TV Dad

Anytime I am not satisfied with a restaurant, cruise line, store, etc., I stop giving them my business. And I do what you folks did too, I tell people about it. It's the best way to get a business's attention!

We bring: - an over the door shoe holder. We actually hang it in the closet and it gives us a ton of extra storage space. Easy access too) - A battery powered candle provides ambience for romantic nights. (Real candles are illegal) - Alcohol or bleach wipes to wipe down the cabin (remote control, door knobs, light switches, refrigerator handle and other things the cabin steward may forget). - Extra pair of glasses - photo copies of passport - Extra phone charger - Post-it notes - Final tip. . . . if you get lost easily, or have difficulty remembering room numbers, bring something to decorate your cabin door with! A photo, a drawing, anything yu can tape up to make it easy to recognize.

1. Queens Grill Restaurant is the Disneyworld of Dining. Anything you want you can have! It's magical! As long as they have the ingredients on board, they will make it for you. I have never experienced anything like it, in 40 years of cruising. 2. I never challenged my butler on the last cruise. I think of them more as a glorified cabin steward. 3. In the QG, every gentleman wore at least a jacket or a tie after 6:00. Not always a suit, but at least a sport coat. Sometimes, a tie and no sport coat. Sometimes both. Formal night is VERY formal. 4. We made numerous friends at both dinner and in the private Grills cocktail lounge. If you make eye contact and say hellow, you will make friends easily. Bon Voyage

I heartily agree! In this day and age, premium cabins (with premium prices) should get ammenities such as free wifi.

I agree! What makes it an ocean liner?

You will not be disappointed! While I have only done Queens Grill, I can tell you the meals, service, presentation are exquisite! We love the private grills lounge for pre-dinner cocktails. We met many new friends in there. After dinner we would head to other entertainment areas.

Our RSSC cruise ships stops in the small ports of Torbay and St. Malo next summer. Anyone have experience in these two small ports? We're looking for suggestions: Excursions, museums, private tours, quirky things to do? Thanks, in advance!

Does anyone know of excursions available from the port on Kangaroo Island, Australia? We will be there March, 2023. Thanks, in advance!

My wife and I had a cozy table for two in the Queen's Grill. However, we had no problem socializing with adjoining tables. In fact, we became fast friends. If you do not get the table size you desire, keep that award winning smile on your face and don't be afraid to start a conversation. You will have new friends in no time!

I think the best parts of the Grills Experience are the private lounge and restaurant. By the end of day one the bartender knew our drinks preference and offered them up as soon as he saw us. And while it could be because we had a drinks package, I had no trouble getting a generous pour (double). In the restaurant, we had our own private table for the entire cruise. We could socialize with adjoining tables, if we desired, or embrace ourselves in private conversation. Our maître 'd knew us by name after the first day. Our servers knew our drink preferences, and even how we like our food prepared! At one breakfast, the runner brought out my wife's meal and the server stopped him. The bacon was not crispy enough for my wife's taste! Once, at lunch, I told our server we were in the mood for Italian food. At dinner, we were prepared a delicious Italian feast with all our favorites! I have never been treated so well, by a dining staff, on any of my 25+ other cruises. That is why I am a Grills fan!

Thank you for doing this for your fellow cruisers! My wife is eagerly awaiting a schedule for 2023. We're cruising Australia on QM2 and she has shopping on her mind!

We are traveling from Tampa to Australia in March, 2023 and also want to see Sydney, GBR and Uluru. I'm researching right along with you. Good Luck.

I am a newbie on Viking Ocean voyages. However, I have sailed more than a dozen other lines both big and small. So, I feel qualified to warn future Viking cruisers, Viking has a few practices that are not standard in the industry and not good for passengers. Specifically, final payment is due 18 months before sailing! EIGHTEEN MONTHS?! The industry standard is six months. Viking keeps your money for a year longer than any other cruise line! I find that unfair to passengers. Also, to get the lowest possible fare on Viking, passengers must pay cash (e-check). It's disguised as a 3% bonus for paying cash. But let's face it, every other cruise line lets customers use credit to book their lowest possible fares. Viking's policy prohibits cruisers from taking advantage of credit card perks like rewards points and complimentary travel insurance. Not to mention the added financial protection credit companies offer in uncertain times (Crystal Cruise passengers learned that last year). Full disclosure: I still chose to book a Viking Cruise. No-one pointed a gun to my head and said I had to choose Viking Ocean Cruises. I could have sailed on any other line and NOT paid full fare 18 months out. I chose to book Viking because it offered an itinerary I wanted, at the time I wanted to sail. However, future cruisers should realize Viking Cruises is not the industry standard. In my opinion Viking is quite below standard!

Does anyone have a recent Silversea wine and cocktail list they can post? I'm wondering what the premium wines and alcohol pours are... And what the upcharge is for them. We're not cruising until July, so I'm sure there will be some changes. But I'm a first time Silversea cruiser and I'd like a rough idea. Thanks In Advance!

My wife and I have cruised most of the major cruise lines as well as Seabourn and Silversea. We're thinking about dipping our toes in the Regent pool. Hope you can answer a few questions for me: 1. Can you upgrade to business class airfare for domestic ports? I'm looking at two cruises that depart and end in the USA. The Regent website says Regent upgrades to business class for international journeys only. What do they do for domestic travel? 2. Can you get a credit if you choose to book your air travel independently? If so, how much credit? 3. Is there a problem, with air arrangements, if you choose to arrive a few days ahead of time? 4. I understand wine is included. What champagne or Cabernet Sauvignon are typically offered complimentary? What about higher end wines? Are they available on board for sale? Champagnes like Veuve Cliquot or Dom Perignon? Cabs like Silver Oak or Caymus? 5. Is Caviar available? If so, is it complimentary? Thank you all so much for answering my obviously first world questions!