highplanesdrifters

Good call Nops. I forgot to look at Voyage Tracker. Here's a link for others, can be a bugger to find. https://www.seabourn.com/en/us/experience/voyagetracker/index.html

South Pacific is my favorite part of the world. Trips there are decadent vacations. Coffee, snorkel, drink, eat, repeat. I did a live from SS Explorer last year Fiji - Broome. Many similar ports. The OP has some stops in NE PNG, all new to me. Look forward to hearing about them. @kej1. T-1. Have a blast!

Ah yes, the Brando! My addled brain forgot about that.😃

@kej1 Thanks much for you're reply, especially the diving. I hope you'll do a live or follow up report. You're hitting numerous ports we didn't. LOL, of course they'll sign you up for kayak, sub, etc. They want the float on your money! I hope I didn't discourage you too much from the fire dance on Rabul. Folks did say it was a great experience. As they say, we were sung sung from sing sings by then. The thought of an hour each way on a small bus with no AC sealed the deal for us. I'm hoping that once Sebourn get a few more expeditions under their belts they will provide more info. We're all in the same boat when it comes to finding value and delivery of the product they promise. It's not fun rolling the dice with these pricey trips. 😁 Wishing you an awesome journey with fair winds and following seas!

Sorry I'm late with this reply, just off a C2C. I would also appreciate any info on the diving program. Specifically what gear is available, what does one need to bring? We are doing the 40 day Guam- Santiago in the fall. It looks like many of the stops you have information about on the first leg are less than remote. So I agree, why can't they publish the basic template! As for the second leg, expedition excursions in that area are a are a challenge....... We did 35 day on SS Explorer last year. All cruise lines have a basic plan of stops. The excursions stops are usually managed through a third party that negotiates with the specific islanders. These islands are usually remote without decent communication and any infrastructure. This makes planning extremely difficult. The expedition leaders are often faced with minimal knowledge of what might happen at a port until a day or so in advance. Will there be a welcome to country? Will there be a sing sing? Will there be hiking, swimming, snorkeling? Each requires a negotiated fee. Your second leg will mostly be what we called SDS, Song, Dance, and Souvenirs with occasional swimming and snorkeling. If mountain hiking is offered, be careful. The distances calculated may be wrong and trails treacherous. It was one of our favorite trips. Enjoy!

Glad you had a good time and want to do another! If you have time could you comment on the expedition part - zodiac tours and landings. What did you see on the cruises and what did you see and do on the landings? Except for Quest, which I consider expedition lite, Seabourn is relatively new to the full expedition game. We were on the first Venture sail and they did a great job. With so much competition for expedition leaders and staff always nice to know how they are currently performing.

@calm down dear So sorry your expedition wasn't up to snuff. I followed it from afar and looked like the weather Gods were not on your side. Fiords do to tend to be cloudy and rainy and angry seas the norm in that area. We were in Antarctica followed by a C2C at the time and knew people on that trip. It shouldn't be, but always a bit shocking that folks do not know what kind of trip they booked and what will or might happen on it. We have had the same issue in the past. On a SS Wind South America expedition, a group of less than mobile people were up in arms and wanted special tours just for them. They often complained about uneven ground, walking to far to the bus, or not being able to climb the bus stairs. Zodiacs were not even an option for them. Crazy. You have been kind to tell us about the ship, service and food. Would you consider commenting on the excursions and expedition staff? Were there good lectures, how was the Expedition Leader? Thanks again for posting.

Those wheels. 😅

Oh my! Thank goodness we have a great TA.

For any expedition travel I always pack the must haves or hard to replace items in my carry-on.

Insane.

@mysty Oh my! Just off the Cloud and finally catching up. What a grand adventure you're having. Loving all the posts. I'm with you on the HHH. AC & GT!

@AussieBoyTX & @ethan1171 Just catching up also. Looks like an amazing trip, thanks for sharing. I dont keep a list, but if I did Whale Sharks would be the only thing on it right now.

