Marcie, we are having a wonderful time. Silver Cloud much better than Explorer, Moss as Social Director is a great addition, and food much better. Not really an expedition trip as zodiacs just used two days (one was just to tender into Newport). We also are going to big cities (New York, Portland, etc) instead of small communities (e.g., Bar Harbor) or even small inlets and coves along the east coast. Some of the folks onboard have never been on an expedition trip and didn't realize that this was an expedition trip.

Some things nicer than Regent: loose tea at Tea; butler hangs up laundry instead of just hanging plastic bags of laundry on hooks (why does Regent waste all that plastic but take away bottled water); stewardess/butler combination seems to work better than stewardess/assistant combination on Regent; and the small size of ship is nice.

Had a number of chances to discuss Wrangel with HD Petros; he was also HD on that trip. He provided some additional background on what did and didn't happen. Captain Maggi is no longer with Silversea; some say fired and some say she quit. Also found out why we had to refuel in Russia but no explanation on first changed itinerary or Captain Maggi's fear of ice. There were a number of lessons learned for Silversea; apparently about communications, however, and not about scheduling.

However, still no apology or acceptance of some level of responsibility by "corporate" Silversea so don't know if we will ever sail them again.

We still have stops in Norfolk and Charleston (why aren't we going into some of the barrier islands instead of big cities?) before arriving in Ft Lauderdale; then we have a driver taking us to Port Canaveral to immediately get on the Disney Dream.

Life is Good!

Marc

PS Happy Birthday