southerngoose

I'm taking a cruise that will go to Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound. Is there a "need" to go on land and see something there? I ask because the cruise line offers an extremely overpriced excursion that takes you off the ship to go to Fiordland. The fact that they offer it, doesn't mean it's good. I'm trying to work with my travel agent to determine if I need to stay in New Zealand after the cruise or if I can see what I need while on the cruise and go home. I'm not looking to burn money. At the same time, I want to avoid coming home thinking "2 more days and I could have 'finished' New Zealand and now I have to go back". It seems that if you go from land, you just get back on a ship. So I'm not sure whether there's something so special there that I couldn't see from the ship.

@bobolz You need to check the fine print of your insurance (and the insurance for the other person, if it's not the same policy). The cruise line won't do jack for you. However, the insurance should cover the other person, if they had to cancel for a covered reason. My insurance would cover if I had to pay a single supplement because a previously planned person was no longer able to go for a "covered reason". However, if you bought insurance from the cruise line, this could be a very different story. I think it depends on what your expectations are in this situation. If you don't need a refund for the other person, then you should be in good shape because the cruise line just wants to be paid. It becomes more complex if the other guy wants a refund due to cancellation for a covered reason and you want to go without paying for a second person - then you'd better have insurance to cover the single supplement or find yourself a person who will go in the other guy's spot. All of this depends on which insurance you and the other guy got and which cruise line you are going on.

One of the fun things about traveling is learning about new places in the world. I thought "Inaccessible Island" was a joke. But no...it's the name of a real place out there! I can't wait to hear what you do/see on Inaccessible Island, since very few people get to go to there. I hadn't even heard of any of these islands until this thread. It's interesting to read about them and imagine life living in such remote locations.

@Cheer Dad Hi! Thanks for the info about your trip. I am going to Antarctica (but not on the bridge itinerary). I am curious about your comment about penguin poop. Is there a place where you can just hose your pants down to avoid bringing penguin poop to your room? I'm really concerned about the smell. They are cute creatures...but I'm not sure how much tolerance I'll have for the smell. Ultimately, I decided that I had to try this and if I went and couldn't tolerate it, I always had the option to stay on the ship. But I need to be sure there are ways to clean the poop without touching it. 🙂

I got so lost looking for an activity of "cracker making". I had passed it by because I didn't have the name of the store in Japanese characters and I guess I had assumed it would be in roman characters. I had gotten the info from a website that only had things written in roman characters. The hotel concierge had called for my appointment so they were waiting for me. But I couldn't find it. When I showed people the address and asked for the place in Japanese, they misunderstood and thought I was looking for a store to buy these crackers. I ended up in a department store where they asked me which type of cracker I wanted to buy and I explained that I wanted to MAKE them. They got one of the English speaking ladies who help tourists and she finally understood from reading the web page printout I showed her. I asked her to write the name of the store in Japanese characters. I had to go to each shop in a "shopping corridor" and go to each shop and compare each character until I finally found the place. The lady looked at me and asked me in Japanese if I was "lastname-san" and I was like "Yeah...that's me!". She then acted like she was saying "We've been waiting for you!" (that's my imaginary translation...I have no idea what she said). Unfortunately, her English was as bad as my Japanese, but I got to make the crackers... (they were similar to a fortune cookie, but rolled into a cylinder). You made some of your own and she packaged them for you to take and then she included some that they had made at the factory. It was the most interesting experience. Nevertheless, I'm thankful for Google Translate and the ability to use the camera and have it "translate" signs etc. Kyoto was so much fun. I had found a website in English that had all sorts of "craft" opportunities. I made a beaded bracelet that was supposed to have some sort of religious significance. It was just an adventure to get there and have them show me how to do it etc. I went to the Nishijin Textile Center where they were doing a Kimono fashion show and had a display of a Japanese silk weaving loom. They had a little gift shop of bags, wallets and clothes made from scrap kimono fabric. They also had the opportunity to wear the kimono and they had two ladies dress you up and they took my photo with my camera (there was a charge for wearing the kimono and getting you dressed...no additional charge for them taking your photo in their backdrop). The security guard invited me outside and took my photo in front of the sign. Then the tourists came in a bus to watch the fashion show and I stayed for that, then bugged out during their "shopping time". Then I ran off to make some crackers. I think I then was able to go to a few craft stores. There are so many things to see and do, beyond the standard tourist things. Yes, everyone who goes needs to see Kinkaku-ji, but there are other nice things. Then, there's Nara with the deer (a nice place to go!)

@Host Jazzbeau Curious, what were examples of how the fund helps the crew? I haven't been on the ship yet so I haven't received the pitch but am quite curious!

