RetiredOnVacation

That's interesting to know! However we also avoid 1000+ capacity ships - just don't like to be around so many people especially boarding/ports etc, and much prefer the 400-800 passenger class but with high space ratios. So 1400 or so on the newer O ships explain the greater choice of venues, due the greater capacity, but wouldn't work for us, but thanks for your info! Guess you won't be seeing us on O!

Actually that dress code is already in place on all the 'ocean going' fleet except Shadow, since April 21st (aligning with Nova). Shadow (for some reason) doesn't adopt this until the May 26th date you mention.

Actually a posh uber!

In the Grill on SS, you're likely cooking your own steak at your seat on the hot lava rock, so it's down to you how that's done, although the accompanyments are more basic than chef prepared and plated meals. It's more casual and home bbq, so maybe not so comparable to more formal RSSC Prime 7?

For us it's not just cabin size - though that is what you're spending a good deal of time in, so you'll want comparative cabin sizes; it's more the space ratio (defined very well on cruisemapper). Not been on O so can't comment on how it actually feels, but comparing a typically similar passenger capacity O ship to SS ship (ie. O Insignia/Nautica, with SS Dawn/Moon) cruisemapper has space ratio of 38 for O, versus 56 for SS. Far more space per person on SS and that's an important consideration for us worth paying for!

Hi Alexandria - just interested to know - that Seabourn cruise, was the previous call within the EU, and did the cruise start in the EU without any other non-eu calls? I rather thought that if you'd already visited intra-EU that the immigration officers only need to see the ship's log to confirm you've not exited the EU! Or am I overthinking it?!

@Lonedaddy we visited Valencia June last year with SS and yes there was a shuttle bus (just walk up, no need to reserve), but the town stop they went to was on C/ de Santa Rira near C/ de la trinitat, some distance from the old town on the opposite side of the dried river bed. It wasn't very central for sightseeing - we walked down the river bed to the awesomely impressive Les Arts complex and got an €13 uber back to Port from there as we were so far away from the shuttle pickup stand!

Maybe try emailing Silver Shore Concierge shoreconcierge@silversea.com (they're based in Monaco office). Not sure if they will reply to that email (I've received shore excursion changes from them) but worth a try!

Yes but I mean that, under supply and demand, there will likely be fewer cabins remaining available on that particular cruise and so they don't need to reduce so much by promotion (or even include a cruise within the promotion at all, as is the case with one of our future ones). And of course I'd expect cruise fares (and airlines & travel generally) to have risen from 2 years ago: the travel industry exiting from restrictions at that time and a lot has happened in the global economy & geo-politically since then. I'm sure all lines will be increasing pricing for the same reasons not just SS in isolation. SS say Book early for the best fares and availability. Our fares are structured to reward guests who book early with the best possible fare, and CC boards confirm this - that seems to have worked for you! Atb

You can also spend in the boutique, so maybe some nice new clothes, SS merch, or some jewelery maybe! I 'think' also, that any remaining OBC could be passed to the crew fund, rather than losing it.

I think it'll be very refreshing to hear the views of a first timer like yourself. There's plenty of cruising old hands on here that remenice, compare to different times, or nick-pick (no offence to anyone!). Can I ask are you travelling with a better half or solo? Welcome to cruising I'm sure you'll have a great time and hope that you do! And welcome to cruise critic too!

Thanks that's real good knowledge!

I see on the Monaco GP websites that you can't take in reusable water bottles (such as those supplied by SS in suite) and plastic bottles have their screw caps taken by security (much like music venues I've been to). At least previous years - anyone any other intel?

Is there food and drink within each grandstand area, or do you need to go to further afield within the track?

Just checked - and it's not Formal Optional across the Monaco stay - no jackets or ties required, gents! 😊