highplanesdrifters

19 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Thanks much.  My overriding goal is for folks to become educated, informed consumers.  Way too many think of air travel as a commodity item, when it often is far from that.  And your recognition that a "Plan B" is a necessity is great to hear.  And don't forget having the Plan C as well.  😀

 

Cruiseline air can be a very good choice.  It can also be very bad.  Sadly, there is no "one correct answer" as everyone's individual circumstances provide the discrimination needed to make the optimum choice.  Research, analyze, and above all, know what YOUR priorities are.  And keep re-evaluating your priorities - as we become more and more aware, we often find new priorities.

 

 

Another thanks.  The information you provide gracefully, intelligently, and free of charge is much appreciated.

It's a constantly changing jungle out there.

@SLSD

Just in case you're seriously considering Hurtigruten,  they have a relatively new competitor.  Havlia Kystruten looks a tad more upscale though.  Saw them pass each other when we were there in June.

On another note please consider limiting so many positive Earth and Ocean posts.  Don't want the word to get out. 😁

On 8/16/2024 at 10:43 AM, jjs217 said:

What's next - a toga party with a food fight?

Now that's something I'd pay to see.😂

13 hours ago, Robisan said:

It's the Seabourn Help! Champaign?! rescue team in action!

The most important team on the ship.😀

@Timbuktu123

Fantastic video. Thanks for taking the time to make it and share.

On 8/8/2024 at 10:57 AM, Gourmet Gal said:

Also can’t quite understand lugging home a bottle of cheap champagne?

Although I havent done it yet, I could easily make the case if one is disembarking in a remote port where supplies are limited or access to something drinkable might be a challenge.   Lugging home, not so much. 😃

20 hours ago, SLSD said:

Our fellow passengers always say some things that make me laugh.  A few years ago, one friend called dining in the Colonnade at breakfast and lunch "feeding at the trough".  Just reporting that got me in a lot of trouble here. 

I remember this kerfuffle.   I can't walk into the Colonnade scrum without thinking of the line and laughing. 😂 

 Although I probably won't be laughing if they keep the restaurant closed for lunch on our upcoming trip!

Glad you're enjoying your trip. Thanks for reporting. 

16 hours ago, frankhi said:

I would have switched the "many" and the "some"

Fair point! 😃

1 hour ago, CruisinPashmina said:

I am very disappointed that Silversea has decided to almost eliminate Solo fares. I have been looking at Crystal as they have cabins specifically for solo travelers. I have booked two cruises..one an easy 8 day “taster” and the other one an 18 day cruise IF I like the Taster.

I feel both sad and even guilty for being disloyal  (I have over 1,000 days)….but realistically it’s SS who is leaving me.

And it's their loss.   Don't worry, in a few years when things slowdown they will be begging you to come back.....but you may have already found a new home.  😄

Ohhhhh Shark B 8 - Have your forgotten the soup incident. 

Thanks for a thoughtful and well written review. 

23 hours ago, Port Power said:

A different brand but the same butterfly pea flower for flavour and colour. Delicious!

 

I seem to remember we had discussions on this subject a couple of years ago.  It ended happily for me when @highplanesdrifters pick up an extra bottle of Turtle Gin in Fiji to pass along when we were on Silver Explorer. 😄

Ahhh, that was a wonderful trip.  Great company, great gin, and great expeditions!

We are headed back to the region but our stops in Fiji were to remote islands so no opportunity to pick up up a few bottles of Blue Turtle Gin....until...

Schedule change.  Normally I'd be disappointed to miss a remote island, but the ship now stops in Lautoka

  Weeeee!  Gonna find me a cab driver and stock up.

@mysty. Thanks for all your suggestions! Hopefully I can find a few .

My Holy Grail of all gins. Made with Cava.

For those headed to the Falklands a must try is Tumbledown Scurvy Grass.

Stay tuned for my report on GUAM #1 GIN.

I Wonder if they have a #2? 🤣  No...don't go there. 

I'm not a fan of blue drinks, but I have used Butterfly Pea flower in the past and it's lovely. So why not give it a try in spite of the unique slanted bottle🤣.

FYI, Calamansi is a small citrus popular there.

21 hours ago, Elizabethbea said:

I hear what you say--but realistically no line is going to offer , out of all the travel agents that sell their cruises, special solo supplements to one particular TA! The line does frequently change the % solo supplement, but no agent gets a better deal than any other. A TA may get advance notice of a change in solo supp or  what could happen however, is that your TA discounts from his/her commission.  Either way you are happy which is the main thing😀

There are many TAs that work extra hard and have special relationships with certain cruise lines. Some TAs are just order takers who give rebates, which is great for most travelers.  Not all the lines that you believe are written in stone are actually written in stone.

Granted she cannot always wave her magic wand and make a single supplement disappear or be greatly reduced, but it does happen. Timing and situations need to be right. It doesn't matter to me if you believe the excellent work our TA does. If you're happy with your TA that is the main thing. 

@Port Power

Send me an email. 

As for the general conversation about solo supplements -

Loyalty to long term clients went out the window when the covid debt burden took over the business models. Add in that fact cruising has become even more popular and many ships are filling up.  Bean counters dont like the idea of missing revenue .

On 8/12/2024 at 12:52 AM, Elizabethbea said:

Your TA, with respect ,will have no more access to single supplements than you or I.

On occasion our TA has scored better single supplements than those publicly available. 

