kimanjo

We were in Antarctica in November 2021, and just did Galapagos 2 weeks ago. We did not need them in Antarctica at all, but used them ( ship supplied ) in Galapagos. We are fit I'm 59 and DH is 60. My 2 cents.

As long as you are a good swimmer, the snorkeling isn't hard. Seas got choppy, but the shorty wetsuit gives you a little extra buoyancy which helped. But do as many/much as you can, is my best advice. Sign up for everything you can fit in!!! There is time for sleep when you get home.... We've been in South America since February, so we carry a little bit of cash everywhere we go. DH wore trousers and a long sleeved shirt and a sweater. Yes, we saw polos. Mainly he wore the long sleeves because it was chilly by dinner time ( 7:30 or 7:45). A couple of men did wear a jacket to dinner. I don't think I saw any ties. I wore black flare cropped trousers and a blouse. I also wore a knee length black cotton dress, which is my only dress. We are permanent nomads, so we don't carry any real "dress-up" clothes in our one suitcase each.

We just got back from our August Galapagos cruise. My advice, do as many of the excursions as possible!! We are pretty active 59 & 60's. We would do the early morning one, then if there was another around 10 or 10:30, then have lunch, then out for # 3 or 4. Snorkeling, kayaking, hiking. Also, my advice, unless you do deep water snorkeling often, do the 1st day "refresher, or beginner" whatever they call it. You will see the water temps, and will swim a good bit around, even close to rocks and see how comfortable you feel. We saw reef sharks even on that little snorkel. Also, the water was pretty chilly!!! I had poly/spandex leggings with me, and put those on and a long sleeved snug rash guard before the shorty wetsuit. It made such a difference. Closed toe Keens, or slip-on water shoes for wet landings and for getting on/off zodiac. You put your fins on when on the zodiac, and leave them in a net bag and sturdy, grippy footwear is necessary. Kayaking is super fun, and a great workout! Ask me anything, as it is all fresh in my mind.

Us eating at Hot Rocks Antarctica Nov 2021! And we did it more than once...

Ha! We too, are usually not breakfast eaters at home.. But do need coffee, and the earlier the better, 6 am ish. Some fruit, a croissant and coffee is all good. We really wish SS would put in a 24 hour coffee self-serve station! Nice decaf at night, and easy peasy for us early risers. On the Cloud the observation deck would be a perfect spot!

Son recently flew Atlanta to Toulouse France, via Amsterdam. Business class for work. His bag was "lost". He was in Toulouse and his bag was going round and round and round on and off Carousel 18 in AMS for 3 days. Did it help to know where it was, sure, but it still took 4 days for an understaffed AMS to get an actual human to get the bag, research the bag, and forward it on to him in France. So, you might know here it is with an AirTag, but if it's not anywhere near you, it won't necessary help. You are at the mercy of the people sorting out the bags.

In our "hand luggage" or what we really consider true "carry-n" we carry computers, iPads, medications, headphones, glasses, all the important stuff. Items NOT to be checked. If that's not what's in your "hand luggage" what is?

We will be boarding Silver Origin in a week for our Galapagos cruise!! We sailed the Cloud last November and are times the same across all ships? I've looked for the dining times for breakfast lunch and dinner, but could not find it. Anyone have this info? We understand excursions start 7-7:30? We normally do not eat breakfast in our suite, but maybe we should if there is no 6 am breakfast/coffee, as the a.m. excursions are this early. Thanks in advance!

We did it on our own. I am a different type, I feel MORE comfortable booking air on my own. I can check often ( daily? yes, I am obsessive) for changes, better seats, price paid, etc... I also plan to fly in any destination, at leas 2 full days ahead, and sometimes 3 depending. A lot of people feel the cruise line handle it.. Not me.

We were on the Cloud to Antarctica last November (2021) the second ship to sail to Antarctica after opening back up. Here is our experience. DH wore trousers ( of course) button down long sleeved shirt, and Wool sweater to dinner in the Main Dining Room most of the nights. I think he wore one the first night. We saw the same attire in the Main Dining room, with nice slacks and turtlenecks, or slacks and sweater. And some jackets. He brought one, that we "donated" at the end of the trip. We were becoming full-time nomads and would not have room in our one-suitcase policy for a suit jacket in the future. We knew that if he needed one for a cruise in the future, he could pick one up at a thrift store. We ARE cruising in 2 weeks on the SS Origin to the Galapagos. He does not have a jacket, and does not need one on that sailing.

When we did our Antarctica last November 2021, we flew MEM-DFW-SCL on AA. It too, has Premium Econ, as well as Comfort + and regular coach. We flew United, home from SCL-IAH-MEM. We are normally DL flyers ( since waaaay back when MEM was a hub). All products are fine. The destination makes it all worth it!!! Also in Nov 2019, we did a Seabourn coastal Expedition Chile and Peru cruise. We flew DL that year to SCL. And we booked our own transfer to Santiago from the port. You can find transfers to Valparaiso as well.

