Port Power

Post here so I will be prepared for next year from FLL - PER. I prefer Qatar, although Qantas is good for that route.

You are correct. And much better off!

There are two different types of onboard credit. The promotion "$1000 OBC" is to spend on anything you like. All purchases on board are in USD and shop, spa or shore excursion purchases are taken off the balance. At the end of the cruise you may or may not be able to cash out any remaining balance in USD or in your local currency. Note MAY. There will be an "R" next to the credit if it is refundable, "NR" if not refundable. The OBC that TA's give you is definitely refundable. If "NR", buy a watch! 🤣 Well, something with the balance rather than lose it. Spirits or skin care, etc. The other type of promotional credit is specifically called "shore excursion credit" and can only be used for shore excursions. I have not known any balance being able to be used for on board purchases, but policies are always changing. It will be interesting to hear how the OBC worked out for you

Lola, it has been four years since my husband passed away suddenly. On a cruise, no less! We had an absolutely fabulous day in Cadiz that last day. I thought I would not cruise again, but I certainly have. We often did different things during the day on sea days, and I made friends at trivia and the like, and that is what I continue to do. DH liked to sleep in, so I often ate a relaxing breakfast alone with my book. Cruise Critic helps as fellow members rally around. Yes, I still miss DH every day, but I do love cruising and it is still a great way to holiday. No cooking either! AZ and SS are great with solo lunch and dinner tables, and pre-dinner drink gatherings, so there is plenty of choice. And of course you also meet and mingle with couples. I hope I meet you at sea one day. Carol

Thank you for the information. However, Silversea doesn’t conduct land tours themselves; they do use use local operators. My intent was it is still theoretically possible for passengers to undertake shore excursions if the cruise goes ahead. SS may well still totally amend their Japan itineraries to somewhere completely different. I know I would like an answer this close to sailing! It is not satisfactory and not fair on passengers. If not heading to Japan, where? I am booked on SS to Japan early next year. That’s the country I want to see. Not, for instance, the South Pacific if the itinerary is changed.

Silversea is not toying with you. They may still able to cruise to and around Japan. They are still able to take their passengers on shore excursions. As a passenger you are in a group. However you are not allowed to remain travelling in Japan by yourself or with family after the cruise. You must fly out. But that is not the fault or responsibility of SS.

Furthermore, in Australia the 4th vaccination/second booster has just been made available free to anyone over 35. Mind you, the value of the 4th vax for under 60’s (unless compromised in some way) hasn’t received any formal documentation that I have come across. I could be wrong and just missed it though. Nevertheless I will have my 4th before heading to Europe in October. Plus I would like the requirement for passengers to have a RAT in the passenger lounge area before boarding continue for awhile yet.

I’m on Quest in late December and the AzAmazing event is in the shore excursions. Perhaps it is just some individual locations/countries where arrangements haven’t been finalised.

My take is that you have to book by 31 August 2022 and sail on or before 30 June 2023. Or put FCC onto an existing booking. However, if you book any cruise with a June 23 departure date, you might then be able to change that reservation later to a cruise departing in, say, February 2024. I have read of CC posters doing that in the past, Call up and ask if your preferred cruise is after June next year.

I’ve never had any problems on Azamara Quest. And yes, I did send the pre cruise email. Met with the Chef onboard. I also ordered dinner the night before from next day’s menu. Already printed, and with the Chef’s specials included. Even if not G/F on the menu, most meals could be made G/F with notice. I try not to eat bread (purely for my waistline), so at The Patio would have the burger patty without the bun. Windows also would even make pasta for me. I skipped the Belgium waffles after my first ones as they were not fully cooked and a bit doughy. That might be normal as far as I know. I like the thin waffles. Breakfast in Windows was easy. Staff were always helpful and ready to check with the chef. If things have changed since my last AZ cruise, I will speak to the F&B manager again. No one should just grumble and post bad reviews; you should always speak to management.

I guess the name was changed to differentiate the night, especially as it would be held over several venues to reduce crowding and allow social distancing. A less than full ship might not have needed that. White Night is on the pool deck for everyone at one (although some will choose to eat in the MDR first).

There is no corkage fee for wines purchased onboard either by the bottle or in a package. The corkage fee only applies to bottles of wine you have brought onto the ship yourself if you take them into the dining room. And only on the first occasion if the bottle isn’t finished.

I have booked an extra night myself directly with the same hotel (or through a hotel booking site) and then emailed the hotel asking to keep me in the same room.

There are pods to put in the washing machine with clothes. I can’t say that I ever noticed if they were scented or not.

I took her comment not as calling you or anyone "crazy, weird", but in the old hippie vein, "crazy, amazing". Sometimes written words don't read as meant. I have found the information on this thread really useful, even if my first SS non-expedition cruise is twelve months away. I used to travel with just a carry on, but I now like to wear outfits I rarely get the chance to at home any more. Lots of mix and match too. I love palazzo pants day and night: it's the top that makes the difference. I also love bright shoes, but try to limit myself to a couple of pairs that will go with everything at night, plus two pairs of good walking sandals; I don't wear trainers. Edit re lost luggage. I also now take a complete change of clothes and underwear in my carry on. Even two extra tops. I have learned from others who have lost luggage for a few days.

I don't think the problem is actually with Silversea, but I do think their response could have been a bit more informative. International flights are still not back to pre-COVID schedules yet, and more flights departures are being published every week. Some countries also still have border requirements that are not well published. Try to find regulations online for the countries you are entering so that you can ask specific questions when you next call Silversea. Although my Silver Muse cruise to Japan is still a year away, anyone going there this September still has issues with Japan's rules. Silversea is also not being more informative there, either, which results in much uncertainty.