goldengatecruisers

Noggins, you bring up a good point and I hadn't thought of it that way.  I was focused more on the new ship design competing with other luxury lines who offer all-balcony options. Hopefully the entry level price point will still be attractive to our friends who enjoy the ocean view category and of course, the solo category.

I wonder if anything was mentioned about images or artist renderings of the new ship design (both ocean and expedition).   Having a public announcement in June is something we can all look forward to but it would be a great move to include renderings.  Another good comment was the all-balcony accommodations, let's hope the standard suites are more comparable in size to what we are seeing in the ultra-luxury sector.  By chance, did they mention the anticipated size of the entry level accommodations?

Thank you very much for your reporting from the Q&A session.  A 3/4 promenade!  I will take it and be grateful 🤩

The upgrade from fwd to mid location within a category is a bit of a lame offering in my opinion.  It would have been nice to see a deeper discount for future bookings at certain milestones, such as 5% discount or 10% discount, as is the case at Silversea. 

Am I missing something or did the 'formal night icon' (bow tie) disappear from My Silversea calendar when reviewing one's upcoming booked voyages?  

I thought the two owners were planning to join the deadhead transit of the area.  The Seatrade article cites two other individuals...  Fernando Delgado, chief product officer, A&K Travel Group, and Spyros Almpertis, VP port operations, Crystal.

I saw that too, on Silver Shadow, as I also want to sail that itinerary.  The price increases are ridiculously high.  In anddition I’ve noticed the incremental increases between Classic to Deluxe veranda on the 2025 cruises is quite a price hike.  

Thank you for posting so many photographs from your travels.  It is wonderful to accompany you on your local walks and I appreciate seeing the stores and homes, and life in general of the local communities.

ak1004 - moving forward I don't think that is even possible.  Door to door is with flights, port to port is without flights, essential is well, the bare essentials.  

Door to door with an air credit is, as I understand it, a thing of the past.  We now only have these new three categories.  It was described very well by Jazzbeau in post #81

Gourmet Gal, I took a screen shot from the email Silversea sent out to guests earlier today.  If you received such an email you can see what I captured in the screen shot.   I don't see it on the website but to be honest, I have not delved deep enough most likely.   From the email its states Port to Port is now combinable with Venetian Society benefits, whereas previously I don't believe the port to port fares qualified for the discounts.

Venetian Society benefits are applicable with Door to Door and also now combinable with the newly 'enhanced' Port to Port according to the email just received from Silversea.   I take that to mean Venetian Society discounts, whether that be 5% or 10%.    I am sure someone who knows more than I will chime in.

Thank you for such a great response.   I really appreciate understanding this.

I am not sure whether Silver Shadow stocks some Otium products or whether they are still using Bulgari but on a recent sailing on Nova we enjoyed the new bathroom amenities which included items for a luxurious bath.  I believe it was a nicely scented bath ball that fizzed to produce some bubbles and scented water.  I don't recall it being super bubbly but one could always put a little body wash or shampoo to help things along if excessive bubbles is the goal. Additional bath balls (and shower tablets which worked in the same manner and produced a heavenly scent when activated by the water) were available to us at any time.  Like others, I often bring with me, or purchase in port, additional bathroom and suite amenities to provide creature comforts.

I too would be very interested in understanding why two ships, outfitted with the same Starlink technology, can deliver vastly different internet performance.   Prior to a recent month on board Serenity, where the internet was absolutely painful, we were sailing on Silversea Nova and Celebrity Edge where their internet was fast and consistent. In full disclosure, on Silversea we travel one of the larger suites and premium wifi is included as part of that suite amenity package.  Whereas on Celebrity we had standard internet but their's was the best of all.  We regularly do speed tests out of curiosity and Starlink performed impressively.  You can imagine our disappointment when we boarded Serenity only to be met with challenges, almost daily.  Whilst on board we had entertained staying on for a third voyage but decided the internet issues would prevent us from doing so.  We shared our comments with Crystal both onboard and at head office level and provided screen shots of speed tests from Silversea, Celebrity and comparing them with multiple screen shots from Crystal.   I did not hear a word back from anyone!   So to repeat my opening sentence... I would be very interested in understanding why two ships, outfitted with the same Starlink technology, can deliver vastly different internet performance.

