Port Power

Only you know if you particularly feel the cold. I did have one pair of fleece lined pants, but never wore them. Track pants were so much easier for the same result. Around the ship you don’t need thermals. Jeans or slacks are fine, even thick-fabric pants, with lightweight long sleeved tops. You can always add on a gilet, pullover or cardigan, etc, or a cami or t-shirt underneath. Even a normal button through shirt and a jacket.

Yes, that is how we do it. However, SS also periodically emails out a list of cruises where there are 0%, 25% and 50% solo supplements.

No, I did Silver Wind Alaska, Falklands and South Georgia in December/ January. IMHO, I don’t think it’s worth going down there if you don’t include South Georgia. @highplanesdrifters did the Cape to Cape.

My TA also emails and posts me the boarding pass. I always take the printed page with me, just in case. Unlike @jollyjones, I have actually been asked to show it. Only once though. And yes, the porters do label your luggage when you arrive to board the ship.

I’ve never seen or received that health questionnaire. At a certain number of days prior to departure, your documents will be available under the “documents” tab. As I am many months away, that tab doesn’t currently even open. Your TA should be calling Silversea and finding out about all this so she can advise you. And learn for future clients and bookings.

So you will get out of the taxi, drop your luggage, do the usual formalities and board the ship. Done!

I’ve cruised from Southampton a few times. Very easy. As you do not state, nor note in you avatar, where you are from, or if you are flying or driving to the port, it is difficult to know what advice to give.

The Silversea parka is double layered. The internal layer is like a puffer jacket, the external is the waterproof and windproof layer. For Antarctica, I think it best to leave the two layers zipped together ready for each day's outings. Along with many other passengers, I took a separate light weight puffer jacket or ski jacket to grab for going out on deck at a moment's notice.

On one of my cruises, a found out that a new butler did not tell her guests anything about what a butler could offer. She even actively discouraged room service! That butler left the ship at turn around. Let the butler know what you would like in your bar set up: a bottle of gin and one of vodka, for instance. Also what soft drinks (sodas) or mixers you would like in the fridge. There were no jars of cashews or nibbles in my suite, so I asked for them. The jar was topped up regularly thereafter. If you leave out spectacles you might find them polished and a polishing cloth left for you. Charging cords might be corralled with a Velcro tie. Butlers serve room service meals as well as bring coffee or drinks to your suite. There are relief butlers who do that during your butler's time off. Butlers deliver your laundry. They will draw a bubble bath if you so request. They will book restaurants. They will bring afternoon canapes every day if you ask, or not if you let them know you don't want regular nibbles.

As someone from a warm climate, I feel your angst! I was on Silver Wind in December, but we encountered the Drake Lake. I don't get sea sick anyway. Beanie is definitely necessary. Ones with ear covers can be useful at times. A gaitor is extremely useful. If using ski pants, make sure they are totally waterproof. I wore thermal leggings under track pants (fleece pants) and then my waterproofs over that. Just rainbird pants. I also wore a long sleeved thermal under a thin merino wool jumper (pullover). Then the Silversea parka. You might prefer the thermal layer and a fleece pullover. One pair of thick socks were fine under the boots, but some people liked a thin pair of socks under the thick ones. I also took a cheap pair of non-brand "Crocs" for the mudroom. So easy to slip into. I had cashmere gloves that I wore under leather gloves and never felt cold at all. Many wore ski gloves. They didn't have to be waterproof as you could put your hands in your pockets. On the ship, long sleeve shirts over a cami/singlet did the job. I always carried my puffer jacket in case we headed outside to view whales or icebergs.

Documents are available online in “My Silversea”. You only need to print out one page, which is the boarding ticket. I don’t think there is a cruise line anywhere today that actually mails out documents to passengers, although my travel agent does. They print whatever Silversea or any other cruise line sends them and will snail mail that paperwork to me.

The Water Cooler thread is for any and all chit chat. It is a non specific thread. The relevance to Silversea is that most everyone here is a regular current or past Silversea cruiser, or even a future Silversea passenger. Every now and then the subject of cruising does come up as one of us posts an interesting photo taken during their cruise, or mentions they have booked a SS cruise.

Welcome to Cruise Critic. I hope you will post about some fantastic experiences, tours or services during your cruise.

We can agree to disagree. However, there is also Australia’s damper. Very similar to your “biscuit” in that it’s made with flour and water and cooked in a camp oven or on the hot coals. A fluffy bread-like item that is also used to soak up the gravy.

We call them scones. They are particularly liked with jam and cream on top rather than used for dipping into gravy. Baking of scones and how well/high they rise is a hotly contested event at annual agricultural shows in each state. Ladies from the CWA (Country Women’s Association) hotly contest the “best scone” title!

Even if Bulgaria is being discontinued, existing stock needs to be used up. I didn’t particularly like the Otium products when on board Silver Wind this year, but I did prefer the larger bottles over those small ones.

If the flight fare is attractive, just request flights to depart a few days early. And reject an itinerary with close connections. Better, mention that from the start.

I can see that 8042 is a premium suite, midships. Are you concerned about the unknown area next door? Noise, etc? I’m pretty sure that is where stairs for crew use rise up through the ship to the bridge, but not what else exactly.

This should be put on your roll call for your specific sailing. That’s where you will find fellow cruisers.

You are not alone with planning ahead for formal nights. Many regular Silversea cruisers do the same. Unfortunately it has been posted periodically that the posted formal nights have changed once aboard a ship. Ship happens! You have had such a positive outlook, I am disappointed for you.

Those prices are truly ridiculous! You don’t think they might be a misprint? (BTW, I think you mean the solo supplement is 234%.) Coincidentally, yesterday I decided to check the current price of a 2026 Silver Ray transatlantic cruise I booked back in the beginning of December last year. The solo supplement was only 125% at the time. Today the cruise price has doubled, with the solo P2P fare only a few hundred dollars less than twin occupancy. If Silversea is really going to charge solo cruises 200% or even more, there is a huge market they will be losing!

I’m on Silver Ray in March 2026, following practically the same original itinerary. I wouldn’t mind receiving such a “Dear esteemed guest” email!

Other lines list the ports and show an anchor where tendering is performed. Definitely a miss by Silversea. You could check port details through the local port authority websites, port by port. Pretty cumbersome and unrealistic though.

The Silversea desk is there for all Silversea guests, to answer questions and provide information.

I agree it is quite easy from where the car will drop you at the underground car park. Well, off street, down the driveway. Where will you be staying in Vancouver? You could visit the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel the day before boarding and obtain luggage tags from the Silversea desk at that hotel.