RachelG

Good information, JP. We aren't really going to spend any time in Perth, but we will be in Sydney for 2 days, So I will need to pack a jacket.

JP and DrRon, all this retirement talk has me jealous. As is now, I do take 2 months vacation per year, but it has to be pretty much in 2 week segments to keep the office running/overhead paid. . Can't wait to be able to take off more at one time. JP, yet another question. The packing list they sent me mentioned a waterproof jacket and light jacket/windbreaker. Do I really need such a thing? It seemed to me that it was hot your entire trip.. And it is the dry season.

We have done this excursion on a land trip, and it was great. I would definitely do again.

I suspected that would be the case in dry season, but just wanted to verify. Thanks!

Another question: have you encountered many biting insects? I have my sunscreen supply, but need to know if I need to bring a big supply of bug spray.

Good to hear standards are fine regarding the food. I also am really glad about Vigur Island. We have visited there a couple of times, but it has been before 2019. Last time we were there, the couple who owned it were getting pretty old, and I wondered what would happen.

We ended up doing the ship tour in Saguenay but not hiking. It was a very cold, windy, foggy and damp day, so we were pretty much ready to just warm up after the morning hike, plus we had a guide who let us go off on our own, so we had a proper hike.

Looks like the pasta choices are much reduced. I bought extra sunscreen yesterday!

Have a great cruise. Glad your excursion thing worked out.

Well, I am probably better off if the bread is terrible. Then at least I won’t be tempted.

So sorry for your experience. I agree, if this happened to us, we would not be sailing Silversea again. There is no excuse. They should have given you a complete refund. we board Cloud in one month. Hope things are great—my husband has very high standards.

JP , pics are awesome. Question: the Wi-Fi must be at least adequate since you are able to post videos, correct?

Super easy to get a taxi at the port and not expensive. We did book a transfer on our own once in Istanbul. The driver never showed up. We waited and waited, tried to call him. Finally it was getting too close to flight time for comfort, so we grabbed a taxi and the driver drove like a crazy person, but got us there in time

Laughing about your inflated life vest incident as the same thing happened to me in the Galapagos. Got a lot of jokes from the crew. George will be excited about the snorkeling. If there is a strong current, I will probably give it a pass.

You MUST watch it. I despise most medical shows produced in the US as the medical stuff is ridiculous, but this show is really good. Whoever their medical consultant was knew their stuff.

JP, the RFDS museum looks interesting. Have you watched the series on PBS? It is very good and the medical parts are really quite well done. They deal with a lot of airway issues! Do they normally have you board this late on embarkation, or was this just an anomaly??

We have been there 3 times and we always tendered to the dock in Amalfi.

JP, direct flight from Sydney to Darwin on Qantas. We arrive after midnight but it is direct

Just easier to deal with luggage with taxi or uber

I believe the flight from Broome to Perth is included only if you are getting air through Silversea. JP and I had discussed this previously. On our trip, my TA has a large group going, so she negotiated with Silversea to include this flight, but normally it is not included if you do your own air is my understanding.

SO excited your trip has begun, not just because I always look forward to reading your trip reports, but also because we are doing the exact same itinerary in July, and because I know that the stuff you all enjoy is the same stuff that George and I like. So I am awaiting all your advise. I thought our trip was long, but you have us beat. We fly Tulsa to LAX then LAX to Sydney, spend 2 days in Sydney then on to Darwin. Have a great time!

exactly correct--I was just fixing to write that when I saw your post.

Uber is super easy to use. Much less expensive than the Regent transfer and you don't have to ride in a bus with a bunch of other people.

Glad you took over with the trip reporting as I am having withdrawal. I like the smaller portions too. But I have not seen any scales in the suites. Is this something in the upper category suites? I have always thought that if I were to go on a cruise longer than 2 weeks, I would have to bring my own, as I am now working on losing the 5 lbs I gained in 2 weeks.