Carolfay

I live in the Portland, OR, area - and nothing I see in the way of attire surprises me anymore . . .

Agreed.  But just as perspective, I watched "An Affair to Remember" last night (1957).  The first half of the movie takes place on a cruise ship.  Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr - yes, I know, times have changed.  But how beautifully dressed passengers were, and the way standards were adhered to and not whined about.  I think that is why some of us are still fixated on the fantasy.  And I think something has been lost.  The cruise experience, after all, continues to be a fantasy.  That's what they are selling in their brochures and their advertising.  OK, got it. I will do my thing onboard and be just fine with others.

As someone who wants to continue to fit into my cocktail dresses, I mightily appreciate the smaller portions.

My only reason for commenting was to point out that there's more than one viewpoint on this matter, and I think all views should be weighed when policy changes are considered.  I'm sure I'll enjoy my dinner just as much if the people at the next table look like they just came inside after doing yard work.

Just the responses I anticipated.  

There are those of us who choose Silversea because they continue to have some degree of formality.  I hope we won't be entirely ignored.

2 hours ago, neeuqdrazil said:

 

In my circles, they're known as "Taxi" shoes, or another, significantly less polite, epithet. 🙂

I prefer "Cab to Curb Shoes."

Should be swell - unless there's rioting in the streets . . .

1 hour ago, canderson said:

Yeah, I was looking for a 'duck and cover' emoji, but didn't spot one!

 

Yes, but I think you've identified one of the reasons this topic is so problematic for many women.

52 minutes ago, sea bright said:

Thanks for your report! Very interesting as we're getting on the Nova in January in Lima. 

Me, too.  Anticipation is building, and I'm enjoying all the detail on this thread.

I think I'll prefer it to the decor I found on Oceania Regatta last year, which I thought of as "bordello chic."

I can see that they're apparently shipping to Chile - but Peru isn't on their list.

I just tried again for Callao, Peru.  Still says "temporary service restrictions - please call."  When I call, they say, "Nothing doing."

Good and useful reading.  I like your specificity and your writing style.  I'm boarding on January 16.  This answers quite a few of my questions.  Thanks.

I've already talked to their representatives and have been turned down.  

I can't find any companies that will ship my luggage to South America.  They all say it has to do with customs regulations.  I'm resigned to being on my own and traveling with all my bags.  Disappointing.

Heels?  Yes, always.  As long as I'm able to strut my stuff.

Nic + Zoe continues to serve me well for casual (and washable) cruise wear.  Cute styles and fabrics - and they have petite sizing, too.

Silversea has informed my travel agent that they don't ship bags to South America - so I'm on my own for handling my luggage.  Disappointing.  I will take the bags I need and pay for porters as I go.

Thanks.  If it's available to me, this is likely the way I'll go.

I'm willing to use Silversea's service if it's available to me.  I was under the impression it was only offered to folks on Grand Voyages or similar lengthy cruises.

Luggage Forward has informed me they can't handle my bag for my upcoming South American cruise (embarking in Peru, disembarking in Argentina).  Customs issues, apparently.  I'll be looking for an alternative - or just planning to make friends with any number of porters.  I've used Luggage Forward several times and have never run into this problem before.

I'm looking for suggestions.  I'm cruising on Silversea in January 2024, departing from Lima, Peru.  On previous cruises, Luggage Forward has been able to deliver my bag to the ship.  A call to the company informed me that they can't operate in South America due to customs restrictions.  Apparently, the same goes for the end of my cruise, which is in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  I need to find out what my options are - other than, of course, just dragging my baggage with me and trying to enlist porters.  (I'm a solo traveler.  And no, packing light is not an option for me on a three-week cruise.). Thanks for any advice.

My most recent Luggage Forward experience went flawlessly (my home to Montreal, NYC to my home).  Last October, I sailed via Silversea from San Diego to Costa Rica.  I was told Luggage Forward couldn't pick up my bag from the port at journey's end.  OK.  I arranged for pickup from the hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica, where I stayed overnight before coming home.  Somehow, things went off the rails.  I didn't see my bag for nearly a month.  Luggage Forward insisted they knew where my suitcase was, though they quite obviously didn't.  Though I anticipated my belongings would be gone if I ever saw that bag again, things were returned to me intact.  However, I had entirely unsatisfactory communication from the company and never got an apology for the poor service.  Moral of the story: It's an attractive service and usually works - but not always and not without hiccups.  Caveat emptor, etc.

All I've ever had in my Luggage Forward bag is clothes, shoes, handbags.  No jewelry, certainly.  All my other stuff travels with me.