ClefsDor

Has anyone else had their room assignment changed from one day to the next and then back again? We were allocated a stateroom and then I went on to My Cunard yesterday to check something and we had been allocated a new room which I was very happy with. Wish I had taken a screen shot as when I checked again today it had reverted back to the original room. Does this happen often? Is there a chance it will revert back again to the room allocation we preferred? TIA

A lot of luxury cruise lines allowed visitors with prior notice pre Covid. I know for certain Crystal did but it needed to be done 7 days in advance and lengthy forms needed to be filled in and submitted. Very thorough security checks were in place and it was a lovely perk to be able to host guests for dinner, drinks or even for the whole day.

Thanks gfs1ram for posting your comments, I did read your update the other day and it made me feel a little less apprehensive about Britannia dining along with the comments from others that we had nothing to worry about in terms of food quality or service. We're very much looking forward to our first Cunard experience.

We board in Perth in November for 8 nights but it appears that even though we are vaccinated and fully boostered that we may have to still test prior to boarding. I'm unsure what Australia's policy is at the current time in terms of cruise ships. I know that there is no testing required to board a flight to Australia.

Once again I am totally lost as to why people think I am somehow ridiculing or being insensitive to the crew? I have previously only sailed on Crystal - I am perfectly aware of how amazing the crew are and can be and I have the highest level of respect for the work they do and the effort they put into their jobs. They are on the whole truly amazing people. By asking a question about restaurant opening hours and saying I would be disappointed if a restaurants that is promoted as being open for lunch isn’t anymore - why is that a problem? If the gym was closed, some would find that problematic. If the panorama lounge wasn’t open in the evening some people would find that dsapointing. As far as I’m aware this forum is about being able to ask questions, express opinions and share experiences both good and bad. If we are at the stage of implying that someone is self absorbed and indulgent and who needs to have their every whim catered for then I guess I have misunderstood the function of Cruise Critic. I assure you most of what is discussed here are first world problems and cruising on a luxury line (or any line) is a first word privilege. I totally agree, Daveywavey that many people don’t realise there is a real person at the receiving end of their barbed comments!

Thank you for the very informative responses!

I'm not sure why you're implying I'm being disparaging about SS crew. I'm sure the crew on SS are as kind and hardworking as crew on most other lines. First of all, it's not a one-off decision. According to Facebook both Atlantide and Kaiseki have been closed at lunchtime over multiple consecutive cruises. If the reason was due to staff being infected with Covid it would affect only 1-2 cruises. Maybe it's a general shortage of staff? Maybe the passenger load on these sailing has been low so they made the decision not to open these venues at lunch? Maybe this is a permanent decision on the Muse going forward? The fact is we don't actually know, but I would be interested to find out. Will these venue closures at lunch ruin my cruise experience? Absolutely not. Will I starve? Hardly. Do I find it disappointing? Yes.

I believe on Cunard that unless one specifically asks not to be "upgraded" then all bookings are to some degree a guarantee booking in that you could be upgraded to another category - is this correct? Do normal guarantee bookings exist and if so what are the benefits as opposed to just not ticking the "no upgrade box". TIA

I had also heard from a someone on an Alaskan cruise on Muse that Kaiseki was not open at lunchtime and instead it was replaced with a sushi section at the buffet. However on Dawn and Moon it has always been open. These little discrepancies are irksome - a sushi section at the buffet is not the same as lunch at Kaiseki!

Wow, it's like finding Waldo! I better go back online and see that I didn't miss it.

Thanks, Terry!

It appears from the SS website that the first sailing for the Muse after all the cancelled Japan voyages will be Singapore to Sydney. Between September 8 and December 2nd it will be parked somewhere. We are on this first sailing. I am hoping the long layover won't have any passenger impacts. Full crew contingent onboard, all restaurants which are normally open at lunch and breakfast all operational etc. Have I any reason to be concerned?

Yes, that makes much more sense. Not to mention it would be impossible to schedule any last minute major works in dry dock especially given the logistical nightmare of current day supply chain issues.

Thanks, Alithecat - I will book restaurants accordingly and if the formal nights end up changing we can try and move things around if we have to.

I don't believe this has been cancelled? We are on Singapore to Sydney and there has been no mention of it being cancelled by SS. Why do you think it has been cancelled?

I think dry dock will be just a means of parking the ship somewhere rather than doing any major refits or renovations.

Thanks for the responses. I've seen the information on Facebook and it appears there will be 3 formal nights, 10 informal and 5 casual. But what I really would like to know is on what dates the formal nights will fall, primarily for restaurant bookings, and this I can't seem to find anywhere. The little bow tie isn't showing for any of the nights.

I've registered all our information on My Silversea and would like to know how many formal nights there are on our cruise. Is there any way of seeing this on My Silversea? I have gone on the daily calendar and there is no mention of formal, informal or casual nights. It's an 18 day cruise so I would be surprised if there are no formal nights?

I was just told by my TA that the Muse will not be doing any sailing to replace the cancelled voyages and will be going into dry dock instead.

Unfortunately on our cruise Britannia Club is fully booked and I am now rather worried about the quality of food we will encounter in the main Britannia restaurant! I have read several posts saying people were in an out of the restaurant in an hour or less after having 3 courses! This is not an experience we will enjoy and I hope we will be able to ask our waiter to space the meal out and not be rushed. I know there is the speciality restaurant for dinner (not interested in buffets in the evening) and out of the 8 nights we are on board we will eat at the specialty restaurant twice (if we can get a booking - I don't seem to be able to book until 2 weeks prior to the cruise) so I guess it's only 6 nights we have to contend with in the main restaurant.

I agree. To not be able to order room service from the dining room menu during the dining room opening hours is not what I equate with a luxury line. I think this is something that even premium and mainstream lines offer!

Thanks for all your responses. We have a US based agent and on some longer cruises it can make quite a difference in price if the drinks package and gratuities are included. Just wish it was available for Britannia Club as we may never splurge on PG or QG unless a really good deal is on.

I think I remember reading a post here that people who book Grills category staterooms through US based agents get gratuities and premium drinks package included in the price. Can anyone confirm if this is the case and if it also applies to Britannia Club bookings? TIA

I appears Silversea are going to replace the Japan itineraries with new offerings. Before I cancel the rare points ticket I managed to get from Sydney to Vancouver I'm very eager to know what those itineraries will be? Anyone willing to hazard a guess or two?

My TA has informed me that Silversea are planning on posting the new itineraries by the end of the week.