highplanesdrifters

Can you expand? I thought Clear used an Iris scan which is supposed to be a digital photograph and less invasive than a retina scan. Thanks.

🤣🤣🤣speaks volumes about me and my participation in TikToc

I saw a tic tok video about it.🤣

Beautiful collection High! Did you find a favourite? Hands down everyone loved Uncle Vals Botanicals. They have branched out to other styles, not a fan of those. Letherbee was also a fave. Roku is a regular, especially in a French 75. The Mediterraneans are always lovely. But the shocker was the small extremely expensive Japanese bottle, Komasa. Big thumbs down. I like Gin and its subtle flavors. In general happy with some lemon and Q or Fever Tree. Occasionally I'll go wild and use some Elderflower Tonic. Now that a full hijack has ensued.......Always on the hunt, have any favorites? Hope it wasn't TMI.

Thanks all for your input. As JP said, Clear is open till 10. Fiji check in - in theory - opens at 9. We're in biz, so we shouldn't have any trouble catching 10pm if there is a non TSA Clear. Otherwise it's a long slog. Denver has both TSA Clear and non TSA Clear.

Our liquor stores were closed for the first part of Covid, and we could only get alcohol at the grocery store. When they finally allowed them to open we went wild and had a gin tasting with another couple in our Covid bubble. Fyi, the covid bubble had very strict rules. Someday M. 😃

We are flying Fiji Air out of LAX, 11:58pm flight to join SS Explorer. I've just learned that Fiji air does NOT participate in TSA pre check. Question: Is there a Clear station in the non TSA pre check line? I know Clear exists in the International terminal. Just wondering if there are multiple locations. I've googled the heck out of this and can't find anything. Thanks for any assistance.

That's a sea day pic if I ever saw one. 😃

I promise to be on my best behavior........here that is. 🤣

Quick hijack M.😃 We fly to Melbourne disembarkation day to visit friends and then home. Love pearl farms, have been to many, I'm in the trade. I highly recommend for the experience. But will have to pass in Broome due to tight schedule.

Looks like SS is going to take care PNG Visa. Whilst Silversea will facilitate entry into each port of call during each voyage, guests are responsible for complying with entry requirements for the Country of embarkation and the travel requirements affecting their return journeys. Please contact your travel professional before departure to understand if new information is available. Each guest's responsibility is to know and understand the protocols for each of the countries on their itinerary, including isolation and quarantine protocols. VACCINATION & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS All guests are kindly asked to ensure they comply with the country-specific entry requirements for the country from which their ship/cruise begins. For Fiji entry requirements, please click here. To embark a Silversea vessel, all guests aged 12 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least two weeks before embarking on the vessel. Guests must bring proof of vaccination or boarding will be denied. PRE-EMBARKATION TESTING REQUIREMENTS Fully Vaccinated Guest Testing Requirements Guests embarking on a Silversea vessel who are fully vaccinated or up-to-date are no longer required to present a negative PCR or Antigen test. Guests who are fully vaccinated or up-to-date must bring their proof of vaccination to the ship. Guests who do not present proof of vaccination will be denied boarding.

Oh, I thought it was the special Pac Man edition.

Back atcha baby! First drinks on me.🤣 I think we could have a lot of fun on the streets!

A BIG thank you for bugging SS. We still go into a little quarantine before each trip. But not testing the day before eases the mind. I've got the Aussie Visa, but didn't think about PNG because we are transiting. Best I go check now. 😉 I haven't decided if I'll do a live yet, but will definitely report back. Which ship are you on?

We stayed in a Grand on Muse. We like the front when cruising in very scenic areas. Unfortunately, it wasn't our cup of tea. Yes the balcony was nice and spacious. But we found the room to be a bit cramped and dark. Especially the bedroom.

