999andretired

Forgot to mention we are currently bobbing around the South Pacific on Scenic Eclipse II en route to Fiji as a final destination next stop Alofi. 

On 4/1/2024 at 3:39 AM, Lynnie7562 said:

Terry & Mike

    I so appreciate all your information on your adventures on the Scenic Mekong cruise. I’ve taken your advise from an earlier msg and we’re going to stay for 6 nights in Hua Hin at the end of our Scenic cruise in Jan 2025. If I could ask one more thing,,,we would like to do 2 or 3 nights in Bangkok before we fly home to Canada. Do you have an area or hotel you would recommend or activities we should try to see or take in?  There are 6 of us all over 55. I feel much more comfortable getting suggestions from you than a random internet search. Thank you again for any help you can give. 
Lynn

We are also on the Mekong cruise in January 2025, starting in Siem Reap. We decided to go to Chang Rai from Ho Chi Mihn to do the temples in that area including the White temple which looks amazing. 

Thanks @taxman1 for the running commentary, and excellent photography, it has helped make my mind up to try Grandeur, perhaps late 25 or early 26. 

In the meantime, have to think about packing for Scenic Eclipse II in 37 days around French Polynesia, well it would be rude not to.

On 4/6/2023 at 1:25 AM, terry&mike said:

Hello, I’m happy you enjoyed my review of the trip. 
 

As isnowman said, the lower end rooms have sliders that drop down on the windows opening the top half. We only lowered them for taking a few photos. There may be proper balconies in the larger suites, but we didn’t check. Our room was just above the entry level category and was very spacious, with both a living area and bedroom area. The windows are very large, and there were 2. 
 

I never shut the bathroom door, and can’t remember what style it was. 
 

Hubby says that there was Diet Coke onboard. 
 

I’m sure you will love your trip - it was one of our favorites. 

Terry & Mike, what an absolutely amazing 'live' review of the ship and experiences along the Mekong. It has most certainly whet our appetite and provided excellent advice regarding trips etc. We are booked on for January 2025 from Siam Reap to Saigon. We have previously done Saigon with Silversea. It was an amazing 2 days. So looking forward to this trip; by the time we go it will be our second Scenic adventure as we are booked onto Scenic Eclipse 2 for March 2024 in Tahiti . Fingers crossed it equals your clear enjoyment of Scenics ship and excursions. One question...if there was one thing that you wished you had done but didn't, what would that be and why?

Thank you Tahitianbigkahuna, your suggestion is very much appreciated.

We are booked on Scenic Eclipse 2 in March 2024. First time visitors , Tahiti to Fiji.  

Now I have a question for the clearly well seasoned visitors to the South Pacific.  Scenic Eclipse 2 has 2 helicopters and a submarine on board for use by guests. The question is which island(s) are the best to view from above and below?

Dear Terry & Mike,

We are trying to get this itinerary booked for Feb/Mar 2025, and whilst the Ozzy prices and dates are available, the UK branch of Scenic are yet to get to the party.  I will be interested to hear about your Mekong experience as it looks on paper to be an amazing itinerary. Enjoy !!

There is no definitive answer to this, if you search ‘dining’ in the FAQ’s, there are so many differing policies, depending on what fare you are travelling under, and of course which restaurant.  One of the statements states that dining arrangements will be confirmed once on board.  Whatever the outcome I’m sure the food will be up to usual Cunard standards, sorry I couldn’t be more specific. Enjoy your cruise. We are on QV next week. 

Agreed, income stream will always win.

Just seen this from two independent sources. It appears that some passengers on Cunard cruises departing June through to August may have their cruises cancelled due to staff shortages being experienced by Cunard. Affected guests will be contacted in due course. 

Hi Yipes999

I would suggest using an online search tool such as Compare the Market or Money Supermarket, however once you find an acceptable quote, go direct to the respective providers website to check the price from there. Best advice is to declare all medical issues, don't give your preferred  provider an opportunity to wriggle out of their liability.  

As its a world cruise, I would also speak to Viking customer service to enquire if they have any recommended travel insurance providers.

In respect of  home insurance I would in the first instance speak to your current provider to see if there is a work around for a premium. You can get stand alone policies that just cover for the dates you are away. Check this link out for advice. 

https://www.insurancechoice.co.uk/blog/2019/08/how-long-can-i-leave-my-home-unoccupied-due-to-a-long-holiday

Most of all,  have a fabulous time on your cruise.

First of all congratulations on your forthcoming nuptials!!

We came off Queen Elizabeth in September 2021, having throughly enjoyed the Queens Grille experience, coupled with getting back to cruising,  It was that good we booked for July 22  on QV. The no fly cruise and  Covid protocols on Cunard were excellent  which prompted our return to the line since 2016. 

Previous contributors have amply answered your questions, suffice to say you will have a fabulous time. One point I would add would to be to ensure Cunard are aware that it it is your honeymoon, that should prompt them to go the extra mile. Have a fabulous wedding day and honeymoon!!

Just booked a 2023 cruise around the Caribbean, together with a repositioning cruise to Lisbon on Silver Dawn. Has any reader had any experience of what Silversea use as their preferred  carrier to the Caribbean from the U.K?

Hi  Boccenana, are you staying on board Muse when you arrrive at Bali? We join the cruise there to Singapore. There is a meet and mingle already set up for this section of the cruise if you wish to join us. Enjoy your trip from Auckland.

I forgot to add, it will around $61. Klook tends to use MPV for 6, so luggage isn’t a problem which is why we used them for our last trip. We had 4 large cases and 2 carry-ons. A standard vehicle would not carry that, or would charge you extra per case.

Hi Pash

We always use the hotel transfer, however this year we used KLOOK, both in Hong Kong and in Singapore. Both transfers were excellent, no tip is required as its in the cost. There is an App on ITunes or Google store. Enjoy your trip.

Hi Clarky

Thank you for posting the detail and your experience around Hari Raya Nyep. Let’s hope Silversea finds a workaround. Some of their deals offer a pre and post hotel 1 night hotel stay. It seems they wont be able to facilitate that in Bali.:o

********** IMPORTANT ***********

I have booked on the above cruise and as a result,

I have been doing some Bali research. I have found an issue that you should be aware of when planning joining the ship on the 8th March 2019.

The 7th March 2019 is Hari Raya Nyep (Day of Silence) in Bali. Everything shuts down INCLUDING THE AIRPORT, so no flights come in or out of Bali from 0600 - 0600. I have already booked my hotel on the 7th and when I enquired regarding this issue they strongly suggested I reviewed my travel arrangements for this date.

As a result I have advised Silversea in London, who were apparently unaware. Clearly, forarmed is forewarned, so when planning your travel you can either arrive in Bali on the 8th March (Emarkation day) which is taking a chance, or arrive earlier than the 7th. Silversea have promised to get back to me when the flight schedules become available.

At least you will have 12 months to plan around this event which is worth researching, as it makes interesting cultural reading.

https://www.indoneo.com/en/travel/th...ay-of-silence/