Jacko

Received word March 7 from SS that Black Sea ports of call on our July 10 Spirit departure have been dropped with substitute ports added in Greece. 

We are booked on the July 10, 2022, departure.  Is this thread about that voyage?  If so, we have not heard anything  from SS or our TA about changes in the ports. 

Please try to donate to the "Crew Fund"

Thank you Ron for your learned observations.

Jack and Ann

As with previous surveys, I felt this one was way too long....but I did complete it

On 5/12/2020 at 1:28 PM, mrlevin said:

Given that Northwest Passage and Baffin Island are closed to cruise ships this summer, Silver Cloud will need to greatly modify its schedule to get to Antarctica for next winter season; she will either have to go through Canal or just head down east coast of South America.

 

Lots more cancellations to come.

 

Marc

Marc, we are booked to join the Cloud in Nome.  What is the source of your information that the NW Passage is closed to cruise ships this summer?

Jack

We have five personalized voyage charts from the Explorer Fleet and will continue to bid on them every time they are offered.  The charts normally have original art work on them from the crew. It is a win-win situation.  We also donate to the crew fund and provide a gratuity to our cabin steward and butler.

We have been told that all ships in the Classic Fleet will carry Zodiacs in the near future.

Ron and Ann, we join the Muse on 17 Feb in Auckland to Singapore and then on to Nepal.  So miss seeing you guys.

Look forward to following this thread

Jack and Ann O'Boyle 

All, please add this story from Cruise Industry News to this thread. Although there is blame to go around, it appears that extreme unanticipated weather conditions were a significant contributing factor to the guests disappointment.

Also contributing to the situation was the attitude of local officials.

Our visit to Kolkata on the Discoverer last year was a disaster due to the greedy/argumentative attitude of customs/immigration officials. We've sailed on Silver Sea 3 times in Russian waters. Each time, the ship was a held hostage (denied clearance or fuel) by local officials until the captain payed a ransom of Vodka, cigarettes, and meals on board.

"Extremely challenging ice conditions in the Northwest Passage are disrupting high-yielding expedition voyages for two expedition cruise operators.

Ponant announced that due to the ice conditions, as well as a poor weather outlook, it is currently unable to sail through the Northwest Passage. Two ships, Le Boreal and Le Soleal, are altering their routes and will continue their expedition voyages to Kangerlussuaq (Greenland), which they will reach on September 10 and 18, respectively.

Hurtigruten is in a similar situation with the Fram.

“This year’s ice conditions in the area are proving to be quite different from previous years; the current conditions in the Victoria and James Ross Straits are such that unfortunately, no ordinary ship can sail through the area,” the company said, in a prepared statement.

“The Fram will therefore be unable to reach Cambridge Bay and the embarkation point for the voyage will be changed. We are currently exploring various new itinerary options and will confirm the new embarkation point as soon as possible. The charter flight from Montréal will be redirected to this new port.”

It is unclear how the itinerary changes will affect voyages as it will most likely leave ships out of position."

We have done Denali with SS and agree with the comments so far. I don't think they mentioned to store your main bags whether pre or post-cruise. Take a small carry on bag for Denali. That's all you need.

Ketchican - we done the flight seeing/Crab Fest KTN-D 3 times and will do it every time we are there. You might be able to save some money by booking directly. Great flight on a Beaver and incredible crab. There is typically a contest as to whose "bone pile" is the tallest.

Ketchican - Lumberjack show - yes very touristy but great fun...these guys know how to put on a very entertaining contest with chain saws.

Bring a warm/waterproof jacket as weather can change quickly from sunny to cold/fog and rain or mist.

We've dived twice on the Discoverer. Steve Tremain is normally the dive master.

Unless their policies have changed, you MUST PRE-REGISTER with SS to dive. There are other requirements on the web site but they include your dive card and diving log, proof of dive insurance (normally from DAN) possibly a list of the medications you are taking.

As for equipment, my recollection is that they supply masks, fins, snorkels, and tanks and weights. It's up to the diver to bring the BCD and regulator package as well as skins or wet suit.

I've grown weary of the negative direction a majority of posts have taken. Compliments have become a rarity. If a guest has an issue, go to the hotel director at once. Their door is always open. Don't let it fester. His/Her staff cannot attempt to fix an issue they are not aware of. They cannot work miracles but based upon our days at sea, they do their very best to resolve the issue to the guests satisfaction.

Monte Carlo to Southampton - no children

There will be extra parkas on the ship as it is not uncommon for guests to want to get larger or smaller size

There was no crew parade or first of the month awards to crew team for their performance in prior month; no captain's farewell. They did have a great liars club but only after I asked about it.

We've used Blacklane a number of times. Reasonably priced. http://www.blacklane.com

The evening dress code is slightly relaxed on Expedition Ships.

On Captain's first night and last night and Venetian Society night, most men wear sport coats with no ties.

Other nights, men mostly wear slacks and collared shirts.

T-Shirts, shorts, blue jeans, flip flops and the like at dinner are not acceptable.

The ladies can play off my response with the appropriate attire.

I suspect Silver Cloud Expedition will be the same.

My wife and I had the pleasure of sailing with Joe and Susan on several occasions. I remember seeing Susan sitting on the pool deck folding coaster napkins as well as doing aqua aerobics. Joe and Susan were true advocates for the staff. Susan will be remembered.

