Twenty of the people on Zodiac are on a Brown and Keene waitlist for a 2014 August voyage that will most likely be from Reykjavik or Greenland to Churchill. We assume similiar to this voyage in 2013 of course we do not know exactly what the itinerary will be in 2014. This sold out almost immediately once released. My plan is to be ready to book the second the cruise opens.

http://www.silversea.com/expeditions/destinations/plan-expedition/?voyage=7318

Greenland is all about scenery and fjords very few animals. The northern Canada area is all about polar bears, walrus and wildlife.

Marc, Arlene and I spent about 45 minutes talking to the Silver Explorer expedition leader Robin West. He said that the glaciers and scenery in Greenland is even more dramatic than Antarctica. That seems hard for me to believe but I have not been there so what do I know! There are a LOT of Polar Bears in the northern area of Canada. The Akpatok Island is where polar bears become stranded and he said on one zodiac ride he saw 15 bears. AMAZING!

The best way to see polar bears in the wild? Having done Churchill and the Arctic cruise it is hard to compare. Both have their merit.

What is nice about Churchill is the photography aspect as you get really close to bears as you have the protection of the tundra buggy. You see males challenging each other that is neat. Negatives are the tundra is not particularly attractive and it is VERY cold and does not offer a high standard of accommodation or food.

On a cruise you have to see the bears from a zodiac. You cant walk on the land to view the bears they would eat you - not good. However they are in a more scenic and natural environment. You also have the chance of seeing a lot of other wildlife as well, walrus, whales etc. Then you have the fully inclusive cruise ship as your home and that is a lot nicer than the motel and Gypsies Cafe in Churchill. Plus a great expedition team who are an incredible wealth of information.

So if any of you want on the waitlist post here or email me - your preference. Study the trip for 2013 on the Silversea web for the prices and details on the various cabins to see what cabin you want to waitlist. Also check out the link about the cabins on the Silver Explorer on my web.

I am adding cabin numbers at the time you waitlist in the hope that we will be booking so early that we will get the cabin numbers we want. It happened on Antarctica but this is always a challenge. I will be totally on top of this opening and do my best.

Link to the cabins on the Silver Explorer
http://www.bksilversea.com/2012%20Prince%20Albert%20Cabins-Antarctica.htm

This is kind of wild, I woke up thinking of names for this cruise. I'll hold my idea until the poll request comes out!! Crystal and I would like 409 or 411 OR any View Suite. No more Adventurer portholes for me.

Why no porthole, Beth? We are booked for 2012 Churchill to Kangerlusuag (?) in Voyager class. Should I look into moving to a view cabin? I just thought on a trip into the cold weather, a balcony would be useless, no? We didnt have one on Explorer II but none was available so not an issue
----------------
Helen

HI Ms Understood,

We were across the hall from Beth and Betty on ZOdiac. In ANtarctica there are several days and nights when the portholes are covered so that the cabin is entirely dark for several days and nights in a row. They have a problem there with birds flying into the ship at night as they become disorrented by the ligts. Consequently they keep the posrtholes and all windows covered at night. If you have a cabin with windows and curtains you can open them during the day. The portholes on the otherhand have big metal covers and security comes in and closes them. They do not open them during the day and then close them at night, they jsut remain closed during the entire time of the bird problem. A a result some people felt the porthole cabins became very cave like and depressing. I know it bothered Beth a lot, it didn't bother me much but I think it got to Marc after the third day. (I think they were closed about 3 days) I think it is a personal opinion as to whether or not it will bother you. ALso, they may not do this up north, like they did down south. Beth can chime in and let you know if there were other reasons she didn't like the porthole cabins.

Helen, Arlene did an excellent job of describing my feelings about the portholes. ;) The portholes may work fine for you. I think Antarctica is the only place where the portholes are closed. It was very claustrophobic for me..... didn't know I actually had it. I just had to get up and out of the cabin to see light and the outside. The Adventurer cabins are nice and cozy. Since I am a tad short, I had to stand on my tiptoes to see out. It wasn't about the balcony. Betty and I were in 304 which was a bit larger than Arlene & Marc's cabin. Loved deck 3 which was close to the mud room and the steps to the zodiac launch.

