Some two cents Muse impressions

Thanks to all who posted kind words re my impressions.

A few have asked about "nightlife" aboard. Of course, the level of "action" aboard a ship seems to me to depend more on the particular itinerary and age demographic than the ship or line itself. I've been on Silversea extended, "transition" voyages where the scene at "The Bar" was always three deep pre dinner, and others (Norwegian Fjords) where it seemed all aboard were teetotalers. ;).

This latest voyage was very port intensive, with only one Day at Sea in thirteen. Age of passengers seemed fairly evenly distributed - a third under fifty, a third fifty to seventy, a third seventy and above. The official "bar," Dolce Vita, was, as I originally stated, largely empty both pre and post dinner, despite offering a tag team of pianist and guitarist playing "popular hits." Don't even recall there being a sit down with stools in the cavernous room which takes up the middle third of deck 5, an area as large as the pool one.

Panorama Lounge had a fair amount of people for pre dinner drinks and canapes, but has never been much of "sit at the bar" room. The usual type Trio plays standards until about 10 PM (skipping dinner hours) when a DJ takes over. Never witnessed his set, but heard from some youngsters that they were lively and rather well attended.

The Venetian Lounge shows were always full, if not to capacity.

Peculiarly, the liveliest "Bar Scene," as guests on earlier sailings have mentioned, was at Atlantide. It's a lovely bar, separated by a wall from the restaurant itself but sharing an entrance. Not sure if it was so consistently populated with people awaiting a seat in the adjoining room or those who planned to dine elsewhere but just enjoyed its convivial atmosphere.

Another nice venue for later in the evening was Silver Note. From 7 to 10 it's a "small plate" restaurant, but after dinner becomes a "club." Music throughout the night was provided by a surprisingly good jazz vocalist and accompanying pianist from South Africa. Spoke to the singer, Helen, a number of times, but failed to inquire how long a contract they had on the Muse. The small bar in the room seats five or six, and those seats were always occupied. After dinner hour, music lovers can make use of the tables.

The casino, as seems more and more common these days, was dead. I don't know how those Russians stay in business...;p

Hope this helps, happy to try and answer any other queries.

We are looking at booking a cruise in 2019 so hopefully this is all sorted by then :rolleyes:

 

Stumblefoot - I will be very interested in your review of the Muse :D

Wanted you to be aware we're looking at a 2019 voyage as well... Sydney to Auckland in early January on the Muse. I'd prefer to wait and book while on board to secure the additional 5% discount, but the per diem is presently 8% less than our Muse voyage this fall and 22% less than our Muse voyage next summer. So, I'm really tempted to pull the trigger sooner rather than later.

Thanks to all who posted kind words re my impressions.

 

A few have asked about "nightlife" aboard. Of course, the level of "action" aboard a ship seems to me to depend more on the particular itinerary and age demographic than the ship or line itself. I've been on Silversea extended, "transition" voyages where the scene at "The Bar" was always three deep pre dinner, and others (Norwegian Fjords) where it seemed all aboard were teetotalers. ;).

 

This latest voyage was very port intensive, with only one Day at Sea in thirteen. Age of passengers seemed fairly evenly distributed - a third under fifty, a third fifty to seventy, a third seventy and above. The official "bar," Dolce Vita, was, as I originally stated, largely empty both pre and post dinner, despite offering a tag team of pianist and guitarist playing "popular hits." Don't even recall there being a sit down with stools in the cavernous room which takes up the middle third of deck 5, an area as large as the pool one.

 

Panorama Lounge had a fair amount of people for pre dinner drinks and canapes, but has never been much of "sit at the bar" room. The usual type Trio plays standards until about 10 PM (skipping dinner hours) when a DJ takes over. Never witnessed his set, but heard from some youngsters that they were lively and rather well attended.

 

The Venetian Lounge shows were always full, if not to capacity.

 

Peculiarly, the liveliest "Bar Scene," as guests on earlier sailings have mentioned, was at Atlantide. It's a lovely bar, separated by a wall from the restaurant itself but sharing an entrance. Not sure if it was so consistently populated with people awaiting a seat in the adjoining room or those who planned to dine elsewhere but just enjoyed its convivial atmosphere.

 

Another nice venue for later in the evening was Silver Note. From 7 to 10 it's a "small plate" restaurant, but after dinner becomes a "club." Music throughout the night was provided by a surprisingly good jazz vocalist and accompanying pianist from South Africa. Spoke to the singer, Helen, a number of times, but failed to inquire how long a contract they had on the Muse. The small bar in the room seats five or six, and those seats were always occupied. After dinner hour, music lovers can make use of the tables.

 

The casino, as seems more and more common these days, was dead. I don't know how those Russians stay in business...;p

 

Hope this helps, happy to try and answer any other queries.

