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Everything posted by Host Jazzbeau
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It's mostly just a change in terminology. Door-to-Door still means what it always did. The middle grade that was called "Door-to-Door Without Air" is now called "Port-to-Port." The old Port-to-Port has changed the most, becoming "Essentials" and losing shore excursions [without getting any cheaper]. But yes, at today's prices I think I have booked my last Silversea cruise too. So glad I have two more booked at the low prices of the past!
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I am indeed planning to sail on new Crystal, but not Explora – in both cases because of the opinions on Cruise Critic from posters whose judgment I have come to trust. The negatives about Crystal seem minor compared to the positives [IMO and based on the things we value in a cruise], while the negatives about Explora far outweigh the positives [again, for what we are looking for]. Keep in mind that my comment was in answer to mike@sea's snipe at "the Crystal cheerleaders and the Explora haters on this board", which I consider unfair. In any case, I hope you continue to enjoy Explora as I hope to enjoy Crystal.
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I don't know where you went in NZ, but in all my research I didn't find many places that called out to me that were far from a port. Each of the three cruises we booked had some variation in ports (would have liked to see Napier and Gisborne, but a day would certainly have been sufficient), but I felt that this itinerary [with the addition of Queenstown and the International Antarctic Centre, and aerial views of Mt. Cook] was a compleat enough introduction that we feel we 'did' New Zealand.
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Not likely at this point, with cruise bookings recovering to record levels. But since Star Legend had to be repositioned from the mid-east with many itineraries cancelled, they may have decided to hold off on announcing its future itineraries until the world situation stabilizes.
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@jpalbny you are so right – halibut is always a nice upgrade to cod, and works in any cod recipe. [Arctic char would be even better, if you can find it.] A light Pinot Noir would also work with this recipe. But so would a full-bodied NZ Sauvignon Blanc*. Or, pace @QueSeraSera in the other thread, a large Gin... *PS – I just ordered a case of Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, that was such a hit for me in Auckland in January, from wine.com. Too bad they don't stock it at Empire.
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A Silver Shadow Over The World - December 2023 to May 2024
Host Jazzbeau replied to mysty's topic in Silversea
We seem more and more simpatico. If you, Mysty/Myster and we could get together at the Black Tartan – we would all be glad for my DW, who would be the only one fit to drive us home! -
I think all Silversea prices went up overnight. I had checked my two booked cruises yesterday to see what the old P2P fares would be [both althready higher than when I booked those cruises, so that downgrading from my D2D-no air rates was no bargain] – and today all three levels of booking are higher. I think Silversea is using this as a reset to take account of the much higher airfares and excursion costs.
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@mike@sea I'm glad you enjoyed your Explora cruise, but – having read every post on this forum and remembering the history of this new cruise line, I think you should have another perspective on those who are 'dissing'. Many were Crystal orphans [remember the timeline with Crystal's bankruptcy and Explora's creation] hoping for a new luxury line that would be similar to Crystal – and the early announcements didn't give any reason to doubt that. But between the first announcements and the first cruise reports a lot of things changed! A lot of early promises were broken. And then Crystal came back, the same and better! So Explora's job now is to find that new-to-cruising audience they seem to be bent on catering to. Maybe you are that audience [or at least open to their differences.] But have a little empathy for those of us who have been cruising for decades and know what we like – and thought that Explora was promising to deliver it.
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I understand that there is a revised version of this flyer, with page 3 corrected to reflect the same (better) terms as page 2. Can you post it?
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New Pay-in-full Offer: 7% if > 365 days to cruise
Host Jazzbeau replied to AroundWithMAPTravels's topic in Azamara
Yes it's a good deal for them. But since we will be taking the shore excursions anyway, it's also a good deal for us. I have no problem helping the cruise line when it also helps me. -
Ah yes, Gelato on the Rocks – great place! And they always had coffee, so DW never considered anything else! Good pistachio too.
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I agree that cruise line land packages are usually poor value propositions, but sometimes the transportation and other ease factors make it worthwhile anyway. On our first river cruise we took a post-cruise extension from Basel to Lucerne and Zurich because we had no experience traveling in Europe (except a long long time ago when we were young and fancy-free) and no German – I'm still glad we did that one. Next year we are taking another AMA post-cruise extension from Bordeaux to the Loire Valley and then to CDG – also worth it because it includes transportation that would be hard to do without a rental car. I think the Italian Lakes is another area like that, so you made a good decision.
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No – was that at Miann? We tend to stick to our usual favorites: coffee for DW [when we can find it – why is that so hard?], salted caramel or pistachio for me.
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It's supposed to start tomorrow (Mar 18). We'll know then.
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Look at the Stickies at the top of this forum, especially this one:
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A Silver Shadow Over The World - December 2023 to May 2024
Host Jazzbeau replied to mysty's topic in Silversea
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If my analysis is correct above, I like this new format. It's clear what you get at each level and the names fit the packages. But it does mean that the current P2P fares will only be available (as Essentials) on "selected voyages closer to sail date" – but that makes the strict cancellation policy less of a risk.
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Thanks for the flyer. If I understand it correctly, the 'new' P2P is basically the old "D2D w/o flights" but it also drops the executive transfer (which you could drop for a credit) – the new name better describes this package. The new Essential is like the old P2P, but also drops shore excursions so hopefully at an even lower price – but they do need to clarify the page 2 vs 3 issue of whether you also lose "Multiple dining options and beverages" (so you can only eat in La Terrazza and drink tap water?) and "Butler service, onboard gratuities and Wi–Fi" because that totally changes the experience and makes it NOT a luxury cruise. I'm hoping page 2 is correct... [that's what I have attached below] Current Fare Categories: New Fare Categories:
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AmaWaterways Tulip Time cruise - just looking for advice
Host Jazzbeau replied to thornegirls's topic in River Cruising
Get ready for a stress-free cruise! • no need to dress up beyond country club casual • no need for bag tags (beyond your name) – they will know who you are when you arrive • you can arrive at the ship any time you want – if your cabin isn't ready they will store your bags and invite you to enjoy the lounge (and lunch or snacks) – you can also then leave the ship and sightsee • check when the cruise director's welcome meeting will take place – you don't want to miss that as it covers lots of important details about your cruise and the available excursions • enjoy! -
Live from EJ1 - Miami to Barbados 8/3 (or 3/8 if you insist) >
Host Jazzbeau replied to Noggins's topic in Explora Journeys
It was clear to me. Happy (Crystal) cruising! -
Is your Sky Suite butler back? Please report
Host Jazzbeau replied to abbydancer2003's topic in Celebrity Cruises
hijack removed -
I just posted a review of our trip to New Zealand and Australia, including 16 nights on Silversea Silver Whisper. We saw lots of rivers, but didn't cruise on any this time...