canderson

Old, OLD argument. Let me try to put it to bed one last time. To answer your question, no, not much, but it does show your disrespect for the line's business model, and in some fashion, those who might have chosen the line because of it. Let's assume for just a moment that it is Silversea's intent to attempt to differentiate their product from others by, among other things, continuing to cater to those who still enjoy this style of dining, and hope to capture that segment of the cruising public by doing so. Who are you to object?

$45 (or $50) is ridiculously low. We're just within Blacklane service range here, and any decent car service is going to charge more on the order of $200 for private service. Even a shuttle bus costs more than that for 2 people.

Interesting. Hadn't noted the meaning of that expression. First time I've run across it. As to chemicals, our local outfit says "Our dry cleaning solution is also NON-TOXIC and environmentally friendly so you are safe from harsh chemicals and bad odors." I wonder if that's "wet cleaning" or ??? That certainly relieves the packing burden. I wonder what they have been doing for us on Celebrity all these years when we send the butler off with a load of "dry cleaning"? Seems to have been working acceptably.

Also new to SS with our first voyage with them this Fall. Looking into one of these extended voyages as well, and in my review of even the newer (except for Nova) ships, see no reference of onboard dry cleaning service at all, only laundry. Am I missing something? That could certainly impact how we would need to pack on a more formal line like SS.

I talked to our preferred service here, and they don't work with Blacklane. Anyone know who they use for Denver airport service?

21 days total and no dry cleaning service aboard ... we'll probably need our OWN bus given how "we're" likely to be packing. We've had issues with taxis at the FLL port with 4 suitcases. Sounds like we'd best arrange our own transport. We've done the bus thing and IIRC, the drop off isn't always very conveniently located to the UA ticket counter.

We will also be disembarking in FLL at the end of a TA this Fall. What sort of transfer does SS provide to the airport with D2D service?

Heck, that would be a major step down from Celebrity's little "Sushi on 5" cafes. All preped fresh there. If they try to serve that to me on Dawn in November, there will be a "conversation".

Unless you choose to go in 4 nights early instead of their maximum three. Then you're on your own to sort the booking for the 1st night at the hotel and they'll still hit you for the $150 deviation fee. We have no direct post-cruise experience, but I'd imagine there are similar limitations on that end as well.

Hope there's more to that decision than main dining room experience. We were on the first two cruises of the restart for Constellation (another M class ship) in a Royal Suite (~ comparable to a Silver Suite), and dining experience was the best we've had on Celebrity in years. Our most recent on an S class was almost as good.

Interesting business model, but doesn't explain why the agencies feel themselves entitled to the 'float' for some number of weeks or months. Sounds in part like a legacy from decades ago when credit card transactions weren't practically instantaneous.

Interesting. Here, my agent keeps my card on file, and my phone doesn't beep to indicate a charge has been made (a bank feature I love) except for the initial deposit with the line the day we book the reservation, and on the day final payment is due. My charges are shown as directly from the line, not the agency. Perhaps latency is a bigger issue elsewhere, but my bank usually beeps my phone within ~10 seconds, usually less, of processing any charge, such as at a restaurant or Home Depot, anywhere here.

Are you saying that it's typical in the UK for one to pay the agency, and have the agency hold the money for some period before paying the line? That's generally considered a huge red flag here.

Any honest agency doesn't act as a pass-through for the fare ... deposit and final are paid directly to the cruise line. I'm guessing that's the sort of situation you're describing.

33"? Strange size. Not US, UK, EU or Aus!

A U.S. twin is 38", and a queen is 60".

Makes good sense. We haven't been asked about food allergies (at least not yet). Is that done onboard?

New to SS this Fall. Why, at Atlantide, were you asked for your suite number?

About 20%.

Not if you book 1 day ahead of their normal 3 day stay, as I've just found out. We wanted 4 days pre-cruise in Lisbon, and had to book the 1st hotel day ourselves and had to pay the $150 deviation fee. No big deal, but annoying all the same.

Was just quoted $5702 (for 2) from Allianz for our SS cruise this Fall, will accept contract up to final payment date. Need to see what that covers, though pre-existing (which neither of us have at present) seems to be included.

In which cabin class? Seems this is sometimes a deciding factor. Also, what time frame?

Wasn't it COVID that had all the meals there Chef prepared? Remember reading that somewhere here. They may just be going back to 2019- protocols. Was self-cook optional pre-COVID?

The occasional dinner on your own veranda, if the size and furnishings are suitable. Rumor has it that it's served by course as well. We definitely plan to try it.

Worried there might only be lutefisk for the appetizer every night? 😄