Gourmet Gal

1 hour ago, Port Power said:

1 hour ago, Port Power said:

Running out of fresh food on a long Antartica cruise is not unusual.  There are no ports to reprovision!  However, I was surprised and not impressed that ships were not taking on fresh produce in larger ports along the way as they used to do.  I just cannot think why that practice has stopped.  Bad move!  Bad decision.

Is this a policy that has been announced that there is no provisioning during cruises at all?  

1 hour ago, jpalbny said:

 

I will admit, they were wasted on us for sure. Except for the little 750ml "fruit" bottles of liquefied grapes which used to briefly occupy our fridge!

Yes, I know you like your “fruit” juice!

1 hour ago, turtlemichael said:

Our experience of automatic fruit bowls on Silversea was the fruit was usually so under ripe that it would not get eaten. Peaches like cricket balls for example. The only bits we would eat were the grapes! On request seems reasonable but you have to be told by Silversea that that is possible.

Seems less wasteful to have fruit bowls by request but agree it should be stated somewhere.

1 hour ago, Observer said:

 

Divorce can be attractive when one can compare ~$1500/day solo cruise fares with the value, consistent quality, and amenities offered at luxury resorts and hotels.  

Not so sure about that value proposition.  If SS is to be compared to Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Peninsula and above, it wouldn’t be unusual to pay at least $1500 per day for a basic room depending upon location and season.  You might possibly have breakfast included but meals at those hotels are also expensive.  Add on taxes, resort fees, parking or transportation, etc.  A 3-day stay could easily be well over $5000. Hotel rates have also significantly increased lately.

No doubt SS considers themselves to be on par with those chains…at least FS and RC, but can the consumer now consider them on par?  Now if the hotel comparison drops down to one of the mass chains then perhaps there is a valid argument regarding value.

4 hours ago, Gourmet Gal said:

But are the bus groups broken up into smaller tours?

4 hours ago, drron29 said:

No.

That right there seems like a mass, non-luxury cruise experience.  I book for itinerary first and then book a cruise line in the luxury category that fits that requirement.  So this is very concerning because, after all, I’m paying for those excursions and have a high-end expectation.  

24 minutes ago, drron29 said:

The excursions are also experiencing a decrease in quality. Our 3 Japanese excursions have had 34,38 and 39 passengers on a bus. Way more than in the past.

But are the bus groups broken up into smaller tours?

When paying deposits and making purchases by credit card in a foreign country always pay in that country’s currency.  Many offer the choice to pay in your own currency or theirs.  You will incur an extra conversion fee on top of the foreign transaction fee (if applicable).

Your cruise sounds so fun.  I am very interested in following along since I’m considering Scenic if I ever take another river cruise.  Thanks for sharing and I’m glad you’re able to cruise once again.

1 hour ago, Mike07 said:

 

Not feasible on Vikings most visible marketing tool.

Just warn people at least that you have a “bad” cold and they can be the ones to take their chances.

Too late to edit.

Anyway, I checked my bookings and the activities total still does not include the previously booked, included excursions that are now select.  
 

Take a screenshot or print your activities page right after booking to at least try to plead your case once onboard if anything changes.

I believe there is a disclaimer that states SS has the right to alter, cancel, etc. excursions.  But I agree it reeks and is poor customer service to not have the details figured out before posting all the excursions. There seems to be quite a bit of dysfunction lately with SS.  

Just keep arming yourself with masks and boosters.  We can’t change the behavior of other people.  At least masks are still readily available.  I’m planning to get another booster before my next cruise as per the latest guidelines.

These are not mass cruise ships with the premium pricing and this downward spiral in food quality is really concerning.  

6 hours ago, hutch1994 said:

Noticed that coughing has begun big time in the explorer's lounge and the dining room.  Need to be viligant and keep  a low profile.  Still have 6 days before our flight.  Caught major bronchitis on our river cruise from those coughers.

Wow, I didn’t know bronchitis was contagious. But will say, the river ships are especially like petri dishes when it comes to airborne infections.  Sorry to say, the smart thing to do is to wear a mask in close quarters especially if those who are sick don’t think to. 

Not sure about Ama but Tauck and Uniworld have mini fridges that are restocked daily. You may possibly even request the bourbon be stocked.  Room stewards everyday and they can get ice for you.

Edit:  Now that I check their website there’s no mention of mini-fridges even for the suites and in looking at the stateroom photos, no ice buckets in sight.  But of course you can always pick up a drink in the bar….

