Port Power

If connecting to a domestic flight from an international flight (with the same airline), baggage allowance is usually carried through when the domestic leg is in economy. Have a read of the terms and/or ask the airline.

Under “Cairns” in “Ports of Call”?

I have priced the 2025/26 WC. Not quite double as port fees are removed, but the 180 and/or 138 day cruise prices are comparable pro rata to what I’m paying on RSSC. They only reduced by 12.5%, but there were early booking discounts. Price wise, unless the itinerary is just what I want, Regent provides larger cabins and more luxury for around the same price as Viking. Business class flights are included with Viking though, and that’s worth a lot. Anyway, as I said, I have more information now and will research further.

How wonderful to actually have the time to explore this quaint town. Our bus guides to the airport had been so informative, and obviously loved living in Puerto Williams with all its outdoor activities. You show there is much more to the town than the port.

This itinerary is a regular on Cunard world cruises. I did it on Queen Elizabeth back in January 2016. Cape Town to Fremantle was advertised at a bargain rate, including the flight to SA. It seemed to be the unwanted leg between two half-WC segments. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Because of the number of sea days, QE allowed passengers to buy a bottle of spirits from the duty free shop to drink in their cabins. We bought a slab of mixers in Port Elizabeth and brought it back on board. Cunard still wanted full formal after 6pm, even on hot days. The guest lecturer was able to give all ten lectures in his series about Concord.

I definitely would not do a WC on Princess: boring and repetitive. Nor Cunard. I have had issues every time I have sailed with Cunard (and I’ve been on all three), for all their good entertainment and guest lecturers. There is no need for anyone to defend either line, they are just not for me.

Just click on each cruise line, and then search “world cruise” if you don’t see an appropriate posting listed on the first page. There are plenty of live travel blogs.

After reading six months’ worth of posts here, I am seriously rethinking my choices so that I can sail a world cruise every second year, if not every year for awhile. I am cruising the WC with Regent Seven Seas next year, but have learned a lot on this thread. Although Azamara is high on the list for me, I am going to seriously look at Costa and Viking. I don’t mind five languages, but the announcements did hold up trivia for quite a long time! 🤣 As a solo cruiser, I often need to book very early for the best solo deals. Starting in Europe rather than the USA is also attractive. That you all for your views and experiences. P.S. And if I book a shorter cruise, I can take advantage of booking a WC using the onboard discount.

I also booked the Regent Seven Seas 2025 World Cruise, some 24 months in advance. Much depends on your budget as well as the itinerary. That cruise just about booked in weeks, although I believe there are some cabins still available. I don’t require the cruise to circumnavigate the globe to consider it a world cruise, although some people do. The itinerary is more important to me. I didn’t mind visiting ports I’ve been to in the past, although most of these were many years ago anyway, and I would be visiting different places on the shore excursions. Most, if not all, cruise companies include laundry on a world cruise. Tick! Medical visits are also often included. Tick! As a solo cruiser, I wanted shore excursions included. I also wanted Champagne and premium cocktails included. Silversea and Azamara had not released their 2025 world cruises when I booked with Regent. With Azamara I would upgrade to the premium beverage package and factor in shore excursions. Both those companies include flights from home, which is an added bonus. Do you want/need glitzy production shows and more bars, dining and music venues? This is an important factor to many cruisers. I might consider HAL in the future. A friend travelling solo on HAL’s current world cruise is thoroughly enjoying herself. I would never consider Princess or Cunard for world cruises: just my personal choice. You can see I prefer smaller ships, but do your research. There is an itinerary and budget to suit most cruisers.

My son’s cat still loves playing in a large cardboard box. There is an added opening cut in one side for variety.

I have always booked well in advance (18-24 months) to take advantage of 25% solo rates. Solo discounts always disappear well before 12 months out and usually are only available again much closer to the sail date. Transoceanic cruises excepted.

I have the opportunity of trying Seabourn without the expense of international flights in March 2026. Seabourn Sojourn will be in Australia and my TA has a good offer. On inquiring, there are only a very small number of cabins left. In 2026! No solo rate cabins at all. I would be paying the same daily rate as I would for Silversea but without the included shore excursions. Of course I don’t need excursions on this itinerary, but it does highlight the price difference.

I’m pretty sure I posted that photo from Silver Wind in Dec23/Jan 24 in response to queries. The private zodiac booked through the expedition team was the same price, so well worth booking with the photographer. Different ship, different photographer, so it might be dependent on the shipboard photographer?

I am just astounded by the differences between my experience in December/ January and yours in late February. It seems much warmer now, more like summer. Lovely seeing the chicks almost fledged. I am enjoying your posts.

You can see why it’s known as the smiling assassin! Great photos, demonstrating also that you need luck to be in the right place at the right time.

On a recent cruise on Muse, I was waitlisted. Shorex staff onboard explained that sometimes the tours are not finalised with the suppliers that far in advance, or they are waiting on further information/planning. My waitlisted excursions were all confirmed. Another cruise one wasn’t as it was cancelled. Just wait and see. Places are also kept aside for booking onboard.

I have come to your thread late as Ryan and I were on an NCL cruise around NZ. Great cruise, but the free WiFi was useless. I couldn’t open CC at all. Breakfast at W certainly looks heaps better than at MO. The waiting area with snacks, drinks and included champers extremely better! The waiting area at the airfield is different to what we experienced in Dec/Jan. They must have realised their office was too squeezy and found a bigger place to use. Love your photos and your impressions of places I went to only a month ago. What a difference a month makes in the Antarctic! Safe travels. 🍸

A train enthusiast ’s happy place, for sure.

I was having breakfast in my Auckland hotel this morning (post cruise with another line) and decided to check the cruise schedule. I was delighted to see Mariner had arrived. I am on next year’s World Cruise, which is why I am enjoying reading your trip report, @crusin7. I’ll go down for a look at the ship before heading to the airport this afternoon. Keep on enjoying your cruise.

This has been mentioned several times on recent threads. However, in all cases the reserved excursions were honoured with no extra charge. One poster said the excursions were still on his “MySilversea” with $0.

I think you have already answered your own question. You really want to visit Glacier, Bay, so do that. HAL is a good line, so book it. Enjoy the change so you can appreciate your next Silversea cruise more.

I just finished my bottle two nights ago. I passed the actual bottle on to a friend and neighbour who makes home brew gin: and very good too! I really enjoyed the distinct difference of Blue Turtle Gin. I might be doing an 7-night expedition cruise in Fiji in July. You know where I’ll be heading….

It has probably been a bit of a holiday for many crew members. Without passengers, crew are often allowed to use the swimming pool and gym. Without the need to service suites, housekeeping and butlers would have a lot more down time; waiters and bar staff also; kitchen workers. Laundry workers wouldn’t be quite as busy. Possibly some spring cleaning going on, maintenance, and crew drills. The logistics for crew changes will be another headache for Silversea, but the crew themselves have probably been enjoying the break.

Prices vary depending on destination and how far from the port to the airport.

Definitely available; I’ve booked a few times myself. Rather than last minute, you can ask immediately after boarding the ship. You would still have plenty of time until the end of your cruise to book alternative transport online, or just catch a taxi on arrival.