Mahogany

17 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

We were disappointed in our cruise on Silversea Silver Whisper in January – basic veranda cabins are as good as Viking Penthouse, included excursions very good (better than Viking), and entertainment ok, but the food was just ok (not as good as Viking pre-Covid).  We haven't sailed Regent.

Interesting that you compare standard veranda on Silversea to Viking Penthouse. I had to upgrade on Viking to get space comparable to Silversea veranda and 200% for me as a Solo. I really like the Silversea Muse class, will be on Ray this December, and returning to Regent this month. Viking's dining room is claustrophobic to me and food mediocre, don't plan on returning. But we have all have our favorites, for me: Regent, SS, and SB.

I haven't seen any new promos on July 3rd. Anyone else?

1 minute ago, Mahogany said:

I too wondered why the OP hasn't responded to any of the 30 replies. Surely he/she will respond to "poking the dragon".

Well, not 30 since many referred to the dogs! 🐶

2 hours ago, dawntrdr said:

Curiously, when I read the same six words, I assumed it was a Seabourn fan (I checked the poster's profile) who knew this was a provocative topic and just wanted to poke the dragon to see if we'd bite.  And boy did we - each other.  

 

The fact that OP hasn't been back or even posted a reaction seems to confirm this.  OP, my apologies for presumption if that is off the mark.

I too wondered why the OP hasn't responded to any of the 30 replies. Surely he/she will respond to "poking the dragon".

9 hours ago, UKCruiseJeff said:

Aren't the responses a touch unfair?

 

I think the OP was simply trying to do what everyone seems to want of him.  He was simply trying to considerately  establish before making a booking whether Silversea is currently strict about dress code. 

 

If SS are currently strict then it would presumably be unsuitable for the OP. I think that is what he wants know whether it right and so as to not offend others. This topic changes quickly and by ship and almost day.  No sticky would ever be completely adequate.

 

It they  were not strict then it might be unsuitable for those that want the dress code to be more firmly policed. He made no request for anything to be relaxed for his/her preference but simply to be told what was currently going

 

Please stop being angry towards considerate people folks 🙂

. 

 

Isn't the OP is being considerate and doing the right thing for simply asking what is currently happening on a changing topic and therefore shouldn't he be praised and encouraged  for checking first?

 

Jeff

 

 

 

I don't think anyone is "being angry towards considerate people", Jeff. But most people when considering a new cruise line (to them) visit the website to check itineraries and destinations. On Silversea's website there are FAQ and General Cruise Information and Guidelines. They discuss the dress code there, and you don't even have to set up an account. Doesn't it make sense to read this rather than the myriad of responses you get from Cruise Critic posters?

21 hours ago, PinonNoir said:

 

I hate ties.  I hate the feeling of something even semi-tight around my neck.  Buying a shirt with a larger collar and then putting a tie on that same shirt looks lame.  I hate the Croats for ever having invented the damn things!

 

Wearing a jacket at dinner is not comfortable.  I get hot...I'm hot all the time.  It could be 60 degrees in the restaurant and I'd get hot with a jacket on.  I don't do hot tubs or saunas or the Arizona desert because I hate being hot!  I will never understand why people get hot on purpose?? 

 

A collared shirt and slacks look fine...if you want to dress up then do so, I don't care.  Being upset that I'm not wearing a jacket or a tie means it must be about "you", not me.

How many times do we have to say: NO TIE!

1 hour ago, J18ktleo said:

Thank you!

I've read on another line that people set their alarms to get up at midnite to book dining, is that the case here as well?  😗

 

Well, in Las Vegas, you don't have to set your alarm for midnight, cocktail time for you?

I just had a one-sentence post deleted as designated "Nuisance". I can't repeat it here, but it was mild in nature compared to other posts I've read - and therefore, I thought I could safely comment. I believe it was identified because of its brevity -   easy to spot rather than reading through a long paragraph. But I have been warned. Perhaps the post reviewers should spend more time reading through WHOLE posts, just not one sentence.

