Catlover54

I am confused. I greatly enjoyed LCS on the few HAL cruises I have done, and the venue was always packed, standing room only. Then I heard a few months ago HAL was eliminating LCS and was disappointed, but was reassured somewhere on this forum that classical music would come back, but on the main stage. Was the info that it was moving to the stage an error, and classical music is actually being permanently eliminated? Or are they simply in transition, such that now it isn't anywhere, but will be in the future? It is not critical for me to have a classical music to enjoy a cruise, but it is a very nice option (I also seek out cruises on other lines with have a classical music theme, if available on an acceptable itinerary). Thanks in advance.

When I first saw it I thought it would more appropriately be named Bosche Beachball.

Yes, good point, I should have said something about the smoking, given North American fears about even a whiff of smoke, even on outside decks (it is comparable to German concerns about drafts). I may just have been lucky this cruise, but I hardly noticed any ectopic smoke. Either there were less smokers than typical (i.e., the tango group was not on board), or smokers were mostly hanging out in the comfortable and pretty smoking lounge (with a closed door -- unlike on Europa 2 where the door was not uncommonly and inappropriately left open). Or my activities were such that I happened to avoid them (it was usually too hot for me this cruise to sit outside, atypical for Baltics, so I had no exposure to the smoking area of the Lido or pool). I know the science on smoking risks, (first, second, and "third" hand) very well , and on personal risk assessment, and am quite confident that odds are great my life will end due to medical problems other than occasional exposure to second hand outdoor smoke. I still try to avoid indoor exposure in confined spaces, as it can trigger my usually stable asthma and I'd rather not carry mountains of inhalers. Some people are truly exquisitely sensitive, and others are just disgusted by it as their main concern. I had to spend a lot of time as a young person in smoke-ridden environments that were often impossible to avoid (or desirable for other reasons). One old guy on one excursion was a smoker, but he only lit up occasionally, while standing outside many meters away from the walking group, so I didn't even notice until I wondered why he was repeatedly always off on his own and I looked closer. From the looks of him he would have been better off becoming a non-smoker, like most Americans and Canadians and now refreshingly even most Germans (especially luxury cruisers). HL's expedition ship Spirit is, I believe, supposed to be entirely no smoking, and has fascinating itineraries, but I have no bookings yet (Covid delays interfered with assorted plans, but I hope to get there). SB Venture was not supposed to allow outside smoking in Antarctica, but it happened anyway. Have you or anyone reading been on Spirit, and know if the no smoking policy is enforced there?

From that man's perspective, a "swimming pool" is for swimming (something he is still empowered to do for cardiovascular fitness, even with his wooden leg), and a pool is not for floating. He struggles with his disability every day and may not be in the best of moods, but he certainly could have tried to be more polite after bumping you, maybe even apologized. I was seriously injured in a swimming pool by an aggressive "swimmer" who kicked me on a vulnerable part of my body. This was while I was trying to water walk (in my designated lane), to recover from fractures sustained elsewhere. So I know the risks, and now mostly stay out of pools with dedicated swimmers, children, pool party equipment, big groups, and heavy drinkers (so sadly that means I'm almost never in a ship's pool, and stick to tubs -- I liked the thermal pool on the Rotterdam but even there at prime times, I was still worried about injury, e.g., from big guys next to me, especially when they were talking with others, moving a lot, or were otherwise distracted). Be careful, and I am sorry he resorted to such unnecessary rudeness. I have limited experience on HAL, but fortunately found that unlike this man, most people try to be courteous and kind even when there are crowds.

