dawntrdr

I'm sitting in the Panorama on the Muse with time to do a little more bean counting on the new status match program.   In the RCI Crown and Anchor Society, 30 nights in the minimum cost room gets you to Platinum level.  Platinum level is matched to 100 VS days.  In what universe does 30 days loyalty to a midlevel cruise line equate to 100 days loyalty to a luxury line? Eighty (80) nights on Royal gets you Diamond status. Diamond on RCI matches to, and gets you the benefit of, 250 VS days.  I thought the purpose of a loyalty program was to reward loyalty, not make you feel taken advantage of for being loyal.  Even without adjusting for the perdiem , this program is upside down and backwards.

If my interpretation of the loyalty charts is incorrect, please feel free to correct me; I promise not to be upset.

The dress code for Alaska cruises has always been more relaxed than the rest of the classic fleet, for various reasons, even before the recent change.

2 hours ago, Lookingtocruise42 said:

I’m waiting to hear back from them before I post it… not sure how long it takes them to get back? I sent the email in 2 weeks ago with absolute radio silence since.

I've never heard of someone sending a review to the cruise line before posting it.  Will your decision to post it depend on how they respond?

@Grand Duchess,  In the U.S. Medicare pays for the ones that don't have wheels.  The fancier ones with wheels you have to buy yourself.

I hate to be a party pooper on this forum, but I feel like I've gotten a punch in the teeth.  With the amount I have spent to get 100 days on SS, I could have had 250 days on RCI.  Persons with 250 days on RCI will get 10% off future SS cruises as VS level members, while I still only get the 5% for a 100 day VS member, and I am the one who demonstrated commitment to the brand.  Am I reading this change incorrectly?

I agree that something is amiss or changing with included excursions on classic voyages.  First, we started seeing very expensive SALT tours being added ($599+ pp for a lunch experience).  Next, it was free excursions being changed to pay excursions after they were booked.  Next, free excursions are being limited to one 2-3 hour "panoramic bus tour".  Now, I note that I have booked a Dublin - Copenhagen cruise in June 2025 that has no excursions at all listed for several ports. This is part of a Grand Voyage and the ports all have numerous interesting tours you can book directly online on one of the many tour booking sites, so it's not an issue of availability.

I suspect that SS will be dropping included excursions altogether soon.

I used the booking number and

saw that my benefit was added to the booking in three days. Much easier to do online than it used to be.  Just remember to redact or block out your brokerage account number and other investments listed on your brokerage account statement when you attach it to the submission. All they  need is to see your name and address, the RCG position and the brokerage statement letterhead.

@Shay123, what fare did you book?  If you booked the Essential Fare, excursions are not included but you can buy them if available.   Since this is a last -minute fare (comparatively), the customer takes the risk that there wont be any excursions available through the ship.  If you booked Door to Door or Port to Port, they advertise that excursions are expressly included and I would be rightfully upset if they don't have them available, because that is part of the fare you are paying.  

That said, I agree that if you register at the Excursions Desk, they will do their best to alert you if there is an opening, even at the last minute as people are exiting the ship.

It's one day later and now it is only waitlisted through June 27.

I always check the SS website on Saturday morning as that seems to be the date that new offers or changes appear.  As of this morning, the SS website is now showing the first four Ray cruises Waitlisted, with no cruises open until July 8 out of Venice.  Does this show a healthy demand for the early cruises or rough seas ahead?  

4 hours ago, Pies4u said:

The “….concept of…”,rather. Tried to edit, but too late!

Actually, the word "conceit" was entirely appropriate in your sentence, since it can also mean a fanciful notion or fable/myth.  Pretty classy wordsmithing, I thought!

1 hour ago, BWBkt said:

Have had nothing but trouble booking directly with Silversea. Horrible.  Literally badger you until you book.  Promise you one cabin and switch it on you.  Then stops responding to you. Don't do it.  Take another cruise line.

This is a new type of complaint . . . usually the only complaint about booking direct is lack of responsiveness - not the opposite.  I have used direct booking for most of my cruises and have been pleased with the experience. 

While we are speaking about Whisper, I noticed the following information in the RCCL quarterly financial report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:

What do you suppose they mean by a "bargain purchase option for the Silver Whisper" (footnote 4)?

On the Nova TA last November, the entertainment was very good.  There was a saxophonist in the SALT Bar, Eduardo in the Dolce Vita (piano, synthesizer and knows every tune you could possibly request, as well as a very good singer in all styles - he had been on the Wind in May 2023), and also a live combo who also played live for the four singers/ dancers in the production shows and also played in the bar before dinner.  Oh, and also a female violinist who played in the Shelter champagne bar in the evenings. All very enjoyable, and this does not even mention the featured performers who gave evening shows in the Venetian Lounge.   We had drinks with several of the speakers on that voyage who were from Broadway and television and they seemed quite satisfied with the level of talent. I share how the OP feels about off-key music, but I would urge them not to make a decision on one experience.

