Oceangoer2

I considered checking insurance for payment but the ship refunded as soon as I cancelled... good question.

We cruised 2 weeks ago. I visited ship's doctor on the 2nd day, rec'd antibiotics and had to cancel next 2 excursions with full refund. Is this 48 hrs policy new? I agree if they don't consider legitimate illness a refund factor there will be a mutiny around GS desk...LOL.

Our experience also. Special MDR lunch can be missed; Oceanview buffet works for us and we enjoy dining on the connected aft balcony. Cancelled canapes....too much food all around us to nibble on plus 3 meals! Removed one temptation...LOL. Never do drink the Sparkling wine... on the counter when we left..hope our steward took it. No tendered ports on this cruise. Only reason we have for booking Concierge is our cabin on a higher deck in a good location. Have to rethink booking C class as it's several $$s more than Verandah for not a lot of ROI.

Our bed configuration last cruise and almost every other was twin as we requested on the main webpage of our booking. Yes, limited to split...they can't move the beds due to other permanent furniture placement.

Right before our cruise! Let me know if you think about it a year from now, how you liked the cabin space, etc. Would be the 1st time on E class for us. The lounger is a big thing for me....I wake very early and move out to the balcony with pillow. Those dinky chairs won't do it.

Sorry....I wasn't clear....by next cruise I meant MY next cruise on the Apex Jan. '25, a year away! Take care of the cabin....that's what we've booked....LOL.

We also have the 9th deck, middle SV cabin, booked on the Apex next cruise. Please let me know if it's a 'hassle' asking for a lounger. Posters here have said that some seem to be accommodated and others not on SV E class.

Sorry you feel that way and somewhat snide comment aside........missing a few shows will not diminish anyone's cruising vacation. Just might disappoint those who enjoy watching that type of entertainment....we're definitely all different in our expectation. Silhouette is lovely and refurbishment has improved her, but she's not much different than any other S class ship. It's all in the experience and the cruisers positivity.

True. The cast is brought in to a studio in Miami and learn, rehearse all shows for approx. 6 wks. prior to sailing. There's more to learning a show than 'steps'; takes quite a while to learn the choreography, placement, partnering, etc. We lived this for many years prior to our daughter's choice of (temporary) career after university. The CD mentioned the acrobat rigging isn't available until they board the ship. That is reasonable, but the rest of his 'reasoning' isn't. So in effect we were told a long story which could have been accepted better if he had said..."the following cruises are 4 nights and only require one production show". IMO, Production shows are more lively than a group or one singer, although we enjoy all types of entertainment (usually).

We had a personal phone discussion with CD Mike re the lack of production shows. Our daughter was an entertainer and we followed her on various lines. We know from experience there should have been 2 or 3 during our 10 days at sea. His explanation was it was a new cast, no time to rehearse, etc. My DH mentioned they had the Atlantic crossing to prepare (British cast) as well as the preceding short cruise(s). I think the real answer is that now the Silhouette is doing 3 and 4 night cruises and they won't need any more than 1 production show, filling other nights with magic/singer/trio etc. And yes, they had one Trivia show in the sky lounge...most others should have been there as well, as it attracted a number of cruisers, but not so in the Atrium etc. Anyway, all of the 10 days were somehow lacking compared with prior X cruises for us. JMHO.

If you were on the Nov. 20-30th sailing, we felt it was 'off' as well. The entertainment particularly. Only one production show. Dining was just OK; menu didn't impress. Full ship affected service and very crowded everywhere. Can't put my finger on why we felt it was a 'nothing' type of vacation.

We first sailed on Horizon which was a wonderful experience (even sans balcony 😉). SOME of the 'classy' touches have been removed...small things IMO and not possible to keep up on larger ships. Still our favourite line; other cruise lines have changed as well over time. BTW...there have been many posts here re those sailing prior to M class and how they've seen these changes. We've been CCritic members since we paid a membership and that date isn't reflected in this profile...so I guess we know whereof we speak re experiencing X change not decline.

For those concerned with Port Everglades weather Sun/Mon........Rain and wind subsided...should be ok for Port arrival...

Testing and training on the way over no doubt.

XL.....extra large...😄

Best to have accepted Marketing emails but you don't have to receive an email.....go to the website, log in, select Manage Reservation, scroll down to Move Up.

Does this Verified Traveler Program work in tandem with Nexus? or is it for those without Nexus and has a dedicated line if they're approved VT's? Don't want to get into the wrong lineup next week...LOL.

I wouldn't mind the latter but usually, over many years, it was some kind of fish every single day. Past few years we asked for cheese/crackers which have always been provided after letting our attendant know our preference. In future, maybe I should wait for first day and see if now they provide a nicer snack than fish with crackers.

Shouldn't be hard to enforce if the parents did so.

Helpful to know....what did they do on the last night to fix it??

Many were laid off....according to my CVP (who wasn't) they only employ 10+ now to handle their own and the laid off CVP's clients. All else are directed through the NEW general CS dept located offshore (can't mention where). I understand now why emails and phone calls take time to answer.

Perhaps the poster is confusing X with another line which does offer wine with lunch and dinner....such as Oceania.

Best to check cabin availability for the class you're bidding on. My move up bid is still showing 'pending'...with no cabins available 2 weeks before sailing. Will no doubt receive a 'rejected' email. Good luck with your bids.

I think it's the US government possibility of shutdown in Nov. which can affect airline controllers, cruise ship shore employees and others.

So now you're expected to outbid the (unknown) bids without a slider?