labrasett

On 5/18/2024 at 9:26 PM, eleang said:

Hello! We will be sailing in a week to Galapagos with Silverseas and as it is time to pack, I was wondering what the actual dress code is for dinner, do gentlemen wear jackets or just dress pants and collared shirts, are there formal, semi formal and casual nights as in regular cruises. We cruised Galapagos many many years ago in the Celebrity Xpedition and I remember it was on the casual side even though dinners were more formal.

The dress code is casual but no jeans or flip flops after 6.00.   Just a bit smarter than during the day but no ties and no need for cocktail dresses although some ladies do enjoy dressing up a bit. Just relax and enjoy your trip.

So who has been made redundant in SSC?   From the internet it looks like it has been mainly the people who co-ordinated business with "trade" customers rather than the person to person SSC agent in the various offices around the world.  Does anyone actually know?

9 hours ago, DavyWavey70 said:

That’s unbelievable. Over here (UK) if you made a person redundant and employed another in the same or similar role you’d be fined out of business. 

Well not really actually, first of all the penalties are not really that great and second the businesses find ways around the regulations even though that shouldnt be possible.   Think back to the Covid excuses.   British Airways changed terms and conditions for all their staff, dismissed and re-engaged and changed operating processes and practices to substantiate changes in roles.   In reality they succeeded in dispensing with the services of most of their senior (well paid and highly experienced) cabin (and I believe ground) staff and replaced them with new staff.  Virgin Atlantic did the same and they are facing a group tribunal claim this week that the covid related reorganisation was just and excuse to get rid of the older (better paid) staff in favour of younger and new employees on lower salaries.

On 5/4/2024 at 2:51 AM, phillipahain said:

Just do not understand why Silversea employ Guitar players who simply cannot sing let alone sing in tune especially on Endeavour 

 

The Pianist was wonderful  but last evening on Endeavour when you want to have a quiet drink in Observation it was spoilt by the awful playing and what purported to be completely out of tune so called uninteligble singing ....it had already driven us from cancelling bookings in the grill ..Has totally put us off ever thinking of SS 

But wasnt that just one night, unfortunate I will give you but only one night.

Wonderful narratives from TLCOhio, thank you.  So wonderful to see how you embraced India and the issues prior to boarding.   Have a wonderful trip and please keep posting.

On 2/15/2024 at 11:42 AM, Silver Spectre said:

Interesting to get a different perspective from new SS cruisers. Mine is based on 20 years  with SS and a number of cruises since lockdown and the RCL takeover. I also have friends on the Whisper at the moment who experiencing similar issues.

I am sorry to hear that I also have friends (two lots) on the Whisper and they are having a wonderful time.

On 2/16/2024 at 3:36 PM, daddyo said:

Back home now.  Had a great trip. We had dinner with the Captain very early in the cruise.  He was cordial and certainly competent.  My comment about the cow, meant that he knew, I knew, he knew they were going to cancel upcoming coming voyages but obviously could not tell me.  Hence, the statement.  I apologize if  that blew anyone's "skirt up".

Yes it did blow my skirt up a bit, sorry I failed to read between the lines.   But, of course, we all knew that the future itineraries would be foreshortened, there was really no point in asking.   World cruising is in such turmoil, I have sympathy with the people who are doing the forward planning, no sooner does one area of the world settle (a bit) then another blows up.   Its all a bit of a lottery at the moment.

13 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

P.S. a lot of upset and unhappy guests on both SS and SB boards and social media groups due to cancelled ports and other changes. lay don’t think that Oceania is worse than other lines when it comes to port cancellations. But I guess perception is everything.