Ashley

Silversea offer an upcharge premium wi-fi service for guests in the lower priced suites.  Premium wi-fi service is included for the larger suites (Medallion and higher). As someone who needs to work whilst on board I need reliable access zoom calls etc. without issue.  I welcome this new paid option and would not hesitate to add it to my cruise cost.  In no way does it take away from the luxury experience for me.  It is what it is.  I am happy to have access to it during a voyage especially when my preference is to sail 30 days+.   It is very important that I can remain connected and have fast, reliable internet.  I have no issue with a tiered program. 

No doubt.  I am certain they will do very well in the Caribbean, but it is unfortunate the Australian/NZ cruise industry takes the financial hit.  I am sure their voyages would be well received by our down-under cruising community.

On topic - Virgin Cruises have announced they are cancelation their repositioning cruises for their Australian season for 2024/2025 and replacing with Caribbean itineraries instead for Resilient Lady.

I have made enquiries and I am not getting the same information as you.  I also checked my P2P invoices in addition to the official Silversea "Your Voyage Confirmation" that comes as an attachment from Silversea.  I can only speak for the documents I have but nowhere does it state I can move the penalty to FCC.  My paperwork does not have an asterisk next to the payment/penalty schedule with the explanation you show in #8.   Frustrating as it sure would be nice to have that ability. 

Can I ask if anyone else booked on P2P is seeing the same language as Frankhi?

Thank you very much for your response.  I will check with my TA. Much appreciated.

6 hours ago, frankhi said:

On my actual confirmation of a P2P it says there is a 15% penalty for cancelling 151* and then below it explains the *

 

* This fee will be converted to a future cruise credit (FCC) redeemable on a new booking made up to 2 years after cancellation, on any sailing commencing no later than one year after the expiry date of the FCC.

Frankhi, thank you for posting this information about port to port fares and the 15% penalty.  I had not known this previously.  On my Port to Port invoice from Silversea I do not see this language and I want to make sure I fully understand.  I could not see it under general Terms and Conditions but it is very possible I missed it buried beneath all of the language.  Can I ask where you are reading this about transferring it to a FCC. 

Good gracious, what is happening to Silversea? I am reading more and more posts of disappointing onboard experiences and it is not isolated to Spirit.  This is all rather disconcerting.

Interesting development and in my opinion a very wise decision to get ahead of the situation.  By doing so they can, as you say, secure ports and create an itinerary that would appeal to many guests and be in the position to sell new itineraries.   I am sure other large corporations, such as Carnival Corp, are already looking at options.  I doubt Crystal would address it until much later in the year.  It will be interesting to see the routing/ports that NCL chooses.

I like the sound of this new direction. Can't wait to get back on board to experience it. When it comes to food Crystal is head and shoulders above the rest - consistently. 

On an upcoming voyage I tried to book an included excursion but it showing as 'full' and does not permit to waitlist.  Is that because the waitlist has already reached the maximum?  I would assume so but wanted to check.  I will keep an eye on the tour in case status changes but thought I would enquire on this thread as some of you may know the reason why.

@Whipsnade: You had me at "we are in our mid 80s".   It is inspirational to hear of a fellow traveler with such enthusiasm for discovery.  I too am hoping for some innovative overland options offered by the A&K arm.  One of the big attractions for us is the transit of the Suez Canal, Egypt and Jordan.  Sadly I worry they may possibly be cut from a revised itinerary. 

I agree with comments made by others in my wish for Crystal to address the end of year itinerary sooner rather than later.  I am not sure how heavy the December sailings are in terms of bookings but it is possible people are reluctant to commit to such a routing with uncertainty in the region.  If Crystal could just get ahead of themselves and formulate a plan they may be able to produce a relatively reliable option which may encourage cruisers to book those segments. I don't believe the region will be stable enough by end of year to confidently sail ships in the Gulf of Aden without great risk. Personally, I am beginning to look at alternative options for travel in December so I have a back-up plan.  If Crystal does not have a solution in place I would not be comfortable making full payment for a long voyage in this region.  Crystal may choose to hold out till the eleventh hour, which is their prerogative, but I fear having the rug pulled from under my feet potentially leaving me with little to no options to book alternative cruises in December.  I am sure there will be those guests who will stick with the Athens/Abu Dhabi/Mumbai cruise but I don't think I would be one of those.  We have insurance but for us it is more about having the ability to book alternative travel and I don't want to deal with limited options, last minute international air, hotels during the holiday period etc.  I would rather have all of that locked down where possible.

So for now, I am going to turn off my mind and enjoy the Serenity threads and follow along with those sailing across the Pacific 🙂