Mahogany

10 hours ago, canderson said:

Given where we will be for the first part, lots of Portuguese food? 😄  Arroz de Pato might be fun!

The first ports, Canary Islands, are Spanish: paella again?

2 hours ago, Port Power said:

 

Close enough to one hour.  It was thoroughly enjoyable.  I hope that I have the opportunity to participate in another class on this cruise leg.

Any idea what the theme will be for the classes on the crossing? 

2 hours ago, skleeb said:

That makes sense-new ship and good deals! Hey, I will be on the Dawn crossing with you, jollyjones. perhaps we will meet at the solos group? I also like pingpong and the trivia, so hope to see you on board!

I'm solo this time on the Dawn crossing. I was on her in September and looking forward to the SALT restaurant, bar, and lab, best part of my previous voyage.

Fiona

3 hours ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

 

The SALT Lab is separate from the SALT Kitchen restaurant.  I've not yet sailed on the Dawn, but the SALT Lab on the Nova looks totally different from the pictures that I've seen of the SALT Lab on the Dawn. It's a more enhanced decor, with a wall of windows and seating (counter stools) for use during the Chef's Table. 

Here are some pictures from when the space is used for cooking classes.  The stools you see against the windows and in a side area will be pulled up to the counter for seating during the Chef's Table experience (and of course place settings, lighting, etc. will be more conducive to dining). 
 

Are those stools comfortable, and is there knee space? Hard to tell. At $180 I prefer chairs with arms.

In any discussion comparing different cruise lines, the one commonality is staffing. In most cases, the criticism is: not enough trained crew. Many experienced staff members quit cruising as a profession during Covid. It could take years to bring staffing and professionalism up to pre-Covid standards. I think it is unrealistic to think that choosing a different line will provide you with superb service. The crew keep smiling, though, as we criticize them 😟

I have booked cruises this year with Seabourn Venture, Regent Splendor, and Silversea Dawn and Ray. Though I agree Jacques is an excellent restaurant, that's not enough to have me return to Oceania.

I recognize the drop in service over the years, and frankly, accept it for the most part. The alternative is, quit cruising (ah, no). For the poster on the World Cruise who said, "we rarely if ever complain", my advice would be: DO. If I were on that long and things weren't going well, I wouldn't hesitate to complain - often - and give management a chance to correct.

Interesting that the dress code issue seems to center on men, not women. Daisy Dukes allowed? Just kidding 😄. But I do have a serious question. What's with headwear? I'm more bothered by ball caps in the restaurant than jacket or tie.

We just cancelled April Dubai to Athens. My TA told me about a client on another luxury line RT Athens on October 18 that changed itinerary on October 15. And probably more itinerary changes mid-voyage. Back to the cruise drawing board for a spring replacement!

3 hours ago, scseas said:

I was within the free cancellation period as I had booked D2D. However, I asked Silverseas to waive the $500 admin fee/ FCC. They simply ignored me which has left a very bad taste in my mouth. We rebooked on Virgin Voyages which we find a lot more fun at 1/4 the price, especially for a Greek island cruise. The voyage also has an overnight stop which our Silverseas cruise lost with the schedule change. We will also visit Egypt and Israel on our own before the cruise, providing the situation has improved as that was the motivating factor of the original trip.

 

I also had a really bad experience trying to book custom biz class flights months ago before the itinerary switch via Silverseas. I ultimately decided to book my own biz class flights because Silverseas was too difficult to deal with.
 

Overall, I was very disappointed by these customer issues, especially given the price of the voyage. I’m not sure I’ll be back to Silverseas after how I felt treated by them…which is to say, largely ignored.

Were you using a travel advisor - or talking directly to Silversea (not Silverseas)?

50 minutes ago, Tallante said:

Well said Julie. I just find it amusing that there are people who have time to post these articles.  

Or time to READ these articles 😄

10 hours ago, notjaded said:

Yes.

 

We just cancelled this cruise (Dubai-Venice). Been there, done that. Don't need to the stress and uncertainty. Suspect that this area of the world will be very unstable for quite a while.

