canderson

Unclear how having a different preference and explaining it should be considered "skewering" someone. Choose cruises that fit your style rather than insisting that all cruises allow for your style. I doubt you would find many of us here opting for an RCG Bliss charter, but because these occur, that doesn't mean that RCG should provide that option for all of their cruises simply because some prefer that style of cruising! .

As someone already asked ... wouldn't you be showering regardless?

Yes, but a good bit more than the other RCG lines. The Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, where we'll be staying pre-cruise for a while in 2 weeks, runs $130 for 90 minutes. Based upon what we've seen here, we're thinking the Chef's Table might be a lot more fun than just the La Dame 'experience'.

At $269 for the basic 75 minute massage, better have plenty of OBC!

When using RCG's system, I'm always mindful of the fact that what they display online for available flights is NOT the full picture. Several times I've conversed with the RCG air desk and they've been able to come up with better flights at the same prices that were NOT among those listed on their web site. Of course, we only used that service to get better one way Transatlantic prices (which worked). RCG, being as big as it is, has no doubt contracted for a much larger number of itineraries than SS would have done, and will be able to fold the rather different SS itineraries into their contracts, so it may turn out that the consolidation brings a lot more options to SS customers. One can hope.

And what did he whisper? "Women's knickers"?

One of the best public sites - includes ground station locations. https://satellitemap.space/

All depends upon which carriers and routes SS has contracted with. You can certainly request a particular airline or alliance, but there's no assurance that SS will have access to the flights you prefer. You can request alternate flights, but don't bet on receiving them on a door-to-door fare.

If you have some brew at home that you prefer, bring it along. One of these kits should take care of that, too. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2QW9BBX

Conduct a raid on any Silver Suite or higher. They all have Illy espresso machines!

It was in the other thread (boarding time question). Glad it went smoothly and quickly! How was the Tivoli?

If I get confirmation replies, then I'll bother Laura. If I'm the only one seeing this, I'll try to sort it on my end first. Or is this not the forum for checking with other users re their forum use experience?

Is it just me, or are others also seeing all search attempts result in this screen?

Yup. Things very unsettled right now. Here's the current advisory in English:

Granted, that advice works after the fact, but until you've sailed a line, there's no other way to draw comparisons without seeing what people say about it. Not long ago, we had the same questions (adding in Oceania) and for the same reason. We had not sailed either SS or Oceania.

The hardest thing to answer will be to your friends when you return. They'll ask what you did to avoid boredom on all of those "days at sea", and you'll have to explain that you don't really remember it all, but that you wish there had been even more of them! It's not quite as easy for people who don't know how to just "chill" for a few days, but for those that do, it can be a real blessing. Hope you enjoy it, whichever way you lean. We'll be behind you just a couple of weeks from Lisbon to FLL on Dawn, and looking forward to it.

My thought when I read that, too. We've certainly had both concurrently in past times, and are trying to continue to do so by booking our first SS cruise. Based upon all I've read, I think we'll enjoy both on Dawn. That said, on a transoceanic cruise, the shipboard experience becomes more important than usual.

I'd agree, but sometimes I do dither in my choice of studs and cufflinks at times. 😄 "Accessorizing" is a lot easier for (most) guys.

@All who use it Any chance we can dispense with the rather offensive "OG" in reference to those who prefer to 'dress' for dinner? I'll add that to "pearl clutchers" and other previous references.

Would have to agree. It takes me all of about 15 seconds to tie a full Windsor, and another 5 to slip on a jacket. All of the other prep/clothes are baseline anyway unless casual implies going commando!😮 Just a sexist guess, but I wonder if the ladies feel a need to spend more time on makeup and hair on non-casual nights?

You make several interesting assumptions in that sentence. They may instead be making a very smart marketing move in leaving things as they are on Muse class ships as a 'last refuge' for many who appreciate that style of sailing. There really aren't good alternatives now. It could just as well prove to be a profitable niche for SS for some time to come, rather than sinking the ship, as you say. Note the use if the words "may" and "could" vs. a declarative sentence, which should probably be avoided until we see what happens with Muse class bookings vs the overall market in upcoming years.

Yes, it only works one way. What is never known is whether there are cabins shown as 'not available' that are in fact not yet booked, but rather, being held in inventory for other reasons. This was especially true during COVID when certain sections of ships were often blocked off for use as quarantine areas. But if you look at the available cabins (on the X and RCCL sites, for example) for a mock booking, you can be assured that these are indeed unoccupied, and from that you can say, "The ship cabin occupancy can't be any greater than 'x %' ". What can't be known is how full it actually is. That said, unless you're a SS agent with access to the full available inventory, which SS doesn't provide on their public website, you can't count available cabins to get this information. At least that's my experience. When doing a mock booking, I never see more than 3 cabins offered in any given class on the SS site. Conversely, on the RCL and X sites, when selecting "You pick", or whatever, one sees all cabins available in the selected class.

What system are you using that shows all available cabins on SS ship? Unlike the other two RCG public web sites, the SS site doesn't seem to allow for this, providing instead only a few cabin options for any selected class during mock bookings. AM guessing you're not on a public SS system?

I always hope for a meal with the Chief Engineer. I find most are pleased to answer well considered questions about their ships. While there are similarities between many ships of a certain age, the differences are fascinating to me, and the technology keeps evolving. Have never sailed on a Fincantieri ship. For sure I've never sailed on an ocean going ship with just a 21kn max speed (17kn "service speed" per Fincantieri)! Consider that a plus. Makes for an extra night aboard on a TA 😁