CJANDH

Well, at least for now the choice is: book Regent and enjoy a mass muster or book Silversea or Seabourn and E-muster. Time will tell where it all finishes up.

Sounds like a bureaucratic nightmare. I bet they get a lot done. 😄

But I would hope they talk to each other!

Strange compilation of disconnected scenes. We were on Splendor for the Christmas 2022 cruise and it didn't go to several of the ports shown in the movie. It was a Panama Canal cruise with Christmas Day spent in the canal. There was only one stop in the Caribbean on the way to Columbia in George Town in the Caymans. Wonder why they couldn't film the real cruise.

The article linked here gives a very clear statement from each of the major cruise lines and the US Coastguard about the efficacy of the E-muster systems that have evolved over time. Royal and Carnival strongly claim that their E-muster is better training than mass mustering, even if it costs more in staffing costs. Norwegian and Disney are putting cost savings ahead of customer comfort despite E-mustering being endorsed by their competition and the Coastguard. https://thepointsguy.com/news/cruise-ship-muster-drill-changes-reasons/

Not to force anyone back to the intended topic, but the article below is a good review of how the major cruise lines and the coast guard are thinking about muster drills. https://thepointsguy.com/news/cruise-ship-muster-drill-changes-reasons/

The writing may be on the wall. However that shouldn't prevent the cruise lines from lobbying for what could be a better procedure, if they think it is. More likely they have gone back to the old system because it is (a) a better way to drill the crew, and/or (b) a cheaper alternative.

The current system is clearly preferred by cruisers. However, Disney and the whole Norwegian group have opted to go back to the old mass meeting approach. As has been posted on several other boards, the final decision on what is approved rests with, I believe, the Coast Guard who only gave provisional approval to the switch to E-muster. Time will tell if the whole industry is forced to switch back to the old way. Meanwhile be glad you are sailing on brand trying to keep moving forward rather than backward and enjoy the "easy-peasy" muster.

The article below from The Street.com suggests that Celebrity has found the best compromise between the traditional in-person muster drill and the E-Muster introduced to avoid mass gatherings when covid hit. It would be nice to see other line adopting this protocol rather than switching back to traditional mass musters, as Disney and Norwegian have done. https://www.thestreet.com/travel/royal-caribbean-has-a-passenger-friendly-solution-to-muster-problem?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO Transcript attached. Celebrity Muster.docx

Interesting article in Street.com suggesting that Celebrity may have modified the muster protocol in a way that solves the problem of lack of attention. See link below: https://www.thestreet.com/travel/royal-caribbean-has-a-passenger-friendly-solution-to-muster-problem?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO Or see transcript attached. Celebrity Muster.docx

Interesting article in the Street.com suggesting that Celebrity may have found a better way to muster. https://www.thestreet.com/travel/royal-caribbean-has-a-passenger-friendly-solution-to-muster-problem?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO Transcription attached: Celebrity Muster.docx

Still a good idea. Why herd everyone together at the start of a cruise? Whether it is covid, the flu or any other virus, minimizing mass gatherings will help spreading illnesses around the ship. Also, the e-muster was so easy. They just needed to find a way to ensure that everyone executed it. One way would be to deactivate key cards until a pax had visited his/her muster station. No drinks, no reentry to suite.

NCL have announced that they are discontinuing the E-Muster procedure and are returning to the old muster drill with everyone assembling at one time at their muster stations. This is effective immediately across all of their brands, including RSS. One of the few good things to come out of the pandemic protocols was the industry adoption of the e-muster. What a retrograde step for NCL (and Disney).

We are just finishing our Miami to LA holiday cruise. The comment on fruit selection is correct. We saw our first papaya today and no mangos ever.

Just embarked on Splendor from Mandarin Oriental. I let them handle my bags and took an Uber to the ship. All worked perfectly. Beat the bus and bags arrived in my suite safely. Good tip from the Boards. Thanks.

See report here: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/silversea-cruises-president-ceo-roberto-143000362.html

I recall having a pair of binoculars in my suite on Mariner. Can someone who has sailed on Splendor recently tell me if this is still true. The amenities list for our suite (Splendor Suite) does not mention binoculars. Thanks

I think you are right that it varies by port. I recall having to identify my bags before leaving the hotel on one cruise and at the port on another. I would suggest that you ask the RSS representative at the hotel if you can forget about your bags until you get to your stateroom. Some posters are saying that at some ports (Miami for example) you can have RSS transfer your bags to your cabin while you travel independently from the hotel to the port.

The links posted are all 'unavailable'. Seems that sharing them on the board is not allowed for some reason.

I've cleared my cache and tried on a different computer that has never visited the Scenic site. Same message comes up at the bottom of the home page saying they are having some technical difficulties with their web site and suggesting a phone call for more information on a cruise. Same on Chrome, Firefox and Bing.

Take the low fare and purchase "cancel for any reason" travel insurance. The insurance probably will cost less than the 20% saving. Just a guess. 🤑

Has Scenic been hacked again? I keep getting emails promoting their ocean cruises, but when I open them and try to go to their web site I get a message saying they are having problems with their web site and advising me to call for information on cruises. It has been several weeks like that. Seems like deja vu all over again.

Does Seabourn offer complimentary laundry in its top suites (e.g. Wintergarden)?

We are cruising on Splendor from Miami in December and staying in the Regent pre-cruise hotel. My question is: can I leave my checked luggage outside my room for Regent to transport to the ship and then go independently to the ship after some business in town? Will the bags go straight to our suite or do we have to identify them at the cruise port before they are taken to the ship. I am concerned about the timing of our arrival at the ship to check in and the timing of the luggage arrival at the port. Thanks in advance for advice from anyone who has had this need. Chris.

In the pre-covid days the cruise lines all offered the one use bottles of water as you disembarked for an excursion. Since covid, I have found that often a reusable bottle is provided in the suite for each guest. What is the current situation on Regent? Do they provide refillable bottles? If so, are they any good or should I bring my insulated bottle from home? I like my water to stay cold all day. Thanks.