Answers on Narwhal and Sumo

INTERNET: Will be the same as here with a $20 unlimited usage daily rate. However Conrad warned me that it can be spotty as the ship gets more remote on the Northwest Passage and that Japan blocks internet as we all know from Regent cruises. He did not know if there were places on shore to connect to the internet he has not actually done this itinerary before. I guess we find out when we get there. Our expedition leader will probably know where the internet is located at the ports if it is available.

EXPEDITION STAFF: Now that there are three expedition ships there are over 100 expedition staff. When it was just the Silver Explorer we saw the same team a lot. Now many new faces. However, all the expedition staff here are great. Some real standouts.

On NARWHAL the expedition leader will be Christian Volker who has 30 years expedition experience and has transited the Northwest Passage many times. One of the most experienced expedition leaders available for the Northwest Passage.

On SUMO the expedition leader is Mark Brazil his wife is Japanese. He is the one who visited all the ports and set up the entire itinerary and Conrad said he is super. Two of the stops NO cruise ship has ever visited, the Silver Explorer will be the first and the locals are a little in awe of the entire situation. That should be a ton of fun!

NARWHAL specifics. It will be cold of course so they will provide the parkas. Wet landings so we need the boots. He suggested buying the face mosquito nets even if you do not use them as you never know. I bought mine at REI. He said there will not be as many bugs in the Northwest Passage as there are on this trip. At this point only one landing has had any bugs and they were gnats not mosquitoes. Polar bears areas are most likely in the beginning and the middle of the trip. There are good populations of bears and they are there just how many we see no one can predict. On my first Svalbard trip we saw one bear on the second trip we saw 24 bears. THE ICE – Conrad is monitoring constantly. It is still blocked now but it melts a lot very quickly and we are not leaving for a few weeks yet so he said it looks promising.

SUMO specifics. No wet landing in the Japanese Islands. Zodiacs to docks. One place the ship will dock. So no boots or even water shoes are necessary. Just need a light jacket as it will be warm and preferably water proof in case of rain or splashes in the zodiacs. It is sub-tropical so again bring the face mosquito nets, again as a precaution if it becomes necessary. As the ship heads south into the pacific from Guam there will be wet landings but it will be warm about 85 to 90 degrees. Water shoes may be enough and they have boots if needed. He said there is always a lot of rain in the South Pacific but it rains a little and then stops. So light rain gear is suggested.

The ruble or $ in the Russian ports he did not know. I am going to ask one of the two Russian immigration people on board they would know.

ROBIN AUELLO (not sure how to spell that)
She is free lancing and will be on Silversea on contracts from time to time but not working full time right now. She is still with Silversea on some trips (not on ours). Anything other questions just ask me and I will get the answers for you.

CABINS: I saw the view cabin and it is nice. Feels spacious and good drawer and closet space. Mirrors on the wall across from the bed gives it a more spacious feel. Pretty small bathroom but workable for one person at a time. Same layout as ours just less room in the middle. The aft vista cabins are all different configurations. I will see those on the day of debarkation. May not be in shape to be photographed but we will take pictures anyway.