Why Zodiacs are being assembled now on the Muse?

[WesW]

Hi,

 

Just received a note from the Silver Muse Bosun.  They are now busy assembling Zodiacs on the Muse.

Anyone know why there will be Zodiacs now on the Muse for upcoming Asia/Alaska voyages.

[Jacko]

We have been told that all ships in the Classic Fleet will carry Zodiacs in the near future.

 

[Unibok]

The first two Alaska sailings on the Muse -- May 27 and June 6 -- are listed as "Enhanced Whale Watching Voyages," complete with zodiac and kayak excursions on glacier days (Hubbard and Tracey Arm). I believe there will be additional naturalist staff who are whale experts. I didn't realize the zodiacs would come from our ship, rather than being commissioned from local concessionaires. We'll be on the first sailing; this is exciting!

[LaVieBoheme]

Yep: we just booked one of the zodiac excursions in Tracey Arm - it looks exciting. I don’t remember seeing these excursions listed a few weeks ago so may they are a recent addition.

[drron29]

I don't think he will mind but Conrad Commbrink who previously was in charge of Expedition cruising is now in charge of Destinations.Not a surprise that zodiacs will appear on the classic ships in Alaska.Almost certainly a few more surprises coming.

Edited April 17, 2019 by drron29

[TLCOhio]

13 hours ago, Unibok said:

The first two Alaska sailings on the Muse -- May 27 and June 6 -- are listed as "Enhanced Whale Watching Voyages," complete with zodiac and kayak excursions on glacier days (Hubbard and Tracey Arm). I believe there will be additional naturalist staff who are whale experts. I didn't realize the zodiacs would come from our ship, rather than being commissioned from local concessionaires. We'll be on the first sailing; this is exciting!

 

Agree above with Unibok as to the likely use of zodiacs on your earlier Silver Muse cruise.  We will be on the Silver Muse July 25 Vancouver to Steward sailing, but for our time in and around Hubbard, there are no offerings for any type of zodiacs excursions being offered now for us.  Yes, for the longer Silver Muse cruise on May 27 and June 6, they note that MK6 zodiacs will be used with a maximum of 12 guests per boat, doing this tour getting much closer to the glacier "action" at Hubbard.  

 

Both of these May 27 and June 6 cruises are longer (11 and 10 days) versus the later cruises, including for ours, being for only seven days.  Maybe, hopefully, if the zodiacs use in the earlier sailings goes well, then they will add this option for our July 25 cruise??!!  Will keep watching and checking to see if such zodiacs excursions would be added for our later Silver Muse sailing.  Plus, look forward to what those on these earlier sailings report back from when they are on the Silver Muse earlier this summer. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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[WesW]

A couple of photos of the Zodiacs now assembled on the Muse in Tokyo with the Deck Department giving thumbs up.

 

 

[Stumblefoot]

21 minutes ago, WesW said:

A couple of photos of the Zodiacs now assembled on the Muse in Tokyo with the Deck Department giving thumbs up.

I want to see ZQTchas driving one of those bad boys!

[zqtchas]

2 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

I want to see ZQTchas driving one of those bad boys!

not gonna happen!!

[zqtchas]

Is it this self driving one in Ketchikan for $600.00?

[Unibok]

Here is a description of the 1 hour-long Zodiak excursion at Tracy Arm. They are running it 3 times that day: 10:00, 11:30, and 1:30, and all three have spaces available. Also offered are 2 kayak outings, and a "wilderness explorer" which seems to be a somewhat larger (but still small) vessel. We are in Hubbard Glacier for a shorter window of time, so only 1 Zodiak and 1 Wilderness Explorer are offered (both are waitlisted for the 5/27 sailing).

 

It will be very interesting to see if, as Terry suggests, the first two sailings are to test out these excursions so that they can offer them all season.

 

All tours are led by expert drivers and guides, using stable and very reliable MK6 zodiacs. With a maximum of only 12 guests per boat, there is plenty of room for everyone to view wildlife and other features of interest from all angles.

 

Upon departing the ship, your driver will take you along the coast, inland through the fjord. The near vertical cliffs, which line each side of the fjord, rise 2000+ feet directly out of the water with numerous large cascades and waterfalls running over them.

