ketjupiter

2 hours ago, number one eagles fan said:

We are flying Atlanta to Copenhagen but connecting in Amsterdam. Will we have to claim our bags and recheck? I can't seem to find a clear answer when I do a computer search. There are various references to schengen versus non-schengen. Any help would be appreciated.

Are you on the Dawn in October? I am flying from ATL to copenhagen also on oct 16th.  I was doing the same inquiry search as i like to be fully prepared.

On 6/12/2020 at 11:26 AM, Mahogany said:

Was your "credit" (refund?) for deposit only, or had you paid in full? Seems deposit refunds process quicker.

Full Refund of deposit/cruise fare was credited back to my Amex... now trying to get a check from Amex for my large credit balance.

Good morning - I was notified this morning, that the credit for our April 2021 Moon voyage (Barcelona to Athens) was issued from American Express....It took exactly 5 weeks from the date we cancelled with our travel agent... Although a lot can happen from now til next April, we opted to take a back seat for a while, to see how this all unfolds.  We are still concerned about what restrictions would/could still be in place for travelers, and the resulting impact that may have for not only flexibility, but our overall enjoyment.  we definitely look forward to booking another cruise, once things settle down. 

3 hours ago, JTor said:

Myself and my DH traveled for a year with a duffle bag each, slightly larger than the backpacks shown but not much (maximal carry on size).  That year included 2 cruises, both of which had formal nights.  DH had a beautiful dark Armani suit made out of the most wonderful fabric that was very light and didn't wrinkle.  Yes, he flew wearing the jacket but he rolled the pants carefully around a sweater and they did remarkably well.  For my part, before each cruise I visited a vintage shop wherever we happened to be and picked up 2-3 "formal" dresses for the cruise, then left them behind in my cabin with a note for the steward that they could be given away to anyone who could use them.  One one cruise I got very lucky and my dresses were terrific (I was sad to leave them behind), on the other I had one great dress and one I would not really have chosen, but it was suitable and the best I could find.  All in all it worked really well and was WAY better than babysitting checked baggage with all the traveling we were doing that year (most of it, apart from the cruises, rather off the beaten track).  it can be done!

Believe me.. unfortunately i know all too well about tracking bags... Delta/KLM somehow didn't get all 3 of our suitcases on the plane from Boston to Amsterdam, this last May, even though we were in business class and they were clearly marked/tagged/labeled as priority.....We had to buy all new clothes/toiletries/shoes/etc. for everyting that we could possibly need for a 10 night cruise.  After buying all of our stuff, and 2 1/2 days waiting, our bags literally showed up at the plank, 5 minutes before departure.  SS had to reopen the door, and have the plank/gangway reextended to allow the items on the ship.  KLM business was very helpful during the process and lets just say, they took very good care of us.. with the exception of the stress of shopping for everything that we would need.

On ‎11‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 11:59 AM, twinklles said:

We never do formal night.  You can go to any Michelin 3* without a tie (and most without even a jacket).  Why do I want to put on a costume that is uncomfortable.  I do bring a jacket and wear it most nights.

 

This picture of our entire luggage for an 11 night cruise and 5 day post cruise might help to clarify why we don't like formal night.  (Would be the same amount of luggage if it was a 100 night cruise.)

Wow.... I had to do a double/triple take on this post...Kudos to "twinkles" for being able to travel like this...

For me.... I carry more than that as my carry on.  I consider myself to be a very organized packer, but still I need a large suitcase and small suitcase for myself ( a guy). Between multiple jackets for dinner and coordinating pants/shirts/ties/pocket squares, different shoes/sneakers (both formal and casual), casualwear, bathing suits, workout attire, etc. i couldn't come close to packing like this, even for a weekend trip.  And this doesn't include if its a longer trip with formal nights, then i need to pack my tux and all of the formal accompaniments.

interestingly....my luggage somehow got lost in my Boston connection for 3 days, and with a miracle, showed up at the boat 5 minutes before departure.. they had to re-open the door to the boat and re-extend the gangway...  that being said, and not knowing if our luggage would arrive, we had to buy all clothes/footware/etc that we would need for 10 days at sea, and knowing that I was going on Silversea I needed to buy appropriate clothing for dinner, which would in include proper footwear and jackets.   Personally, I would not have event attempted to dine in any of the venues without proper clothing and would have dined in my room until I was able to purchase the proper attire, even at the next port.  

