dawntrdr

Less than two weeks until Nova's inaugural cruise...where's the excitement? I did not even see one of Barbara's personal video tours as she did with Dawn and Moon, and this is a totally different concept. Is there anyone scheduled for the inaugural cruise who might be interested in doing a "live from"?

The welcome desk will be open the day before sailing for the benefit of all the folks coming a day early. Yes, you can ask to be moved to a later bus. You could also ask about making private arrangements. By the way, there is very little to see on the road from the GB to Piraeus other than the outsides of some very large stadia. You can walk to everywhere from the GB - even the Acropolis if you don't mind a lot of stair climbing.

I see Manfredi's hand moving Crystal to the SS pattern. The present Crystal ships - Symphony and Serenity - carry about 1,000 passengers each (when full, which I understand was not always). Now, their next ship will be about 650 - the size of the Muse, Moon and Dawn.

We had a similar group on our expedition cruise on the Wind in May around the British Isles. They blended in with the general cohort very well and there were none of issues that have been observed (and dreaded) about partial charters.

It is interesting that the most of the comments about La Dame and Kaiseki on these boards have been, on the whole, rather lukewarm - with a few raves and a few bad experiences. So, instead of raising the quality so that more people are signing up, they raise the price and expect people to take their word that the quality will be worth it. Perhaps customers will think it's better because it costs more? They tried that by moving the spa to the Otivm concept and my experience is that it was not worth it. The idea that I do like is the SALT chef's table dinners. Although that is a big (big!) swallow at $180 per person, it is at least a new concept and includes a kind of show. And somehow food always tastes better when it is cooked in front of you and arrives piping hot. Many people consider the ship as the resort and don't necessarily go for the ports, so this is something for them. That said, these offerings are for those who like and can appreciate fine wines and spirits, and that leaves out DH and me.

Well, I've done my part! You're welcome.

You can never miss with "The chair was empty when I got here."

How about you let him in but give him a table by the kitchen door?

Have you tried this site: https://alaindupetit.com/ You could buy a suit and leave it behind when you debark.

I certainly would be interested in reading your well-travelled post. There are no dedicated "compare and contrast" general topics on the boards home-page so I would suggest that it could go in as a new topic in the cruise-line forum for any of the lines that you will be discussing.

My experience on the Dawn in January was the same - OK but not worth the upcharge and everything tasted more or less like soy sauce. The portions were large.

It has been my experience that if you booked onboard and got the 5% onboard discount, or got the 5% Venetian Society discount on your original booking, they only give you $45 back each way (to account for the fact that you didn't really pay the full $50 per trip).

Nevertheless, congratulations and many more to you and your dear one! Life is short and how lucky we are...

Good to know, thanks! I would not choose X for me and DH, but if I were travelling with family, I think X is a good option.

Since reservations are not required, ask to see the menu before you sit down and if if you do not see something that intrigues you, go to Atlantide. You will have a great meal either way.

At about 270 before sailing date, you can contact Silversky (Silversea's air dept/agency) and ask for your desired flights. You must do this through your TA or SS cruise consultant. They may or may not have the flights available under their air contracts with the suppliers, but you can ask and many times it works out. I seldom request a specific itinerary or airline, but I've been generally satisfied with what they assign, and if I don't, I just go back and ask them to see what else they can do. If a pre- or post-night is not included in your voyage (check the voyage itinerary), you can certainly ask to come in earlier and there will be a $150 deviation fee for changing the flight - otherwise, they will book you to arrive the day of sailing. If Silversea arranges the pre- hotel, there will be no deviation fee and you will retain your included transfers to the airport. The same is true if you stay later and they book the hotel. Be sure to compare the price of the SS hotel - sometimes it is a good deal and sometimes it's more economical to make your own arrangements, even it you pay the deviation fee and transfers.

Check with your butler. There is usually a choice of soaps.

I heard this rumor twice from a fellow passenger on the Wind last month: he had been told that SS had sold the Wind as well as the Explorer. I did not discuss where he heard that, but I thought "hmm, that would explain the lack of updates."

Our cabin (627) on the Wind in May was the same dated look. I was surprised to see all of the woodwork and cornices which are no longer in style. The Cloud was "Musified" in 2018 with all new decor; but not the Wind. The Wind has been made ice-class recently, but I venture (and this is just an opinion) that the unexpected availability of the Endeavor put any Musification of the Wind on permanent hold.

On our recent Wind expedition tour, they had an excellent pianist/vocalist (Eduardo) and a guitarist/singer in the Dolce Vita and Panorama every night - so even the smaller ships have entertainment.

It appears that all Dawn cruises between April 2 and May 2, 2024 (5 voyages) have been changed to "Waitlist", including the two mentioned in this thread.

Did you folks now on the Wind hear anything about a protest at Dournenez, France on May 6 which prevented some pax from going ashore? It sounds like the Finn citizens have been much friendlier.

The Silver Nova is out for sea maneuvers:

Some people enjoy the challenge of making their own plans. But if you make your own plans and something goes wrong, you are the only one to fall back on to fix it. It's in your lap alone. I have been happy with Silversea air arrangements. Nevertheless, I look at them carefully and, with connections, I do a little homework to see what the other flights might be available at that airport if there is a problem. I keep their emergency number, and my CC's number, at hand. Travel is always subject to risks, regardless of who makes the plans.

We just got off the Wind in Hamburg; just prior to its current cruise. They are changing Captains in Helsinki.