Observer

5 hours ago, rbslos18 said:

Do the beautifully refurbished ships have a wrap-around (covered) Promenade deck for walking/running?  

Thanks!

It is not covered, which is a real problem for people who must strictly limit their exposure to sun.

Spirit has pan-Asian restaurant Indochine.  I love it.

Moon does not have it but has instead SALT Kitchen, with cuisine related to area in which ship is sailing.

I am a solo traveler, like you. I also require a veranda. I have traveled on all three lines you mention.

For me, one of the great attractions of Silversea is the availability of reasonable single fares.  

You might want to look at this site:

https://www.silversea.com/best-luxury-cruise-deals/single-occupancy-supplements.html

You will see that there are lots of very reasonable supplements available for veranda cabins. Obviously, as the cruise fills up the supplements may increase in cost. I try to book early.

Good luck!

57 minutes ago, Brad1185 said:

Still puzzled how they can say all inclusive and charge for meals such as La Dame $320. S.A.L.T. $360 and Kaiseki $160 a couple.

 

I am curious about the SALT charge. Is this a charge for a special culinary excursion?  I have eaten frequently in SALT Kitchen and have never had a surcharge.  Is this a new "enhancement" on Nova? 

1 hour ago, ak1004 said:

I strongly object people wearing shorts and t-shirts after 6pm, but theoretically, people can do now as well.

Not only theoretically. Actually. My post was prompted by seeing such conduct, especially over the past few years.  

55 minutes ago, RetiredandTravel said:

We probably prefer the new dress code just because I don't have to wear a jacket every night.  We do hope this is the floor for dress acceptability and its strictly enforced. 

I also welcome the new dress code, largely for the reason you specify.

I think that enforcement is an issue and that it is unfair to ask crew to be the dress police.  I particularly regret the many instances when guests will arrive in a venue like Panorama at 5:45 in their shorts and T-shirts and remain there with cocktails for, say, an hour. 

Could the CD perhaps make a brief announcement in all public areas at, say, 6:15 PM reminding people of the evening dress code and that it is now in effect?

52 minutes ago, Princess Calee said:

One last question please; is the bottom part of the balcony railing solid?  

A good question.  As I recall from Original Crystal Serenity, a handful of cabins very forward, that had deeper verandahs, did have a solid plate at the bottom of the balcony railing. The deeper verandahs are apparent on the deck plan.

50 minutes ago, skybluewaters said:

Why would an iPad be necessary?  Isn't the device in the room basically used for Crystal-related activities such as excursions, menus, daily schedules?  Just about everyone already has their own smart device, so maybe I'm missing something, but what added value would an in-room iPad have?

I entirely agree. I bring my own iOS devices, and any iPad provided would be sitting in a drawer for the duration of a cruise.

I was puzzled that Crystal would be providing iPads in every cabin. However, the discussion thus far has been about the delay in receiving the iPads, the fact of the iPads have arrived, etc.  I imagined that the member posting these posts knew the difference between a tablet and an iPad.  I was impressed that Crystal was buying a top-of-the-line product.  iPads are clearly not needed, and Crystal is apparently not providing them.  

3 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

Putting tablets in each room is not cheap.

 

I was impressed to learn that iPads would be distributed.  However, "tablets" are a much different matter and are hardly all synonmous with "iPads."

As for expense:  Many tablets can be had for less than $100 -- some for around $50 (without bulk discount).  This is a fraction of the cost of an entry level iPad.

Are these Apple iPads or some generic tablet device masquerading as iPads?  The photo does not seem to represent any iPad or iPad Pro or iPad mini I have had.  

37 minutes ago, jollyjones said:

it is easy to cancel

Sadly, in my experience this is not the case. Let's say that one decides to cancel at 3 PM. The restaurants are closed. The butler is on his/her (well deserved!) break. And reception is clueless. The last time I called reception to cancel the dinner reservation, the reception agent apparently canceled all of my reservations for the rest of that long booking.

AFAIK only LaDame assesses a penalty for no-shows or late cancellations.

One should be able to do this online during the cruise.  

11 hours ago, RonWL said:

 I have a closet full of sport coats, suits, and ties that I haven't worn since I retired.  

And they still fit? If so, congratulations! 

59 minutes ago, bitob said:

It is going to be what to wear on all the non expedition ships.

I think/hope you are correct.  It would be good if SS would expand and thus clarify this announcement.  

