UpstateJan

On 3/17/2019 at 1:29 PM, jpalbny said:

Col. Bellinger was married one of Gen. Herkimer's sisters. Jan, we are probably related if you go back far enough, because it seems like everyone in that Palatine group married each other. If you can find a Bellinger or a Herkimer, let me know!

 Well JP, that should scare you right there!  We really need to meet up for dinner/drinks some time.   

Saturday morning, I am off to OSJ, to meet my new best friend/butler.  Can't wait!

JP, very interesting and very cool.  Are you planning on taking back some of Rensselaer?   I found we had a branch that was Dutch from the general area, and started the migration west.  There was one other branch that fled the Palatinate and landed in NYC, then was shuffled up to Herkimer in early 1700, then west.   Funny that my family migrated back here in the 1950s, we had no idea, thought all of our family was from the general NC/SC/GA area and went to Missouri from there.

Well 1 week from today, we will be waking up in Old San Juan, ready to make our way to the Wind.   I have pulled out my clothes, readying to pack, will need to do one more look thru to "thin the herd" so to say.  Also, corned beast is in the crockpot, veggies will go in the instant pot, and because I come midwestern American Irish/Scot stock, we have corn bread!  Sadly, not leftover pie from PI Day, so I am thinking a fruit pizza.   We've got my brother & SIL coming up, as well as my neighbors with the twin leprechauns (Thing I and Thing 2).   My head is so not ready for this week at work, lots of deadlines and meetings, don't they realize I want to plan vacation? 

Best news, looks like the weather will hold for us to fly out of Albany on a 5:10am flight ( I didn't think anything left the ground before 6am or after 10pm).   After this past week's thaw and melt, we had a dusting of snow overnight.  The backyard and woods are still snow covered, but the front yard, there's some brown & green showing.  I can even reach the mailbox without scaling a snow bank.   I can smell Spring in the air......

On 3/6/2019 at 7:29 PM, drron29 said:

Well I don't need reciprocal benefits on any other RCI line.

 

I also wonder what it would be like if a top elite member on RCI was on Silversea and started throwing their status around.I would think that it may confirm their prejudice that we are mostly snobs.I would certainly avoid them.

drron29, I would disagree.  The only snob would be the status obsessed one.  The other passengers would be "oh, good for you", and move on.  The fact that there would not be a special lounge or special breakfast area would wound the old ego pretty fast.  I will admit, I was a bit apprehensive before our first trip, but everyone was very nice .... there was one passenger, but he was pretty drunk and trying to show that he was important, everyone ignored him.   Have to say, my favorite conversations were with the staff, they are so wonderful.  It was fantastic to have servers comfortable enough to engage me in meaningful conversation, that meant the world to me.  The one guy at the pool bar was so helpful before our stop in Brunei, and followed up the next time we seen him to make sure we got to see everything we wanted to.  It felt more like a friend than a man paid to bring me drinks and smile.  That's the difference between "big ships" and Silversea.  

Thanks for the confirm caripoo, I'm thinking the OP has a case of wishful thinking.  I'm not really sure what benefit the incorporation in loyalty would give, it's not like you get deep discounts between the different lines.  Silversea is an all inclusive as far as amenities, so you pay more upfront, but don't get nickle and dimed on board.  For what you get, some of the Silversea cruises are really a bargin compared to a RC or Celebrity (first hand experience typing).  If they are trying to match market with Regent, Oceania, and Seabourn, they aren't going to turn Silversea into waterslide world.   Methinks some people like to come on the board and poke the loyalists a bit for a reaction.  

I did reach out to RC a few weeks back to see if there were any shareholder benefits to be given for the Silverseas cruise and was told "nope" - hey, I'm an accountant, you can't shame me for doing my job  .  Speaking of, just finished inhaling my lunch, time to get back to report.  17 days until vacation (not counting or anything).....

Only Conga line I was ever in was a rock concert back in the very early 1980s .... Talking Heads, about 20,000 of us.   It was fun, but I think those days are happily behind me .   I promise to leave the Wind in as good condition as we find her, and even some alcohol too!!!!  This really is the perfect ship for the small ports we are hitting, I am very excited to storm the shores with only 290 of my new closest friends.

Oh, this makes me very excited at the thoughts!  We looked at A&K for a few ideas but never found the right fit.  Morocco could be really nice, if only they did Madagascar (Silversea hasn't offered that one for 2019 or 2020).  We would really like to experience some of these type places with a small group.  The thought of an A&K tie in with an expedition cruise just makes my little accountant heart go pitter-patter.  

CruisinPashmina, I really don't think RC will dismantle what SS has.  They paid a lot for their interest, they aren't going to automatically drop the fares in half to get it within budget for the RC or Celebrity folks to sail.   As far as Azamara, we looked at a few of their cruises hitting the same ports as a SS cruise, and they were as much if not more, and offered less.  Once again, we book based on itinerary, and then "what else is offered", we were/are Celebrity cruises, but we behaved perfectly fine on Silverseas, enough so we'll be on the Wind in less than 3 weeks (yes, calendar has slash marks, countdown has begun).