I have to say I get particularly cross about complaints about missed ports.   The reasons are almost always pretty obvious at the time and are way outside the control of Silversea.   Changes to itineraries are generally brought about because of changes in berthing and on shore arrangements which again are things that Silversea cant control.   It is disappointing but the crew on SSC seem to do their utmost to make the best of what they have got.   We were on Whisper the cruise before Host Jazzbeau and I would tend to agree with his comments although we didnt go to trivia or bingo!   I did enjoy Dover Sole and two styles of lobster in the MDR but mostly I dont enjoy the style of cooking at dinner on SSC generally but I am perfectly happy to pick and choose and eat only those items from the menu which I fancy.  I thoroughly enjoy the lunch buffets and always find something delicious and breakfast is perfect for me as I only wish for fresh fruit and yoghourt.   I am very fortunate to come home only slightly heavier than I go away due to being so picky but I fear the weight I do gain is more related to wines and champagne than food.   Onwards and upwards, it will be the Endeavour for us next.

20 hours ago, daddyo said:

We’re on the Whisper now.  I asked the Captain last week if they were going to make the dry dock. He looked at me like a cow looking at a passing train. I can sympathize with those that have been cancelled and believe that the decision could have been made much earlier. But, talking to the crew; most will disembark in Singapore with no further wages when they were going to be on until Athens. Those that remain on board will be on reduced wages as there are no passengers on board. They will suffer to a much larger degree than Silversea passengers.

I absolutely cannot reconcile "the Captain looked at me like a cow looking at a passing train".  The current captain on the Whisper is the epitome of a gentleman and he is charming.   I am glad you have noted that the crew will suffer much more than passengers.   There is so much "me" amongst disappointed passengers at the moment.   Stuff happens and SSC are having to make the best of a bad job.

25 minutes ago, Pumblechook said:

 

If I may.  I used Ponant in the Kimberlys Australia (Le Laperouse) last year, and SS (S Wind) here and now.   Both have pros and cons.  So far, Ponant had better expedition team but of course there you get calm, warm water and here its often blowing hard and there is Bird Flu affecting landings.  But the SS team seems to have a number of first timers to the area and detailed knowledge is often lacking. We don't get an evening recap of what we saw during the day, only a very general forecast of the locations for the next day, which I think is a major deficiency. I have given feedback about that.

 

Food and bev better here on the Wind (especially the wines), although again, I feel that many of the wait staff are pretty new so lack some experience.

 

Our Captain is very passenger-experience-friendly, deviating for us to see big icebergs, so far, and there have been announcements about wildlife while sailing.  The captain on Le LaPerouse last year was NOT passenger friendly and we never heard about passing wildlife.

 

So far I'm calling it a draw, but again noting different cruises and different conditions.

I absolutely hate comments which compare like for like in the same place at much the same time.  Who can whether Ponant have a better expedition team it is in the perception of the passengers at the time with no like for like comparison (who wouldnt be possible).  Just get on with your cruise and enjoy what YOU.  This is very personal what is great for one person is less so for another.

On 12/21/2023 at 5:48 PM, Jaco2 said:

Cruising from Aqaba to Dubai Almost Two weeks before departure and no world from SS …. First and last time with SS. They should stop this game and issue a full refund! 

Sorry Jaco2 but if you didnt ask to cancel and have a refund then you have a cruise coming up for which you have paid and which, apparently Silversea is going to provide.  This isnt a game or maybe you have been playing it as a game, who knows?

22 hours ago, Carolfay said:

Yes, but I think you've identified one of the reasons this topic is so problematic for many women.

Nonsense no problem I dont have a LBD but I do have a couple of very pretty floaty tops which constitute "formal" wear worn over black trousers, little opportunity to wear this type of clothing elsewhere but just occasionally it is lovely to "dress up" so even if it usually only cruises then I will continue to do so.

On 11/26/2023 at 7:16 AM, wren2 said:

I recently spent 27 days on the Spirit and enjoyed the cruise despite various ports being changed. The substitution of Qatar for Kanbu, Saudi Arabia the day I was flying was a bit disappointing, as I would call it a one camel town!

 

I carefully checked with the Shore Concierge about assistance with the baggage at Dubai airport. I was assured there would be help. There was not. I had just celebrated my 80 th birthday on board, so was reliant on help. I had to grab a trolley and a kindly fellow passenger helped to put the suitcase on the trolley. I had the same situation debarking from the Moon in September in Lisbon. Have I been unlucky or is this another Silversea cutback?

