zigtraveller

I have noticed a reduction in the number of reduced single supplement voyages available.  Currently there are 46 listed as available on the Silversea website (Australia), this is down from 58 last month.  Generally the number available over the years has been over 100.  

I'm not sure what is going on, but I don't like the trend 😒

I have booked GTY twice, and both times received the category I booked for - no upgrades.

I'm really surprised that they have chosen this as the itinerary given the current political environment.  Not for me. 

2 minutes ago, twangster said:

This forum doesn't support embedding 360 photos directly.  You need to host them on a site that supports 360 photos.

 

Here is a 360 photo that I used to export a still frame from when I first boarded the ship in Puerto Williams.

 

Click or tap in the picture and you can see all around in 360°.

 

Silver Wind Puerto Williams Balcony Selfie in 360

 

Silver Wind New Island Zodiac Ride in 360

 

 

Wonderful.  Particularly the zodiac photo.

10 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

It is designed to be an action camera of sorts, like a GoPro.  It is waterproof to a degree so it works well in wet, rainy or splashy environments like a zodiac.

 

It comes with a pole or selfie stick that extends.  

 

 

This is what I've been using on the zodiac as it all fits nicely in a parka pocket when reduced to its smallest form.  Extended it is around 1m long.

 

 

I have an optional pole that extends to nearly 3m.

 

 

 

The longer pole has to be used in moderation out of respect to other people near you.  

 

A 360 camera is a novelty toy.  Because it captures everything in 360 the file sizes can be very large and it limits the resolution.  While okay for posting to social media it doesn't produce the best images compared to a real camera or even modern smartphones. 

 

I capture videos on the zodiac rides then export still frames from the video.  At some point I can post the videos but they are large and not easily uploaded over ship internet so that will have to wait until I have real internet back home.

 

It is a tool in my photography toolbox but one I tend to use sparingly.

Thanks so much for explaining.  Sorry to have hijacked your report.

6 minutes ago, twangster said:

My 360 camera has two 180 lenses that it automatically stitches into a seamless 360 photo.   It captures everything in every direction.  Later in software you can decide what to export into more conventional aspect ratios.  
 

It also, in software, makes the pole it is supported by disappear giving the drone like result.   The result is drone like pictures in places where you can’t fly a drone.  
 

My camera is the OneX3 by Insta360.  

Thanks - I feel like I must have been living under a rock to have not known about these cameras.

Is the pole cumbersome to travel with?  Or is it collapsing, similar to a selfie stick?

Really enjoying following your trip and the wonderful photos.  I

have done the cruise myself on Wind, but my photos are not a patch on yours.

This question may be a bit off topic, but are you able to explain (for dummies) how the 360 camera works?  It looks almost like drone photos. 

4 hours ago, ging466 said:

Hi Zig

Did you end up getting the status match? I sent off my venetian society proof at the beginning of October and still haven’t heard anything, so I’ve sent it off again today. I’m sailing on Ponant in 10 days so it would be nice if I could get it for that trip. I’m wondering though whether it’s available to Aussies. 
 

Cheers

Jennifer

I never heard back from Ponant about my request.  I just gave up and didn’t bother pursuing it.

 Maybe they aren’t matching Australians, but it would be courteous to at least provide that information via a return email rather than just ignoring the request totally.  

11 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

They do have choices for pillows. I don't profess to know all of them because I use whatever is on the bed but my wife does care about this and there were several for her to chose from but have no idea if they are the ones you are asking about.

 

Keith

Keith, thank you for taking the time to reply.  If they have a choice of pillows I'm sure there is something that will suit me.

I'm hoping someone can let me know if Crystal has a pillow menu?  I like a therapeutic or memory foam pillow if possible.  

56 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

 

Hope your cruise went well!

 

Yes, the disorganization here is giving me flashbacks to two years ago when I tried to apply for the "passe sanitaire" for a trip to France. They delayed processing my application so long, that I had already returned from my trip when they got to it. SMH.

