kimanjo

While traveling throughout Patagonia for a month, we met a German couple who tired for 5 days to fly to King George.  They never made it, weather did not cooperate.  Cancelled cruise, and decided to go to Patagonia instead of going back to Germany.  They said they WILL NOT re-book a fly cruise when they rebook for next year. 

On 2/16/2023 at 3:09 PM, SCWahoo said:

Also ditto to the level of exhaustion--my husband and i were straddling either sides of our 40th birthdays when we travelled, but between all of the excursions, we were wiped at the end of the night.  This trip was ABSOLUTELY fantastic. 

And we are 60 and 61, and pretty fit, and it is exhausting!!  But sooooo worth it.

36 minutes ago, mauibabes said:

@bob brown

on Marina now and we ran out of Drakes Lake luck. Definitely major wave action and winds. I am sure at least 2/3 of the guests are hunkered down in their rooms because as I have walked around the Terrace and Horizons, you can count the people using fingers and toes and had some left over.  Since you will be heading into this in a week or so, GOOD LUCK. We have weathered some major forces in the North Sea before on Insignia but this has been our worst experience to date.  Let’s hope when you get to Ushuaia your luck holds and you don’t experience this. 
 

No matter what, this is an awesome cruise and itinerary. 
Mauibabes

I pop into cruismapper every once in a while to see what's going on.  It says seas are 6.9 m and 15 knot winds.  When we crossed we had 4 m seas, and we were out and about, and were some of the few.  I can only imagine 6.9 m. WOW!!!

We were on Origin in August.  We had 523.  The entire ship/passengers is pretty quiet.  If I had to guess, 75% of people use the stairs, not the elevator. The ship is small, the pax are active sorts, so climbing a deck or two is the least exertion you will do!!!!

Everyone is so tired by the end of the day.  The main dining room waiters we so used to us, they got really good about serving our courses pretty fast, all we wanted to do was climb in the bed. Deep water snorkeling and kayaking 2X per day is tiring.  Have a great time.  My husbands favorite trip we've done.

3 hours ago, RELS said:

 

I have these for myself. My spouse has the rash guard, but says they don't need the leggings. Maybe I can convince them to at least bring their polypropylene long johns, just in case.

Even if you pack them for him, and "surprise" him with them when onboard.  I think it was the snugness, close to the body 2nd layer that makes them work.  A few people also brought their own long wetsuit, and doubled up.  We are full-time nomads and only travel with one suitcase each, so that is something we obviously don't travel with!!

On 1/19/2023 at 11:27 PM, RELS said:

Does the Origin give you mask and snorkle to use and take home? They're not on the list of things to keep in the document provided by Silversea (water bottle, poncho, knapsack), but I keep reading on the other site that passengers get a very nice new set to keep. I would like to not bother to bring mine if this is true.

 

I know that they were giving them out at one point to allay COVID transmission concerns, but is it still true?

When we were on it August we were given our own snorkel and mask to keep.  We were also give the backpack and water bottle.  I don't recall a poncho.  But I will give this advice.  Bring long sleeve rash guard AND some leggings for wearing under the wetsuit.  We didn't the first time out, but after we got back people said add a long sleeve layer and leggings if you have them and it made a difference in warmth.  Not cotton leggings, but poly and spandex tight ones.  My 2 cents.

Cabin Number 8073

Ship   Pursuit

Month/Year sailed   Dec 2022

Would you chose this room again  Y

Balcony size  Normal

Tub/Shower combo

Any other comments   This is below Windows Cafe.  Last suite starboard side 9 before aft suites. There is noise from the Windows Cafe above, but it matters what time of day.  I am noise sensitive, and we get up early in the am, so the noise above didn't bother me at all.  Mainly because I know that it ends by about 10 pm when they are finished, and starts in earnest about 7 am. We rise between 5:30 and 6.   So, if you keep the same type of hours, nose from above is not bothersome at all, because it is non-existent in the night.

