A Tucson Guy

22 minutes ago, Olinsky_Cruisers said:

Does wifi calling work with the “standard” internet that we get on board?

Yes

8 minutes ago, chrism23 said:

No way is La Dame worth a $160.00 surcharge.  I used to always go there once to see what was up.  Then I figured out that the selections at La Dame usually appeared on the Main Dining Room menu the next night.  The one difference was the portions at La Dame were larger-a good example of they were serving rack of lamb for instance at La Dame you would get 4 ribs in the MDR you would get 2.  But there is a trick a waiter taught me many cruises ago.  Just order 2 entrees in the MDR.  And for that kind of $$ the wine must be far superior to their usual plonk, Dom instead of Monopole, maybe a second growth Bordeaux, like Baron Pichon-none of which I have seen on a SS ship.  

Having eaten twice in La  Dame on the Nova this August, La Dame in my opinion is not worth The $320 upcharge per couple. The only difference from La Dame on the other ships (at $120 upcharge per couple) is that the caviar served is Ossetra and that is way better than the stock caviar. Even that is not worth the upcharge. If you book a cruise with a $1,000 shipboard credit, this may be a way to spend that credit.

We may see up on board- Bon Voyage!!

My crystal ball says it will be mostly positive!

2 hours ago, Hermitage said:

Thanks much jollyjones. This information was very helpful. Our group is small and because we are doing just the short cruise in November, we could not get cabins all together on the same floor. But, it is kind of nice to know how your cabin will be situated. 

 

Also, thanks to A Tuscan Guy for the information on La Dame. Some of us are booked for our second night on board after we leave New York. I am so excited about the food and wine choices as they have been described. Nice to feel as though we are getting real value for our coins. I found some of the complimentary wine selections currently on the Nova online. Very impressive. I can hardly wait. I will be the one sipping for the entire trip.

Are you on the Nova NYC to Bridgetown this Nov. We are back on for that cruise also.

5 hours ago, 5waldos said:

It has been a while but my memory (which has certainly been known to fail me) is that caviar was available but was an extra. Very nice to know that it is complimentary. Do they serve it with the entire set up- toast points or blini, etc? 

We have it every night at 6PM with the fixin's. I will say that SS does not know how to make blinis as they are terrible but they are just extra calories that we don't need!!

6 hours ago, carefreecruise said:

There is no cost cutting. The cruise is over and if you want a tour of the town till your flight is ready. You should assume to have to pay for it.

I agree with you 100%.

5 minutes ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

I will be on the Nova on Sept. 29. I will be cruising with good friends. Is that OK with you?????

Having just gotten off the Nova, we loved it and I hope you enjoy it also. We get back on in Nov. so please leave some caviar for us!!

31 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

It only took me 2 days on Celebrity Edge to appreciate the oldest ships on the X fleet.  Not everyone wants new and shiny or needs tons of restaurants. 

That's why Baskin-Robbins makes 31 flavors.

Unless it is a classic car, I don't drive 25 year old cars, would not knowingly fly on 25 year old planes and certainly would not cruise on a 25 year old ships regardless of the refurbishing that was done. That goes for, SS, Regent, Seabourn and the "new" Crystal. All you need is a few days on the Nova to appreciate what I am talking about.

What I have found is that there are different "categories" of passengers on SS. There are the uber rich where money is no object for anything. Some of these folks fly their private jet across the pond and book the top cabins.  Next we have those that are very wealthy but they do look at the cost but only minimally. Another group, I think a larger group, can afford to cruise on SS but money does matter and that group will look harder are expensive SALT tours or La Dame at $320 per couple with very little difference from the other restaurants. I think SS is trying to cater to the first two groups when it charges some very expensive rates for certain things. I guess this is called "business".

We are booked on the Nova 11-18-23 using SS air. We have had our outbound flights and seats for months now. We still do not have our return flights and we are 60 days out almost. Our TA has been in touch with the SS air desk and have copied me on the emails. The air desk says they are still working on it. Our return is to Tucson, AZ. Is there anybody else on this cruise using the SS Air and if so, do you have your return flights yet?