6 minutes ago, History&Wine said:

OC pretty much had all of deck 7 on Serenity available with low single supplements, generally 25%.  One could also book a veranda room with a 50% single supplement.   So yes, NC has cut the availability of low supplement rooms by a huge amount.  

 

I think this pricing decision was a poor one.  At least for me.  I travel solo, and I require a verandah.  I had many (150?) nights on Crystal with old pricing structure.  I would love to return.  But not with current pricing.

I look forward to clarifications.  For example, will LaTerrazza still be one step below other outlets.  

I think this is a very constructive step and brings SS in line with other luxury lines.  I hope it is rolled out to the rest of the fleet shortly.

44 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

And of course the Points Guy -- influencer.  Do you really think that is an unbiased opinion.   

Hold on! Do you think he was comped for that cruise? Really? I don't recall his saying so. 

1 minute ago, Roland4 said:

We don't cruise to play Dress-Up every night!

No need.  On infomal nights (the most common) on the newer, larger ships like Moon one can dine casual at three restaurants (and in the suite).  On the infrequent formal nights there remain two casual outlets and one where one can dress informal (gents: jacket but no tie).

4 minutes ago, Roland4 said:

The ridiculous dresscode on SS and the belligerent way it is enforced is all the difference most people would need.

I respectfully disagree. My last SS cruise was six weeks.  I never once put on my sport jacket or a necktie.  And I was not skimping on variety, and I only very rarely ate in my cabin, with the meal served course by course.

59 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

There was no doubt that the new Crystal will be good.

 

To me, the big question is - is it in a different league compared to Silversea (and other luxury lines)? Because based on prices, it should be. And if not, what's the reason to sail on Crystal and not SS (unless of course money is not an issue at all).

This is the key question for me.  Cabin size is an important consideration for me, but not a decisive one. Having a veranda is non negotiable.  I have lots of nights on Crystal and would be pleased to return.  But the solo fares for a room with verandah are simply out of sight, especially when compared with solo fares on Silversea. (I book early.)

22 hours ago, difranco said:

The butler is a suite attendant wearing dickie bow and tails. They do nothing a standard room attendant and room service can’t deliver. IMHO after past SS cruise experience.

 

 

 

.

 

My butler on a recent cruise had only recently been promoted from suite attendant.  Apparently, Silversea is having challenges staffing all of its new ships.

21 hours ago, Shawski said:

I checked with Luggage Forward about the process for picking up the luggage at the end of the cruise.  I was told that I do not need to personally retrieve my bags upon disembarkation.  They will handle it and see it through customs.  Hoping that they are right and I don't end up missing my flight. 

This is very surprising.  It may be the case in some ports. However, in most ports access to the customs hall is strictly regulated.  In my experience, one has to clear ones bag through customs (which is often a very perfunctory experience) and then give it to a Luggage Forward representative outside the door.

30 minutes ago, bitob said:

There will be a place to leave it. Guest relations will know

I believe that this is the case for the Baggage Valet service run by Silversea.  But they have no involvement in guest arrangements with Luggage Forward.  One has to look for a person holding a Luggage Forward sign at the exit to the customs hall.  Once the person was not there, I was on endless hold with the Luggage Forward office, and I nearly missed my flight.  I am now using the Silversea service where Silversea takes responsibility in getting the bag to the port agent who gets it to UPS/FedEx/etc.

This is a perennial topic, and I have remarked upon it in the past. Please excuse me if I repeat myself.

I do not believe it is fair to expect the pool staff who bring drinks, etc., to police this matter.  They are hotel staff and look forward to good comments on questionnaires and perhaps tips from regulars. They certainly do not want complaints from entitled chair hoggers. 

I wonder if the responsibility can't be given to the security staff.  Specifically, I suggest that a security staff member cruise the pool deck once an hour. A sticker would be placed on unoccupied but apparently "reserved" loungers.  If the sticker is still there an hour later, the security person or a pool staffer would remove any objects/towels, etc., and the chair would be liberated.

Thoughts?

You can definitely get by with a sport coat and tie.  On formal nights, simply dine at Hot Rocks (casual) or LaTerrazza (where informal --jacket but no tie needed) is accepted on formal nights.  Formal nights are of course infrequent.  I suggest you make reservations for LaTerrazza for formal nights.

1 hour ago, mysty said:

Laundry charge is per item.  

Do I recall correctly that there is no charge for laundry in Silver Suites and above?