frantic36

I don't follow status match on airlines though I am sure you do. And no on cruises I don't think about what people have paid to be on the cruise and certainly don't discuss it as that is tacky.

A concern I have is Laundry as having sailed on a few cruises with quite a few people with high status does seem to affect turn around time in that it can take 2-3 days for turn around unless you pay extra for expedited service to within 24 hours. WiFi can also be a problem on Odyssey class if many with high status keep all the devices they are allowed logged in (which they shouldn't do) and use it for streaming because they automatically get the premium package. And considering the amount we have spent to get to that status and someone gets there quickly without ever spending any money on Seabourn it feels a bit like loyalty isn't important. I wouldn't mind them getting some loyalty points as an incentive but this just feels uncomfortable to me.

We are on for 35 days. Only a few days now before we head out to Rome. First international flight in a few years and I admit to feeling nervous about making sure we have all the paper work right.

Mr L they haven't had the MDR open on port intensive cruises during Summer in the Med for quite a few years, even pre-Covid. I think too many are out having lunch in port or families having it around the pool to make the MDR staffing viable.

You could be right.

It is the 4th jab that over 65 have been eligible for since I think April and then in June it changed to over 60 with certain health conditions.

Unfortunately I have not experienced this all the time, either with the FA requesting it or people being kind enough to do it themselves. One reason we try to get either first class or business class flights in the USA. That and the many oversized, to our mind, carry-on luggage which means our bags are less likely to get on except as checked luggage.

I find that surprising for the UK. Here in Australia if you are over 65yo it has been available for awhile and recently they changed it to over 60yo with certain health conditions were eligible.

Hi Lois, very happy to hear from you as was worried you were worse than initially you reported. Totally understand you prefer to make the effort to walk to be with others. Take care and hope the compression socks help free up your healing and movement. Enjoy time with others on your cruise.

Just a simple question, are you courteous enough to put your seat upright when meals are being served and eaten? I have always felt it was bad manners to continue to recline my seat when people were trying to eat.

Oh No 😟. I hope some sort of massage or something can help it heal quickly and you aren't in pain. Though maybe some cocktails from the SALT Bar will help 🤔.

This is what is stated in the European commission website "EU countries should lift the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU for persons vaccinated with an EU-authorised or a WHO-approved vaccine, provided they have received the last dose of the primary vaccination series at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before arrival or they have received an additional booster dose." https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/travel-during-coronavirus-pandemic_en So it is only 270 days from the primary vaccination dose at this stage. There is no time limit put on the booster dose.

We have definitely noticed that here in Australia in hotels as more people become aware of concerns about small single use plastic bottles and bags.

I do understand about for very exceptional service but really the guides etc were doing what they should do. As euro cruiser pointed out the problem is by introducing the culture into a country you affect things. For example, I know Rome in Limo is an American based company that mentions the idea of tips on their advertising. I am sure the drivers are paid a good wage as it is part of European culture to do so but tipping affects others. I actually don't use them because I know they expect to be tipped. I have found it is a problem in Australia in places like Sydney near the tourism area, more expectation of tipping and we did have have things like job keeper to help during the pandemic.

Have a great cruise Lois. We are doing a similar itinerary next month on a different cruise line. I will be interested to hear your impressions. Are you taking Silversea excursions in each port? We are doing our own excursions. Julie

Totally agree. The poor cleaning by the stewardess is not good and they obviously need supervision and retraining, however, the passengers leaving their room in such a state reflects entitlement syndrome and lack of civilised behaviour.

They never have been included and I think it is because it is more expensive to store and maintain many double and single kayaks plus special wet suits on the ship which can only take a few passengers as opposed to the zodiacs which take more passengers and no special clothes needed. We enjoyed multiple kayaks when we did our Alaska cruise. So many different environments. Going up to Hubbard glacier, but you have to maintain a certain distance due to risk of calving. Misty Fjords was lovely with gorgeous scenery such as all waterfalls and watching the planes come in, though they were noisy 😊 And there was one place we went to which had a whole big family of seals that was very peaceful. Sorry the photos are out of sequence.

I only ever apply for our OBC to Carnival cruises no more than 3 months prior to sailing. I am very surprised that you have received it for your Feb cruise and should consider yourself lucky. Maybe just reapply for the January cruise in November?

Try flying from Perth Western Australia, apparently the most isolated capital city in the world. I have just received this week my flights from Perth to Miami in 2023. Was hoping to travel West but as included in our cruise we have to go East. I haven't added it up yet but the three flights and layover time look scary.

Since I am one who likes to wear dresses and heels at times and have a few packed for my upcoming cruise, though I won't be wearing them at the airport, I did find your comment about wearing them as judgemental. I am glad you have now clarified you don't really care how others pack.

Mysty I just want to thank you for your blog. I just realised why I am enjoying it so much. With you just sharing your experiences without any compare and contrast to pre and post Covid sailing we can enjoy the journey. There is no fodder for opinions to be expressed by others how they had a terrible time on their cruise which tends to derail the journey. I hope to emulate it when I try to do a similar blog on my cruise on Seabourn next month.

I will try to do a blog about the ports when we board on the 10th and I think we have similar ports on our cruise. I will leave the ship description to you and others.

Well said Lois. Just because people choose to pack differently and dress differently there is no reason for "jolly" to be rude about other people's choices.

I guess it depends on the cruise. Our booking with Regent an 11 day Tokyo to Tokyo in 2023 is much more expensive on a per diem rate than our Seabourn cruises...even taking into account all the extras like excursions, which we probably won't use most of them, flights etc.

15 days before we cruise but only 9 days before we fly out to Rome.