Buyer Beware

[UKCruiseJeff]

I wasn't being snarky in my post. I was just saying that lots of people seem to find this website after they've had a bad experience and want to vent about it, and it's too bad that they don't find it beforehand when a little research would go a long way towards making it a better experience or at least managing one's expectations (e.g. you don't step off the ship at Civitavecchia and there's Rome at your feet).

 

Oh ... I didn't think you were being snarky at all. I think the issue is that for many - it wouldn't occur to them about the reliance on conditions. I think with all the focus on it being specialist ships you presume they go everywhere it should except very exceptionally rather than routinely missing stops. I am only aware of it as a result of reading about it here by chance. So if you didn't know about the aspect it might not occur to research it and then you'd be a bit upset. He won't be the only one I'm sure.

 

The OP sounds unfortunate as he didn't appear to see much or anything fo what he expected and whoever is at fault it would make me grumpy.

 

And at Civtiavecchia you give Rome a complete miss and all that tourist muck and get off first and head for Ostia Antica instead ... Rome's thankfully hidden and it seems almost unknown gem ... an experience never forgotten! As Gladiator said "Meet me at Ostia " :D

 

Jeff

Edited June 12, 2015 by UKCruiseJeff

[diane.in.ny]

UKCruiseJeff

 

Thanks for the link. I did a quick look at the online information plus the digital version of the brochure and I didn't see any where it stating that they would cross the Antarctic Circle.

 

I think the OP had some very different expectations but I have no idea what they were based on

[UKCruiseJeff]

UKCruiseJeff

 

Thanks for the link. I did a quick look at the online information plus the digital version of the brochure and I didn't see any where it stating that they would cross the Antarctic Circle.

 

I think the OP had some very different expectations but I have no idea what they were based on

 

 

I cannot speak for him, only what I'd presume.

 

As virtually all of the Antarctic (on some maps oddly all of it) is within the circle I would presume from that and from the description that you'd almost certainly if not absolutely certainly cross the circle. I do not see that as being the major jump you seem to think it is.

 

eg

 

 

 

That I guess makes me an ill-informed idiot as well. :D

Edited June 12, 2015 by UKCruiseJeff

[RachelG]

If they set foot on the continent of Antarctica, which apparently they did, they would be within the Antarctic circle.

[UKCruiseJeff]

If they set foot on the continent of Antarctica, which apparently they did, they would be within the Antarctic circle.

 

 

It depends on which map you believe ..

 

[Portolan]

If they set foot on the continent of Antarctica, which apparently they did, they would be within the Antarctic circle.

 

Most expeditions, Silversea and others, visit the Antarctic peninsula which is north of the Antarctic Circle. The maps shown above show the finger of the peninsula north of the Circle. Port Lockroy, frequently the farthest point visited, is not quite 65 degrees south (versus 66.5 degrees south for the Circle). Also, the maps show the land mass of Antarctica, not the ice sheet extents which for much of the year nearly fill the Circle.

 

Totally unlike the Arctic where you can expect to get to about 80 degrees north during most summers.

[RachelG]

Interesting ! A lot of variation between maps. I would be happy to just visit Antarctica.

[diane.in.ny]

Interesting set of maps.

 

We did visit Port Lockroy (Position: Lat. 64° 49′ S, Long. 63° 30′ W) on our Antarctica trip but I distinctly remember the ship having to turn around before we crossed the Antarctic Circle.

 

Anyway, back to the original post, I still maintain that the literature does not specifically say they will be south of the Antarctic Circle. Maybe the OP had that impression from a map such as those displayed here but obviously there is a section of the continent that is north of the Circle.

[tgh]

33 posts (and counting )..about what?

 

A quick , one barrel only, cheap shot from an OP who (IMnsHO) had no interest in discussion , either with us, or SilverSea.

 

There seems to be no stopping the banality epidemic.

[lisiamc]

James didn't write his first post particularly well but he was upset and seeking a bit of sympathy and seemed less well informed about the vagaries of expedtion life than many seasoned experts here. Some greeted him with understanding and provided information. Others indulged themselves in a bit of recreational nastiness. They wouldn't talk to a friend in that way, so why welcome a stranger in that way?

 

The reason why James might be a one-poster is possibly because of the way he was greeted and treated.

 

Jeff

 

I see your point, but it's hard to be sympathetic or even neutral when someone comes here and starts immediately blasting away. He's not saying "This wasn't what I was expecting, did I miss something important?" He's telling us not to book with Silversea, and implying that they are a dodgy outfit and we are a bunch of dupes and fools if, heaven forbid, we've actually enjoyed a Silversea cruise.

[duct tape]

Do you really care what that guy thinks of you?

[Silver Spectre]

33 posts (and counting )..about what?

 

A quick , one barrel only, cheap shot from an OP who (IMnsHO) had no interest in discussion , either with us, or SilverSea.

 

There seems to be no stopping the banality epidemic.

 

But the OP does fit the profile of those who have traveled with Silversea and whilst having no wish to travel with them again, seem to enjoy some form of vicarious pleasure in commenting on those that do.

[Herman The Cat]

33 posts (and counting )..about what?

 

A quick , one barrel only, cheap shot from an OP who (IMnsHO) had no interest in discussion , either with us, or SilverSea.

 

There seems to be no stopping the banality epidemic.

 

Agreed. Seems like the OP had two objectives: 1) he was venting and 2) he tossed the bait out on this board and people jumped on it. I think there are a lot of OPs who like to get people on this board all wound up and then sit back and chuckle. :eek:

Edited June 13, 2015 by Herman The Cat

[Bramcruiser]

Sorry, just not enough to convince me to cancel next year's Arctic expedition. These extreme location voyages are always subject to weather conditions and government regulations. You have to learn to go with the flow. Its called "adventure" cruising and definitely is not mainstream.

 

For me:

 

A) If we even make it to Greenland, I'll be happy!

 

B) I was sort of worried when I first booked our entry level cabin would be too small. My other half wisely pointed out that the cabin will still be bigger than the one on our train this year crossing Canada. Oh yeah! We got a palace in comparison. :)

Edited June 14, 2015 by Bramcruiser