Port Power

Azamara is hardly down market nor mass market. Their “white night” is a hallmark. It is great fun, held on the pool deck, and officers man the food tables. Silversea also holds a deck party where officers man the food tables: it’s just called something else.

On various SS cruises, I have seen accessible tours. Small vans that are wheelchair accessible or good for those with limited mobility. However, they don’t show up on the shore excursions list. I became friendly with a couple on board who frequently used these tours. Always “included”. Some of the regular tours were also all right if not in a wheelchair. For example, at the end location, she could just enjoy the view or wander a bit while the rest of us did the walk, while also enjoying the scenery along the route. I do not know if the SS call centre has further information or knowledge, but definitely on board. There is a wheelchair bound CC member who did a trip report on Mardi Gras this year, possibly in March. Perhaps look up her thread and ask her experience?

As this is the Silversea thread, you are more likely to find answers over on the MSC thread.

A different brand but the same butterfly pea flower for flavour and colour. Delicious! I seem to remember we had discussions on this subject a couple of years ago. It ended happily for me when @highplanesdrifters pick up an extra bottle of Turtle Gin in Fiji to pass along when we were on Silver Explorer. 😄

I drink “Ink” gin with tonic water. I must dig it out from the cupboard as I’ve had it awhile and don’t want that beautiful colour to fade.

Oh, but I do love marron! They are grown locally here in the West and are quite delicious. But I agree, the reference was most likely to have meant the candied chestnuts version.

I’d better get his name! 😆

I was simply stating that it was via my TA’s website that I found the 2026 cruises when others had stated they could not find those dates on the SS website. I am quite aware of a TA’s scope. I also know very well that Azamara is different to Silversea. I have as many days on Azamara as Silversea (150+) and really enjoy the Azamara experience. It is precisely because of the price hikes by SS that I am comparing prices! (Allowing for upgraded beverages and shore excursions, very favourable for a solo traveller.)

Room service can be ordered through your butler or directly via the room service button on your phone. Butlers always deliver room service. The kitchen will notify them for delivery. When outside your regular butler’s hours, there are “night” or roaming butlers who will deliver. The menus are on the TV. My butler would sometimes ring me when he was at the kitchen to check if, for instance, I wanted fruit juice as I usually ordered it. Yes, meals can be delivered anywhere. I have seen people eating in the Panorama Lounge and poolside. I have ordered room service dinner to my cabin, but cannot answer your question about delivering elsewhere during evening meal times.

The point was the 25% solo supplement. I was comparing prices between Silversea and Azamara using my cruise specialist premium TA’s website. My apologies, it wasn’t the Med, it was Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, to Japan). Both March and October were the same price on SS. Maybe my TA is given early access.

Absolutely! This is marketing to trap the unwary. Book them individually. Once on the ship, there are usually deals anyway. Deals like buy two and 50% off the third, or buy three and fourth one free.

I was on Silver Dawn transatlantic last November/December. I never book The Grill prior to a cruise because you just don’t know what is going to happen. It might be fully booked, but rain puts some people off and the tables end up half empty on the night. I ate out there a few times, sometimes wearing my puffer jacket. I don’t remember any particular weather events though. Really, any day should be okay. It is usually warmer as the ship heads south, obviously. I would just wing it!

You just need to book “last minute” or well in advance. As I mentioned earlier, I booked the 2027 world cruise with only a 25% solo supplement. I also this afternoon started a dummy booking on Silver Whisperer in the Mediterranean in October 2026 as a comparison, and that was also only 25%. It seems timing is everything! carolpart59 at gmail dot com

I have had spa services such as facials and massages, and there were no extra taxes OR “service fees” (tips). What was advertised is what I was charged.

I don’t think it is possible now, but my email address is in my signature. I’d be very happy to hear from you. Note you don’t write the usual way in order not to receive spam as @Host Jazzbeau noted. carolpart59 at gmail dot com

This is exactly the same as I experienced the Christmas and NYE just gone, but I didn’t make it sound nearly as exciting as you have!

On a different SS ship last Christmas/New Year, the ship was decorated throughout. There was a fairly typical Christmas dinner that night (not lunchtime). So not any Christmas festivities as such. NYE there was a party on the pool deck until after midnight, with everyone rugged up! It was a fun night. Some ships might bring it inside.

Do you get to give yourself a flag for posting a trip report? 😉

It seems all those who went on Silver Cloud did thoroughly enjoy their experiences. No mention of going out in zodiacs, so possibly they rarely left the ship. Certainly the "small ship cruises" were a hit! At least the ship fills up, which is good for business, and the real expedition passengers still enjoy their expeditions.

Have you never been invited to dine at the Captain’s or another officer’s table during a cruise? It is usually the first formal night where senior staff are introduced in the Venetian Lounge.

You could read through the many, many, many threads about dress code on Silversea, and even on Nova in particular. Your idea of casual could be different to mine or others. Or eat at The Grill every night.

I’ve been reading some posts on the CC Australian Cruisers thread. It appears there are many Australian cruisers, mainly older folk who are used to sailing on Princess, who think of Darwin to Broome as “small ship cruising”. And very expensive, so are splurging! “Small ship cruises” was mentioned repeatedly, but never once “expedition cruising”. I agree, they seem to have no concept of expedition cruising!

I loathe Redy2Go! Unreliable, especially at night. My son and I stayed at the Amora Jamison Street pre cruise. Loved it! Walked to the ship the next morning, dropped bags early and spent the day exploring. Just use Uber. Almost as cheap for two people anyway.

The OP is disembarking the ship and wanting to change their flight until the next day. Not boarding a ship. Hence staying at a hotel in the CBD area after the ship and heading out to the airport the next morning.

If you walk out of the tender dock and head around to your left and the green house across the road (ask the volunteer guide to point it out), the sculpture walk is very interesting. There are several paths to meander, some interesting historic points of interest, and some great metal sculptures. Well worth doing, and a very enjoyable walk.