I'm going to jump in on this .... we're getting ready for our second cruise on Silversea, with most of our cruises being on Celebrity.  Like gogo65, we pick according to itinerary.   We were blown away with our Asian cruise last April, one of the few lines going to Borneo, and certainly the best stops, and length of time there (not to mention 300 fellow travelers as opposed to 3000 on Princess).   There were far less sea days than the competition, and well the food was amazing!   We didn't find any snobby people, mixed and mingled with first timers as well as seasoned SS folks.  Staff was over the top excellent.

Our next trip is in less than 3 weeks (yay), again on Silversea, this time the Wind.  Can't wait.  It's the caribbean, which we can do an any of the cruiselines.  Why did we pick SS?  Well, the islands we were visiting, of course.   Not the normal big ship island, and the experience on a small ship with the longer days in port, etc, all the things SS brags about and more.

Does this mean I won't sail on anything else, ever again?   Nope.  We have a cruise booked in the fall with family, lower price point, shorter duration than what SS was offering, with good old Royal Caribbean (not my fav, but for the price with our reciprocal status, a fantastic deal).   

As far as Silversea getting sucked into the Royal Caribbean point system, currently RC owns 75-80%?, not the whole thing.  They also own part of other cruise lines (Tui, Pullmantur) which are not incorporated into the plan.  Who knows what will happen.  With Silverseas being all inclusive, and honestly you get free laundry from day 1 (if you are willing to do it yourself, which I prefer, thank you), I don't know what the incentives would be.  Sure, RC or Celebrity folks could get a small discount to try out SS, but at that price point, there are probably a lot of folks that would rather stay on the larger ships with all the activities, especially people with small children.  

Where I think it may get interesting is the expedition cruises.  We have yet to take one with SS (they haven't scheduled the one we wanted for 2019 or 2020 as of yet), so I can't speak to that.  We did do the Galapagos with Celebrity on their 96 passenger ship, which was probably the best cruise I've been on.  And yes, free drinks .... oh, whoever said that Celebrity's happy hour was just beer and cheap wine is incorrect, we had anything we wanted, then again we're really not big drinkers.  Celebrity is also getting ready to launch some new small expedition ships that will make Silverseas' look like behemoths.

gogo65, go on your cruise, enjoy yourself.  You will many great folks on the ship to chat with and share a meal with.  The staff is outstanding, we enjoyed them as well.   What you are witnessing on this thread isn't snobbery, it's just hard-core Silverseas patrons that don't want to see the quality or experience diminished by the big corporate take over.  I get that, it doesn't always come thru that way.  I really don't think RC is going to turn SS into the waterslide, wakeboarding fun ships, there's an elegance with SS that the other ships don't have, and it is supported by the price tag.  

Jumping off my soapbox, and getting back to running my monthend reports so I can go on vacation....

I have a funny South American airport story!!!!  When we were flying from Iquitos to Lima (so we could fly on to Cusco) in 2016, we had to go thru airport security with our bags - "Amazonian TSA" consisted of a very old man, one arm, and an eye patch patting the luggage and occasionally opening them.  I gave him a big smile, he winked his one eye, and handed me my bag.  My husband all but got strip searched!!!!!

So, we get thru the the line, and head to the gate, and there is a huge glass box of all the items people tried to get thru security to board the plane with.  We had to take a picture, unfortunately it didn't detail that well.  In this 6 foot x 6 foot x 6 foot cube were things like hammers, knives, machettes, a very large axe, etc .... it makes our airport look so tame!  Oh, and this box was about 3/4 full.   I'm thinking the villagers out in the Amazon could really use a lot of that hardware 

Nothing as exciting in Cusco other than the big "help yourself" basket of coca leaves.....

Vacation in less than 3 weeks - yay!

Oops, I've sat myself in the corner and thought about the consequences of my actions   

Fair enough Les, but I really don't need to see anyone's budgie at dinner, smuggled or not 

Jolly, thank you so much for your input, I do value it greatly.  This is something DH and I have discussed, but he gets too excited, and wants to take the easy route (and let me deal with any changes, etc).  We've used CruCon twice, and actually they were really good, they beat up Princess when prices dropped, and not only did we get upgraded, but additional OBC - that gal was aggressive .   We used them for an autumn cruise, mainly due to the value-add, but I know if there are any price adjustments, they'll jump right on it.  As far as a local TA, we used one for our first cruise, and he was ok, fun to talk to, but "ok" .... then he retired.   Perhaps when we get back from our March trip, I'll start "interviewing".  Enjoy your upcoming trips, very jealous!!!

Good job Jolly!  It makes my little accounting heart go pitter-patter to hear that.  I have to ask, do you use SS TA, or your own?   We've booked direct with SS, assigned one of their TA .... this is the second one, and well, not really a fan.  Honestly, we had much better TA service from Celebrity than we get from SS, we get the feeling we're imposing with our guy.   Just wanted to get an idea what the more seasoned SS folks do.  Obviously, we're heading into our second sailing with them, so we're not on their radar as important, perhaps we're getting the B-team players?  Any advise would be most appreciated!!!!