Are we related?😃 I do something very similar. I create a master Dropbox file for each trip. That way we both have access to all files on all devices. I still print important docs. When traveling with friends I set up separate master Dropbox file to share port and excursion information. In there I create a word doc that all can edit. I paste in the excursion descriptions from the cruise line along with any other info I have come across. We each choose a different color to type in for additions. It's very helpful for research on port intensive trips. Post trip we can all share photos there. One of our friends does an amazing job of editing the photos and information. She then makes books from each trip. Very lucky to have her on the team. Our next trip is a 35 day expedition. There were only two cases where it was possible to book an excursion in advance. Very different trip to wake up with a "were are we and what are we going to do?" mindset. Love both. Miss M - This thread has enriched me and sparked ideas which may not have popped up otherwise. I have copied and pasted so much into files that didn't exist before. It's so nice to collect things that never have to be cleaned out of a closet and put in the charity box. Thanks again!

Just got an email that testing will not be required for embark in Fiji. Covid card yes. I'm still bring my RATs, but a bit of a weight taken off the shoulders.

Great itinary. Yes it can be warm! We have been in Norway twice in June, also August and September. I've been hot, warm, perfect, cold, and freezing. In general, Scandinavian Midsommer is lovely, especially in the southern coastal towns. Layer up though, fjords tend to be a tad cloudy and chilly. Tank, short sleeve, half zip, polar fleece or down puff, rain jacket, gloves and a hat. North cape will most likely be cold, rainy, or snowy. Stavanger is similar to Bergen. Lots of history and many wonderful restaurants, sit outside and enjoy the midnight sun, your ship doesn't leave till 11pm. You are there the day after Midsommer and festivites should be lingering. Oh I wish I could transport myself there right now....but in summer.😃 Weather example: We did a little hike and zodiac tour near Trollfjord. Quest was just experimenting with zodiacs. They made us wear these monstrous insulated onesie dry suits. Michelin Man on steroids. It was 80 + degrees, awful and hilarious. We lugged them around with the top half dangling off, sweat dripping. A few camping locals were swimming nearby. We must have given them quite a laugh. Good times! I hope this helps.

Earplugs😀

There is potential for very rough seas.

We have done those sailings numerous times. Yes there are usually heaters by some outside tables by the pool, and it should be heated. It really depends on the weather Gods. Yes you can be outside. Last summer we sat on our balcony at the front to the ship after dinner until midnight on a number of occasions. I swam numerous time. There were also occasions when it so cold, rainy, snowy we didn't want to leave the cabin. It will all be wonderful!

Yes, very true. The Universe does a much better job of putting things in front of me when I need them on a cruise ship. Food, Cocktails, Laundry, Entertainment, the list goes on. This WC thing is making a lot more sense!

It depends on how light a sleeper you are, and how late you want to sleep.😃

Catching a taxi can sometimes be a challenge at the ship and to some degree in town. Although they are trying to ramp up, resources are still limited in Iceland, particularly Reykjavik. Last summer our transfer was booked by Seabourn, but our group of friends who didn't have a transfer walked to the hotel with their luggage after waiting 45 minutes for a taxi in a long line with end in sight. Our driver happened to be the owner of the largest taxi/limo service. He said they are expecting a 30% cruise ship increase this summer and resources are not there to handle it. Book whatever you might need well in advance. JP is right, KEF is usually a rather efficent airport, but it was a bit of a mess when we were there last summer. They are in the middle of a major expansion due to be completed in 2024. Perhaps things have changed for the better. The airport expansion is different from the Suournes Peninsula Masterplan expansion of the surrounding area. They plan to include a high speed rail link with Reykjavik. But that is all years away. You might consider posting on the Iceland Forum at the other major travel website for updated airport info. It's very active and has lots of helpful locals.

FWIW on the Cloud we were in a Silver Suite under the pool deck area by the food station and it really wasn't that big a deal. We are not particularly sound sensitive, but are smell sensitive. Occasional furniture moving. Once in a while little wiffs of music and food smells, but only enough to get us moving to investigate. 😀