32 minutes ago, mysty said:

Greetings Coolers!

 

Today's funny.....

 

 

 

I have kitchen Ibuprofen too.  Reading glasses....heck there are a pair on almost every table.

7 hours ago, kej1 said:

@highplanesdrifters The company I worked with to schedule a private tour in Guadalcanal was DestSolo or Destination Solomans.  Another way to reach them is to email wmaelaua@gmail.com and ask for Christina who organized our tour with Bernard.  
bernard was a really interesting guide.  His grandfather was a “ coast watcher” during WW2.   He would likely remember Kim and Chris from San Francisco, on Seabourn Pursuit, touring with him the day before the election in May.  I owe Christina a photo with Bernard and the two of us so you reminded me! We thought Bernard was great.  

In Rabaul we booked through Rabaul Scenic Tours and Rose was our guide.  She wasn’t as knowledgeable on the history as Bernard ( or my husband) but she was really an interesting person - an older woman who had lived through the volcano and had to escape the town being 9 months pregnant.  She had great stories about her life in Rabaul which was really interesting.  If you have more questions just ask or feel free to email me at Kim.jones.ray@gmail.com.

Thank you, above and beyond.

For us much of the lure of private tours is getting personal stories from the guide and a real sense of people and place. Sounds like you got that in spades.

I still think of the smouldering city and the double Volcanos of Rabaul guarding the harbor.  I can't begin to imagine what escaping those explosions was like.

2 hours ago, FiFiR said:

It sounds a touch indulgent

Indulge away and have a wonderful trip!

On 8/10/2024 at 5:48 PM, olindacat said:

Yeeesh... I wonder if this thread is why I can find availability 20-days out. I was excited about this cruise until I found this thread. Ugh....

Any expedition cruise that has an air charter is subject to a muck up, no matter the cruise line.  I understand the weather part. I am always mystified that they can't get the logistics down.  I am however exceedingly grateful when they do.😅

1 hour ago, shark b8 said:

It just smacks of “maybe we can just serve the cheese-less soup and hope no one notices”.  Underestimating your high-end clientele is rarely a winning strategy, seems to me.

Another victim of a cruel gruyere-less French Onion Soup. My sincerest condolences. Lovie is also a big fan and has suffered similar indignities. 

We try and remind ourselves before sailing:

All broth soups are the same with slight flavoring modifications.  That FOS will be tomorrow's Hot and Sour.

Menu descriptions are like newspaper headlines. They may or may not describe what's ahead.😅

20 hours ago, kej1 said:

@highplanesdrifters I am happy to share the information on our tour company and guide ( we really liked our guide).  We were with him from about 8:00am ( when we were first allowed off the ship) until about 3:00 or so. I am currently at the beach and don’t have great access to my files but we are going back to the city tomorrow so will post all the information when we get back.  We did only the WW 2 sites but I am sure you can customize your tour to see everything you’d like given how much time you have in the port.

 

We were supposed to be there for two days but the second day was cancelled and we were told not  to the port in the evening as there was to be an election and they anticipated potential demonstrations as had occurred in a previous election.   Luckily we had booked our private tour for day one and saw most of what we had wanted to see.  Unfortunately for those on board who did the last minute Seabourn tour ( we were told about the day before arriving) it was changed again at the last minute from day two to the late afternoon of day one.  The buses were just leaving about 30 min after we returned and very unfortunately guests were not able to see all of the sites and rushed through ending in the dark.  We were very glad we had booked a private.

 

I will post the information tomorrow afternoon.  Let me know if you have any more questions!  We also did a private in Rabaul but I think per your posts in the past you may have done most of it. 

 

Thanks much!  No rush.

35 minutes ago, RyanJCanada said:

 

Looks like we can only apply one referral per stateroom. @highplanesdrifters are you interested in a referral bonus for our second room? If so, please e-mail your name and Yacht Club number to unknownlongitude@gmail.com. No worries at all if you'd prefer not to for any reason!

I was going to offer. Sadly looked at the rules and I'm not eligible to help you yet.  My first sail doesn't happen until February.  I'd suggest a post on the Ponant boards. Friendly group over there. 

I'm excited to start sailing on them.  So many new itineraries! And they've got the JP seal of approval.

23 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

Ryan, I'll send you an email with more details, but it might be better for you to see if you can get a status match with Ponant (if you have status with any other cruise lines). Those discounts can be much higher than the referral bonus.

Yes to status match!  Thanks to the heads up from @jpalbny we are now Grand Admiral status on Ponant. Saved 10%!

@kej1

Working on last minute details for our upcoming trips.  Would you consider sharing contact info on your private Honiaria trip. I  don't think we'll do the Seabourn tour.  Might want to do more than walk to the mall. 😃 

Other than the WWII sites did you go to the Mantaniko Falls or the Petroglyph Caves.  Was it safe to walk around the warf area? Any suggestions much appreciated, thanks.

Ahhh, sea days floating in tropical waters, yay.  Enjoy!

Just curious if you have anything planned for Honiara. Or is it a charter out straight away? Debating what to do on our stop there.  Not keen on the bus tour offered by Seabourn, or any bus tour for that matter.😅

Seabourn has canceled scuba on our upcoming trip.  Is it still being offered on yours?

37 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

According to cruise mapper.com Seabourn Venture has 132 suites, and can accommodate 264-317 passengers.

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Seabourn-Venture-2121

LOL, cruisemapper more accurate than Seabourn.