Thanks.

Just off the Nova and they did provide reusable water containers that we were able to bring home after the cruise. I assume the rest of the fleet will go to this but I don't know what the other ships are currently doing.

22 minutes ago, tinaincc said:

Thanks for the input - we are booked on Ray next Sunmer!

You will love the ship!!

1 hour ago, tinaincc said:

As a former executive at a major Credit Card, I have a hard time booking a cruise with the thought that the cc would have to cover it. 
 

I’ll never trust Crystal again: they lied and said our money was in escrow when it was not. Yes, they have “new” ownership but old ships that don’t compare to some new offerings. Excited to try SSea and find out for myself.

My recommendation is to make either the Nova or the Ray your first SS cruise.

1 hour ago, boccenana said:

Welcome home. So happy all went perfectly.

We are hoping for the same.

The logistics, when you think about it are mind blowing.

We are on the Nova Lisbon to Lisbon for 22 days next month.

When you get settled let us know your final thoughts.

Enjoyed your posts while you were on her.

Elaine 😎 

 

 

I think the two of you will be blown away with the Nova. In my opinion, I don't think any part of the ship can be improved. The standard veranda cabin is fabulous. My wife said as we were ending our cruise, "I don't want to get off the ship". She has NEVER said that before after many cruises. We are getting back on after you in Nov. Bon Voyage!!

I always take a light sports coat and usually leave it in the cabin. On some occasions, the restaurant is very chilly and I go back to my cabin to fetch my sports coat.

Having just returned from Venice to Rome, departing from Tucson, AZ, USA. We used SS Air and flew business class. All the flights and connections were perfect. This is our third SS trip post Covid using their Air Desk and so far, three for three!!

Based on this thread, I just bought the over the neck passport holder that I can wear under my shirt, which I have never done before. Hopefully, that will avoid pickpockets but not necessarily a mugging!!

18 hours ago, mitz18 said:

Yep got to admit the Dawn is our new favorite.  Sitting outside at La Terrazza on a beautiful day is hard to beat.  We did the SALT cooking class and had a ball....worth it, but take a glass of wine.

Just wait until you go on the Nova or Ray as we felt the same way until sailing on the Nova.

We booked a couple of Regent cruises a couple of months ago. One was summer of 2025 and one was Nov, 2025, in case SS did not have any good options. Both Regent cruises are on the Splendor and we were hoping to get a SS cruise on either the Ray or Nova. For summer nothing really interested us and will stay with Regent for summer 2025. We shall see what comes up on SS for Nov. 2025.

Another point is that when you include Bus. Air, Regent price are starting to win the ROI equation. Either line works well for both of us!!

47 minutes ago, mitz18 said:

Did it feel "large" or crowed with 700+ passengers?  I loved the Dawn but was worried the Nova might feel too big.....

The ship never felt crowded or large. To us, it felt very intimate. It was a full ship and you would never know it. After being on the Dawn last Nov., then sailing on the Nova, it will be hard to go back to the Moon or the Dawn and they are lovely ships. 

1 hour ago, tnm6217 said:

It doesn't look like the 2025 sailings released today were limited to VS members like the brochure said they would be...and I am grateful! I have 6 SS trips booked through 2026, but my first SS sailing isn't until April 2024 on Silver Nova so no VS love for me just yet.

 

Today my TA snagged me an option on Silver Nova in May 2025 from Vancouver to Seward and one on Silver Ray in August from Barcelona to Monte Carlo. I imagine I'll deposit on both tomorrow. As a solo, it makes sense to book early to take advantage of a lower single supplement. I can't wait!

You will love the Nova. We just got off and it is over the top. Going back in Nov.!!

37 minutes ago, A Tucson Guy said:

I thought today was the day that Venetian members would be able to see the new 2025&2026 calendars I have not received anything yet. Anybody else get anything???

I just got the email.

I thought today was the day that Venetian members would be able to see the new 2025&2026 calendars I have not received anything yet. Anybody else get anything???