". . . . Formal Optional: For those who prefer more formal attire, ladies can choose an evening gown or cocktail dress, while gentlemen can opt for a tuxedo, dinner jacket, or dark suit with a tie. Alternatively, adhering to Elegant Casual dress code is welcomed but a jacket is still required for gentlemen in all indoor spaces. . . ." Putting aside enforcement issues, I am not happy with the phrasing in this paragraph. If a jacket will still be "required" in "all indoor spaces" on formal optional night, I assume that would include the indoor seating at La Terazza, based on this wording. How is adhering to Elegant Casual "welcomed" if there has to be a jacket? That is not "elegant casual", it is elegant casual plus. And yet even now (supposedly with stricter codes ) we see men in short sleeves and no jacket in the evenings regardless of what the evenings are called. The wording "can choose" or "can" or "can opt for" in the first paragraph is also wishy washy and silly. Men have always been able to "opt for" suits, jackets, etc., regardless of requirements, they did not need permission. But now it implies gentlemen also can opt NOT to do this. New guests just want to know what is required, and what is usual and customary so they don't underdress or overdress (unless they deliberately want to call attention to themselves). This is unnecessarily sloppy writing. It seems the guidance is deliberately vague so there is wiggle room for staff and guests. Constructively, my guess is nothing much will change in the short run, and in the long run people will look more like they're on a modern mainstream line. Regardless of what people wear, DH and I will enjoy our cruises and will make an effort to look as nice as possible (sadly, we can't do much about our wrinkles and DH's hair, or lack of it). But I will enjoy it just a little bit less at high end dinners if more and more people make no effort at all to make evening dining special with or without jacket and tie. I have recently been on German luxury ships and also on a French semi-luxury ship (Ponant, non-expedition) and almost everyone looked sharp despite a looser dress code than SS, but I have reason to be less optimistic that English language lines will have the same results unless the lines get more specific in their dress code instructions, and there is real enforcement.

Also just saw your Douro cruise video. Once again, totally enchanting, professional quality cinematography. I noticed there were what looked like some drone shots in Portugal (unfortunately not allowed in Antarctica) My DH is the one who does the photography (he is not a professional, but he primarily travels to take pictures). I will have to start stalking, err, I mean "following", your trips 🙂

Simply stunning video. Brilliant editing, timing, haunting and mesmerising music. Thank you so much for sharing this.

One of the two pools on Rotterdam is supposed to be either for adults only (so no kids), or no kids under 16 unless accompanied by adult (I saw several interpretations when I was on a few months ago, depending on which staff were working). At that time there were almost no kids on board (but it was not break time -- will you be on where there is spring break?). Both pools were full during nice weather and not at all serene during prime time (i.e., afternoons and sea days). Off prime times (e.g., mornings when people are just heading off on excursions in port, and after dinner it was quieter, i.e., just after opening and just before closing, though music continued to be pumped in. The serenist places during nice weather and prime time were in my cabin, or walking on the exercise loop deck. It is still a lovely ship in other ways , however, and is popular with seniors, so that tells you something. With proper strategy (i.e., doing things at atypical times -- like staying on board when people go into ports), you will likely be happier than on RCL. You could also consider a semi-luxury cruise (e.g., Silversea or Seabourn ), where the atmosphere is usually *very* quiet, but even there people jockey for position at the pools in prime time (they just spend more money doing it). Have a wonderful time next spring!

I am glad you are finding SS very good (though the newer ships are better). I avoid minestrone wherever I cruise as there are so many other wonderful dishes on HL, so I cannot relate to your minestrone disdain (reminds me too much of a certain American canned soup, though I realize some minestrones are better than others -- but the cream of cauliflower or mushroom is delightful) 🙂 There are certainly some things on HL which could be more luxurious, but especially on Europa, I stick with simpler well-prepared dishes (in the main restaurant and not the Yacht Club except for the Bavarian fest) or maybe a European meats and cheese breakfast outside. My tastes are probably more old-fashioned than the more elaborate ones you prefer (e.g., I usually avoid lobster and crabs and instead focus on a large serving of that lovely Prunier or Aki caviar they have, with key trimmings, and fish dishes in sauce. Hot soups and mains are always hot, cold dishes are always cold (unlike on SB), the service is well-organized, and I love to just sink into the soft seats in the calm dining room and let my mind wander as I gaze out the window as we quietly sail, enjoying such luxuries that most people on board who are my age never imagined they would ever experience when they were children. There is also no loud and obnoxious pumped in music playing everywhere you go (like on way too many lines), which helps raise my appetite 🙂 , and the base rooms have easy tubs so I can soak my sore muscles after an excursion. Reception also answers the phone in less than 10 seconds if not 5. On my cruise last month, I also noticed many of the Tunisians (who were decently trained) are gone and some German and east European waiters are back, as before (equally decently trained), which makes light conversation easier.. As for the "extremely rough wine prices" you saw on Explora, am I imagining it or have the wine prices on HL also gone up quite a bit the last two years on the premium wines, out of proportion to the increase in cruise prices? I think 2x is reasonable (though many wines on HL were just 1.5x before) for a cruise, but 2.5-3x or higher markups irritate me a bit so I may then stick with one of the open wines for 250cc only, which are decent enough when paired well.

