admranger

5 hours ago, Gourmet Gal said:

It’s hard to tell just what the company is aiming for other than the bottom line.

Profits over people.  Standard practice in all industries it seems.  Truly unfortunate.

2 minutes ago, commodoredave said:

Hope to meet you on the cruise. 

Same.

I'm easy to spot:  Exceedingly handsome, charming, and modest.  🤣

3 hours ago, commodoredave said:

You’re welcome! June 18 sailing. Glad the story is of interest to you. 

Thanks for posting the article.  Very interesting.

My wife and I will be on the June 18th sailing as well!  Our first SS cruise.

I had bought a regular 1 trip insurance policy from Allianz for a LA - Vancouver trip as covid was winding down.  DW came down with covid on Victoria Island.  We thought it was allergies until she was positive and we were not able to go on our Air Canada flight home.  Allianz was easy to deal with, though the customer service rep wasn't 100% clear on some coverages.  Once we got home (got across the border via car, double masked, then rented one way from Bellingham to Vegas), we submitted receipts for everything and they promptly paid.  No fussing at all.

We bought the annual w/$15k cancellation limit which cost what the one trip insurance cost previously.  Hope to never use it, but good to know it's there.

I will definitely look into the CSR as our Amex benefits seem to be dwindling.  I'm just dumping the points to Marriott as every time I look for a flight there are no reward seats.  Maybe CSR is a better option?

On 4/12/2024 at 11:46 AM, gnome12 said:

SS has a Flåm railway excursion at 2:55 PM, which is the second of the 2 trains that I have booked.

Just a heads up on this tour as I went on it last August (albeit on a Celebrity cruise...).  The train wheels are LOUD.  People like to have the windows open for fresh air as it was hot otherwise.  If  you are sensitive to loud noises bring ear plugs.  It's quite screechy.  

FWIW, the right side of the train will seem more scenic on the way up but both sides have interesting views so don't panic if you're on the left side at first.  You'll see everything on the way down.

And to the point about the shore excursion pricing changing, we'll be finding out on our June 18th cruise.  Several of the excursions we booked are now showing $$$ to do them vs. included.

Always wondered what the Monaco GP experience was like when combined with a cruise.  I'm sure the uncharge for the GP was staggeringly expensive seeing what they charge in Vegas for the race.  I miss the good old days of the USGP being at Indy and combining with Montreal for a nice 10-11 day trip.  Prices were far better back in those days as well.

Sorry your husband caught covid.  Probably too late but we've had excellent results with the antivirals.

36 minutes ago, tinaincc said:

We still like Celebrity in the Retreat for the right itinerary but we are excited for our first SSea trip in 2 weeks.

 

We also have a MSC cruise planed in the Yacht Club in Feb to see how that goes. The YC experience looks to be pretty amazing. 

Same for us.  We're on our first SS cruise June 18th.  Very much looking forward to it.

You may want to watch Gary Bembridge's review of the Yacht Club on his "Tips for Travelers" youtube channel.  MSC just looks like Carnival on steroids with a hint of meth to me.  Never been on it but the crowds appear to be massive.  Yes, the Yacht Club is a ship within a ship, but you have to come out sometime!

14 hours ago, late2cruisin said:

Yes, I've noticed that SS (and other "luxury lines") can be less expensive than booking in the Retreat. 

This is where my wife and I were at when we booked our first SS cruise (coming June 18th!).  The value proposition for X's Retreat has been getting worse and worse since the acquisition by Royal.  We debated between all the luxury lines but eventually picked SS due to the itinerary.  We booked a second SS cruise again b/c of the itinerary but also b/c the included shore excursions were more to our liking than a very similar cruise on Regent.  

I think where loyal SS customers will see an issue with X and Royal customers is with the dress code. Enforcement is lax, at best, on X.  I was happy to dust off my tux (and get it altered to fit my current "shape").

On 5/31/2024 at 5:34 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

Nahhh.. not demanding.   Actually we are pretty self sufficient... I specifically usually ask the butler not to leave food and snacks in our room.  I'm the type that if something is sitting on the table it somehow ends in my stomach. 

 

Usually the butler stops by and tries to get us to use them more.   I'm also the type that usually prefers to run to the Barista and get my own coffee in lieu of picking up a phone and "bothering" the butler. 

This is where my wife and I are at.  We had one butler on X that basically stalked us b/c we weren't using her services.  It was hard to explain that we are self sufficient for the most part.

On 5/31/2024 at 7:59 PM, tinaincc said:

I knew I liked you! I’m the same. The thought of my butler taking the time to unpack for me is beyond comprehension along with all the things you mention.

My use of a butler starts and ends with keeping our mini fridge filled.

Pretty much the same as for my  wife and I.  We have sent laundry and it's hit or miss.  The last bag came back with my dress shirts jammed in the bag.  Not folded and placed in the bag, or better, put on a hanger, but literally stuffed into the bag.  They were unwearable.

14 hours ago, late2cruisin said:

Yes, I've noticed that SS (and other "luxury lines") can be less expensive than booking in the Retreat. 

