mchell810

Thanks for sharing your experience. One question: I noticed in videos there are small jars of "spa snacks." Were the little bags of nuts also provided?

I do feel Ponant may be too small for me (not that I'm leery of offensive passengers -- I spent the first 40 years of my life in NYC, I know how to deal with offensive 😉). I have fallen in love with Silversea Muse class ships -- their 600 passenger max seems perfect with so many dining venues and lounges. I spent 30 days on Spirit last spring and was very happy. I worry that the smaller ships will feel confined, especially for dining venues.

Four hours since your post and it's already 3 pages deep. I better hurry and catch up ! Looking forward to your comparison as I am mostly only interested in smaller ships now but wonder if Ponant would be a good fit.

Thanks for the info. I can officially say I've learned something new today. 😀

Would you elaborate on this; is there an expected change? Some problem? I know in Saudi waters alcohol cannot be served but I've never heard of anything similar for Canada. TIA

Booking dates are noted on the bottom of page 5 in the pdf

The Hawaii -- Chicago leg will be in domestic first class. That has always been my experience with Silversea Business Class flights.

Lois -- hopefully you've gotten the drama out early on your trip so you can just enjoy the rest.

I am not sure when theysite you quote was last updated; however ... There are 8 R-ships: Oceania has 4 (Insignia is not mentioned above) and Azamara also has 4 (Quest not mentioned above). After buying the Azamara brand Sycamore partners bought the last ship from Princess during the covid shutdown; this ship was renamed Onward.

I had that same feeling from other videos. I looked it up -- the rooms are 30 sq. ft smaller on Nova than Dawn based on room details on the SS website.

In my excitement for an aft cabin (and booking onboard) I just didn't think through all my usual rules about cabin location. It was difficult to give up the wake view and deeper balcony, but I am very sure it's a better choice for me. You'll consider your needs and make a decision.

I had an aft facing suite on deck 6 of Nova; I've changed bc of the possibility of smoke and balcony seems to be very public as well. Plus, I worry about noise from the Panorama lounge late in the evening. I suspect Silversea hasn't thought through these issues bc they never had cabins over the deck spaces before.

Yes, we did get out of the car for the city tour. There was a viewing point up near the stadium and other stops were we could get out including Park Park Guell.

I had the exact same thought! I understand it being paired with the foie gras but no way would I drink it at that point in the meal.

I also do not understand why SS doesn't give better information on the Saudi Visa. I needed one for an April 2023 cruise; despite several attempts I couldn't get info on the maritime visa which I had learned about from MSC passengers. I paid $140 for the full visa and then, onboard -- just a few days before arriving in a Saudi port -- we were given information about the transit visa. In addition we were told if you were not going ashore you didn't need a visa. If the ship can have that information I don't see why it couldn't be shared with passengers in the weeks before embarkation.

I fully understand, with all that it's likely to get damaged. I have been known to make bad decisions on the fly -- better to remember the piece in the shop than pieces in your luggage 😉

The blue bowl is absolutely beautiful! I think I'd have tried to get it home (and made sure I had a supply of Kleenex for the tears if it didn't make it 😝)

Unfortunately we have no such protections in the US. As others have stated above, I just ignore the language of the sale --- free nights, percentage off -- and look at the bottom line price to decide it something is worthy. Azamara has always (in my experience) claimed the listed price includes whatever discount they are offering so there's no real way to know if the price has been lowered unless one was tracking the price.

It may be an issue of location as well. If you are a UK resident there may be something about packages and flights that works very differently from those of us in the US.

Clearly, you have looked at just about every cruise line! 😃 I'm glad you found a cruise that works for you. The location of that hotel is wonderful; your early morning walks will really special!

Norris, Thanks again for an enjoyable read. I have already marked my calendar to look for your next GSJ. I know you said the luxury lines are not on your radar for future travel but I encourage you to look at Silversea to get your overnight stay in Istanbul. I was there with them a few months ago and it was wonderful! A forward facing lounge and decks are available to all passengers; it was quite an experience (even on an overcast day). I used the included tours to get to all the places I would have gone anyway -- most importantly Hagia Sophia; the overnight stay gave plenty of time to just explore the city on one's own. And lunch onboard an our last day.

You beat me to it. 😃 I love that song!

Another view showing the relationship to the light and the bed (there is one one each side of the bed)

No, the USB port is on the underside of the bedside lamp that is mounted on the wall. The 3rd photo lisiamc posted gives a good view (post #29 above)

Thanks, that’s good to know.