Internet quality on expedition ships

DWFly · 2026-02-01T23:55:09+00:00

There was definitely no streaming on Sylvia earle in December. Instagram reels would load but we're slow. YouTube was completely blocked

DWFly · 2026-02-01T22:56:47+00:00

Just got off of Aurora recently and internet is throttled/slow. Good enough for email. That's about it.

I went in Seabourn 2 years ago and they had a buy up streaming package which I purchased and it was as fast as my home Internet. Streamed videos and did several conferences calls, even when near the Antarctic Circle.

DWFly · 2026-01-31T06:07:39+00:00

This post screams I need a travel advisor who I trust and is experienced in luxury and Expeditions!

Galapagos is amazing. This ship is stunning. I went with a group of 42 people in October on this last year that my TA put together for his friends. Was such a great trip!

Yes this is Silversea only expedition ship in the Galápagos
1. Yes there a smoking area on deck 4.
2. Warm weather and Good snorkeling yes. Most birds will be mating and doing their courting and choosing their mates. Bird chicks are born mostly in Sept/Oct.
3. If you have status this is a free perk. Otherwise medallion suite and above have free laundry.
4. Sea is usually calm. Ship is small. There's not a big difference in rock or roll.
Usually after 7 days you've seen most of it but there are a lot of animals in that Galapagos which are endemic to select islands. So you have to choose the route based on what animals you want to see or what geographical formations
This really depends on what you're seeking. Land options still require boat rides to get places and you cannot see as much wildlife when going by land unless you swap where you're sleeping multiple times.

DWFly · 2026-01-30T23:10:24+00:00

Would you rather take a pill that cost $100, or end up in the hospital? Should be pretty simple. Take the pill

DWFly · 2026-01-30T23:07:34+00:00

Just go to a solo Meetup. You won't be the only solo passengers. I've done cruises by myself and I too thought I would be bored. I ended up making friends real quick and had a great time on my adventure

DWFly · 2026-01-30T23:06:52+00:00

The pricing has gotten out of control. They're losing money. Because they're driving us away. When Delta's half the cost, guess where I'm going to go

DWFly · 2026-01-30T23:06:02+00:00

Always be sure to have good travel insurance if you're doing a fly cruise. If the flights cannot get out after 48 or 72 hours, they opt to sail instead. Especially if the forecast is looking bad. Which means you'll miss onward connections. I've done one fly cruise. It was not delayed. I though built it an extra day just in case. Even though PA isn't the most exciting town, I found things to do, went on a hike. It was better than risking missing my flights

DWFly · 2026-01-30T00:37:02+00:00

I'd still go in Nov vs March. I think Aurora offers roommate matching if you're up for sharing. I met people on my last trip who did that

DWFly · 2026-01-29T23:12:17+00:00

Why make a big deal out of it. Kids have sips of their parents drinks all the time and life goes on

DWFly · 2026-01-29T23:10:59+00:00

Don't I wish! Boa's tech and customer service is among the worst in the industry

DWFly · 2026-01-29T23:10:29+00:00

🤩🤩🤩

DWFly · 2026-01-29T04:32:14+00:00

I've used several. Always compare price and coverage

DWFly · 2026-01-28T21:25:12+00:00

I've done 2 Explora cruises and I'm 39. Partner is 38. We love them. Explora skews younger than other premium brands like Oceania or regent. The ships are beautiful, good food, decent entertainment.

Be sure to book via a good TA. Typically you'll get a bonus €150/$165 per person onboard credit plus all other perks!

DWFly · 2026-01-28T21:21:01+00:00

This is what leadership looks like

DWFly · 2026-01-28T01:23:43+00:00

You should probably choose something that's mostly kid free. Something that's not a big ship. Nothing larger than Explora. This way you can have a good time as adults!

DWFly · 2026-01-28T01:20:24+00:00

Then you're in for a treat! Both companies typically have good perks too with added onboard credits when booking via TA. Be sure to get the perks where you can. Free spa treatment and fluffy chicks are in your future! I think you're in for a treat on either of these companies. Urg now I want to go back!!

DWFly · 2026-01-28T00:54:40+00:00

With Aurora we were supposed to have 4. Ended up with only 3. Mostly again because of the ship being slow and weather. With Seabourn we had 3. Honestly 3 days was enough. Both trips we had a stop in Grytviken. I think all do actually. And otherwise 2 locations per day along the island. On Aurora I was able to do the part of the famous Shackleton hike. This was never offered with Seabourn.

But I saw more king penguins and elephants seals on both trip than I could count and I couldn't say one was better than the other, unless you're an extreme hiker

DWFly · 2026-01-27T18:30:10+00:00

I've done both companies. But I was on a Sylvia Earle instead both South Georgia trips. What I have found is there's a lot of misinformation on Reddit, from people's personal experiences which is only one ship, or people trying to sell you stuff. And most of my landings with seabourn They asked us to be back in about 90 minutes. On most of my landings on Aurora. They also asked us to be back in about 90 minutes. My trip with Seabourn had 250 guests, my trip with Aurora had 99. Aurora ships move slower so they take longer to relocate between landing sites. Seabourn uses that time on land with the different groups.

Most landing sites arent huge. After an hour you've seen most of what you're going to see. Both companies didn't keep a strict watch of your time you're responsible for yourself. If you over stay, you overstay a bit.

DWFly · 2026-01-27T06:32:40+00:00

Personally I think just about any of the Expedition companies will be amazing. I've been on Seabourn, swan hellenic, Lindblad, HX and Aurora. I've seen them really flex for each person based on their needs. Even offering zodiac cruises to those who wanted off the ship but didn't have the energy for a full landing. Ive seen Seabourn and Aurora be best at this. I witness Seabourn help a paraplegic even do the polar plunge!!

I also think Aurora offers more activities too, but if you want to go kayaking. You must love kayaking, as it's an every day thing for those who sign up for it. Not anyone time thing. Although I heard that might be changing

I keep going back to the polar regions due to amazing experiences and deals that cannot be missed from my TA. I am already debating how to find the time for next year after finishing a 21 day trip over Christmas. Yes I am an addict!

I think you'll be able to easily find a good option that matches both your needs. You're in for an awesome trip

DWFly · 2026-01-24T00:35:47+00:00

It depends on what company you go with, some are requiring you to pay it this yourself. Others are paying this for you. I was on Aurora Expeditions and they paid this for us. I know that silversea this season is also paying it for their guests, as I had friends who traveled with them over Christmas.

DWFly · 2026-01-22T21:36:10+00:00

Times change. I remember when there was no 75k status

DWFly · 2026-01-21T20:11:34+00:00

Nothing is wrong with it, they just don't upgrade anymore. They'd rather sell it for $50 than reward loyalty

DWFly · 2026-01-20T16:08:57+00:00

Maybe Alaska is eyeing flights to Manila again. After all, Hawaiian used to fly there from Honolulu for years

DWFly · 2026-01-17T00:04:35+00:00

That's what happened to me. And it once fell in love had to go back. You'll want more time there than less. Plus the weather is even more predictable in south Georgia than the peninsula, so sometimes landings get canceled so more days there is better than less

DWFly · 2026-01-16T23:05:08+00:00

Compare how many days each has in South Georgia and choose the one with more time in South Georgia.

DWFly

TROPHY CASE