2 hours ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

I think you should have typed Celebrity, rather than Crystal!!🤪☺️🙃

Too true!  My bad!

On the issue of the importance of retaining Silversea's reputation, the RCI Annual Report (SEC 10K) was sent out this week containing this information:  the total "goodwill" of RCI (including Silversea, Crystal, TUI, Hapag Lloyd, and the enormous RCCL cruise ship fleet) is valued by them at $809 Million.  The portion of that which is attributable just to Silversea (whose entire passenger capacity could fit in one RCCL megaship) is $509 million.  This overbalance makes it a "critical audit matter" requiring special notice by the auditors.

Goodwill on a balance sheet is not a measurement of customer satisfaction or lack of complaints of course - at least not directly.  It represents the difference between what you paid for the tangible assets and the value of those assets.  So far the auditors are saying that Silversea's expected performance, cash flow, bookings, etc.,  justifies this hefty difference.  I'm not an accountant but I have to believe that Silversea's reputation and appeal has to be a matter of some attention by the management.

I've never stayed at a Silversea hotel where they didn't include breakfast, and a very good one too.  I'm unsure what you can expect in Dakar, however.

@jollyjones, do remember to tell us about the Panorama on the Nova.  Do they still positively cram it for trivia?

Welcome to the Silversea boards!  Be sure to make your excursion reservations on MySilversea ASAP if you haven't already. Also, try to get a reservation in Silver Note, which has no extra fee but has a limited number of tables and is sometimes hard to book.  If you haven't been successful so far, your butler can help you get a reservation.

The two for-fee restaurants, La Dame and Kaiseki, have their fans and non-fans.  My personal advice is to spend time exploring the full menu's at the other restaurants before spending the additional $$, especially if this is only a 7 day Alaska itinerary.

When you get to your suite, your butler will introduce themselves, show you the TV and computer tablet controls (yes, there's a computer tablet where you can do everything that you can do on the interactive TV), and ask about what you want in the fridge.  They will take away what you don't want and stock it with the beverages and food items you want (specific type of wine, champagne, gin and tonic and a bowl of fresh cut limes, fresh fruit, yogurt, etc.).  You can also ask them for help with reservations.

On the Nova, there are complimentary cooking classes and bartending classes.  The cooking ones are sign-up at reception, and you should do that the first day.  I'm not sure about the bar classes, but they are held at the Salt Bar on Deck 11.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.

9 hours ago, Lois R said:

This entire thread is giving me pause. I started with SS in 2017 and my most recent cruise was back in November on the NOVA TA crossing.  I am booked on Ray for December but I am actually thinking of cancelling it.  Going back in my memory bank, my 2 favorite ships are Dawn and Moon.  I did have a good time on that crossing but thinking about it now........she was not even close for me (in terms of favorite ships, deck plans, set up, etc). I have not made final payment yet so I have time to decide..........I miss the regular Arts Cafe......it is one of my most favorite spots. They really made an error oh how they did it on Nova (in my opinion).....Ray is supposed to have the same poor layout. Lots of wasted space.

Just not sure I want to spend $$$$ for something I am not truly happy with.......

I hear you, Lois.  We are booked to go on the Ray in October but it is a port-intensive voyage to Greek and Turkish ports that was the only one to fit our schedule.  If I had a choice, I would go with Muse class too.

4 hours ago, Lirio said:

After the Alaska cruise in September, I am going to Portland for a conference. I will have plenty of time to touring around. Any recommendation will be welcomed.

Rent a car (or get a local guide online) and drive up to Mount St. Helens.  There are several museums and interpretive centers along the way that describe the 1980 eruption and its aftermath, and the scenery is stunning.

5 hours ago, JPS2 said:

Just to share to everyone, the reservations for dinner opened up for me prior to 120 days.  I was able to book at 8pm EST 121 days before my departure.  

That is because they use London (Greenwich Mean Time) time to start counting the 120 days.  8pm EST is 1:00 am London time, or 1 hour after the 120 day period started!

Do be careful.  It is inconceivable to me that a bankruptcy trustee would not have an open bank account.

Our condolences, Lois and to QSS.  May you have many happy memories to cherish.

Welcome to Silversea!  Evening shows are usually 9:30 or 10:00 pm., although there will probably be an early (6:30 pm) show a few times.  The Captain's welcome and "taste of things to come" show will be pre-dinner.  

My DH and I enjoy the quiet luxury, attentive service, excellent cocktails (especially at the Salt Bar on Nova) and especially the other passengers.  We've made some very good friends on board that we still travel with.