5 hours ago, FauxNom said:

So sorry your high elevation hike was so badly derailed @kimanjo

Made it, however it was probably the most difficult thing I've ever done!  All the  young people also hiking those days, seeing me struggling, were so encouraging and enthusiastic, as they were passing me... I seriously couldn't have made had it not been for the cheers and kind words of all those strangers.  My husband who is very, very fit, even struggled a little. I couldn't figure out why it was that hard?? I had been in Arequipa and Colca Canyon, which is a much higher elevation ( some points up to 14,000 ft) the week before and was fine.  Well, we finally figured it out ( duh) after pretty much collapsing back at our lodge.  Food delivery and isolation and rest for a week in Sacred Valley. What a year 2022.

12 hours ago, SLSD said:

Is this an accepted product---or just one that claims to kill the viruses?

We also have Xlear ( cheap sold on Amazon) and even good ol' saline spray.  

I've heard  the saying   the solution to pollution is dilution.   Nasal spray and a good mask.  Easy to do.  Worked really well until we ran out. 😞 Still masked, but no spray for the times we had to remove mask. Tested positive.   While hiking for 2 days Machu Picchu.  Wouldn't wish it on anyone.  Especially at +8000 feet.  Probably would have died of a heart attack had I had my oximeter with me and seen what my ox was.  I'm pretty fit, and thought it was the elevation and hiking up exertion.    

1 hour ago, crusinbanjo said:

It is a nasal spray using nitric oxide, claims to kill viruses in the nasal cavity .

  https://shop-enovid.com/products/enovid-sanotize-nons-nitric-oxide-nasal-spray

That's it exactly. There was another passenger on our sailing that we met that was using it too.  We've used it all over all travels in South America for months, from our Antarctica trip Nov 2021 until we finally ran out in July in our hiking Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu trip.  And......

3 hours ago, zqtchas said:

did you buy insurance for this cruise?

We did.  But, to us, being denied boarding, quarantined, missing parts of the cruise didn't warrant "oh well, the insurance will cover it" mindset.  Not only that SIlversea was refunding pax at the time who tested positive.  That was still no reason for us to not take the extra serious measures we did in order to stay negative and enjoy this trip of a lifetime.  We missed nothing!!

We were on the Silver Origin 3rd week of August this year 2022.  Yes there were plenty of wetsuits.  We wore leggings and long sleeve rash guard underneath ( as tight as you can).  For some reason, it really helps keep you much warmer.  We did not wear the 1st day,  then we heard other people suggesting it.  Not cotton leggings, but spandex and nylon or poly fabrication.

Some people brought their own poles, and on some hikes, they had a barrel with lots of poles in it, and I took them from that.  So, if you don't mind schlepping yours, go ahead.  If you dont want to, they have them.

We don't eat ANY seafood ( by choice, just don't like it) and there was plenty of veggie and chicken dishes.  We do eat pork, so we had that too. But other types of seafood I hear was delicious.

Day room in Guayguil.  We had a night flight out, so we only used it for a few hours, but others stayed in it overnight who had a flight the next day.  Pro Verde was the hotel. We were in Quito for the week before the cruise, so we had an AirBnb.  Not sure which hotel they use...

Any other questions, just ask.  We LOVED it, DH wants to book the Northern Loop. He didn't want to go on this, and it's been his favorite trip. We've been traveling all over South America since February.  Just have to come up with the $$$$.

From our Nov 2021 Cloud Antarctica experience. Free advice if anyone wants it....

Because this cruise was A.  VERY expensive and B. Probably a once--in-a-lifetime trip we tried to give us our best shot at NOT contracting Covid ( and hence being quarantined!!!) and missing everything.

Starting 2 weeks before the flight, we practically went into hermit mode.  Curbside pickup for everything.  If we had to go inside, n95 masking and all hyper vigilant.

Had ordered Envovid ( SanOtize) and started using day of flying, at least 2X per day, everyday.  Now, here is where most will say " no way".  We masked from arrival at our departure airport to arrival at the hotel in Santiago.  9+ hours. Especially in crowded airport.  I brought straws and stuck them up from the bottom of our N95 masks to have water on the flight.  Did NOT eat. 

Masks around everyone, and only off outside.  Once we got on the ship, masks in the hallways,  during the daily briefings,  ate outdoors as much as possible.  Paranoid?? We saw it as hyper vigilant.  Was NOT going to skip any part of this trip.