55 minutes ago, tv24 said:

Lulu is a cute white fluffy dog, very well behaved.  Her owner is indeed the woman who works in the jewelry store, and she is quite a bit younger than most passengers and seems to be quite fit with no obvious disabilities.  One fellow passenger who has had long conversations with Lulu's owner told me that Lulu is a comfort dog. And Lulu has been spotted in the Colonnade.  I am not a big fan of dogs on ships, but this one has not bit me (yet!) and is indeed well behaved.

Maybe a bite of a human will decide the fate of dogs on ships! (Only half-kidding)! I still think a cruise ship is no place for pets. I hate to leave my cat while traveling but arrange an in-home sitter. Why can't she?

2 hours ago, papaflamingo said:

Actually the names are all Royal Caribbean.  We, back in our younger days, sailed on Grandeur of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Splendor of the Seas.  Always wondered.... did the "namer of ships" at Regent come from Royal Caribbean? 🤔😜

Has there been a Prestige of the Seas?

2 hours ago, PinonNoir said:

So if I'm reading this policy correctly, my upcoming 10 day cruise (Norway and Denmark) has two formal nights, and eight informal nights, which means a jacket will be required for most restaurants and interior spaces for just two nights?  We're traveling for a total of 5 weeks, and I really don't want to pack a jacket that I will only wear twice.  Looks like I'll just dine at The Grill on two nights and call it a night afterwards!

 

It also appears from some comments that you don't have to wear the jacket while dining, just from the entrance to your seat?  So I'd pack the jacket so I can wear it for 2 total minutes?

Or you can ask the maître d' at Atlantide to borrow one! 😃

4 hours ago, tnm6217 said:

Thank you for sharing your perspective, @UKCruiseJeff! I learned a lot reading your story.

 

This is about far more than Champagne (or Crémant...or whatever) to me. If Silversea had decided the free laundry benefit, not the upgraded Champagne, was only available to guests with 250 sailed VS Days, my feelings would be the same. The terms and conditions of the VS program are clear and Silversea did not adhere to them. I sent my notice of disagreement under the mandatory arbitration clause off to Silversea's legal department today.

Just curious: since it seems to be your signature, what is "Covenant Cruising"?

Just tried. Something went wrong! still

On 6/20/2024 at 3:49 PM, Portolan said:

and, the "Prestige" is the first of 2 new ships.  Maybe the next will be the "Opulence"?!?

Or "More Prestigious"

12 hours ago, Dollybird63 said:

We are going on the Silversea Silveray and have been put on Deck 9. I know there are restaurants on deck 10, so is it noisy? 

You say you "have been put on Deck 9" on Silver Ray. Does that mean that's all that was available, not your choice? I agree with Port Power. You didn't say your suite number. The activity on Deck 10 may differ depending on the deck location. Also, maybe good/bad smells from food service.

5 minutes ago, jjs217 said:

I wonder why someone who needs a service dog would work on a ship which is not close to serious medical care should the need arise.  If one is visually impaired, how do they design jewelry?  If it is a comfort dog, again, why would one sail if luxury sailing requires the need to be comforted.  Are you afraid of water?  It's very confusing.

I think the answer is that this dog is not a service dog, just a personal pet with a fake harness.

On 6/12/2024 at 5:04 PM, morneau said:

Thanks so much Dave - that's good to know!

Bring your card! I always do on cruises, but so much depends on the itinerary. A port-intensive cruise with few sea days is unlikely to have players; a TA is ideal for play.

4 hours ago, Pies4u said:

Our experience on 1 Oceania cruise, Marina 2022, was that the variety of restaurants and general food quality was as good as Regent and, frequently, superior. Jacques and the Italian (name escapes me) on Marina provided food of a higher quality than we have ever experienced on almost 100 nights on Regent.

 

Sette Mari & Chartreuse are not in the same class, by a long distance, in our view.

