chemmo

It may be useful if you say where you are from as T&Cs are different, for example, in the US to the UK.

In our experience there are always occasional hiccups. We remember having a conversation with the gelato staff on Equinox some years ago…We had enjoyed a gelato a few days into our cruise and had needed to ask the concierge to cancel off the charges for it we spotted on our TV. Next visit, as we ordered, we mentioned that we shouldn’t be charged and the server was clueless as to what we were talking about. I guess that in such a venue (not real dining) training is limited…

I always travel with a small sewing kit so I have never needed to ask for one. However, I am aware guest relations does stock a range of items for guests who have had lost/delayed luggage so I guess that would be the place to ask. One cruise I had a disaster with my most comfortable sandals when the buckle came off. Our butler took it away and it came back repaired at no charge. I would assume with all the soft furnishings on board and uniforms there is the capability for minor repairs. If you do have a problem on board ask your butler/stateroom attendant for advice. Obviously , when receiving such service ‘free’ it is customary to offer a tip….

I have twice cruised with temporary mobility issues once pre and once post surgery. We looked at scooters and simply decided to manage with a wheelchair and crutches…The difference for us perhaps being that my adult son was cruising with us and was willing to do the majority of the pushing. Most of the time fellow guests were wonderful. We tried to avoid moving about at peak times (start MDR dining, buffet 8-9am…show start/finish times) and generally got on/off lifts fairly easily. These cruises were all about R&R not sightseeing. Staff were absolutely fabulous, especially the pool staff who helped me in/out of the pool using the ‘ducking stool’. In restaurants waiters always parked up my wheelchair after seeing me seated. Unexpectedly it was poolside I had a few problems as end sun beds tend to get taken quickly and mid beds didn’t have enough space for me to manoeuvre safely in on crutches. Again most of the time fellow guests would help us get organised. I won’t pretend it was all plain sailing! We did meet the odd person oblivious to those around them…I particularly remember a lady at the sunset bar being very reluctant to allow me to use the one remaining empty seat being used by her handbag despite the fact I was on my crutches! My husband was reluctant for me to use my crutches too much, not because he was scared of me fallin, more the worry of someone sending me flying! Cruising, in my opinion, is a great vacation for those with limited mobility. As long as you board taking into account that some guests will be oblivious to your needs and that you can help reduce frustrations by simple things like avoiding peak movement times… I write this simply to express that on the ship a wheelchair (as long as you are fit enough to push) can be a reasonable option. Obviously if you are intending to do off the ship activities then a scooter is probably the way to go…

We booked Eclipse for a Fjords cruise early spring which we knew would be cold and also found the PH was very special. We were lucky that the weather was good but still bitter out of the sun! Like you we rearranged some furniture and we also enjoyed balcony breakfasts sailing into the Fjords, wrapped in blankets…The decadence of light in the S PH really is wonderful! One advantage of the S PH over the M PH is it’s central position…We have been in the M PH on a blustery night and we did feel the motion!

Room value is relative too depending on your needs/wants. Any two level room is out for me owing to mobility issues… Personally, I do find the E class suite rooms overpriced. Even the RS is a ridiculous cost for a room with a tiny balcony! We have looked closely at E class this year as one is now based in Southampton…All about personal choices… I must confess I tend to agree! Whilst our M class PH isn’t cheap it certainly isn’t in that league…I priced up the PH on E from Southampton for a Canary Island cruise and simply decided that I could fly to one of the Islands and book an AI resort in a top room for less than a quarter of the price and have a longer holiday! Much as I know these holidays are totally different, the aim is simply an ‘Autumn sunshine break’…As you say, there are lots of other options to spend your hard earned cash on…

We have enjoyed three M PH cruises, all in the Caribbean and all some years ago. When they got rid of the ‘liners’ restaurants we tended to opt for S class for the better dining options… We have decided to return to M class as I really would like to experience that PH deck again. We have a stop in Santorini, to my mind one of the most amazing places on earth to cruise in/out of…We do not leave until 10pm so the plan will be to enjoy the day on land but then to enjoy a long, leisurely dinner on the deck…We have watched the sun set before here both on land and at sea and the only other sea sunset I have seen to really equate in beauty is Ha Long Bay, Vietnam…Don’t get me wrong we have seen lots of beautiful sunsets (and sunrises) over the years but these two are emotional in their beauty… On the down side reviews of Infinity are a bit mixed, the recent refurbishment seems to have been fairly minimal. Each time we have cruised M class we have spent our down time on the private deck and always found the butler central to our enjoyment. Reassuring that most service reports are positive…I will probably ask a question nearer the time about recent Infinity PH/RS experiences…

On both M and S class the RS offering and its perks pretty well offer all the facilities, space and perks one could want, the PH suites offer an additional decadence! On S class the decadence is of light in the living area on M class the decadence is the amazing balcony!

