Silversea or Ponant to Alaska (and maybe Russian Far East) in Aug/Sept 2021

[travelbug1993]

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Hi Cruisers.

 

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on which company my husband and I (early 50's) should book with to do an Expedition cruise to Alaska and maybe the Russian Far East in July/August/September 2021.

 

Both seem on a par to me with the odd items swaying in each one's favour. The more I read the more confused I get.

 

Many thanks,

[Coral]

All I can say is if you do end up doing it - I want to read your review after!

 

Looking at your history - you have done some unusual ships. I did Norway on Princess and you did Hurtigruten. I have heard of Hurtigruten but am somewhat afraid to go on their ships though they go everywhere in Norway.  I did Amawaterways years ago to Russia and you did Volga Dream which I was not familiar with. I was not impressed with Ama but it was a long time ago.

[English Voyager]

5 hours ago, Coral said:

All I can say is if you do end up doing it - I want to read your review after!

 

Looking at your history - you have done some unusual ships. I did Norway on Princess and you did Hurtigruten. I have heard of Hurtigruten but am somewhat afraid to go on their ships though they go everywhere in Norway.  I did Amawaterways years ago to Russia and you did Volga Dream which I was not familiar with. I was not impressed with Ama but it was a long time ago.

Although the newer Hurtigruten ships have become more luxurious it is not a cruise line but a service for coastal communities.

Some stops are only long enough to land, or take on board, passengers and freight.

Edited January 5, 2020 by English Voyager

[Coral]

4 hours ago, English Voyager said:

Although the newer Hurtigruten ships have become more luxurious it is not a cruise line but a service for coastal communities.

Some stops are only long enough to land, or take on board, passengers and freight.

Thanks. Do people disembark and catch a later ship?

[Floridiana]

On 1/5/2020 at 1:55 AM, English Voyager said:

Although the newer Hurtigruten ships have become more luxurious it is not a cruise line but a service for coastal communities.

 

I think they also do 'real' cruises with their new ships and Arctic expeditions. 

 

As to the question whether passengers can do easy hop-on, hop off,  it probably depends whether it's a high frequency port or some small village hidden away. You would have to check their schedules. I noticed that they always have the better pier, closer to town or village than the cruise ships.

[Floridiana]

As to Ponant, I liked the Austral. Haven't been on Silversea, isn't' it more formal than Ponant?

[travelbug1993]

Hi everyone.

 

We decided to book with Ponant for a few reasons.

 

The discount with Ponant is applied and you only have to pay a 25% deposit and the balance 120 days out. We have sailed with them before so have an additional 5% discount. It was also a better itinerary for us.

 

Yes, Silversea claims to be more high scale than Ponant, but except for a few things they are very similar.

 

However in order to get Silversea’s 10% discount you need to pay your deposit and a few days late pay the full amount! When our cruise is Sept 2021 that is a long time before and depending how you pay for it, a lot of extra interest.

 

I am looking forward to the cruise and will write a review when we return.

 

Thanks to everyone for their comments.

 

Safe Travels.

[travelbug1993]

We ended up booking the Alaska and their Fur Trader’s cruise as the one we wanted may not be offered next year. Still happy with that itinerary.

[Floridiana]

Enjoy the cruise and tell us how it went afterwards.

[Jacqueline]

We just booked the Russian Far East, Kamchatka peninsula in 2022. They are offering two cruises on this itinerary on the Inspiration. We did sail Silversea in the Galapagos, but I am happier with the newer HL ship. They do a great job with luxury expedition cruising.

Getting ready to board the Aqua Mekong in Phnom Penh this afternoon.

Edited February 7, 2020 by Jacqueline

[Travelcat2]

Definitely Silversea!

 

P.S.  Your choice of going to Alaska in August (hopefully late August) or September is a good one.  You will avoid the thousands of children/families that cruise that area is June, July and early August.

Edited February 16, 2020 by Travelcat2

[Floridiana]

On 2/6/2020 at 11:52 PM, Jacqueline said:

Getting ready to board the Aqua Mekong in Phnom Penh this afternoon.

 

 

Enjoy? Will you also do the Amazon cruise with H-L? Tight schedule, maybe impossible.

Edited February 22, 2020 by Floridiana

[Jacqueline]

Right! My reasoning is on the other thread. Hope you have a wonderful trip. When you return, please let us know all about it!

[Floridiana]

On 2/25/2020 at 10:21 AM, Jacqueline said:

When you return, please let us know all about it!

I will write a review.