canderson

6 minutes ago, Mahogany said:

Any idea what the theme will be for the classes on the crossing? 

Given where we will be for the first part, lots of Portuguese food? 😄  Arroz de Pato might be fun!

@Port Power

How long do the S.A.L.T. classes typically last?

38 minutes ago, frankhi said:

... although for some websites your need a VPN to change you perceived location.

Which VPN / protocol (if you know) have you been having success with aboard Nova?

1 hour ago, Lois R said:

Seating in the lab area? You don't usually sit during the lab classes. You are standing in front of the counter with an induction station in front of you.

Yes, understand the lab is standing.  What was new is that meals were served in the lab area on Nova, and I was trying to wrap my mind around that. 

Really appreciate all the updates.  Sounds like we may be happier in Muse class.  Looking forward to our Dawn TA soon!

2 minutes ago, drron29 said:

In Japan the limousine bus to our hotel.

Ah, the memories.  Probably 100 trips on the Friendry Rimousine Bus!  2-1/2 hours Narita to Ikebukuro on a Sunday night.  Needed the cool to stay awake.

11 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

That's a very good advice - but my understanding is it's not free (unless certain level of suite and/or loyalty)? Any idea about the cost? Is it possible to just request a steamer?

Irons are available in the laundromat aboard.

Silver Suite and up for free laundry.

5 hours ago, david63 said:

It worked perfectly in UK time zone at 07:00

 

I'm not sure that a few hours, or even a day, will make that much of a difference.

Depends upon the cruise and desirability of a given venue.  This will be our 1st SS cruise, and at 119, I discovered that a lot of slots were already showing waitlist only.  If you want La Dame on formal night, be online the minute the clock ticks over to 120 out, whatever time zone they're using.

22 minutes ago, FengShui@Sea said:

At $180 pp they would have to be serving me gold bricks on a plate.  DH is very much a foodie, but a side order of MickyD's French fries and I am full.  Wish that weren't the case.  😕

Coins are so much more attractive!   Here's what it looks like before they hit it with the Béarnaise sauce. 😄

2 minutes ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

Just to clarify, the pictures that Lois just posted are of the Chef's Table dinner experience which is held in the SALT Lab. SALT Lab is where the cooking classes are held and is on Deck 10 on the Nova.

By way of contrast, pics of the Dawn that we've seen seem to separate the lab from the restaurant.  We noted no place to sit and eat in the circular lab area.  Yes?   No?

1 hour ago, ak1004 said:

The trend today is travelling with carry on only. Yes, it's possible. One carry on and one personal item per passenger.

When we were backpacking Europe ala Rick Steve's, maybe, but 21 days pre-cruise + upscale cruise ... nah.  Laundry/dry cleaning becomes too frequent an exercise.  I guess it's easier with a synthetic fiber wardrobe.

34 minutes ago, tinaincc said:

Prepare to be skewered.

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!

.

39 minutes ago, ggo85 said:

^^^^^
 

Exactly.  Makes it so easy and relaxing to eat dinner and enjoy the evening entertainment, especially after getting back to the ship hot and sweaty after 6 pm. 🙄🙄

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

39 minutes ago, jjs217 said:

Thank you for the update.  I'm sorry if my post sounded "short" - that was not my intention.  I didn't know there was a thank you button or a like button.  I am a Neanderthal when it comes to technology.

9 minutes ago, Gourmet Gal said:

That’s actually a good price for a resort-style treatment.

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'.

1 hour ago, Gourmet Gal said:

I would spend it in the spa. 

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.

52 minutes ago, difranco said:

Nice to see Rab C Nesbitt alive and kicking. He was at the pool bar on our last cruise mopping up the Scotch. Later seen dining in Atlantide on formal night with Father Ted, Father Jack and Dougal. None were wearing a jacket or tie. Maître d' did try to intervene but Father Jack had a word in his ear and that was that.

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.

3 hours ago, bitob said:

I'm booked in a Silver Suite so no problem.

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

25 minutes ago, bitob said:

I am aware there is no Arts Cafe on the smaller ships.

My friends are on the Shadow now and are reporting a coffee disaster.  Machine not working and no place to get an espresso drink

 

Is that possible?

 

I will be on Whisper in March.  Will I have any options for good coffee?

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

19 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Not sure what happened to my previous post? I took a cab from the hotel to the ship instead of going on the bus. I was at the check in counter at noon and was on board about 5 minutes later.

She is beautiful, albeit exploring her will take a few days. Definitely a different deck plan.

I have seen several familiar faces which is always nice 🙂

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

How was the Tivoli?

3 minutes ago, Host Kat said:

 

@canderson

 

Posting on the boards does no good as it will not be seen by the Community Manager. Please note the following from the Guidelines we all agreed to follow when registering for our free Cruise Critic memberships:

 

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Host Kat

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?

6 minutes ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

Weather-related. Many ports on the previous voyage (Hamburg, St Malo, Bordeaux and Bilbao) were canceled due to weather and the ship arrived early in Lisbon on Wednesday.  The Dawn is spending an extra day in Lisbon before its next voyage as the ports in Morocco have been cancelled.  There are forecasts of gale force winds and unfortunately also a maritime pilots strike scheduled for Nov. 6-8. 

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