Thanks, we have cruised RS and PH many times on S and M class and whilst we have never regularly requested in suite dining we have occasionally and, as you say, Butler’s usually can and will try their best for you. There has been so much chat, however, about changes one worries if the ‘norm’ I know is the ‘norm’ now…

Thanks, we love the M class PH but regret the loss of the wonderful liners restaurants. I can see with a Mediterranean itinerary us making the most of the PH deck for dining options… We will, as we always do, politely ask and with 24 hours notice…

Thanks for your reply. The differences between ship policies do make it hard to judge what will/will not be allowed. I think a lot depends on your butler too. Some simply are more willing to go above and beyond to make your experience special. I am sure if it does come down to the MDR menu we will still enjoy but it would be nice to be able to order a bit wider if we can… We certainly wouldn’t be ordering food in suite regularly but are hoping for a bit of flexibility of choice a few nights, especially if we ask in advance…

Thank you for your feedback. Can I ask about in suite dining…”I have never ordered speciality dining room service so if it’s not available, I don’t miss it”. Do you know if it definitely was or was not available on request? I simply ask as we will be on an M class ship in the Mediterranean where the PH deck may be a preferred dining option a few nights, especially with the limited dining choices on M class. Couldn’t agree more about the outside furniture…We have cruised RS on Equinox and PH on Silhouette since they were revolutionised…a multitude or cushions in the room that were a nuisance and a pathetic lack of comfortably padded chairs outside!

Thanks for coming back with your updated reasoning…Like you whilst I would never say never again I do think I would avoid the bigger ships. I hope you still managed to get a decent vacation.

The restaurant choices on Silhouette are very good as others have said as they have the additional deck restaurants of Lawn Grill and The Porch. I agree with others, if your choice is based on food only then Murano is the place to go. The wake view from Tuscan means it is an ideal place to dine when leaving a port at about 6pm. You can watch the port disappear from view and see day turn to night. The magic of this never fails me…The food is what one would expect from a typical steak and pasta restaurant. To my taste the white bean soup is a lovely starter as is the Caesar salad. We always enjoy the antipasti sharing starter board. For steaks I find the rib eye reliably good…Pasta dishes I have found a little heavy and have requested half quantities. The gnocchi I found very dense and would not recommend. The veal I found tasteless… To be honest if I was you I would look first at the ambiance you want from your dining experience before considering the menus… Murano is more formal, a longer meal designed to savour not to rush. Some guests can find the atmosphere a bit ‘stuffy’ others, like us find that the formality makes the evening really feel special. Tuscan is more relaxed, it reminds me of a local family run Italian as is its intention. The decor and view definitely remind you you are dining at sea… Lawn Grill has both the atmosphere and food one would expect from a family BBQ…more laid back.Again with that real feeling of being at sea.

There are making chocolate and waffle experiences in Bruges…. Call me a glass half full person but when you have visited a city numerous times you can justifiably forget the historical and cultural opportunities and simply give in to a food or wine experience…

Sydney is a beautiful city and easy to get around. You are moored in the harbour where you are only steps away from where you can get a ferry to Manley Bay or a bus to Bondi Beach if you fancy a bit of sun. We found the Ferry times very reliable the buses less so. The Ho Ho bus is also always a good option to see as much as you can in limited time. You are within easy walking distance of the Botanic Gardens, the Opera house and a wide range of places to enjoy lunch with a view. The Opera house has a one hour tour with lunch which could be another option….If you need to shop for anything there are pharmacies and and small supermarkets close by but often not easy to spot as they are often in one of the many city buildings. Enjoy!

Murano for a more formal, special occasion feel. Definitely the best food quality. Tuscan for great wake views, a relaxing steak/pasta house feel. Le Petit Chef. Unusual and amusing but fun rather than fine dining. Lawn Grill, think of a family BBQ atmosphere and food to match. Less good in cold regions. The Porch. A bit like a Mediterranean cafe both for food and ambiance. We tend to enjoy for an occasional lunch. Sushi on Five. More than Sushi, great place for a relaxing lunch or for an informal evening meal. Sorry if I haven’t given you the clear answer you want! I guess the strength of the Silhouette speciality restaurants is their variety. We will do each of them a few times. Murano we find great on a sea day when you have the time and energy to enjoy a longer and more formal meal. Tuscan we love when we leave a port at about 6pm. You peruse the menu and sip your first drink as you see the ship leave port, you enjoy your starter as day starts to fade and the port begins to slip into the distance and by the time you are sipping your coffee end enjoying a limoncello day has turned to night…

Silhouette is our favourite ship too…The range of speciality restaurants does enhance the dining experience.

We have never bought the unlimited package but usually book a RS or PH so unlimited speciality dining is included. It our experience either Murano or Tuscan does a lunch one sea day on a 7 night or less cruise and both might on a longer one. Both offered limited menus not the full evening one. On Reflection and Silhouette The Porch and Lawn Grill are usually open on sea days too for lunch. However, I have seen other posters saying on their cruises that it has been either/or Lawn Grill or The Porch. The Porch has a specific lunch menu, if I remember correctly Lawn Grill offers big burgers. Personally, we find either Sushi or The Porch better options for lunchtime. Both have lighter options and are more casual.

Sincere best wishes for a wonderful cruise!

We have never cruised on E class but if in a higher suite on S or M class we have been able to order from other menus and sometimes things not on any menu. However, we have always let the butler know the day before if we want something not standard. If we have decided last minute to dine in suite we have just used the standard menu offerings. They probably would still get you something different but I just think it is polite if you want something ‘above’ what is included then you should give advance notice…

Even when cruising in top suites they want you off the ship 9ish… Rather than have a waste of a day why not book a day room at a hotel…Leave the ship at your own pace then head to a hotel for a nice lunch, swim and shower and head off for your flight refreshed and relaxed…

Enjoy!

Enjoy your return home, especially as you will be back for Valentines Day! In your hearts you are still that young college couple and your attitude to life and each other will keep you both forever young… Thanks for the vicarious cruise…

Agree, we have had some fantastic meals in Murano on S class but I will never forget the two we had in Olympic…Just so very, very special…You simply felt from entering the room that it was going to be an occasion you would always remember…