kej1

We are not on the Santiago toPapeete leg.  We hpget on in Papeete and go through to Guam.

i received the information after calling the general Seabourn number several times.  The first few times they insisted it would eventually be published.  Then I got an agent who said we wouldn’t know til we got on board.  Eventually a gentleman answered and said he’d follow-up.  I must admit I doubted I’d hear back but about 3 hours later he got back to me with a little bit of what “might” be available.  Destination services I had called several times over the last few months and they didn’t help at all.

so for your first leg I have no information but if you are persistent in calling back and insistent you might be lucky and get someone who will hunt it down for you.

in Papeete I don’t know what they are offering as we board there after 5 nights at the Brando - a private island resort. Here is what else is “maybe” on offer ( it was all prefaced with “ to be confirmed”

Ra’tea:  snorkeling and scuba diving, visit to cultural site.

Cook Islands: lagoon tour with snorkeling, cultural excursion

Niue: snorkeling and diving, island tour, hike, garden tour

Optional with cost - golf, fishing, forest tour, vanilla tour

Samoa:  Cultural Center visit, rainforest hike with snorkeling

optional with cost: mountain biking, cooking, hike to waterfall

Tonga: snorkeling and diving, cultural program, botanical gardens 

Fiji:  village visits, snorkeling and diving

Ambryn, Vanuatu: ROM Dance

Pentacost, Vanuatu land diving ritual 

Honaria : potential WW2 tour 

I know this isn’t much but more than I had before.   Hopefully you can get some info on your first leg.  I was told they will gather everyone the night before and tell the, what is planned and if choices one can sign up after the lecture.   I understand this for some of the remote locations, but some of these ports are regularly traveled by not only expedition ships but also larger ships like Sojourn.  So it’s better than nothing but still pretty vague.

Well, I tried calling Seabourn again yesterday.  After 3 attempts talking to different people in destinations and concierges I finally got someone that helped.  ( it’s like calling the airlines, hang up and keep calling back til you find someone who will help).  This person said he’d look into it and get back to me.  Given my experience calling them about various matters the past year I thought well at least he agreed to look into it and maybe I’ll get a call back.  I was tired of trying so went back to working. 
About 4 hours later lo and behold I received an email!  Not advertising but a rough list of potential included and paid excursions that “ might” take place along with a sentence stating that private tours were not advised on expedition trips even when visiting more traditional ports not dependent on zodiacs.  So the good news is we have an idea of what may transpire on the trip and it looks good and inline with what other expedition cruises offer in the more remote and traditional South Pacific ports. However since it was not included as an option I will book a private tour in Honaria ( Guadalcanal) as we will be there two days, docked as some passengers leave the ship and others arrive.  Thank you for the feedback and it seems like getting the correct visa information, getting unposted excursion information takes a lot of persistence and the luck of finding someone who will find the answers.  Not exactly what I’d call luxury service, but hopefully as some of these newer ports become more familiar it won’t be so difficult to get the right information.  And big kudos to the guy that finally did help and get back to me!  He gave me a completely different positive experience. 

7 hours ago, Nops said:

We have booked on a similar itinerary for 2025 and on two expedition cruises this summer in Northern Europe. My understanding and confirmed in a video from Robin West (Seabourn Expeditions Director) is that kayaking and submarine rides have to be pre-booked. (These are always shown on the first day of a cruise, but in fact take place during the cruise at suitable locations. You will be allocated a time when you are onboard).  Other than that there is no specific excursion schedule. The expedition team arrange "expeditions" on the day according to weather/sea state. These are briefed to guests the night before in a daily presentation. These could be a simple zodiac tour or a landing and an activity. I think that if you are looking for scheduled excursions as on the classic ships you will be disappointed. The ethos of the expedition cruises is to maximise the guest experience which means being flexible on the day rather than having a strict plan. The good thing is that apart from kayaking/submarines is that everything is included. (This may not include scuba diving in fairness).

 

The only question I have is that we are on two back to back expedition cruises splitting in Tromso and Papeete. I do not know if excursions are available for these ports. However I am expecting to be so relaxed by those ports that I will go with the flow.

