– Avalon Myanmar – Myanmar River Cruise – April 2017
Avalon Waterways – Myanmar – Part VI (Kya Hnyat to Kyauk Myaung)
Avalon Waterways – Myanmar – Part IX (The Ship: Avalon Myanmar)
Avalon Waterways – Myanmar (Burma) – Reflections: “Isn’t This Amazing!?”
*Azamara Club Cruises – Azamara Journey – Singapore to Dubai (April 8, 2018)
* Azamara Quest – Southeast Asia and Japan (February 2015)
– How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity’s Smallest Ship Get? – Part I
– How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity’s Smallest Ship Get? Part II
– How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity’s Smallest Ship Get? Part III
– How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity’s Smallest Ship Get? Part IV
– How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity’s Smallest Ship Get? – Some Final Observations and Thoughts
– The Prologue to the Travelogue
– The Adventure Begins…With a Bump or Two
– Settling In Made Easy
– Luxury Touches Here, There and OK, Not, Everywhere…But There Are Lots of Them!
– Asian Flair Onboard and On Shore
– Private Tours, Israel and Conflicts in Perceptions and Perspective
Celebrity Equinox 2009 – Egypt…Impressive and Depressing
– Dining With the Captain and the Reidel Wine Seminar
– The Last Dinner (Tuscan Grille) and Disembarkation
– What Happens When A Class Act Meets Highly Discounted Cruise Fare
– Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a “Move Up” & “Move Over” Luxury Option – Part I
– Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a “Move Up” & “Move Over” Luxury Option – Part II
– Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a “Move Up” & “Move Over” Luxury Option – Part III
– Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a “Move Up” & “Move Over” Luxury Option – Part IV (Food & Wine!)
– Princess Cruises Doesn’t Treat You Like Royalty; Celebrity Cruises Does! Which is a Better Value for the Upscale Cruise Guest? Part I
– Celebrity Silhouette vs. -Royal Princess – Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part II: The Standard Veranda Staterooms
– Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess – Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part III: Treating You Right From The Start
– Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess – Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part IV: The Wine Lists Speak Volumes (As Do The Beverage Packages)
Regent Seven Seas Voyager – August 2017
– Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part I
– Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part II (Getting There, The Stateroom and First Impressions)
– Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part III (“You Can’t Teach Five Star Service” and Bonafacio, Corsica)
– Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part IV (Calvi, Monaco, Portofino, Porto Azzurro…and Stale Bread)
– Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part V (My Last Day…and How The Chef’s Team Makes It Happen)
There is a phrase that comes to mind…and I shudder to mention it when speaking of Seabourn or any other luxury line: “Chair Hog”!
The problem associated with those towels, books and t-shirts strewn across lounge chairs “reserving” them for all daylight hours; only to use them for a portion of that time, apparently was the problem with dinner reservations on the Seabourn Odyssey.
People would call up and reserve a table at the the Colonnade, Patio Grill and/or Restaurant 2 and then “no show” resulting in people who really wanted to dine there blocked out and the restaurants wanting to serve guests suffering with empty tables. The “Hogs” were at it! They selfishly made sure they had what they wanted, but were simply inconsiderate of literally everyone around them. And they did it knowing that of the vocal complaints by those frustated by their actions. (Seabourn would never say this…or even admit to this really being the issue…but I can and do!)
The solution: Take the damn stuff off the lounge chairs! The answer is so simple. But it has been done in a Seabourn way. Rather than removing the stuff (in this case reservations for those that have “no showed” a prior reservation during the cruise) Seabourn has eliminated the ability to put the stuff down in the first place.
That’s right: The solution was to eliminate the ability to rudely block others. No Reservations will be required for Colonnade or Patio Grill (or, obviously, the Main Restaurant). Reservations will still be required for Restaurant 2, but the menu will not change on a daily – but rather, a weekly – basis.
Obviously more people will be able to enjoy the various venues without a worry of the not having a reservation and the number of empty tables will be reduced. However, people may have to to be a bit patient and enjoy a cocktail or the view if a table is not immediately available. (Or they have the other dining options.)
As for Restaurant 2, since the menu will not change as frequently – which may be a disappointment for some – it will most certainly reduce the demand. The disappointment will be two-fold: Those that really enjoy the frequently changing menu and those that don’t like the weekly offering. (Obviously, those on for 8 days or longer will have two menus or more to enjoy.)
Now, please keep in mind this remains a work in progress. For example, possibly the Restaurant 2 menu can be changed more frequently. Possibly their may need to be a tweaking as to those who really want to dine al fresco.
If you have an opinion, concern, complaint or whatever, please join the conversation on The Gold Standard Forum.
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