1. Yes! It is indeed important to know if positive reviews and glowing comments about a cruise line are made by TAs and influencers, and/or people getting special attention (as happens for various reasons on other luxury lines) or by "ordinary punters" paying luxury prices out of their own after-tax pockets, i.e., people who are not in the luxury food and beverage/hospitality sales industry and who also make their status known to ship staff so they get more attention. This is true not just for reviews and comments made on the more famous social media, but also comments made on CC. Ethically, I think people full of praises should disclose if they are in the TA or similar business. I have been on the same cruises as such people when the glowing experiences they have reported defy my own objective experiences and observations (especially when they choose to omit glaring negative facts). It leads me to be skeptical of anything else they post, when I already know everything they say about a ship will be described as wonderful, e.g., where you could pre-write the review. 2. I have held back on booking Explora until it has a solid track record because I have had too many other wonderful options at sea and on land (I mix and match). I had hoped to book a cruise with Explora for 2024, but I dislike crowded and loud buffets and close quarters, which some are describing. So if it turns out, after the initial break-ins, that mere mortals won't be able to regularly get seated for relaxing meals without stress and schemes and strategies like people have to use on some lines to fully enjoy their cruises, Explora will not get my business. So far, my Hapag Lloyd cruises, despite some minor esoteric issues (like how to get staff to properly coordinate delivery of my selected wines with my food pairings) , remain my gold standard for comparison of luxury at sea experiences, with SS running second overall for me and first for an English language line. The "ship within a ship" or similar concept also has a lot of appeal to me (i.e., pay more, and expect to get better service). 3. Some other things I don't like on the Explora layout I see is that you have to get a higher level cabin to get a bathtub (the modern trend is anti-tub) , and just like many other modern lines, they have an abundance of chairs that are low semi-circles, i.e., go half way up your back (so they press), and have no arm rests. I know that is stylish, (the new Crystal also has it), but I don't like it. As for food and beverages -- well, it will depend on how everything offered tastes, and what wines will be available for extra charges (and some high end soft cheese offerings wouldn't hurt either :).

Good to know that there are no toilets on this excursion. Practical issues like that often tend to be omitted by the likely young and healthy people writing the excursion descriptions (not just on Viking, but on most lines). Guests can wear Arctic style clothing and use hand warmers and even bring a thermos with their own drinks to stay warm. But unless they have bladders that can expand to the size of cantaloupes (or are men capable of moderate stealth) 4+ hours without a toilet or even an outhouse opportunity (even if drinking absolutely nothing beforehand the day of the excursion) does not work for many women, especially senior women.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my many questions. I hope your wife's surgery went well, and that she is appropriately recovering. As we are now able to travel more in retirement (Covid didn't slow us down too much), both on land and sea, with tours and independently, I wonder how we're supposed to find time for all our pesky medical appointments and procedures -- couldn't they just go away and stop bothering us until we're finished :)? I spent another couple hours looking at your recent Patagonia trip, including the many beautiful nature pictures, thank you! I appreciate that you reported the few downsides there were (so travelers can be prepared) along with the many upsides, and the net balance. I also enjoy your dry, observant humor. If I am correct, you are booked on the SS Whisper in Australia. That is an older ship, without a lot of the upgrades (especially on foods and ambience) that the Moon and Dawn have (and presumably Nova will also have). Though some love her, don't give up on SS if you are disappointed about a few things there -- SS has many great itineraries. I also wouldn't worry too much about the dress code (within reason), unless you feel you have to eat a full meal in the main dining room every single night and don't want to bring even one jacket and tie. If they are in the mood for enforcement, you can order course by course for your suite, or eat at the alternative venues. DH and I were not crazy about the double Prestige suite on Ponant with the couch. We enjoyed the closet space, but mostly we just kept bumping into oddly placed furniture, and didn't think the extra cost was worth it, and it may not be worth it to you either as you don't have a lot of stuff you to store. Also a word of caution about Classic Journeys. We did a Greece trip with them a few years ago, and we were underwhelmed. There was a tremendous amount of surreptitious cost cutting and the guide we were stuck with was horrible and arrogant and made clear he hated having to 'serve' on affluent Americans. Worse, their response to my 8-page letter outlining my concerns was pathetic and unapologetic. We throw their catalogues straight into the recycler. Hopefully things are better now (Italian Lakes are lovely).