We ended up being tested for a total of 9 times for this trip, and negative.  We KNOW there was Covid onboard.  Big  unceremonious offloading incident.  Our butler "dissappeard" for 4 days.

1 hour ago, lincslady said:

Is it just possible that this rule will be changed back by Head Office shortly, once someone has disembarked from one particular cruise?

 

Lola

Then, the next one comes on board with the new/old rules, that are ignored, and said smoker is allowed to remain smoking cigars outside, then the rules change to accomodate them and rule changes back and so on and so on.....  It's not rocket surgery.   Cigars only in Connoisseurs Club.  That's it.  Don't care how much of a tantrum the fool has. Unceremoniously offloaded at the next port.

4 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

We too were forced inside at Panorama. We were ploting to chuck him overboard.  Earlier the lovely combo of his noxious cigar combined with the sewage smell cut our time at the pool short.  And then there are the loud Face Timers. 6* cruising at its finest.  I'm terribly discouraged. 

Ugh, I feel for you.  The cigar smoker.  And in a lot of our travels we have noticed the loud Face Tiimers are  more often then not, semi-deaf  loud talking Grammy and Grampy FaceTiming with the even louder screaming and squealing grandkids back home on the other end of the call.

We were on the Cloud Nov 2021 ( 16 night cruise, so not far off from a 21 day).

Merino wool or cashmere sweater(s) are key.  Wearing in the evening.  A pair of trousers, long sleeve dress shirt and polo collar or 1/4 zip thin merino wool sweater is perfectly fine for all dining. That is what DH got by in.  Uniqlo has long sleeved merino polos for 50 bucks.  Or go with a V-neck.  

I wore black skirt or black trousers and sweater over long sleeve tee.  One gray cashmere hoodie, and one lavender sweater.  

When we dined outdoors hot-rocks, even with the heaters, it was cold enough to dine with your parka on, so nobody sees what you have on underneath!

And we wore our best "well loved" aka junky sweaters for the expeditions, and tossed them at the end of the cruise. We had some merino wool sweaters that had been around the block or two.  Nobody can tell your insulated layer, under your parka has a hole in it.

We rented boots, so that saved space and weight.  

Our checked bags were about 49-52 pounds.  We each carry a backpack.  Pretty heavy  backpacks with electronics, and such. 

We didn't bring home the backpacks they gave us.  We both have Osprey that we love, and since we were about to sell everything and go full time nomads, we didn't need more stuff.  We did bring home the Parkas because our kids wanted them.

BTW as full time nomads now since February, we have made it all over South America with the same sub 50 lb suitcase and same backpacks.  And inside is ALL 4 seasons clothing.  

I checked my old documents.  It was not the Holiday Inn, it was the Hamton Inn.  This is a screen shot of the transfers and day room.

1.  We did our own air, and got the transfers and hotel rooms included.

2.  Our night flight out was at 10:00 pm thru DFW night of disembarkation.

I would have your TA's ask about the gap between disembarkation from the ship and the 10 pm (ish) flights out.

At the very least, the MO is so nice, just to luggage store, and hang out by the pool and have access to lounging about and bathrooms ( and even locker rooms for freshening up before heading to the airport) would be a nice thing.

Day room possibly?  

Our November 2021 Cloud sailing was supposed to have a day room after flying back from Punta Arenas to Santiago after disembarkation and charter flight. Using the room until our 10:00 pm night flight back thru DFW. If I recall it was listed as the Holiday Inn right at the airport.

BUT, there were so many problems departing PA, almost everyone missed their flights home, so the "day room" ended up being an overnight hotel.

So, in our paperwork was the MO for pre-cruise and HI for day/evening room til night flight back home.

We also had a day room in Guayaquil just 2 months ago after our Galapagos cruise, because we had a night flight to Quito.

On 10/17/2022 at 5:21 PM, highplanesdrifters said:

@kimanjolooks perfect for our post cruse chill. Did you eat at any of their restaurants? Still no word from SS on the post cruise hotel.  We leave in a week.  🤣

We did not dine at the hotel at all.  We are big walkers, miles and miles, so we would just pop into a restaurant that looked good.  We did, however, search to no avail for a restaurant we ate at Nov 2021, that had the best chocolate cake we've EVER had, by a long shot.  Never found it.

