amunhbuu

They have a new search engine on their front page.  Earliest sailing I see is for late July.

On 3/12/2021 at 2:11 PM, amunhbuu said:

As mentioned above, when I asked, they told me that laundry was included.

 

However, I also realize that this is a brand new product with a ship that hasn't even finished being built yet.  I expect we are going to have to roll with some punches as they work everything out.

Just noticed on the FAQ that laundry is included: https://atlasoceanvoyages.com/faq/

As mentioned above, when I asked, they told me that laundry was included.

However, I also realize that this is a brand new product with a ship that hasn't even finished being built yet.  I expect we are going to have to roll with some punches as they work everything out.

Yeah, we saw some trying to attract as well.  Just no video on those.  It was so bright out when we were there for the most part.  We also saw a lot of the Magnificent Frigates doing their mating routine.  It was crazy walking through a field with all of those gigantic birds trying to attract a mate.

On 2/23/2021 at 7:50 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

 

When we booked for the Galapagos, I didn't ask about rainy season – I zeroed in on the best month for the Blue-footed Booby mating dance.  The answer was May and we saw the mating dance in spades – and had no rain!

We saw some Bluefooted Boobies doing the mating dance as well.

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

 

When we booked for the Galapagos, I didn't ask about rainy season – I zeroed in on the best month for the Blue-footed Booby mating dance.  The answer was May and we saw the mating dance in spades – and had no rain!

Rainy season... Though this was really the only bad day.  Many people lost electronics this day:

We were there two years ago this month on Xpedition.  I did not wear a wetsuit on any of the snorkles.  However, I may have been the only one.  I thought it was pretty comfortable.  I don't think anyone brought their own, but just used the ship's shortys.

8 hours ago, vicd1969 said:

Thanks for asking about the laundry. That certainly would help with packing fewer items. Curious on why you selected the March sailing. If it's due to work schedule, completely understand. I heard that there will be fewer penguins around in March, though maybe more whales.

I am value driven.  😄  That is the short answer.

My research shows that there is plenty of wildlife and things to see in March.  We did go for the early March sailing to hedge our bets.  I do think you are correct that there are less penguins, yet more whales around.  Here is an article I came across: https://www.aurora-expeditions.com/blog/antarctica-in-march/

We went to the Galapagos two years ago this month in the rainy season, which I also believe is the slower season.  We saw so many things including the Blue Booby mating dance.  I can't regret going during that time.

I have to think that going to Antarctica is going to be amazing no matter which part of the season you will be in.

We booked directly with Atlas.  I have asked some questions that I didn't see answers to.  Your mileage may vary.  Also, since it is a brand new line, I suspect some of the information may change:

• Laundry Services are included for no additional charge.
• No Menus or Drink Menus are available yet.
• Pre-cruise land credit is essentially for prepurchased excursions.
• The Antarctica chartered flight leaves from Orlando, FL.
• There are sixteen air gateways included in the air program.

On 1/22/2021 at 10:59 PM, vicd1969 said:

Took the plunge and put deposit down for an Antarctica Discovery sailing. Excited to be on board a new ship with the Horizon balcony. I compared twelve different expedition cruises and Atlas's offering stood out. But it's going to be a long wait!

We did as well.  We are on the March 4, 2022 sailing.  I liked the fact that they took care of all of the transportation down to Argentina on a chartered plane.

4 hours ago, padgman1 said:

Wondering if the bourbon selection in Michael's Club is different from other bars on ship. Anyone had some interesting pours besides Jim Beam, Bullitt, Maker's Mark, and Woodford Reserve?

You aren't going to find much too interesting onboard even if you want to pay for it. I don't think the market really exists.  The "most expensive" pour I had in MC was Woodford Double Oaked.

We have not been on SD yet.  However, we were on the second to last sailing of Star Pride early 2020.  I believe all of the motor yachts are going through a stretch and refurbishment.

I likened it to a big yacht.  I think we had 200 passengers.  We had a nice sized window room.  I believe very few have balconies.  There is one main restaurant and then the buffet changes to a "specialty" restaurant at night.  I believe the refurbishment is adding another 100 passengers and another restaurant.  But don't quote me. 😉

I am in my mid 40s and we were definitely in the lower age bracket.  There were a couple of families onboard with teenagers. The marina thing was pretty cool, but due to rough waters it was pretty limited.  In fact, we couldn't even tender to one of our islands due to the waves.

We had the captain's package which included alcohol, gratuities, wifi, and laundry.  Alcohol quality was mixed, but I find most package alcohol selections across the various lines are on the lower end.  I think Celebrity's Premium package offers the best selection of any inclusion I have had (RCCL, Celebrity, Azamara, Windstar). We certainly took advantage of the laundry.

I believe that the celebrity loyalty program and the azamara loyalty program have always been the same.

Ironically, we got more points for most of our celebrity cruises than from our one azamara cruise even though it was more expensive and longer because they are all based on the class of cabin you are in.

That is a lot of "ultras".  I am not sure they understand what that word means.

This was welcomed news.  My final payment was tomorrow.  😄  I told the agent that there was no way I was going to give them any more money.

We will try again in 2022 is my guess.

We were the second to last Windstar cruise out of San Juan back in February 2020 on the Star Pride.

We got there shortly before one.  We dropped off our luggage and walked around for 15 minutes.  Then came back.  I think we waited 5-10 minutes maybe (probably closer to five) for them to check our boarding passes and passports. Then we had to get our temperatures taken.  Then we boarded.

The longer waits were the lines onboard to formally check in and turn over your passports.  But even that probably took 10 minutes.  I would say that we missed our preferred night for dining outside.  It had already been booked.

We had already purchased the beverage package, so all of those people left us alone.

I am not sure you want to try to carry on luggage as you have to walk up a relatively steep gangway and then wait in line in some tight spaces once onboard.

On 3/1/2020 at 12:20 PM, Misty Morning said:

Amunhbuu,

 

How did you enjoy your first dinner last night?

food has been good. Wireless has been poor. 😉

No problem! Just sitting at the bar. 😋

the other interesting thing was getting up and looking out the window this morning. So not used to being essentially at the port level. oh hey, the shops are outside. 

Sorry. I really meant the cognacs. Basically everything on the top shelf of my photos. Sorry for the confusion. 

Mini bar

Paying it forward. Basically, the higher end scotches and cordials are not included in the drink package. 
 

Sounds like our Azamara experience. 

We are usually pretty happy no matter what the line is, but we are pretty laid back.  I will say that our last four cruises on the Celebrity Summit have been in suites, which has spoiled us quite a bit compared to the "standard" offering.  There are only 50 suite cabins on that ship, which gets you access to suite only areas and higher recognition from staff.

We are certainly looking forward to the change of a small ship.  But more just looking forward to being on vacation!!

10 hours ago, KristyMisty14 said:

Well fingers crossed for both of us that we can find some Anejo while on our cruises this summer.... you think with a premium package they would understand that their customers know what top shelf is and what it's not lol

Rule of thumb with cruise lines... When they say premium, what they really mean is just above well.  😄

In my experience, the liquors rarely go for above $30 for 750ml and the wines rarely go above $15 for a bottle in the retail market.

12 hours ago, O2B@Cagain said:

There are different kinds of drinkers. Give me a good Manhattan. Okay, a martini on occasion. I can't take the frou-frou.🤣

 

But that's how you figure out if the package works for you or not.

Definitely, give me a nice whiskey neat and I am happy.  However, that tends to not work out too well when you are sitting in the Caribbean sun.  🙂  I realized why the Daiquiri was created there.