Carolfay

Yes, but I think you've identified one of the reasons this topic is so problematic for many women.

Me, too. Anticipation is building, and I'm enjoying all the detail on this thread.

I think I'll prefer it to the decor I found on Oceania Regatta last year, which I thought of as "bordello chic."

I can see that they're apparently shipping to Chile - but Peru isn't on their list.

I just tried again for Callao, Peru. Still says "temporary service restrictions - please call." When I call, they say, "Nothing doing."

Good and useful reading. I like your specificity and your writing style. I'm boarding on January 16. This answers quite a few of my questions. Thanks.

I've already talked to their representatives and have been turned down.

I can't find any companies that will ship my luggage to South America. They all say it has to do with customs regulations. I'm resigned to being on my own and traveling with all my bags. Disappointing.

Heels? Yes, always. As long as I'm able to strut my stuff.

Nic + Zoe continues to serve me well for casual (and washable) cruise wear. Cute styles and fabrics - and they have petite sizing, too.

Silversea has informed my travel agent that they don't ship bags to South America - so I'm on my own for handling my luggage. Disappointing. I will take the bags I need and pay for porters as I go.

Thanks. If it's available to me, this is likely the way I'll go.

I'm willing to use Silversea's service if it's available to me. I was under the impression it was only offered to folks on Grand Voyages or similar lengthy cruises.

Luggage Forward has informed me they can't handle my bag for my upcoming South American cruise (embarking in Peru, disembarking in Argentina). Customs issues, apparently. I'll be looking for an alternative - or just planning to make friends with any number of porters. I've used Luggage Forward several times and have never run into this problem before.

I'm looking for suggestions. I'm cruising on Silversea in January 2024, departing from Lima, Peru. On previous cruises, Luggage Forward has been able to deliver my bag to the ship. A call to the company informed me that they can't operate in South America due to customs restrictions. Apparently, the same goes for the end of my cruise, which is in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I need to find out what my options are - other than, of course, just dragging my baggage with me and trying to enlist porters. (I'm a solo traveler. And no, packing light is not an option for me on a three-week cruise.). Thanks for any advice.

My most recent Luggage Forward experience went flawlessly (my home to Montreal, NYC to my home). Last October, I sailed via Silversea from San Diego to Costa Rica. I was told Luggage Forward couldn't pick up my bag from the port at journey's end. OK. I arranged for pickup from the hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica, where I stayed overnight before coming home. Somehow, things went off the rails. I didn't see my bag for nearly a month. Luggage Forward insisted they knew where my suitcase was, though they quite obviously didn't. Though I anticipated my belongings would be gone if I ever saw that bag again, things were returned to me intact. However, I had entirely unsatisfactory communication from the company and never got an apology for the poor service. Moral of the story: It's an attractive service and usually works - but not always and not without hiccups. Caveat emptor, etc.

All I've ever had in my Luggage Forward bag is clothes, shoes, handbags. No jewelry, certainly. All my other stuff travels with me.

I've always had to claim my bag myself in the cruise terminal - and then locate the Luggage Forward representative, which hasn't always been easy. On a couple occasions, I had to wait nearly an hour for the rep to show up, and that involved standing outside the terminal, as the rep wasn't allowed inside. It's a good service, and I'll likely continue to use it, as I cruise solo, but the process isn't always as seamless as the company would like you to believe. On a more positive note, having to have my big bag packed and ready for pickup 10 days before I travel is a good thing for me; otherwise, I'd procrastinate far longer in choosing clothes and getting them into the suitcase.

Mostly in agreement about this. I don't care for the caste system, which provides reservation priority based on how expensive your cabin is. Based on my recent experience, however, it's usually not difficult to obtain restaurant reservations for the specialty restaurants. I was in one of the cheapest rooms, but all I had to do was walk up to the reservation desk outside the main dining room and reserve a spot for either of the specialties (Manfredi's and Chef's Table). They were quite accommodating, unless you wanted one of the 6 p.m. "early bird" spots.

I just returned from 13 days on Viking Neptune (Montreal to NYC) and will second most of the comments from Vineyard View and Ovener. While I had a very enjoyable holiday and will continue to consider Viking cruises, I still think I give the edge to Seabourn and Silversea, both of which are a bit more to my liking. Passenger numbers play a big role in my choices, as do the quality and selection of food and the included amenities. I'm glad there are so many options these days - truly something for almost all tastes.

Excellent information and suggestions. Thanks, folks! (There may be a bagel in my future, too.)

I've been reading and enjoying "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz," and I'm really getting hungry for some of that smoked meat he enjoys so much. Any suggestions as to where I can find the best when I'm in Montreal?

I'm currently reading (and frequently laughing out loud at) "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" by Mordecai Richler. Duddy is third-generation immigrant in Montreal, and there's ample local color. There's a very popular series of Inspector Gamache mysteries by Louise Penny that are set in the area around Montreal. "The Seats of the Mighty" by Gilbert Parker is a bit of a slog, but I learned a fair bit about the Seven Years' War. (Getting prepared, as I'm leaving on a cruise from Montreal in a couple weeks . . .)

No orgeat? If not, I may have to clutch my pearls . . .

Hands only for face washing - but I first use a wipe for my eye makeup