bohaiboy

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Great idea, I always assumed it had to be on the entire cost of the trip up front

We sail SilverSea quite often. When we booked onboard recently I asked about insurance as most insurance companies require one to book within 15 days of initial cruise deposit. The agent said SS (who I believe uses Allianz) will cover pre existing conditions as long as purchased prior to final payment. A lot of our cruises run well over $20,000 so it’s quite a hefty policy to pay ahead sometimes 2-3 years in advance anyone know of independent companies that cover pre existing conditions but don’t make you pay a gazillion dollars at time of cruise deposit? Thanks all

Has anyone booked with Faye? Their prices seem really good and maybe it’s bc they are a new company and trying to drum up business. All of their terms and conditions and coverage amounts seem to be in line with other companies. TIA

SS speakers, lecturers etc is nothing like what was available on Crystal. We did one cruise before tehy folded and were quite pleased with the speakers and educational enhancements onboard. Have never seen that on a SS traditional sailing.

Here is what I received from SS directly ENHANCED SUITES ON SILVER ENDEAVOUR Silver Endeavour’s inaugural season in Antarctica has now concluded and she will soon depart the Seventh Continent for more northerly latitudes. Since November, Silver Endeavour has pushed boundaries in expedition cruising, becoming the season’s first ship to cross the Antarctic Circle. Now, in preparation for the Arctic, Silver Endeavour is set to evolve yet again. Enhancing her onboard experience for your enjoyment, we will introduce 10 spectacular suites. Elegant, spacious, and light-filled, these accommodations will connect you with the world like never before. DISCOVER MORE MASTER SUITES Ultimate destination immersion with uninterrupted views, innovative glass-dome, lavish amenities with whirlpool and our most spacious balconies. LEARN MORE SIGNATURE SUITES A luxury of space in both dining and living rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, an expansive bed, a generous balcony and separate whirlpool bath. LEARN MORE

We had two food issues on the Moon in December. The steaks (with the exception of akaushi beef in the Japanese rest) was inedible, very tough. My wife sent her steaks back so many times they finally started cooking her the akaushi beef in any restaurant. Our other bad experience was at the The Grill, where the seafood had a very ammonia smell to it indicating it was most likely nit frozen immediately after catching. The chef should have smelled it while cooking as we let them cook that night.

Gotcha

Has anyone found a reliable consolidator for international BC trips? Not talking Expedia, but an independent company that you have used multiple times without issues? I was given the via-trav.com and they were quoting very competitive pricing, but now they are not answering emails Raises a flag for sure.

On the Moon in Dec for 16 days. LaDame and SilverNote menus did not change

With limited dining options on the Quark Ultramarine, does one not get burned out or bored with food on longer cruises or back to back cruises?

Has anyone seen T&C and passage contracts? Like when are deposits and final payments due, refund policies, etc.

Unfortunately we met many former Crystal employees onboard the Moon. Many had five + years with Crystal. If the loyalty of Crystal employees is as strong as it seems, I personally believe many of these folks will head back, creating even more staffing issues. The ships have been downsized, the Symphony has 606 PAX and the Serenity has 740. The new itins are mundane nothing special or exotic. I believe the PAX count is about 20% less than previously. The pricing previously on Crystal was VERY expensive in my opinion. The new ones seem to run about $600-700 per person per night for a veranda suite. The verandas suites are small at 265 SGF including veranda. Rates do not include air or excursions. We found the previous food much better than SS has been post covid. We sailed about 3 months prior to bankruptcy in Dec 2021. Entertainment and enrichment was far superior to SS, however it also was a much younger crowd. So only time will tell. With two ships, itineraries will be very restricted without much choices, so overall I don't see them hurting SS. The question might arise that the new Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons ships might have a larger impact on SS. Competition is always good to have.

Looking at a Greenland itin that starts off with a charter from Newark to KANGERLUSSUAQ, Greenland. Departure from K is August 24. Has anyone done this itin? If so, does SS provide a hotel for the night of the 23rd in order to gather the flock and then busses everyone to the airport together the next morning? And we end in Reykjavik. Is there a hotel or day hotel provided if late flight? Thanks all

I know expedition (Venture) are included in the cruise fare for Antarctica, but what about for Greenland itins?

We paid the $500 upfront deposit and got a $500 OBC also, but really looking at the itneraries nothing stands out as something I would want to waste my time on. Also, I cannot find ANYTHING on whats included on their webpage. I assume all restaurants, drinks, and gratuities, but I see nothing on air options or tours.

No one can book an air ticket more than 330 days prior to the return date. There may be a few airlines that will but not in general. SS is guessing at what airfare may be 12-24 months out. And have noticed they have gone up substantially, especially for Asia and Aus/NZ.. If you notice on mySilversea your air details will never show up on a far advanced schedule, only your price is locked.

We sail SilverSea often and they have just offered many cruises at up to 20% off if prepaid in advance. This is 100% NONREFUNDABLE If I take out coverage immediately after booking (which would cover any pre-existing conditions) then I assume if the cruise is cancelled due to covered events, it makes no difference if the deposit/Fare is 100% nonrefundable or not, it should be covered. Am I thinking this thru correctly?

Spoke to the onboard future cruise consultant on the Moon 2 weeks ago. They discourage the PTP fares because of the non refundable 15% deposit. For the new prepaid PTP, the entire cost of the cruise is non refundable. HOWEVER, if you get trip insurance, then you would get that money back as the non refundable portion, you just cant change your mind and say I decided to go somewhere else, then you do not g et anything back.

Just in Bridgetown. Taxi to Sugar Bay hotel from BGI was $12USD and to the cruise terminal was $20. Driving thru town I really didn't see anything that would have made me want to stay close to there. Taxis are easy and there is an app for Barbados Taxis, similar to what Uber uses. No Uber or Lyft tho, Taxi as airport super easy.

My pet peeve is that no one offers just cancellation, they want to tack on all of medical etc that annual policies already have so it causes you to double dip .

We cruise Seabourn and Silversea almost exclusively. Many of the cruises are exceeding $10,000 per person quite easily, especially ones over 10 days. Most credit cards that offer trip insurance as part of their perks cap off at $10000 pp py. From the research I have done so far, independent insurance also caps annual policies at 10k pp py. anyone know of annual policies that have higher caps? Also, if I have the cc and a separate policy, who would pay first and would they still cap total at 10k cumulative and not 20k. hope that just made sense. TIA

I think it is a matter of interpretation from whoever wrote the rules. It should not mention cigars at all except for the connoisseur lounge. I smoke cigars occasionally and have always interpreted it as cigars only in the C Lounge.