A donation to the Crew Welfare Fund will appear on your statement as a cash advance if you decide to donate.

I believe OBC can be used to donate to the Crew Welfare Fund. Duck Tape will know.

In hot rocks, you can have your dinner selection cooked for you in the kitchen and presented at the table without the need to cook it yourself.

Yes you may! Looking forward to folding napkins poolside with you again.

I don't recall any big seas in the South Pacific or on the recent trip from the Seychelles to Kolkata. However, during the crossing from Seward to Kobe, we encountered big seas in the Russian Far East. My definition of big seas is when the staff puts the barf bags along the grab rails in the halls. My recollection is that they were from four to five meters. It did not bother us as long as we had one hand on the rails. The elevator was never out of action. The servers were extremely helpful in escorting guests in the MDR. In those situations, many guests take their meals in their suites.

Over the past three years, my wife and I have spentapproximately 87 days on the Discoverer. We also sailed on the Explorer and all of the classic fleet. Given the number of days on board, weobviously have enjoyed the Discoverer. Yes, she is an older ship but Silver sea has done a great job of keepingher in shape. Since September, she hashad a soft re-fit with new carpets, drapes and upholstery throughout. The venue, which was previously used forbuffet breakfasts and lunches, has been converted into a day lounge, which isused for reading, cards, or simply enjoying coffee or espresso while reading abook. Tea and snacks are served there inthe afternoons.

What makes the Discoverer so appealing to us are the crewand expedition staff. Thepassenger/crew ratio is such that the hotel team and expedition staff gets toknow you very quickly. We have sailed with most of the expedition staff beforeand it’s always great to get to see them again.

A typical day on the Discoverer begins between seven andnine am and normally involves the Zodiacs in the morning and afternoon. Guests are divided into four zodiac groups tocontrol the congestion on the zodiac deck as well as on land. A scout boat will normally go out very earlyand determine the best place to bring the zodiacs ashore as well as gauge thecondition of the surf. All landings arenot “wet” and it is very common for the ship to come dockside. On other occasions, the zodiacs will disembarkat a jetty. Sea and visibility conditions permitting,snorkeling is offered on many cruises in the South Pacific, Mauritius and the Seychelles. Snorkeling is done of the Zodiacs that havecustom ladders that allow re-entry. Onselected voyages, scuba diving is offered to certified divers. If you want to scuba dive, it is veryimportant to comply with the pre-cruise requirements. Otherwise, you probably won’t be allowed todive. As with all excursions on theExpedition fleet, there is no charge, even for scuba diving.

Morning or afternoon expeditions could involve a hike orinland tour on buses to temples, historical sites, markets, and villages. If a hike is on the agenda, the staff willoffer a challenging hike as well as a “gentle” hike. Atleast two expedition staff accompanies each group. Guests always have the option of staying onboard and enjoy a nap, good book or movie. During a typical expedition there will be several all day trips leavingaround nine and returning between four-thirty and five. On those occasions, guests will enjoy plentyof comfort stops as well as lunch at a hotel. On our recent post-cruise expedition to Bhutan, the staff put on a picnicfor hikers and non-hikers in the forest at the trail head to the Tiger’s NestMonastery.

One of the highlights of each day is “recap and briefing”where guests are informed of the plans for the next day followed by expeditionstaff who will speak about the sites we saw during the past day. This usually takes place between six and sixthirty and concludes around seven when the main dining room opens.

Lunch and breakfast are served buffet style in the maindining room. You can also order from thepool grill menu or the twenty-four hour room service menu. Many guests opt to have a light breakfastserved in their suite. Like any cruiseline, the dinner menu cycles about every ten days. We enjoyed the food as well as the serviceprovided by the wait and wine staff. Ifnothing on the dinner menu suits you, you can always order a beef filet,grilled salmon or chicken. Sautéed spinach and asparagus as well asmasked, baked or fried potatoes are also always available by request.

One final note. Ourrecent voyage including maiden calls in Bangladesh. The Discoverer was the first “cruise ship” toever call in Bangladesh! Our first portwas Maheshkall Island where we visited two sites visiting a Buddhist temple, weaver’sshops, and a visit to a local school. Tuk Tuks transported the guests between the two sites. Frankly, the guests were a huge curiosity tothe villagers just as they were to us. The school children sang songs for us and the headmaster gave a shortpresentation about the school. Followinghis presentation, the expedition leader presented a gift of school supplies andsoccer balls to the headmaster on behalf of the guests. In the afternoon, wehad a zodiac cruise on the Bagkhali River to observe local fisherman andwildlife. This was a day rich with photographic opportunities. The next two days were spent in theSunderbans which is a UNESCO world heritage site. It consists of approximately 3900 squaremiles of mangrove forests. Our groupwas divided in two and one group cruised the mangroves while the other walkedoverland on a nature/birding tour. The afternooninvolved zodiac river cruising. The highlightwas observing otter fishing where domesticated otters are used to drive thefish into the nets. As the sun was setting, the expedition and hotel staff hadset up a “sundowner” on the river providing champagne and snacks to the guestsbefore returning to the ship. Our last day in the Sunderbans featured apre-dawn zodiac cruise into the mangroves to observe the wildlife at dawn. This was another day full of photographicopportunities.