On the subject it of cutbacks, my travel agent has just told me that Silversea no longer pay him commission on the flight segment of the cruise. I always take the Silversea flights and pay to upgrade. Has anyone had similar comments from their TAs?

I am not sure what assistance you thought you should get.   Silversea personnel would not be able to offer "porterage" assistance at most airport in the world.   This would not be a cut back it would be a matter of local regulation.   I would imagine the best they can do is to help guests getting off a bus and collecting their bags to find trolleys and then to send them on their way to find a local porter if they can.   As for not paying commission on flight segments I imagining the airlines are cutting back on fare "deals" meaning there is no "spare" to offer a cut to independent TAs.   Flight prices are going through the roof and it does seem as if Silversea are finding it increasingly difficult to secure blocks of tickets, particularly business class, at discounted prices.   I despair at people so regularly talking about cut backs and how it used to be better in the past, everything, but everything is going up in cost nearly every week, cruises are often booked and prices fixed way in advance and recent inflation rates are having to be absorbed by cruise companies where they and clients have committed a price which may have been set two or even nearly three years in advance of actual travel.

Very sad post, how anyone could not be blown away by Galapagos I cannot imagine.   Personally I wasnt keen on the food as we are not great fish lovers but we never went hungry.  We thought the ship was amazing and the crew delightful.  The expedition team were amazing providing really informative lectures without being long winded or indeed too lengthy.   It would have been disappointing not to go ashore in some places but most of what you see can be seen from the ship or the zodiacs.  The avian flu epidemic is a tragedy which as "adventure" travellers we all accept may affect our trips and future plans.   As for ship motion, well its a relatively small ship so it is to be expected.   "Boring" personally I am never bored and even though I found the snorkelling a little challenging I participated in all the zodiac trips out and mainly stayed on the zodiac shadowing the snorkellers.   I had a fabulous trip and I am sorry if other peoples expectations are not being met, horses for courses.    

21 hours ago, canderson said:

Yes, but how many are actually unsold?  SS doesn't show available inventory the way the other RCG systems do. 

You can find out by putting in a "phantom booking" which will show up available cabins in each category.   But, why bother, either you are going to book and pay or you arent.  Pricing on most travel offerings is dynamic and whilst it varies it mostly goes up over time.  I believe you can negotiate some discounts via travel agents but personally I dont, I just book if I think I can afford it in the time span for payment, not forgetting the potential add on of airfare as we usually do our own flights.

On 11/16/2023 at 8:13 PM, whirldcruzrs said:

Friends of ours are finishing their cruise in Antarctica now and there is no fly down there. It should remain clean given all the bio safety precautions which the Falkland and South Georgia do not have. 

What a very ill informed comment.   There are and always have been fairly extensive bio security measures around Falklands and South Georgia for cruise passengers and the simple fact is that Avian flu has reached the area (and Antarctica) having been brought to these remote places by migrating birds  which makes it very difficult to exclude the carriage and transmission of this devastating disease.

On 11/11/2023 at 11:12 PM, gnome12 said:

I did the penguin parade many years ago. It was definitely a highlight of my trip to Australia. 

Sadly the visits to Philip Island seem to have been cancelled for the whole of this next season.   I was watching a programme on TV last night and they showed the evening "show" which is put on for visitors, everyone sitting on the slope above the beach with some soft lighting picking out the penguins on the beach below.   If you havent seen penguins "in the wild" then it would be lovely to see but I am not so sure that Silversea guests, particularly those who have seen penguins elsewhere, would be very impressed with the arrangement.   There is also now the risk to the penguins created by avian flu so it is probably best if visits to Philip Island are tailed off or perhaps stopped for the forseeable future.   Disappointing?   Yes a bit but personally I am looking forward to seeing the other wonderful creates Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand have to offer.   

She will have a wonderful time.

I never cease to be amazed by people.   For those who care I am told that last night was a "F" night and the maitre d' handed out ties and jackets!  Long may that continue, this isnt necessarily about a tux but it is about good manners and respect for others.