34 minutes ago, Jeeden said:

Thoughts on Albergo del Senato for a family of 5 for 2-3 days prior to Cruise next July (2025)?

 

As I started to dig into the hotels I figured out pretty quickly the big chains didn't offer much for award usage, price, room size, location, or experience, and then started on the independent hotels.

 

I think we want to stay around Pantheon for all the obvious reasons (I was torn on this or Trastevere, but it seems better to stay in Pantheon and go over there for dinner and shopping than vice versa). Albergo del Senato is a good price point and with all the bonuses (location, A/C, wifi, scenery, rooftop, etc), but we have that large family (literally and figuratively, I'm about 6'4" 260 and my sons are pretty big too) with odd numbers and it doesn't seem like their rooms are setup for it. I'm fine booking two rooms, but would like to avoid 3 as that is getting pricey. The kids will be 11, 15, and 17. I'm open to other equivalent recommendations for hotels, but they all seem to be around the same configurations.

The rooms are tiny but we had a small settee that converted to a bed for our son.   This is a fairly basic hotel and the only thing it has going for it is fantastic location.  If anyone in your party has asthma or dust allergies proceed with caution.  The air vents were spewing dust when we were there.

On 1/5/2024 at 8:44 AM, Pies4u said:

Just wondering - is there a published schedule for Silversea refits/refurbs?

 

We are looking at a 2026 cruise on Spirit, which was obviously ‘stretched” and refitted in 2018 but I don’t think any significant refurb has occurred since. Is it known if it’s due a refit before March 2026?

 

Any assistance would be appreciated, thanks.

I’m sort of interested as well.  We’ll be onboard this May and have been reading some pretty bad reviews of this ship from the condition to service to food to excursions.  Mostly negative.  There was mention of pretty obvious leaks in the corridors and tattered looking staterooms.  Does anyone recall if there have been any refits or updates in the last few months?

48 minutes ago, drron29 said:

Atlantide for dinner once more. The menu had changed a little.

 

 

Rojaan ordered and got the beef tartare. Whilst I had the crispy fried octopus though it was neither crispy nor octopus. It was calamari.

 

 

 

For mains Rojaan had lobster which was very dry and I had the pork belly which was quite ordinary.

I continue to decline desert but this time a picture of Rojaan's pavlova.

 

 

 

 

Well, the menu did say squid.

On 10/9/2023 at 6:38 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

No matter how rich you are, there is always somebody with 1 or 2 more zeroes in their financial statement!

I think the point of the previous post is that luxury travel is wonderful except when you feel ripped-off.  You know, many wealthy people didn’t become wealthy by wasting money but by valuing money.  I’ve also looked at RC and now am looking at 4S but want to see more track record and feedback to understand just what the value would be to me.  

Thanks for posting Redking.  I’m intrigued by this line.  I know they had a shaky start during Covid and I’m wondering if they’ve worked out the kinks.  Also interested in RC and the upcoming 4S.  My DH and I have mostly cruised with SS and it seems the line is having some growing pains or Royal Caribbean pains lately and we’re looking for alternatives.

When you get a chance could you post some pix of the staterooms and bars?  Does the gym seem big enough?  How are the included excursions?  Is there any entertainment? How is the service in general?

Is the La Dame experience food-wise that much better on Nova vs the other ships?  I find La Dame on the other ships not that interesting…and I’m definitely a foodie.  

We’ll believe it when we see it.

He or she must be an accountant.

28 minutes ago, Silver Spectre said:

Quite frankly this along with the new fare structure accelerates the race down to the mass market lines.

Uh oh, here we go.  I posit that the dress code will not be the accelerant to a less than modern luxury experience.  It will be the pricing structure, the degradation of service, food, excursions and inclusions that will position SS as something less than its former stature - as one of the best of the best.  The complaints lodged here of late may or may not be what the total, true picture is and some of the problem may still be covid hangover impacting staffing and/or fairly rapid addition of new ships impacting staffing, service and food.  Hoping it’s just growing pains and not an abandonment of all that was good with the line.  
 

Not ready to jump ship quite yet but if I do it will not be in formal attire!

6 minutes ago, etual324 said:

Hard to believe of all cruise ships sailing SS would be the only ones with out Soup, Salad or a Pasta dish in their main dining room dinner menu I think the Silver in Silver Sea is starting to tarnish

On the Spirit in May have concerns!

Same here.  Onboard in May for the Monaco F1 sailing.  At least it’s very port intensive and we’ll be busy.  Bought the apartment terrace 2-day race package and I’m hoping SS can execute.