Gourmet Gal

What a First World dilemma that one feels a butler is a bit over the top! The room attendants are limited in what they can do so it’s nice to have someone who can do the rest including laundry, coffee, cocktail, meal service, providing refreshments when entertaining friends or celebrating special events. The notion that a butler makes one feel aristocratic is just silly but perhaps there are those who feel rather privileged to have such service. I just feel grateful I can travel in style. BTW, we’ve had female butlers.

We enjoyed La Dame the most on Moon and would consider it a nice meal, lovely ambiance and good for a change. On Spirit and Whisper it was definitely nothing special and we didn’t enjoy the overly fussy service and tiny venue.

Polaris is nothing like the former UA First but is a cut above UA non-Polaris business.

Yes, don’t count on being able to upgrade with $ or miles because the fares SS books are very limited.

This makes me apprehensive about leaving my passport number on any cruise line site. Perhaps it’s better to enter it right before sailing.

I don’t even have a booking currently but someone else’s is listed in My Silversea including their personal info. To be on the safe side I just deleted my passport info.

Welcome to the Silversea forum. I’ll respond to the TA question. A good TA can save you money, time and headache. If they are affiliated with a large consortium there can be perks such as comped hotel nights, hotel upgrades, usually breakfast included and hotel credits. They can search flights for you and book. They can call SS on your behalf with questions you may have. If you were using SS Air that is especially important as they can be difficult to contact. A well-travelled TA can offer excellent advice on itinerary pre and post cruise hotel/guide recommendations and airport transport. It’s definitely worth having an advocate if there are problems before or during your travels. I have an extensive trip coming up and my TA provided an extra hotel night and a full day private tour in my final city. Breakfast is always included and we almost always have an upgraded room or suite and hotel credit along with early check-in and late check-out. If your neighbor’s TA can provide most of these perks and if they are happy with the service that could be a good place to start and your neighbor will probably reap a small reward for the referral.

Thanks for posting your thoughtful suggestions. I agree with most of your comments but I didn’t know one could book a reservation in multiple venues ahead of time. Unless two couples who dine together are booking two tables for four and cancelling one later? Is that what you mean? Anyway, I would hope that not all venues are allowed to be booked 100% in advance and open slots are available to book upon boarding. As for Stumblefoot’s observation that millennials crave dressing up….I beg to differ. When we offered an all expense paid SS cruise to my son and his fiancé we had to almost beg them to go with us because they despised the idea that they had to dress up even as much as the informal nights required. It wasn’t an issue of not having the wardrobe, it’s that they both work hard and prefer relaxed attire for a relaxing vacation. In the end they accompanied us and had a good time but really hated lugging the dressier clothes.

I think sometimes there are people with mobility issues who worry more about making their flight because they cannot walk very fast and they want to be sure to make their flight. On arrival at their final destination it may not be as big an issue if they can walk more slowly. I have had the same issue when recovering from surgery and booked the wheelchair on just one side of the trip.

There are numerous threads about this if you’d like to use the search function.

Aside from the poorly written article the writer does beg the question if a younger clientele is actually be pursued or if it could possibly be just happening organically. If it’s a strategy it seems to be good one to expand the customer base. There are so many river and cruise ships in general that this could be a good differentiator.

I know for sure yes if traveling premium class. I wouldn’t know, otherwise.

The TGV does have areas to store large bags.

Normally at CDG it’s very possible your luggage will make it to your connecting flight faster than you will.

I’m not sure what you point is?

Honestly, the pizza is hit or miss. Sometimes terrible and sometimes just good. Never great. Food and cuisine are so subjective. It depends on what you’re used to and personal taste. I live in a culinary mecca so it’s hard for me to say that any food on any ship is off-the-charts-fabulous. But SS is mostly good to surprisingly good for me with most dishes well-prepared. I wouldn’t say there’s anything to avoid.

That article is basically the press release from FS, not a review. Anyway, on land I much prefer FS to RC and have high hopes for the FS ship.

Love the Seychelles. Americans actually do go there after their Africa trips.

Sorry you’re having trouble with RC and hope it works out with another line. Just wondering how FS can have better reviews? Their ship isn’t even built yet.

The barge cruises can be really fun if you choose one that offers daily excursions and at least one dinner off-boat. The food can be fabulous. There’s no nightly entertainment and the boats aren’t super luxurious but some a very, very nice. You’ll see smaller villages, beautiful scenery and it’s a great way to drill down into the French culture and cuisine. I’ve never cruised with Viking, only Tauck and Uniworld and can say the barge experience is more relaxing and feels less regimented. I recommend chartering the entire boat and go with friends or family if you’re worried about the close quarters with potential cruise mates that you may jot get along with. I’ve done several in France and really enjoyed them. For a first stab at research I recommend Belmond. They have 7 barges on multiple canals in different regions of France.

Ah, that’s right. It’s the Terrace suites I’m confusing with Vistas. Thanks for clarifying.

Aren’t there vista suites on Whisper with shared balconies or perhaps in the past?

I thought Vistas have shared balconies?

Be sure to read up on the attire recommendations on the website. Some people are put off by it and others embrace it. Also, proceed with caution on SSAir. Not sure what airport you fly from but sometimes that can cause some undesirable routings and possible air deviation charges that could impact the value. As for booking excursions, if you’re organized and ready to make selections when the booking window opens you should be fine.

To me the butler on SS is really just a glorified cabin attendant but more available if you need him/her. I’m finding it a little comical that anyone would feel it’s a burden or onerous to have extra staff willing to assist. It’s very simple to establish right up front if you want minimal attention. They work for you and no one should feel intimidated. Honestly, I have very few requests but enjoy the nice little surprises a conscientious butler might provide. I wouldn’t not book with SS for that reason nor for the dress-code.