Gourmet Gal

Yes, if you will be traveling or cruising within the last 90 days then it is possible you will not be required to test prior to boarding. Requirements change regularly so any advice give here really should be verified by simply reading the SS Covid info.

Definitely get back to them with your expectations for better routing. You may have to pay deviation fees for that. They usually charge you right away for the upgrade. Are you sure they booked you in business?

By facing your fears and just do it!

I have so many air miles mostly because they’re almost impossible to use.

SS only contracts for a certain number of seats so when they’re gone you’ll have to pay possibly steep deviation fees if they even offer air.

So sorry to say but that’s a lot to expect. If one relies on a wheelchair for mobility a river cruise ship is a difficult environment. Quite often at the ports that seem simple to navigate with just a walk ashore to tour the town it can be treacherous and uncomfortable rolling on cobblestones and narrow crowded streets.

We never use domestic currency exchange. The exchange rate is usually better from an ATM at your destination, even in the airport especially if your bank or broker reimburses you for ATM fees (Charles Schwab debit card).

I proceed with caution when using SS Air but in this case the problem seems to be the time of the transfer. If you were so concerned was there an earlier one? If not why not just take a taxi? Was the 8 minutes to spare 8 minutes until departure or 8 minutes until boarding? Nice to hear the cruise was great otherwise.

Vancouver is a fabulous city. Have fun!

The Kaiseki items look good.

Being rafted or not is such a non-issue for me that I cannot even remember how many times we were rafted on our recent Rhône cruise. Maybe twice. It certainly wouldn’t impact my choice of cabin but if one has mobility issues then I can see where it could be problematic.

CFan…did you bring these issues to the attention of the staff or manager? I would think they would be receptive. Personally, I don’t mind smaller portions after seeing so much waste on other cruises. Can one just ask for seconds if not happy with a portion? I’lll be on this ship this Fall and it would be great if some of these issues are rectified before I have to be the one to complain! Thanks for the observations.

I encountered similar swells on a sailing from Iceland to the Faroes a few years ago. It was also in June. Is this typical this time of year?

Seems so unfair to those who test positive as a result of cruising with SS that the company will just wash their hands of any responsibility. It seems to be poor service at the least.

If you are traveling at the very beginning or end of the cruise season the crowds may be a bit lighter but you will bound to be rafted multiple times on a typical cruise. It really isn’t a problem unless you have mobility issues.

The Faroes are the most beautiful non-tropical islands I’ve ever been to. So incredibly green with stunning vistas. Thanks for the photos Mysty and Z. Hope you don’t mind if I add one here of clouds forming on one of the many peaks with salmon farms in the foreground.

It seems as though MWHM may have not observed the mask rules being flouted because the statement reads, “It is true that during the segment of the cruise we were on many people did not wear masks when not required.” So if the ship’s rules do not require more masking then one can only protect themselves, correct? If the concern about Covid transmission is so great then perhaps speaking to the CD or other authority can affect a change in rules. I agree that if individuals follow the rules then the ire should not be directed towards them but to those who make the rules. If there is lack of compliance and enforcement then that’s another story. As an aside, after my recent cruise where masking was required while moving about the ship, on the busses, etc., but not while dining and drinking in the bar, then I can tell you that even if every single person had followed the rules there would still been transmission of Covid. It’s almost a no-brainer that sitting at tables, indoors and maskless is a recipe for contagion. Cruising in this environment is high-risk for sure.

Is the staff enforcing the mask rules? Is anyone voicing their concerns with the CD and if so, what is the response?

Mysty, thank you for your many postings and musings on this cruise. I have a keen interest in this ship as I will be aboard in September. Just how concerned should I be with the behavior of fellow cruisers? Just which “behaviors” are “impacting many” and how are they impacting? If they are new to SS do you think they are Crystal refugees? I’ve only been on one Crystal cruise and didn’t care for the “vibe” at all be those cruisers have to end up somewhere…

It will be interesting to see the options presented - be prepared there may be some deviation fees. But as a starting point I would recommend you be proactive and submit your first choice to SSAir. At the least looks like you’ll save $$. It could be helpful to others if you circled back here after you get a quote from SS.

I’m not sure I understand what you’re requesting. The referral program (if it still exists) is not intended for strangers to refer other strangers.

The cabins tend to be far smaller on river ships than what you may be used to on ocean ships and in the age of Covid you may want to opt for as large a cabin or suite as you can afford in the event you find yourself Covid-positive and confined to your cabin. In good weather I enjoy the “verandah” cabins for the fresh air and nice breeze on the occasions when the ship is cruising during the day…sometimes it’s too breezy up top. You never know if you’ll be rafted next to another ship but it’s usually not every port. But also bear in mind the verandah’s are usually “French balconies” which means they’re really just a floor to ceiling double sliding door with a railing. It’s not usually a step-out balcony but one or two companies do have those which will of course reduce the interior space. It would be helpful to know which river and which companies you’re considering because there are significant differences.

I had a recent refund for unused SS Air that processed within 1 week.

This can be compared to my decision to not bother with airline status and mileage accrual once the miles were so devalued and made difficult to use. It was a decision that allowed me to really focus on in-flight service and best routes, flight times rather than remain blindly loyal with reduced benefits.

You raise a good point. We’re willing to pay more for fully refundable airline tickets and hotel rooms or choose not to but the transition will be torturous for current SS customers. I will say that the SS refund terms for D2D are not as generous as airlines or hotels and being only marginally better than P2P as one gets closer to the sail date. But I still find the whole scheme distasteful.