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Posts posted by Catlover54
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Here are several photos Mr. Catlover54 took: one displayed here from the White Island volcano helicopter excursion out of Tauranga and a link to more photos from the cruise:
Here is the link to more photos:
http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/randomguy60/library/New%20Zealand%20Cruise%20February%202015
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Where did you see the review?.....can't find it
Baggy's review is here:
http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=272220
For unclear reasons, "reviews" by members are not listed when you click on "posts by" the member. You can find reviews by starting at the CC home page, then looking up "reviews" by cruise line and the ship, and the reviews then appear in reverse chronological order. Sometimes you can also find them by doing a general search on Cruisecritic by member name.
CC does not have the most user-friendly websit design, and inability to comment or ask Qs on th reviews such as one can on Yelp or Amazon, seems strange and limiting.
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The review which I wrote two days ago was also published uncensored today. It appears CC just prefers to take a little time to make sure the reviews generally comply with posting guidelines, rather than risk having a totally non-compliant post appear and then have to take it down. Their forum, their rules.
I can relate to some of what Baggywrinkle wrote RE some of the people and some of the service, and then some, though the biggest difference is that despite criticisms I would still come back to SS for the right itinerary, hoping the mild to moderate service deficits improve or that we get luckier with the next butler. I will see how Seabourn compares in a few months.
One other variable RE the main dining room service I forgot to mention in my review is that it appeared to us there was more service confusion and difficulty getting our drinks and wine of choice when we joined others at tables, rather than the times we dined alone, when it was easier for the assorted waiters to keep track of things.
http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=272257
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I just wrote and submitted a long review of our overall pleasant Auckland-Melbourne cruise (presumably currently being studied by CC for approval, but I hope I did not violate any posting rules). Will have a few pictures soon (e.g., of the fantastic Volcanic White Island by Helicopter tour excursion out of Tauranga).
We are back in California now but still have a sensation that the ground is swaying under us, as if we were still on board. :)
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Thanks to all who attempted to answer the factual question of whether or not English only in public areas is a policy or not on SS. My question was not intended to address the practical pros and cons of such a policy ( which is a separate issue), nor as an invitation to generally expound on class warfare or an English "superiority" rant. My own first language was actually not English ( nor was it even my second language, it is my third) so I have no intrinsic bias favoring English per se unless there are good reasons for it ( though there may be good reasons for such a policy on a cruise line where most pax are English speakers, and where crew are international).
My question was actually answered directly today when I was on a fun galley tour on the Spirit and another passenger asked the French born executive chef directing the tour about whether or not staff speak English. He brisky replied that not only are staff expected to speak English, but there are signs for staff reminding them as they exit the kitchen that they are supposed to speak English only in public areas. He elaborated that some staff violate this policy and need "reminding" to adhere to it ( he illustrated his idea of a "reminder" by symbolically tapping on the back of his neck, like teachers or parents used to do with kids).
In sum, "English only" in pax areas does seem to be a policy, ( but there are frequent violators and from what I have seen, it is not strictly enforced). Pros/cons remain to be debated.
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I was seasick today before dinner time and decided not to go out of the room for dinner, Our butler and his female assistant had both seen us going in and out of our rooms earlier, fine, and had even delivered lunchroom service. I sent my husband to go dine alone and he told the female assistant to the butler that I was seasick and I'd be staying in to lie down. We put a do not disturb sign on the door. An hour later I had just fallen asleep and the phone blasted me awake, repeated rings, would not stop. No going back to sleep, so I finally found the light switch, phone had stopped, and went to the bathroom, during which time the butler and the female charged into the room to ask if I wanted anything and present me with tomorrow's port news. I expressed annoyance that they had called and woken me from my sleep, and then charged into the room despite my obvious do not disturb sign and prior discussion. The butler said it is "our policy" to go into the room if they have not serviced it that day, "to make sure you are ok". Guess do not disturb means, "Please disturb whenever you feel like it" whether it makes sense to do so or not.
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When We first sailed with SS on the Shadow in 2011 it was explained to us on our tour that crew were required to speak English only, even amongst themselves, in public areas where pax are around, including dining rooms, hallways, bar areas, etc. But the last two SS cruises we have been on this does not appear to be the case, e.g., there is loud and animated Tagalog discussion about this, that or the other all over the ship. Has the English only policy been rescinded, or is it just not being enforced?
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We are also at the Hilton, enjoyed wine tasting and dining on the island. Is 2pm the earliest boarding time for this cruise? Seems silly to take a cab to go 400 meters but we just have too much luggage to walk
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Correction, 9/5 14-day BTB Athens- Istabul then Black Sea and back to Istanbul on Odyssey
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Seabourn newbie here ( have done four Silversea, one Regent cruise) and am surprised that if we book excursions now for a September cruise we must pay immediately. We do not mind advancing the money, but we might change our minds, e.g., if one of us is not feeling well, and we want to cancel (allowing for a reasonable 48-72 hours notice, like Silversea allows on most excursions) we prefer to avoid losing all the money. Or is there a period of time you can cancel further in advance and still get a full refund to the credit card?
Reading this forum it also looks like if we book in advance we will not be allowed to use our on board credit to pay for shore excursions either, and as we have a very big OBC ( too big for us to drink up, and we only have so many fingernails to manicure) we do not want that to go to waste. We certainly do not want to book a bunch of excursions in advance and then perhaps need to cancel one or two of them on board and land up with even more OBC!
So is the only solution to avoid losing out on OBC use against shore excursions to book on board, and risk lack of availability? We are on the 12-day 9/5/15 cruise (two back to backs) from Athens to Istanbul, not sure how popular the excursions there are.
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Looking for a cruise in the Scandinavia or Scottland isles area.
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We have sailed both Silversea and Regent with nice veranda style suites, and enjoyed the bathtubs in the non-view bathrooms. Though this was nice, for ultimate soaking decadence, we are interested in trying a suite that has either a view bathtub or small tub spa within the suite (either indoor or outdoor on the deck would be fine). For some reason I am having trouble finding such a thing on the Seabourn website, though the catalogue I recently got shows a stewardess preparing a bath with an ocean view.
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I was recently on my third SS cruise and booked on board for my fourth one so as to get a 5% booking discount. I wrote on the pay form that I will designate a travel agent within 30 days (am still within 30), as I will be going to New Zealand and Australia and will need TA help figuring out various connections for pre and post cruise issues, and would like a good TA, who I have not found yet but will, to be able to get the cruise commission. But did I make a mistake booking on board? Will this interfere with a TA getting a commission? Are there other disadvantages to on board booking? Cruise is not till feb 2015.
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I did not see a STARS booking option online, but I just asked for a booking once I found out when formal night would be and got a reservation on less than 24 hours notice, and there were plenty of seats to spare. Perhaps a big group has booked on your cruise. Check with your butler immediately on check-in at your suite when you see the list of when formal night is and see what he can do.
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We are on the Spirit right now, BCN to Civitavecchia and ate at the small STARS supper club last night when the main areas were formal, as the guide for the ship said it was informal so we were (not casual, just informal). Very pleasant and mellow atmosphere with a talented soulful singer this month and excellent serial small plates, I highly recommend the experience!
Spirit LA - LA via Auckland
in Silversea
Posted · Edited by Catlover54