frantic36

I seem to recall having to write a note authorising you have given it to them. I remember we stayed in the retreat often on Ovation in 2018 and we gave one of our attendants a bottle of the better champagne as she had just got engaged. She asked me to write a note so there would be no confusion she had just taken it.

I also send condolences as I remember seeing your beautiful wedding photos from onboard Seabourn. Take care and you and your Mom have a wonderful cruise.

Unfortunately the Spa is a law unto themselves because they are a seperate entity from Seabourn. I think you were very lucky to have Anine who has done so much work on this. I would be very cautious that this will happen in every case. On our cruise on Sojourn in September I was stunned to find the Spa had applied an automatic either 18 or 22% tip to my nail treatment. After a couple of days I did manage to get it removed because I had given the manicurist a large cash tip. I questioned this because this has never been done before on Seabourn. I was told the Spa management had decided they were trialling an automatic tip application. I can tell you now for the prices they charge this is not going to go down well especially those of us from a non-tipping culture. I tip but don't like being forced too. I did get my nails redone later as it was a longer cruise but just didn't tip the nail therapist and let them apply the automatic tip. I did wonder how much actually goes to the therapist?

@Wayfairers my husband and I were so glad we made the trip but we like quirky and architecture. On the stop part way we had a refreshment stop which was interesting for the panoramic view. I find things fascinating like their huge dam walls that actually had a decoration as part of the infrastructure. We had a driver Mohammed and Hamid our guide. The van looked new like a Mercedes style and very clean and comfortable. The road was amazingly like a highway though there is construction going on as they widen all of it to be two lane not one lane. Hamid quite proudly pointed out it is a woman engineer who finally worked out the logistics to get it done when 5 men before her had failed. She is still in charge. In Chefchouan quite a few of the buildings are blue or have blue ornamentation. but there are also a reasonable amount of sone or whitewash buildings. The town was very clean. We walked all over looking at things and there were quite a few steps, you can't drive around as the streets are too narrow. They also love cats so you will see quite a few but all looked very healthy as they do feed them.

We visited Tangier and Casablanca and used Tours by locals about 2.5 weeks ago which was after the earthquake. We enjoyed both tours. In Tangier our guide Hamid was from Chefchouan and he was great. I had been concerned about the long drive of 2 hours but the scenery both ways was so interesting, both natural and people views. I have been known to struggle to stay awake on long drives but not this time. Chefchouan photos:

After reading through this very helpful thread I have a query. My DH & I will be coming into LAX in January. I must admit we usually try to avoid LAX due to our last visit we had and haven't been for ~10 years. We will be arriving after a long haul flights from Perth to Singapore to LAX. After reading this I have decided it will be less stressful to organise a pick-up such as Welcome pick-ups. We are arriving at Terminal B so can they meet us there?

I am hoping the photos you just posted indicate a fix for the laptop. Thanks for your great trip report. I am doing Tokyo next year on Regent Explorer and have bookmarked this to use to help plan excursions.

On my cruise in September sometimes pre-dinner I didn't want an alcoholic drink and ordered a mocktail from the list they have, not the one just provided, and they were very good. I have also asked barmen on cruises who I have learnt are very capable to make me a bespoke mocktail. They had got to know me and knew nothing sweet.

😊

Which I have already said I agree should be possible. I will leave you all to your discussion and hope you get resolution.

I do find the crew's company enjoyable so that works for me.

No worries. I did misinterpret to think no buffet instead of not self serve. I do agree that some people's hygiene can be of concern but I find it interesting that even Oceania which is served by crew in their buffet still has occasional outbreaks of Norovirus.

You can get table service as has been said before. My husband always orders fish of the day and I have been known to order a minute steak from there. Some people like buffet so these people need to be catered for as well. Otherwise where do you suggest they eat?

I have no idea but I will say Suriname is confusing as they seemed to change the rules again in May, 2023 saying they were making many countries Visa exempt including USA but that you had to apply for a US$25pp entrance fee prior to arrival. Then when you search to do this on the website it talks about getting an e-visa. So yes Seabourn should have a handle on it but I always check before I travel and this one is very confusing. I have no idea why Seabourn can't get a blanket visa and HAL supposedly can. Edited to add be careful re visa websites as some were looking to charge almost US$100.

Brazil has a been chopping and changing this so I am sure all cruise lines had the same issue. Brazil will still require a Visa in the future they have now pushed it back to January 2024 rather than October 2023 because they weren't set up in time to do on-line Visas.

Thanks for the link with all the information needed.

I agree with using taxi In Singapore. Uber hasn't operated in Singapore since 2018 as they sold their business interest there to Grab. I have that App but haven't used it for a few years. https://abackpackersworld.com/uber-in-singapore/#:~:text=exist in Singapore%3F-,Uber does not operate in Singapore.,popular option in the region.

I totally get your husband 😄.

I'm glad you enjoy them but as I said earlier I have encore entered quite a few and attempted to join a couple but they just are not my thing. But I have never been one for larger social gatherings with people I don't know. I like chatting to people but in more on a one to one basis or a very small group.

I was disappointed when CD Handre brought this idea from Regent to Seabourn when he joined. I have tried it a few times but maybe because we are from Australia I find the chatter mainly about places in the USA people where people live and visit, forced conversation. So we avoid it and will do so on Regent. Luckily we dine late so are occupied getting ready in our suite when it occurs.

I for one am glad they don't waste money sending them out to people after the cruise. Some of us don't want them and use a different bag while in port so we are less likely to be a target. Though I do understand many like to have them. They were available on our recent cruise in August from Barcelona and I left ours untouched in the suite.

It can depend on the port I think. We tried to do that a few years ago at Piraeus and the port authorities refused to allow anything to start until midday. Luckily we only we there just before midday so only had a 20 minute wait before we could leave our bags and go to a local restaurant. There were a lot of disgruntled passengers there waiting to board.

Thanks I have been travelling overseas for 5 weeks and am only just catching up as I prepare for my cruise in January.

I am curious if New Zealand has also dropped all requirements for testing and mask wearing while in their waters? We are on a cruise from LA in January and will arrive in New Zealand in February. We are coming via Hawaii.

Not always so. I was close to being Diamond Elite in January and was assigned a 2.30 check in time which was fine as I enjoyed lunch before boarding in Miami. In August my Diamond Elite transfer was organised for 12.45 which I was fine with but I know some prefer to board earlier. @commodoredave I'm glad you got it sorted out. From my experience if you had turned up at the same time as your friends you would have been allowed to board at the same time. Have a wonderful time on Pursuit. I have heard great things from friends who have sailed on the new expedition ships.