SLSD

All good advice. We almost always take some "breakfast bars" as we call them with us, just in case. We'll make sure to do that. And, we are scheduled to arrive 48 hours ahead of embarkation. The only part of cruising I worry about is actually getting there.

The locks on luggage are a menace for sure. We never lock our luggage but years ago (before the combination tumblers) TSA broke our unlocked lock anyway. It was a keyed lock which was not locked! Go figure. Thank you for clueing me in about the Air Tags. I would have figured that out, but asking you pros makes it easier. I just took a look at the piece of luggage we plan to send through Luggage Forward. I could not remember if it had a tumbler lock on it or not. It does not! I am so glad it doesn't after your experience, It just has a place where a small lock could be placed--and of course we will not do that. It's a Tumi piece of luggage. I was in their store recently looking at some of their bags--and I remember that the bags in the store DID have the tumbler locks, so I was surprised that this one does not. I will leave my electrical hair appliance out of the bag. As I said, I don't even really need it and sometimes do not take it on cruises. I was planning on packing a set of colored pencils and a pencil sharpener. I ordered a new set of pencils for the trip (to have something to do if we get Covid) and they come in a shrink wrapped tin box. I will probably put them in my carryon .No need to worry anyone about what they are. Some years ago, we flew to NYC for our granddaughter's birthday and I had her birthday presents in my checked bag---and carefully gift wrapped in the cutest birthday gift wrapping papers and ribbons. When we got to our hotel and opened our bags, I was shocked to see that every gift had been unwrapped--paper torn and ribbon bows destroyed.

I am hoping that Mr. SLSD's doctor will be willing to prescribe it. My doctor did not hesitate at all. My husband's doctor is at the local medical school and they follow "public health guidelines" while my doctor has his patient's best interests at heart. So, we will see. We can probably get a prescription for him even if his doctor declines.

While you are looking, take a look at the Seabourn crulseline. We sail both SS and SB. There is better entertainment on Seabourn and a very slightly younger age group--but not much younger. It is certainly worth a look. We have done a SB cruise from Rome including Monte Carlo and it was great. Both lines are very good. Silversea is a bit more formal and staid. Seabourn is a bit more casual and lively. For example, Seabourn has Sail Away events on the deck as well as other events on deck which are fun. Silversea does not specialize in these kinds of activities.

All good advice. Thank you. I'll have my laptop in my personal item-and Mr. SLSD will have his in his personal item .

We have been among the cautious ones, but we are cruising Seabourn again (finally) in early June. We are aware of flight issues/lost luggage issues--so we are planning accordingly. We are going to be smart in packing our carryon bags/personal item carryons and think we MIGHT be able to survive the cruise just on those items. We are remembering Sharkb8's experience with their Luggage Forward bags which didn't arrive until late in a cruise. However, we have decided to use Luggage Forward for the first time and will be hoping for a very good experience with them. Do we need to pack an Apple tracking device in the Luggage Forward bag? We've read the list of excluded items for Luggage Forward and understand the list. We are planning on packing clothing and shoes to be shipped by them. I do have a question. Should I not pack an electric hair appliance? Is an electrical cord going to send off alarms with Luggage Forward and/or customs agents? I could well leave it at home if there is any chance of a problem. Also, any tips on packing to the max in carryons would be very welcome. I'll be traveling in my lace up walking shoes, packing a pair of flats (heels going by Luggage Forward). I'll be carrying on to the plane my light jacket (waterproof--we're going to Norway) and in my carryon I'll have my light down sweater to layer under the jacket. I'll have two outfits for dinner in the evening (scarves, jewelry to go with) and two more pairs of pants plus tops for daytime wear. Mr. SLSD will travel in his navy blazer and have appropriate pants/shirts in his carryon. He'll be traveling in his walking shoes with another pair of shoes in his carryon. We both will pack medications--including Covid tests and Paxlovid which my doctor has prescribed (and we are hoping Mr. SLSD's doctor will do the same). Any specific packing advice to cover most situations welcomed.

I've always loved the idea of a King Shaka Airport. I've enjoyed your tale of your experiences and all the photos. Please give us an update on the Covid situation when you return to the ship. I am taking some colored pencils and supplies to do artwork when we cruise in June--just in case we are stricken with the dreaded Covid. Surely taking diversions along with us will mean that it will not happen. I'm counting on that!

That sounds harrowing...

Mr. SLSD also always wears a jacket and tie in the MDR and at the TK Grill.

Thank you for this reasonable and empathetic post.

Good grief. i think it's time we give the idea of commenting on what people should wear a rest.

They HAD to be outliers...

Wow. I've never seen that.

I also like to see people dressed with flair--I really do. And there is nothing wrong with being refined or sophisticated--nothing wrong at all. I have never seen a rough or crude person on a Seabourn cruise. Of course we might differ on that definition. Rough to me would mean wearing dirty clothing, speaking with constant expletives. Sophisticated is a more difficult observation. What one person sees as sophisticated, another might see as elitist or arrogant. In my whole lifetime, I have met very very few people who have impressed me with their sophistication. And, I can't think of any I've met on a SB cruise. That is not to denigrate SB cruisers by any stretch, but just to suggest that my understanding of sophistication might differ from that of others. No need to be sorry. I KNOW you did not mean to be mean. You were just giving us your viewpoint--and that is valuable in itself.

Yes, I'm embarrassed that I left out the most important word. I've become increasingly uncomfortable about the description of passengers based on whether they have dressed with a flare--or are refined--or sophisticated. I don't know about the rest of you--but those kinds of descriptions don't fit with my value system.

I left out an important word---Perhaps it IS time to STOP judging others based on their clothing.

If you are using a travel agent, they may be able to request a reservation for you. That has worked for us in the past. But, I wouldn't worry as you should be able to get a reservation when you board. In the past, we have gone to the TK Grill shortly after boarding and taken care of that.

We are considering using Luggage Forward for the first time on our next SB cruise. AND, we will be packing our carryons as efficiently as possible. Lost luggage looms large in our thoughts. I'll be packing a couple of options for dinner dress in my carryon, but if other luggage didn't arrive, things WOULD become very repetitive. Perhaps it IS time to judging other based on their clothing.

The very idea of slavery is soul crushing. This is a very effective monument.

Yes, that is the change. It is a disappointment. Ours is the June sailing.

I just received notification of another change in itinerary for our June 8-June 25 Copenhagen to Copenhagen cruise.

You make a very good point!

While I think it is perfectly acceptable to point out poor manners, status checking, narcissism and pushiness, it may be rocky territory when others are criticized for lacking a flair in their choices of dress, wearing polyester, or having a bad haircut. We come from all different places and cultures and for some, mode of dress has never been important--nevermind having the means to buy whatever clothing they wished. Same with bad haircuts I'm afraid. While this doesn't excuse sloppy or too too too casual dress (tank tops on men, worn out jeans with holes, etc) I think we have to give the polyester and bad haircut crowd a pass. That being said, I also find it unfortunate when a nice long itinerary is cut into one week or two week chunks and those on board are met with new passengers all the time.

And I think we will be on your June SB cruise.

Part of my comment was tongue in cheek--just a bit of it. I just happen to know an engineer who loves Viking and fits my description. He would not like Seabourn. After you have sailed on both, I would like to hear your comparison.