Thanks! Good to know that you can drink local wine you buy if you pay corkage. How do the logistics work getting it on and to your room, e.g., when there is a line of tired people trying to get back on the ship, do you declare your wine to the guy scanning your cabin card, or are you sent somewhere on the side where they count how many bottles you have and make a record of it before letting you on? Or do they take the wine and promise to bring it back that night once they get the charges onto your account? Can you do the same $20 corkage for other liquors (e.g., local brandies or local rum), or only wine?

(Relative newbie here): Is it correct that wine you buy in ports cannot be drunk anywhere on the ship, not even if you pay a big corkage fee, unless it is one bottle from a ship's winery tour? If so, do you bring a special wine caddy (a protected wine suitcase you can check) to fly your wine home? It would be fun (for a fee, of course) to be able to drink local wines while one is in the local area where one is traveling, e.g., and drink it with the local cheese and other goodies brought back to the ship (but not a requirement for us -- I was overall pleased with the Rotterdam's wine list on the one cruise I have done on her so far). Thanks to everyone for providing so much information and detail about your experiences!

Can the windows in the berths be opened (e.g., through which to take photos?). And how is the air conditioning -- can it comfortably keep up with Australia's high temperaturees?

That style is 'hip and in'. Anyone who doesn't like it is a hopelessly dated unstylish and biased senior. That would include me 🙂 I prefer heavily cushioned seats with arm rests. However, much as I dislike such spartan chairs, cruising isn't just about the chairs (despite my not being as fit as some posters here). The chair status is just one small contributing factor. Itinerary remains #1 for me, and #2 is whether or not I will have daily battles and headaches getting basic service in restaurants and at guest services (i.e., if I will have to be a VIP ot travel agent to enjoy my cruise). I like mixing and matching my cruise lines, and it is wonderful to have so many choices.

I don't know what S/2/0 is, but thank you for your input. I think post #111 tried to address the question. I would be less likely to give a generous cabin attendant tip in cash if I knew it was just going into a generic pool (and I definitely understand all the "back of the house works just as hard" arguments). There's something about one-on-one interactions/work/reward that appeals to many of us.

If pax do *not* remove the daily service charge from their bill, are then waiters, bartenders, and cabin attendants allowed to keep tips for themselves, or must they go into a pool? Does it matter if the tip is cash or charged to the ship account?

I sailed on this ship last January but it was only 10 days, so didn't get to try everything I wanted to try. I have another booking, and to properly plan, have a few questions: 1. Caviar: What kind of caviar is offered on Rotterdam? Are there several kinds? How big are the portions (30 grams, 50 grams?) , and what is the charge (if there is only one kind)? Do you have to order it in the restaurants, or can you order it for elsewhere on the ship (lounges, cabin, pool area, etc.)? 2. Is there a limit to how many times one can dine in Pinnacle for lunch? I understand there is a charge (and that has gone up), and availability is only after one boards. 3. I managed to get to the Dutch cafe a couple times, and loved the food offerings, but was confused about the hours and the best way to optimize strategy to use it. I had gone by a couple other times but lines were very long and it was hard to figure out how things were supposed to work (especially if there was no seating). Can one order Dutch cafe items to be sent to one's cabin (for a charge), perhaps on the app., or by phone, especially when it is crowded? 4. Where can one get freshly squeezed juices (like grapefruit)? Thank you in advance for any replies!

What is a "floating pontoon", and why is it a better way to board zodiacs? Does anyone have a picture of one and how it works?