Very much so.  $1k per person per night is not uncommon anymore.

When I saw the matching status levels for SS I felt very lucky.  I was hoping we'd get 100 VS days as Elites on X.  Getting 250 was a lottery win.

We're leaving on June 18th so hopefully I'll be able to report back on what I find out.  We have every intention on booking a cruise on board.  We're already booked for the holiday Panama canal (FLL-LA) cruise this December/January.  If we love Silversea we will book another!

I was told the same thing as an Elite on Celebrity and doing our first Silversea cruise June 18th out of NYC.  

You can get things started by going to the Celebrity app.  Tap your status box that shows how many club points you have.  At the top of the page that comes up there is menu item called "Loyalty Match".  Click the Silversea box at the bottom and you should now be in Silversea's system (at least it says it'll do that after a week or so).   

To be honest, to get 250VS points is very generous.  I have no where near 250 nights on Celebrity but am Elite b/c we cruised in the Retreat every time but once.  We're sailing Silversea to see if it is a better value for us with what we like to do.  

20 hours ago, admranger said:

However, our Panama Canal holiday cruise (FLL to LAX) was $1800 LESS per person and a 1 category upgrade to a superior veranda from a classic veranda.  Awaiting our advisor's confirmation of the discount since we only had a deposit down.

 

Thanks to @taxatty for starting this thread!

So I just received an email with a new rate for my holiday panama canal cruise.  $5000 less but I have to stay in a classic veranda.  I'm fine with this outcome.

I never received an email though we will be first time SS cruisers in June.  

My already paid for June cruise from NYC to Quebec City is $700 per person more expensive at the new "sale" price.  It only has two classes of rooms available on the Dawn left though, so perhaps it is selling well enough to not warrant a sizable discount.

However, our Panama Canal holiday cruise (FLL to LAX) was $1800 LESS per person and a 1 category upgrade to a superior veranda from a classic veranda.  Awaiting our advisor's confirmation of the discount since we only had a deposit down.

Thanks to @taxatty for starting this thread!

Thanks @cantgetin

On 2/6/2024 at 4:57 AM, kmorg1234 said:

We are doing a back to back on Resilient, and I do not see a Scarlet Night on the second leg.

On a back to back, do you know how they handle it if you're not in the same room for each cruise?

I just hang clothes via a magnetic hook to hold the hanger in the bathroom.  Set shower to high.  Close bathroom door. Set timer for 10 minutes. Steam activated.

@jgmc If you did go on the shadow for your cruise, could you please comment on the internet?  I assume it is starlink and basic is spotty and premium is excellent, but would prefer to hear from you on your experience.

9 minutes ago, mysty said:

 

 However,  if it's only the closet space that is the issue,  you could request a hanging bar over the tub and a platform for shoes covering the tub.  That is the configuration we requested via our travel agent to Silversea Guest Services.  It works beautifully for us.  There is a photo on this thread of the set up.   You might search in this topic for "hanging bar".

Found it and it looks like a great solution.  Thank you!

@mysty  Looking forward to our first Silversea cruise on the Shadow in June.  This thread is epic and your cruise looks ridiculously fun!

Sorry to ask, but thought even if you weren't staying in this particular cabin or one around it on deck 9, I was wondering if you had any comment on this thread that has no responses (other than mine today):

I'm particularly interested in this due to the placement of the suites just below the pool deck.  Hearing scraping deck chairs at 6am isn't my idea of relaxing sounds.  🙂

We're already looking at booking the Shadow for the panama canal in Dec 2024 as well.  Not sure my wife is ready for a veranda suite closet (nor am I!).  

Smooth sailing and following seas the rest of your voyage!

Kirk

I have the same question regarding the Medallion suite on the Shadow.  It's right below the pool deck and I'm wondering if the scraping of deck chairs each day will be my wake up call...

12 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi, she can wear either one, I promise. She could even wear dressy slacks with a nice top. I am not on this particular cruise but I can say from sailing on SS, all 3 options on formal night would be acceptable.

Thank you!

My DW was wondering what the ladies were wearing for formal night. Cocktail dresses or evening gowns?

6 hours ago, Lonedaddy said:

Lacking a tape measure I used phone as well as a sheet of paper and it looks to be 66” wide

Thank you!

Sailing from NYC next June, I’ll have to see if they’ll find me some diet mt dew!  It’s not just for breakfast, so I’ll need more than 24 for a 12 day cruise.  😇

On 5/30/2023 at 3:18 PM, canderson said:

Picked up the requisite 100 shares back in 2009 for something just shy of$15, and have used it a couple of dozen times, so I'm not complaining.

>500% ROI is very nice too!

1 hour ago, drron29 said:

It is 2 twins together but with a single Queen mattress on top. it must be the 66 inch wide queen because at home we have a king bed and we have no problems on the Silversea bed whereas we do in US hotels with a queen bed.

Thank you!

We ended up booking before their Memorial Day sale ended.  NYC to Quebec City June 2024