 

Your driver might take you right up to the base of a waterfall, leaving you feeling dwarfed by the sheer cliffs that rise straight-up from the bottom of the fjord. Along the way, your expert guide will explain how fjords are created, and give details about the geology of the region. 

 

In 1980 this region became designated as the Tracy Arm-Ford's Terror Wilderness area, and has been within the boundaries of the Tongass National Forest since 1907, allowing the wildlife to thrive in the area. Seals haul out on the icebergs near the glaciers, porpoises swim through the arm, bears can be seen along the shoreline and in the valleys, mountain goats climb on the cliffs above the arm, and sea birds frequent the area. 

 

Penetrate deeper into the fjord, and you will start to come across floating ice fragments - an indication you're getting close to Sawyer Glacier. As your get to within a close but safe proximity to the glacier, your guide will tell you more about the processes involved in the formation of glaciers. Listen carefully, and you might hear the ice cracking and moaning.  If you watch long enough, you may even be lucky to see the glacier calving.

 

Please note: Although no walking is required, guests must be able to manoeuvre in and out of the zodiac which involves a high step. Ocean ride involves fast acceleration and the ride might be bumpy. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, back/neck/hip problems, those who are pregnant or suffer from motion sickness or guests who utilise a wheelchair. Participants must be a minimum of 6 years of age. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Lifejackets are provided. Child lifejackets are available. Dress in thermal layers, wear waterproof pants and jacket and sturdy comfortable shoes. You may be splashed. Space is limited.  Guests must book well in advance to avoid disappointment. Bring your camera and binocular. It is recommended to have electronic equipment sealed in waterproof bags, in case of rain or spray. This zodiac tour is operated and guided by a team of guides/naturalists who will be sailing with you onboard the Silver Muse.

[TLCOhio]

4 minutes ago, Unibok said:

It will be very interesting to see if, as Terry suggests, the first two sailings are to test out these excursions so that they can offer them all season.

 

YES!!!  Aspiring that my speculation/hope works out correctly.  Will count on Unibok to "handle" these "arrangements" during your earlier sailing.  Just explain to the SS Captain and others on the ship that we would love to do such an "adventure" from the Silver Muse in late July while in this super scenic Hubbard Glacier location. 

 

Am I assuming correctly that the zodiac craft on the Silver Muse will look somewhat like the one shown below that we super enjoyed In June 2017 while doing our Silver Spirit sailing from Lisbon to Rouen.  That zodiac was run by a local operator in Guernsey and was super fast, fun and exciting.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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Here was a zodiac craft we super enjoyed while doing a Silversea excursion in June 2017 while visiting the island of Guernsey.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

[Daveywavey70]

Here’s  a screenshot of some of the excursions listed for our Muse sailing on 17th June (10 night) I seem to remember they were there before but can’t be sure. No mention of whether they are SS zodiacs.

[Stumblefoot]

6 hours ago, zqtchas said:

not gonna happen!!

LOL Charles!  Tell Elaine I’ll have SS put a bigger motor on so you can waterski while she drives!

[TLCOhio]

Had hoped (and dreamed) that on our July 25 sailing that Silversea might offer some special zodiac options during our Silver Muse sailing.  BUT, received today more detailed info.  Here is what SS Special Service sent back to me: "The zodiac and kayaks activities from the ship will be offered only on 6911/12/13, those cruises have  a different, more `expedition` itinerary. Also yes, it is our first launch with these activities so we are doing some pilot cruises.  On the following voyages we have the classic excursions, our sailing time in Hubbard Glacier is shorter and this wouldn`t allow enough time for these activities, moreover there`s no expedition staff onboard to run them."

 

Very helpful background information.  Maybe in future years, the SS Alaska cruises will have more such creative options.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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[Daveywavey70]

We're on 6913 on 17th - 27th June so will feed back re zodiacs and kayaks. Ive been looking at the zodiac and kayak tours listed but had no idea they were directly from the ship. thought they were run of the mill tours. Im intending on running a live from but obviously its t'internet dependant.