dawntrdr

Perhaps they found that too many people were lining up at 7. And as a result, a mass of orders are coming in at the same time, which always means uneven service and even tepid food. If some folks got used to the early bird senior specials at home, go for it. That said, no way I'm dining at 6 - it would cramp my cocktail hour!

We were informed today that Tauck Savor has canceled the rest of our cruise effective tomorrow. Yesterday we were bussed from Budapest to Bratislava and thence to Vienna, where we are now. Tomorrow we will be bussed to Prague, the original endpoint. Those who have Tauck insurance have received new air arrangements. Others have been scampering to get additional nights in Prague and keep their own original reservations. Tauck has stated it will make a refund for the missed portions of the trip, but nobody is focusing on that right now. The Savor is stuck in Budapest and not going anywhere soon. The water in Bratislava was very high and swift. The water in the canals in Vienna has receded.

Currently on Tauck MS Savor in Budapest. Our news as of 9 am local time: We were supposed to sail to Bratislava tonight but instead we will be going 2 miles downstream and staying overnight. Tomorrow, we vacate the boat at 8:30 am and are bussed to Bratislava instead. We do our tours and then bus to Vienna where we will stay on land. Whether the boat will catch up to us by then, we wait and see. Tauck is handling everything very professionally.

Hi @tnm6217! Another month has passed... Any update on the champagne dispute?

There is a laundry bag and a form to fill out in the closet. If you put it outside your door by 9 am, they will have it back in the evening, except on rare occasions when they are very busy, then the next evening. Yes, you can send out laundry every day and pressed items come back on hangers.

When on the Nova last year, they did have the "Otium" products in the refillable bottles in the suite (rather meh as far as scent goes), but the public areas were still doused with Bvlgari White Tea, and quite strong in some places too. We were in a Medallion Suite and they did bring us the Bvlgari and Ortigia products upon request. They might be winding that down, though. By the way, I had noticed that since Covid, the veranda suites had Bvlgari Green Tea products, which is a lighter herbal scent. We asked for the White Tea products once and were told those were only in the fancier suites!

Based on the recommendations on this board, we took the bus in June. It was comfortable and the driver gave commentary on the wildlife and history. Always keep in mind that it rains a lot in southern Alaska and you may well have misty, cloudy, rainy and/or windy weather on your trip anyway.

So, a chocolate feast with everyone wearing white? Oh my....

I love fireworks, but I hope all the dog owners have left town.

I am happy to help! The "bridge sailing" label appears at the bottom of the map on the first screen or "page" of the voyage description on the Silversea website: The Marquis, where the Grille is located, has a covered part, a partially covered part and a open side. The Grille patrons are usually seated on the covered part. There are glass walls on the ocean side which cuts the wind a lot, and there are super overhead heaters. You will probably get the same Temps as Lisbon for the first week, so 50's F. I wouldn't dine if it were raining, but otherwise it's fine if you take a jacket (and they will give you a blanket too if you like).

The Silver Ray transatlantic leaving December 4, 2024 from Lisbon is listed as a "bridge sailing", so they will have an instructor aboard. Last year, I did the transatlantic on the Silver Nova (also a "bridge sailing"), and the instructor gave group lessons/lectures in the morning at least. As I'm not a bridge player, so I didn't personally see organized play in the afternoon, but I believe it happened just as you describe.

Shows are usually at 10 pm, so 7 or 8 would be ok. If you are concerned about 8, just make sure your server knows that you want to leave at a certain time. That said, we can all point to a time when the meal went on and on and we missed our desired window, but in my case it's been rare.

Two things missing from that job listing: learn about the product and provide value to the customer.

Does this mean that the Miami cruise consultant I have worked with for many years will be let go?

We have not been to Kirkwall but we did zodiac or tender to a number of small ports around Scotland last year on the Cloud. Every little town is right at the quayside and the local ferries and other shuttle craft land there. It looks from the map that this is true of Kirkwall too so you should have no trouble strolling right into the heart of town.

@tnm6217, how is your champagne arbitration going?

Welcome @Cruising Caribbean! I'm interested in what attracted you to SS... it has to be more than the laundry (although it IS nice). Are you looking for longer itineraries, smaller ships, less-visited ports?

Good thing George brought his lasso!

Here's more context about that invoice. It was for a discontinued model Replacement batteries now cost much less. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/chevy-volt-battery-invoice/

I think this is due to Hurricane Beryl, for sure.

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 don't think there is a no pet policy. RCI has made a big thing about having a "Chief Dog Officer" on Icon of the Seas: https://nypost.com/2024/01/22/lifestyle/puppy-gets-free-cruise-on-royal-caribbeans-icon-of-the-seas-as-chief-dog-officer/

Regarding your question about setting the alarm just to get dining reservations: I've never had a problem getting a reservation anywhere within a week or two of the 120 day opening - other than perhaps Silver Note (which is rather small), but even then, I got a waitlist which cleared once we got on the ship. Also, a percentage of the reservations are reserved to be available once you board: check with your Butler or the Food and Beverage manager or the restaurant manager.

And if the OP did settle for money as she seeks, there would certainly be a nondisclosure agreement so that she could not post about the settlement other than to say the dispute is settled, and maybe not even that.

Cruise Critic has now posted its ship review of the Ray. Apparently there are no changes from the Nova other than the artwork.