bubbulz

Looks like the same vendor (ShiptoShore) since I was just able to go online and order my parka. Hopefully someone can chime in on the boots, but at this point I’m planning on taking both.

I stayed mid-ship on 6 and it was terrific. I was initially concerned about noise from the elevator and stairwell area, but there was no noise at all. (And great location for little motion through the Drake and other rougher spots.)

It looks like you are on an Antarctica Bridge itinerary, so my experience on Endeavour (18-day including South Georgia and Falklands) probably is not applicable. That said, it looks like everything you are asking is on the SS website under the itinerary. It should also be in your account on my.silversea. From what is published on the web, you disembark on December 1. See screenshots below. 

I don’t remember for certain, but I am pretty sure that I booked it when I was on the ship since I wanted to wait to see how the weather was. I also used my OBC for a massage and facial and I know a few people used theirs for premium wines. 

I agree. Personally, I think the ride is perfect for anyone who is a casual rider. We had one woman who was not comfortable when she got on the bike and went for a test ride. She ended up opting out after she took a spill in the parking lot. (Thankfully, she was not hurt.) We also had one rider who obviously had a lot more experience and rode routinely. He kept riding far ahead, and that is not ideal either. It is meant to be a casual group ride along the seashore with multiple rest stops for water breaks, and a restroom break in the middle. The terrain is flat. All in all it was very enjoyable. 

I did it, and it was great fun and very scenic. I would recommend it very highly. It is not strenuous, but you need to be comfortable on a bicycle. Most of the ride is along paved bike paths along the seaside. It goes down the coast on the other side of the river from Porto. The ride was about 13 1/2 miles overall and took about an hour and a half. Since you’re on an E-bike, the effort can be minimal if that’s how you choose to ride. There is a small portion of the ride that is along the streets with traffic and also on some cobblestones. 

I’ve been on two Uniworld Christmas markets trips, and from what I have read above, it definitely sounds like AMA may be a better fit. I don’t recall a single child on either of my markets cruises. That said, I do know that Uniworld offers specific itineraries that are tailored for families but it doesn’t appear that any coincide with the dates for the Christmas markets. See https://www.uniworld.com/us/themed-cruises/family-friendly-cruises 

On 3/10/2023 at 1:59 PM, Caligirl58 said:

I will look forward to hearing your impressions of Silversea after your cruises.  Will definitely give it more consideration, as I had pretty much taken it out of the running based on the comments I had read about it being very formal.

 

Just circling back since I went on my expedition to Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia in November. Everything about it was outstanding, from the food and service to the expedition team and the briefings. And the ship was lovely. The dress was very casual, but more so than with a classic cruise since it was an expedition. (I’ve also heard that they are relaxing their dress code in general.) I actually ended up switching out the classic cruise I had booked for another expedition for this year and I’m also planning a return to Antarctica for next year. I was on Silver Endeavour and found the ship to be incredibly stable and didn’t get seasick at all. I took meclizine each day and found I didn’t need the patches although I had them with me.

Yes, I noticed the same thing. I did the Douro as well as Belgium and the Netherlands with Uniworld with a zero solo supplement. It is terrific when they offer it. 

25 minutes ago, Roz said:

For any solo travelers reading this thread who aren't familiar with Tauck's solo river cruise pricing,  you can sail in the lowest category of cabin with no single supplement.  Some less inclusive lines charge you double,  so you pay more and don't get as much. 

I’ve been booking with Uniworld when they announce their solo specials but they’re slow this year releasing the itineraries for 2024. I may have to take a look at Tauck …

3 hours ago, Gourmet Gal said:

I think that’s typical Dutch weather year round! I’ve been there 8 times and it has always rained.

It rained every single day on the cruise before mine in April, but I really lucked out. And then we had an absolutely sterling day at Keukenhof at the end of the trip. But it was just pure luck …

I did a Brussels - Amsterdam tulip cruise this year with an extra few days on each end and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m already toying with the idea of Christmas/New Years cruise for next year so I’m looking forward to reading about your trip.