 

Good luck to all who still plan on going....

Were you able to turn deposit into FCC?

5 hours ago, jjs217 said:

I'm glad they ask.  I want my eggs Benedict medium, but then, I'm not a Grand Duchess.

Agreed. Though I like my beef rare, my stomach turns when I cut into a raw-ish egg in my Eggs Benedict order. Or hard-boiled. I've been served both versions, give me Medium, runny yellow.. Nothing to do with US health standards (?).

This could turn into a dress code post! 😄

On 10/24/2023 at 8:36 PM, njguy_south said:

Yes, I googled it. Always google it, but have found nothing, hence my question. Most people google. Perhaps we should stop using Cruise Critic and discussion boards and just google it! The pics for Vista Suite are only stock pics, and the one video is of the handicapped cabin.

Perhaps the reason for the video of an accessible suite ("handicapped cabin") is that these suites appeal to those with disabilities. After all, there are only 6 Vistas and 3 are marked accessible.

Has anyone heard whether we will be able to book in advance of boarding for Solis? Or only once onboard?

3 hours ago, lincslady said:

One would hope that they might carry on with the fried chicken and any other really popular dishes - they know how to cook them!  Probably with enough tweaks that TK could not accuse them of plagiarism, or whatever you might call it.

I liked the fried chicken, but that was just on the smaller ships, wasn't it? I heard they couldn't get a TK fryer in Encore and Ovation, which sounds strange. But can't the new chef semi-duplicate fried chicken?

On 10/13/2023 at 5:20 AM, Khareef said:

Yes I am saying that. Everything is dated, the design, the food choice, the food presentation.

 

Some people might like it old school. Food is not bad but there is nothing particularly remarkable either. The pros; It is spacious and comfortable and hardly any waiting times on the Venture since it is a small ship.

 

All the guests I talked too were a bit tired of the restaurant after the first week since the food felt a bit repetitive and the taste a bit dull.

 

Other lines, even in inferior categories, have much better food. As simple as that. The Venture strength it is in the peculiar itineraries and in the Expedition Team department (which makes sense since it is an expedition team 🙂). The ship is also a Beauty to look at! 

 

I think they can and should  improve greatly their food offering, regardless of the personal taste on the restaurant design. It is a competitive world and the competition is simply doing better than Seabourn foodwise.

What are some of your suggestions to achieve "the design, the food choice, the food presentation" that you say are "dated"? And who is the competition that "is simply doing better than Seabourn foodwise"? For example, Oceania has good specialty restaurants, but their main dining room is poor.

And please don't compare cruise ship dining to your fave at-home restaurant, not fair. Being on  Seabourn and Silversea almost 3 months this year gives me many opportunities to praise and complain - and dining onboard is important to me - but I don't compare the quality and service of a venue that is more typically comparable in size to a large wedding or convention dinner to a much smaller establishment with access to different and maybe better provisions and staff on land.

Let's not be unrealistic about what the Food Department on ships can do. Maybe if one insists on cruising, then just accept the limitations. Or not...🙂

On 10/11/2023 at 5:45 AM, Khareef said:

Indeed, that was my experience on the Venture (X2) as well. Food in the Restaurant was uninspired, they offer way too many options and that kills the quality imho. Plus everything is so dull and traditional, they do need a breath of fresh air, less choices, more modern presentation and food choice, less pre cooked stuff...I think it is a 6/10, most of the times I ended up having Sushi or eating in Colonnade where in the evening they have a small menu but freshly prepared.

Plus don't get me started on the restaurant look which is very very dated....

Things have really moved on in the gastronomical world, Seabourn is stuck in the 80es...

Are you saying the "restaurant look which is very very dated" was on the new ship Venture?

21 hours ago, zelker said:

 

I was told when we put it on hold last week that Visas are taken care of.  And this is from the website (under Book and receive, first line, to the right) ...

 

Maybe that's a perk for a GRAND voyage.

