Venture - Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland - Aug 7-21 As live as we can be!

[highplanesdrifters]

Submarine briefing this afternoon.

Tomorrow's trip in Jan Mayen looking  iffy.

 

And some shots of the places we never see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2022 by highplanesdrifters

[rkacruiser]

13 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

For now some old school cell camers pics.

 

Thank you for the photos of the activity program for the day and the menus.  Much to do aboard!  The menus sound good.  I think it's interesting that Seabourn continues to source their Beef Tenderloin from Double RR on the Classic menu.  HAL changed suppliers at least 3 years ago and the beef has been better since then.  

[rkacruiser]

13 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

For now some old school cell camers pics.

 

Thank you for the photos of the activity program for the day and the menus.  Much to do aboard!  The menus sound good.  I think it's interesting that Seabourn continues to source their Beef Tenderloin from Double RR on the Classic menu.  HAL changed suppliers at least 3 years ago and the beef has been better since then.  

[RetiredandTravel]

I know this is off topic but do they really still need to require the employees wear masks?  

 

even the CDC lowered Covid restrictions 

 

https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-pandemics-public-ace8870b5e4ac4500aa06964db0544b8

[Mr Luxury]

Masks inside ships and no masks on deck is the protocol on Seabourn at present.

From this week hosted tables are allowed again.

[Mahogany]

6 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Masks inside ships and no masks on deck is the protocol on Seabourn at present.

From this week hosted tables are allowed again.

On my April-May Odyssey cruise, there were hosted tables, but the hosts were the guest lecturers and entertainers, not the crew as in the past.

[highplanesdrifters]

As promised, pics of Veranda suite.

 

 

 

[rallydave]

Thanks so much for the pictures.  Was as expected from the renderings.  Assume the glass table in front of the couch raises for meal service and lowers as a cocktail table.  And that no person eats from the the couch while the other uses the arm table in front of the desk.

 

Nice to have the pics to compare to previous Seabourn cruises.

 

Hope you enjoy Iceland and Greenland with lots more great pictures.  We'll be going around both islands for 29 days next June/July.

 

Thanks again,

[highplanesdrifters]

Jan Mayen

A remote Norwegian island 470 miles north of Iceland. Dominated by the active 7,470' Beerenberg volcano.  Not active on our visit.😉. We got a tiny peek though the clouds. A meteorological station also used for radio and navigation in the North Atlantic run by 18 Norwegian military. 😉😉

It has been declared a nature reserve. If you see Jan Mayen on an itinerary grab it. There is speculation on how long visitors will be allowed.

 

Stunningly beautiful even on a foggy cloudy day. The green slopes glow. We got a proper hike up the black volcanic slopes with shrouded views of the volcano. A Wowza of a day.

 

 

 

 

Blue whale bones

Blue whale jaw bones.

 

 

Zoom in for the orange dot humans hiking up the slopes.

 

 

 

Volcano on the left.

Edited August 15, 2022 by highplanesdrifters

[highplanesdrifters]

21 minutes ago, rallydave said:

Thanks so much for the pictures.  Was as expected from the renderings.  Assume the glass table in front of the couch raises for meal service and lowers as a cocktail table.  And that no person eats from the the couch while the other uses the arm table in front of the desk.

 

Nice to have the pics to compare to previous Seabourn cruises.

 

Hope you enjoy Iceland and Greenland with lots more great pictures.  We'll be going around both islands for 29 days next June/July.

 

Thanks again,

I believe the veranda suites are essentially identical to other Veranda suites.  I didn't know that about the cocktail table.  You are in for a treat.  Look forward to hearing about your trip.

 

On the earlier renderings and photos I wasn't sure how I felt about the interior.  Well now I do. It works really well and has a warm and inviting feel to it. 

[highplanesdrifters]

Submarine ride scrapped. We have been cautioned that conditions must be ideal.  I knew Jan Mayen was unlikely. Fingers crossed fir Scoresby sound.

Edited August 15, 2022 by highplanesdrifters

[KenPhotoGeek]

1 hour ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Submarine ride scrapped. We have been cautioned that conditions must be ideal.  I knew Jan Mayen was unlikely. Fingers crossed fir Scoresby sound.

Do you know if you can take sharp images through the glass of the spheres?  Thanx.

[highplanesdrifters]

3 hours ago, KenPhotoGeek said:

Do you know if you can take sharp images through the glass of the spheres?  Thanx.

No idea yet, hopefully we'll get a ride. I'll ask the sub pilots.

 

PSA #27

If you are going on the subs bring dark clothing, preferably black. The reflection on the sphere is visually disruptive. 

[highplanesdrifters]

21 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

I know this is off topic but do they really still need to require the employees wear masks?  

