Austinite by birth

I have returned about 1 week ago from my Across the Arctic Circle cruise. My comments are: they said it was an expedition, not a cultural cruise. Exactly! The cruise was just as they "sold" it. We had a lot of hiking... walking on a deserted beach... very little cultural. The ship was great, the staff was above board, the passengers were mostly EU or Australian... i was the only Texan but probably 12-15 Americans. The ratio was: 88 guests; 85 staff. The Staff/Expedition team was so knowledgeable about all thing Arctic. Very nice!! Ship was great! All staff were delightful. Food was= WOW! Would I do it again...probably not. Can I say that I didn't enjoy...no. Everyone on the ship were seasoned travelers. I have been to 79 countries and they have been to many more and more exotic than mine. The consistence was: Go to Antarctica... it is the best. I am not sure the cost and experience is worth it. I will keep looking into Vantage/Aurora and will book when I see thing that meet my curiosity. Keep traveling!!

I am booked on Across the Arctic Circle starting June 6. I am very excited for this adventure! I have been reading all the "whining & bitching" on the Facebook site. Come on guys.....Aurora/Vantage is not responsible for the bankruptcy... they didn't have to offer the offer they have made. I lost $$$$ on back-to-back cruises with business class flights...yea, I am not happy, but I am trying to recoup something, The new company: Aurora/Vantage is more expensive, but what do you do...... I will send a report when I get home. Also looking that if I like this adventure, I would like to do either Antarctica or Northwest Passage...... yea, not your typical adventures!!

I fly out today!! See you on the ship on Sunday!!

Went to review my excursions and was surprised to see that "SKYRAIL, KURANDA VILLAGE AND SCENIC TRAIN" in Cairnes, had been deleted from my cruise!! It is no longer offered. I was able to re-sign up for basically the same with the deletion of the "train" part. When I went to pay for the replacement, I had a credit...which covered the replacement excursion. Glad I looked... I would have been very surprised if I hadn't. I suppose it has something to do with timing.

I signed up for the Steak House restaurant on day 1. I figured since I am a single/solo I will meet at least a couple of friendly faces at the dinner that I might see later on the cruise. This is going to be great!! I have read that the ship itself is not remarkable, but that is not why I am going. I am going for the adventure!! Really hope to meet up!!

Can't believe that we are a week+ away from this and so little chats!!! Would LOVE to hear from more people on this.... the ship is HUGE and so little chatter! Would love to know that more people are as excited as I am...........

I probably shouldn't do this, but I am booked in room 7391. I am also signed up for the steakhouse on the first night..Jan 7..... since I am a single, I am hoping to meet a couple of people I can connect with at the dinner.... join me if you would like. Otherwise, lets meet for a cocktail either before or after. I am assuming that there will be phones in the room.

Anyone else decide on excursions?? I am really excited about this cruise, seeing others traveling from the USA and meeting a bunch of Aussies and others.

look up this link: Great Barrier Reef Luminosa January 7, 2024

I am arriving in Brisbane at 9:55am January 6th. I am staying in downtown: Royal Albert Hotel. I wanted to see a little of Brisbane prior to the cruise. I debated staying close to the pier, but decided to stay downtown. The Royal Albert is about a 10 minute; 4-5 block walk from the central train station. Also, I will be leaving Brisbane for NZ at 11:10am on the day we disembark...so no time to see the city at all... hope I can get off and to the airport in time! Yikes. I am from Austin, Texas so no problem with snow here!

there is another link on this trip..... look it up!

I am also booked on this cruise and coming from the USA. I am traveling as a solo since my husband passed in July. This will be the first trip I have taken as a single so I am a bit nervous. I am arriving in Brisbane a day early to try to acclimate... hope it works. My excursions: Ocean Rafting, Skyrail Village and Train, and then GREAT BARRIER REEF snorkling... it is also on my bucket list. Here is hoping for a wonder cruise. Then I am going over to New Zealand for 12 weeks (Gate 1) land tour. Keep in touch and we can have a drink together!

Hello! I am also on this cruise solo. I live in Austin Texas and will be arriving 1 day prior to the cruise. After the cruise, I am flying over to New Zealand for a land tour. Have you booked excursions? I have mine booked and wonder if they are good excursions. Looking forward to meeting you!

Same here!!

All of us on summer trip got the same notification on your portfolio page. At least we all know that our trips are cancelled so we can start making other plans. Be positive and pray that they company is able to honor the options they gave us.

Wow!!!

Been to S Africa... our friends are going on a Gate 1 tour (not sure when), and they really like Gate 1. I recommend a safari with Inyati in the Sabi Sands... we have been on a safari in Tansania and Kenya-- savannah-- the Sabi Sands is wooded, so a complete different look. This is upsetting... sorry!!

How do you know that the Odyssey is empty? We are booked on Odyssey in July and again in September. The July sailing still doesn't have flights which makes me very nervous. This makes me very sad because I have had several wonderful vacations on Vantage cruises. So sad that this might be happening.

HALLELUJAH!!! Finally!! Hope it all goes well for the Ocean Odyssey and Vantage!!

kitmrandall@gmail.com...... would love to tell you what a wonderful trip you will have.