8 hours ago, florisdekort said:

Love TKG. Never book online before departure, always on board. Ate their >15 times on our 168 night world cruise earlier this year, never had the same menu item; there are always delicious daily specials. And despite all the complaining on here, it sells out every night… 

What ship was the World Cruise? One of the Odyssey class? The TKG is a lot smaller, and yes fills up nightly. Not so much on the larger ships, but that could be because of staffing shortage. BTW I LIKE, not LOVE, the TKG. 🙂

I called Seabourn today to ask why it was not possible to book TK Grill online or through a phone call. While onboard Ovation in April, I booked Encore for 25 days next spring. When I returned home I tried to book dinner rez, was told "unavailable at this time", called and asked if there was a new venue. "oh no!" was the answer, just book when onboard. I know all this, just called today to see if I got a different answer. Nope.

I know we've discussed this before but am just waiting for the first passenger to mention construction, or the appearance of a new theme in that location.

So, just wondering if anyone onboard now has any news. I for one am ready for something else without a "restaurant dictator" in charge.

On 10/1/2023 at 7:04 PM, crickette said:

Jawlaw

 

A few months ago we were in 1119, immediately next door to the stateroom you have.

 

There are very few staterooms in that section, thus the only people you see in the hallway are your neighbours. Extremely quiet because at one end there is a door leading to a balcony over looking the pool and at the other end the observation lounge. Absolutely no noise from the lounge or the Retreat.

 

We almost always used the stairs and because of the ships layout you are constantly going up and down and then along the length of a corridor to go any where. The ship is weird because they crammed in an extra deck without adding any height to the original designed ships of this class, thus the ceilings are extremely low. DH is tall and he did not like this feature.

 

1117 in reality is quite near mid-ship even though you think you are quite forward.

 

Depending on the seas you might get movement being on deck 11. For us, over 30 days on board Dubai to Singapore, movement was never a problem.

 

The waiters in the lounge knew us very well, provided excellent service as they saw us in hallway all the time. Other passengers who came to the lounge never came down the hallway. All they did was use the elevator.

 

This ship has weird doorways/hallways.  The doors are at a peculiar angle to the walls, and with the hallways being on the narrow side, you and the crew members will find it difficult to go in and out when carrying anything.

 

If sea sickness is not a problem for you 1117 is a great location.

I haven't been on Encore in a few years, but was on Ovation this year, same class. Don't remember low ceilings and slanted doors. Is that only on Deck 11? I too will be on deck 11 next year and now a bit concerned after reading your answer.

4 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

I have lost count of the times that a cruise company has put a spanner in the works and messed up a booking or details regarding a booking.

I don't have anything to do with a cruise company involving booking anymore.

I have my very experienced TA look after the whole thing.

I turn up at a reasonable time to board that suits me although I am considerate and don't turn up at silly o'clock demanding to board like the last time when two ladies tried to board the Pursuit in Barcelona at 09.00 

Us Diamond Elite folks get on without any fuss anyway.😀

Why do you feel obliged to often remind us of your elitism? 😬

Just booked, but switched from deck 8 because I was just below the zodiacs and worried that lowering them first thing in the morning might be a bit noisy (but not on 5 sea days!) 🙂

I am considering this repositioning cruise next fall, 5 sea days, then 3 Caribbean ports. 

My question regards the remote (to my way of thinking) location of the airport. But since it is a port stop, and non-Canadian passengers may be debarking as well as embarking, I imagine we will all get there. 

I posted a week ago wondering if there were many solos on the expedition ships.; now I'm more serious, and though expedition sailing is no longer my thing, I am anxious to see this class of ship.

Still a year off, but anyone else considering this 10-day voyage?

I have done both, and yes, they are both great. To me a main difference is that there is no hunting in Antarctica, so the chances of seeing wildlife are greater. I did see A polar bear on an ice floe, but some visitors never see one. 

6 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

The LP replacement

Now, that makes sense. I thought you were unhappy with the orchid!