riversights

Thanks again for these insights on weather, walking shorts, and dining.  I'm packing a windbreaker, chinos, and one pair of shorts.  The conversation around the topic informs us from several angles.    

18 minutes ago, cruiseaholic78 said:

21 minutes ago, cruiseaholic78 said:

We spent five weeks around Australia on the Regatta and I can assure you we wore shorts skorts capris swimwear etc on the ship all day. We have also worn shorts to the MDR and buffet at breakfast and lunch.

It might not be that hot but do bring them.
Have you considered Zip-off trousers we always have them with us, start off the day slightly cold then as it gets warmer make them into capri (if you have two zips) and or shorts.

Happy planning 

 

Thank you for helping us to plan smartly and confidently.  

Okay, this is helpful;.  The vibe I'm getting is that walking shorts are a bit outside the ship's custom.  Thanks to our informants. Cooler Baltic temps dictates longer pants.

58 minutes ago, osandomir said:

I guess it’ll be appropriate… but what’s the “walking shorts” by the way?

I'm using the term to indicate what might be considered hiking shorts or Bermudas in another context, nothing shorter.

Not wanting to offend in fashion aboard Nautica, I'd like to know if walking shorts are worn on ship.  (I'm excluding the dining rooms from consideration.)  And a corollary to this is the question of what's comfortable wear for the Baltic cities.  Do summer conditions warrant walking shorts, or is the weather too cool and showery for such.  Thanks for chiming in, and I'll suggest you for a guest spot on QVC.😉

Very energetic and scintillating dining discussion.  Learned a lot about reservation intrigues, maddening manners, and class distinctions.  "Money talks."  (I use it myself.😁)  I appreciate the informants here.  We are life-long learners.     

The diversity invested here, and the improvisation, are surely signs of intelligent life on this planet.  We may sail with (reasonable) confidence.  

28 minutes ago, AMHuntFerry said:

Here's one from February:

https://www.thepreismans.com/riviera_24_menus.htm#aquamar

 

Thank you.  This is revelatory!  "But who am I to judge."😁  

The reminder that we use phones to capture memories is valid.  Indeed, our phones are about the only heuristic device in our kit these days. If there's an unexpected development back home, the ship's emergency number will work just fine.  But I've never won anything (yet).🤪 

Many splendid insights here!  Maybe a sea cruise will cure us of the impulse to constantly check our screens.😉

We will likely not be using cell phones unless we need to retrieve travel documents.  But there's always the unforeseen.  We want to be "wise as serpents" and well prepared.  You are supplying travel savvy.  The conversation itself is helpful in processing.   

That's why we asked this question!  The replies are immensely helpful for understanding the issues involved.  We are trying to understand where the trapdoors are located.🙃  Thank you.  You are a blessing.

This topic may have been hacked to death already, but I have to ask:  Do you use your cell phone on ship?  Whatever you have to say about this will be enlightening to a couple of new voyagers.  Thank you!

Thank you for these leads!  We'll check out Capital One and Chase, and other issuers.  You have provided short cuts.  Very helpful indeed.

Time your reservation to allow for 120 minutes of slow dining without the pressure to relinquish seating to waiting guests.

These replies have been helpful in thinking through the matter of credit card use.  You have given us confidence!

Do you know of any cards without these foreign transaction fees?  (I'm wondering about cards with no annual fee.)  Thank you for pitching in on this.

Thank you for all of these knowledgeable replies.  You are the cognoscenti.  We are informed and made wiser!  These details made seem trivial to frequent cruisers, but being occasional voyagers, we must ask the question.

We'll soon be joining the Nautica at Stockholm for our voyage of the Baltic and North Sea states.  Have you had good experience with particular credit cards in this region?  We are hoping to use Discover and American Express in addition to Visa and Master Card.  Your experience will provide valuable insights.  Thank you!

Fascinating topic.  What's so special about "specialty" dining scenes that it generates heat like this?  Okay, I confess to being one of those guys in youth who ran (literally) to the front of the festival concert crowd to get great seats for Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, and the Crystals.  It was the same for Hair, and for the Tonight Show, and for the Peppermint Lounge (obstructed view).  And I chased Bobby Kennedy and almost caught up to him (the girl in front of me got a cufflink).  Enough of this.  Now "we" are content slipping in to a dining room which the effusive talkers and big laughers have vacated.  The staff always seem indulgent.   

The "Geezers" have made a good case for insurance as "peace of mind" (which I too appreciate).  But as a small counterpoint, I wonder why we are insuring "money," as such.  If we were traveling on borrowed money, maybe the lender would insist we insure our trip (so he gets his money back).  But most people are spending their discretionary income or savings or RMDs or inheritance or a windfall.  They are not denying themselves another cruise because they are too broke to afford another cruise.  No, they are cruising and cruising and cruising . . .🤪 

Not being cheeky here, but just for reflection:  If one puts out for a cruise, the money is gone.  Would you cruise again next year?  Probably, because you bought the cruise with money you had to spend.  So if, say, you lose a cruise due to illness or accident, you have only lost money you were prepared to spend anyway.  What is money?  "Just dirty paper" (Bugsy Siegel).  

Thanks for great replies.  What do you judge as exceptional spa experience on Nautica?  Everything, anything, or do you have a special indulgence to recommend?  Always looking for a review or comment of satisfaction.

Thank you for responding to my bell.  I wonder if anyone has a sample or two of pricing to share.  We are feeling some trepidation about prices moves.  Should we expect "sticker shock"?

Perhaps we aren't looking in the right niche, but prices for spa services seem not readily available.  Does anyone have experience aboard Nautica?  We'll be sailing Baltic and North Sea waters in late July.  Thank you.