u/NeatLight7251

I have done one sailing on Explora and will be going again in October.

I know this may shock some people but I don't love the Emporium, especially for dinner. I find it to be too busy and the seating feeling too close to the activity for it to be relaxing. I did use it a few times at mid-day but never warmed up to it for dinner. I hate having to get up multiple times to get different thing.

Any secret place where it feels quieter? I found the outside seating to be the best.

Is anyone currently on Explora, or recently sailed who can tell me the menu in the Explora lounge after the afternoon tea?

I like Trattoria Romana but think it is overpriced

I go to La Novelle Maison on BYOB nights

I like True Food but the ambiance is meh--and generally I avoid chains

Arun's Indian is takeout only

Barcelona Wine Bar (Delray) was disappointing compared to the Nashville location

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Would love to find a good Greek or Mediterranean restaurant, French Bistro, etc. actually anything that people think is genuinely good

I wanted to get opinions on whether people are

1-using a travel agent

2-what value you think you get

3-whether you feel like they are working for you (or not)

Seems to me like its getting harder to work with travel agents--meaning they seem to be willing/able to only book limited options and not actually build a trip that reflects the goals and preferences of the client.

Many years ago I found agents added real value and saved me a bunch of time. But now I feel I like I am being sometimes harshly channeled into a limited set of options.

I am booked on a RC cruise in 2027. When I called the customer service number the quality of the agents is very poor. They are not articulate, not reading from a prepared script as with other lines like Silversea or Explora.

I was told the person I needed to speak with was "on break" which does not give me conficence in the longevity of this line.

For the premium prices they are charging the quality of the customer communications should be much higher.

I will be embarking on Explora II from Fusina in October.

Will be parking at San Marco garage. Looking for a hotel optimized around convenience to the port and parking vs Venice sightseeing.

Also any other tips, as this is my first time out of Fusina.

I will be cruising out of Venice, Fusina and want a hotel that is close to the terminal and to the San Marco parking garage as I will be parking there. Does not have to be 5 star but clean and ideally with working A/C etc. Its just for one night.

I have a relative who has lost their job and is going to be 62 so its highly likely they won't get another one. Are there any FP or other advice solutions at Schwab that could help them navigate this unplanned early semi-retirement? If there is a fee I would be willing to pay the fee for them.

I am trying to incorporate some of this philosophy/stragegy into my retirement, although I am not considering annuities.

Rather than following the 4% rule I plan to spend more now while I can enjoy it, and spend less later. Most studies show that people simply spend less later for a variety of reasons.

Anyone else here in retirement or close to it, who is emplying this approach?

I hope this is OK to post here.

Schwab has been suggesting to me that I invest in munis as part of my portfolio but I am not sure it is compelling. I live in a tax free state. My federal rate is 24% -32% depending on the year.

Right now an intermediate muni fund might add <10 bps. However it seems like it might not be worth the risk and complexity. Also tax-free and taxable rates change and the delta can go negative (and has done so in the past) such that there is no advantage.

I would not allocate my full bond portion to munis so it would be a segment of the entire bond positon which is about 30% of the total portfolio. It just feels like more trouble than its worth. If I live in NY or CA it would be a different story.

Am I missing something?

Has anyone used these funds to create a muni bond ladder ? It seems like an interesting solution to the problem of investing in munis for specific dates without having to trade them individually

Has anyone here used WS for munis? I am wondering if they really add value. I want to do more with munis but munis are very complex and I know enough to know I don't know enough to put serious money into munis directly on my own.

Recently had a lovely cruise with Explora (Miami to Barcelona) in an Grand Ocean Terrace cabin., so much so that I booked another. This cabin category provided a separate check in (which was not really needed as it was not busy) but also free pressing on day1 and 1 bag of laundry, which was amazing!

Well a recent Explora email shows that effective June, these pressing and laundry inclusions are not provided for this cabin category. Bad move.

I am 65 and retired. I was a passive investor for decades. Originally at Vanguard then went to Weathfront, and then to active management for the past few years--don't ask me why!
I am working on getting back to basics but I don't even want to pay WF or Vanguard or Schwab for robo portfolio as I don't see much value add.

This portfolio is for growth. Please rip it apart.

IRAs 20% of the total

DBMF 10% managed futures

GLDM 5%

AVUV 5% small cap value

TAXABLE is 80% of the total

VTI 40%

VXUS 30%

VIG 10% for qualified dividends

I have done a bunch of research, going though the questionnaires of various robo portfolio solutions and this set up is similar.

I have a treasury ladder which funds my core living expenses (in addition to Social Security) which is separate so I don't need/want cash in this portfolio.

Is there any way your tell by looking at your portfolio holdings, if there is an open sell order against it? Seems like a really useful feature rather than having to go to Trades tab.