galeforce9

Probably not unfounded to have concerns now given current evidence. Let’s hope they prove not to be of concern in October.

Let’s have a topic so we can log what speciality dining is open by ship now and try and keep it up to date. Thanks for your help. Many will find it useful. I posted about this subject on the Arcadia topic just now but it struck me that many people are wanting to know this, particularly freedom diners, and it is a rapidly changing situation. I have to add that this is really important to me and one of my main reasons to book on Aurora in October (having sailed with P&O over 30 times). I was planning to dine in the Glass House every night, as we have previously. Let’s hope this visibility keeps the pressure up on P&O to keep these dining places open and sacrifice other service areas (eg a number of tables in select dining) if they do suffer unexpected staff shortages. Freedom diners shouldn’t be the ones constantly penalised by these misguided operational decisions. It can’t be acceptable to run at below usual staff levels now we are in the recovery phase and have dining options permanently shut or shut for months when charging full service prices.

I will be really annoyed if speciality restaurants aren’t back open soon on the adults only smaller ships. It’s severely limiting for people that have opted for freedom dining for this purpose. I can’t see why they have to be sacrificed amongst all the service options that could be cut due to staff shortages. To my mind that is benefiting select dining passengers at the expense of freedom dining. If I am forced to eat at a buffet at any point I could mutiny!

I was in the posh club and I’m not that old! I started sailing in my 20s

Seems very good timing to me so you can enjoy the fantastic sail out before dinner through the many islands of the archipelago, and similarly enjoy the sail in at a not too early hour. We did the same many years ago on oriana.

The couple of times we’ve been (latterly in late 2018) they did. They drop you near the big dried up river bed (admittedly that is very long - we usually go for a walk down it to admire the architecture) near to an old town gate, from where it’s a short walk to the centre.

And P&O have done this way back to my first cruise in 1997

That sounds fantastic

Have a great trip. Got back from Italy last night and it’s been low 40s for over a week of the two we had there and 35 ish the rest (Amalfi Coast). Think it’s cooling down slightly now you’ll be glad to hear! Look forward to hearing of your travels.

Can’t wait for your live blog thanks. Hope you have a good experience

Thank you for this update and I look forward to further posts

I disagree. A pretty island worth getting out and having a walk. Such a beautiful natural setting

I’d just walk around Rhodes town. Beautiful place. And have a beer out of a wellington boot in the square. If you know you know

Shell Beach is a nice walk for after lunch, through the town. A picturesque beach with nice rocks to clamber on, a bar, some loungers and no doubt some beautiful yachts in the turquoise bay, with green wooded hills above. I also walked up to the viewpoint above in a nature reserve and up the other end looking over Gustavia. Hot hot hot though

Hi. Usually not any tours. We took a taxi tour for an hour which we enjoyed. Pricey but there were 4 of us. 80 euros if I recollect in Dec 2019. We enjoyed it and saw a lot more of the island.

Interesting! I’m looking at quest early November vs dawn early November!!

Thanks SLSD. I too remember that which did give me some cause for concern and more than a little caution!!

Thanks cruiseej. That’s very helpful. Unfortunately I got the name of the ship wrong and my edit was probably too late for your reply. It’s silver spirit, which I believe has had an extra segment added in the middle with additional cabins. Your comments on the food and drink are very interesting thank you.

Hi. I’m not far off Diamond on Seabourn but have seen a Silver Spirit/ Hotel package for this Autumn that I quite fancy (Middle East). I really value service and top class food and drink offerings on Seabourn, although in a couple of cruises before Covid (late 2018/late 2019) I found this lacking in some areas. I would be very interested to know how some of the Seabourn regulars on here rate Silversea, particularly in this regard. On the face of it, the Japanese and northern Italian restaurants on Silver Spirit look to be our cup of tea. I like the look of the refit I wondered what champagne is served as house champagne and whether caviar is always available, as on Seabourn. What is better/worse iyo. Thanks

One cruise. Two articles… https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/two-weeks-luxury-realised-stresses-glitches-regular-life-make/

I thought that too Dan when I read it.

I think some do read cruise critic and put two and two together.

Were you posting live reports? Had you mentioned it to crew? Thats a clear difference if not.

Time to get my future cruise deposits back

Poor selection as usual. Boddingtons and John Smiths!