I agree that in places like Antarctica it makes sense to not have set expeditions.  We have been there with Seabourn and it worked well.  However some of the ports we are visiting have historical sights we would like to see.  Other expedition lines ( SS and others for example) have published “ included” expeditions and extra charge expeditions in many of these ports. We are happy to do zodiacs, snorkeling, submarine, kayak, etc but don’t want to miss out on things like Guadalcanal sightseeing, many of the sights in Rabaul, etc.  So we are starting to book some private tours where there are sites we want to see.  We know the difference between classic and expedition cruises but other lines do publish expeditions in the ports where it makes sense and there are a number of them on our trip.  Anyway we will book a few private and go with the flow on others.  I just find it odd when we are spending two days in Guadalcanal ( Honaria) for example there is nothing scheduled.

Thank you for these wonderful photos!  We had such a perfect trip to Antarctica and South Georgia on Seabourn Quest a number of years ago that we thought we’d never go back.  But you are tempting me.  I think we might have to give it another go on an expedition ship!

11 hours ago, sfvoyage said:

Normally, expedition voyages on the 2 expedition ships will "include cultural and hiking tours, as well as zodiac tours. The submersible and kayak will remain optional."

 

I got the above answer regarding my particular Arctic voyage on the Venture this summer from Seabourn Guest Services.  Just email them to enquire about your particular voyage.

 

In general, excursions on non-expedition voyages (e.g. Mediterranean) on the expedition ships will not be included unless otherwise stated.

 

 

Thank you for your response @sfovoyage.  I have called and emailed guest services to no avail.  I’ve talked to destination services as well.  The answer is right now there are only submarine and kayak excursions available despite the voyage leaving April 14th 2024 - less than two months away.  I guess the issue is some of the ports are new to Seabourn.  So I guess we just have to go with the flow.  I find it a bit strange as some of their competitors that do this part of the world on expedition cruises have their “free” and paid excursions listed even for those of us who have not booked.  So I am using those sites to determine our options and in some cases am now looking into private excursions.  They did tell me there would be snorkeling opportunities which we are happy to hear and diving as well but  were unsure in which locations.  I do understand that is weather and seas dependent but I would think given the pricing they would have some more information available.  

We leave April 14th 2024.   I would not be concerned at all if 2025.  It’s now less than 2 months away.

Our 30 day cruise from Papeete to Guam on Pursuit starts on April 9th and no excursions are listed except for submarine and kayak

on Day 1.  I have called Seabourn as has my TA to ask and nobody seems to know anything.  
I understand it is expedition but it’s not Antarctica.  I would hope they would publish something soon as some of the ports have various 

things to see and do besides kayaking and the submarine which are both at a high cost.  We will likely do them both once on the trip 

and hope to do some snorkeling.  
I am about to give up so I did find a local tour company in Honaria, Guadalcanal and will likely book with them as we are there

overnight and my husband really wants to see the old WW2 things.  I’m so surprised Seabourn has nothing posted.  There are some places that are very remote but there are some with things we’d like to see and do so I’m now looking for private options since there is nothing posted.  I can find ideas on other

cruise lines that travel by expedition in these areas and have their tours posted to the public.  I realize some of the ports are new to Seabourn but some 

are on the bigger ship South Pacific trips as well.  If anyone has any ideas of who to reach at Seabourn I’d love to know a name!

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Good to know, will try Borago next trip.  Looks interesting.  Their water is from Pategonia and they milk their own cows!  Oh my.   What's your fave in Capetown?

Lots of great restaurants in Capetown.  Fyn is a particular favorite ( Japanese fusion with South African), La Columbe ( near the vineyards in the constancia area), and Salsify.

if you like Indian there is Thali and Bombay Brasserie.  And many more great restaurants.  
I suggest emailing ahead for reservations.  
Have a great trip!  Capetown is one of my favorite cities and loved our trip to Antarctica.

