itchtocruz

35 minutes ago, frankhi said:

 

Did I see water canteen bottles on the desk? So glad that SS is phasing out plastic water bottles. Thanks Lois R and A Tucson Guy for your responses. Happy sailing. 

We're extremely excited about sailing on the Nova in November, so much so that we added to it, B2B cruises. We've made online restaurant reservations, but were wondering how to make reservations for Chef's Table and S.A.L.T. lab (cooking classes). 

From Elite Benefits: 

• 10% off beverage package upgrade to Premium pre-cruise
• We purchased the Classic Package and want to upgrade to Premium, but in the Cart Check-out, the additional 10% off is not reflected. How do I get the additional 10% off?  

In April of this year, our itinerary was changed to bypass Israel, and Egypt was substituted in its place two days before departing Athens.  Visas were provided by the cruise line while onboard. Can't say for sure if the accommodations were provided for us because we were on a luxury cruise line or because it was a last minute change.   

We love aft facing cabins and are thinking of booking a sunset veranda. Are the balconies deeper? Is there enough of an overhang for some shade, or would it be too sunny?  Can higher decks look down at lower decks?  Does Deck 12 get too much noise from Ocean View Bar area?  Thanks to you all who respond. 

Our Vancouver flight arrives at 1:00 p.m. Celebrity website says that the lunch, which was one of the perks in choosing CC, is usually served until 2:00 p.m.  Anyone think it's worth rushing from airport to cruise terminal in the hopes of making it in time?  

Having done Azamara, Crystal, Oceania and Regent, we keep going back to SS. We've taken 10 SS cruises and have 2 upcoming bookings. Service has always been exceptional and we often see crew members who we've sailed with before. It's nice that they remember us!  Dining options are varied but the food can sometimes be a hit or miss (mostly it's a hit!). We prefer a center-ship cabin, so a deluxe or superior verandah works just fine. The bathrooms are a good size and there's plenty of storage. Our butler has always gone above and beyond for us. The included shore excursions have been very good. 

Happy sailing, with whatever you decide. There's nothing better than cruising! 

20 hours ago, djandbj said:

Don't miss a dinner and/or drink and dance in Silver Note on SS. Many pax never find it.

Couldn't agree more - Silver Note is a hidden gem. While the overall entertainment is lacking in variety, the jazz duo never disappoints. Looking forward to seeing who's on Nova when we sail in November.

Absolutely amazing! We sail next month, all 22 of us, and thanks to your amazing postings, we are looking forward to amazing food, amazing service and an amazing Azamara ship! 

On 2/19/2023 at 10:57 AM, Scots Caz said:

11 post covid Azamara cruises and earliest boarding time for each has been 2pm (and latest time off ship is 9am)

Boarding process varies by port. My last in December in Miami was given a group number when arrived then through security then checkin desk then up to waiting area where first group was called for boarding at 2pm (they checked your group ticket before being allowed to board). Pireaus was given a group number and sat in waiting area before that group was called to go check in then through security and onto ship. Ravenna no group number given but was positioned in a seating area row to wait, then gathered a row at a time to go check in then into another waiting area before getting called for boarding.

Once boarded you get taken to your muster station for safety briefing then free to go about the ship. 

We're a family group of 22 embarking Pireaus next month. Any body know if we'll be allowed to board as a group, or only according to our chosen check-in time? 

21 hours ago, laurieb said:

Hop on hop off bus, if you’re at the World Trade Center.  It’ll take you there plus lots of other places!

Agree with you, laurieb. We've done the hop on hop off bus a couple of times, which worked out great.

We are also just off Discovery. Overall, we had a good time. We are live-music fans and spent pre-dinner evenings listening to the live duo in Crooner's Bar and post-dinner listening to the amazing jazz trio in Take Five. Dining at Bistro Sur La Mer (which is open to the Piazza) was a disappointment because of the very loud, live band coming from the Piazza. We couldn't hear what our waiter was saying nor could hubby and I hear each other talk. MDR food and service were hit and miss. A glass of wine that I ordered at the start of my entree did not come until after I finished my meal. Best specialty dining for us was Sabatini's. 

We received ours in yesterday’s mail. It has 59 plates, and we agree with Spins, each a work of art. I take lots of pictures hoping that one or two from each of our SS cruise destinations will be worthy of printing, framing and hanging on a wall.  Imagine how many pictures Steve McCurry took to pick those 59? They could be a complete museum exhibit. 

Although we have not yet been to the Galapagos, we have been to Ecuador, and these are vivid reminders of the people and places we visited.  The Galapagos pictures will hold us until we can get there, but we have so much to look forward to seeing. 