Beth I will ask Karen to start a poll. I have 30 on the waitlist this is going to happen if the cruise happens. Much easier to have a name.

I am shopping for the teapot now and will start the name the cruise poll in a few minutes :)

I think Andrea and I would like to repeat our Silversea experience in the same cabin if possible.

Thanks for the explanations. When we did the Explorer II my nephews were on Deck 3 (my husband and I were higher up on the promenade deck, maybe 5?) and the boys had that same experience with the shutters over their window/porthole for days. I would have hated that too. Turns out we are in 404, so should be ok.
--------------
Helen

Hi Ngaire--I will talk to Paul about this. We have been to Greenland, and yes, the scenery is absolutely spectacular!

We really loved the Norway trip, so I think we would really love this.....we will talk tonight!

Posting for Susan:

WOW!! Great pictures

The above are a couple of photos we took in Greenland on our 2005 Reykjavik-New York cruise on the Navigator. In case anyone wants to preview the scenery! :D

Thanks for these photos, Susan. It is really beautiful.

Ngaire, don't forget the option of a far northern Canada itinerary that Robin mentioned as a possibility for 2014; it might be unique and have lots of wildlife too.

I know Beth already put me on the list with her, but I just have to say it for myself--I am soooo in. The real me, not the flat version.

By the way, we are definitely in for this one.

Doug and I already told Ngaire but we are in.

Sounds like this will be a ZODIAC reunion cruise (plus more cool people)!

Brayden and I are also on the wait list for this one. This will be another great adventure. Brayden will be 16 and I hope he will still be eager to go with his granddad.

To travel with ones grandson like I have done on ARCTIC and ZODIAC is an experience that one can not put into words. It is something I would recommend to all who can to consider.

He learned so much on ZODIAC, it was really something. His eagerness to learn was terrific.

Gail and I asked to be put on the wait list, too.

--------------

Eugene

Basically I intend to do another Silver Explorer trip in August 2014. I love an expedition cruise and this little ship and it is my new "Song of Flower". Even it was the same Arctic trip we did in August in 2010 that was great.

However as sucessful as the new itineraries were in August 2013 I cannot imagine they will not repeat them possibly with a few small changes. My choice would be to include Greenland and Canada north of Churchill.

When the itineraries come out we will select the best offering and book everyone immediately. Even if we book you on a waitlist you do not have to deposit for 7 days so you will have time once you see the final itinerary and pricing to decide whether to proceed or not.

I just ask that those that sign up on the waitlist are somewhat serious about the trip. Or if you decide NO after signing up then let me know so I can take you off the waitlist. This also frees up a good cabin someone else may want. The key issue is that it will be expensive probably even more than it is in 2013. So I just ask you take that into account now in your decision to get on the waitlist or not.

There is no doubt some on the waitlist will change their minds and that is fine I understand completely.

I just dont want to go with a waitlist with names and cabin numbers and push the cruise line to book me right away and then have a huge percentage drop out. That will not help me if I try to do this type of thing again.

Antarctica worked GREAT. We had only about three couples that ended up not booking from the intial waitlist group and that was fine.

By the way the waitlist is now at 36 people.

We're in too - we've been dying to do an itinerary like this since we first did the Arctic Silver Explorer cruise a couple of years ago.

I really enjoyed sailing with Brayden, he's a special young man. I hope my daughter finds someone like him...hey, they're the same age ;)

I love Polar Bears...maybe this would be for us too.

Marcie you would love it!

If I could have been guaranteed to have a kid as great as Brayden I might have had one! Lauri & I weren't sure he'd warm up to us but he did & we had a lot of fun. He's very lucky to have a grandfather as wonderful as Ralph too!

If it is not too late for me to get on the list, I want in.

It will be great to cruise with you again, Diane!!

Hope we aren't too late to join the party!. Can't miss this opportunity-Bert and I would love go-

Hey, where have you been stranger?

Yeah! Bert & Mitch too I know this is a long way off but it has been too long since we've seen you!

Marcia's in. Hopefully 318.
Beth and Crystal, it's been way too long. I was waiting to travel with you again. Bring the flat Crystal too.

Now to save the pennies. Actually, the quarters.