I have not taken this tour with Silversea, however, I have been to most of those sights in Japan, taken the Shinkansen. I have done it on my own with just my Japanese illustrated translation book and very limited Japanese. If you feel that you need a guide, the last time I checked, a private, English speaking guide is $800-$1000/day. If you are a couple (or more folks), I think it'd be cheaper to hire a private tour guide. I think you'd also want to ask yourself if you want to stay at those hotels or if you might want a nice, but not fancy hotel. You could get a Japanese travel agency to help you for less than $1000/day per person because if you followed the exact itinerary the pre-excursion goes to, some days, you're just getting dropped off /picked up from the train station (not even a full day tour guide). The luggage moving service described is also something common in Japan and could be easily arranged for pickup from one hotel and delivery to the next (or from train station to hotel). Japan is very safe. The worst risk is that you get lost. But each time I've gotten lost, every Japanese person has been willing to help - even the telephone utility worker who pulled out his map to help me. I was in Kyoto checking out the temples and just couldn't walk any further. I found a taxi - it was an interesting experience with the driver in white gloves and the automatic door opener. I was a bit concerned about the tight areas he was driving in, but other than that, it was safe too (I just told him which train station I wanted to go to and pointed on the map and he was cool).

I found a good deal for a solo cruise and grabbed it. But it is maybe 20 mos in advance. I'm curious why they would offer a discount 20 mos in advance. I understand last minute deals to fill the ship. What is the incentive for the cruise line to offer solo deals so far in advance when they could get someone to book double occupancy? I'm certainly not looking a gifthorse in the mouth. I'm appreciative of the offer in such a way that I can relieve my FOMO/anxiety and make sure I can get my spot. But I'm curious about this. I think for 2026, if I don't find any advance bargains, I'll be trying to book "last minute" and see if I can get my trips for less than 100% single supplement.

@Port PowerWell, I find it frustrating if it's "photographer's choice" vs a standard offering. Maybe if it were free, I might understand it being "photographer's choice". Could I ask if you did any of those photography activities? Or did you just post it? If you're the one who posted it, thanks! But I'm still curious to know if it was worth it. I sort of understand that the value may be dependent on the photographer. Still would love to know more about any real experience. 🙂

@highplanesdrifters Thank you so much. This is something I found online (I think it was here at Cruise Critic) - someone posted it from their trip and I don't know which cruise it was (other than it being an antarctica trip). I was looking at "Masterclass in Photography for all levels", which appears to be a bundling of several of the other services. In lieu of that, I would be willing to get 2-3 "in the field", if it promised to help me with composition and to take "good" photos of me on the landing. I find these prices to be high, but on the other hand, this is a once in a lifetime trip that I likely would not ever do again so I figured that it was worth it to get some pro photos of me in an usual spot and get some composition help. I'm a crappy photographer with decent equipment (DSLR with 24-300mm zoom) who has taken tons of classes, but still need help. At this point, I'll accept assistance to get some good photos that I would be able to remember the trip by. I appreciate all of your assistance to help me figure this out!

@highplanesdrifters Thanks so much for your research. This is HUGELY disappointing. The screen shot that I saw offered things like helping you on land with composition and getting good shots. That would be fabulous when you are in a place with tons of penguins. This offering is very disappointing.

@twangster Thank you so much for your comprehensive review of your cruise. I am booked on this same itinerary on the Silver Cloud. Could I ask a few questions? Did you cross the Drake Passage only once (ie does going from South Georgia to Elephant Island skip the Drake Passage)? As a solo cruiser, did you feel that you got "good selfies" with the Insta360? Would you take the Insta360 again? I am not as interested in the, admittedly cool, 360 shots. I'm more interested in the selfie, drone like views, the wide vistas. I'm thinking of using my Nikon DSLR 24-300mm lens with some Insta360 and leave the GoPro at home. Did you use your point and shoot? I bought one but I'm not thrilled with it (it focuses very slowly and makes picture taking slow). Did you notice if there are enough computers for people who want to use it or are they in high demand? I would like to avoid bringing my laptop, but I would like to make copies of my photos to a backup drive and maybe do some photo selecting. Did you go to every lecture? Part of me wants to do them all, but part of me would rather rest or work on my photos. Not sure how interesting the lectures are.

@highplanesdrifters Is that backpack waterproof? Curious why they didn't give you the "drybag" version. I'm trying to strategize what I need to bring and I'm now thinking...skip the daypack and I'm wondering if I need to bring a dry bag.

