Port Power

Can I come, too, please? I have many, many cruise on Azamara Quest, and those destinations you refer to are also on my bucket list. Sounds like a great itinerary. You do very well with your planning.

There have been two accidents over the years with the jet boats that have a contract at Horizontal Falls. In the first gap there is a very large spur of rock jutting out at a right angle. This is often under water, hence boat crews needing to be trained and licenced. Nevertheless, the whirlpools can throw a boat with even the most capable driver off course. Literally “throw”! It’s a bumpy ride, especially when a full moon. @Joc123, the reason for closing is not because of the previous accident tipping some passengers into the water, even though it potentially could have been worse. It is because of indigenous reasons. I hope expeditions still go for a close look. So beautiful.

Giraffes are my favourite African animal. I love watching them. I totally agree, @lincslady, they do look elegant.

Interesting that this story has made international news, but probably because it is such a spectacular place and one of the highlights of Kimberley Expeditions. There had never been mention in the past about the area being a sacred site. I’ve been through on a zodiac several times with Coral Expeditions, who are (or were!) licenced to transit. Even just floating around outside the gap is great fun, and interesting. It is so sad this natural wonder is no longer going to be appreciated in full.

I’m on just one cruise, Reykjavik to Longyearbyen in June. Are you on the same expedition cruise? I hope we manage to meet up. There will be a lot of Australians aboard!

The daily recap was always before dinner. Entertainment after dinner was usually low key, such as a “game show” in the Panorama Lounge. As you mention, we were mostly too tired for really late nights. A drink in one of one bars listening to the musicians finished the night. There was a fantastic crew show one night, starting about 9:00pm IIRC. Also the Captain’s farewell in the theatre. There are no “shows” as such in the theatre as there isn’t an entertainment team. Only the cruise host (not cruise Director as he is the only member of that team) who runs trivia in the afternoon and arranges solo gatherings, etc.

I had the pleasure of touring Crystal Serenity in Fremantle yesterday. I was impressed! It is a beautiful ship, with lots of open public spaces and lounges. The cabins have been elegantly upgraded. The restaurants and menus were impressive. I have cruised Silversea quite often, but had never considered Crystal, for no real reason. I am now seriously considering booking Crystal’s 2026 world cruise.

Indeed I did!

SALT Lab classes are mid morning and/or mid afternoon. Sign up was actually at the Lab with the chef between certain hours. Those times were in the daily program left in your cabin on arrival day. I did a few, and really loved them. You can sign up for two classes, but then wait list for two more. If you still miss out, it is worth going down on the day in case someone doesn't turn up. There are usually two people per station, sometimes just one. When there was someone waiting in hope, I joined a fellow guest I knew so that he could join in. Vista bar opens at 4:00pm and closes around midnight. Panorama lounge opens at 9:00am as it is also a tea and coffee venue. Closing time depends on how many people are still there, so perhaps midnight, 1:00am, etc.

Recently on both Silver Dawn and Silver Wind there were Makers Mark and Eagle Rare. Welcome to Cruise Critic. I hope you continue to find it a useful forum.

I went on a tour of Crystal Serenity today. I must say that I was impressed. There are many lounges, bars and even theatre-type venues. Also plenty of restaurants, including an al fresco area between the pool and the buffet dining area. Lovely menus. Our TA said the food is excellent. Even cups and saucers were very pretty! We were shown several cabin/suite levels. Yes, the smallest cabins are only 20 sq m, but they are big enough for one passenger, and the shower is large. Crystal designates the window view cabins as solo suites a permanent solo supplement of only 10%. That is very enticing for a solo cruiser. There are some balcony cabins, same size, also designated solo. The new double size suites were great. Some cabins have been left with the older layout and more timber, as previous Crystal passengers like them. I had never even considered Crystal, but today’s tour has certainly changed my mind. All the posts about slipping food standards helped. Of course, destination and price will still be a deciding factor. Two visits to the speciality restaurants is included in an 11 day cruise, and $50 charged after that.

Congee should be available in La Terrazza for breakfast. It was when I was on both Silver Dawn and Silver Wind last December.

Those are some of the “small five”. Horned viper aka death adder; chameleon; gecko; skink. So incredible how translucent the gecko is! Apart from immigration, I’m glad you enjoyed your tour. Now enjoy some relaxation down time.

I hope you see the “small five” at Walvis Bay. Just don’t get too close to a death adder!

The person was observing for the particular reason of noting any change in dress standards. With all the comments for and against, it was worth the effort for concrete results. I found his observations interesting. I’m sure he still enjoyed his holiday!

Basically it is just confirming that shore excursions are included in the cruise fare you paid.

On Silver Wind around Antarctica, more than half the ship wore jeans to dinner along with sneakers. In fact, 90% of passengers wore sneakers most nights. Jumpers/pullovers rather than jackets. In the tropics, no one wore shorts to the MDR at night, but they’re wore short sleeve button through shirts or polo tops. Expedition ships are casual. Some of us wore nicer slacks and tops, and even some dresses on occasion, for the very few dressier nights like the captain’s gala. The talks were always before dinner, with cocktails on arrival.

It has already been shown in the previous several posts that fares have increased significantly. That detracts greatly from the better structured format.

My Singaporean friends usually don’t use air conditioning in the living areas of the house, only bedrooms at night. They are used to the heat. Mind you, June is the month they come to stay with relatives in Australia! I certainly understand why @mysty will want to stay on the ship sometimes. 17C at home, Lirio? That’s freezing! I set my home aircon at 24*C, or 25*C if outside is over 38*C.

On this SYD-AKL cruise in January next year, the solo fare is exactly the same as that if two people. The fare includes two return business class flights, so not even a reduction of the second return flight SS won’t even be booking or paying for! You can see why P2P is much better for us solo cruisers.

Not sure if I like the sound of that. “Integration into the Group”? It does give the impression that the cutbacks we all feared, and are already experiencing, are only the tip of the iceberg. Why buy a luxury brand only to strip it back to that which already exists?

That will be a major part of the change, the ability for SS to hopefully sell more shore excursions. You will certainly be able to buy excursions, transfers and hotels. But why buy accommodation through SS when you can probably purchase at a lower price elsewhere? Transfer will still not be included.

I have a few photos from August last year when on Silver Muse. No cloud at all, but then a little white “cloud” formed from the steam from the volcano vents. @drron29 saw them in my trip report at the time, following on from his own voyage, so I won’t attach them here. Obviously I was very lucky. Timing is everything. I hope he does achieve his dream photo.

I’m sure that is a mistake with the x placements on page 3. Meals, drinks, butlers would have to be included or else there is going to be so much work for bar waiters checking every passenger’s cruise card. And who would deliver room service? However, many current SS passengers will love to book without shore excursions, so that is a positive move for some. (Caveat: depending on the fare price.) Anyway, this category is well suited to last minute bookings where many excursions are already booked out. Which also means that the cancellation fee is also irrelevant.

Yes, I think it is just a sloppy error. The first page states meals, drinks, butler. Almost impossible to exclude, actually, as butlers deliver room service. The main exclusion is removal of shore excursions, which will suit some people perfectly! And as this category will particularly suit last minute bookings, the cancellation policy is irrelevant anyway.