 

There are other aspects of Regent that make it better vfm for us, including excursions, size of ship, Prime 7 and overall quality of service levels but there is little between the 2 on that latter point tbh.

I agree the specialty restaurants on Oceania are excellent, but the main dining room doesn't compare AT All to Compass Rose.

Interesting. I was on Venture in the spring for a month. Guess I will have a chance to see her again on July 25 when I board Regent Splendor and you board Venture the same day. There may be additions to the excursion options. When we tendered by zodiac, we then could join an excursion (many complimentary) or tour on our own. I certainly would have preferred tendering by Tender. A nuisance to have to don and doff a life jacket and tolerate wind and salt spray; also more difficult to board. But some may prefer "the experience".

1 hour ago, CruiserPK said:

We usually leave something for the crew fund.  If you choose to leave money for your cabin attendant or butler, you are missing those who washed your bed linens, stocked the drinks, etc.  There are so many "below deck" crew who we never see but need the extra money too.  Just my 2 cents.

Does anyone know how the Gratuities Included part of the cruise fare works? Do the behind-the-scenes staff benefit? And I read that the Crew Fund provides parties, not cash.

The videos are thorough. But I think he is particularly invasive to the privacy of the passengers he captures while trying to describe the public spaces. It's possible he asked everyone's permission, but I personally wouldn't want to be photographed. I was looking at the RCY YouTubes, and was surprised at how many "old" (my age)👵 people were on RCY! Of course, I wouldn't have needed to see their faces, just their gait !

On 6/2/2024 at 4:50 PM, TechSurfer said:

I'm well over half-a-century old. That change happened starting in the '60s and '70s, first as we destroyed all of our heroes and then as adults became more bratlike and less responsible than kids have been. And really it was overdue. If your "elders" are abusers, drug addicts, multiply-divorced parents or even just self-absorbed, why should their age garner them respect?

But our (older) generation does get a disproportionate amount of respect, because we have most of the money. 

What??? you are well over 50, but how much "over" to qualify as "our (older)" generation? And who are these elder abusers, drug addicts you mention? Not my family, thank you very much.

5 hours ago, Brad1185 said:

So glad we cancelled our Oct 1 Nova Japan cruise. This and dozens of other negative reviews has confirmed we made the right decision to cancel. 
 

Unless reviews change for the better will eat the $500 future credit we have with SS. 
 

We rebooked the Japan cruise with HAL got a suite with them and it’s about $15,000 cheaper. 
 

Our preferred line is Viking on a midnight sun cruise right now and the ship, service and food is perfect. 

If you think "Viking...right now...ship, service and food is perfect", why would you even consider another line, or a luxury line (Viking is not).

You say you have sailed with Regent and Silversea which also include gratuities. The policy/procedure is the same with Seabourn.

1 hour ago, Pizzasteve said:

Sorry for my typo.  I meant upcharges.  Claim to be younger but haven’t mastered my IPhone autocorrect.

 

Feel free to explain if they ever respond that they may have lost a chance with this frequency luxury cruiser to try their brand this fall.  Thanks again for caring enough to share your experiences.

 

I was at the Greek Theater in Berkeley last night and noted that the average age was quite old (70s), but also dancing and rock and roll attitudes.  Folks in tie dye smoking weed and dancing.  An elderly Wavy Gravy introduced the Tedeshi Trucks Band. These people pay $200 for a

concert and have a lot of money to spend, if cruises are/were fun.
 

I think it hurts the large cruise brands that they are all based in Florida and live in this bubble of assumptions echo chamber where they observe these retirement home Florida retirees who are stuck in some old age home mentality and think these are their customers.

 

It seems to be something like ‘too old to taste the food anyway, so if it looks luxury that’s ok)’, music should be something grandma played, don’t meet active older adults who live in the real world and hike 10miles per day like us, so excursions are designed around people overweight with walkers, etc

 

 

Wow, ageism lives!! I'm too embarrassed as a senior from Florida to itemize where I think you may be mistook!