Lois R, focus your phone camera on the QR code appearing on the 4^th page.  That will take you to multiple web pages explaining the pictures and the stories behind them.

Given only 4,000 copies printed, each numbered (see back page – ours is book n 2952/4000), not sure what qualified us to receive this first Silversea destination photo book, but we're delighted and hoping we will be on the list for the second and beyond. 

The $500 OBC per guest incentive to change to May 31 - Jun 14 is enticing us to accept the change. 

For those on board, thanks for sharing. We are so looking forward to embarkation on Thursday. We even have a plan for observation lounge topside viewing  For those embarking or continuing on to Quayaquil looking forward to meeting you all. For those not joining us, we will keep you posted on progress. 

One last request fro those on board - please advise who the jazz duo are in Silver Note?

SS - pictures are wonderful.  Was the one over Windsor the end of the lunar eclipse? 

Appreciate the insights as we will be on next cruise, embarking on Dec 2 from Ft Lauderdale. Can't wait, but will bring a cube clock, night light for the bath room, Kindle full of books, tape to prevent snagging from the corner table and USB charges with 3 way plugs - LOL

Thanks for letting us know the names of the Voices of Silversea talent.  Love their shows.

Please advise who the duo is in Silver Note.

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Lois,

Love hearing about your experiences on both the Moon and Muse.  We will be sailing on the Muse's last Alaska cruise of this season next week, mostly because you inspired us to get out there.

We have sailed Muse in the past and very much enjoyed Silver Note and the resident duo of Helene and Andre, who we understand we on an earlier Muse Alaska sailing.  Were they performing on your Muse cruise? Did you happen to catch one of their shows.  Please let us know your impressions.

And please keep up the reviews.  Following your exploits is almost like being there and helps those who can't travel yet to stay connected.

Thanks

Followed Lois R's impulse and decided we got involuntarily cancelled and rebooked too many times, see that Silversea has done a great job of training staff and putting safe cruise protocols in place and couldn't hold back any longer (sort of like Flo from Progressive Ins on the beach day where she can't control herself and blurts out . . . "bundle, it's a bundle") that we moved our May 2022 Alaska cruise to Sept 9, 2021.  Thank you to all the pioneers who have led the way, we are about to join the ranks.

For those who have returned, are on the Muse now or will be soon, please advise what is open, closed and who are the vocalist and pianist in Silvernote?

We've recently returned from our first river cruise aboard Scenic Jade, and champagne is our drink of choice. Was not disappointed with the house-selection, Nicolas Feuillatte. The wine selections at lunch and dinner did not disappoint either, especially the regional Rieslings.

Having done several ocean voyages, our first river cruise was with all-inclusive Scenic, just having come back a month ago. We were very pleased with the air travel arrangements, transfers, crew, service, food, open-bar, itinerary, tours, nice sized cabin w/ balcony and not having a bill to pay at the end of the cruise!

Don't know what your TA means by "capacity controlled". We signed up for the first two tours online and then everyone chose the tours they wanted as we went along. Look at your profile in the Scenic website to choose the first tours.

There doesn't seem to be a profile login for the Scenic USA portal. I tried the Australian website, which does have a profile login, but was unable to access our booking. Guess we'll book once we're onboard. Regardless, we're very much looking forward to our first river cruise.

This is our first Scenic cruise, in fact, first river cruise. We booked in January of this year. Because tours are capacity controlled, our TA informed us that several of the tours were no longer available. Will we be able to get onto any of the tours once we're onboard?

It has been a relatively uneventful few days here in the valley without major upsets since my last post. The weather is mixed as is to be expected in April. There is rain on and off in various sections of the valley. The temperatures vary, a cold night is forecast for tommorrow with mild frost returning to the hills. Temperatures rise into the double digits now every day and it is nice and sunny. Public gardens are in bloom with tulips (yes, not only the Netherlands has them) in all their various colours adorning towns and villages.

 

 

Dear Notamermaid, so glad I found you! We leave this Tuesday from Los Angeles, and your postings have been very helpful. We are ocean/sea cruisers, so we're looking forward to our first river cruise on the Rhine, Basel to Amsterdam. Keep up the good work!

We decided on an extended post-cruise stay in Amsterdam. We're pleased with the Scenic air arrangements. Let the count-down begin!

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Clicked the links, read the fine print, did the research and now we're booked on Scenic Jade April 2016 Basel to Amsterdam - deal was too good to pass up. Next homework assignment is to look into flying in a day early.