bitob

Absolutely true.

I won’t have that much obc just booked a second explora cruise.

Don't underestimate this group!

Isn't Starlink being installed on QM2?

thx

The Caribbean has a glut of cruises. Paul will you join us in 2025???????

That's really close in time. Most lines let you reserve around 120 days out. Be interesting to see how this evolves. Is there a hierarchy for booking as on some lines? eg large suites book first?

I have searched to no avail. Is there a timeline when you can start making dining reservations? Eg 120 days out?

I agree. Although I have asked friends to join me on Cunard who do not own any kind of formal wear but who can certainly dress "smart" for the more casual nights. I advised them they could do room service on the gala nights and still enjoy the cruise.

interpretation -- again -- a well dressed guy with an untucked shirt may look more smartly dressed than the farmer I referred to. I think an untucked Tommy Bahama long sleeve gauze shirt (which is a dress shirt) is designed not to be tucked in and looks "smart." I think this discussion is hilarious. A lot of it has to do with fashion sense. We are on the Sept 11 b2b on the QM2 -- our second Cunard experience. I feel confident we will look great!

I think this entire discussion proves my point It really is not clear. Even dress shirt can be open to interpretation - eg. picture a smartly dressed guy in black dress pants, black blazer and black silk tee. He is smartly dressed -- looks better than some guy in a plaid collared shirt and chinos for sure (who might look like a farmer LOL). Some men (not my husband) wear collarless dress shirts (admit they are not truly in vogue now) that are considered dress shirts. My husband owns cashmere silk blend open collar long sleeve ribbed shirts ((no cuffs) that he wears under jacket or alone. It's dress shirt -- not a polo. I am not surprised that compliance is a problem on board.

I just googled “smart attire” try it many interpretations

Open to interpretation what you think as “smart” I may not think is smart very fungible. Not universally understood the same way by everyone

Imo more evidence of soft bookings from those who lost money. Not sure an extension will make a difference for many of those folks. It will help those who do plan to return get their 5 cruises in in a more reasonable time frame

Whatever it is called it is not formal Formal is easy i think most folks want to comply — there will always be some exceptions it’s easier to comply when the rules are crystal clear. I don’t think they are

Imo if the dress code for smart casual is open to so much interpretation, compliance is challenging and enforcement is difficult

Insane imo is this being enforced? my husband wears some very dressy long sleeve polos ( not remotely golf or sports shirts),sometimes with a jacket. Are these now forbidden?

We are not big drinkers so not a factor for us. Getting on 3rd ss cruise in July. Love it. We just got off seabourn. My least favorite of the 3 you mention. Life is good

He got off with us on the 21st in athens

Look for them in the shops on board the nc. Lol

Since I have sailed crystal and ALL the other lines in recent years (all in the last year) I can say unequivocally that the crystal crew is no different from crews I have met on other lines none are robot like all are caring with a sense of family they marry one another they love working together they love the passengers and see returning passengers as friends and family. — coming home they all share their stories and show us photos you haven’t seen crews as great as crystal because you only sail crystal. Makes sense your few cruises on other lines years ago are not a fair basis for comparison. Try those lines today. All have amazing crews

To say that only the crystal crew is “special” reveals the absence of any experience on other luxury lines. Ludicrous. On silversea we were family after 2cruises. Same with regent. Now on seabourn (without a butler alas) our stateroom attendants are so great we have bought them gifts in almost every port crystal does not and never did have a monopoly on special crew. Sail on a few other lines and you will find out. There are great crew members across all the luxury lines and no one said money is the only factor in deciding which ship to work on. But it is a factor. Just ask crew members who send that money home. See how they light up when you tip. Money is not irrelevant

I do. Many crew member support large families in their home countries. Tips are a very important part of compensation. I have no idea how compensation varies among cruise lines but I do know that tips do vary. It can amount to thousands extra over the course of a contract in some job categories. If you get to know crew well, as we often do, you will learn that for many making money for families back home is why they take these jobs

Careful You might be excoriated for calling anyone a cheerleader. Ok. Maybe YOU won’t. Lol

People keep saying it’s a new cruise line lol if that’s the case they are starting fresh you are right Personally I think their marketing people should be fired. So many things done wrong. Missed opportunities galore. This is just one more