Gourmet Gal

But that oaky trend is changing and many US wineries are producing lighter-weight chardonnays and completely unoaked ones now. Similar to the bad rap merlots were getting for a long time and now they are becoming more interesting.

There are some really lovely chardonnays out there that aren’t oaky or buttery but you’ll pay dearly. Peter Michael, Hanzell.

Thanks for taking the time to post a very sad review. I’m increasingly disturbed to read the many negative observations from recent cruisers. It’s becoming a doom loop with very few bright spots - the opposite of years past. Hope someone in charge is reading this forum and not thinking they can still get away with treating a very loyal clientele in this manner. I guess they think they can somehow impress a less sophisticated but wealth-off market segment. I’m boarding Spirit next week and will have to try to forget all I’ve been reading here and embark with a positive attitude and expectation. Hoping I won’t have to contribute to this sad saga that’s playing out here on this forum.

I thought you were on Muse?

Stickman, thanks for posting so much detail, especially the entertainment. We’ll be on Nova on a similar itinerary in 2026 and I’m just hoping the bean counters don’t nix the local onboard entertainment and the port send-offs by then. Whoops, maybe I shouldn’t give’em any ideas…

Sounds like they’re discouraging having meals in the stateroom. They really expect you to sit on a bench for dinner? What could be the reasoning?

Good to know. We embark next week in Civitavecchia. Any other feedback would we welcome.

So if there is only one chair in the stateroom then how does a meal for 2 work?

Thanks for the feedback. Just wondering, is there a sofa in the standard staterooms? Can you order meals from the restaurants to be delivered by the course to your stateroom? Did you take any of the ships excursions and how did you find the value, pricing?

Amazing little view from the rooftop.

The light colored jeans would be fine on any non-formal night, especially with a jacket. The black jeans might be too casual but perhaps choose one of the more casual eateries on that formal night. Keep in mind that just because others really like to dress up doesn’t mean you’re the one who will feel uncomfortable. SS doesn’t do anything to make a formal night special so it seems burdensome to me that there is this expectation to dress so formally. So glad the suggested attire has been relaxed.

No jeans probably does mean no jeans but the reality differs. My DH wore black Zegna jeans with a Bruno Cucinelli jacket without a problem on multiple formal nights. Dress shirts, no tie. This was on Moon before the revised suggested dress code. Correct on jackets at all times in La Dame.

Yes. You can transfer within 30 days.

There’s a great thread in Ports of Call here on CC that has all kinds of airport transport info with responses from a local.

Good question. I’ve been wondering if the rapid rate of ships being added to RCL has impacted how well staff can be trained and “onboarded”.