As someone who NEVER flies business, and still has incredible cruises, I can attest you CAN and WILL survive in the back of the plane... So, compromise, The Premium Economy ( not Comfort +) on United or DL are 2-2 config. The seats are like domestic FC. Not terrible. Plus, getting to relax and refresh at the Mandarin Oriental with its fantastic outdoor space, lounging and napping!! Book and extra night!

And remember, not everyone, but a lot of people use points. And now, points are re-depositable without penalty. So, you could do what we have done. Book with miles... And watch and monitor, if a great price for the ticket comes up, book with $$, and re-deposit the miles. We know beforehand about what a ticket price is what we are shooting for ( approx).

For the millionth time, Facebook is NOT an option for a lot of us who don't fall for the whole FB game. We shouldn't have to use FB in order to get help!!

Where are you sailing from?? I suspect getting Zevia soda on a cruise departing from Miami, for example, would be easier to source than one sailing from say, Lisbon Portugal. We will be on a Galapagos cruise in a couple of weeks. Our expectations are that Coke Zero or Diet Sprite should be available, but are prepared to drink soda water or tonic water if no sugar free soda is available.

I know its not glamorous when we tie up ( or plait) our hair and go, but boy does my husband appreciate the wash and go ease that comes with it! I have a friend who spends a hour on her hair, and she looks just as lovely on the days we would golf and she just pulls it back.

YUP.. Which home tests do you have??? IF you have FlowFlex, you can have them proctored. There is info inside the package. Proctoring is 20 bucks per test. 24 hours a day. IF you don't have the Flowflex I believe you can still get them at Target, CVS Walgreens. Just check their web-sites to see who has that specific test in stock. We are full time traveling nomad and carry them with us. We are in Colombia at the moment, and will be heading to Quito in a couple of weeks for our Galapagos cruise. We will use these for our pre-cruise testing if they do not do it at the hotel. BTW its very easy!

Fire hazard? I'm just thinking that it is less of a fire hazard if used in a tiled bathroom/area than used in an area of carpeting and softgoods? I grew my hair out one length so that I wouldn't have to blow dry or style it, now that I am a full-time nomad and have no room or time for appliances. But, daughter has used a straightener in the past, and I know that they get HOT!!!! I think I recall the dial going up to 450 degrees or some such super high number. Maybe thats why things like irons and the like are frowned upon in the cabin???? Tipping over if left on?

"Cross Packing" it's worth doing. Also, if your carryon has room, which ours do, we carry a spare outfit, depending on climate. Shorts, tee, underwear for warm weather, and pants, long sleeve tee for cold weather. Tech fabrics roll very small. It can buy you a day, and depending on your destination, when we have had late luggage, a H & M, or Zara are in a lot of big cities, and you can usually find some neutrals there. AND, know your daily Per Person trip insurance late bag allowance, and USE IT. Daughter and I had our bags delayed for 3 days on a trip to France, and we sure knew it was 200$ per day, and spent it. You dont know if they are going to ever get you, and at least you will be supplied for your cruise and not have to wear ship branded polos from the logo shop onboard!!!

When was that?? Delta was in the early part of 2022, Omicron is now. So, from Feb 2022 til now was the Moon denied entry? I thought South American sailings were from Nov-March-ish. Call me confused.

Which ships did Argentina refuse during "Omicron surge"??? I was in Argentina from end of February this year until July 4th, and heard nor saw anything about this...... How do you know this??

I've sailed Oceania Seabourn and Silversea. So far, Oceania has my vote for the best food, but by a slight margin. I've also sailed Azamara, and that food was very, very good. It is very subjective. We are not Champagne and Caviar people. Excelled bread, meats cooked well, and interesting salads and vegetables. We ate at the Keller restaurant on Seabourn, and it was fine. Nothing super spectacular. I enjoyed the no charge Jaques Pepin restaurant more on Oceania. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks!! Going great. We were in Argentina from end of Feb til July 4 doing all sorts of great adventures. Our son calls our side-trips ( like to Iguazu Falls and Salta) vacations from retirement! Packing.... We haven't needed to "dress up" anywhere, and no plans too. I've learned a LOT about long term travel packing. Because we don't know where we will go, we need to carry 4 seasons of clothing and footwear with us. Nighttime Salta needed jackets, gloves and hats. When we go to Cartagena, we'll need beachwear. And it wears out/ gets old fast, lots of wear, variety of washers/dryers. I did not have an 'Gram account before this. I needed one to keep the kids updated as to where we are! Just a few friends follow too. It's travelingstanleys. It's not a moneymaker or anything. Just a little quiet travel log.

Ugh.. I see that UA flight is still listed, so it disappeared from your mySilversea flight info??? That is a head scratcher as to why if that UA flight is flying and listed on UA website why it wold be removed from your details. I too, would be frustrated if that is the case. I would also push hard to have them book either the DFW, the UA or the ATL flights ( not going to JFK). Going north in the winter is not my idea of a good plan.