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Interesting that the welcoming wind band all appear to be using tablets instead of sheet music. No clips, clothespins, or music blowing into the water!

Check in at Reception and stash my carry-on in the closet while I have lunch. After that, suites are officially "available", and it's time to crack open the champagne to keep me fortified while I unpack, meet my butler and cabin attendant, and watch the muster video. Once that's done, it's time for the muster briefing, and then the cruise is fully underway! I usually cruise with the same line where the entire fleet follows the same layout, so no touring necessary; it's like returning to a vacation home. Sigh. Reminiscing on this has made me overly aware of just how much I NEED a cruise right now!

Guilty. And not just with coffee. Me, counting rests: "ONE, two, three four, TWO, two, three, four, FIVE, two, three, four...) Gets me every time! <g>

CruiseCritic really needs more of those little "emotion" pictures. This thread alone warrants at least fifty...

Agree 100% It's the billing of these cruises as "foliage" cruises that gets my eyes to roll. It's all about the ship and the ports or lack thereof. If you happen to catch a glimpse of the leaves changing that's a plus, but I wouldn't advise anyone to book a cruise FOR foliage. You've got to fart around on the back roads for that! Can't believe I'm looking forward to abandoning the Met and Michelin stars for the privacy of a compound along the Connecticut River, but I'm ready for some solitude and quiet, and the past year has made it clear I need to be closer to my aging parents. That's what is REALLY tearing at me. I suppose I can always plan regular trips to "the City" for cuisine and culture (and judging by what's been going on with Dad, it looks like decent medical care as well!)

Thanks @crusinbanjo. I was born and raised in New England, fled after high school graduation swearing I'd never return, and am now counting the days until I retire so I can move back! Foliage is a fleeting thing. You cannot schedule it; you just have catch it at the right moment for it to take your breath away and the only way to do that is to meander about until you find that moment. I've never understood the reasoning behind foliage cruises because the timing seems all off to me, and the bus tours just don't have the flexibility that's needed.

In my opinion, if leaf peeping is your goal, I'd recommend driving. Start up north in early-ish October, and wind your way down through Vermont and New Hampshire. Stop at some orchards for apples, cider, and doughnuts, buy some Vermont amber maple syrup, cross some covered bridges, and eat cheese! Central Vermont usually peaks right around the second week of October, give or take a few days for weather. The biggest issue, as @CruiserFromMaine mentioned, is weird weather causing the leaves to start falling before they change or storms blowing them off. Finish up by winding your way down through Massachusetts and Connecticut. Give yourself enough flexibility to be in the right (peaking) spot at the right time (dry, sunny day with deep blue skies), and the mountains will look like they're on fire.

Agree with the recommendations for Rx. If you deal with reflux issues, it is extremely difficult to sleep through the night otherwise. Avoiding citrus, tomatoes, alcohol, fried food, coffee, elevating the head of your bed, etc. all help, but only medication truly helps. And, if you are on medication for reflux, have a liver panel done with your bloodwork. Years ago, my prescription plan decided to no longer cover my GRD prescription and I was switched to another medication (I believe it was lansoprazole (Prevacid), but am not sure). Routine bloodwork showed abnormally high liver values, to the point where my physician asked if I was an alcoholic or had Hepatitis. Once returned to my regular med., all issues disappeared. I would have never known but for a routine bloodwork panel.

I agree! They only time I've ever broken one, was when I just had to prove to the young man that one couldn't break them and threw one on the floor. It broke. I never learn...

@mysty - I have those same Corelle plates, passed down to me from my mother! @QueSeraSera & @Lirio - My condolences on your losses. Amazing how these little guys leave such big holes in our hearts.

Thanks! That's good to know. I didn't even realize there WAS a Booty Free store. Assuming they have one of my tipples in stock, is that something you can buy after sail away for the cruise, or is it only available for after debarkation? I don't want to find out that they expect $300 for a bottle that retails at $80, based on the published 2 oz. pour pricing.