A few comments and questions: 1. You mentioned you had a cheese selection on the ship. I had been disappointed with the cheeses on our Ponant cruise out of Ireland, but then thought it was a one-off. On Hapag Lloyd recently I had choices of several dozen fine cheeses on board (including some of my soft favorites). A sampling of one night's cheese board offer included "L'Ami du Chambertin, Bleu des Basques, Brie, Geramont, Gorgonzola, Morbier, Munster, Pont-l'Eveque, Reblochon, Scamorza, Stilton". Another night offered Camembert, Comte, Epoisses, Geramont, Langres, Picandou, Scamorza." How was your cheese selection on this cruise, compared with those on HL that I listed? I'm not going to pick a cruise just for cheese, but considering I can make a meal (repeatedly) out of wonderful baguettes (like on Ponant) and a good cheese (if offered), nice cheese offerings can help me forget about other culinary failings that may happen on a cruise. I've only had one Ponant cruise, and don't know if other than on Commandant Charcot one can usually get good cheeses. 2. Did you use a pedometer, and if so, about how many miles did you walk per day, on average, with the itinerary you had (ups and downs). I'm trying to compare fitness levels and plan (or reduce) my itinerary accordingly. I have trouble going up hills (have to go slow, but can make it as long as I don't have to take near vertical high steps that would require very strong thigh and pelvic muscles), which is why I can't do Backroads anymore, and you mentioned you have trouble with Backroads now too. Would you say your fitness level is about at the Backroads low end exertional level 2 right now, or higher? 3. At the beginning you said that in hindsight, there may have been too much of a good thing, e.g., too many volcanic scenes, but your series of photos suggested they were all special in their own ways. Maybe you just did great editing, but I found your description of Azores even more titillating than I hoped! 🙂 4. I like having detailed narrative and pictures, as you provided, and I know *it is a lot of work*. One small suggestion: I (and perhaps other readers) might find it easier and even more enriching to have a little text, then a few pictures, then a little more text, then a few more related pictures, and so on, so one could follow along more easily as to what is where and when, rather than a lot of text, then a lot of pictures. I thought I was missing out on quite a bit by the time I got to the pictures in some of the sections. I managed (kept hopping up and down in the thread, which gave my internet some challenges), and still thoroughly enjoyed your report, please don't get me wrong. Maybe it's just a personal quirk of how I process and retain information and I'm out of line even suggesting this as an option. I also realize that since your DW did the writing, and you the photos, doing more alternation with smaller bites would likely have been even more work for you, and as it is, it looks like you spent many, many hours on this. 5. It was not encouraging to hear that you also had an 'Anglophone second class' problem, as my DH and I also did on our cruise (so we know it was not a one-off). When I book another Ponant cruise, I will not book unless it has a specific English subgroup (or maybe if it is Commandant Charcot) 5. Were you in a base cabin? Did you have any storage problems (or are your tiny wife's clothes so small they took near zero space :))? 6. It was good to hear that there was at least one classical music entertainer on board (even if she wasn't dynamic -- however, given she is Ukrainian, she may have had a few other things on her mind 😞 You have created a wonderful travel guide of Azores and your Ponant cruise, and I congratulate you. Thank you, thank you, and merci! May I ask when and where are your next cruises (Ponant or otherwise)? My DH and I would enjoy meeting you on board, if our paths ever cross.

I just spent the last 2.5 hours reviewing your blog and pictures, and that is just my first pass. I am sorry I somehow missed it in recent weeks, because I had been on our Ponant trip in Ireland, and was then on a Hapag Lloyd cruise, and in between were doctor appointments, home repairs, planning our next trip due to an upcoming deadline, etc.)A trip to the Azores has been on my list for quite some time now, so I am carefully filing the link for information to reference in the not too distant future. Thank you so much for including specifics about which local tour services and guides you used, and the pros and cons of the restaurants, and some of the hotels. You and your lovely, petite and fit DW seem to have been able to 'consume mass quantities' of food along the way without a concomitant expansion of your BMI, so I am envious. I doubt I would have had that kind of discipline or result. I am also pretty sure that even if I had taken hiking sticks (which I tend to do lately if the path is steep), I would not have had the courage to continue on that muddy hike uphill in the rain and fog where you had water running into your shoes from above. (cont'd)

Was he in there alone?

For strikingly interesting European towns, it may be worth booking a private land trip, and off season -- perhaps a week in LIsbon in late fall or winter. The crowds are gone, the wind is changing, and the imagery is striking.

Thank you for taking the time for your detailed and balanced post, which I find quite useful in my planning. It seems almost all cruise lines (we mix and match) are struggling with inability to deliver good customer service relating to flight arrangements (though of course some people are happy and/or lucky), so for now I am going to maintain control of our own flight arrangements, despite the higher risks and sometimes higher costs. We will also continue to have good travel insurance, to cover potential gaps and surprises (which are increasingly common when traveling). We also more than understand the additional struggles that health problems create when trying to follow the cheerful but generic Rick Steeves type advice to only travel with carry-ons (it just doesn't work for us and many others, with all the stuff we need to have, especially on longer trips). We can also relate to your justifiable annoyance with people who board excursion buses while ill, with or without "masks". I hope your next Viking cruise runs a bit more smoothly, and wish you well.