54 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

Moresco looks like a good option at decent price, but they have only non refundable rates, and we don't book non refundable rates as a matter of principle.

I'm typically the same. I booked via Booking and the rate was cancellable up to 4 days prior. Not sure if that has changed. I always get insurance as well in case of the unforeseen. 

1. Uniworld will arrange air if desired. I’ve never personally used them for it since I prefer to make my own arrangements and typically can change my tickets without incurring any fees. That said, I believe the Uniworld insurance covers all costs, as I know it will cover my pre-cruise extension they arranged for my next trip. But this would be a question best asked of them and the insurer. There is also detailed information available on their website that you can view based upon where you live.

2. I always compare to other insurance plans in terms of coverage and costs. (For other travel, I usually use Allianz). The costs are usually comparable, with the big benefit of the Uniworld sponsored insurance being the ability to cancel up to one day prior to the trip for any reason.

One of the things I love with Uniworld is their travel protection plan. If I'm not comfortable with traveling at any point up to one day prior to my trip, I can cancel and (at a minimum) get a full future cruise credit. I purchase the insurance with every single booking I make with them.

"Are you ready to book your dream river cruise, but worried about the unexpected? Uniworld's Travel Protection Plan may protect you from unforeseen events so you can travel with confidence.

Our Travel Protection Plan allows you to cancel up to one day prior to your first Uniworld-arranged travel date for any reason and receive a future travel certificate or even a full refund for select covered reasons. You’ll also be covered should you become sick while traveling and need to return home."

(Bolding is mine.)

FWIW, on my two Uniworld cruises this year, I think I noticed a bit fewer than half of the guests tipping the local guides (although I certainly wasn’t keeping tabs. 😂 ) It’s definitely not mandatory and should reflect the service, IMO. 

On 10/20/2023 at 8:17 PM, Roz said:

I wonder if the front desk will break larger bills?

They do. And if they can’t, I don’t tip. Simple.

I think people seem to forget that tipping is optional in all cases.

1 hour ago, bubbulz said:

And the one truly bad guide I had didn’t even get a Euro from me. 🙃

PS We heard after the fact that it was his last day as a guide. 🙃

20 minutes ago, Got2Cruise said:

How much extra Pp is it actually?  If you tip 1 Euro per excursion for a ten day cruise it will be 20 Euros pp if you include bus driver. 40 Euros a couple. Then one needs to break down the cost of the Scenic or Tauck cruises. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. 
 

 

Same here. The 20 Euros or so I spent on tips on my last two cruises didn’t break the bank. And the one truly bad guide I had didn’t even get a Euro from me. 🙃

23 minutes ago, ShaZoGus said:

Unfortunately, we did not purchase Uniworld insurance…there were some pre-existing health conditions at the time of booking which have since been resolved.

That is unfortunate. A friend of mine who was supposed to join me on my last cruise had to cancel due to a pre-existing condition, and she got a full refund from the insurance since she purchased it when she booked her trip.

Did you not purchase the Uniworld insurance? If you did, you can cancel for a full future cruise credit. https://www.uniworld.com/us/already-booked/travel-protection 

Tips for local guides are not included so I always carry a couple of Euros. Tips for all Uniworld staff are included.

10 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I think you will love it.  I know many folks here extol the 'swan' cabins as perfectly fine at a big savings, but we find the view through the huge French balcony window to be worth the extra cost, even though we rarely open the door.

I agree. We always booked a suite or a French balcony. For my next cruise, I’ve booked a deluxe cabin, which still has a decent size window, but purely due to cost for solo cruising. If they post solo specials, I’ll be calling to see if I can upgrade. 😉

25 minutes ago, rove312 said:

This booking wasn't done through a travel agent.  I don't think I could involve the TA who booked our first cruise over a year ago; this is our third Uniworld cruise.

Then call Uniworld directly and ask politely. 😊 Good luck!

A couple of weeks after I had booked my springtime trip this year and paid in full, I noticed that the price had gone down. I called my TA and she contacted Uniworld and they gave me a courtesy credit back to my original form of payment. I know others who have done the same. It seems that, although they are not required to do this, they very frequently do as a courtesy.