Thanks ociana. Do you recall what sort of markup they charge over retail?

I wasn't able to find any mention of this on existing threads. When aboard my regular cruise line, I request a bottle of single malt so I can pour myself a nightcap before bed, or to sip while sitting out on the veranda. I see that a few of my preferred malts are available in "On the Rocks", but was unable to locate any per bottle pricing. Does anyone know if that is available? Thanks!

I'm not overly particular. I usually request a mattress topper for the bed ahead of time as I like to sink in a bit. Once onboard, I request a bottle of single malt for my suite (usually Macallan or Glenmorangie is readily available), sparkling and still water be left on the desk, and a champagne stopper if one isn't in sight. I also have a personal humidifier if the Suite is too dry and let my butler know not to throw away the empty water bottle next to it, as I just filch one along the way and refill it from the tap. No need to replace. No standing orders for me; I rarely have meals in my suite, but will often ring Room Service for Pommery and caviar when I hear the dressing gong to help put me in the proper frame of mind for dinner. <g> And speaking of dinner, if a preview menu for the Restaurant is not included with the next day's Chronicles, I will also request that one be provided. Hmmm. Now I seem to appear more a fuss pot than I thought!

Well, not the easiest to lay paws on, but here you are - Animal Farm Butter

My parents did the same years ago. I was horrified. I think they only did it to ensure their youngest daughter wouldn't overstay her welcome on visits home!

Wow. At home, I find time for a long bath at least once a week and feel deprived if that doesn't happen. On a cruise, MUCH more often, and that's in addition to soaks in the jacuzzis. I don't know what would happen if I were to walk into my suite one day and find only a niggardly shower! The only reason I can think of for eschewing the tub is perhaps you're forgetting to bring the bottle of Whiskey in with you??? Hot water, bubbles, single malt and a good book... Ahhhhh! (Don't let the cats in with you. They only pretend they're interested until you're wet and relaxed. THEN they bang on the door for some urgent activity they just remembered).

Missy, We were originally going to take Silversea's overland tour in Egypt a few years ago, until they cancelled the days in Cairo. I ended up booking a private tour through "Tours with Locals" with a fabulous guide, Meland, very knowledgeable and personable, who arranged private roundtrip transportation from the pier to Luxor where we visited multiple tombs at the Valley of the Kings, the tombs of the artisans who built those tombs, the Temple of Karnak, a lovely cruise down the Nile, and a fabulous lunch at a local restaurant along the Nile (highlight was sharing my very delicious fish with the two resident felines, who only allowed me a few bites). No regrets (except I should have ordered more fish!).

Much lighter! <g>

Thanks FauxNom! I don't remember that, or maybe it's been updated since I last sailed in this suite. I originally confused this suite with Suite 734 on the Whisper, which had a slider creating a "French balcony" until I dug up the picture.

No. The windows do not open, but as others have said - snap it up! Here's a photo:

Another great drip maker are the Dutch Technivorm Moccamasters. They also quickly heat water to the optimal temperature and drip and the optimal rate to extract the desired flavonoids from the beans and dispense into a thermal carafe to keep the coffee hot without "cooking" it. Despite all this, I have been lazy and must confess have been just picking up my coffee from Wawa...

Oh Lois, I SWEAR by hot toddies for the inevitable winter-time crud! Only thing that works! Mine are a huge mug of brandy, a *big* blob of honey, and just enough boiling water to make it hot. The steam helps me breathe, the honey soothes my throat and cough, and the heat opens my chest. And the brandy soothes me to sleep. Funny thing is, I should be getting at least a bit tipsy off these, but I never do. Must be due to it being purely medicinal...

Usually travel as a solo and do this all the time. Enjoy your cruise!

Also, many of the connoisseur's list wines are priced more than competitively, and can be purchased and bubble-wrapped to be taken home for future consumption.