@ak1004 Do you have both a cabin attendant and butler? Or is the butler also acting as "cabin attendant". I'm sort of agreeing with you n the "gimmick" thing because I'm not asking someone to pack/unpack or draw a bath. 🙂. I'm sort of hoping that someone has found some other unique task that a butler can do. I will likely use the room service and apparently will need to call the butler to help with.

@twangster - you did the itinerary that I am going on! Thanks for the "live" report...I'm going to study.

@Tex1 and @twangster Thank you both for helping me understand. I had hoped for a bootwasher because I think that's the easiest way to deal with this. After disinfection and boot washing machine, anything remaining can't be that bad and can be brushed off. I was scared by people who said that you needed to bring your own stiff brushes to deal with things to avoid using your fingernails! Now that I see the machine, I think I can do this. :)!

@Tex1 Which ship did you see the machine you walk through? I like the idea of the boot cleaning machine with brushes that clean the boots.

Hi...I've read passenger accounts of going to Antarctica and having to clean the boots with your fingernails or bring a tooth brush. However, I read here that staff cleans the boots https://discover.silversea.com/destinations/silverseas-ultimate-polar-packing-guide-the-arctic-and-antarctica/. If you've been to Antarctica this season (late 2023, early 2024), can you tell me if passengers have to clean the boots or whether staff does this? If passengers do it, what does the cruise line provide to clean them with? I find it odd that as a "luxury" cruise ship, you have to rent boots and cleaning with a toothbrush or fingernails seems to me to be contrary to "luxury".

@bitob Curious what you have the butler do? I've never had one so I'm still trying to understand this butler thing. I'm not going to have them pack/unpack. I do want them to refill my fridge. 🙂. But beyond that and room service, I'm not sure what they do.

@highplanesdrifters Do you plan on doing the Master Class in Photography? I'm curious what that is and whether it's worth it. I'm also curious about which photography equipment would be included and if it's included for the entire cruise (ie, maybe I shouldn't bring my own camera?)

@chrism23 Do you know if there's a quality difference between the rented poles and just buying some less expensive ones on Amazon? I am not an avid outdoor person. I'm not going to use these poles much at home. But I do want to go to the Galapagos and Antarctica and I do think I'll need the poles. I would rent if I thought I'd get an advantage by having higher quality poles than I'd normally be willing to pay for. Curious what your thoughts are. I am happy to check a bag to bring the poles. 🙂

Are the pants for rent really Columbia Storm Surge waterproof pants? Curious because I bought 2 pairs of those on Amazon for some other trips and I'm trying to figure out how much clothing I really need to "rent". In 35F weather, I've been wearing a base layer and these Columbia pants and have been quite comfortable. Is it particularly windy in Antarctica or is there some other reason for 2 items under the waterproof layer? I went to Northern Finland and it was below 0F and I did wear 3 layers, but when it was closer to 30-35, I only needed 2 layers. So I'm wondering what I'm missing here...

I have dietary issues and my normal coping mechanism is to go on a larger ship with a large buffet and/or rely on port stops to go on land and find some snacks to bring on board or at least get a good meal in me. So these types of trips are hard for me because - small ship, not a good offering at the port. I would advise that you search for Hurtigruten trip "diaries" - here, or on Trip Advisor or on Blogs. I found several folks who posted each night's menu and I could see from the menus that there would be something I could eat - maybe remove the sauce or something simple that they would likely accommodate. It's not like they'd be making a whole different meal...but a variation of the one they had already made. Or maybe 2 portions of soup, skip the main meal. That sort of thing. I'm also thinking, worse case, I can bring some single use packets of peanut butter and see if they have some bread or I could bring crackers. Usually, these single use packets are so processed that there's no fear of disease/agricultural issues. Also, granola bars are a good emergency. Even Australia lets me bring my Nature Valley and they agreed with me that these things are so overprocessed that they were not a danger. I've never seen anyone more strict than Australia. My personal conclusion was that I would survive Hurtigruten meals (or components of their meals), but I'd bring some emergency provisions, just so that I would feel comfortable that I wouldn't starve.

Does anyone have a recommended day tour from Quito to Pailon Del Diablo. Many of them want a minimum of 2 people and I'm just one person. I wanted a "recommended" tour to ensure that I'd get there and back in one piece, but my agent claimed that there is no day tour there. I think that she really meant that Hurtigruten didn't offer one and she didn't want to look at other operators in the area.

I'm heading to Sydney early to go sandboarding and maybe go on the Bridge Climb (besides, you know, with the airline disruptions, I need to get their early to avoid missing the cruise). So Sydney would be quite convenient. My only issue is that that farm wants nearly $900! I need to try to find a group tour. But I will try to search in the Sydney area and see if I can find a nice group tour. Thanks for reminding me of the Australian sheep.