alc13

We also booked through Silversea, including air, and had the same experience where the "consultant" pretty much evaporated after we made final payment. There was some annoying stuff with an outbound flight that didn't exist, but that got sorted out. Then while we were on the cruise, one of our return flights was canceled with a week's notice. Silversea Air promptly rebooked --- on the same flight under a code share flight number. The consultant didn't respond when I pointed that out. Ha. Fortunately KLM was on it and booked us on new flights the next day.

Our recent cruise on Silversea originally listed Flam but it was replaced with something else (Olden, I think). I assumed it was because of the environmental issue.

On our recent Norway cruise we thought the included tours were very good. The destinations were great; buses comfortable and clean; commentary good to very good. Walking tours were more of a mixed bag and depended a lot on the guide. Overall, we were pleased and thought the included tours were a plus.

We liked Oslo a lot - if the Viking ship museum is open again when you go I wouldn't miss it (one point for Silversea). Flam was canceled on our cruise, to my regret (one point for Windstar). The Olden area is spectacularly beautiful (tie). The Geiranger fjord is supposed to be beautiful so nice that it appears on both itineraries. Don't know about the others! PS The Ports boards here on cruise critic can help you sort out the alternatives, too

W'ere just back from a Silver Whisper cruise to Norway, and we've been on Windstar several times. Both have the small ship advantage of being able to navigate small ports. The differences are apparent in the cost - larger and more comfortable staterooms on Silversea, included booze and excursions, and a bit more polish overall. The food preparation and excursions on the Whisper were a mixed bag - some excellent, some disappointing, and most somewhere in between. The included wines were acceptable but not more than that. Service was excellent. Windstar is more casual in style and dress. In our experience, the food was no better or worse than on Silversea. I believe they now offer some version of all-inclusive. Our first couple of cruises were on Windstar many years ago and they were a great place to start. Now we enjoy a bit more pampering when we're on a cruise. Mu opinion - for a healthy active couple in their 50s, Windstar could be a better fit in general. But in Norway, the included excursions on Silversea were often exactly what we would have done ourselves if we'd been on our own in port. I'd look into those when comparing itineraries, too. Good luck!

I was only a year old so I don't really remember it, but my family lived in London the year the Queen was crowned and I was told I saw some of the pageantry. I've been a huge fan for 70 years and I admire her greatly. We're back from a cruise to Norway (Silversea; nice but we won't do them again). I wondered if travel would still be so alluring after the 2 1/2 hiatus, and I can tell you I am now raring to do more. I"m already dreaming about the next trip(s). We had some FTCs remaining and booked a 2-day cruise to Hamburg in October, after which we'll go to southern Germany and see the sights by car . And then there is the 5-times rebooked QE cruise next April (Japan-Spain-Japan-Japan-Japan). And maybe the Grand Canyon, at long last?

Hee hee, I misread it at first!

I checked with one of the online proctoring sites and a tablet or smartphone is fine. It only needs to be loaded with the Zoom app. The site is On Point Testing, https://onpoint-testing.com.

We're getting ready to leave for a cruise in Europe, so I've googled around for convenient testing sites before we board and before we fly back to the US. Fortunately, for the itinerary we're on, there seem to be plenty. There is also the proctored at-home test alternative, although that apparently requires a laptop.

Is some of this also due to Cunard reclaiming cabin space for possible quarantines? My sympathies to all those affected. Rotten news to get so close to sailing.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays the marketing department from the swift completion of their appointed rounds…

Good point. I actually look pretty good in a long gown, so that's part of the appeal. And the Mister looks stupendous in a tux.

There is a test center in the Hamburg airport - https://www.hamburg-airport.de/en/eco-care-test-center-46220. An antigen test is 29 euros for non-citizens.

I wish! The best eye candy. PS It doesn't

Okay, now I need to ask - will I feel overdressed in a long gown on formal nights?

Given our bizarre experiences, I’m not sure an air department even exists.

We used Silversea air on our upcoming cruise because the fare was so good. In the end it seems to have worked out, but the experience was mostly annoying. All communication had to go through the Silversea agent (we booked directly), and he was unresponsive most of the time. Most notable was the flight we were "booked" on that didn't exist... I would think twice before doing it again.

Very bad. Is there a way to delete the personal information we've put into my silversea after a cruise is complete?

If you want to dress up a bit and don’t mind spending $100 or so look at Macy’s. Bonus - you’ll have a fancy dress already on hand for the next cruise!

A tux and long gown might be over the top on non-formal nights, but it beats going too far in the other direction. Sorry they've dropped a formal night.

Brilliant!