Stumblefoot

Yes to your first question and a qualified yes to your second. For example, the T&C's don't specifically state what champagne or tour we'll receive. It's just "exclusive amenities" unique to Silversea. So, in addition to the SS standard Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top champagne received upon embarkation, we also receive a bottle of Dom Perignon in its original packaging.

Yikes! Here's hoping the Ray has a better in suite ventilation system when we visit there in 2025.

We've always received a minimum of $300 OBC, a bottle of Dom Perignon, and a shipboard tour. But, it wasn't because of any TA or SS Consultant, but rather the credit card we used to pay the cruise fare. So, these would be in addition to any direct rebate provided by a TA.

Are you asking if a TA would make the price that is now 2X greater than when you booked, cheaper than when you first booked? I have never known an agent who can change the actual fare charged. OBC, cash back, etc., yes. But, lowering the actual fare, no. So, I don't know how any agent could possibly reduce the cost of your cruise below what you paid for it previously at this stage.

Through the air system in one's suite?

Mayflower1, Thank you for your thoughtful reply, but please don't be sorry for my own amazement. You are entitled to your POV just like I am to mine. Your post did not upset, just surprised, as I know your extensive experience sailing SS. To clear up a couple of points: I neither stated, nor tried to imply, you are retired, but rather projected how I may approach the future of sailing on SS once I am retired. I didn't realize SS encourages guests to book excursions asap. I've known we always needed to do that for mid-voyage overnight land excursions, but didn't realize the new "included" excursions required pre-booking. Obviously, my ignorance as I haven't sailed SS since 2020. But, our TA didn't mention the change that SS now prefers passengers to book their excursions asap when we booked a voyage for 2024 in 2021 and one in 2025 this past year. With that said, I think we both know SS's IT systems have never been a strength of the company, especially relative to the marketing gobbledygook SS would have one to believe. Heck, one still cannot make an actual confirmed dining venue reservation yet, just merely requests. So, to assume the SS excursion system is robust and fit for the purpose seems to bely the knowledge experienced SS passengers have acquired over the years. Not saying it is right, but rather just what is known to be true about SS. But, that is just my POV and it certainly sounds like one of naiveté. In closing, I guess my feelings of surprise got the best of me since I've always been able to easily adjust dining requests once on board and I just assumed the same would apply for excursions, thereby negating any need to cancel a voyage solely due to an excursion time change that based on past experience may be nothing more than an error.

Wow! This statement amazes me. Does anyone else remember the days of embarking and selecting your ship excursions from the comfort of your suite or while enjoying a cocktail in the lounge? Am I the only odd ball here that enjoyed that? These days it seems so many want to reserve everything they can months (or years) in advance of their cruise. I wonder if next we’ll read someone canceling a cruise because they couldn’t make a dining venue reservation request at the exact time they wanted. I’m not faulting you Mayflower1. Maybe I’ll be the same when I retire someday as I’ll have so much more time on my hands than I do now. Who knows? But, as of today, I prefer to relax knowing that any changes can be sorted out once on board. And, this includes dining wherever I like for the evening based on what tickles my fancy that day.

Going to be one hell of a walk to the BT Kitchen tonight.

Possibly. But, I have no idea. And, until today, I have never seen the ability to select a voyage, much less a suite, on the SS website.

Totally agree.

Sounds like Paul from Orlando, who wore the exact same outfit on every excursion during a Grand Voyage of South America.

What is the “web”?

Interesting. So the Nova and Ray itineraries that sail to, and overnight in Manaus, will not be sailing the Breves Narrows.

In the past, they have included business class on a promotional basis. But currently, according to their website, SS does not, stating “majority of destinations offer business class upgrades for a nominal charge…”. Some destinations don’t have a business class upgrade option at all.

Just tried several, Jolly, and responded to your post in the other thread. Thx for the heads up over there.

I agree with Jolly. You seem to have uncovered a feature on the website that I have yet to see reported here, or even by SS issuing a press release. I apologize that my response to you was in error.

Does this mean the refugees will be returning home soon?

Well, I’ll be damned. Unbelievable really. Tried the same thing as you, Jolly, with similar results. The only thing I noticed looking at 10 different ships / voyages was that the system seems to assign, or only offer, the least desirable suites. I have a hard time believing there are only one or two suites available on these voyages out well into 2024, so imagine SS is holding the best cabins for TA’s.

What website are you referring to?

It’s not possible to book directly on the website.

Do them all.

Formal. Depends on where you want to dine that evening. Should have thought of that before booking a SS classic cruise. Yes, really. You can also dine in the other venues that do not require formal wear on formal night. Yes, Regent is. Best stick with them if you don’t like formal as many, many others have done here through the years.

You may be right! The couch didn’t fold out, so they just used the rollaway. In the morning, the Butler would just fold it up and place in the corner next to the couch so that we had full use of the suite.

Here she is.

Ever. Well, at least not on SS.