3 hours ago, les37b said:

 

PS how would have viewed it if he’d turned up in his budgie smugglers? lol

um, at 35 stone ...(490lbs), I do not want to see that.  Actually, at dinner regardless, it should be a budgie smuggler free zone!   I seriously have to stop reading your posts while drinking my iced tea.   Need to wipe down the screen.....

8 hours ago, Lois R said:

 

 

 

 

 

Lois, how did you get a picture of me leaving work yesterday?  I sure do look happy.......

2 hours ago, Tothesunset said:

My wife's just told me that Peter Tork of The Monkees has died. 

 

At first I didn't believe her, then I saw her face. 

Ok, so I didn't believe it .... just went to google.   I read this to my husband ... and then had to explain "honey, that was one of their biggest hits" .   Thank you for the funny yet sad post, and now even more sad because I had to 'splain it. 

We're departing for our 2nd SilverSeas cruise in 4 weeks (yay).  I am blue-haired in the right light, and I very much miss the snobs I encountered on Royal Caribbean and Princess (ironically, didin't find any on Celebrity, hhmmmm).  Guess as you go up the price chain, the snobs drop off.  Honestly, I was surprised on our first SS cruise in April that the age range was a great mix, and if anything a bit younger than I had expected.  It was really a great experience, and we met some amazing, interesting, and very well traveled people.

As far as the solos ... we had dinner with solos most nights when we ate in the dining room.  When we ate elsewhere (La Terrassa, or The Grill), we also dined with solos, by choice, because we had so much fun with them earlier.  These are not the wilting flower type solos either, you couldn't feel sorry for them that they were alone, and if they were, it was by choice.   There was a well seasoned SS cruiser that adopted us, and we were invited to the solo's pre dinner cocktail meet-up.   So yeah, mix & mingle, we didn't get left out because we were a couple, we were included 🙂

Our upcoming cruise was booked onboard.  The itinerary is awesome, the price was very good, and the addons certainly made it appealing.  Well, we didn't take the airfare (hubby has points), so all of a sudden, the cruise is now $1000 less.  There were a few other savings that happened since booking, and needless to say, our 1 week caribbean luxury cruise is in line with a mainline cruise, with 2000-3000 less passengers, far better food, interesting lecture, our beloved acoustic performers (going to say it, I really detest the big production shows, so doesn't matter which line ... bleah), and honestly really interesting people to chat with - and I mean the employees as well as the other cruisers.  It always made me sad to see the housekeeping staff on the big ships scurry past, not make eye contact ....SilverSeas seems to treat their folks with respect and dignity.

Ok, need to get back to work, those tax returns won't finish themselves.

Don't think so, not as of yet .... just the 3 main products (RCL, Azmara, and Celebrity).  I inquired last month for my upcoming Wind cruise.

Greetings Coolers!  Haven't been on much (or lurking for that matter).   Been busy, terribly busy, 'tis the season. Glad to hear our travelers made it back safe & sound, and that our current travelers are having a great time.

Sorry to hear about Lois' unfortunate few days, when it rains it pours indeed.

JP & Chris, want me to toss some salt & sand when I stroll down to Elk Street the next couple of days?  The advantages of the old Park & Ride commute.  Happy to hear you will be in Iceland in August .... honestly one of our most memorable trips.  That's where my dear Jeremy celebrated his 50h ... with 23 hours of daylight!   You may still see plenty of puffins, that's nearing the end of their nesting period.  Loved Iceland, right up there with Ecuador, Peru, and Borneo.  

Only 42 days before vacation .... lots to do before that arrives.  Speaking of, I think I may need to get up and feed someone ....

Jan

On 1/31/2019 at 9:41 AM, Sunprince said:

Thanks for posting your thoughts on your recent Wind cruise. We will be taking our first SS and Wind cruise in March, so ...

Sunprince, will you be on the March 24th sailing by any chance?   We'll be taking our first Wind cruise.

Jan & Jeremy

On 1/22/2019 at 2:48 AM, les37b said:

 

I think the reply is something along the lines of what a bear does in the woods! 

 

Um, let me guess .... forage for nuts and berries?    That's what they do around here, oh, and attack the bird feeders too!

Jan

Great travel photos Mysty, Jeff, and JP.   60 more days until our departure ....

JP,  you may want to think twice about coming home.  We have 2 feet of snow, and it's still coming down.  This started by 4pm yesterday, we had a couple of hours of sleet and freezing rain (and freezing fog!!!!) this morning to make things interesting, now its back to snow.   We're bundled in, chili in the instantpot, and plenty of wine & mojito supplies.

Jan

Good one Tothesunset!   It's Sunday morning, 2 feet of snow, and then a couple hours of sleet & freezing rain, back to snow now .... I'm looking forward to our March 24th cruise on the Wind.

Jolly, thank you so much for the update, and the crew list.  

Jan

Well, Silversea must be spying on the boards ... we received notification today that our box has been shipped!  70 days until sailing!!!!!!  

hhhmmmm  we're 73 days out, not box, guest info filled out back in the summer.    I think our SS TA doesn't like me so much, his loss 

Mysty, I missed give you a bon voyage, so glad you made it to the ship in fine form.  Enjoy!!!