Gourmet Gal

I love aft-facing as well. The views are awesome but be sure to check how close the deck is to an outdoor dining or smoking venue. I was on a Princess cruise years ago and our beautiful huge aft-suite was right above a putrid smelling garbage bay. We couldn’t even use our huge balcony.

Cruise lines should take note of how sensitive pax can be when it comes to champagne. On another forum there’s a discussion about a pax seeking arbitration over a bottle of champagne.

I had an excellent private tour from Backstreet Guides. Tours are fully customizable but they made excellent suggestions. Our Japanese guide was incredibly charming and generous in sharing history and culture. I always prefer native residents who speak english well as opposed to ex-pats. I just find that authenticity leaves a more lasting impression.

Thought I would circle back for future inquiries. We ended up booking the SS Caravelles Apartment 2-day package and it was fabulous! The view was of more than 60% of the track including pit row, start-finish line, podium, first turn, tunnel exit as well as the spectacular harbor and beyond. Food and refreshments were wonderful and the apartment and terrrace were great. It was the best excursion of the entire cruise in terms of organization and execution.

Is this a 2024 trip or next year? Surprising SB doesn’t allow choice or changes to flights?

Is it possible to change your flight?

It was such a waste of food - I know, I’m no fun but I felt guilty for leaving most of it behind. I’m not into gluttony!

Nice review. I did the same cruise a few years ago but there were quite a few problems- some Covid related. Anyway, I believe the chateau dinner was in Uzès not Èze. Èze is in Provence nearer to Monaco.

Is this common that travel agents pursue arbitration with cruise lines? I can see where they would for a client but would it make it difficult to conduct business with them in the future? All this seems so unusual and I just have never seen an issue with a free perk be escalated to such an extent.

The S.A.L.T Chef’s Table is an additional venue on Nova Class only. There is still S.A.L.T Kitchen on Nova without a surcharge. Two different decks.

Right, so that’s 3 with a surcharge on the Nova Class. Which are the other 2 restaurants that carry a surcharge?

I understand your dissatisfaction with how the champagne issue and the spa pricing issues were handled but what kind of “settlement” should one expect? I’m sure you have no desire to cruise SS again so a future cruise credit would be worthless.

Excellent post but just wondering, which ship? I am aware of only 2 restaurants that carry a surcharge.

When I first read this thread I didn’t know what the heck a lanyard would be needed for. I’ve never seen lanyards on a river cruise. Have only cruised on Tauck and Uniworld.

I would certainly avoid a ship with waterslides though they are super fun on a yacht charter. Now I will also say the photo sales really annoyed me on past Crystal sailings because it was hard to navigate the scrum that surrounded both the photo venues and the display area sometimes. It also cheapens the experience. Does Crystal still have photo sales onboard?

Why is that a problem for you? If you don’t gamble you can just bypass the space.

So what did you decide?

The OP is clearly not a champagne connoisseur but she does know good service when she sees it. I don’t think she has a sense of entitlement but I can’t blame her for wanting to vent and as we know, CC is a good place for that!

Unfortunately SS is getting very mixed reviews right now and is not transitioning well after Covid and becoming part of RCI. Some might say its glory days are over but then Regent and SB are also not measuring up to their luxury reputations. So perhaps in comparison SS at least still compares favorably in the luxury category but the category has come down a notch. I cruise very occasionally as I do mostly land or air-based travel but I do enjoy cruising. I try to choose ideal itineraries for my DH and me. My last SS cruise in May was a great itinerary that included Monaco Grand Prix but in the end it was the first time ever I was glad to finally get off the ship. And it was only 13 days. I promptly cancelled another upcoming Japan SS cruise also with a great itinerary. You can read my SS Spirit review if you want details. I think you really need to love the itinerary with any cruise line to commit to a WC because it’s possible the sea days will outnumber the port days.

Even better, every group jet journey has a physician and they only consider ER doctors as they have such broad experience. They aren’t even necessarily retired but still working otherwise.

Thanks for taking the time to report your observations. Can you comment on the itinerary and any notable excursions?

Jimdee, you hit the nail on the head…so-called luxury line. In fact SS is now a wannabe luxury line and it’s beginning to sound as though it’s by design.

It’s really a shame that such a little thing can spiral into such a major issue that can derail the enjoyment of your vacation. It’s really just one mediocre champagne vs another. I learned a lot reading this thread. Good luck with your arbitration.

So now you’re waitlisted on SS? So either the ship is full of world cruisers or you’re booking after segments have opened up? Good luck.

They are not Pelotons but their spin bikes have cages so unless you’re a purist no need to bring cycling shoes.