2 hours ago, markham said:

As we are including the dress code - or lack of one - on Silversea ships, I might as well fold in the question of why some passengers ignore it for whatever reason.

 

We are on the Cloud, an expedition ship. I get that it is not a “classic” ship. But with the elegance of the MDR and its superb food that is so distinctive, especially that of my favorite, Italian, I cannot get used to passengers appearing in tee shirts and blue jeans for dinner. This is a very expensive product and the seasoned managers on the restaurant side conduct the service delivery like an orchestra. But you could be in a school cafeteria. Different strokes? Obviously.

 

Oh, and you almost never see the senior officers about- as I am used to seeing on Seabourn. Very low key, and so I wonder how senior officers know how things run, how they train staff, and how they can anticipate and prevent problems with service delivery in general.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

I agree with Markham... I recently sailed on the Cloud from Amsterdam to Dublin.. We had a great time, but myself and travel companions were horrified as to how people dressed for dinner....jeans, t shirts, polos, hiking boots to dinner at LaTerraza.. I was happy to see that they turned someone away from LaDame, as they were wearing jeans, hiking boots and a ball cap....I find it interesting that SilverSea doesn't enforce at least a minimal dresscode, especially for dinner.  I do recognize that the Cloud is an expedition boat, but my group wore sports jackets to dinner....I am booked on the Moon next year and am looking forward to a little bit more refined experience.

2 hours ago, markham said:

As we are including the dress code - or lack of one - on Silversea ships, I might as well fold in the question of why some passengers ignore it for whatever reason.

 

We are on the Cloud, an expedition ship. I get that it is not a “classic” ship. But with the elegance of the MDR and its superb food that is so distinctive, especially that of my favorite, Italian, I cannot get used to passengers appearing in tee shirts and blue jeans for dinner. This is a very expensive product and the seasoned managers on the restaurant side conduct the service delivery like an orchestra. But you could be in a school cafeteria. Different strokes? Obviously.

 

Oh, and you almost never see the senior officers about- as I am used to seeing on Seabourn. Very low key, and so I wonder how senior officers know how things run, how they train staff, and how they can anticipate and prevent problems with service delivery in general.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

I agree with Markham... I recently sailed on the Cloud from Amsterdam to Dublin.. We had a great time, but myself and travel companions were horrified as to how people dressed for dinner....jeans, t shirts, polos, hiking boots to dinner at LaTerraza.. I was happy to see that they turned someone away from LaDame, as they were wearing jeans, hiking boots and a ball cap....I find it interesting that SilverSea doesn't enforce at least a minimal dresscode, especially for dinner.  I do recognize that the Cloud is an expedition boat, but my group wore sports jackets to dinner....I am booked on the Moon next year and am looking forward to a little bit more refined experience.

Out of curiosity, i just checked my 12 day Silver Moon Voyage for 2021 and the children promotion has been removed....as of yesterday, it was still there.. Thank goodness management is listening....i don't have children, but if I did, i don't think i would bring them on a Silversea cruise, as there is minimal for them to do and keep them active....

9 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

Thx Alithecat.  Very helpful!

 

Here’s another question for you... we’re one of those families who loves to dress up.  Seeing that casually elegant on an expedition ship equates to formal night on a classic ship, did you see any men in tuxedos or women in formal dresses?

 

I don’t want to be dressed to the nines if no one else does on board.

Stumblefoot..i was on the Cloud from Amsterdam to Dublin also...Like you, we prefer to dress up, with at a minimum a jacket.  We didn't bring ties, knowing this was more casual....But, don't be surprised when you see people in jeans.. which i could not believe that would be allowed.. .Along with people in polo shirts and t shirts.  This was in Terrazza...We didn't eat in the main dining room...Silversea needs to have a standard for minimum dress code...which obviously wasn't enforced.

PS - In one of our 2 nights in LaDame, they did turn someone away as they were wearing jeans, an untucked shirt and hiking boots. 

