mjnvoyager

Although I hate to think they’re phasing out the CD shows, I sure do like seeing local talent. Last November in Argentina, the Muse hosted a tango couple for one night. The response from the passengers was so overwhelming that Jimmy Kovel, the Cruise Director, made arrangements with the performers to stay on until the next port. We were very so thankful that Jimmy did that because the couple performed a completely different show the second night. It was very, very cool!

 

Do you offer a training class? If so, I’ll be your first client.

 

 

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Sorry Stumblefoot it’s not my regime. I attend one of those Slimming clubs and the style of eating is very extensive and satisfying. Whilst on the cruise I ate loads of fruit, the more exotic the better. Also ate plenty of steak, lobster, great fish etc. I avoided rich sauces (they don’t suit me anyway so no sacrifice) anything deep fried and passed on the bread. It honestly wasn’t a trial. I normally drink a good sized glass of wine a day anyway but in deference to being on holiday upped that to two or three. I went for quality not quantity. I am allowed pasta, potatoes and rice as well and just made sure there were no butter etc added. It must be working as I have lost 3st since March of this year.

Jimmy was our CD too and on a the cruise we had two ballet dancers from the Bolshevik Ballet who performed twice for us obviously to the enjoyment of the passengers. Fernando came on board to introduce them and stayed for 4 days.

Jane

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Talking to the Assistant CD on the Muse recently ,he told me that they were definitely phasing out CDs shows. Agree that it’s a pity and takes away some of the variety. He said they were hoping to bring on more shows available in various ports and individual performers.

By the way we were on the Muse for 17 days and I lost 3lbs. Perfectly possible if you make good choices. I enjoyed my food immensely and didn’t feel deprived I hasten to add it’s not vanity but a necessary medical thing.

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No. We get it but don’t use AE. Think it’s more to do with the number of days that you have.

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Yes. They break up in early Dec and go back end Jan. I have Australian grandchildren.

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Having checked with our TA, it’s seems SS is extremely aware of the correspondence going on in CC. Maybe I’m being naive but that should be a good thing. I think they may be hoping this will all die down and go away, but the overwhelming response from regular posters and the clear increase in readers of this forum should send a very big warning shot over their bow. Also I reckon with Jeff and Daveywavey they have bitten off more than they can chew. I don’t think either of you are going to back down until you have a satisfactory response. I also suspect that you aren’t the only ones who will be prepared to take all this lying down. The ensuing publicity for them will be very damaging.

Thank you Jeff, after what has clearly been a very trying time for you and wifey for providing us with such succinct and even at times entertaining accounts of what must have been a very unpleasant experience. I don’t think anyone reading your accounts could have anything but sympathy for you.

Jane

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Yes of course SS have a right to sell it’s cruises to anyone. My money is as good as anyone else’s. But why do I choose SS? Why select this brand when I can choose Regent or Seabourn or Crystal? Those are the questions more customers will be asking themselves after reading your reports.

Jane

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Just horrified at what is going on Jeff. We have a Cruise booked for August and are contacting our TA to find out if possible if there are any “groups “ booked. Our worst experience in the past was with a group of 60 from a north west American city. They were a religious group, the congregation having paid for the Archbishop to join them. They were “following the footsteps of St Paul” round the Med ending in Rome with an audience with the Pope. They were noisy and rowdy and drank the ship dry. This we had confirmed by a member of staff. They may have been Christian but hypocritical in my eyes.

SS is definitely not helping itself especially by taking bookings that enable large numbers of people who are on the cruise as a reward incentive. If that makes me a snob then I will happily accept the name. DH was at one time in the brewing business and when the pubs started to advertise for “coach parties” it was the death knell for the regular and personal customers. SS have completely forgotten that they are the purveyor of a luxury and exclusive brand. We have been customers for 20 years but possibly not much longer. Jeff you have our utmost sympathy.

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Thank god for your list Jeff. Spent the morning at the hospital having injections in my feet for arthritis. It gave me the laugh I needed. I think it was Bette Davis who said old age isn’t for wimps. So right. Still it’s better than the alternative!!

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Jeff, I think you and my husband are from the same mould. We arrive at airports hours early, but then relax and enjoy lounges. His organisation has paid off several times ie, stuck on motorways etc. Big mistake recently though. Fed up with Ryanair and EasyJet for a trip to Spain, he booked Monarch!! We also carry copies of everything, book seats on flights and split our clothes in luggage. This paid off spectacularly when one case went to Johannesburg and we were going to Rome on a very smart business jolly.