I really enjoyed the Kimberley cruise thanks JP.  The expedition activities were great and the scenery was spectacular.  It's unfortunate that I didn't receive any response to my request for a status match  - but ce la vie...

Just an update - the Premium Pass is now 25 euro per person per day.

I have not heard back from them about the SM despite sending the evidence twice.  I contacted them prior to my first Ponant cruise, which I have now completed.  It all sounds very disorganised and poorly managed.  I hope others have more luck than I did. 

Thanks for the follow up JP.  I haven't heard anything further from Ponant since I sent the Venetian Society loyalty statement.  Finger crossed 🤞

4 hours ago, jpalbny said:

 

Well, I got this very helpful reply from Ponant today. Bold text is added by me:

 

Good afternoon, Mr. xxx,

Thank you for your email and patience.

Please be advised that Silversea is not part of our Status Match loyalty program.

We appreciate your understanding.


Xxxxx Xxxxxx
USReservations@ponant.com
-New York, 10170 - États Unis
1-(888) 400-1082

Thanks for the update - that is interesting.  

I guess no status match for us!  Even though it was listed as an option on the website. 

A status match would have been nice, but  I'm sure I will still enjoy the voyage 😀

10 hours ago, jpalbny said:

I've not heard back (yet). I'll try to remember to come back and update if I do.

Thanks JP, appreciate your reply. 

I have submitted the form and sent my Venetian Society loyalty statement through.  Was just wondering if anyone has been successful and what the timeframe was.  I have my first Ponant cruise in 3 weeks.  It would be nice to have a status match, but am not really expecting it to be processed in time.

Just wondering if anyone has received the status match after submitting the form and sending proof of status?

Wonderful!  Fuelled my excitement for August.

8 hours ago, BaileyMJ said:

I am booked on Shadow November 24 27 days Singapore to Bali and haven’t gotten any update from SS - I booked directly with them no TA. How did they communicate the cancellation- just crazy my cruise is still on the SS website!

I received an email from Silversea advising of the cancellation.  My cruise details are still listed in MySilversea and on the SS website.

My November Singapore - Singapore on Shadow is cancelled.  Not sure what the plan is for Shadow before the world cruise commences.  As Shadow has to be in Australia for the world cruise I had been hopeful that some amended cruises might be offered in the region, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

14 hours ago, MrsWaldo said:

 

fot other Australians SS are still trying to see if they can arrange some all Aussie/nZ passenger cruises inside the bubble if it ever exists 

That's interesting.  I hope they can achieve something, but given that most state borders are closed I'm not convinced it is realistic.

35 minutes ago, MarleyNZ said:

Thanks for all responses.  We have kept in touch with TA.  Latest advice back from SS to TA on 2 June was:

 

 

 

Refunds and Payments

 

 

 

Due to the very high volume of requests for Future Cruise Credits and refunds, as well as the Sydney office not open and all staff working from home, our standard processing times are not currently possible.  Silversea’s guests and travel agents should therefore expect a delay of up to 90 days until they receive their payment.

Agent added:

"We've been asked to not contact them chasing refunds as they promise us they are processing the refunds in the order received. "  TA will be chasing at 90 days.

 

It appears that there is not much rhyme or reason for the length of time various other guests in other parts of the world are waiting for refunds.  I will be on to the TA again when the 90 days is up.  When I read other cruise guests were receiving their refunds earlier than the 90 days, I was curious if any other guests who had booked on our cruise had received their refund yet.

Again thank you.

 

 

 

Both refunds I received were processed through the Sydney office and came through in under the estimated time.  I was advised it would take 45 days, but they were quicker than that.  Hard to understand why there is such variance in processing times.  

Full refund for my cancelled Galapagos cruise arrived a couple of days ago - 35 days processing time, so it appears the refunds process is getting quicker.

The website is back up again.

I have always had the opportunity to request specific flights when booking air with SS, so this has ensured that I am happy with the airline, schedule and class of service.