PaulaJK

We also prefer SS’s pier side loading of excursions…less hassle..and they seem to run efficiently and in a time conscious manner. Unfortunately, our Feb 24 SS cruise emphasized bus tour w sightseeing, There was a shortfall in variety and appeal. Regent seems to have more varied offerings

SS was having trouble rebooking air for its own ( i.e. people whose air they had supplied). I spoke w a few pax who now had very convoluted routing back home. Many were not leaving Mahe for one to a few days and had to be placed in hotels. At some point SS decided to keep Spirit at anchor off Mahe for 3 days w about 100 on board w truncated programs. Their initial letter offered a FCC..not certain but I think that was available just until 2/29/24. To have been taken to Dubai would have markedly improved things, meaning just change outbound air without enormous new fees. We were in CapeTown when we received the notice so did not explore cancellation options.

It is so interesting to read folk’s enthusiastic reports of very positive safari experiences. We are now trying ti set up a safari adventure in line w a cruise. We used an independent agent previously and probably will do so again. You do not have to worry about luggage as CPT or JNB hotels will hold your luggage for your return. We did this successfully out of CapeTown/ Taj Hotel. We totally loved Leopard Hills, thought that we would just like to try another experience but as we read the reviews, we may return there. Such enthusiasm and excitement…have a marvelous time.….

The Mahe - Dubai segment did not sail and thus, was refunded.

SS did not provide any compensation for our Mahe hotel nights ( required by flight availability) nor our significantly increased airfare since Qatar Air leaned on a geographic area. We hd booked 2 segments, one door to door but not the air, caveat emptor.

SS Spirit gave late notice ( 2 days pre boarding in CPT) that they would debark all pax in small Mahe. SS chose to cancel the Mahe- Dubai segment to add to the geopolitical-based cancellation of the following segment. This caused problems for many a pax as well as economic issues ( Those who booked air independently now had to rebook or purchase new tickets from this different region. And stay inna hotel until they could fly.) Today they sent a questionnaire about your on board experience, including the cancelled cruise..really? There is something amiss w SS…also refkected in several onboard experiences.

Thanks you for posting your marvelous photos…we are following along.

Suggest booking a private guide for a full day tour of CPT’s surrounding areas and for a full day’s tour of the winelands. Lunch in a vineyard is lovely.

Thank you

Looking at an early fall ‘24 cruise. I cannot locate so am asking whether Crystal currently posts the entertainers, lecturers, bridge, dance ,etc…and if yes, how do I access that info.

Excellent restaurants at this hotel.

I cannot answer about your gate code but our recent Blacklane pick up was excellent…in early morning hours, on time, pleasant. Perhaps if you have soecial issues, you coukd call thdm the day priort

Well, there appears to be a contest for stupid and for abusive behavior towards passengers. We and many others had already arrived in Capetown when SS cancelled the segment Mahe to Dubai w. only 2 days notice. The next segment, Dubai to Athens, clearly couldn’t sail due to long existent geopolitical issues and SS needed the time to deadhead Spirit for its Med season. Ship was full so Mahé, Seychelles rec’d about 600 folks. No joke. We had booked our air independently and suffered very high new airfare charges. We will not sail SS again…this decision also supported by a less than regular onboard experience.

Communications with held for a cash grab, leaving many annoyed passengers. Many crew members being sent home for a payless month, so not happy. Numerous shortfalls in culinary offerings ..eg lasagne as the meat offering on a formal night…a dover sole served without deboning it Entertainment staff very weak

this cruise on Spirit…. a movie, nothing, karaoke, name that tune, 2 cabaret evenings, 2 guest artists…..There is background music nightly in Dolce Vita and guitarist or DJ in Panorama. I rate the shows as very light entertainment compared to their piers ( Crystal, Regent, Seabourn).

we remain docked in Mauritius at midnight…no announcement of reason. Funny, we were in such a hurry to beat out this storm that we had to miss tomorrow’s tours in Mauritius. This cruise is seriously disappointing. Considered lunch in the dining room but very slim menu and not interesting. Tonite’s menu was identical to that 1O days ago. The alternate restaurants are a fine feature but the menus are very limited ..and eventually many items appear in la Terrazza so it is a bit of a marketing ploy. Had meat in Silver Note that could not be cut, same elsewhere.

Other than possibly sharing SS’s waiter one breakfast, our dining service has been very good in all venues, as has bar ( aka salvation) service. Cuisine has varied from very good to some unchewable meat entreesThere just is no fizz to this cruise /JMO/ Entertainment seems a bit spotty w on site performers appearing on stage frequently..a movie at 9:30 last night and staff show tonight. We do not see ourselves on Spirit again. Perhaps Silversea will not see us again either as their cash grab of notifying us of the cancellation on Friday pre Sunday embarkation…plus their very expedient cancellation of the Middle East leg to support their cruise schedule in the Med has cost us thousands of dollars. Now I hear that they are not refunding thr invoiced fare for the cancelled segment but are pro rating it and we can except to receive close to 50%. Hope this is not accurate…how can you prorate a cancelled cruise on a back to back w 2 invoices?? Hard to feel abused and happy simultaneously.

We had already arrived in CPT when notified that we would not be sailing on to Dubai. This reflected poorly on SilverSea. The cancellation is not articulated by senior staff and is an elephant in the room or low lying fog obscuring the horizon. My impression is that many pax are trying to accept the inevitability of the geopolitical situation and the many changes in travel plans. Some crew members are quite upset, worried about their jobs and economics. There is a shortage of merriment, enthusiasm and positive excitement in both groups. For ourselves, we have not suffered poor service so far but the concerns noted above do put a pall over things. The ‘shortfalls’ I have experienced seem more systemic or line inspired..a tedious digital tv program for all/ daily information, a weak hair salon , beautiful but non operational settings for caviar service, a sauced dish that appeared without the sauce. Will follow your posts w interest..and hope for better impressions.

we are niw in CPT for feb 11 & 26 legs…appreciate yout info…no word to us yet…shame on them…we feel sorry for the cruise lines but will not support SS going forward due to their notification lag bordering on deception ..we thank the poster…sitting in CPT but to date no notification from SS ..thank you CC posters!

It was fully booked..could that be the reason…or is this consistent w pre cancellation. Too late for us as we are at the airport.

Unfortunately, if SS proceeds at its usual rate, you have a lot longer to fume. They have not yet cancelled Spirit’s March 13 thru the canal/ Red Sea..and we have no word on the Feb 26 cruise thru Oman, Qatar, UAE to Dubai. From posts it seems that others are also left hanging by SS. Admittedly this is a complicated situation but it is getting long of tooth when most assuredly these announcements have to be madr.

+1 …..a cancellation after flying ( almost 24 hrs) to CPT would be rough. I would prefer sailing, more so with some ports than not. I do not respect how SS is treating its passengers.

“Sooner” is a moot point as we fly out to CPT on Wed. I could live w itinerary remaining in Indian Ocean and a return to CPT, albeit disappointing. Difficult to imagine a luxury cruise where many are upset, rescheduling,etc. or feel at risk. Since there is no hope that the regional issues will evaporate, at this juncture I find SS self serving and rude and inconsiderate re: pax. Hardly the feeling to board with.

What was their routing? Any resemblance to ours? I cannot imagine the cruise after ours to proceed, for sure.