Wavedance

The point of the discussion about 2-tops with 6 inches in between them is that it makes it difficult for people who want to have an intimate dining experience because you are actually seated with about eight other people! You can pretend you are alone, and of course, if someone doesn't want to chat, that's fine, but YOU ARE NOT ALONE. And that is what makes it awkward. No one is talking about trying to force people to converse who don't want to. In our case, that is why we booked a 2-top: to have an intimate dinner.

Yes, that unpleasant configuration occurred on our Solstice cruise last April. Despite many other tables available, we were jammed into a line of 5 two-tops set 6" apart. We were open to conversing with others but it was very awkward. Some parties pretended they were a private 2-top and never acknowledged anyone else, their right, of course. But just a very strange situation. Hello, Celebrity?

Thank you to the many people who posted with helpful suggestions and empathy. My husband and I are doing much better. YES, OF COURSE WE HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE! Over and out.

Great to hear that our travel insurance may cover this!

We're currently onboard Marina, and my husband and I both came down with covid, two days apart. Today we just pulled up our room charges and in disbelief looked at around $5,500 in charges at the medical center. For me, I'm billed over $1200 for a PCR test and paxlovid. Our home tests already showed I had covid, but I went to the medical center to get paxlovid. They pushed unnecessary treatment on my husband (infusion of electrolytes and antibiotics). And tried to with me. They also required my husband to return on Day 2, and charged him another $1,100. We are disputing these scam charges with the Concierge, with the Horel Manager and with corporate if needed. Unconscionable!

I had trouble getting appropriate times for dining for our family group of three. One family member cannot eat late for medical reasons, and pre-dinner snacks don't help. Just cannot eat food closer to bedtime. I will try the Deck 5 reservations desk. Thanks for the tips!

It's close - 10 minutes ir so by taxi. Some people walk.

Our cruise ends at Trieste on Oct. 11. After looking at many options, we decided to take the train from Trieste to Venice Santa Lucia station. From there, we buy a 2-day pass and take a vaporetto to our hotel nearby. We will use the vaporetto to get around Venice, then will get the bus from Piazzale Roma to Marco Polo airport. We think this will work out okay. We've been in Venice before but stayed on Guidecca. We were unsure about some of the car services because they are basically websites that contract with private drivers, but seem to wash their hands of any responsibility after they pass off the booking to the driver.

I agree with you. Husband and I were on Solstice California Coast April 2023. Our third time on Solstice since 2011, and we thought food in the MDR had declined significantly from 2017. There were a lot of quirky dishes not executed as well as they could have been. I believe this was even before the menu change as they still had the shrimp cocktail every night. One time I ordered it when another shrimp salad appetizer was on the menu. The classic had a number of whole shrimps while the new one just had a few pieces. Instead of the traditional Maine lobster tail they served a warm-water lobster - at least in Murano. Not as good.

No loud music problems on Sostice in late April. 2600 people on board.

We really loved Azamara in 2019 on a Europe sailing. But be aware that Azamara was sold to a private equity firm during the pandemic and had a bumpy start under new ownership. Maybe others can comment on whether Azamara has gotten the kinks out by now.

We are on your sailing on the 22nd. I'll be at the Solarium pool to water walk. We have sailed Solstice twice in the past and there have been no issues with water walking. Of course, its good to pick less busy times.