Mr Luxury

Which transatlantic do UK cruisers prefer. West bound or East bound. I'm UK based and going to book as I need to be in NY next August and it doesn't make a lot of difference to me which way around I do it. Many thanks

6762 Passengers That's about 6000 more than I would tolerate.

It's possibly the best hotel and location ever. It's a magical place Reids in Madeira is my second best. Both Belmond properties

Oh there you are. What you been up to Old bean.

It's practice although I had a lunch at The Splendido in Portofino yesterday. Piccies on another board. I drink lots of still water during the day and go to the gym and always have a sauna on a ship before a shave,then I'm ready for anything.

I went there twice. It was an amazing experience. So many courses,it could have been 43 or so.

Putting it on another cruise?

Indeed. You do limit yourself if you eat at 19.30 like so many others in all of the dining venues. TK bar on Encore and Ovation is my favourite place for a pre dinner drink. The Observation bar on Odyssey,Sojourn and Quest and The Club on Venture and Pursuit as they have the wonderful Sushi option for a pre dinner stomach liner.

The thing is that most crew have not been with Seabourn for that long,yes there are the odd few but generally crew do not know regular sailors. Money spent over the years by many guests would not feature and I don’t think the crew think like that anyway. So good manners and a smile with a good attitude might get you that extra booking that you want and for me, a 20.30 table makes it easier for the host to find a table as many diners have left after their 18.30 booking. That's a free tip from me 😉

I have done it on many occasions but money never changed hands. I find good manners and a smile gets you where you need to be.

Covering up is the thing to do when going into any religious venue for worship. It's respect for the religion and the people. Nothing new for the last thousand years or so. Maybe more depending on your persuasion.

So now your saying that good service isn't included unless you bribe the barman first? That's never been how its worked since I've been sailing with Seabourn. T It's been twenty seven years now. I'm not saying don't tip if it's what makes you feel good and what floats your boat.

Yes,yes, Rub it in why don't you.😁

And there was I thinking that it was an Australian Shiraz

Not many advantages though in November.

You can't get better service at the bars or TK Grill. All that good stuff comes as standard.😁

It's all good for us. Choice is the thing.

I don't want a Butler on a ship as I have found that they can get in the way and do things that you do not want or do them at the wrong time. I have come up with a revolutionary idea. What about picking up the phone by the side of your bed to make a reservation. That way you don't even have to get out of bed. It's just a thought.

So Silversea it is then. That's the clear leader isn't it.

It's not actually in season in November so you might be limited. June until September is the time to visit St Tropez

I always have had excellent service on a Seabourn ship and good tables with extra evenings in certain venues if I have wanted them. I don't go in with all guns blazing and waving hundred dollar bills in the air or palming the Maitre d' and telling him which table i want every night. I have been cruising a long time. So my conclusion is that this brash behaviour doesn't work and those that are doing it are wasting their money to possibly make themselves feel better.

I have heard of lettuce and Thousand island dressing. Could what they say on the menu be a combination of both?

I'm not sure that the future of luxury cruising is a ship that holds nine hundred guests and does seven day cruises. I'm thinking that seven hundred is about max and cruises of twelve days and over