SLSD

I am not surprised either. I don't think anyone is questioning what they did. Everyone is aghast and just trying to figure out what can be done in the future. I hope everyone is doing ok.

And we won't be returning to Russia during our lifetime probably.

I recall having our passports with us in both St. Petersburg and again in Russia on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Otherwise, we could not have entered Russia. It was enough of an ordeal to go through with our passport. I'm quite sure we could not have gone back to the ship and then back through immigration without it.

I just noticed my typo in the subject heading. So it goes...

I totally agree with you. Curiously, we were told to take our passports when we were in Alaska--and we are Americans. I scoffed. I can't remember now what we did. Perhaps they neglected to exclude Americans from the announcement.

I meant that you should not take all the money you had (potentially) in your wallet. I understood that it was mandated that passports be taken. I've read a bit about passport cards---no African country accepts them. This is such a frightening situation. I hope the passengers involved are doing ok this evening.

I've read that stolen passports WERE part of the robbery. I've read a list of countries that accept a passport card--and no African country is on the list. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/card.html

Thank you for all of your suggestions,. I've never used the vacuum bags, but a friend brought some over in case I wanted to use them on our trip. Very kind of her. Neither of us take blood pressure medication and we did successfully take Paxlovid last September when we both had Covid. It worked like a dream for me (stops the virus from multiplying) and for my husband. On this trip, we are just using Luggage Forward for the trip out--and will schlepp our bags home ourselves. I am trying to pack very smartly. Currently, I already have most things laid out on a bed and I'm impressed that it is not a huge lot. And yes, the shoes are a big (and ongoing) issue. I think Mr. SLSD can get by with three pairs---walking shoes (worn on plane), dress(ier) shoes and one other pair in between. I'll wear my walking shoes on the plane and pack a pair of flats in my carry on. I would like to take at least three or four more pairs. We'll see what develops. I've got daytime things covered fairly easily. I have about five combinations for dinner in the evening--but I am still working on what exactly I want to take. And there are scarves, jewelry, socks etc. etc. And a waterproof rain jacket, another light jacket, a light down sweater, a quilted vest and a couple of other sweaters. It sounds like a lot more than it actually is. Most everything is fairly thin. The waterproof rain jacket and the vest will go on the plane with me with the down sweater (which folds to nothing) in the carryon.

I just checked The Container Store website and did not see it. The Container Store reset their mission a few years ago and don't carry everything they used to carry. The brand name is Eagle Creek. I just found it on Amazon under the name Eagle Creek Pack-It Garment Folder Packing Organizer, Black (M)

That is horrific. So glad to hear they are ok physically. They will not soon recover from the experience I am sure. There is also the hassle of replacing everything. A reminder take ashore only the money you might need that day. We're discussing this now.

I'll photograph one of them later. But bascially, they are made of a canvas material and are folded shirt size. You fold shirts, other items of clothing--stack them on the canvas and then fold over a flap on each side that close with velcro. It allows you to compress a stack of clothing into a smaller space. I purchased them at The Container Store some years ago. I do not know if the store still carries them.

We've used packing cubes and also foldover presses for things like shirts and pants. I probably will use this for this trip.

Mr. SLSD had thrown the offer away, but found it in the waste paper basket in his library. The offer IS for expeditions through 2024.

I haven't tried them. We don't leave until summer, but I am already getting things in order as it has been over three years since we have cruised now! I have done a test packing into my carryon bag and was amazed at how much I could pack there. Of course, being a woman, I don't have as many bulky clothing items as men do. I talk silk pants, shells and light jackets and they roll into nothing.

Yes, we always roll our clothing. Can pack so much more in a small space that way.

I hope Mr. SLSD has not thrown the offer away. I'll check. I looked and it was not in the last place I saw it. You are probably right that it is just for 2023.

It appears that SB is having difficulty selling the Venture cruises. We've been offered the 35% off as well--but we have no plans to sail on the expedition ships, even at that reduction. They just don't suit us. i know they are fun for others. I'll have to go back and look at the offer but I think it was for any expedition cruise through 2024.

All good advice. We almost always take some "breakfast bars" as we call them with us, just in case. We'll make sure to do that. And, we are scheduled to arrive 48 hours ahead of embarkation. The only part of cruising I worry about is actually getting there.

