travelberlin

I agree. Some of those itineraries are interesting and relatively easy to reach from South America. Galapagos and cruises to the Antartic out of Chile for example. And all those wonderful new ships coming to the market… Mein Schiff for example is bringing 2 more new ships. NCL seems to be bringing more ships with solo cabins. Azamara offers solo supplement discounts on many voyages. And in the so called “luxury segment “, there are apparently cruise lines which are highly rated like Scenic and Atlas and which some of us have not tried before. An interesting development for cruises. I am not sure if those new cruise lines offer solo discounts but at the end what counts for me is the per diem. Cruises to GALAPAGOS for example have a very high per diem because they are unique itineraries. I would like to do such a cruise. Ivi

This solo offers seem to be kind of last minute (within the next 6 months). I would take them if I have nothing planned already. I would not need that much a travel insurance for that because the cruise is not that far away. I would also prefer the option port to port because I prefer to book my own flights. Ivi

Explorer of the seas

Does Royal Caribbean uses Starlink on all ships? How was your Experience with the internet?

Maybe this helps? I had to retrieve the email from the trash because I was not interested… https://www.silversea.com/lp-singles-fares.html?cid_email=em_UK_EM2307196465_OTHER_AGN_DEM_LINK&utm_campaign=UK_EM2307196465&utm_source=UK&utm_medium=Email&cid=144247&mid=370888302

On several. As far as I can see: Muse, Whisper, Cloud, Explorer, Origin, Endeavour, etc. For selected voyages 2023-2024

However, some cruise lines are having zero solo supplement. I have received two days ago a mail from Silversea in which they send me the offers with zero solo supplement. Ivi

How far in advance can we make reservations for the specialty restaurants? Can we get at the sushi bar items of the regular menu of Umi Uma or just sushi? Ivi

Does the Promenade Cafe serves lunch on embarkation day? Is this in all ships?

Do we need to reserve for shows on Explorer of the Seas?

Ah Ok. I know where Tastes is now. I used to like Silk. Thanks. Ivi

Thanks May B. I am afraid you are right that my opinion will not change anything. I wanted to give it nevertheless. I am not very sure what Tastes serves. Which restaurant from the former Crystal is it replacing? Ivi

This applies also to ports in Italy

Is this is your first cruise with Royal after only cruising Celebrity, I would recommend you lower your expectations in order not to be disappointed. Remember that prices at Royal are also lower that at Celebrity. I have also seen the reviews of Explorer of the Seas. Although I prefer this class of ships from Royal instead of the large ones, I am also worried about the ship not being properly maintained and with smelly rooms and venues. I have seen that the dry dock this year for this ship, was more an addition of entertainment areas, but they did not make significant improvements to the cabins. I am booked on the Explorer of the Seas. I would go with an open mind but not hight expectations.

Good to now. It used to be different.

Plus 1. Since my main meal is at lunch time, I enjoy having a good meal in a nice environment. This on land, while cruising and at home. I have liked the Waterside very much for lunch. And yes, this was part of the luxury experience that Crystal offered. And no, hot dogs and hamburgers are not my idea of luxury. They do not go well with the champagne I like to drink bevor my meal. I have skipped dinner once in a while at Crystal, because I do not eat that much at dinner time. I understand all the reasons given in this thread why Waterside is being closed for lunch. No need to repeat them. But that is not the point. We are expressing what we like. If others do not find it important good for them. I respect their opinions. Since we have different priorities, we will not agree on this. The same for having or not a casino. I do not care at all for a casino. But for other people seems to be important. I respect that. However, I am giving my opinion now about the closing of Waterside for lunch on port days, in case someone with power to decide at Crystal would like to take our opinions into account. Ivi

I bought next cruise certificates on board a couple of years ago. My certificates disappeared. The numbers I had were given to other people. Since a couple of years were gone due to the pandemic, I could do nothing. No one found an explanation for this.

What alternatives are there for lunch on Explorer of the Seas?

How many days in advance can you ckeck in if you are a diamond member?

If your bid is accepted and you do not like the location of the new cabin, can you just keep your original cabin? Or change the new cabin to a better location in the same category?

If you book an interior cabin, can you bid for a balcony or suite or do just bid for an ocean view?

Good question 🤔 Ivi

On my last Azamara cruise this year, we had a couple of problems with the weather. In one case we were supposed to go to Portofino and because of bad weather we couldn’t. The ship took passengers to Genoa. Those of us who were on ship’s excursions were taken by bus from St Marguerita to Genoa. During the same cruise we were supposed to tender in Sanary sur mer. For some unclear reason, we were not able to tender there and the ship took us to the rather boring La Seyne. The cruise line arranged for free shuttle buses from La Seyne to Sanary sur Mer. It was inconvenient because we had to take the shuttle and there were lines, but imho the cruise line did a wonderful job finding the way to take us to that lovely port. So I guess it is possible to find that type of solutions sometimes. Ivi

Didn’t the Old Crystal just have around 30% supplement for solos? Ivi

I think that was a special offer on certain cruises for the year 2023. Maybe they will have something similar for next years. Ivi