Catlover54

See post #25 (i.e., you lost your bet).

What is the point of uncomfortable polar plunges (she asks, innocently? No one looks happy after doing them (they are happiest getting oout) , and it defies the desire for physiological thermoequilibrium.. Is it all about bragging rights and selfies? Is it the equivalent of marking checks against a list of countries visited (as if that means something important ) and odd things one has done in those areas? I prefer focussing on engaging in awesome visuals and activities, evenn if repetitive, that mean something more than being instagrammable. It does not make it "better", or more virtuous, it just is a different mentaltiy. I have no interest in riding an elephant or a camel, much less going to Saudi Arabia or Turkey (again) as a western female, covering my head in shame, and would rather repeat or expand on my experiences in more civilized countries which incidentally have cleaner toilets than those near the Blue Mosque in istanbul.

And does "fully vaccinated" mean a requirement for the new "Omicron" (though constructively outdated) "vaccine" that is designed to deal with Omicron variants no longer prevalent? LOL! (Not to mention no regard for natural immunity, especially within 90 days). The insane irrational theatre continues, and we are over 2.5 years into Covid. Sigh.

The issue of being repeatedly stuck with people you do not like, for whatever reason, on a very small ship, is an important one. I will add it is especially important if they are loud and obnoxious, rather than just boring and quiet with nothing interesting to say, since the former cannot be ignored. We were on the expedition ship Crystal Endeavor around Iceland in 2021 (2nd cruise after it launched), with only 93 pax on board (it could hold around 220). Unfortunately there was a large group (about 14-15) of an extended family with different cultural, relational, and acoustic standards (e.g., their teenagers thought it was just fine to kick at shore birds, and yell inane chit chat at each other in their language while an excursion leader was describing scenery). They repeatedly dominated the venues, and also the excursions (which were limited in number, without much option for private touring due to Covid, so the clan was hard to avoid). We complained, but it did put Crystal in an awkward position because the family contributed so much revenue to an already underbooked ship. We still loved the cruise (the scenery especially, but also the food), but it was a short cruise. The risk of being stuck with such a group on a long Antarctica sailing, on a tiny ship, is of some concern.

I just read your terrific blog, with great interest, and flashbacks to my first (and likely last) trip to Istanbul a few years ago, right up to the filthy toilets near the mosque which I still vividly remember . I appreciate the details in your frank descriptions of both the good and the not so good, both on the ship and off. A couple questions, if you have time: 1. So as of 10/24 your TA claimed she had not heard anything back from Regent. Meanwhile on 9/15 the Regent "customer" assistance person Teegan here wrote that she *knew* Regent had reached out to your TA: " #132 Posted September 15 Hi @BellaOnline – I am so sorry to hear about the challenges with your trip home. I know that our Guest Relations department has reached out to your Travel Advisor, . . ." So either your TA or Teegan was, frankly, lying (unless one redefines the term "know" in Teegan's response) And no one from Regent, or your TA's company, was available to answer a phone while you were stuck at Istanbul airport with your elderly mother and hostile Turkish airlines employeees. Either way, it is very disconcerting that one cannot rely on Regent's travel bundling procedures. 2. As for the the passenger behind you putting bare feet on your arm rests, it is just another example of how even business class passengers' behavior has degenerated in recent years. Did you ask her to remove them? Or ask the flight attendant to tell her to remove them? Or did they not bother you enough to complain (e.g., it was "only" a 3-4 hour flight from Madrid?) In the past I have had people try and stick their feet, with either stinky socks or hairy toes, into my space (either on my seat back or through the space between sweats ), but it only happened in coach, where I expect more Greyhound bus type behavior, and as a last resort there are creative ways of taking care of such things . . . 👿 I love traveling, but the 'getting there' -- not so much anymore.

Why are able bodied people giving a "dirty" look to people who need to use the accessible stall? Just because they for some reason they presumably dislike disabled people, or was someone yelling or pounding at the door?

Because of Covid risk?

As most people here know, an increasing number of airports, including Miami International, are increasingly chaotic, especially for seniors and those who are partially disabled. Though I have rarely used cart or wheelchair assistance services (once after an injury I needed WC help getting back from Europe, and then I was accompanied by DH), I am aware that airlines are required to provide wheelchair or comparable assistance for pax after checkin to get through security and to the gate, based exclusively on their declaring that walking and standing is difficult for them. I can walk on a flat, if needed, even for a couple miles (slowly), but have increasing difficulty enduring prolonged standing -- including standing in line to check in bulky luggage, and especially if the ambient temperature is high/with inadedquate AC. I almost passed out on a recent trip where we stood around for 45 minutes without the line moving (and that was business class!). 1. In supercrowded, chaotic airports, e.g., Miami, it is often hard to even figure out where you are supposed to check in when you get to the airport! How exactly does one get initial attention for airport assistance after being dropped off at the airport terminal with luggage by a cab, e.g., for an international flight from Miami? ? Do you have to go inside and get in line for checkin at the airline like everyone else, meanwhile (if you are solo) figure out how to get your suitcase onto the weighing device on your own (or come with someone to help you lift it), and then the check-in clerk calls for transport to your gate, including through security? Or will someone greet you right after the cab drops you -- if so, how do they know to come? Conversely, on the way back into the U.S., if you are greeted with a chair at the ramp when you get off the plane , does that same person then wheel you through immigration, then find and physically help you get your suitcase off the luggage carousel (meanwhile somehow navigating areas where escalators or even elevators are often broken), then guide you through customs, and out to the curb to a cab? 2. I have read about some expensive private airport assistance/meet and greet and/or VIP services that advertise helping pax to do all of the above at many airports , but I don't understand what more they do that you cannot (at least officially) get from airlines (other than it being open to everyone, not just people who need physical assistance), other than maybe help you lift your suitcase onto the scale at check in. I don't see how they would help on a return, as pax are not allowed to meet anyone other than airline personnel until after customs. I also cannot find any reliable reviews . Has anyone had any experience with private airport assistance companies, especially in Miami? Were they a big rip-off, or reliable and helpful (though expensive)? Of course their websites all tell you how wonderful they are, but are vague about many things.

