Segmenting across the South Pacific WC Valparaiso to Sydney 15/02

[Silver Spectre]

1 hour ago, Fletcher said:

 

Easter Island is a bit of a challenge without zodiacs.  Pitcairn is almost impossible without zodiacs unless the islanders' own boat can get alongside the Silversea ship. But the ocean might just play ball and 400 passengers is probably within the visitor limits on that island at any one time. 

Luckily there’s only about 300 of us. We got onto Easter Island from the Shadow with the tenders in 2015, but have met people who had failed 3 or 4 times. Looks like our zodiacs will get some more use over the next week or so!

[brimary]

We were lucky to visit both Pitcairn and Easter Island via Tenders prior to Zodiac era.Can someone enlighten me as to the difference between a Tender and a Zodiac or is it just a change of name?

[Fletcher]

A tender is an enclosed vessel with room for maybe 50 passengers.  A zodiac - sometimes called a rib - is an inflatable landing craft, originally designed for the military, with an outboard motor and room for maybe a dozen people who sit on the rubber edges of the craft and hang on to the ropes.  Tenders need some sort of jetty or pier.  Zodiacs don't. A tender is a bit toy-town while a zodiac is a thrill ride.  Tenders are fairly inflexible and don't handle well in choppy water.  Zodiacs are incredibly flexible and you also need to be flexible to get in and out of them.

 

Riding a zodiac at Pitcairn - 

 

 

Edited February 16, 2020 by Fletcher

[jpalbny]

RIB=Rigid Inflatable Boat.

 

Zodiac is a brand name, from the first company who made them, but it's become a generic term now kind of like Frisbee or Xerox.

 

And agree that they are way more versatile for landings in varied conditions. Way more fun than tenders.

Edited February 16, 2020 by jpalbny

[RachelG]

Hate tenders, love zodiacs

[Silver Spectre]

1 hour ago, RachelG said:

Hate tenders, love zodiacs

Love tenders, can live with zodiacs.

[Silver Spectre]

Not a lot going on out here today, a black-browned albatross and a whale seen this afternoon. It did lighten up a bit and the sun came out for a while. Captain’s welcome and formal tonight. Eleven Trivia teams, came joint third. We also had 5 tables for duplicate today.

 

Life is good.

[Stumblefoot]

Mr. Silver, you may have already seen this SS link re:Easter Island, but if not, enjoy!

[Silver Spectre]

Back to Robinson Crusoe Island today

 

[brimary]

Thanks Fletcher for the explanation.Confusion caused by the name of the vessel in the photo being called a dinghy in Yorkshire.Many thanks Silver Spectre for bringing back so many memories of the scenic small islands you are visiting.Enjoy,

[DCCruiser57]

Lots more photos and comments on World Cruise 2020 thread.

[Silver Spectre]

2 hours ago, DCCruiser57 said:

Lots more photos and comments on World Cruise 2020 thread.

And plenty in the Silversea FB group

[Silver Spectre]

Slight swell today, some cloud. About 68F. We still have about 950 miles to get to Easter Island.  Exclusive cocktail reception for the 2022 Tale of Tales at 6:45 tomorrow evening followed by a Gala Dinner.

[Stumblefoot]

Thx for the info!  Look forward to hearing more about the ‘22 WC when available.

[Emtbsam]

For what it is worth, we were segmentarians on the WC for several years and have never felt left out.  Yes, there are events for world cruisers, but we understand that.  And we have been fortunate to have been included several times.  We will certainly do parts of the world cruise again.

[Silver Spectre]

Still having a great time

[Silver Spectre]

Day three on our way to Easter Island. 5 tables at duplicate and still 11 teams for Trivia. Beat the stalwarts of team 1 and team 2 by coming first again!

 

The weather is slowly improving and the sea is relatively calm. Very little bird life seen today. Ratko cooked some seriously good garlic and chilli prawns for lunch on the deck today.

[Silver Spectre]

WC2022 starts Jan 6 Ft Lauderdale and ends May 22 in Copenhagen, 136 nights, 69 ports. Goes Panama Canal, west coast South America, Antarctica, South Georgia across to Cape Town, then African east coast, Suez, Med, up to Southampton, Irish Sea, Iceland, and finally across to Norway.

 

Will try and post a picture later.

[Silver Spectre]

[jpalbny]

Interesting! They really are giving the Far East a wide berth.

[Fletcher]

So not a World Cruise is it? More of a Third of a World.  They claim six continents but only if you include Turkey. Jeddah is interesting . . . is this a first?

Edited February 21, 2020 by Fletcher

[Silver Spectre]

The curse of the swell strikes again, we arrived at Easter Island this morning but the swell is too great to allow tender or zodiac operations. We are going to stay for a full day tomorrow now, so maximising our chances of getting off. The Machu Picchu 14 have been sent on an Island Tour. So near to home yet so far. 

[Stumblefoot]

Wow!

[Miss Merry]

33 minutes ago, Silver Spectre said:

The curse of the swell strikes again, we arrived at Easter Island this morning but the swell is too great to allow tender or zodiac operations. We are going to stay for a full day tomorrow now, so maximising our chances of getting off. The Machu Picchu 14 have been sent on an Island Tour. So near to home yet so far. 

Hello Silver Spectre, I too am journeying with you, if you want to say “hello” then a little detective work will find me on board.

MM

 

Edited February 22, 2020 by Miss Merry

[Silver Spectre]

6 hours ago, Miss Merry said:

Hello Silver Spectre, I too am journeying with you, if you want to say “hello” then a little detective work will find me on board.

MM

 

The Bar on deck 5.