The locks on luggage are a menace for sure. We never lock our luggage but years ago (before the combination tumblers) TSA broke our unlocked lock anyway. It was a keyed lock which was not locked! Go figure. Thank you for clueing me in about the Air Tags. I would have figured that out, but asking you pros makes it easier. I just took a look at the piece of luggage we plan to send through Luggage Forward. I could not remember if it had a tumbler lock on it or not. It does not! I am so glad it doesn't after your experience, It just has a place where a small lock could be placed--and of course we will not do that. It's a Tumi piece of luggage. I was in their store recently looking at some of their bags--and I remember that the bags in the store DID have the tumbler locks, so I was surprised that this one does not. I will leave my electrical hair appliance out of the bag. As I said, I don't even really need it and sometimes do not take it on cruises. I was planning on packing a set of colored pencils and a pencil sharpener. I ordered a new set of pencils for the trip (to have something to do if we get Covid) and they come in a shrink wrapped tin box. I will probably put them in my carryon .No need to worry anyone about what they are. Some years ago, we flew to NYC for our granddaughter's birthday and I had her birthday presents in my checked bag---and carefully gift wrapped in the cutest birthday gift wrapping papers and ribbons. When we got to our hotel and opened our bags, I was shocked to see that every gift had been unwrapped--paper torn and ribbon bows destroyed.

I am hoping that Mr. SLSD's doctor will be willing to prescribe it. My doctor did not hesitate at all. My husband's doctor is at the local medical school and they follow "public health guidelines" while my doctor has his patient's best interests at heart. So, we will see. We can probably get a prescription for him even if his doctor declines.

While you are looking, take a look at the Seabourn crulseline. We sail both SS and SB. There is better entertainment on Seabourn and a very slightly younger age group--but not much younger. It is certainly worth a look. We have done a SB cruise from Rome including Monte Carlo and it was great. Both lines are very good. Silversea is a bit more formal and staid. Seabourn is a bit more casual and lively. For example, Seabourn has Sail Away events on the deck as well as other events on deck which are fun. Silversea does not specialize in these kinds of activities.

All good advice. Thank you. I'll have my laptop in my personal item-and Mr. SLSD will have his in his personal item .

We have been among the cautious ones, but we are cruising Seabourn again (finally) in early June. We are aware of flight issues/lost luggage issues--so we are planning accordingly. We are going to be smart in packing our carryon bags/personal item carryons and think we MIGHT be able to survive the cruise just on those items. We are remembering Sharkb8's experience with their Luggage Forward bags which didn't arrive until late in a cruise. However, we have decided to use Luggage Forward for the first time and will be hoping for a very good experience with them. Do we need to pack an Apple tracking device in the Luggage Forward bag? We've read the list of excluded items for Luggage Forward and understand the list. We are planning on packing clothing and shoes to be shipped by them. I do have a question. Should I not pack an electric hair appliance? Is an electrical cord going to send off alarms with Luggage Forward and/or customs agents? I could well leave it at home if there is any chance of a problem. Also, any tips on packing to the max in carryons would be very welcome. I'll be traveling in my lace up walking shoes, packing a pair of flats (heels going by Luggage Forward). I'll be carrying on to the plane my light jacket (waterproof--we're going to Norway) and in my carryon I'll have my light down sweater to layer under the jacket. I'll have two outfits for dinner in the evening (scarves, jewelry to go with) and two more pairs of pants plus tops for daytime wear. Mr. SLSD will travel in his navy blazer and have appropriate pants/shirts in his carryon. He'll be traveling in his walking shoes with another pair of shoes in his carryon. We both will pack medications--including Covid tests and Paxlovid which my doctor has prescribed (and we are hoping Mr. SLSD's doctor will do the same). Any specific packing advice to cover most situations welcomed.

I've always loved the idea of a King Shaka Airport. I've enjoyed your tale of your experiences and all the photos. Please give us an update on the Covid situation when you return to the ship. I am taking some colored pencils and supplies to do artwork when we cruise in June--just in case we are stricken with the dreaded Covid. Surely taking diversions along with us will mean that it will not happen. I'm counting on that!

That sounds harrowing...