You bring Bulgari ON, instead of dirty laundry?? I assume the joke is that you meant to take it OFF. I think it makes sense to take away already opened bottles of product, since they won't be able to pass those on to other pax anyway and have to just toss them. There is of course nothing wrong with bringing dirty laundry on from your pre-cruise stay, and is anticipated (or so I was told). People who are eligible for "free" laundry are still paying, just in other ways . A while back my TA offered to pay for my laundry on a cruise where I was not yet eligible for free laundry (instead of giving me $200 OBC). I said fine. However, this was a very hot weather cruise with plenty of outdoor walking, and she apparently did not anticipate that I belong to the "frequent sweaters" club, and would be changing my clothing 3x/day. She should have stuck with the $200 OBC 🙂

Maybe former luxury pax are just carrying the "luxury" cruise brand bags because that is what they had at home when packing , and what they like because they are better quality (zippers, compartments, waterproof), than the cheap and wide open flimsy cloth sacks some cruise lines give out (and which I have even seen given out on some "luxury" cruises). However, I do prefer more subtle labeling of complimentary cruise line brand bags. Being late and acting "entitled", however, is another story, and is unfortunately not limited to luxury cruisers.

I understand the semi-guilt feeling to an extent , (unlike at the buffet, where you can quickly grab a few things close to closing time and then take your seat before the buffet gets deconstructed) , but then I remind myself 1) the time is already restricted to one hour, and 2) having that one hour to sit down and then eat in peace is part of the overall "luxury" service expectations, for which crew are paid (they are professionals, or at least are in training to be professionals) and pax pay for the privilege, and 3) it is SB that not uncommonly sets up ship excursions that bring pax back just before dining venue closing times, instead of adjusting open/close times to when the bulk of people return 4) it is SB that has decided not to have enough staff to allow them adequate rests, which should include anticipating some people will still be sitting eating 30-45 minutes after closing , not the pax There is a happy middle ground, however: 1. try and think a little in advance about what you may want to order (e.g., you already know they'll offer a hot dog and burger and you can decide you definitely don't want that and then just quickly ask about specials, without waiting for menu delivery -- we have even done that for dinner, by looking at the menus in advance ), and similarly you can also think in advance about what you want to drink 2. Consider skipping clothing changes when you get back from an excursion, e.g., just wash up a little but leave the hiking pants and sneakers on), and go straight to the dining room instead of the suite. The personnel would probably rather see you in those clothes 20 minutes before closing, even if you are carrying a backpack, instead of more upscale clothes 5 minutes before closing (as long as you do not stink or have mud all over you :)). Some pax may not like that, but as long as you are compliant with the stated dress code, you are ok. 3. Be conscious of whether or not you are the last group in the venue , holding everyone up 4. Skip the premium wine or custom drink order if you are coming later I have also nudged DH to just assume the venues close 15 minutes before they do, so if we have a choice, we're not showing up 5 minutes before closing . The clock on the wall of our suite helps 🙂

LMB01 wrote in post #207, that

". . . . Many first timers come here looking for factually correct information. What I therefore also object to is the false information that is being spread by a few. People have claimed that The Restaurant is no longer open for breakfast. That’s not true; it’s open from 8 am to 9 am. People have claimed that The Restaurant is no longer open for lunch. That’s also not true; as always it’s still open on sea days from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. . . . " There you go again, failing to read and/or acknowledge the multiple reports by cruisers of their contrary experiences since the pandemic. Why is it so difficult to acknowledge that there are *inconsistent* practices, repeatedly documented? It is not "false information" , for example, for cruisers such as Calm Down Dear to report -- in detail, day by day -- that The Restaurant was not open *on his cruise* for breakfast or lunch on *any* day. That was his *factual experience*, regardless of what the glitzy website says, and whatever the explanation ("staffing shortages" and "Covid" as an explanation doesn't cut it, since other "luxury" lines consistently manage to plan to have enough staff to keep their MDR open at breakfast and lunch -- apparently they are better prepared in the pandemic era) . Cruisers reporting closure experiences are not the "dramatizing" lie 'spreaders' you accuse them of being. Indeed, there would be no logical motivation for people to lie for the sake of lying, given the hostility with which their comments are received by a handful of posters here. If anything, the path of least resistance is just to say "everything was wonderful and happy happy happy", and then receive dozens of acknowledging electronic strokes. And that isn't even getting to the quality, atmosphere and service issues in the Colonnade that many report (and others, like you, gloss over or don't care about) much less the issue of whether or not it is "luxury" to be forced to eat meals in a buffet setting (e.g., lunch on cruises where every day is a port day). I agree that people can certainly debate what the subjective definition of "luxury" is. Many do not consider it luxury to be compelled to eat in buffets at some (or all) breakfasts, and some (or all) lunches, depending on the cruise.

