can get better sightings in the northern hemisphere (eg Alaska and the Aleutians or Baja California) for a lower ticket price. 

It was our second visit to South Georgia (previously December) and the Island was equally astounding on both our visits. King penguins breed year-round so tens of thousands of shaggy brown chicks are present whenever you go. Fresh snow in early April added to the scenic beauty

The Drake was smooth as silk southbound but the roughest we have experienced northbound, so I think you take your chance at any time of the year!

Hope this helps your planning. 

We returned from Alaska three weeks ago after an excellent 18 days on Roald Amundsen from Vancouver to Nome. We loved the ship!

 You will find answers to most questions on this webpage;  https://www.hurtigruten.com/en-gb/expeditions/practical-information/ships/roald-amundsen/?_hrgb=3

Based on our recent experience there is no dress code other than practical/comfortable clothing. No formal nights - although some people dressed up just a little for the Lindstrom “fine dining” restaurant. 
 

You’re not permitted to bring wine or liquor onboard - but house wine (changed daily) is included with lunch and dinner and generously refilled. Bar prices are reasonable by UK standards. Pellegrino sparkling water was provided in our cabin mini-bar and is available to purchase on board. 
 

Menus are rather more Norwegian than American, with lots of fish, rather few green vegetables and beetroot with virtually every dish. All good quality ingredients, attractive presentation and appropriately small portions. Breakfast and lunch buffets offered good choice and we liked the all day dining restaurant, Fredheim, offering comfort food like burgers, hot dogs, ice cream and shakes to eat in or takeaway. 
 

Wishing you a great cruise…

We went on Heritage Expeditions’ “Birding Downunder” itinerary in 2016 - visiting virtually all of New Zealand’s Subantarctic islands plus Macquarie and the Chatham Islands. The birding was amazing - as were the rough seas. Seasickness was less of a problem than falls and injuries with several broken limbs and one helicopter medevac due to a broken pelvis. None of the islands was missed although we couldn’t land on Macquarie despite two days trying. Top notch expedition staff and some exceptionally experienced birders among the other passengers - but you definitely need good sea legs and a keen interest in birds to enjoy this trip!

… and now … today’s pa from Captain Alan is to announce that the next cruise from Barbados, due to depart on 9th January, will be cancelled. All passengers will now fly home on Sunday (or soon as possible thereafter). 😞

11 hours ago, Gizmo19 said:

… My husband and I thought Marella have been dealt a good hand for all by staying docked.

This good hand comes to an end tomorrow when we have to vacate our berth until Thursday (we hope!). Nevertheless everyone on board seems to be staying positive and making the best of this cruise to nowhere. TUI has offered early flights home on Wednesday if anyone wants to take them but we will stay until our original booking on Sunday (covid status permitting). Thanks everyone for your advice and good wishes. Much appreciated!

We joined the Discovery on Boxing Day and thoroughly enjoyed the first week of our two week cruise. Unfortunately the wheels came off when we returned to Barbados on Sunday, the changeover day between the two weekly itineraries. Just before sailaway the Captain announced that “a handful” of passengers had tested positive during the weekly covid test that took place on Friday morning. Marella had been unable to negotiate permission to offload these passengers and continue the cruise, so we would remain in Barbados for a further full day. Just before the delayed sailaway on Monday Captain Alan made the next announcement that the Barbados authorities would still not allow the positive cases to disembark so the remainder of the cruise itinerary would be cancelled. And so … we remain in Barbados until our return flight on Sunday, and the Discovery becomes our “floating hotel” until then. The good news is that we will receive a pro-rata refund for the lost week of the cruise - and we are allowed off the ship anytime during the day.

In expectation of a post Christmas lockdown we have rebooked our 9th January Caribbean cruise for Boxing Day, in the hope that we can escape before any lockdown starts. Same itinerary and same cabin grade - but now £700 less than we originally paid. Fingers crossed that we will be in Barbados this time next week…

I'm onboard Explorer now - at Attu Island in the Aleutians. The ship has a damaged propeller resulting, we are told, from becoming entangled in a Russian fishing net. The consequence for us is that instead of continuing to Seward, our cruise will end 5 days early with an unscheduled stop at Adak. From there we will be evacuated by air to Anchorage while the ship limps to Vancouver and a dry dock. It's a very disappointing turn of events but the company has done a good job keeping us informed and is promising full reimbursement...