Sorry but I think this is all ridiculous. People who can afford to travel on Silversea are almost by definition comfortable off financially and with that status goes a certain level of sophistication which would suggest sufficient nous that if travelling on a luxury cruise there will be a dress code and it will be printed somewhere so for goodness sake pack a variety of clothes and make of it what you will at the time.   Its not rocket science folks, you have choices, make them and make a bit of an effort to conform for the sake of your fellow guests if not as a matter of just plain good manners.

10 minutes ago, Damaris1900 said:

Very interesting, thank you for posting this.

 

We booked a cruise on Whisper for 2025 and were happy to hear that she's going into dry dock next year.  How likely is that to still happen if SS management thinks that new environmental standards are going to render the Whisper obsolete soon?  Any indications one way or the other?

Re read what has been said, the Whisper (and others) will probably stay in service until 2030 or 2032.  The Whisper has no scheduled cruises during April next year.   Current passengers say she is still lovely, shabby chic is perhaps a good description.   I am looking forward to sailing on her very soon.

On 10/23/2023 at 6:21 PM, MBP&O2/O said:

I tried three different Operating Systems on three different machines and couldn't get in😤

PC with Win 11 / Chrome.

Ipad with IOS

Samsung Tablet using Android / Chrome

 

I contacted my PCC at SS in London and was told that any problems I had were nothing to do with them (SS) as I had booked my cruise through a TA, and I was to go to the TA and let them sort it out.

 

The TA was as impressed as I was .....😏

But your glass is so often half empty MBP&amp

12 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

You took a pic of me in the pool?  Creepy! 😳

 

I like this shot better in the middle of Silver Queen and Silver Princess.

 

Agree with JP, Ryan.  Just having a little fun tonight. 

Love the bobble hat in the pool!!!

22 hours ago, RyanJCanada said:

Thanks, @drron29! Appreciate you weighing in while you're on a cruise of your own... the pictures are great, and are making us wish we'd already confirmed. Hoping we can get that done today.

 

We'll be going to Galapagos this summer, so I'm hopeful that our kids will be able to see some young penguins then. I think they'd find it a bit distressing to watch the young getting snatched up by Skuas, so I'm not too disappointed that we'd be missing that.

 

Interesting to hear that it may well be volcanoes increasing the loss of sea ice in the west - if so, then it would seem likely that we'd have good access to the peninsula early in the season.

 

Seems unlikely that we'd be able to get to visit Mawson's huts, but we're excited by the prospect of visiting Elephant Island. Just finished "Endurance" by Alfred Lansing, and we're eager to retrace the footsteps of the Shackleton expedition. Such an incredible story.

 

Anyway, it's always tough to make these decisions but it helps to be informed, first, and I definitely feel like we're getting the full range of opinions here.

 

(Also, I'm glad of the excuse to go back and re-read yours and others' trip reports.)

I hope you know you wont "visit" Elephant Island, it is extremely rare for a landing on the island but you should be able to do a zodiac tour very close to the shore which gives you a really good idea of what it must have been like to be stuck on there.   As for skuas taking baby penguins, this is not too much of an issue, the skuas hang around the edge of the colony and only usually get a chance to snatch an occasional poorly chick, there are lots of chicks which hatch but dont actually live and the skuas gorge on easy meals when they can.   There are so many penguins in the rookeries that an occasional raid by a skua is easily missed even by the keenest young eyes!   Just book it and go your young folk will remember it forever (and so will you).

40 minutes ago, RyanJCanada said:

Good to know... the itinerary does call for us to be there for 3 days, so I don't mind an impromptu at-sea day so long as we do get to land at some point or another.

 

Heard fantastic things about both Falklands and South Georgia, which is why they're must-haves for this itinerary.

I have been three times with Silversea and always got into Stanley plus several landings on other islands.  It is an absolutely magical place, very unusual lifestyle, delightful people, amazing wildlife but very desolate.  If you love wild places and birds and animals it will be perfect.