stan01

Probably just a matter of time until the finance types at Carnival push Seabourn into a ship within a ship concept (assuming they don't go entirely to expedition). We are casual small ship fans so the five discarded Seabourn ships still operating at Seadream and Windstar will meet our needs for awhile longer even if they don't meet Carnvial's needs.

Quest also had a life insurance/annuity sales group on board last week whose logo appeared on the daily menus. I'm guessing it was a sales bonus for selling a lot of life insurance and annuity policies.

I think that's a great idea especially when there are connecting flights. I hate to say I have trust issues with airlines -- but I do! We have a nonstop from Southern California to Miami in November so less worried about the airline losing the checked bag. However, summer 2024 we have 8 days in London followed by 13 days on QM2 Queens Grill so we'll need attire to support 4 formal nights and 9 coat/suit nights plus variable English and North Atlantic weather (cool, warm, wind, rain). I'm afraid we might have more than 20 lbs just in shoes. We'll see if we can arrange White Star (Cunard title for Luggage Forward) on that cruise.

I'm male -- I have had one of these for maybe seven years now, they have changed them once or twice since I bought mine and they are more expensive now. I did need it for some one carry-on bag work travel to Africa and Middle East and it worked out fine. Helped my carry on bag pass the Lufthansa agent's rigorous tape measure and scale tests in Cairo: https://shop.bluffworks.com/collections/performance-blazers (Just to be clear all other things equal I am a one carry on bag person, not a three steamer trunk with 10 pair of shoes person!)

I'll send you my Venmo if you want to donate to a good cause! There would be zero reason to wear such a thing in our simple and practical lives as retirees in Southern California. To be honest buying the tux still feels wasteful as we know we'll only wear it a few times. Bought it because we have a QM2 Queens Grill crossing next year. I'll freak y'all out when I say I was debating whether to do the 14 day Caribbean cruise as carry on only, but spouse can't do that so you won't see me in my travel-friendly no-iron blue sport coat.

I'm sure we will both enjoy the cruise!

We have a 14 day round trip Caribbean out of Miami coming up in November, the last time we did Caribbean on Seabourn was about 2012 and I think we wore a coat and tie with slacks on formal nights. Anyways, planning to do same this year (in compliance with posted dress codes). I can't quite bring myself to wear a tux in the Caribbean plus just one more thing to go wrong if US airlines lose our luggage. Happy to dress up a little more in a cooler and elegant destination, not a tropical casual destination.

First Class has been around on ships for centuries. The Titanic had it, today it is Grills on Cunard or Retreat on Celebrity etc. Call it what you want, refine it as you want. I'm going to guess that the people who came up with Celebrity Retreat took some market research trips on Cunard Princess and Queens Grill cruises. For example Retreat takes care of the tipping and alcohol which Cunard Grills do not. Pro of Celebrity Retreat (or Cunard Grills): you can go to the rest of the ship when you want big ship features such as for a large show, a magic carpet (?), more dining and bar choices, nightlife, or the ballroom dancing (Cunard). If you want disco at 1 AM I would not recommend Seabourn, but some people will want to leave the cocoon to drink beer in a pub or dance to Drake at 1 AM. Pro of Seabourn: you can get most of the luxury food, service, and ambiance at the cost of the cheapest cabin on the ship. We typically do not buy a larger suite on Seabourn (we feel there is no need) & instead stay on the ship longer in a lower priced regular balcony suite. Also important for us is fewer kids with no specific kids features. They are different experiences. Try them both as see what you prefer. You might like both at different times.

From Seabourn site: Elegant Casual• Men: slacks with a collared dress shirt or sweater; Jacket optional• Ladies: slacks / skirt, blouse, pantsuit or dress.• Jeans are not appropriate in The Restaurant after 6pm• Elegant jeans are welcome in all dining venues. My read of that is that elegant jeans are welcome in all dining venues, but ordinary non-elegant jeans are not welcome in the Restaurant after 6pm. Seabourn not helping matters.

We enjoy cruising a lot, but some things are best done separately from a cruise. If at all possible Cinque Terre is better done on a land based trip of multiple days whether you can walk or not.