gypsyjennifer1

I cruised down the west coast of Africa with armed commandos on board, all lights out, water gums etc and probably a lot more guns onboard due to piracy.  I have done a lot of  risky travels in my 50 years of travels.  this trip is just another travel issue which I did not initially want, but will deal with.  I could walk out of my home and get hit by a car or a mass shooting.  Life is to be lived and not in fear and that is my own personal opinion.  Dont need comment about my opinions please. After again talking to SS they have my safety on the ship.

I phones SS again today and spoke to a Supervisor asking how SS will keep us safe, and the lady said Ss is still confident going thru the area and have been OK going thru the Red Sea even after the war and expect no changes and we will be notified if any changes.  Well that is feeling really great as a lot of us have committed to airfares and tours and we can get to Aqaba and ??

1 hour ago, midfield anchor said:

Thank you for your comments.

 

Urgent questions remain for the 6 January cruise (Aqaba to Muscat):

1. In light of insurance implications and the threat to crew/passenger safety, will Silversea actually proceed with the plan to send the Moon through the dangerous Bab al-Mandab Strait on 11/12 January? It seems that no other cruise ship has attempted this journey since the Houthi rebels began launching attacks on shipping in the area.

2. How long might it take Silversea to inform passengers that they will not be able to reach Muscat as planned? A swift and transparent decision is required. A separate thread ("Silver Moon sailing 6 January") highlights the importance of such transparent communications.

 

We are scheduled to board the 16 January cruise from Muscat to Dubai. We really hope that this trip happens, but we have our doubts....

Great questions but Silversea can only answer these questions. Not sure if anyone on the board has called Silversea lately and talked with a supervisor or manager..

1 hour ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Great question as to any other cruise ships operating in this Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region.  My following of these various news stories has not mentioned anything about cruise ship being fired upon and/or impacted.  My guess and speculation is that there are not now many, if any, cruise ships operating in this Red Sea region or area of the world.  The peak load of ships in the Med have now shifted west-bound to the Caribbean or ships doing Alaska going down to Australia/NZ, etc.   We will keep checking and following any and all updates.  

 

Good luck to midfield anchor with your Jan. 18 boarding of the Silver Moon.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

https://www.cruisemapper.com

check this website as you will see there are no other cruises sailing in the Red Sea.  Follow the Silversea Moon in the next days 

Silver Moon is on its way to Aqaba, just left Athens 

https://www.cruisemapper.com/?imo=9838618

9 minutes ago, gypsyjennifer1 said:

I am going to enjoy the cruise as I think it's going to happen as I have no other joice

.  SS have always been fabulous and will enjoy this. 

choice. not sure why this forum edits messages 

I am going to enjoy the cruise as I think it's going to happen as I have no other joice

.  SS have always been fabulous and will enjoy this. 

1 hour ago, Skyhigh said:

Yes, at this point, SS says that the cruise is going ahead, departing from Aqaba on Jan 6.  KauiJim says that he was told that the segment between Muscat and Dubai was changing but the details would not be revealed until right after the New Year (there are 3-4 different threads that involve this particular segment).  

 

What we do not know is why SS thinks it is safe to transit the Gulf of Aden while there are drone attacks on ships in the area, such that oil companies are now deciding to go around Africa instead.  

KauiJim do you know the reason why they are changing the itinerary Muscat to Dubai.  I am on the full 20 day sailing from Aqaba to Dubai, but thought only the Aqaba to Muscat was the problem. Receiving a change of itinerary in the new year would be very disappointing, as I will already be in Jordan and then not be possible to change travel plans.

has anyone on the 22 Dec and 06 January sailings phoned Silversea.

thankfully now we have clarity.  I gave my Jordan Pass, and other visas.  and I look forward to do the 20 day cruise from Aqaba.  I will be traveling solo as my travel companion opted out due to safety issues.  But I am looking forward to this trip.  Any others on this site who would like to get together on day one would be lovely.  Happy hour, 6 pm ??

1 hour ago, Kauaijim said:

We are still under the Dec 8 deadline. SS Says by 1/2 they will have the itinerary for the last leg Muscat to Dubai . Not acceptable so we will take the credit and 10% thank you,  for a cruise in 25 . This itinerary is not offered in 25 . They were not amused when I asked if credit could be switched to SB . They will not refund the land portion which was totally canceled, only credit . .pricing is high in 25 I’m trading a silver suite for 20 days for a veranda . Good luck to all navigating this unfortunate situation. Our troubles pale in comparison to what’s going on 

did you get anything in writing.  I still have not received any of this info.  only verbal info on the phone that itinerary will change

2 minutes ago, gypsyjennifer1 said:

My travel agent called SS on Monday and Tuesday and still SS are denying any itinerary change for 06 January sailing. It's really upsetting as we cannot make any plans. I have already cancelled my pre cruise Jordan Tour and wont get any refund for the deposit. Airlines tickets cant be refunded etc 

I am not sure why your letter is mentioning Aqaba when your cruise of  Jan 26 is not even going to Aqaba ?????

