saminina

Cell phone.....wifi and airplane mode turned on. Can you call/receive without added charge?

Electrolux for EU market. Washer below dryer. Watched people loading opposite. Nice equipment in a very small space. Eco friendly dry cleaning means you do not send fine wool apparel to the laundry. Same as on any other ship we travel today. Ask your local dry cleaner what eco friendly means. More are going with this method.

It's just the way it is today. Explora did not do this in October. They did in December. One more vote for much ado about nothing.

It is a mental adjustment regarding the never changing menus. You either adjust the thought process as laid out by Stickman or not.

My partner packs her own and objects to the odor of the supplied product. I call it fragrance and apply it heavily. Works wonders. You might as well ask about food.

Your knowledge exceeds mine. I've lived under delusion that crew on Explora are paid flat salary when signing a contract. The crew does not expect gratuities. It is not a separate line item. If a segment has ten or 900 passengers, crew are paid flat rate. Of course, any passenger can do what they want to do for tipping individuals. It is contrary to the original intent of all inclusive and why crew fund is popular to express gratitude.

There is only one spot to get the accurate head count.

I'm sticking with the problems originate off the ship. Ask to speak with GM or F&B manager. Glad I brought on maple syrup, toilet paper, facial tissue and a supply of cab.

Wave when passing by Explora.....if we're anywhere close. Looking forward to boarding Serenity next month.

That is a no-no. Host lifestyle fund is a yes-yes. No way you would know about it unless asking guest services.

It is unfortunate to have been on the earliest segments. Passengers being at different stages in life, your comments make total sense. Lots of errors on corporate level, but on board management is empowered and has been spectacular IMO. Way too early to predict how this plays out. Suits me fine at the moment. Looking forward to being on board Crystal Serenity next month which for my purposes is the only real competing product today. Strong emphasis on TODAY.

Current passenger count is 528. About 10% being children and most under 12 years age. From today's paper agenda. Dress Code at Fine Dining Outlets "Let's elevate our dining experience with a touch of smart casual flair. The smart casual style combines tailored essentials with relaxed pieces. Think tailored trousers or skirts paired with polished tops or shirts. Please avoid shorts and flip-flops. Because good taste extends beyond menu."

Reference made to this thread and not a particular post.

Isn't this entire thread based on "I was told"? Followed by "never able to verify."

Much prefer table setup in Silver Note on Moon. Very few would notice.

25 thousand tax free dollars sounds good. Party on.....sign me up for another contract. So I would have said in 1952. You can even adjust for inflation, but I demand to be on a ship built after 2010.

Using the in suite phone, can someone advise the per minute cost? Thanks!

Multiply 5 times a day and the feeling sorry begins to wear thin. It is not a bad gig.

Rather foolish of me to buy into a third party story as though it is new policy. If this pay scheme was created after contracts were signed, shame on spa operator. I'm tending toward "much ado about nothing." Who'd have thought such a story could be created in the spa area?

It is a horrible situation for the staff and an unpleasant position for the passengers. Neither are powerless in numbers. SB should not be sitting on the fence.

So spa staff will swim off ships. Beyond being well informed of the policy, it really is not any of my business. Last two haircuts, I wanted to go back next day and reduce the gratuity. The hair cutters I liked returned to Azamara. Quality staff will disappear if not worth the time spent on board. Same for passengers.

Lots of people feel this way. But not as many people that feel same way about the other two lines that seem to not have gone the deep discount route and hustling there cruises thru agents offering deeper discount packages. Seabourn suits because I am a cheapskate and have great on board benefits not available to me on the other two lines.

During October the count was about 350. I have not noticed it going on the heavy discount list.

I prefer tenders that have no A/C. Avoids arguments over where thermostat should be set.

I'll take Natalia any evening over some kind of show or piano player. She is a pianist. Do not confuse the two. Bingo-art auctions? Thankfully, not even close to happening on Explora. Or any other ship on our list.