Food looks fantastic!  Another great restaurant in Santiago is Borago.  Also world class!  
enjoy your trip!  It sounds great.  Btw also some fabulous restaurants in Capetown!

We have often ordered a special lunch in the MDR 24 hours in advance when it’s open.  We have had a lunches of mussels in white wine, dover sole, just to name two.  They are very accommodating if they have the ingredients.

We were on the holiday cruise from Santiago to Antarctica to BA.  (Dec 2017-Jan 2018)  I believe we were in the Chilean fjords in late December.  It was cold but we had great scenery.  Since we were on our way to Antarctica we had long underwear, multiple layers and the Seabourn supplied parka and jacket.  But we could view from our room, from the observation lounge on quest or outside.  We only needed the layers if we were viewing outside and we often ate lunch on the patio grill under the heaters with a blanket so we were fine.  

I was there at a business meeting a number of years ago. It was hosted by our Brazilian colleagues ( on the Brazil side).  One of the “team building” events was a boat ride around the falls.  We were not forewarned we would get wet and we were soaked.  And in those days most of us were wearing business attire!  It is a fun experience if you are dressed properly.  ( I wasn’t). If  you want to stay dry either pass or wear rain gear! 

I have had someone carry up my carry on for me.  Only had to carry my purse.…. They are very accommodating but again if you aren’t comfortable with stairs it’s probably best to choose a regular penthouse suite.  They are also very nice!

There is a spiral staircase leading to the Penthouse Spa Suites on Quest, Odessey,  and Sojourn.  If you have a hard time with stairs I would not recommend.  We stay in these suites most of the time and I  have never seen the chairlift in use.  On one cruise we were on a gentleman injured himself and the chair lift didn’t work.  Fortunately they were able to change cabins.  The views are great and the suites very nice but you do have to be comfortable with stairs.  As I recall there were about 10?  I never counted but it’s not a few and not a lot.

2 hours ago, Khareef said:

You mean before the ships set sails or during the sailing?

Khareef, the paperwork is to be completed on board.  At least that’s what I was told for our trip from Papeete to Guam.  ( two legs, the second starting in Guadalcanal ( Honaria).  I hope that helps. If you want to call to verify ask the concierge to speak to a supervisor in the documents group.  The regular person in documents said must be done in advance but when questioned asked a supervisor to get the answer I had as well as sfovoyage.

If you’d like to be by the sea the Hotel Arts is lovely particularly if you book a seaview room.  If you want to be in the middle of the city I like the Mandarin Oriental which is a great location.  Of course Hotel Arts is only a short taxi ride away.

On 1/21/2024 at 11:24 AM, sfvoyage said:

The information is from Seabourn's documentation department, which is usually the ultimate resource for visas and related paperwork.  Next time you talk to Seabourn, you can tell them to get the answer from this department.  Let me know what you find out!

I spoke to Seabourn today.  First call was a bust.  I called back and got a very good “ concierge” who did some checking with the document group and got back to me with the same feedback sfvoyage provided.  For all US citizens we will fill out some forms and Seabourn will take care of the Visas for Papua New Guinea.  Thank you again to sfvoyage for your information!  Now it’s double confirmed!

On 1/19/2024 at 6:28 PM, sfvoyage said:

Below is the information provided by Seabourn yesterday for the particular voyage sailing on May 15, 2024:

 

The following information is provided as a courtesy and specific to a national of the USA for voyage P435.

 

Papua New Guinea - Yes, Visa Required - Guests will fill out a form on board and ship staff will submit it to the port agents in PNG. 

Micronesia - No Visa Required.

Guam - No, Visa Required.

Solomon Islands - No, Visa Required

Sfovoyage, thank you for the information.  I have not received this in my several attempts to clarify with Seabourn.  Can you let me know how you found this out?  Who you spoke with?  I want to make sure the same holds true for our cruise which ends as yours begins.  I assume it would but after all the various answers I’d like to confirm,  thanks so much!

