Gourmet Gal

Yeah, airfare is really high right now. Business class SFO-KOA $9000 for 2 people non-stop!

You can be proactive since you have some specific requirements. Search the ideal flights, first and second choices and submit your request directly to SSAir or through your TA. And good luck!

After so many threads on this topic I’m so surprised you didn’t have a good understanding of the “official” dress code. I’m sorry to hear you’re already feeling disappointed with your booking. Is it too late to cancel if it’s that much of an issue?

Jazz, the description of the informal nights does not match the reality of any of the SS cruises I’ve been on. Over the last 10 years male pax on informal nights are increasingly not conforming to the jacket requirement. I also see fewer dresses on informal nights. But is a jacket that hard to swing? If you have one fairly dark one you should be able to manage it for formal and informal nights. Also, I didn’t know SS had an evening buffet. Is that something new? If you mean La Terrazza then there is only a buffet for breakfast and lunch, not dinner. It’s table service for dinner, unless that has changed.

I don’t like a formal dress-code either but honestly, it’s not very formal at all. There are formal nights but there are always dining venues available if you don’t want to get gussied up. The service aspect makes up for any inconvenience of a couple of formal nights.

I would compare itineraries between SS, Regent and Seabourn, all with smaller ships but they are also all-inclusive like Uniworld. Regent and SS have included excursions as well so that is also more similar to the river-cruising experience. But do consider itinerary first. The ship within a ship concept is not likely to appeal to your husband and I think SS, Regent and Seabourn will be a better transition to ocean cruising. Enjoy the process of choosing!

I would think a hardcore trivia player would welcome the competition and it would make it more pleasant for them. But if the competition is unfair and stacked against them then it’s understandable and I would definitely discuss with the CD.

The OP states the CPAP is dual voltage.

You are so welcome. After delving through your extensive blog I am even more impressed. You’re a wonderful writer!

Lovely blog, Mary O!

Possibly. You’d really have to compare the day by day. Tauck quite often will have insider-access type activities and they always have a special dinner or event with entertainment off-ship. I will say the quality of the excursions at Tauck seems much better than at Uniworld with smaller groups, smaller bus loads and a little more “hand holding” if you need it. There are also usually multiple ports where you’ll have a choice of excursion and the groups are also divided by walking speed. You also have the option to just take a map and DIY.

Yes, I knew it was something like that.

I believe if you book far enough out you are offered “the Gift of Time”. I’m not sure when the cut-off would be. I remember I didn’t act on it in time for one of my cruises but requested anyway and they provided it as a special exception. You can just call them or have your TA call to clarify. It’s possible it is only on certain sailings but we were able to receive a a comp night in Paris and Porto. Tauck is very good at trying to accommodate you. We had some minor hiccups on 2 cruises and they sent checks as a goodwill gesture both times. Not just future cruise credits but checks totally over $1500. You have also probably heard that if you have to buy lunch on your own in any port they give you cash in the local currency to cover it. If you need to go to a public pay toilet the guide gives you the coins. There are also little gifts left in your cabin several times during a typical cruise and they always try to throw in a surprise event or treat for everyone that’s not listed on the itinerary. Lot’s of nice touches and very friendly crew.

I wouldn’t say Tauck is 100% better than Uniworld at all. We prefer Tauck but would always consider itinerary first when everything else is pretty similar. I will say that Tauck really does go the extra mile service-wise and I much prefer the more contemporary and comfortable decor.

You’ll have a great time, glad you could extend your stay.

That shop is amazing!

Once you’ve sailed with Tauck you will be offered a complimentary hotel night, including breakfast, before or after your future cruises. Nice perk.

If you have only one day I would skip all the museums with the possible exception of L’Orangerie or the Picasso Museum in the Marais. Even then it’s a chunk out of a day that will fly by.

Totally agree with LibertyBella. Paris is a city that needs at least 3 days to get a good overview. Even a week flies by, there’s just so much to see, do and eat!

That was the first hotel I stayed at in Paris, 30 years ago. Back then I would never have recommended this place to anyone…it was awful. Hopefully it’s been remodeled and improved since then.

Hopefully you’re not going in August as a lot of restaurants and small shops will be closed. But then you have only one day pre-cruise…is the cruise RT so you could spend more time post-cruise?

How many times have you been to Paris? I don’t want to make redundant recommendations. If you’ve been a few times perhaps I can suggest you drill down to some more unusual sites and activities and we can make some suggestions. I’ve sailed three times with Tauck and enjoyed the quality of the excursions, especially on the Rhône. On that cruise the pre-cruise hotel was The Intercontinental next to the opera house. Nice location but the hotel was not great. Really musty and rather dumpy. Paris is a wonderful city to splurge on a true luxury hotel. I would highly recommend The Reserve or The Peninsula. Beyond that, I’m sure you'll have a great time and I would be very interested in your thoughts as to the comparison between Tauck, Uniworld and AMA…I really trust your opinion.

This is opposite our experience on our Moon itinerary in Sept. The busses were mostly packed to the gills including a double decker for Mont St. Michel. And we did have some downright terrible guides.

Based on my experience London to Lisbon last Fall it would have been a vast improvement to have booked my own excursions in most ports. Not familiar with Norwegian ports but you can usually find great recommendations in the Ports of Call board. It’s unfortunate to have to book your own considering excursions are included in the cruise fare.

I know that if using SS Air you can upgrade to business only one way.