highplanesdrifters

Yes, very disappointing. Sorry to hear about Eclipse. I guess we'll take it off our list. We are looking to try other lines and have Ponant Japan booked in March 25. We did a similar itinerary on Silversea Cloud in 23. It was Fabulous! A true expedition. Excursions for all shapes and sizes. Granted Cloud is a but long in the tooth, but I'd rather have an old ship and good excursions. I'll write more extensively later.

That's insane. @koalabear6314 you win!!! It is at the point where it's insulting. I would recommend going to the Polar Museum. Small but lots of information and artifacts. It's walking distance from where you should be docked. The church is OK, but I wouldn't spend a lot of time or money on it unless you're in to churches. Please give us a report when you board. 😃

@galeforce9 Let me know if you would like full descriptions. Happy to screenshot them for you. This is our third time in Shetland. What a missed opportunity for amazing expedition excursions.

We had a delightful 3 days in Edinburgh despite rain, crowds from a marathon and bank holiday. Will share tidbits on a sea day. Also happy to be once again in Scotland and back on Venture. In spite of the issues below we all look forward to having a great time. Now on to this Expedition Nonsense. Had I known what I know now I would have never booked this trip. Although billed as an Expedition Voyage, it looks to be 60-70% ocean cruise. Excursions are a mixed bag of eye watering priced ones, some included, some expedition. A beach trek for $350 wins the price for absurdly overpriced. Some of this echos the recent excellent trip report from @kej1. Had I known what was ahead I could have canceled the trip and booked a proper expedition or made private arrangements for excursions. FYI, this was priced as an Expedition, not an Ocean Voyage or Reposition. Information about excursions was dribbled out in the last few months. It begs the questions: What is Seabourn trying to be or do they even know? What "Expeditions" will actuall bey hybred expedition/ocean cruises. How will we know which is which? Happy to field any queries about this trip. Here are screenshots of the Aberdeen excursions and itinerary.

It really depends on the port. Based on our experience last November, In Greece prices were crazy and $1,100 would be a bargin. Turkey not so much. We got a luxury tricked out Mercedes van for $750 through Seabourn. Another factor is traffic. How much do you want to risk using another vendor and returning to the ship on time? In general were are DIY but sometimes it's not worth the risk if you're doing a full day.

Thanks for the tips and heads up about the Marathon. Just checked the route map and we will be able to get to the ship without crossing the route, whew! Good luck to your daughter. We are mentally ready for the crowds. Seems all cities are chock full of people these days.

Welcome back M. I though I felt a positive disturbance in the force. 😃

This suggestion looks like big fun. You can even make your own specialized gin! Getting there another issue. Is uber a possibility?

@edinburgher @CatalinaUK. @Scottishclover. @fruitmachine. A very big THANK YOU to you and all who sent suggestions, invaluable. We leave for Edinburgh in a few days and I've just put them all in my travel docs. We booked the 2 bedroom at the Edinburgh Grand and can't wait to explore this wonderful city. So many enticing options. Warm Regards, Highplanesdrifters

Hear Hear! As a side, just watched 'Trainwreck: Woodstock 99' on Netflix. Worth a look see. Fair winds.

WOW!

Sweet move! @RetiredandTravel Take your ball cap profits?

As mentioned by JP, bio security is taken very seriously. We had 4 bio checks on our recent Cloud Antarctica C2C. It seems like a lot, but it's just part of the daily routine no biggie. To start, you will bring used items for inspection and get help cleaning them. This is done at the beginning of the cruise and again when moving to different bio locations like Antarctica to Falklands, then South Georgia. Staff did an extra cleaning while we drank and dined. In Tristan de Cunaha we were responsible. The illustrious Matt Boyle at the ready to remove your unwanted seeds and plant material. The boot cleaning machine . Scrubby bits rotating and water squirted at the boots on the top. Bio dips getting in and off the ship. Extra scrubbing by staff only in certain locations. Hose down, usually in muddy locations. Boot scrubbers taken on shore for a pre scrub in the water to get mud and debris off if needed. There is also a hose down wall. Nice for getting mud off your waterproof pants. I grab a towel at the door when returning to wipe pants down after the hose off.

Bear Sterns jacket? Fallen Market swag like that gets big bucks on ebay. 😃

Agree. I know it's going down because recently I was able to get reservations at restaurants usually unattainable. Although the airport was crazy crowded.

TTS - wishing you a most excellent journey! I call it picking and gathering, sounds less ominous. I'll often start a week or 2 in advance. Sometimes just wash and repack after a trip. 😃

Havent posted any charts in awhile. Big breakout in the 10 year after the the inflation #'s this a.m. Flag formation drops it to 4.11, fast. Mr. Bondelero @RetiredandTravel can probably tell us what's really going on.😄

I would question the judgement of those that are doing the regarding. 😃

We always try to donate to the crew fund at the beginning for the same reasons. On our Kimberly cruise last year we found out that we were the only ones onboard that donated to the crew fund. So "usguys" doubled down. So many thanked us for the amazing BBQ they had. It does beg the question - "why aren't crew given BBQ's without the crew fund"? I do agree that tipping solicitations are of control. Not just in the U.S. but almost everywhere we have traveled in the last few years. European, South African hotels soliciting staff tips at check out? What's up with that? Haven't had that in the U.S. yet. South Pacific and Australia were the exceptions.

Yes please.

Thanks much for the intel. New ports for us and the beginning of our trip in September.

Go back and try in day or two. The SS site is notoriously bad, especially on weekends when they are tweaking it.

An option trader buddy referred to selling calls and puts as picking up dimes in front of a steamroller. You can make a lot of money, but you really need to pay attention. 😃 At least yours are covered calls!

TBH, we didn't stay in the suite but would consider it. In general we like the front suites on the sister ships. I suspect blackout curtains would be the rule. I'll see if I can find photos.

You are going to have a fantastic time!