Jane

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On one cruise we were on a few years ago a German gentleman wore a bright red suit. It raised eyebrows and was a talking point but at the end of the day who cares!! As long as what you present is smart and elegant go for it. (And Yes ,I’m quite elderly)

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Hear hear.

Jane

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They were indeed. We travelled on the Muse in May and met a single traveller lady who was doing 3 back to backs. She complained bitterly as she had had to dine many times on her own unlike her other SS cruises.

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I do agree with CruisinPashmina about enjoying a MDR. However delighted to see that SS is listening to pax and is rotating menus in Atlantide and La Terrazza. So many of us on the Muse in May put it on our comments. Will give them a big tick for that!!

Jane

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Yum. It's kedgeree for us tonight.

Jane

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Just proves that food is so subjective. Agree with you over Indochine but also didn't rate Silver Note. Probably liked Atlantide best!!

Jane

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We sailed on the Muse in May and had a great time. I have posted on other threads. Just to reiterate, the food overall was of a very high standard, the ship quite stunning and spacious and the crew mostly of the usual SS standard. We did have issues with the booking of restaurants but generally dined where we wanted most nights. The restaurant managers were flexible. The only thing we tired of was the menus not changing but I'm sure that also will be addressed in the fullness of time. Go with an open mind and I'm sure you will all have a wonderful time.

Jane

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Sophia I bow to your superior knowledge. Certainly the Observation lounges offer more than most people realise. It is the lounge that few people discover. A hidden gem.

Jane.

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Observer, no there is no all day snack /cafe facility on the Wind, Whisper, Shadow or Spirit. However on the new Silver Muse there is the Arts Cafe which offers exactly what you are looking for.

Jane

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I think if you are two travelling together and introduce two newbies you get one each!! Also we have done it using the same TA and also friends using their own TA. Hope that helps.

Jane

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Undoubtably Boris is front runner at the moment and he is keeping a very low profile. Trouble is he's like marmite, people love him or hate him. Does Gove have the charisma?. He's certainly very bright but that doesn't always translate into a good leader. David Davis' time has passed. Amber Rudd. Bit schoolmarmy for me but she did have as good an election as any.

So many ramifications from the fire. All paperwork is gone and whether they were old or new immigrants is going to be a minefield. I'm sure too there will have been people in the tower who didn't live there legally. One feels awful saying these things.

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Yes Jeff, I too am very uncomfortable with the news all round. The police and fire services did a magnificent job and we should be very proud of them. However with events moving fast and the political manoeuvrings in the background especially the police are a smidgeon away from becoming villains if riots start and demos get out of hand. Osborne's comment of " dead man walking" though unkind is sadly true. I don't know how long she will hang on as they daren't change leader at the moment and when they do the knotty question is who!! In this media driven world it has to be someone with charisma. That is in short supply at the moment. I do have some sympathy for TM. As you say whoever is advising her is not doing a good job but she seems so far out of her comfort zone. I fear the country is about to enter a very devisive period and God knows where it will all end. The rich/ poor and the minority ethnic groups are a heady mix. And all the time those poor people have experienced an appalling tragedy and face an uncertain future.

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I so agree about the basic flaws in the dining on the Muse. Yes Jeff, as it stands with a full ship they have to have a reservation system which can never satisfy everyone. It's sad as the restaurants on board have brought innovation and more choice to the customer and also in our experience a higher standard of food. The huge thing is that it removes the " dine with whosoever you wish, wherever you wish at any time" completely which has always been a big plus for SS. We too have seen the "greasing of the palm" on occasions and it does spoil things for the majority of customers. Sad as The Muse is a success in so many ways. We are lucky to be travelling as a couple but there may come a time when this is different. I would like to think that SS would still want us as customers.

Jane

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Whilst on The Muse we met a very nice lady who was on the third of three segments. She was very upset with the solo arrangements. She is a regular SS customer and had had to dine on her own on several evenings. She made sure that SS were aware of her dilemma. They risk losing very regular customers with not taking care of solos.

Jane

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We certainly liked the system when they gave you 60 minutes a day that they rolled into one block and you used as much or as little each day. We found the you could use say 30 minutes one day but if you logged on again the same day it was either finished or gave you a very short time. We did wonder if we were on longer than we thought and double checked how long we were logged on and we were correct. Not such a good system. And yes you have to download your newspaper from Press reader within your allotted 60 minutes. We have our own subscription to a national and downloaded that. I have been telling SS for years that Internet is a must not an extra and I did think they were listening. The accountants have been at it again!!

Jane

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It's certainly on The amuse.

Jane

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