Whipsnade

They should have significantly more disposable income if they have taken the wonderful opportunity to put aside $$$ in their early years. When I started an IRA the limit was $1500 per year and I have fine very well. The newer cohorts should be in fat city by the time they are 60. Unless, of course they decided to invest in Crypto and tattoos.

We are active 85 and 88 year olds and fully anticipate another five years of cruising. That would make about 60 years at sea. Every cruise line I have ever known has wanted to attract “younger” pax because the fossils are “dieing” off. But there seem to always be another larger cohort of fossils who appreciate and can afford luxury.

A younger group of clients at lower prices and lower expectations.

All the luxury lines are creating shorter cruises. Many times you can get a diversity of ports by stringing two or more together.

Moecker has indicated they will no longer mail checks. Any money from them will now come by wire directly to your account provided you sent them the proper information. EIs come directly from Crystal and are a marketing scheme to lure us back (working quite well) and have nothing to do with Moecker and any funds coming from them.

Just what I want on a cruise, lots of kids in the pool and dining venues. I will stick with Crystal.

Since you asked, I am one of them!! We gushed in the beginning too and still find their bread best on the ocean. The repetitive menus are fine for a week but not for longer cruises. Biggest objection is the constant jiggling with prices and excluding many in higher end cabins from this largesse. Constant flow of TAs is annoying. “Influencers” appalling. A beautiful ship for sure. Operation falls way short of Crystal. In my humble opinion. Now watch me get beaten up again for having an opinion.

They are buying French meat which is mostly grass fed. Americans are used to corn fed beef. Their meat not to my taste either. We found pork chops in Marble were best bet.

Just remember you usually get what you pay for. BTDT.

Stick is correct. Only newly achieved milestones will earn rewards.

I don’t see what the choice is. Book with a knowledgeable, helpful, well connected TA or direct with cruise line and get very limited help by staff definitely not on your side. Price the same either way.

Invert happy with the services provided by my TA. I feel I get good value for the money. And i do watch my pennies.

We really didn’t keep track of how often we went but we surely did not pay extra. We were always most satisfied with Waterside. No question the best menu and preparation on the ocean. We preferred the offering in Waterside more than Osteria.

We were in Sapphire so we had unlimited admission.

Same worked for us on Symphony for two months. We just let them know at 5 PM whether we were coming or not and what time. Couldn’t have been more accommodating.

Yes. There are larger tables available. Best to try and reserve one.

All of these companies use either DHL or FedEx to do their pickups and deliveries. Any comments on how these two are similar or different? Preferences?

Our TA told me OC trips do not count toward the $5K credit. Will check again.

I find the one level upgrade less than attractive. It discriminates against Sapphire travelers as we cannot get free upgrade to PH. So we are getting zip for all our loyalty. And the $5000 credit at 25 and 50? Guess what!? Your cruises on OC don’t count.

And ankle weights? Foam knee pillow? Tooth brushes? Shaving brush? Complete toiletries kit? Suitcases arrived looking like badgers had been living in there. I may have to go back to airlines.

I had a bad experience recently in Mumbai. I think it was Indian Customs but DHL was involved and they confiscated items like all our labeled meds, shaving brush, hair brushes, heating pad. DHL has offered compensation which I find strange if Customs was the culprit. any thoughts?

Bridge and water gone in Umi. It is quite elegant.

Luggage Forward well worth the cost. Very responsive when an issue arises.

Sounds like a perfect cruise. Now that both ships have reduced number of cabins we can always feel cozier on both. 380 seems like a perfect number.

Guess my own personal experiences no longer count as “data”. Nevertheless they remain facts.