Hi Rachel -  We (4 of us, in 3 cabins) were on the Cloud just before you from Amsterdam to Dublin...This was our first expedition cruise, and fourth Silversea cruise....Last cruise was on the Muse....We had wonderful service from Terrazza 8n nights and LaDame 2 nights.. We did not eat in the main dining room.  Igor the host and Luana our server in Terrazza were wonderful....Our Butler was amazing!!!!  We were lucky enough to have VIP status, from our travel agent, which provided us with free laundry, rose Champagne upon arrival, and also a very nice wine pairing in LaDame on the day that we were at Sea....

Having been our first expedition, I must say this will be our last (not offense to those that like "expedition" cruises)….We knew going in that this would be a bit different from a traditional cruise, but we were not into the zodiacs, the "walking" tours, bird watching, etc.  We did enjoy some of the sights, from our Amsterdam to Dublin cruise, Ie: Cliffs of Moher, Tresco, Guernsey, Portrush, Dunlace Castle, etc.  which we would not have seen on a "traditional" cruise.  We typically prefer more of a arts/historical/museum/restuarants-cafes/sights type of itinerary.

We were most surprised at the dress code, or more so, the lack thereof... We always wear a jacket to dinner, even on "informal" or "Casual" night.... I was surprised to see  people dressed extremely casual, including jeans/sneakers/polo shirts, and even a couple of instances of t'shirts and ball caps....I would say this would be our biggest complaint...But the crew/staff were wonderful....

i am on the May 2019 trip also, along with 3 friends....how disappointing.. i didn't know that we didn't get to take the trek up Skomer to the monestary.. Why even bother stopping if we don't get to make the trek upward....i was under the idea that we would anchor and take the zodiaks to the landing to make the trek....

stayed at the baglioni hotel luna when I was there last April...nice rooms, wonderful breakfast, and close location to St Marks...but I am not a fan of being so close to so many people.. also have stayed at the Lisassidi Palace.. a little off the grid, which Is nice to be away from the tourist crowds, but still close enough to everything....and they have a dock for easy transfers.

one of my favs restaurants is Corte Sconta...the food/service is fabulous....Been there 3 times.

cool.. i checked about an hour before you sent the message, and nothing...and then it appeared... totally agree about being stranded on a bus for hours....or being "guided" to a "village" or "local lunch." That happened to us w/ SS in Croatia when they led us to what appeared to be a "Pop up Village" with local crafts/foods. We weren't very pleased... And also in Russia on the way back from Catherine's palace when we were trapped in a Russian folklore lunch with dancing  (worst experience ever, especially considering how much money people spend)....Even though things are "free" we like to do our own thing....and get away for organized anything....

hi there.... i called SS last month to inquire about when excursion would be avail....they told me to e-mail the Expedition people, which i did.. they replied that for this voyage, the excursions should be available for review/booking somewhere around a couple days prior to the 90 day window... doesn't seem like left/right know what they are doing at SS...as the information is inconsistent.  to be continued, and will keep checking, just like you :-)

Morning Alithecat - 90 day and nothing on the site yet for excurisons.... was hoping to get an idea for what they were offering so we can plan self activities vs what SS offers.  Hopefully soon.

Hi Alithecat and Shipsmail.....any more information on the cruise/ports/etc. would be helpful...a little concerned about the need for waterproof pants....i hope we didn't sign up for something that is not "in my box." We are really not into "roughing it." also appears that dining is more casual... how casual?? we all like to wear jackets and ties for dinner, even on "casual" nights.  I am excited though to visit all the puffins :-)

Hi Alitehcat - myself and 4 friends (3 cabins) are on this trip...We have been on the Muse/Sprit/Whisper and this will be our first "expedition" cruise....so not sure what to expect...I was told the excursions should show up sometime before the 90 day window.  Trying to get an idea for what SS offers and what we want/should plan on our own, as we don't like organized tours, but some of these ports, we have no option to be on our own. 

I assume this proposed $500 credit will only be allowed for future sailings and not our upcoming trip on the Muse? Our group is traveling on the Muse with 3 cabins on 6715 (11 night Monte Carlo to Lisbon). would be great if we could use it on our trip in just 2 weeks. Very much looking for our trip and will comment either while on board, or after we return.