In Anne signed on? I want to compare words.

Hi Lauri and Arlene! We have both been dealing with some health issues but we are looking forward to Shamrock in June. Bert is slowly recovering from major back surgery done several months ago, but I predict I will be posting some pictures of Bert and Ngaire on the dance floor. You know, if we get the rest of LCT to join us on this trip to Greenland, Karen can give away a teapot for naming the cruise and a Samovar to rename the ship (how about the B & K Explorer?)!

Sorry about the health issues

Ooooo, let's charter the whole ship! Surely we have enough LCTers to do it. ;)

George and I are on the 2013 Churchill to Greenland cruise, so we can scope everything out for you. I would love to go with the group, but I don't think George will wait till 2014. He is so excited already.

Rachel, You and George will be our trailblazers and prepare us for a wonderful cruise!

This is so nice Rachel will the the trailblazer like Beth said. Maybe George will love it so much he will want to come back

It will be so much fun to cruise with you again, Diane, and with the rest of this crowd. 2014 seems so far off, but then I'm having trouble wrapping my arms around the concept of 2012.

I am going with Rachel in 2013, else I would have loved to join you all! Too many other sights unseen to repeat that trip so soon tho.
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Helen

Yes, helen and I will be the scouts!

Yeah Rachel & Helen, Our BEARS Scouts!!!!

I just hope that this is NEVER on the menu...
http://gizmodo.com/5885202/this-inuit-delicacy-is-the-turducken-from-hell

Once, a cat food company sent my cat a sample bag of vegan cat food. Now everyone knows cats are not and cannot be vegetarians or vegans as they will get sick, go blind, and die. They lack the ability to synthesize essential amino acids from plant sources alone.
The cat food company had added all that as supplements to the cat food.
Anyway, I poured out some for my cat. She looked at it, turned up her nose, and gave me a look that said "I would rather starve than let that past my lips." I am thinking the same thing about this Kiviak. If they serve it, I will just lose weight and die if needed rather than let it past my lips.

I couldnt even figure out how you carve the turduckhen. Couldnt begin to figure out how to approach Kiviak. But thanks Laurie, now we know what NOT to order at the Inuit diner :ohmy:
-----------
Helen

Ngaire, over on cc boards; clc000 reported hearing from crew member on Silver Explorer that the 2014 itineraries were different. Any idea when 2014 schedule will come out?

:LCT:

Supposed to be early October Mark. I know Regent and Oceania are supposed to be first week in October as well..

No news?

Doesn't Mark Conroy's wife work for Silversea? Is she going to be at Hee Haw? If so, any chance we can learn more about 2014 Silver Explorer?

Mark - I am pretty sure that Mrs Conroy does not work for SS any longer, in fact I think for over a year now.....but I could be wrong. Can't remember where I heard, or more likelly read that, but it sticks in my mind.

Marilyn Conroy has been gone for Silversea for many years now and was with PG cruises but she is not there now either. She will not be at Hee Haw. My guess is a rumor I heard it will be December for Silversea is probably close to the mark since it did not happen in October. It is not just the Silver Explorer it is ALL 2014 Silversea Schedules that need to be released. They are REALLY late with the itineraries.

Ngaire, thanks. Crystal just released all schedules through April 2015!

BEARS is already waitlisted!!!!

Starts at $31,350 but hopefully that includes air.

I understand they have MORE waitlists than they had cabins. So they are probably sorting through to see how to assign what they have and will be working for a few days before we know anything.

My guess is that this is what they will do in the decision as to where the cabins are assigned.

1. Guests with many nights on the Explorer
2. Then guests with many nights on Silversea

Then they let me know who clears my waitlist on those parameters some of you will probably clear at that time.

There will be some attrition as people will not deposit. Then they give me the cabins they can give me.

I have sorted the list and the ONLY fair thing I can do to make a choice of who get the cabins is the people who have travelled with B&K the most. This is total time whether it is on a Regent ship, a safari, Egypt any trip at all. I hope that EVERYONE that wants to come is accommodated but at this point I do not know anymore than I have just shared. So no sense in emailing me and asking for more details I really do not have them.

It is possible I may get some bookings today or maybe not until next week. Good thing is I am in town so that helps a great deal.
.