Backpack, drybag, jacket, boots and beanie may or may not be provided. It all depends on the expedition and where it's going. Antarctica and some polar usually get jacket and drybag. "Others", it depends. Getting info about what is provided on "others" is a challenge.

Late to the party. Just catching up. Terry your trip looks fantastic. Thanks for taking us along and sharing all the stunning visuals and information.

Just checked out Dulini - looks pretty swanky upscale to me!

Thanks for the kudos. Please keep us posted on your decision. I mean that sincerely. Service by Airlink was quite good, although seats small, 2/1 config. Suggest getting seats on the 1 side. SZK airport small but very modern. People lovely. Something to consider when booking - how many people do they put in a truck and how many trucks allowed at a stop. On the border with another lodge we saw 9 people crammed into a smaller truck, ugh.

@drron29. I wish you all that we had. Londolozi is the first place I have been to in a long time that delivered a 6* experience. Everything was perfect. They provided all you might need without asking for it. Trucks have water, heavy rain ponchos and blankets. The food was 6*. Excellent boutique wines, many bespoke gins along with specialty tonics were all at the ready. I suggest doing the tour of their village. There are 260 staff, school, nice housing, wastewater treatment plant, amazing kitchens, wow. You have picked a good year to go, 2026 is their 100th anniversary. Can't wait for your report. Who knows we may bump into each other.😃

Sao Miguel - interesting. Lovie is requesting more land trips. Just catching up. Did you report on it somewhere? Retirements around the corner, yes? I've got lots booked through 2025, but nothing in 2026. Should I panic? 😂

We caught our breath at Clouds in Stellenbosh before the long haul home. Thanks everyone for coming along! It was one for the record books. VID-20240329-WA0000.mp4

There are a few more Critter pics. Elephant skull. 20240327_060429.mp4 Lovely Birthday Song for another guest. 20240326_083504.mp4 20240325_163136.mp4

Thanks JP. Reality, ugh....you know the drill. Cure, book another trip. 🤣

You are too kind. It certainly felt overwhelming and still does. Our guide started calling us the lucky charms. Between Antarctica, the C2C and Safari, we are still in the "did that just happen" phase.

I find Seabourn and Silversea very similar. The real comparison is in the ships and itinerary. Not a fan of Silversea or Seabourns larger ships. We have been 80% expedition lately and are spoiled. Quick match up. Seabourns new Venture and Pursuit win hands down against Silversea Cloud and Wind. They are a bit long in the tooth. I have not been on Silverseas relatively new Endeavor but friends liked it. Food and service on our last 3 Silversea expeditions have beat every other cruise we have been on hands down. Itinerary always wins for me. Link to my last trip report for more details.

Off we go on our last drive. Good Morning! Those 4:44 wake ups come awfully fast. But oh so worth it. We found our roaring male rather quickly. Sound on for the videos in this post for full effect. Handsome boy! A little territory marking to start the day. Announcing himself and calling to his brother. Apparently siblings who get along. They haven't read their parents will yet or cleaned out the house.😁 20240328_055405.mp4 Lady luck is with us today. We found his sleepy brother. Not far away. Along with his pride just waking up. Dad is roaring in the distance. Time for the pride to answer. What a wake up call. 20240328_064759.mp4 Happy family, playtime begins. 20240328_065728.mp4 Dad's here! He's a bit skittish around the females. Rightly so, they can gangb up on him when they're in the mood. Might as well mark the ground to show a little machoness. 20240328_070951.mp4 Now they get down to some serious playtime. 20240328_071937.mp4 The signal is given. Time to move on. 20240328_072523.mp4 Kirst our guide knew they would be thirsty and headed through the bush, positioned us perfectly for the next Act. She did this every day with every animal as if communicating with them telepathically. 20240328_073516.mp4 The thing that shocked me was how close we were to these Apex predators. Often within 15 feet. Never more than 3 trucks at a location and 6 in a vehicle, unless a family requested more. Animals walking right next to the truck was common. I did not pet them as they sauntered by. Oh I wanted to, hands were sat on. And it's time to move on. What a pleasure to spend the morning with this pride. We must head back to camp and pack. Augh!!!