5 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Anything new to update for the Jan. 6, 2023, Silver Moon sailing?  What is Silversea offering and how are they adjusting schedules?  

 

For the Jan. 26-Feb. 11 Silver Moon sailing, I have seen a copy of the letter/email sent out by Silversea CEO  Barbara Muckermann.  In part it notes: "For the ease and comfort of our guests based on limited air flight inventory through the city of Aqaba, we will now be embarking our voyage in Dubai, UAE. As a result of this change, we have revised our itinerary to create a more immersive discovery of the Persian Gulf region with far fewer days at sea and featuring extended guest experiences."

 

Now sure how much of the air inventory for Aqaba is a recently changed factor.  More time in Abu Dhabi, Oman, etc., might be of interest to some.  In 2018, we super enjoyed both Abu Dhabi and Oman.  Dubai was interesting to us, but a little "over the top" in certain ways.  Oman and Abu Dhabi were more fascinating for our interests and style.  

 

In her letter they offer various options and incentives for those keeping with this adjusted sailing.  Or, options to switch with future cruise credits for other/later sailings.  They also indicated that they offer a full cash refund for those choosing this option.  

 

Understand the frustrations with those being subjected to these late changes and the lack of sooner/better communications from Silversea.  Also, with the complications/costs as to air flights, insurance, pre-cruise tours booked, etc.  

 

Appreciate to be hearing how the late December 2023 and early January 2024 Silver Moon schedules will be adjusted.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 246,637 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

My travel agent called SS on Monday and Tuesday and still SS are denying any itinerary change for 06 January sailing. It's really upsetting as we cannot make any plans. I have already cancelled my pre cruise Jordan Tour and wont get any refund for the deposit. Airlines tickets cant be refunded etc 

On 11/22/2023 at 2:43 AM, Easterncommand said:

Hi All,

Whilst I am not on this cruise but the 22/12/2023, I have been following this tread with interest. We have just received this morning 22/11/2023 our final cruise document from Silversea via our TA, this is showing that the cruise is disembarking in Aqaba. This does not help alleviate everyone’s concerns as it would appear that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. 

ElectronicTicket_237940-23.pdf 329.87 kB · 36 downloads

It will be interesting to know if now after 22 Nov cut off date for your cruise to get at least 25% refund of before 30 day sailing to get any sort of refund if SS will notify you of any itinerary changes. It seems weird that 06 January your disembarkation is Aqaba and our embarking  in Muscat on 06 Jan for next cruise. . It’s really disturbing we cannot get clear answers from SS

37 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

 

This challenging situation is very puzzling and difficult.  As of this morning, Friday, Nov. 24, the Silversea website shows below as if all is still fully on schedule as advertised and planned.  

 

Keep us posted as to any more details and background.  

 

As mentioned earlier, the biggest mystery for us is as to when and how the Silver Moon transits the Suez Canal to get from the Med to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.  With a short-term cease fire starting today, maybe, hopefully, things will calm down in this war-plagued part of the world??  But, for how long?  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

Yes it’s really upsetting that SS are giving so many mixed messages. I was told on phone now 2 calls with SS that we are to know this week re itinerary change via an official notice. I doubt that will happen today. Checking my travel insurance n credit card insurance the change of itinerary will not be covered. And there is only a few more days to personally cancel trip to still get 25% back of cruise fare. 

Please advise what they offered and told u as my travel agent keeps denying any change Silversea is a 6 star cruise line but the service now is so inferior. 

Please advise what they offered and told u as my travel agent keeps denying any change 

3 hours ago, gypsyjennifer1 said:

My agent just called SS and the agent she got said sailing as normal.  Just weird to receive 2 conflicting information from Silversea.

 

We too have pre cruise tour booked for Jordan.  The agent on the phone took a long time to go thru info and he said it was decided 6 days ago but no information about the ports of call.  I am booked on the 20 day cruise from Aqaba to Dubai.  Agent advised that passengers should receive some info within the week, he thought. 🥲

Silversea told me on phone today that cruise will not be departing from Aqaba but now from muscat. But agent said no itinerary was known yet for this Jan 06 cruise. Do any other passenger on this cruise know more.