It does indeed help, from what feedback there is it seems like Atlantide is evolving into the MDR and "the Bar" on board. Thank you very much for your reply, it's going to be an interesting time especially doing B2Bs and watching how two sets of passengers use the ship.

MM

You can count on me! Like you, we're hoping the dining situation improves before we board in late October.

 

Wanted you to be aware we're looking at a 2019 voyage as well... Sydney to Auckland in early January on the Muse. I'd prefer to wait and book while on board to secure the additional 5% discount, but the per diem is presently 8% less than our Muse voyage this fall and 22% less than our Muse voyage next summer. So, I'm really tempted to pull the trigger sooner rather than later.

We have just booked the Feb 2nd Sydney to Auckland segment in 2019.January is Australian and NZ summer holidays so things are likely to be very busy and more expensive.We do intend to stay on in NZ post cruise.weather still good then plus Feb is traditionally a slow month.

We have just booked the Feb 2nd Sydney to Auckland segment in 2019.January is Australian and NZ summer holidays so things are likely to be very busy and more expensive. We do intend to stay on in NZ post cruise.weather still good then plus Feb is traditionally a slow month.

With Taylor heading to college this fall, we've learned that she has about 5-weeks off between semesters starting Christmas week. So, we're going to take full advantage of a travel period that we've never been able to do before. She'll be a sophomore at that time and we thought it would be a good introduction of Australia/New Zealand for her as she contemplates a study abroad program in her junior year. I don't know how many more family trips she'll want to take with dear ol' Mom & Dad, so want to take advantage of many of them as I can before she flies the nest for good one day.

You'd be proud of her Ron, she wants to be a doctor too... an orthodontic doctor of dentistry! So, just a mere 10 more years of school starting this fall.

Stumblefoot - I have sent you an email. :)

Thanks to all who posted kind words re my impressions.

 

A few have asked about "nightlife" aboard. Of course, the level of "action" aboard a ship seems to me to depend more on the particular itinerary and age demographic than the ship or line itself. I've been on Silversea extended, "transition" voyages where the scene at "The Bar" was always three deep pre dinner, and others (Norwegian Fjords) where it seemed all aboard were teetotalers. ;).

 

This latest voyage was very port intensive, with only one Day at Sea in thirteen. Age of passengers seemed fairly evenly distributed - a third under fifty, a third fifty to seventy, a third seventy and above. The official "bar," Dolce Vita, was, as I originally stated, largely empty both pre and post dinner, despite offering a tag team of pianist and guitarist playing "popular hits." Don't even recall there being a sit down with stools in the cavernous room which takes up the middle third of deck 5, an area as large as the pool one.

 

Panorama Lounge had a fair amount of people for pre dinner drinks and canapes, but has never been much of "sit at the bar" room. The usual type Trio plays standards until about 10 PM (skipping dinner hours) when a DJ takes over. Never witnessed his set, but heard from some youngsters that they were lively and rather well attended.

 

The Venetian Lounge shows were always full, if not to capacity.

 

Peculiarly, the liveliest "Bar Scene," as guests on earlier sailings have mentioned, was at Atlantide. It's a lovely bar, separated by a wall from the restaurant itself but sharing an entrance. Not sure if it was so consistently populated with people awaiting a seat in the adjoining room or those who planned to dine elsewhere but just enjoyed its convivial atmosphere.

 

Another nice venue for later in the evening was Silver Note. From 7 to 10 it's a "small plate" restaurant, but after dinner becomes a "club." Music throughout the night was provided by a surprisingly good jazz vocalist and accompanying pianist from South Africa. Spoke to the singer, Helen, a number of times, but failed to inquire how long a contract they had on the Muse. The small bar in the room seats five or six, and those seats were always occupied. After dinner hour, music lovers can make use of the tables.

 

The casino, as seems more and more common these days, was dead. I don't know how those Russians stay in business...;p

 

Hope this helps, happy to try and answer any other queries.

Thanks for all the useful information. As an occasional Blackjack player, I was disappointed to learn about the lack of activity in the casino. Also, can you expand on your remark about "how those Russians stay in business?"

How did you select those hours? Why would it have to be 5:30? Are the Muse restaurants currently open at 6 or 6:30? I had assumed they opened as on other SS ships at 7 pm. Perhaps I was mistaken.

Assuming one takes 90 minutes to two hours to dine they would need to allow that much time before or after their current hours in ardor to accommodate the extra seatings.

Thanks for an excellent and very helpful review. I have been considering a couple of cruises on Muse next year but think I'll take a second look at the Seabourn alternatives for now until the dining is sorted out. The spontaneity of the MDR on the older SS ships is a big plus and I think I would miss that.