WesW

Kudos for your willingness to try Silversea. We have over 200 days on Regent and near 300 on Silversea. Dining; enjoy the main Restaurant on Regent more than Silversea, but much prefer the specialty restaurants on Silversea (except paying for Le Dame, Kaiseki). Enjoy the service more on Silversea (for us; more intuitive than on Regent (they serve you before you ask). Excursions are similar on both lines but Regent fills buses at near capacity, Silversea does not so you're with a smaller group on excursions. Daytime entertainment more enjoyable on Regent (Enterainment staff and Officers always involved with guests). Nightime entertainment similar on both lines; tho Silversea brings in very special entertainers on occassion (e.g., Andrea Bocelli). Since we have been on most classic cruises on both Regent and Silversea (Med, South American, NZ/Aus, French Polynesia, Caribbean, Asia, Northern Europe, crossings), our preference now is Silversea for their marvelous Expedition cruising. And the crew members on both Regent and Silversea are outstanding--having interviewed and profiled here on cruise critic, dozens of these hard working crew over the last ten years, have got to know many of them very well. Silversea is much more generous for solo passengers offering many 25%single supplement fares. We all should count our blessings that we are forutnate enough to cruise on either line and that we (and the crew) are now cruising again in the post Covid era.

Eric, tried to rent boots on ship to shore but since we are starting in one country (Chile) ending in another (South Africa) you can't rent boots. So, will bring my BOGs & plan to send my cold weather gear via luggage forward in late February. Have a wonderful Antarctic Holiday voyage!

Eric; since I'm doing six weeks on the Cloud starting with Puerto Williams March 7th, am using luggage forward to ship one 50Lb bag to Puerto Williams, yes expensive, but will adhere to the luggage weight guidelines Silversea asks us to follow.

Sharing experiences with trip cancellation that resulted in a refund of my Silversea cruise fare. Yesterday, received word that Chase's eclaims online approved my September trip cancellation refund request for a Silversea cruise. Eclaims sent nearly $10,000 to my bank. I had an Azores Expedition booked for September, two weeks prior my wife fractured her tibia resulting in our need to remain home for the next 4-6 weeks to assist her in recovery. I canceled my Expedition cruise 14 days before embarking. Fortunately, had paid for this cruise with Chase Sapphire reserve Visa card. This card covers $10,000 per person, $20,000 total per trip: What is covered? Nonrefundable, prepaid expenses for a trip that is cancelled or interrupted due to sickness, accidental injury, loss of life, severe weather, terrorist actions, hijacking, jury duty or court subpoena that can't be postponed or waived (including accidents, sickness to an immediate family member). You also get lost luggage and delayed baggage coverage as well as other benefits (rental car insurance coverage) So, if you want $10,000 of trip cancellation coverage or $20,000 trip cancellation coverage for your Silversea cruise, consider paying for part of it or all of it with your Chase sapphire reserve. Also, you get 3x Chase points for every travel dollar you spend, so if your cruise is $20,000 you get 60,000 chase points which are good for travel (hotels, flights, rental cars) and at a 3:1 ratio ($20K=$600 cash. A rule of thumb I generally use is the Silversea cruise is less than $15000 I pay with American Express Platinum card (get $300 SBC and botttle of premium champagne). If the cruise fare is more than $15,000 then I pay with Chase Sapphire Reserve and get more than $450 Cash, means more to me than $300 SBC and a bottle of nice Champagne. Hope this is helpful

Have the Silver Cloud Puerto Williams to Capetown (South Georgia Islands) and Capetown to Mahe booked in March, so have the need for good hiking shoes and BOG boots. Am considering using Luggage forward for one bag (place BOG boots, other heavy items) to Puerto Williams. Silversea luggage valet does not serve Antarctica but Luggage Forward quoted me prices and does. Has anyone used Luggage Forward for Antarctica?

Fair Winds and Following Antarctica Seas!. Hope you have a terrific Antarctica voyage.

Look forward to enjoying the Muse in February (Cairns to Singapore), last time on board was a few years ago in the Philippines--loved the Arts Cafe (first of all the Silversea ships then). Mr. Silver; have one night reserved in La Dame in February(tho did not eat in LD on the Dawn in April), tho have eaten in La Dame on many other Silversea ships.

Fletcher, you’re very welcome glad to assist as you r so helpful with your many thoughtful world travel experienced posts. Can’t wait to visit Aldabra, btw, if you care too you can book the five days the Cloud cruises from Mahe to Muscat (my TA got us the rate) as a few of the Grand Expedition cruisers r continuing on. And learned recently that our favorite Expedition Leader is rejoining Silversea (Schalk Botha) in early January and he will be on the Cloud

When we were reaching free laungry on board Silversea (@100 days, now near 300 days) and Regent (200 days, now everyone on Regent gets laundry included) had our Travel Agent verify with the cruiseline about a month b4 we boarded.