But they don't starch it.

Thank you. For those who do not know how to find official reviews, here is an easy link to it: https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=692297

Why on earth would FAs accuse a passenger complaining about a broken seat of deliberately breaking her seat with a shoe? It makes no sense (unless the FA doing the accusing was mentally disturbed, or if pax on Virgin are awarded huge numbers of compensatory FF miles if their seat is broken).

Wind and Cloud have interesting itineraries. They are small old ships that have been converted into expedition ships, that is their focus -- nature-focussed wonderful itineraries. Some frequent SS cruisers have also been happy enough with food, service etc., (though they are always quite happy no matter what , plus being a very frequent cruiser known to staff can in some cases make a difference in service, just like on other lines). But they don't have the additional restaurant variety that being a bigger ship allows, don't have the SALT bar and restaurant or the Arts cafe. Currently Wind is having bad sewage smell problems (which will hopefully be resolved), per another thread, but I have no post-Covid personal experience with her (there are no bathtubs in verandas, and I like bathtubs). Cloud also had sewage issues last year but they are resolved (plus there are bathtubs in base veranda suites, a source of happiness in themselves :). Take a look at the official CC member reviews that have beene posted, and the awesome itineraries (if that is your primary interest, you will be pleased).

Thank you so much for taking all the time you did to write your live, balanced, and at times quite humorous blog. I very much appreciated the opportunity to learn from it, and sailing along (plus taking notes about certain port experiences!), as do others on this forum, as well as lurkers from other forums. If you go back to SS next year, I encourage you to do the newer ships (Moon, Dawn, and maybe the Nova though that is yet untested), as the reports (both formal and informal, on CC and elsewhere) from Whisper and Shadow post-Covid are not on average higher than on SB post-Covid. I wish you happy future sailing, wherever you go!

Nice thought, but these days, anyone who is getting prescription meds that are controlled substances, has likely already repeatedly tried other agents, since there are many barriers (at least in the U.S.) to receiving them in the first place

It is odd that 3/3 replies so far felt it necessary to imply that you might be trying to do something underhanded. 🤔 Thank you for raising this topic. I was not aware of Singapore's blanket ban on chewing gum (I just had heard a few years ago that you could get caned for throwing gum on the sidewalk), or the need to fill out approval forms for your personal meds. I read the forms, and did a little more online research about this topic, which is in effect a personal medication visa (e.g., original bottles and a doctor letter is not enough). Most people have "no problem" getting their applications approved, but others encountered things like a repeatedly broken website close to their departure date, and/or snippy agents, as one traveler posted: "I need to bring a controlled substance to singapore to sleep. I have tried to apply for prior approval with HSA in singapore. They have not replied and my trip is coming up next week. I called HSA and they were basically no help, rude, and said I need to wait. " I have enough to worry about with dynamic Covid rules, and don't need this extra bureaucratic headache to deal with . I have removed Singapore from my list of potential travel destinations. There are many other places with great eating venues, nice hotels, and zoos.

Please don't delete! I don't care about *outdoor* smoking one way or the other (cigars or otherwise) when I pick a cruise, though I know I am in a minority. However, there is ambiguity in the information pointed out in post #12, (presumably something in the daily program) and IMHO *there should be no ambiguity* about this issue that is important to both the cigar smokers and many of the non-smokers. It is especially important not to have ambiguity when people book their cruise. Booking information should be consistent with practice on board. On the SB forum, there was recently an uproar about smoking being allowed on the new expedition ship Seabourn Venture -- it had clearly been written, when people booked their cruise, that smoking was not going to be allowed, and yet people were smoking near the hot tub and complaining pax were told the policy was different on that particular cruise. I am baffled as to why it is so hard for SS and SB and other lines to be clear and have consistency in written information.

This is the bag we got last month on Quest, identical to what we were getting pre-Covid, so likely this is what you'll get:(one per cabin)

Are you comparing pre-Covid Oceania, or post-Covid Oceania, with your current post-Covid SS cruise? (I haven't tracked where you're been post-Covid). To be fair, the comparison should be post-Covid for both. Also, experiences may vary depending on the ship (true for both lines), e.g., people *generally* (not all) have been happier on the newer Moon than on the older Whisper, and on Oceania people typically like the bigger newer ships better than the little old ones.

If you cannot use OBC for crew fund (depending on the type you have, see posts just above), then maybe you could use it to buy a couple bottles of really nice (though seriously marked up) wine on board, and then take them home.