 

even the CDC lowered Covid restrictions 

 

https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-pandemics-public-ace8870b5e4ac4500aa06964db0544b8

 I feel bad for the staff. 

[Covepointcruiser]

Too bad about the masks for the staff.   Hubby and I are just getting over COVID from 8/4 and it was no picnic with some very weird side effects.   Dr. Said my smell and tell should come back in 30 days so just in time for the cruise on 9/4.   I can understand anyone wanting to avoid the virus and if a crew member catches it they are out of commissions for at least 5 days.   We were fully vaccinated and boosted but still caught Omicron.   The staterooms look fine but how are the bathrooms, are they roomy enough and have adequate storage space?

[highplanesdrifters]

@Covepointcruiser

The shower in the Veranda is smaller. A triangle in the corner. I ask about storage.

[highplanesdrifters]

Food continues to be very good.

Lunch in the Colonnade is our go to. Salad bar, a great mix of  several lettuces and toppings along with 4-5 prepared salads. Hot buffet changes daily with about 8 dishes. Plenty of vege available.  Soups are a crowd pleaser. 

 

Sushi in  the club a bonus. Nice to have a early lighter option available. 

 

The evening music in the Constellation bar is too loud despite repeated requests to adjust. Song choices questionable. If I hear Que Sera Sera on more time...... Apps and bartenders are great.

 

Post dinner entertainment is as pictured below.

 

Expedition Staff continue to amaze.

Again they were stationed along yesterday's route dispensing Pearls of wisdom for those who cared to listen. It was our first proper hike without bear guards. Plenty of room to free roam and dispense of calories.

 

Today we have blue skies and Greenlands snow covered jagged peaks in the distance. The classic fog bank is in the fore ground. It's going to be a spectacular day.

 

Constellation Apps

 

Sushi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Scorsby Sound, Greenland

Where icebergs are born.

Captain Golubev backed up to a perfect iceberg setting to enjoy the Caviar and Champagne party.

 

 

So close we could almost touch 

 

 

 

Waterfall

 

Neverending coastline of scenery

[Mauzac]

What fabulous pictures, thank you.

 

I am a hot weather cruiser but you are rapidly changing my mind!

[highplanesdrifters]

5 hours ago, Mauzac said:

What fabulous pictures, thank you.

 

I am a hot weather cruiser but you are rapidly changing my mind!

I hear ya. I love the south Pacific and all things tropic.  But returning to Greenland was high on my list. And I'm already planning on coming back. The pics I've posted are just a minuscule of what we have seen. It's never-ending.  I don't know how I can go to sleep. Captain just did a lap around this baby.

 

 

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Earth and Ocean at the Colonade. 

 

Eddie, the Host with the most!!!

Shrimp civeche 

 

Chicken Curry

 

Dinner with a view

[worcestergal]

All I can say is WOW!!  Great pix!  I can’t believe I have to wait another 31 days to get there…

Thank you so much for sharing the photos and news from the ship. I hope they hear you about the music selection. 🥴
Just wondering, have you used the laundry room?

[highplanesdrifters]

9 hours ago, worcestergal said:

All I can say is WOW!!  Great pix!  I can’t believe I have to wait another 31 days to get there…

Thank you so much for sharing the photos and news from the ship. I hope they hear you about the music selection. 🥴
Just wondering, have you used the laundry room?

Glad you are enjoying. The ship and itinerary should not disappoint. 

 

Friends have used the laundry room and no complaints.

 

 There are a few nice voices and musicians.  Evening shows are usually Elsi & Eli singing and playing to a theme. Pianist Bruno and Guitarist Kaylee alternate in the bars.

 

Fleetwood Mac and Eagles night.

[highplanesdrifters]

PSA # 357 😂

There are plenty of pens and paper. 

My wine glass keeps refilling itself magically like the Professor in The Bishops Wife.

My dirty clothes appear nice and  clean from somewhere, hanging in a special bag or perfectly folded. Usually in less then 24 hours.

I haven't used an iron in years.

 

Seriously though....we are really surprised there aren't more issues on this second voyage of a new ship. What issues they have are quickly being seen too. Our outside door whistled. New weather stripping did the trick. They have been back to check. Drafty hallways are for the most part gone. Staff have been fantastic. It's all about the YES!

[jjs217]

We are on the Venture over the Holidays in December down in Antarctica.  I know ships don't generally make unnecessary announcements, but since this is an expedition cruise, do they make a ship wide announcement when there are animals spotted?  I don't care if I'm even taking an afternoon siesta - I want to see wildlife.  If I'm on the port side and 50 whales are spotted on the starboard side - I want to know about it.  Okay - I made my point.  Now, what is the policy?  Thanks.