Am doing Capetown to Mahe on the Silver Cloud (March-mid April) a voyage or two before yours. One of our ports has been Waitlisted since I booked. Conrad Combrink (SVP for All Silversea Destinations (Classic and Expedition) had his Destinations pro from this region look into the WL Status for me, below is what Walter said, and includes his email if you want to reach out and ask about Al Ula. Good luck. Regarding Comoros, we are still in the process of appointing an operator in that region and hope to have the tours firmed up in the next few weeks. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me directly. Best regards, Walter Barinaga | Senior Director, Destination Management Silversea Cruises | 1050 Caribbean Way, 5th Floor | Miami, FL 33132 + 1 954 759 5055 Direct I + 1 954 325 2232 (Mobile) WalterB@silversea.com I Silversea.com

Agree with Drron, plus it is a tradition in the Arctic and Antarctica regions with most expedition cruises. Similar to participating as a Shellback crossing the equator for the first time. A coveted right of passage that passengers participate in as well as the Silversea crew.

Yes, have done three Polar plunges; one in Antarctica this past January, one in the Arctic (Svalbard), and one in South Georgia islands with hundreds of thousands of penquins looking at these crazy humans plunging in the 29 degree Antarctica seas. The Silversea Expedition Leader generally offers a Polar plunge on every Antarctica voyage, usually sea conditions dependent. Both guests (we had 50 plunge) and crew (about 30) plunged in January. You will have to fill out a medical form so the ship's doctor can clear you. The morning of the plunge you will wear your swim suit with your Silversea robe and head down to the Zodiac departure platform. Most likely you will be in a line with fellow guests, as you are called to the platform you take off your robe, climb down to the platform where the Tender crew manning the Zodiac platform will secure you with a belt and rope prior to pluning. Most guests jump for their plunge, some dive. The Ship's photographer will be out in a zodiac with his zoom lens taking photos and shares them with you later in the cruise. The photo below was taken by Antarctica Alan, the Silver Cloud outstand Photgrapher studio manager (have been on three expedition voyages cited above with Alan). Post plunge you will immediately put your Silversea robe on and head to the staging area near the elevator, where Silversea has hot tea and Adult beverages (Bourbon, Rum, et.al) waiting. We enjoyed a drink then headed to the Silver Cloud's jacuzzi to get warm. Hope this helps and have a terrific Antarctica voyage and thrilling Polar Plunge!

Here you go: https://silversea.shiptoshoretraveler.com/packant You can find this packing list and clothing suggestions for the Arctic, Africa and Indian Oceanland, Greenland, et.al., on your my.silversea.com booking. Click on the important information tab, then click on the Silversea Gear Expediton ship link. Have a terrific Antarctic voyage.

Terrific photos and video's complement well your post, thanks so much. And we enjoy dancing to Alfredo's delightful music and eating Pia's delish crepe's among many other dishes.

Thanks Cincicruise, hope this the Simply hotel for the Muse Cairns to Singapore in February. Did you do any day trips from the hotel?

Spot on Brian; changed to the Cloud from Wind next summer.

Alicia was the HD on our Cloud Ushuaia to Capetown voyage in March 2020. She is in the middle of this photo with the dark hair.

highplanesdrifter; more robust Wind posts chock full of nice detail, paired with very nice photos (liked the fruit market and the Aft shot of the Wind) Have a ? please. Fizook in a thread above yours has titled his thread Sewage and Cigars and says on the Wind now there are sewage smells around the entire ship from time to time. Luv2Cruise2016 chimed in and said on her Wind voyage earlier this month there were sewage smells in cabins and corridors much of the time. Do you detect any sewage smells in the corridors or cabins? We were on the Wind in 2016 &2017 last and then there were no sewage smells. Thanks.

Thanks for taking us along your Wind expedition journey. Would have like to book these voyages, but dear wife is recoving from major shoulder surgery. Instead booked, the Wind next June for Helsinki to Hamburg. So, will enjoy your trip from my office chair vs a Wind deck chair.

Yes, Rachel, George and you are actively engaged parents and grand parents, Nico's Parents were not.

Swindy, Paolo joins the Dawn today in Palma and will by your HD.

Swindy, heard back from Paolo this morning, he is boarding today in Palma. Please, give Paolo a warm, "Ciao," from Ida and Wes when you see him next month. Enjoy your Dawn voyage!

If Silversea does make you a reasonable offer, you may want to cancel and rebook the lower P2P fare (may get a different suite is a risk, but saving coin may be worth taking the risk). I had to cancel an Expedition cruise a few months back. Fortunately, in last week was able to rebook and save 50% on the fare, but got a Guarantee suite vs the more mid ship I had a few months ago. Good luck.

Paolo was in the Dolomites earlier this month. Asked if was going to be on the Dawn spring crossing in March a few weeks ago, he said No. Have asked what ship he will be on next. We first me Paolo on the Spirit maiden crossing in 2010 and then I was with him on the Dawn's maiden voyage in April. If I learn where is next from Paolo will share.

As with almost everyone, had a near two year Covid timeout from Silversea cruising since March 2020. In December, we enjoyed a wonderful holiday Antarctica cruise on the Silver Cloud last December and 2022 New years. Service, expection cruising, and dining, was at the same high standard we've experienced on three other expedition cruises pre covid. In April, had a good classic cruise on the Dawn's maiden voyage made better by intuitive service by Jovic, butler extraordinaire. However, with increased size in La Terraza and missmangement of the LT staff, after three dinners, had to walk out twice before main course was served due the length of service between courses. Never experienced this in La Terraza before on 15 Silversea cruises, but again this was a Maiden voyage and hiccups were to be expected. Will be on the Muse in Australia in February, and the Cloud in March, and with JP & Chris, on the Wind in June. Will share how the service, dining, and entertainment is during these cruises.