jpalbny

That looks like a very interesting itinerary - out of your stops we have only been to Copenhagen, Dublin, Orkney, and Lerwick. Your itinerary looks to be more about landscapes and small villages rather than wildlife per se. I agree that you'll see lots of birds. The Neolithic sites on both Orkney and the Shetlands are interesting to visit as well. We did a DIY tour via rental car on Orkney which made for a very enjoyable day. Weather is always unpredictable from year to year but I would not expect it to feel like a warm summer. You'll get lots of daylight but cloud cover, wind, and exposure to the North Atlantic may all combine in varying degrees to make it chilly at times. If I were packing for this itinerary I'd probably bring a pair of shorts, more long pants, and plenty of layers. I'd expect to need a light jacket more days than not. I just looked at my photos from Orkney in August 2014, and despite relatively sunny skies we were both wearing long pants and a light jacket. June is not likely to be warmer than that. Depending on the wind direction, though, your balcony could be very pleasant. The best combination would be a clear day when the sun is shining on your balcony, and the wind is hitting the other side of the ship so you're sheltered on the leeward side. Have a great trip, and make sure you post some pictures!

Expedition cruises in these regions will be more "Expedition Lite" but still an enjoyable experience. If your itinerary includes Iceland things may get a little more adventurous but still nothing too crazy. We've done15 Silversea cruises in total, about half expeditions, half classic cruises. We tend to prefer the smaller out of the way ports, and the more wild landscapes, that we visit with expedition cruises. We have not done a dedicated BI itinerary but have visited Finland and Sweden just this past June on Silver Wind, so the latitude may be similar. I did a trip report here on CC which should give you a sampling of a typical expedition cruise in another region of Northern Europe. It would be helpful if you listed your exact voyage and itinerary, so we could give you more detailed information about the stops and what you might see. I looked at the 2025 Silver Wind itineraries and they run the gamut, so your experience will vary depending on which one you booked. I can't tell whether you're on one of the itineraries which include Iceland or not, which might significantly alter your experience.

Welcome back! I could not get used to the new moniker, so I'm definitely glad to see the authentic Lois again.

No, but you may be too warm. I don't take jeans anywhere unless it's really going to be winter, and even then rarely. IMO they take up too much room, and if they get wet it's impossible to get them dry, so the "usefulness per unit of space in my luggage" quotient isn't that favorable. But you won't be thrown overboard for wearing jeans during the day. EVERY cruise line has sharply-dressed models in their catalogs. I have yet to see those people on any line.

Not my favorites either. I'd take them if they were included, but I usually buy the more interesting stuff for home. And the type of tonic is important too. And here I thought that the perks of aging included more time to sip G&Ts! If that is the case I'm asking for a refund. In all seriousness, the case fatality rate for malaria rises sharply with age, so I don't think it's wise to take chances. Even in Albany!

May the Fourth be with you! Twice!

Brr! Sounds like it's time to reinstitute the late morning boullioun service...one thing that we look forward to while cruising in Polar climes. Stay well and stay warm!

White Dockers and an Eddie Bauer shirt-sleeved button-down shirt were just fine. At least I thought so...and nobody threw me overboard, so, good enough! Maybe they also thought I was an officer? 😉 This was actually a nice evening on our cruse last year through Indonesia. We all gathered on the stern of the ship, where the landing pontoon folds in, and at that point we were just a few feet above the water level but with the electric drive and the smooth seas it was lovely. The wine helped too. Chris, of course, wore a nice outfit. A simple white linen dress, perfect for the tropics. Around Scandinavia in April, this may not work as well! Tux definitely not required. Sport coat and tie very acceptable.

IME they always have. Silversea rarely makes you go hungry!

What a luxury! Enjoy every minute of it.

Yes. It's weird. Eventually the post number straightens out, but I've seen the same thing. Lola, you are an original Cooler, from way back even before I started out here, so I'm glad you got the honour. Edited to add: I just clicked and submitted, and this post came up as #20,001. We know it should be 20,010. Let's see.

Wes is on Silver Cloud doing an Indian Ocean Grand Voyage. He's been on for a while and he won't disembark until we get on in Darwin, June 9th.

Lola! You bagged the 20,000 post! Very impressive. Next stop, 25k?

That's disappointing. Love Fevertree and now that I'm hooked, it's tough to go back.

That's the same block where we were dropped, unless I'm reading the map wrong. But an Uber back is always a good idea if you'd rather not backtrack to the shuttle. Come to think of it, I should have done that! We really wanted to visit the City of Arts and Sciences but since the free shuttle didn't go there, we didn't either. That was silly of me.

Yes. You're not billed until you actually eat there (see above) Have never seen them for sale. We've accumulated a few, from taking various expedition trips where they were included. You may have more luck on EBay but then, they don't take OBC I guess. And the ones there are all used...

OBC comes in two types: refundable, and non-refundable. You could donate the former type to the crew fund, as it's real money that you could get back at the end of the cruise and take home with you. But not the latter. I've had refundable OBC on occasion, though most is non-refundable. Never an issue with us though, as we love spending OBC!

Try something from the special wine list. Splurge a little. Something you'd never buy at home, but if you're playing with house money... Do this early in the cruise, and the Somm will then keep an eye on you and probably offer you some nice stuff off the included list as well.

Good to know for our next visit! We have not really gotten to that part of Tasmania yet. Glad to hear that Ann's fall wasn't worse! Hope she's all recovered by now.

Yes, these "new" wonderful discounts are not very helpful, when the base price has skyrocketed. A few months ago, I had a look at whether the $4000 off would be of any use if applied to my currently booked cruises. In all cases the price I'm already paying is much better than the "new" discounted price. Bummer of an excursion. Hope that the offerings get better in Africa.

Yikes! I better watch out, when we ever manage to sail together. You know I can't fit too many formal clothes in that carryon... We've done seven expedition sailings on Silversea from 2009 to last year, and there has never been a "formal" night in the same sense as there is on board the classic fleet. Some passengers dress up more for the Captain's welcome and farewell (I usually bring a jacket and tie). Some don't. Take your choice, or take your chances (as per highplanesdrifter's post above) I guess? We're sailing the Kimberley in June and we're not planning to dress up in formal attire. Our goal is to avoid being thrown overboard to the salties! I have to look at my lighter jackets to see what will work in that climate.

There was a shuttle every 30 minutes for Valencia (November 2021). It is almost a 30-minute drive from the port to the old town. They dropped us at the Pont dels Serrans, on the northern edge of the Old Town, just outside the sunken park where the river used to flow. Cross the bridge and you're there. We walked around town on our own and caught a shuttle back a few hours later. Very easy and no need to reserve, as others have said. Just show up with your boarding card and you're all set.

Hope you had a fun excursion and that you've been able to sleep in this morning! Time for the next segmenters to board today?

Absolutely agree, sad to say. It was delicious the first time I had it. I anticipated having it again on my subsequent cruise but it was such a disappointment! You just can't make a real ragu with ground duck meat! So I found a recipe and I make it at home now and then. Les posts now and then, but Stumble doesn't post or read here any more. I'll tell him that you were asking for him though.

Have a great trip Silver! Looking forward to your reports.