Gourmet Gal

Hope you’re right but it could be wishful thinking. When has anything become more luxury after becoming less so?

Lois, I know you often use SS pre-hotels. Do the transfers from the hotels arrive at the ports close to 2:00 or earlier? If they arrive at 2:00 I’m just wondering if there’s lunch still available onboard? We’re using an SS hotel and transfer for the first time on our upcoming cruise in May starting in Rome.

Agree also. Though I’ve never thought any cruise line had Michelin* caliber dining nor was the onboard service anywhere near as wonderful as FS or Peninsula, ever. Seems even less so now. But in terms of pricing you could easily exceed SS pricing at those hotels so then the value question becomes debatable.

Now I’m getting paranoid! All good advice. Perhaps I should consider bringing my own food prep gloves for the buffets.

There are also more jet journeys too whether they be around-the-world or regional. My DH and I have never been frequent cruisers, preferring to do our own land-based exploring but we do love the jet trips. We have our third around-the-world booked next year. At this stage we enjoy the prospect of just showing up for the trip and having every detail executed flawlessly. Cruises are great in that respect as well but to a lesser degree. We’re becoming more appreciative of the positives of group travel as we get older but are very selective. SS has been our go-to for our few ocean cruises but I’m concerned about the direction of the line. We’ll see next month how the Monaco F1 sailing goes and will decide if we keep our booking for Japan after that.

We had a great day tour with guide Mayu at Backstreet Guides. You can customize your time with her. I don’t know anything about a cocktail tour - sounds scary but Culinary Backstreets is great for an extensive culinary walking tour. For a shorter evening walking food tour Arigato has fun tours.

That would be an odd menu in Asia for example.

If interested I can refer and outstanding guide. Also highly recommend a Culinary Backstreets food tour.

Doesn’t this menu change based on the region that is being sailed just as the SALT restaurant changes?

Does anyone know if SS usually has an F1 themed event onboard in Monaco for those who buy their viewing packages? I think I’ve read somewhere there was something like that in the past but along with other recent cuts those days may be over.

We’ve enjoyed The Peninsula - we love their rooms and close to Ginza, Four Seasons Marunouchi - very close to Tokyo Station.

Is this a policy that has been announced that there is no provisioning during cruises at all?

Yes, I know you like your “fruit” juice!

Seems less wasteful to have fruit bowls by request but agree it should be stated somewhere.

Not so sure about that value proposition. If SS is to be compared to Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Peninsula and above, it wouldn’t be unusual to pay at least $1500 per day for a basic room depending upon location and season. You might possibly have breakfast included but meals at those hotels are also expensive. Add on taxes, resort fees, parking or transportation, etc. A 3-day stay could easily be well over $5000. Hotel rates have also significantly increased lately. No doubt SS considers themselves to be on par with those chains…at least FS and RC, but can the consumer now consider them on par? Now if the hotel comparison drops down to one of the mass chains then perhaps there is a valid argument regarding value.

That right there seems like a mass, non-luxury cruise experience. I book for itinerary first and then book a cruise line in the luxury category that fits that requirement. So this is very concerning because, after all, I’m paying for those excursions and have a high-end expectation.

But are the bus groups broken up into smaller tours?

When paying deposits and making purchases by credit card in a foreign country always pay in that country’s currency. Many offer the choice to pay in your own currency or theirs. You will incur an extra conversion fee on top of the foreign transaction fee (if applicable).

Your cruise sounds so fun. I am very interested in following along since I’m considering Scenic if I ever take another river cruise. Thanks for sharing and I’m glad you’re able to cruise once again.

Just warn people at least that you have a “bad” cold and they can be the ones to take their chances.

Too late to edit. Anyway, I checked my bookings and the activities total still does not include the previously booked, included excursions that are now select. Take a screenshot or print your activities page right after booking to at least try to plead your case once onboard if anything changes.

I believe there is a disclaimer that states SS has the right to alter, cancel, etc. excursions. But I agree it reeks and is poor customer service to not have the details figured out before posting all the excursions. There seems to be quite a bit of dysfunction lately with SS.

Just keep arming yourself with masks and boosters. We can’t change the behavior of other people. At least masks are still readily available. I’m planning to get another booster before my next cruise as per the latest guidelines.

These are not mass cruise ships with the premium pricing and this downward spiral in food quality is really concerning.

Wow, I didn’t know bronchitis was contagious. But will say, the river ships are especially like petri dishes when it comes to airborne infections. Sorry to say, the smart thing to do is to wear a mask in close quarters especially if those who are sick don’t think to.