commodoredave

Good question. There may be a difference below Manaus as the river is much wider, making it more difficult for bugs to reach the ship. Another factor might be seasonal - the wet season runs from December to June, and may have more bugs than the dry season.

Have you tried the Galapagos? Lots of hiking, getting close up to wild life, snorkeling, kayaking, etc. We had a great time.

I agree with you. But some folks may be messier and dirtier than us! 😆

Got the same message. However, for people who cannot have a Yellow Fever vaccine, it also says: "If you have a medical contraindication to the vaccine, you must bring an original, signed and dated vaccine exemption certificate issued by a licensed medical doctor. Please note photocopies are not acceptable." So if you can't have a Yellow Fever Vaccine, it's important you bring the correct documentation.

When our cruise finishes in Manaus in late October, we will be flying to Sao Paulo for 3 days and would appreciate some advice for local tours, restaurants and hotels. We are foodies, and love good quality restaurants, but not the Michelin star ones that are snooty and require a mortgage. Local food, family run, and interesting menus are what we are looking for. In terms of tours, we prefer local guides rather than commerical operations. We enjoy seeing beautiful old buildings, history and culture. With respect to hotels, we tend to the luxury side, but prefer boutique and smaller chains as opposed to big American chains. Someone recommended the Hotel Portobay as a great hotel in a very safe and nice area. Please provide any advice you think might be helpful. Thanks.

You could be right. I’ve only done one other expedition cruise (Galapagos) and while everything was always available it was a much smaller ship (100 people).

All the days for zodiac excursions on the Amazon are noted, while the excursions for ports like Devil's Island are missing. Seabourn just added the excursion choice for Port of Spain, Trinidad last Friday. Still a couple of others missing. All excurions listed so far have been a choice of free or upgraded for a fee. It's a small ship, so I'm guessing there will always be room on a particular excursion no matter how late it is posted.

We are getting close to our Expedition cruise aboard the Pursuit in the Amazon, so we are now getting into some nitty gritty issues like appropriate footwear. In particular, I would appreciate any suggestions on the most appropriate shoes to wear for trips ashore on the Zodiac, and walking onshore during an excusion. Should I bring boat shoes, rubber water shoes, tennis shoes, etc.? Thanks.

Well, my wife deserves the credit. She said to me, "What do you think would be cheaper? Upgrading to a Panorama Suite or a divorce?!"

I just checked next April and they are indeed calling it a Panorama Penthouse Suite and charging accordingly. Perhaps they can get more for it by designating it as a penthouse rather than Verandah. Which means my decision to try at a steep discount now is better than missing out next year when it is priced beyond my means.

Good to know -- I won't pack any pods as the saucer ones are not available for consumer use. They will likely have enough decaf. And I enjoy going to Seabourn Square for speciality coffees. Thanks.

As they say, a happy wife is a happy life!! We are used to different Nespresso pods. We spend winters in Barbados in 2 different villas - one uses the Virtuo pods which are very difficult to buy locally. The other uses Original pods which are readily available locally except for decaf. So each year we bring both!

It doesn't happen often, but yes they have run out of decaf. On our last Seabourn cruise -- 3 back to back voyages from Barbados to St. Maarten in 2022 -- they ran out the last few days. So now we bring a few extra decaf pods just in case.

Thanks for the answers and good advice. My wife drinks decaf coffee and we usually bring a few pods with us in case the local supply runs out. Does the Nespresso machine use the small, original pods? Thanks.

A couple of questions as follows: 1. The deck plan indicates the balcony for a Panorama is smaller than a Verandah cabin, but the description of a Panorama shows it has more square feet of space. Which is correct? 2. Does the Panorama have the Nespresso coffee maker? Many thanks.

I've never had the option of a free excursion on disembarkation day, perhaps because I have never taken the SS air package which likely includes transfers. Regardless, I do think it is an option that passengers should pay extra for if they want it; otherwise people who may not want to avail themselves of it will be subsidizing it.

Okay, DW has ordered me to book the Panorama! Thank you, Mr. Luxury (I think!). I just hope that when I take my bath in front of the external window that I don’t frighten any wild life (never mind crew and fellow passengers)! Questions to follow in due course.

I'm in a V2 suite and the price to upgrade to Panorama for a 14 night cruise is US$2,099 per person for a total of $4,198, which given the original price for these suites is a good deal. In contrast, an upgrade to a VS is US$1,399 pp, and US$899 for an upgrade to V3 or V4. I don't see the value in paying that much more for the same suite in a different location.

Thank you both for your comments. I’m still undecided but leaning towards accepting the upgrade on the premise that we may never get the option of trying it again at a big discount.

I agree. I guess you know things are not going well for a cruise line when the thing they do best is give refunds! 😁 But it does sound like things at shoreside management are beginning to improve. That's a good sign.

I had some of the same concerns, but then I read two ship reviews from Conde Nast Traveler and Cruise Critic as per below. So, for those who have been in the Panorama Suite, do the benefits described below offset some of the potential negatives such as noise from the elevators, etc.? “I stayed in a Panorama Veranda Suite, which I highly recommend. Such accommodations are worth the extra fee above standard suites and less expensive than other higher-end accommodations, such as Penthouse and Owners Suites. Expect a staggering floor-to-ceiling ocean view everywhere - from the bed, spacious living area, and even in the expansive bathroom. Imagine soaking in the tub and viewing penguins diving off ice floes. Floors are wood-like tile and can be heated throughout the suite, not just in the bathroom. Brew coffee from a high-end Nespresso machine, although, of course, you can order a pot or specialty cup of joe.” https://www.cntraveler.com/ships/seabourn/seabourn-venture “But the best rooms onboard are not those in highest category. For the money, the Panorama Veranda suites -- a category that is brand new to Seabourn -- is our favorite cabin that we’ve ever seen on an expedition ship, and well worth an upgrade. The star of these suites are full floor-to-ceiling windows that pop out from the ship, allowing wide-ranging views from not only the seating area, but your bed. These cabins are also the only ones that have a bathtub that abuts a full outside window, and they are the only ones with heated tile floors, as opposed to carpeting.” https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruise/seabourn/seabourn-venture

100% agree!! I mean, who needs a formal night in the Amazon? And the penguins should be the only ones wearing Tuxedos in the Antarctic!

We received an offer yesterday for paid upgrades to better suites on our upcoming cruise on the Pursuit. While the highest level suites are still beyond our means, the upgrade cost to the Panomara Verandah Suite was reasonable. My question to those in the know is: Is the Panorama Suite worth about 20% more than a V2 suite? Thanks.

Thanks. Strangely, the CC review actually mentions in the pro and con section that formal nights are a con on the Venture. Perhaps that was because the TA and influencers on the ship during the inaurgal phase cruises were expected to dress up.

The review of the Venture by Cruise Critic states in the dining section: "Meals in The Restaurant are elegant, and the venue does have a daily dress code that passengers seemed to follow, including on Formal Night." I hope you are correct and that CC is wrong. However, it would be helpful if someone could confirm either way. https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruise/seabourn/seabourn-venture