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17 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Small ships for me. Itinerary is about equally important but I would never choose a great itinerary on a huge ship, whereas I might choose a less-than-stellar itinerary on a small ship.

 

When I say small, I mean small. The smaller Oceania and the Azamara ships (all same size) are ideal for me. Around 700 passengers. I will cruise on ships up to about 2,000 (give or take) but have decided anything larger is not for me.

 

When we did the Norwegian coastal cruise on Hurtigruten, our ship was 100-125 and it was great. There were only two other Americans on board. A well traveled but not 'snooty' group.

7 hours ago, Hambagahle said:

Duxelles normally has foie gras in it too...

As far as I can research duxelles aren't made with foie but can be a layer with the duxelles.

And https://www.seriouseats.com/foie-gras-new-fire-for-an-old-debate

1 hour ago, Lastdance said:

You are correct, as there has been a surge in the 70 percentile for gen X and millennials; however, my research has not provided the itineraries such as European/Caribbean etc.  TBD!  Edit:  Okay, looks like Caribbean, Asia(surprise) the Atlantic coast and Baltic...hmm.

And WFH could be a factor...actually already is. Keep us posted .

My last cruises have been, not in order, were 100 pax, 400 pax, 1200 and an 800 one coming up. I can't imagine any big ships.

4 minutes ago, ORV said:

No more like the big coats firemen wear. 

Ooh, you're sooo close but no. More something like this.

8 hours ago, MEFIowa said:

The Concierge Lounge on Riviera had USA Today and the NY Times, as well as a couple of UK newspapers (e.g., Daily Mail) and one Canadian newspaper when we were on her Oct-Nov 2023. I love to read newspapers.

I would honestly like to have one. But I'm sacrificing for the planet. No joke. And wearing my Rothys and other things.

When my guarantee got confirmed I was able to get the same cabin so no move required.

38 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

Random count in Jacques a couple nights ago. 18 out of 20 gentleman were wearing jackets. Polo Grill was about the same earlier on.

Jackets like blazers and up?

14 hours ago, Vallesan said:

I would have thought with a ‘75 day window’ you won’t have any trouble getting the times you want even after a good nights sleep! We’ve never had an issue even with the 60 day window.

Apples and caviar 🙂 but I once wanted a reservation for one of the most popular reservations in the world. At the time. Their reservations began, IIRC, at ***I don't remember the time*** but they started taking reservations either three months or ninety days in advance. We were REALLY lucky that we got the res for a date that we would already be in that city. So when I saw those times, I didn't bat an eye 🙂

25 minutes ago, Yesimapirate said:

If they're filling ships why wouldn't you increase prices?  They'll only drop when bookings drop.

And there's no doubt in my mind that they are or will be going for a different clientele. The millennials would be my bet.

6 minutes ago, Kay S said:

We had the same problem in Norway in June.  🙂

We did our Norwegian coastal cruise on Hurtigruten in March and they guaranteed you a second free cruise if the lights weren't available. And THEY were the 'decider.'

34 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

I suspect we will see similar increases on all lines not just O. Check out current Celebrity prices on the new ships. 

Well, if that's true then we're pretty solid that cruising has had our time for a while. European, Asian, etc. trains are looking better. @Hlitner did you say y'all did a great Japan train trip? 

16 hours ago, riversights said:

 Okay, she says, "GO FOR IT!"  Do you hear that everybody?  Watch for her in the fast lane.😄

Coco Chanel is often credited with saying, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory”. This is known as the Chanel rule, and it's based on the idea that the most obvious component of an outfit is likely to be the one that catches your eye first, and removing it can help balance out the whole look. 

15 hours ago, Janet- said:

If you have 8.30 reservation your table would have been used by whoever had a  6.30 reservation. Oceania advise  2 hours for a speciality dinner, so if you turned up early there wouldn't be a table available. 

 

 

 

 

 

On land or sea, at a restaurant or a medical appointment, I always try for ten minutes early.

2 hours ago, Tr1v1alCru1ser said:

2 Words - compression bags!  I’ve been using them for years and people are always amazed how much I can get in my suitcase.  I don’t travel light! 😆  We have hard bodied Samsonite spinners, and even the smaller ones are a bit of a struggle to fit under the bed.  

 

One word of advice, pick the brightest colour you can find, makes it so much easier to find your luggage amid the sea of black, navy, grey cases at the port (and airport).  Ours are shocking pink and lime green. 

We used one of those when we were going to be traveling from cold to warm. Used one of the bags to get my knee length, Northern Face down jacket put away. Just brilliant.

2 minutes ago, Kay S said:

eggplant

The only way I like eggplant is the dim sum dish where it's stuffed with shrimp paste.

23 hours ago, Techno123 said:

Well I hate to say that as I am currently recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture, I will probably be wearing pretty, rubber soled lace up 'pumps' so I don't slip and risk a re-rupture and a long dress to hide both my shoes and mismatched calf's 😂😂

These are rocking the fashion world - even Helen Mirren - so maybe you should check them out.

https://www.cariuma.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwztOwBhD7ARIsAPDKnkCZGceQg7fqZKgUUx5Z01zS1MRo7tDR0M3mUiV6XiVBD87S7XJxsbAaAuZIEALw_wcB

9 hours ago, Techno123 said:

I suppose it's each to his/her/their own.

We were on the Regent Explorer last November so had a Sunday at sea with the glorious Sunday brunch - a cornucopia of fresh, culinary delights was on offer and the gentleman 2 tables down asked for a burger and fries 😜😂

 

Looked like most of the items were sweet whereas I'm a savory person so I might have ordered a burger also 🙂

4 hours ago, shepherd really said:

I half agree with you, she's certainly a celebrity.  The chef part is what I question.  If she had a different last name could her resume get her a job as an executive chef in a Michelin starred restaurant?  

 

 

My point as well. And do the "hiring authorities" know what makes a 'chef'?

55 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

While I no longer follow Giada, I used to watch her TV shows, I bought her DVDs and I cooked and baked many of her recipes. I have a lot of good recipes that I got from Giada. I definitely would say that yes, she is a celebrity chef.

I’ve since moved onto follow other chefs as I’ve previously mentioned, but I have absolutely no complaints about her professional competency (marital infidelity will not be mentioned. OOPS!)

Care to share your favorite?

8 hours ago, Sirlancelot said:

BUT the Florida Lobster tail grilled in TC was wonderful. Texture like big prawns. They had those too. 

My husband had that three nights in a row IIRC 🙂 And we had the prawns also. And a lamb chop 🙂

1 hour ago, Hokapontas said:

 

He packed one because of 'formal nights'... Wore it twice and didn't feel out of place. Wouldn't next time though on Hal, or ever on O. 

That wasn't on O, was it? And he packed "one" of what? A tuxedo?

2 hours ago, h and j said:

I don't travel to eat American Food. I want fresh, different and ideally a reflection of local. And this is from someone who lives in midtown Toronto and has 10 different ethnic (is that even a term in this day and age) restaurants within walking distance. Be adventurous and eat something different. (my Canadian opinion). I hate having to rely on burgers and fries when the other restaurants are closed. 

Looking forward to anything but American food. 

ABSOLUTELY! But, remember, not everyone feels the way we do. And that's okay. More for us 🙂

1 hour ago, ronrick1943 said:

I don't think it's cheap at all, has long as they don't fill a class and take to a dining venue on the ship.

Now that there's now Simply More I guess it won't really matter, will it?

1 hour ago, osandomir said:

maybe there are some who enjoy to have their drinks in their own company.

Or when the evening is over to have an "adult beverage" 🙂 back in their cabin.