I am updating things as I get news so the latest I know will be here.

ALL PRICING CRUISE ONLY PER PERSON WITH NO AIR
There is NO charter flight to Kangerlussuaq

If you take the air package they get you there from Copenhagen. They will NOT sell just this flight. Here is the website for Greenland air not found all the details yet but you would fly from Copenhagen.
http://www.airgreenland.com/flight_information/


Of course 100% single supplement
23 nights - August 9, 2014

Adventure: $31,350
Expedition: $33,150
View: $36,250
Vista: $38,050
Verandah: $44,850
Expedition: $53,750

If any of you seeing the pricing decide no, then please DO email me with that you have decided against the cruise as if you are not going that helps those who DO want to go.

Link to itinerary
http://www.silversea.com/expeditions/destinations/plan-expedition/?voyage=7418

For those not going on the BIG cruise, which other alternatives are being considered for shorter cruises involving polar bears?

------------------------

Eugene

Tromso, Norway to Longyearbyen, Norway
Date: Jun 27 2014
Ship: Silver Explorer
Duration: 10 days
Voyage Code: 7414


You will note this is also waitlisted in the lower categories. We have a waitlist in for 40 people on this sailing as well.

Just have to wait until they start sending us paperwork and keep our fingers crossed.

Thanks, but I assume you mean June 17 or June 27 because we're talking about 2014 not 2013. Or does that change things? I assume that the longer ones in July encroach on the 23-day cruise. I had thought it was a 10-day cruise, but I wasn't sure whether we had an actual data yet.

-----------------
Eugene

Corrected Eugene sorry working like a freight train today.

I do not like to use LCT to sell I was just talking to Anne about this yesterday BUT this is a cruise that really interest me too. NOT in place of the Northwest Passage or the Arctic cruise but as an additional possibility. I have always wanted to do the islands of Japan.

So if enough people are interested this is a possibility for an escorted cruise. It is a lot cheaper of course but also only 11 days not 23 days and NOT the Northwest Passage.

DATE DAY PORT ARRIVE DEPART
Sep 19 2014 Fri Otaru (Sapporo) 4:00 PM
Sep 20 2014 Sat Hakodate, Japan 12:00 PM 6:00 PM
Sep 21 2014 Sun Day at Sea
Sep 22 2014 Mon Miyake-jima, Japan 1:00 PM 7:30 PM
Sep 23 2014 Tue Hachijo, Japan 6:00 AM 5:30 PM
Sep 24 2014 Wed Torishima, Japan 7:00 AM 10:00 AM
Sep 25 2014 Thu Haha-jima, Japan 7:00 AM 4:30 PM
Sep 25 2014 Thu Chichijima, Japan 9:00 PM

Sep 26 2014 Fri Chichijima, Japan 12:00 PM
Sep 27 2014 Sat Day at Sea
Sep 28 2014 Sun Pagan, Northern Mariana Islands 8:30 AM 2:00 PM
Sep 29 2014 Mon 6:00 AM 12:00 PM
Sep 29 2014 Mon Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands 2:00 PM 6:00 PM
Sep 30 2014 Tue Apra, Guam, USA 7:30 AM

So while I am in the “selling mode” just thought I would mention the Navigator February 23, 2014 sailing. This is NOT an exciting cruise just the Caribbean for 7 days but starts at $2999 per person cruise only prior to onboard discounts etc.

For those at HEE HAW this is a good cruise to apply your Hee Haw benefits that are transferable one time if you book by November 18, 2012. Deposit is less than the certificates you get onboard from the cruise consultant.

Clay will be onboard as well because his friends at Hee Haw noticed this cruise and Clay has a group on already.

This cruise looks really interesting. Will discuss with George, but I have always wanted to go to Japan, and I know he wants to go to Guam and the Mariana Islands as he is such a WWII buff. And of course, the length is perfect for us.

We have asked Ngaire to put us on her waitlist for this cruise around Japan. Let's get a group together as this looks like a really great cruise and may get booked out very quickly.

Interesting itinerary and a good time of the year for us to travel. Tough choice between the Northwest passage and this trip...

