JoJo1947

1 hour ago, Davio40 said:

I wouldn't wear t-shirts or shorts at dinner but see no problem with designer jeans and a jacket which I often wear to dinner either at home or on the usual cruise lines on which we travel i.e. Azamara, Oceania and Silversea - resort casual/smart casual at dinner is perfectly acceptable. Shorts and t-shirts for breakfast and/or lunch should not be an issue for any cruise line, Saga included. I am sure that over time as the next generation of cruisers come along i.e. my age group (late 50s/early 60s) Saga will probably do away with the formal night dress code and the no jeans after 6pm rule, as the demographic will change and most cruisers would have experienced the more relaxed yet smart casual feel of the other lines and would want Saga to follow to suit. Saga will in time need to adapt in order to remain competitive.

My daughter late 40' s comes now and again and she loves everything about Saga. My friends are in their early 60's love Saga's dress code. So don't hold your breath as youngsters do like dressing up. 

31 minutes ago, Davio40 said:

I know how strict SAGA seems to be with dress code (they really do need to relax it) but can you wear shorts and a t-shirt to breakfast in the main dining room or do we need to be trussed up for that as well?

What would you like to change bearing in mind people chose Saga because it suits them  otherwise they'd sail with another lines? They have relaxed over the years . Not far enough I guess for yourself but it's best to look at dress codes of any cruise lines and accept it! 

3 hours ago, twotravellersLondon said:

 

Details of FOCLs' Wi-Fi changes are at https://www.fredolsencruises.com/faqs/on-board/is-there-wifi-on-board

 

Unlike onboard the Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Edge, celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Summit, Viking Star, Viking Sea, Viking Sky, Viking Orion, Viking Jupiter, Viking Venus Viking Mars Viking Neptune, Viking Saturn, Saga Spirit of Discovery, Saga Spirit of Adventure, Seven Seas Grandeur, Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Splendour, Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Navigator, Silver Cloud, Silver Dawn, Silver Endeavour, Silver Explorer, Silver Moon, Silver Muse, Silver Nova, Silver Origin, Silver Ray, Silver Shadow, Silver Spirit, Silver Whisper and Silver Wind or on-board ships from Crystal Cruises, Oceana, and Seabourn cruise-line... FOCLs charge for Wi-Fi.

 

FOCLs' charges are a couple of quid more expensive than... for instance P&O... but the difference in the cruise price between the two lines is enormous... for instance... P&O are currently offering 14 nights Christmas Cruises to the Canaries for £1,499 in a balcony cabin... by comparison FOCLs if offering much the same for £5,599.

I usually sail Saga hence all the questions but we are looking forward to Fred

Thank you Barbara for giving me this information.

It depends on the seas. Best to avoid Bay of Biscay Nov -March as it can be rough also all seas. Walking around the ship can be difficult but there are hand rails. Mid cabins are best and the lower the better. If like me I stay in my cabin but my husband is fine. It all goes down to the individual as no one size fits all. Far better than the old Saga ships

Not always the bed configuration reaches the stewards. If it's not what you want you can ask your steward to change it. You can also ask for extra pillows,mattress toppers,shower stools. 

If fully booked you can go on a waiting list 

We decided to book a cruise on  Bolette  for next month going to Norwegian Fjords. I've been reading up about the ship.If we should need to use the laundry is there a charge and is washing powder included? Perhaps a daft question but our usual cruise line doesn't charge extra for this. Laundry. Are the prices reasonable? We've yet to book transport to port as we no longer drive. We are South West Bristol area so will be ringing around soon. When do you get to hear about disembarkation  times? Not sure about WiFi as yet as can use phone off the ship. Sorry about so many newbie questions. Any tips would be appreciated.

I have to use a CPAP machine when I sleep (sleep apnoea)  I see in the inside/;outside cabin there isn't a plug next to the bed. So I'd have to take an extension lead and hope for the best as the electrical sockets are on the back of the desk. It would be helpful if anyone uses this machine and how they cope with this. I've phoned FO and they can only guesstimate but really have no idea so not helpful. My usual choice of cruise line is a modern ship with sockets next to the bed but they are full . Thank you 

Thank you for replying . It's been most helpful 

We haven't sailed with Fred before and are considering a short cruise to Norway next month out of Southampton. We usually sail Saga and everything is done for you. As we no longer drive we will have to arrange our own transport. Not sure which dining time to chose. What time does the evening entertainment start? I'm a non drinker and my husband doesn't drink much so a drinks package seems no point. I will need port assistance. Do Fred arrange it or me? I'm sorry I've asked rather a lot of questions.

16 minutes ago, mazj said:

Just had an email from Saga saying they no longer require proof of covid vaccinations although they do encourage guests to continue having up to date boosters.

Good. In line with some other cruise lines. Time to move on 

So  much fuss and bother. Just go to the MDR and find out for yourselves. More important things in life 😂

On 7/8/2023 at 2:10 PM, twotravellersLondon said:

 

It may be helpful to read #43 and the appropriate SAGA webpages again.

 

You're absolutely correct that Britannia Club members can book a table for the evening and then turn up at any time they would like... but none of the posts on this thread suggests in anyway that they have the right to. 

 

Most folks on SAGA expect (and get) great food, excellent service and a throughly enjoyable restaurant experience. That's because in a ship which can have up to almost 1,000 cruisers on board is organised in such a way as to control the flow into the restaurants... for the benefit of the cruise community as a whole in exactly the same was as good land-based restaurants spread their booking over a period of time so that kitchen and the front of house can perform as best as they can.

