Gourmet Gal

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”.

Wonderful account of this unusual itinerary. Does anyone suspect the lunch ashore as the GI culprit or did SS cater that, too?

As I recall it was better than hotel laundry pricing. No matter the cost it’s always worth it to be able to travel lighter. If you can afford a Uniworld cruise then their laundry prices shouldn’t be a problem.

Perhaps not short enough.

I don’t understand the Marquee area either. I’ll be on Nova circumnavigating Japan in late March, April and that area could be vastly under-utilized. Some sort of retractable roof would have made more sense. On rainy, cold evenings there will be more pressure on the other dining venues. Spa and gym space should be a no-brainer now and for the past 20 years.

We have a D2D in 2 weeks and after arriving several days early we’re thinking about booking an early, short private tour before leaving the Rome SS hotel to transfer to the port. Does anyone know typically how early SS has the transfers arrive? I believe it’s a 90 minute drive to the port. The stated embarkation time is 2:00 PM - so does SS have busses arrive then or prior in order to pace the queues?

What a great trip review. I just noticed this. Really appreciate the detail on Sydney - I’ll be there for 3 days next Spring on an around-the-world jet trip with Four Seasons. Of course we’ll be staying at Sydney FS but this one sounds like a fairly basic hotel. One of the excursion options on that trip is the Harbor Bridge walk and your conclusion was the same as mine…if I could walk it at my own pace rather than shuffling along with a group then maybe I would consider it. We’ll be taking a sea plane to a pretty lunch spot instead! Sydney looks like a beautiful city.

A tie is completely optional on any night.

Good to know they maintain such nice wines for the 100 or so people onboard at any given time!

Thanks for posting this. The menu definitely has the elements of a Kaiseki meal with the difference being in the service. Rice is a separate course in the traditional Kaiseki dinner. Good to know about the sake.

Flyers, thanks so much for the details of this interesting itinerary. Just a couple quick questions…my Japanese friends have taught me to steer clear of hot sake. Sake is usually served heated when it is of poor quality. Are there any better or upgraded sakes available in Kaiseki, such as ginjo or daiginjo? Also, is the meal an actual Kaiseki dinner with all the traditional courses and seasonal garnishes (6 courses or more)?

Bean counters at work. That’s really penny-pinching.

Wow, if Albergo Senato is #1 I’d hate to see the rest. It’s very basic though the location is really great.