If I were a guessing, it would be the MO, but throwing the Ritz or Singular in wouldn't surprise me.  Can't go wrong at any of them.  We just really enjoyed the MO pool area for relaxation.

15 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

The hotel looks very, very nice.  

It is lovely.  You can walk to the outdoor "mall" right up the street. Or you can walk a longer distance if you are up to it, and walk to Costanera Tower/Mall ( which has a ton of outdoor outfitters for anyone who might need something if their cruise is starting)  Just ask for directions.  The pool area is especially lovely in November.

4 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

I hear ya! Thanks for the quick review. Just sent an instajam request.😉

Ok'd your request.  

26 minutes ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Hot diggity dog @kimango!!! You're leaving it on the field. I love it. This will be out 3rd expedition trip with other domestic trips for filler this year. Now I feel like a slacker. 😃 You're my hero!

Where are you headed next week? And I would love to hear more about your favorite parts of your SA trip if you choose to share. I don't think anyone would object if you posted here.  Especially beach bumming Columbia. Our beloved beach shack in Sanibel was wiped away. We usually spend a month or two there, easy to invite family. Time for a plan B.  I think we're headed back to Antarctica in 2024. Cloud has a nice itinerary that has 5 days in South Georgia and drops you in South Africa. But I do love being a beach bum. 

Not really a social media type, but started an "insta-jam" for our few friends and family who want to see what we are up to.. It's private, but all you have to do is ask for an invite to view.

travelingstanleys is what you search for. Lots of pics and videos.

We have loved all of it.  Iguazu Falls was up there.  We stayed at the Gran Melia, and being right there in the park was one reason.    DH loved Galapagos.  If 10 being the best, everything has been a 9 or 10. Hard to say what is favorite.  Andean condors, Machu Pichu, Vicunas at 15,000 feet in Peru.

Beaching in Colombia... It's not like a luxurious island on holiday.  It's loud, busy, crazy, cheap.  People are lovely.  

We are off to Spain and Portugal, for about 6 weeks.  Then our plan is to catch a transatlantic Lisbon to Rio end of November, to get back to SA for hiking Patagonia starting December.  Trying to stay as active as possible.  Can't slow down. Life too short!

Oh boy are there challenges!  We are full-time nomads since February.  We have spent from end of February to August in South America.  We have seen Iguazu Falls, northern Argentina ( Salta and Jujuy region)  Montevideo,  Spent months in Buenos Aires.  Arequipa and Colca Canyon Peru.  Cusco,  week in Sacred Valley, 2 days of hiking Machu Pichu.  Three weeks of beach bumming Cartegna Colombia.  Quito, then off  to Silver Origin for a week in the Galapagos!  Whew, thats a lot...   We also did 16 nights Antarctica Nov 2021, starting in Santiago.  We've been to Santiago before and really enjoy the city.

We are now back in the States, visiting the kids, re-supplying and heading back out on the road next week.

9 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Good call and thanks for your response@kimanjo Its the tours and transfer we're trying to navigate. The TAs suspect the hotel will be near the airport. So we'll just carry on and slip Valparaiso and the airport hotel. 

This is a B2B correct?  Are you trying to figure out which hotel in Valparaiso? Or if you disembark in Valparaiso then go directly to Santiago and hotel there for the night?  Good logistical question.  

3 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Calling all CC Intelligentsia.

We are booked on the Wind -  Puntaranas to Valpariso, 10-26 to 11-18.  Does anyone know what hotel Silversea is using Post cruise?  They have been less than forthcoming with information. Multiple TA's are trying to gather this intel for our group.   They can't even tell us what city.  We know what hotels they have used in the past. Unfortunately that is the past and doesn't help now.  We are booked at the Mandarin Oriental for 3 nights starting on 11-19 and are trying to figure out where to plan our transfer and tours from on 11- 18.  Or if we even want to stay in the Silversea hotel. We will not use the Silversea transfer.  Busses = Covid, ;-).

Thanks much!

I have suggested to others.  Book 100% cancellable stays at both the Mandarin and the Ritz Carlton.  I did just that, for our Cloud Antarctica Nov 2021, and as soon as I found out which one it was,  cancelled the other.  The only "wrinkle"  is if they start using the Singular.