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Posts
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Joined
About Me
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Location
Santa Fe Land of Enchantment
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Interests
Travel gardening Cars
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Favorite Cruise Line(s)
Regent Windstar
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Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
Med
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Bigdogwon's Achievements
Cool Cruiser (2/15)
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9-night versus 11-night Longyearbyen Roundtrip
Bigdogwon replied to ridethetide's topic in Atlas Ocean Voyages
Yes it has a major advantage if you want to see Polar bears, we did just the partial circumnavigation last August and the wildlife was at a minimum. The staff that had been around the island showed us pictures of bears, foxes and the polar ice cap. We had wished we had booked the cruise before us it looked spectacular. Our cruise was also wonderful, which included the Norwegian Fjords, Bear Island and partial Svalbard. -
I wore my sneakers around the ship, sprayed them with water repellent before leaving home, worked very well, on Zodiac landing the provided boots.
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“Forced overnight in Reykjavik”
Bigdogwon replied to exlandlubber's topic in Regent Seven Seas Cruises
To be announced, meaning they have not secured a hotel for the forced overnight. Did you book your air with Regent? If so the cruise lines in the past (many years ago) when a passenger was "forced" overnight because of air schedules they arranged for a complimentary hotel. Not sure if they do that any longer. -
I wore a pair of Marmot ski pants with the boots and had no problem, most people I saw had no problem fitting their pants over the boots. The expedition team highly recommends that your pants go over the boots to prevent rain or splash from entering.
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Cabin cost before promos applied is $13,499.00 per person not including the $600.00 port/fees Cabin cost with out promos $36,998.00 plus 1200.00 port $37,898.00 total Cabin after all promos is $6199.00 pp plus $600.00 pp port Cabin 12398.00 plus $1200.00 $13, 598.00 Promo applied second guest is "free" 50% off etc. same thing An air credit of $625.00 per person is also deducted from balance. So actually the price is better than 50% offf with the current air credit. Read the fine print at the bottom of the cabin grid. The price you see reflects the promo.
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Considering Transatlantic May 2024. Any advice?
Bigdogwon replied to luckybecky's topic in Atlas Ocean Voyages
We just returned from a Polar cruise of thirteen days on World Voyager, the main thing to consider here is that these ship are purposely built for Expedition cruising, not Ocean cruising. We absolutely loved the ship and all the crew, food, drinks etc. We had one day of trivia, cooking demonstration and the crew show. On one day we had a bbq on the pool deck which was a nice change even though it was to cold for us. We did an engine room tour which was very enlightening given the ships "green" contribution to the area in which it travels. The lectures from the expedition team gave us another choice of things to do. Mostly people played board/card games, books were read and people drank copius amounts of red wine. (not my choice). The down side to us having many days at sea would be lack of entertainment, which included a piano player (he was very good, but only if he would not sing) The "new" cruise director had a great voice and the out going cruise director was very funny (aka Elvis impersonation). We missed the fact the TV did not have any documentaries only movies. No news channels etc. (which is a good thing in my book). The internet probably would be better on a Transatlantic, it was not so great around Svalbard. If I where to take a transatlantic I would be more inclined to take a slightly larger ship, with more dining and things to do. The restaurant serves "regional meals" French, Portuguese, Italian etc. The food was very good but by no means gourmet as well as the service, not five star but a solid 3-4. The "gym" and spa was very limited treadmills, free weights very small. We never saw anyone working out or using the spa relaxation room which was a waste of space. The two women in the spa giving mostly massages were very good. We are considering ATLAS for a Greenland/Iceland cruise next year, there pricing is very competitive and we enjoy the closeness of the crew and passengers. ATLAS would definelty would be our choice for EXPEDITION cruising, and for port intensive cruising in the Mediterranean or Caribbean but not for many days at sea or for a crossing. These observations are only mine/ours yours may vary. -
What does AOV mean by "Cruise Only"?
Bigdogwon replied to DaveinCharlotte's topic in Atlas Ocean Voyages
Cruise only means just that, No air. Everything else is included except for shore excursions, they provide one "cultural" excursion at various stops along the way. The air credit for that sailing if booked by the end of Sept. is $625.00pp. and has been deducted from the fare. -
Carry-on baggage discrepancy causing a serious issue
Bigdogwon replied to Michael_A's topic in Atlas Ocean Voyages
On our expedition Aug.06 R/T Longyearbyen, many passengers had very high end cameras with tripods and extended lens. The SAS staff that checked us in at OSL. did not check the weight of any bag. However the passenger load was not at capacity. In South America you may find that they are very strict about carry on and checked bags. 50lbs. Checked and 20 carry on, does not includes your "personal bag." -
Has anyone tried the new small cruise ships?
Bigdogwon replied to garysarah's topic in SeaDream Yacht Club
We will be sailing on ATLAS starting this Saturday for 13 nights, I will be doing a review of the ship, and our itinerary in the Arctic and the Norwegian Fjords if internet (STARLINK) cooperates. -
Bigdogwon started following Atlas Ocean Voyages
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Usually only the T/A can access the booking. Does your TA charge you a fee for servicing a booking? If not then this is an easy change.
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Hobbiton tours being cancelled from Tauranga.
Bigdogwon replied to Daveywavey70's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
I recently tried to book for March 2024 and Viator etc. have not been able to confirm. It does state that the construction work is to be completed Dec. 2023. -
You will most definitely need a Visa!