Jim_Iain

John - I have a feeling for the crunch down is caused by rogue Butlers that were stocking refrigerators in the hope of a good tip in violation of company policy and after everyone passing this on via CC it became an non-official practice and expectation. I don't believe I've ever seen this written as a perk and the price slips clearly state contents in the refrigerator are not covered by drink packages. Prior to Covid in CS we were always told that anything in the Refrig and the two big bottles were at an extra charge. Some butlers told us that most of the new butlers follow the company policy that don't provide but he wants to make our life easier since we already have a drink package. Maybe our expectation were different but even in a CS which we sail 80% of the time we never even considered asking for them to do it. Instead we would just pick up a can or bottle in Retreat or any bar.

I've been periodically checking the Le Ponant Webcam - https://us.ponant.com/le-ponant

I can tell we will probably have to go for the Raspberry and Pecan. Rasberry is Iain's favorite while I'm into all types of nuts.

Often possible but is dependent on Traffic. We were on cruise a couple years ago - Boston to Broadway TransAtlantic with an overnight in Manhattan. Incredible trip and we definitely came in close to Lady Liberty. It was incredible to view from the Helipad

While we are talking about promotions. Ponant also has a refer a friend program "Do you enjoy travelling with Ponant? Refer your friends and relatives and get a reward from our refer-a-friend offer. Sponsor and the person sponsored benefit from a $600 off per stateroom." I had our friends in Australia refer us. You do not get the $600 until you complete your first cruise then both you and a friend get a $600 OBC.

I have to agree it is incredibly generous and am sure it may drive some new guests to Ponant. On my Ponant Page I noted that it said I need XX more cruises to hit Commodore - I can't seem to find the number but it was quite a number of additional cruises. I'm happy they are protecting the top level.

Really enjoying your post. I feel like I'm aboard while you explain each of your experiences. Sorry to hear about the poor choices of food at lunch. Is this something that might be limited to Le Ponant due to it's size or have you experienced the same on the other class ships. BTW we are not big eaters and often just have Cheese and a Crusty Bread or Soup for lunch. I'm a hamburger addict so pleased to read you recommendations.

On my other thread on Celebrity some guests have really been giving me good advise on a walking tour of Makinac including the Fort, Governors Summer Mansion, Skull Cave and Somewhere in Time Pavilion. I also was advised that I have to find Wisconsin's Official Pastry - It's none other than the Racine Kringle. This Danish old world tradition has been the pride of Racine for over 100 years and takes its name from certain knots and cleats in Scandinavian sailing lingo. I will be on a mission to find one.

Thanks for the Clarification. They also list them on Ponant's site and really don't explain it well. Looks like they have something similar with Olsan. In retrospect when I calculated out the cost of the tours on our cruise the additional price is not a bad deal. I'll definitely take a read of you live post. I love living vicariously with so many of these good reviews. Obviously I have a lot to learn and really appreciate all the help and recommendations.

Wait until you see the rooms on Ponant. I of course haven't experienced them but they are beautifully designed and really look functional from the YouTube Videos I've watched. They have beautiful earth tones and look very well thought out. I've also drug my outdoor table in because the removed the Dining Tables and all they offered were TV Tables - On the other hand I loved the TV Tables for a desk for my PC since I could't get a chair under the desk.

You would work well. They often refer to me as NAA No A$$ AT ALL and I was one of the few that could fit in one. They eventually moved them to the Kids Club and replaced them with larger ones.

I was just sitting here chuckling - I was thinking it feels like After I cheated on Celebrity after a long monogamous relation for 23 years I decided I LIKE IT. Will Couples Counseling work and a reconciliation or will we agree to an Open Marriage.

BREAKING NEWS - I booked a East Bound TransAtlantic on Cunard last night in Queens Grill. Many of you know that they cancelled our Barcelona to Buenos Aires cruise for November 2024. We were stuck with a Mediterranean 1st half of B2B but luckily Celebrity allowed us to change it to a TA keeping all our onboard perks and no fees. I was looking for a replacement European with Silverseas, Azamara etc that would mesh up with the TA -- Nothing was available that I could find. Last night I decided to look at Cunard. I of course have no experience with them so surprised to learn they don't run week or even bi-weekly TA during October/November. I did find one that will get us to Europe about 2 weeks before our cruise. The prices are really much better than I could have hoped. I floated the idea by Iain and he said go for it. We want to visit his family in Scotland and possibly a week at the great place we rented in Lymington across the river from Southampton. Queens Grill Suite - This morning my agent came back with My rate to you is $8197.00 with $500 on board credit, per cabin. Cruise deposit $2215.00 per cabin. NO BRAINER - I JUST WROTE BACK ------BOOK IT.

Wow ... thanks much. I can understand how they might have to do that with all of the tourists.

She truly is. I was watching her handle a guest at a nearby table. She was very upset and berating the waiter about how terrible the food was. She came over and asked about the problem. The lady said the food was terrible and all she wanted was just plain 'ol English Food and none of this rubbish with sauces and ingredients I don't like. She politely empathized with her and said what exactly would you like and I will have the Chef make it for you. The lady immediately calmed down and the conversation became friendly and not another complaint out of her for the remainder of the cruise.

For some reason you have me chuckling imagining Iain on a Bike or even a horse. LOL

Glad you enjoyed. We booked an Infinity Veranda room for Iain's Sister and BIL and was the first time I have not only visited one but had the opportunity to play around with the windows, drapes etc. I do have to say it really gives the room more space and light. I think my favorite part of the E-Class is the two level walking/jogging track.

Thanks for all of the recommendations. I just copied it and sent to myself via E-Mail so I can pull it up easy when in Mackina. I think we will try to hit everything on your list.

I like that. I remember on our last cruise in Luminae's Huge dining room there was this one lady rather drunk with a REALLY LOUD Winy Voice and just very annoying even though we were 5 Plus tables away. The next night I asked the Maitre'd to seat us as far away from her as possible. At first he said which lady and then smirked and said .... Ahh.. I know who you are talking about.

I did book already. I chose Residence Inn. While we really love old hotels like the Pfister but our preference is either an AirBnB or an All Suites Hotel with two rooms and a kitchen. We don't always use the kitchen but it's nice to be able to stay in and have an oven to heat our Kringles. We are flying in on Saturday - 2 days prior to the cruise. We wanted to have some time to explore Milwaukee and also assure we are not affected by flight cancellations or delays. Earlier this year we got stuck in DFW for 1 1/2 days when all flights were cancelled by FLL being flooded and under water.

I'm learning all kinds of new things, I had never heard of Racine. I'm guessing we won't make it to Racine as it is an 8 hour walk one way (24 miles). Almond would be on the top of my list.

Thanks for the recommendations. I had never heard of one but now on my list to track some down for either snack or breakfast. The look incredible.

John, We have been similar up until now. Iain was interested in a river cruise but after seeing a couple on our last cruise agreed they were probably too small. I love flying in a 777 but would never turn down a trip in a Gulf Stream.

I think I said that I wanted to be respectful of the Ponant board as SOME of my post extend to over 50,000 views and 100's of reply. I really don't think this one for a 8 day cruise will run that long. Out of curiosity I went back to look at my last Live Post - but that was 3 cruises and a week in Amsterdam.

I hope you recovered quickly. We both had a really mild case. The night before the B2B I self tested for peace of mind and was negative. Next morning a 7:00 Am I tested positive. I thought it was a false positive as I had no symphtoms except a slight scratchy throat. Next day I self tested and was Solid Positive in less than 10 seconds. We each tested positive for 11 day.