Dusky,

Thank you for your reply.  I started with the US State Dept site.  Looked at the various country websites and then called Seabourn to see if they would issue on board and that’s where the run around started!  I only did this as on our west Africa trip 2019/2020 Seabourn took care of some of the visas on the ship for a fee which is always easier.  Subsequently my TA has received multiple answers too.  Most recently told no visas were needed which is contrary to what she’d been told previously.  So perhaps being handled as it was for highplainsdrifter on Silversea.  
 

I have looked at the PNG visa website and what I will do is call them Monday to clarify on New Guinea at least as we are making multiple stops and we don’t want to be left on the ship!  
if I learn something definitive I’ll post in case others want to know.

Thank you to all for your input and good to know visa wasn’t required for Silversea in PNG.  

But, I  continue to get different answers on the visa questions - depends on who I’m talking to at Seabourn - nobody seems to know.  So it concerns me.  They sent me to an outside visa service and they said needed for PNG and Niue.   They also said visas on arrival were required for several of our stops.  I went back to Seabourn to confirm they would handle the visas on arrival as they had done on our west Africa trip and they said no, then another person said they weren’t sure, another said maybe.    My TA has been given mixed answers as well.  I have a local visa service in San Francisco my company uses when we are traveling and it requires visas.  I’ve been using them for years for business so I have a call into them and will likely just bite the bullet and get the visas I may need.   I just can’t believe I can’t get a straight answer from Seabourn.  I know they state it’s up to the passenger but I’d hope they would be able to at least say yes or no.  And given they handled the visas in many cases in the past……

On the travel insurance I will double check but from what I read and what they told my TA I believe it’s covered but thank you for bringing it to my attention.  Allianz is who ours is with fir this trip.
 

Thank you to Fitstylist55 for getting this information for us.  I did finally after a number of attempts receive additional information from Seabourn.  

For snorkeling they will have equipment for passengers to use on the ship should one decide not to bring our own.  For divers as Fitstylist said people will need to bring our own gear although they will provide masks, fins, weight belts  and tanks.

For diving the information stated divers must bring all dive certification cards, and must have completed at least two open-water dives within the last 12 months prior to the start of the voyage.  One must also complete the PADI Diver Medical Questionaire and a Physicians Evaluation form.  If the diver is required to see a physician it must be done 6 months prior to the start of the voyage.  Diving will be limited to 100 feet and no more than 60 min.  Evidently this is as of lately posted ( or going to be posted) when you click on excursions for the voyage you’ve signed up for with a bit more detail.  I hope this helps clarify a bit more and again thank you to Fitstylist55 for talking to the expedition team!  
so for my husband and me we will be snorkeling as it’s been too long since we last did open water dives and our cruise is in April!  Hope this helps others!
 

8 hours ago, Mahogany said:

Has anyone been in the Venture Veranda Spa Suite? There are 2 and 1 Penthouse. I think I read somewhere there were steps involved to access it, or is that on the classic ships? Entrance is opposite the Spa treatment rooms and down a corridor to the Fitness Center (sweaty bodies? 😁). It's classified as a V4. Curious whether it's the same size as the other V1-4 verandas.

On the classic ships - O series - there are steps to access the spa suites.  They are above the spa and there is no elevator.  There is a chair that could potentially take one up the stairs but in a number of cruises in those rooms I’ve never seen it in use.  Not sure if it works!  On ovation and encore there is an elevator.  We haven’t been on an expedition ship yet so not sure the situation but in looking at the deck plans it seems they are on floors with elevators.  

I saw you cruise in today from my home!  Lovely to see and lucky you as it’s beautiful and sunny today whereas yesterday was raining and gloomy!  Have a great time!

Thank you.  Good to know. 

We are on a 30 day expedition cruise which includes a number of stops in Papua New Guinea.  USA citizens need a Visa.  In the past ( pre Covid) on a trip to West Africa where many countries required Visas most were handled on board by Seabourn for a fee.  Does anyone know if this will be the case?  I haven’t been able to get an answer from Seabourn or our TA.  We can get one ourselves but it’s so much easier to get on board.

Thank you in advance if you know the answer although I realize this itinerary is new to Seabourn.