Gourmet Gal

I know for sure yes if traveling premium class. I wouldn’t know, otherwise.

The TGV does have areas to store large bags.

Normally at CDG it’s very possible your luggage will make it to your connecting flight faster than you will.

I’m not sure what you point is?

Honestly, the pizza is hit or miss. Sometimes terrible and sometimes just good. Never great. Food and cuisine are so subjective. It depends on what you’re used to and personal taste. I live in a culinary mecca so it’s hard for me to say that any food on any ship is off-the-charts-fabulous. But SS is mostly good to surprisingly good for me with most dishes well-prepared. I wouldn’t say there’s anything to avoid.

That article is basically the press release from FS, not a review. Anyway, on land I much prefer FS to RC and have high hopes for the FS ship.

Love the Seychelles. Americans actually do go there after their Africa trips.

Sorry you’re having trouble with RC and hope it works out with another line. Just wondering how FS can have better reviews? Their ship isn’t even built yet.

The barge cruises can be really fun if you choose one that offers daily excursions and at least one dinner off-boat. The food can be fabulous. There’s no nightly entertainment and the boats aren’t super luxurious but some a very, very nice. You’ll see smaller villages, beautiful scenery and it’s a great way to drill down into the French culture and cuisine. I’ve never cruised with Viking, only Tauck and Uniworld and can say the barge experience is more relaxing and feels less regimented. I recommend chartering the entire boat and go with friends or family if you’re worried about the close quarters with potential cruise mates that you may jot get along with. I’ve done several in France and really enjoyed them. For a first stab at research I recommend Belmond. They have 7 barges on multiple canals in different regions of France.

Ah, that’s right. It’s the Terrace suites I’m confusing with Vistas. Thanks for clarifying.

Aren’t there vista suites on Whisper with shared balconies or perhaps in the past?

I thought Vistas have shared balconies?

Be sure to read up on the attire recommendations on the website. Some people are put off by it and others embrace it. Also, proceed with caution on SSAir. Not sure what airport you fly from but sometimes that can cause some undesirable routings and possible air deviation charges that could impact the value. As for booking excursions, if you’re organized and ready to make selections when the booking window opens you should be fine.

To me the butler on SS is really just a glorified cabin attendant but more available if you need him/her. I’m finding it a little comical that anyone would feel it’s a burden or onerous to have extra staff willing to assist. It’s very simple to establish right up front if you want minimal attention. They work for you and no one should feel intimidated. Honestly, I have very few requests but enjoy the nice little surprises a conscientious butler might provide. I wouldn’t not book with SS for that reason nor for the dress-code.

Yeah, airfare is really high right now. Business class SFO-KOA $9000 for 2 people non-stop!

You can be proactive since you have some specific requirements. Search the ideal flights, first and second choices and submit your request directly to SSAir or through your TA. And good luck!

After so many threads on this topic I’m so surprised you didn’t have a good understanding of the “official” dress code. I’m sorry to hear you’re already feeling disappointed with your booking. Is it too late to cancel if it’s that much of an issue?

Jazz, the description of the informal nights does not match the reality of any of the SS cruises I’ve been on. Over the last 10 years male pax on informal nights are increasingly not conforming to the jacket requirement. I also see fewer dresses on informal nights. But is a jacket that hard to swing? If you have one fairly dark one you should be able to manage it for formal and informal nights. Also, I didn’t know SS had an evening buffet. Is that something new? If you mean La Terrazza then there is only a buffet for breakfast and lunch, not dinner. It’s table service for dinner, unless that has changed.

I don’t like a formal dress-code either but honestly, it’s not very formal at all. There are formal nights but there are always dining venues available if you don’t want to get gussied up. The service aspect makes up for any inconvenience of a couple of formal nights.

I would compare itineraries between SS, Regent and Seabourn, all with smaller ships but they are also all-inclusive like Uniworld. Regent and SS have included excursions as well so that is also more similar to the river-cruising experience. But do consider itinerary first. The ship within a ship concept is not likely to appeal to your husband and I think SS, Regent and Seabourn will be a better transition to ocean cruising. Enjoy the process of choosing!

I would think a hardcore trivia player would welcome the competition and it would make it more pleasant for them. But if the competition is unfair and stacked against them then it’s understandable and I would definitely discuss with the CD.

The OP states the CPAP is dual voltage.

You are so welcome. After delving through your extensive blog I am even more impressed. You’re a wonderful writer!

Lovely blog, Mary O!

Possibly. You’d really have to compare the day by day. Tauck quite often will have insider-access type activities and they always have a special dinner or event with entertainment off-ship. I will say the quality of the excursions at Tauck seems much better than at Uniworld with smaller groups, smaller bus loads and a little more “hand holding” if you need it. There are also usually multiple ports where you’ll have a choice of excursion and the groups are also divided by walking speed. You also have the option to just take a map and DIY.