pavementends

Let's just say that the usual advice to arrive 3 hours ahead is completely warranted. And one might choose to be even more conservative. On the other hand since almost everyone will hear this and arrive early you could try to game the system and arrive late. A probably unnecessary reminder- not all flights from USH arrive at EZE. Some go to AEP.

I am on a similar-ish cruise on another line that has what I think would be a better itinerary. A couple more ports in Iceland in particular. The UK, Ireland, and Iceland can all be expected to have significant rain in May. On the other hand, everything will be green (at least in the UK and Ireland) and pleasant when it's not raining. And when it is raining there are pubs.

The schedule is an excellent reason for an extra day in Buenos Aires. That's what I did. You will use up some of the time waiting in line at Buenos Aires airport, which is hot, very crowded, and inefficient.

Different cruise, different ship. They opened almost exactly at the scheduled time.

(About to be a second time cruiser with Silversea). On an Alaskan cruise, I found some to be good, one to be very good, one a disappointment. My personal preference is for more active excursions. So I will avoid anything that involves a significant amount of bus travel. On the upcoming cruise this does not seem to be a problem as there are a range of included excursions. However I can imagine a situation where none of the included excursions suit and I would prefer a walk around town.

Another post said that they found out about the vaccine issue late in the day and had to do some fancy footwork to deal with it. I was just down "there." Buenos Aires was hot but Ushuaia was cool and windy (though not cold like Antarctica). At least some of the trip will be chilly. About Antarctica and other more expedition-oriented tours- like the Magic Theater Antarctica is definitely Not For Everyone. Rewarding but definitely different from a luxury cruise.

If you're going where the penguins don't fly it will not be warm there. I remember reading about the need for yellow fever vaccination for trips in this area. Might want to check that out before you get too deep into planning.

"for an impressively large extra payment?"

I debarked back in June and I still haven't seen any tickets.

As I do not subscribe to that publication, please provide date and page. (As the photo is in color I'm guessing that it was after 1950?)

I bought a pair of black slacks (found some "travel" ones that seem to not require ironing) and packed a pair of black shoes. Decades ago I chose a job that did not require good shoes or a business suit. However I did have several good sports coats. I took one. I also took a tie and actually wore it one night. First time I wore a tie in many many years. The only reasons to REMOVE a sports coat are (1) too hot or (2) an accident.

"Fair" would have been to let you keep the tour for an extra $10.

1. Time, tide, and ships wait for no one. 2. CDG is on my list of the most unpleasant and difficult airports and is to be avoided if humanly possible. 3. Not really surprising they don't speak English because it's France. They have a different word for everything. 4. Staying IN Venice will cost more. But then it IS Venice and you might want to experience it. Although expect crowds, maybe lots of crowds. The connection by water to and from the airport can be time-consuming.

I would expect no problem getting ginger ale or tomato juice. Dr. Pepper is perhaps not the most common beverage. Personally the only non-alchoholic thing I ask for is fizzy water. It mixes well with the single-malt scotch.

You should not limit your investigation to only the major cruise lines with names you recognize, especially if price is an issue. Boots-on cruises to the Antarctic are going to be pricey but there are more budget-friendly alternatives. Used to be there were companies that represented several smaller operators. The one I used to use is now out of business but you should be able to find others with a search on the web. Typically they represent a range of price levels and help you understand the differences. I do not think I am allowed to link directly. I CAN mention names of ships that I know are lower in price. MV Ushuaia, M/V Plancius will get you started and if you do a google search you may turn up a link to companies that represent them. By the way, I am NOT recommending particular ships as I haven't been on them.

The question is not whether Berlin is worth visiting (it most certainly is) but whether a long car ride and a short walk is worth the trouble. Personally I dislike sitting for a long time, particularly in uncomfortable places like bus seats or back seats in cars. So I would look carefully at other options. After all, someone who is taking cruises is unlikely to make this (his, her, its) only visit to Germany. By the way, if you DO take a short visit to Berlin you will probably need a guide to find one of the few remaining bits of the Berlin wall. THAT particular part of history has mostly disappeared.

True, but it may not be really cold. We are talking about the summer season down there. On a trip to the Arctic, I found it cool but not really cold and that was closer to the pole than OP will go in Antarctica. Having said that, ski or goretex climbing pants help enormously in keeping warm. For packing at least, for my cruise (not Silversea) a suggested packing list was provided.

I've done several ferry trips in this area although no cruise (yet). The Baltic Sea has lots of small islands, great scenery, and sometimes dramatic weather. If the ship docks anywhere near the ferry terminals, it will be a short walk to town in Helsinki, Tallinn, Mariehamn and Copenhagen. I think Stockholm center is close also. Actually I've been in Mariehamn and I don't remember much of a town. Should be good walks there however. I have always enjoyed visiting Helsinki. Plenty to do near the port and other interesting things are a bus or tram ride away. Warenmunde seems to offer excursions to Berlin, but Berlin is a considerable distance away. I would do something closer.

Cruises attract people with enough money, which usually means...not very young. And not in the peak of physical condition. On an arctic cruise some years ago, there were passengers in the 70s or a bit more, who participated fully in the landings. You are unlikely to have trouble if you have reasonable balance and agility. Regular hiking over rough ground, tennis, etc. would be an indication of general fitness and agility. Not necessary, but helpful.

Interesting that the exact same question over at the Regent forum provoked a number of thoughtful responses.

When I was working jeans with a tweed sports coat (and no tie!) was perfect (and common) attire. However I went out and bought a pair of black slacks to wear on formal nights. I can wear a sports coat onto the plane and I will bring a tie that I might even wear. Minimal extra cost and minimal extra weight. I'll leave the tux for the penguins (if any).

Door-to-door without flights is NOT equivalent to Port-to-Port. Refunds on PtP are very different. Apparently Silversea feels that more flexibility with refunds is worth a bunch of money, because the difference in price is a lot greater than the reasonable cost of air fare. I think PtP is only offered on cruises (or cabin classes) that are undersold. Think of it as similar to a discount inflexible airline fare. No flexibility, lower cost, and not always available.

Interesting. I had just booked my second cruise with Silversea as a Port to Port. It seems to me that a Port to Port offering prominently displayed is usually a (comparative) bargain. That suggests that bookings are not very strong on those particular cruises. Now I can't ask for the P to P prepaid on my original booking according to the rules. But. The price has INCREASED slightly from what I booked. And on my trip the prepaid discount is not 20% but 10%. So I wouldn't be likely to rebook even if I could. P to P works for me because I want to arrange my own air (call me controlling) and I am only concerned about cancellation for reasons of illness. And that I can cover with ordinary travel insurance.

That makes sense although it is unforgivably slack on the part of Expedia. I think I saw a similar notation for one or two other hotels in the same area so I wondered whether there was some sort of special event in that area. In any case I have reservations elsewhere. It does appear to be a fine hotel.