Catlover54

It is not just BA, sadly.The queues are pretty bad on many other airlines too lately, e.g., Air Canada in Toronto has been and mess, and Lufthansa out of Frankfurt is almost always obscene lately (seniors who cannot stand 2 hours due to medical problems or frailty, especially in warm weather, absolutely must be in business class or have a wheelchair arranged in advance, and even then, things go wrong a lot , like late-notice gate changes that leave people scurrying, or worse, stranded and stressed). Also more things go wrong with luggage, the more one has to have with one as part of hand luggage, which then makes it even harder to navigate airports, along with worry about getting space to put it unless one overcomes the "gate lice" blockades. And the 4th of July weekend in the U.S., 10,000 flights were either canceled or significantly delayed (hours, not minutes). For many, flying has become a physical endurance test, where you have to be as ready as you would be for a soccer stadium scrum with 20-year-olds. Fortunately flying out of San Francisco is still relatively civilized for me, but the stress over outbound connections elsewhere, and the returns (especially from Europe), require fortitude, and are disincentives to us for more frequent travel

Is it correct that for Antarctica on Ponant, the flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuia and return allow only 20kg of luggage per person, counting carryon?

I love your blog and pictures. On really hot days, was the AC in your suite (and in indoor public areas) able to keep up and keep the room cool?

One thing to consider is that a TA on a smaller SS ship may have more instability, (if you have any issue with sea-sickness) compared with X and Princess you have been on. Going on one of the larger and more modern SS ships (Moon, Muse, Dawn), with roughly 600 pax and the latest tech, instead of 400 pax and the older tech on the smaller ones, might be preferable IF sea-sickness could be an issue. . You would also have more dining venues on the "larger" (though still small) ships. On Edge, I absolutely loved that the bed in the Sky Suite faced the window/sliding door. On SS, unless you are in one of the larger suites (and not even always then), the bed is sideways to the window, and further away from it as well, if that matters to you. The eating table in the base SS veranda suites is also smaller than in the X Sky Suite (if that matters, e.g., you do a lot of room service), fine for 1 person, borderline for food for 2 (especially with all the plate covers and elaborate dishware) I really liked the Edge having so many loungers that faced out towards the ocean, which should be ideal for sea days, , but did not like that overhead pop music blasted at all hours even if there was no party (which interfered with the sound of the sea), so I would flee to my suite and sit on the balcony. SS does not blast pop music everywhere, so therre is less need to retreat to a large suite for peace and quiet. It is truly peaceful and calming, a great part of TA appeal. Be aware that the internet on X (at least on Edge class) is superior to that on SS, even the modern SS ships. So be sure and pre-download any books or movies you will want to read/see on your TA, as the on-board pickings are slim. If you are cruising solo, SS caters to solos beautifully, and usually sets up gatherings and dinners, ideal for people who love to socialize. Have a great voyage whichever ship you decide on!

Thank you! So far, the mask rules sound identical to what we had in January on the Moon, at the peak of Omicron, irrespective of distancing (we had 20% occupancy). Some pax may like this, many (from what I have seen in situations where masks are "recommended but not mandatory", most do not. DH was informed that even if he was *alone* in the gym, he had to be masked, so the rule had nothing to do with distancing. Again, my pre-thanks for any and all upcoming information you provide . It know it takes work and time. Norway will be spectacular, whatever the rules!

Thank you for your excellent (as usual) and objective dress code quotes for SS. The only thing I would add, if you agree, is that *expedition* voyages do not ever *require* a jacket or tie on any night (though some may choose to put on a jacket to meet the captain).

Lois, I am so sorry about the health issue that did not allow you to maximize enjoyment of your voyage. Hopefully you will get in to see your regular doctor or oncologist ASAP after arrival for re-review of your diagnosis, *in the context of all your prior health background*, (i.e., don't rely on just what you were told when you first got symptoms and had a local medic see you, but get a fresh, informed opinion) and to likely get monitored, appropriate, and targeted physical therapy going to speed your recovery. I have been in your situation and it is not fun, to say the least. Safe return, and hang on tight when the guys who push the wheelchairs at airports take a corner :).

Am enjoying your blog and especially the photos. The girl in the mini-skirt could just as easily be from the late 60's.

Am looking forward to your review, so I can compare progress since I was on in January when I wrote my blog (height of Omicron then). 1. Can you tell how full the ship is? (That helps put service issues in perspective) 2. Are masks no longer mandatory in the Venetian Lounge or gym, per announcements you have had? Very recently, per a review, they were. Can you tell (per announcements) if they will still be mandatory on excursion buses, both inside and outside (per either SS or Norwegian/local authorities)? If so, must they be surgical or N95, or is cloth allowed? 3. I would be interested in learning what they are serving in the SALT restaurant on a Norway cruise (am assuming salmon will be part of it) 🙂 The SALT option is what had lured me back to SS after a few years of absence, and it was our favorite venue last January on Panama Canal cruise. 4. Is the little outside thermal pool aft behind the gym open/working? I loved that magical little spot for reading, with just the sounds of the ocean, and on a cold weather cruise (if open), could be nice for semi-private soaking. 5. Are you in a standard veranda suite? 6. Are independent excursions allowed and, if so, are masks required on private tours? No pressure to answer questions, and I thank you in advance for any offerings and contributions. Enjoy!

Were pax still required to mask when using the gym, or was it optional? Same question for the Venetian Lounge, and for excursions (inside, and outside?)

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/russias-invasion-of-ukraine-has-affected-baltic-states-tourism/

DH and I completed two 7-day back to back cruises on the Seabourn (SB) Odyssey, 12/22/18-12/29/18 and 12/29/18-1/5/19, Caribbean in depth’. The food, beverages and service offered were very good overall ( I gained 7 lb), though service was definitely not perfect. Overall we enjoyed our trip, especially the food, the entertainment, and the great AC. I give it four out of five stars, with the deduction for periodic service and communication issues, mediocre enrichment lectures, mediocre to bad (for this day and age) internet and interactive TV services, and the closed MDR at breakfast and lunch, which necessitated standing in buffet lines at lunch if on board ( though lines were short) and scurrying around to find seating unassisted. The Saturday Philipsburg/ St Martin disembarkation experience was also suboptimal, and our ten-hour SXM airport experience on a Saturday was uncomfortably loud and generally horrible (aggravated by constant, very loud 93 decibel announcements). I cannot blame SB for SXM airport problems but I would be hesitant to book another cruise on SB or any other line requiring disembarkation in SXM. Ports visited the first half included Philipsburg (embarkation on St. Martin island), Saint Kitts and Nevis with Carambola Beache caviar in the surf, Road Bay, Anguilla; St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda; Terre-de-Haut, Iles des Saintes; Port Elizabeth, Bequoia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Castries, St /Lucia, and finally Bridgetown, Barbados. The second half was to include Saline Baby, Mayreau but sea swells prevented tendering). We also stopped at Roseau, Dominica; Basse-Terre, Guadaloupe; Gustavia, Saint Barthelemy; and Great Harbour, Jost van Dyke, and ended back in Philipsburg. Captain: Othello Ghoshroy (a man of few words) Cruise Director: Robert Brendan (lively, friendly, he also sings) Executive Chef: Marco Matteucci (excellent!) Hotel Director: Peppi Schuppler ( who tried to be helpful, even personally served me a pina colada New Years Eve when bartenders were busy)