 

Even in our village... our local gastro-pub, Indian, Thai, Italian, Greek, American and all of the other reasonable restaurants operate booking systems to make sure that they have a chance to offer folks the best dining experience, the best food at reasonable and manageable pace. Our local chippy has a non-bookable sit-down section and folks who arrive when it's full wait for a table to come free. (It does great Fish & Chips... so ten or twenty mins wait is well worthy it.)

 

Of course many land-based restaurant allow walk-ins... so does SAGA... in the Grand Dining Rooms, by the Lido, on the Veranda and in the Grills. Just turn up during restaurant opening hours anytime that you like and if there's a table free walk right in or if the place is full... wait a few moments like on many other cruise lines and you'll be seated as soon as possible.

 

For this who prefer to eat where they like, when they like and at which table they like best but don't want to be tied down to a pre-arranged time... private yacht charters are a great boon! ("Perchance to dream...  Shakespeare's Hamlet or Batman... takes yer choice")

 

However as Britannia Club perks go... a bottle of fin in the cabin on arrival, a cocktail party and for those who book now a saving of up to £1,000 per person on selected 2023 ocean cruise! For those higher up the loyalty scheme perks include... unlimited mileage for transfers to and from the ship, and a free cruise up to 22 nights and private dining from a bespoke menu with the Captain (But it's a set time... we understand for most people... that's not a problem)

I know 😂😂

On 6/30/2023 at 8:52 PM, twotravellersLondon said:

 

Britannia members have all sorts of perks... from discounts of up to £1,000 off a cruise to complementary cruises if they've travelled with SAGA often enough. Guests who register can book early at launch rates and can book tables and soon as they book at that stage.

 

Just read the webpages and find out! 

I am a Britannia member!  I've never had the perk of turning up at anytime in the MDR and speciality restaurants if I have a reserved table. Yes like every Saga guest I can pre register for the next year's cruises. 😀

27 minutes ago, hinterlandboyz2 said:

Hello. As I will, for the first time on any of my cruises, be using a CPAP machine I would be interested to know if Celebrity Cruises charge passengers using a CPAP machine for Distilled water.  

You can boil a kettle and let the water cool down before transferring it to a bottle. I do get distilled water for free on another cruise line but have to pre-book it. Suggest you take an extension lead if the lug sockets aren't bear the bed. 

53 minutes ago, jsforum said:

I don't think you'd have difficulty getting a table for 2 in any venue 

 

Saga do cultivate certain guests. Their staff get hefty discounts and are known to occupy the suites. There are also added perks for favoured guests. 

 

Back your information up please.

38 minutes ago, Vivaldi said:

 

 

I'm  in complete agreement with lincslady on this: this is something fairly new and Saga will get feedback from guests which could result in changes to the sort of included excursions which are offered. I'm happy to wait and see.

 

The SofA is visiting the Isles of Scilly in August and, perhaps surprisingly given that landing is by tender and St Mary's is not vast, an included excursion is available. It is to the Tresco Gardens and is described as of a  "Moderate" activity level, with walking of a mile or more. It might be a rare non-panoramic included excursion, but it shows that they are not totally absent. Whether the weather is sufficiently benign to allow any tenders to operate, to Tresco or to St Mary's, is another matter though!

Saga are not allowed to use their own tenders as locals provide them. Won't say anymore 😱😀

1 hour ago, david05 said:

On SoD the main dining room is open for lunch on embarkation day from noon until 1pm for back to back passengers and early arrivals. The buffet is sometimes open beyond 3.30pm if a late sailing.

Back to backs we did last year  the MDR was not open at lunchtime . Only food available was the  Grill,Verandah and snacks in the Living Room . Unless after January when we came off SoD it's changed 🤔

13 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

I don't understand why someone with a fixed table coming in a bit late effects anyone who comes in at 7.30. If  you come in right at the earliest time, you could very well be still at your fixed table at 8pm or even until 9pm if you like a leisurely meal. It's not the works canteen. So whatever time you come in the table is out of action. The only logical objection is you think  the whole notion of some but not all being able to get a fixed table is selfish and should be stopped. If so bring it up with Sags 

Where did I say that? I merely am trying without success to explain Saga's policy for fixed tables. It's you who think you can wander into suit yourself so people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Sorry you don't understand but I'm actually bored trying to explain so not wasting my time with further comments. 🙄🤦

3 hours ago, FatBoy20 said:

I'm afraid you are the selfish one. Saga give you the opportunity (albeit with time limits) to book a table but you appear want to dictate to your terms.

Who me 🤔😂

15 minutes ago, twotravellersLondon said:

 

We've done three SAGA cruises in the last 11 months, used speciality restaurants on 12 occasions and have always had a table for two (including on a full ship) except when we chose to eat with friends. We've just not found that there has been any problem... if you want to have a table for two... just book it in advance of the cruise.

No I don't want to eat early

4 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

If you want the cruise to be cheaper , then  no included excursions , cheaper for everyone. Only having one type of included excursion is the same as saying included wine but only red.

 

If you read what regular posters say we praise Saga much more than we moan. 

Where did I say I wanted the cruise to be cheaper 🙄 you're overthinking it😂

16 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

I'm not saying that there shouldn't be the option of panoramic excursions at every port for those who need them. Just that all the included , free, excursions don't have to be panoramic 

You're missing the point! 

17 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

You don't even have to be seated by 7.30 if you are going to be later just let them know and they'll hold it. 

.Only early diners were able to book!  No way they'd keep a table. It was on our 2 cruises.  Full ship