highplanesdrifters

23 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

 

Probably a good idea.  I have most of mine buried in cans in the back yard. 😬 IMO the biggest concern is the US National Debt.  Heaven forbid there is a time where they have problems selling the hundereds of billions they issue every week.  Neither the Red guy or the Blue guy seem to have a viable solution.  So cocktails on the veranda sounds good to me.

 

Cans in the backyard, brilliant.  I've been putting my spare change into those Crypto machines at the Grocery store.

Blue vs. Red = Cocktails on the Veranda.😃

Interesting note - CC would not let me post the above post until I made an edit.  I figured it was Blue vs. Red.  Alas no, I mentioned a Crypto coin by name.

34 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

We don't consider SS a real upgrade from O, definitely not worth 50%+ higher price.

Good to know, thanks for your opinion.

22 hours ago, UKCruiseJeff said:

 

 

I have no idea whether what I've said is helpful or intelligible or founded on sound thinking

I think you hit the nail on the head and explained the current situation perfectly.  

Add in:

Along with new cruisers there are also the upgraders.  Will folks find the upgrade from Oceania, Viking, etc. worth it?

Lots of folks trying expedition, will all the new ships get supported?

Will the excessive marketing to a younger demographic work? Enough with all the influencers on board!

Although we currently have 4 expeditions booked I'm actively looking for alternatives. 

20 hours ago, fudge said:

We have just been notified that our cruise Jeddah to Athens has been cancelled, sailing June 1st. We received a generic note from SS which had the wrong cruise details, nothing about refunding flights, visas, incidental costs, poor show, we knew this would be cancelled  a long time ago.

🤯🤯🤯

12 hours ago, Will Work for Tiramisu said:

But my DW & I are always up for doing things in the most antique, non-efficient ways.  

I'm a non-efficent antique.

10 hours ago, canderson said:

Insofar as you take it for what it is, yes.  However, all it tells you is that at that moment in time, at LEAST the number of cabins shown were available.  There may be cabins not shown in available inventory but that don't actually have pax assigned yet, either.  There are several reasons that this may occur. 

 

So assuming you could book any of those 58 cabins, while you can't say how full the ship will be, the fact that x cabins are available tells you that at that moment in time, it can't be any more full than ((available - x) / available) percent full so far.

Quite accurate.  The cruise lines play with inventory all the time. Holdbacks are common. A ship shows waitlisted, and then poof plenty of cabins available. Or the opposite. 

Have a fabulous journey!

21 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

Just enjoying the ride,

Me likey the ride too.   Money on the sideline getting 5%.  Yessir!  Don't tell the market police.

What a fascinating report. Thanks!

Sounds like Greg got the tide charts in the wrong language. 

That ghostly Romanesque building, wow.

@Fletcher. Off topic, did you ever take that trip on Aranui 5? Asking for a friend.

It's a Blood Sport because the prizes are so big.

3 hours ago, kej1 said:

I actually used their past cruises to this region and High plains drifter’s cruise critic blog from last year

Thanks for the shot out.  I'm now using your excellent blog to help plan our return to the area in September. 😃

We had some small problems on SS Explorer in regards to communication and excursion planning.  Nothing like you have experienced. Except for Heli rides all third party excursions were included, even a flight over the Bungle Bungles.  Shame on Seabourn! They are already having trouble filling the ships.  We are branching out and exploring other luxury expedition lines.

Indonesia - we're looking at 2026, 2025 is already booked for us. 😁  I like the Seabourn Itinary that does north PNG and Raja Ampat.   FYI, Ponant has some pretty nice itineraries. And then there is Paspaley by Ponant. Waiting for everyone to drop 2026 plans.

Back to your regularly scheduled excellent programming.

Good luck in Honaria.

15 hours ago, flyers said:

guess some people just don`t have a life outside of cruising

Some people have second and third homes. Others dont want the hassle and choose the sea.  😃

Thanks for the report!

16 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

Upsized and maybe the shoe right?

 

https://www.renaissancecapital.com/IPO-Center/News/104435/Cruise-operator-Viking-increases-proposed-deal-size-by-20-percent-ahead-of-

 

 

https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/equities/overallotment-greenshoe-option-ipo/

 

Hmmmm, still a little frothy out there.

Speaking of shoes, I keep expecting one to drop.  Inflation, a plethora of geopolitical risks, etc., etc, etc, and yet here we are. A parabolic market and all we get is a 5% correction.  I would have though the Stimmie money should have worked it's way through the system. Perhaps not.   Can the Boomer spending and kid gifting be adding more than I thought?

Range trade through the summer and cocktails on the veranda!

I also said no to the rediculous options.

9 hours ago, kej1 said:

Btw, I’m wrong we are still going to see the bungee jumping/ diving.  Just from another location!  Yay!  Just boarding zodiac now!

The RomRom was one of my favorites. And so happy you'll get to see the land diving.   Ours was a huge event drawing people from all the surrounding islands. YAY is right.

Looks like a beautiful day and lovely place to visit.

52 minutes ago, jollyjones said:

 

Maybe she wasn't so wrong to be surprised?

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c97zx45vp28o

 

Very interesting, thanks.   Although I dont think I'd worry about ironing my clothes if I didn't have power. Or even if I did have power.😃

Glad your trip is dishing up some better excursion options.  Thanks for the Wakaya tip!

15 hours ago, jpalbny said:

 

That's disappointing. Love Fevertree and now that I'm hooked, it's tough to go back.

I'm with you. Not just Fevertree but all the Artisanal Tonics that are finally showing up in the U.S. We just had Marula Tonic in South Africa, oh yum. What a G&T that made. Don't think its on anyone's import list. 😪

1 hour ago, mysty said:

 

Thank you @turtlemichael !  The Skywalk thing was a bust!  The Temple was awesome!  The tour was 4 hours and should have been 3.

We will be there next year.  Was the skywalk a bust because of the weather, or did that even matter? 😃Thanks.  Temple looks awesome.

12 hours ago, Port Power said:

And I’ll now cross Sierra Leone off my bucket list. 😆 🦛

Was it knowing that "salties" now referred to both crocks and hippos? 😃

15 hours ago, frantic36 said:

 

 

I am not clear what is meant by the charging for every day of the cruise means?

I believe the poster said "temporary hold". Not a charge.  Very common in the hotel industry.

11 hours ago, DavyWavey70 said:

But please do as much research as you can. There are many elephant  experiences on offer and if any of them offer an elephant ride then please move on. Please look for something kinder. I’ve had a relationship with these magnificent creatures, over many decades now and it breaks my heart seeing that they are still now the ultimate instagram uber. 

I wholeheartedly agree!  On a recent stop in Namibia we saw dozens of camels saddled and lined up for rides in the desert. Not nearly as majestic as elephants, but same concept.  No thanks.

4 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

Appreciate this above kind comment.  And, encouragement for more!!  BUT, be careful what you wish for and seek.  Have more to share.  Hopefully, it continues to be interesting and informative.

I'm going to go out on a limb a say I speak for all the lurkers and future lurkers.  Keep em coming! 😃

Elephant experience looks amazing.

12 hours ago, kej1 said:

BTW, I don’t mean to sound like we are complaining as we are having a great time.  Just frustrated the excursions in more traditional ports weren’t organized in advance.  The expedition team says when we get to Tonga and Fiji it will be more expedition mode!  No longer dependent on third parties!  

Appreciate your honest and informative assessment of a less than "what was promised/expected expedition.   Love your attitude more.  My motto - If you're not happy, you're not happy. 

Keep rolling with the punches and enjoy!