milepig

At least they have it, there are reports that Silversea has been running out of tequila lately.

I would think that a high percentage of the WS demographis is vaxxed. I would go with a proof of some medical reason they can't be vaxxed.

This is very true, early conversations were around just moving everything forward to 6, but they could be extended, the question is how that would affect WSs staffing. They move them around on a schedule and they would need to adjust everything to make the schedule work. That's their problem, I guess.

I guess part of my thoughts were that WS has a high number of frequent cruisers. I'll some some itineraries like "greece, untraveled islands" would be very popular.

Thanks for the observations. For us, we really need that time between 5-7 to get turned around, have a cocktail (or two) catch up on email if needed, probably shower, put on nicer cloths (not fancy, just not what we've worn all day), look at the next day's schedule - reception will arrange to have a print copy delivered each day if you ask - get out tour tickets for the next day, and just relax. By then its time for dinner and we can relax with all the other stuff done. Our normal dinner time at home is 6:30 so 7 isn't really a stretch for us,

Just have to ask. To how many is 7pm really a late dinner?

The amazing crew deserves it. No issues here.

2nd honeymoons?

I think it was more than a few months ago, my only data points are that it was not included last November, and was before COVID. I wonder if part of the process was that WS realized that there were several ways to get laundry included, high level Yacht club status and booking a B2B being two of them, and that people would maybe not buy the package since they already got laundry through another method.

I've long been struck that dinner is sort of the same times at all locations. I say that I would never schedule a dinner out for earlier than 7, which makes it sort of special and "dining". I do suspect that part of the 7 opening is that WS needs time to reset for dinner, get preparing for dinner and for getting the right staff in the right places (and maybe a break) if you look closely the staff does actual change uniforms before dinner. It also gives 5-7 as a time for various meetings and a time to gather at the bar, which for many people is an important part of the WS experience - a time to decompress, especially if you've had a busy day or a long tour My suggestion would be that now each ship has more options, they change hours at the various locations day by day with something always open at 6. 5 seems to early for me, with the star grill finishing up lunch at 4.

It appears that you no longer need the test for Greece. Mention is gone from the WS website. I saw some reference to beginning October 5.

You won't need sunscreen if you go through in total darkness late at night like we did.

We didn't see any on our recent Legend. Crew masked - some better than others. Virtually no pax wearing them, including us.

This is true, but it isn't a substitute for grilled lobster with butter. I also didn't see lamb chops of the BBQ.

Just to clarify - other than the Star Grill (if open) and sandwiches in the Yacht club, Veranda is the ONLY option for lunch.

On our recent itin there was a sign by reception about asking about upgrade opportunities. I didn't ask but if sounded like they were for a fee.

We explored the Grill this time. Tea Smoked Duck was amazing. Burgers the same as in Veranda. We did notice that the default portion size was smaller than in the past. Very small number of Fries - but they'll bring you more. The soft serve ice cream machine by the grill was operating most of our cruise, flavors were always vanilla, strawberry or the two twisted. Never anything else. Still no BBQ lobster - I think its gone for good. We've had mostly solid chefs and once in awhile one who is splendid. Out recent itin on the Legend we had an OK chef. It was all fine but sort of uninspired. Things labeled "spicy" had almost no spice, even the Indian. You could add Tabasco, but that's no substitute for real Indian spices. If you label one option as "spicy" you need to make sure it is, people will have been warned. We did have excelling pasta bolognese is Amphora, one of the best I've ever had. The beef was definitely a higher grade than they were using last November.

Just off the Legend. Food improved, same great crew, all good on that account. But the destinations were so not windstar. I'll just mention two. Santorini and Mykanos. Both were overcrowded with multiple mega ship to the point of disaster. Kusadashi was almost as bad although we did have views of the Azamara next door where people were running around naked. What happened to the old Windstar that was proud of seeking out off the beaten path ports. I may as well have been on a megaship. Even the tours seemed like no one even tried.