toxicesq

I've cruised a lot on other lines but December will be my first cruise on Silversea, on the Nova.

Do Silversea ships have mahjong sets.  Other cruise lines have them in the library or club room, etc. but I've seen no discussion of mahjong on any Silversea boards.

Thanks.

With respect, I think the previous answers to the OP don't appreciate the issue.  I've traveled solo in a suite twice this year and have never had the maitre d' attempt to organize or even suggest a table larger than a 2 top.  In the MDR, that's frequently what happens and you can end up meeting and speaking with new people at each meal.  Sure, eventually, you may get to know the other people who dine in Luminae around the same time that you do, and an observant maitre d' may notice who you've spoken to in the past and attempt to sit you near them again, but talking across the aisle to the neighboring 2 top isn't the same as chatting at the same table. If you're not willing to eat in the main dining room, you lose the opportunity to dine with people you've already met on excursions or in other activities.  Not everyone is in a suite, and hanging out in Michael's Club or The Retreat hoping to meet another suite guest when you have already met congenial people elsewhere makes no sense. On the my last cruise I ate in the MDR with a couple I'd been on several excursions with.  The food and service may be slightly better in Luminae,  but there is something to be said for good conversation.  I'm already booked in a suite for my next cruise, but when I booked another cruise on board last month, I moved to a Concierge level cabin because eating by yourself, or leaning over to talk to someone--if you're lucky enough to sit near friendly people--gets old quickly.

So, OP, if you want to sit with others, you may have no option but to eat in the MDR occasionally.

CELEBRITY MOVE UP TRACKER 

• Ship:  Constellation
• Length of Cruise:  15 nights
• Cruise Sail Date:  January 17, 2020
• Date email offer received:   Nov. 18, 2019 (two months before sailing)
• Captain’s Club Tier:  Elite
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: Booked on-line, transferred to TA
• Current Cabin: Sky Suite 
• Bid?  Yes/No:  Yes

If YES -  Bidding Details:

• Cabin Category:  Royal Suite
• Bid Offer: $1150 pp
• Notification Date: December 18, 2019
• Accepted / Rejected  ACCEPTED

General Comments (offer details, etc.)  Minimum bid for RS was $1000--6 were open at time of offer.  One CS upgrade was available for $500 minimum bid but I didn't bid on that; didn't like the location.

I'm on the February 4 Southeast Asia cruise. I typically purchase foreign currency from my bank at home rather than having to search for ATMs in the foreign country. I'm wondering whether and how much foreign currency I will need for Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong. I'm doing primarily Oceania tours so I may not have access to local ATMs anyway. I expect that any shopping they bring us to will take (my no foreign exchange fee) credit card or US dollars, but I'd like to get to some local markets. I've heard that Cambodia accepts US currency, but I'm wondering if anyone can tell me whether I will need local currency in other countries or can get by with dollars or a credit card.

Thanks.

Thanks for the confirmations about the advantages (or lack there of) of the Exclusive Excursions. I'm taking the OBC so I have some freedom as to which ship excursions I select. Currently there are only 6 people signed up on the Roll Call for this sailing, so there hasn't been discussion of private tours yet. But it's still early.

I’ve done a search but cannot find any recent substantive discussions of Exclusive Excursions. The only thing I’ve learned is that the tour group is smaller. Is there anything other than size that sets them apart from the standard or Oceania Choice excursions? The descriptions of the tours, where both categories are offered, are virtually identical. I did a small group tour of Florence last October on another cruise line and it offered a more in-depth visit to the sites as well as a gourmet-type lunch rather than the standard bus tour group lunch. Are the Exclusive Excursions similarly enhanced?

I am well aware of the advantages of DIY tours, but my question here is focused on the Oceania tours. I’m on the Feb. 4 Nautica Singapore to Hong Kong.

Thanks.

Aloha 1, I'm intrigued. Do they really offer Diet Tonic Water? Best way to have a G&T for me.

Celebrity does have access to larger life jackets. The Galapagos cruise, where passengers wear the life jackets twice a day when they travel on the Zodiacs, has 1x and 2x jackets available to all. The regular cruises could certainly stock some of those for passengers upon request.

The wet landings were no problem at all--and I'm no hero. Maybe mid-calf, maybe even lower. I wore a pair of Keen waterproof sandals. I found that the sand got into the sandals on the wet landings, so bring a towel to clean off your feet.