Ngaire, I can't get the links for air to open on Silversea site. I am trying to figure out if we are in zone 1, 2, or 3. Does Silversea also charge more to leave from smaller airports?

Great circle route from Atlanta to Kangersulluaq is almost due north; going through Copenhagen is so far out of the way; alas, I don't think there are other options. Frequent flyer miles aren't going to be a good choice.

Like the look of this trip

Zone 1 - East
Florida to New York etc

Zone 2 - Central
Texas to Toronto Canada

Zone 3 - West
California - British Columbia, Canada

Smaller airports usually a deviation and therefore a charge it constantly changes I just have to email in to find out, the reservations cannot answer the question and i cannot inquire without a booking number.

There may be other options than Copenhagen but I honestly have not had any time to research this as I thought all along it would be a charter flight.

I know it is further but I will probaby still use FFmiles to Copenhagen and take the flight from there.

Not looked at coming home from Nome either.

Ngaire, thanks. I have only found the flight from Copenhagen. The reason might be as simple as no customs/immigration in Kangerlussuaq so you can only get there from a domestic airport such as Copenhagen. I am researching other options such as flight to east coast of Greenland and then domestic flight to Kangerlussuaq.

I have not liked ff options so far and paying for tickets is expensive. Silversea even at $2000 per person may be best way to do air.

BTW, Nome is only 1.5 hour flight from Anchorage so not too bad on connections.

We are booked on the Japan cruise. We are very excited about this cruise, we have wanted to do a cruise around Japan for a long time.

Carolyn and Don

Talked to George and he says yes to the Japan to. Guam cruise. I will email ngaire on Monday.

We are on the Churchill to Greenland cruise in 2013. I bought the tickets to Manitoba, there is a charter from Greenland to Copenhagen. Using ff miles to get from Copenhagen to Tulsa.

Northwest Passage Air

NO charter to Greenland for 2014 but there is a scheduled flight everyday departing CPH at 8.50 am and it is an hour long flight on Greenland Air.

Nome Alaska to your home town a piece of cake. Alaska air flys to Anchorage and then you pick up many airlines. We looked at a date in 2013 and we could get FF miles all the way from Nome to DFW. Amazing!

Japan Islands Cruise no worries with air. A quick check showed it will not be a problem there will even more options that those shown below.

USA to Sapporo
Connections to Sapparo from Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong and Taipei
American, Delta and United then connnecting airline
(AA and Japan air are partners)

Connections from Guam to USA via Honolulu, Japan
United and Delta fly from Guan

Yes, checked out the US to Sapporo and Guam to US connections. We will definitely be able to do with FF miles, no problem.

Just FYI my 2014 is becoming extremely full of the Silver Explorer trips.

I am going to be on the 8/9/14 Northwest Passage trip
I am going to be on the 9/19/14 Japan Island trips
I am going to be on the 9/30/14 South Pacific trip

The Northwest Passage I was told none of the 50+ bookings I had waitlisted would clear. Well lo and behold on Monday about a month after opening later I got a lot of waitlists cleared on the NW Passage. Many had made other plans by now including the Japan and South Pacific cruises.

I decided that I know it is going to be hectic wtih all these trips BUT they are all so special and unique and may not be offered again we are going to bite the bullet and go on them all. There are still some cabins for the Northwest Passage available.

Fastest way to get the news out is LCT I seldom do this but it sure is a great vehicle to spread news.

If it is ok with everyone else, can we move BEARS name back to Northwest Passage cruise? I will go start the revised BEARS roll call.

Ngaire, the Russian cruise in between Nome and Sapporo looks great; why don't you just stay onboard?

I love that one too in fact I am in love with entire itinerary of the Silver Explorer from August until it starts the Antarctica season. There is the segment that goes to Pitcairn Island and in the zodiacs they will get ashore.

Still have a business to run and already expensive enough so I think I have more than I should have on my plate already.

BEARS should be the Northwest Passage cruise this was the cruise that took the place of Churchill to Greenland.

We need a new name for the 6/27/14 Explorer 10 day Arctic trip. Based on all I am doing it is very likely that Linda and Ron will escort this trip but because i was going to be on in the first place the BK Escorted Rewards will still be offered.

Should I teapot shop and start a name the cruise thread?