texanaust

13 hours ago, Sunprince said:

It looks like the Spirit is in Greece. Is this a 7 day itinerary? What is the passenger mix? Is it the typical SS clientele, or is it family or large groups responsible for the bad behaviour?

This cruise has had some real 'characters' such as the Brazilian couple that would finish their workout by swimming in the pool in their underwear.  And yes it was underwear because they came out later to the four reserved lounge chairs (two in the shade and two in the sun) in appropriate attire.  

Then there was the lady who shouted at people chatting to be quiet on the pool deck.  That riled up a few passengers who told her she was being stupid and should retire to her stateroom.

And this discussion would not be complete without the America woman (La la land) and her two adult children who kept the buses waiting on every tour we were on.  This included in Alexandria where we had to wait on the bus for 1.5hours while the police were called (but that is another story...).

1 hour ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

Perhaps, but I’ve never found this to be an issue on Silversea in the past. 
It seems that as more people are discovering Silversea, more of the “norms” from the mainstream lines are accompanying them…

I've never been on a ship that had every single lounger taken at 9am.  And I have been on everything from 5000 passenger ships down to 200.  

By 9am today every single lounge chair on the ship was reserved...but only about 25% of guests were sitting in them.  We ended up using the couches behind the Panorama lounge-quite comfortable too.

Does the submarine pay for itself or do the higher Venture and Pursuit fares subsidize the rides?

Went walking before 6am today and all double loungers were taken.  Are people reserving them the night before!!!!   Yesterday at least half of the double sunbeds were taken all day but only used for 1-2 hours in the afternoon.  Sad...

14 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Seabourn is way more friendlier.

Silversea has very good newer ships.

Silversea has very poor entertainment nowhere near as hood as Seabourn.

Both are excellent cruise lines.

I agree, Silversea has terribly amateurish entertainment.  It makes the show's on Seabourn seem like West End productions.  The current singers on the Spirit are so bad that almost every guest I encounter brings them up.

1 minute ago, SLSD said:

I always find the experiences of others to be interesting--so thank you for your report.  Of course, we all realize that people see can see the same cruise totally differently.  

 

There are several things that hold me back from booking a Silversea cruise.  One is that things seem a bit more complicated.  That may just be me not understanding the differences in suites.  I would not like having to make reservations for every evening's dinner so far ahead of time.  I am well aware that there are two restaurants (at least on the newer ships) that do not require a reservation.  And finally, some of the diehard Silversea cruisers seem obsessed with the dress code--which appears to be more stringent that Seabourns.  I remember how many suitcases I took on our last Silversea cruise--which was way back in 2005.  I would also miss the forward facing Observation Lounge.  

 

I've been looking at Regent and can't quite grasp what it may be like.  

 

I often ask Markham for his opinion on cruise lines etc because I have met him in person and have a good idea of what he expects from a cruise line from our in person discussion.  

We are currently on the Spirit which is similar to the Muse class ships and there is definitely a forward facing lounge.  It is called the Observation Library but it has a full bar and coffee station.  

As for dress code, formal is simply jacket and tie but only required in the two non-reservation restaurants.  Informal is Jacket (no tie), but again as above.  Casual is sports shirt and slacks.  Around the rest of the ship I have seen everything from tuxedos to shorts on formal nights.  

Honestly SLSD, you should give SS a try.  The food is arguably better and the ship feels less crowded when full (such as this cruise).  That being said, we still like Seabourn and are joining the Ovation in a few weeks.  Silversea is one to add to your basket of choices though.  

2 hours ago, Khareef said:

The letter didn't mention the restaurant open for lunch every day....or did I just miss it?

A few things that I would personally improve:

- Order room service via the App so no need to wait for the line to get free (also no need for one person to waste time on the phone)

- Dessert in the Sushi (Not sure why it is missing)

- GET RID OF THE WHITE TABLECLOTH in the restaurant, it is so dated and extremely bad environmentally (how many they have to wash everyday...), just put some nice design table like in all fancy modern gourmet restaurant (at least here in Europe). It felt like I was going to a wedding in the 80es every time I stepped into the restaurant (I ended up eating more often in the sushi and colonnade)

- Improve the wine quality already included in the fare, it was real bad when we were on board last November 

-I would extend the restaurant hours, I mean nobody 50 or less eats that early anymore...

This is a very interesting post and is why Seabourn has a difficult time 'threading the needle.' 

Personally, almost all of your 'improvements' I would be against.  In fact Seabourn removing the table cloths would be a red line for us.  We would take our business elsewhere if that were to happen.  SB has already removed the candles and fresh flowers...taking the table cloths would be the last straw.

As for changing the dining hours to later, perhaps a more European cruise line would be preferable for you.  Most SB clientele like to eat earlier and I imagine a fair few would prefer the Restaurant to open even earlier than 7pm.  Since the crew can only work so much, the current dining hours are the compromise.  

10 hours ago, number one eagles fan said:

So we are looking to extend our vacation after we disembark our cruise in Lisbon. The current sailing is ONLY showing a Door-to-Door price. So the question is can we extend our vacation, tour Europe for a couple of weeks on our own, and then fly home from another European airport? Will SilverSky work with us? I know there is a deviation fee.

 

Thanks for your help!

You can also just strip the flights out of the DtoD price and book your own.

So an update...I spoke with the F&B manager last night and he stated that the sushi onboard this ship is indeed made approximately 2 hours before lunch and is the same sushi as on the buffet.  He said the sushi at the Kaiseki restaurants (the ones with teppanyaki at night) were made fresh, but not so at Seishin.  Maybe this is due to it being a smaller restaurant???  

Of course Calm Down Dear just posted about the Dawn and they said their sushi was also not made fresh.  Given that the Dawn has Kaiseki, maybe this is indeed a downgrade...

3 hours ago, AusMum said:

Can't you have as much as you like?

Yes you can order as much as you want.  The product is just not as good as I remembered.  In fact it appears to be the same sushi that is on the lunch buffet in La Terrazza.

We are currently on the Spirit.  Lunch sushi is premade and covered in plastic wrap.  You get three small pieces per serve.  Is this normal?  I thought I remembered sushi chefs making the sushi on the Moon last year and it was five pieces per roll.  

Is there really anything much to see down at 1000ft on the sub?  If you already scuba dive, then this just seems to be a glorified glass bottom boat excursion.  

Of course if the sub is included as one of my Seabourn Club benefits, then I'd certainly consider it!😁

I'm sure they absolve themselves of all liability and take your first born.

1 hour ago, 1954 said:

That's basically why I started this thread. I received my e docs, but no cabin assigned. I thought that was strange - but apparently not. Since my cruise was booked via TA and they didn't get answer, I don't see much point in trying SS direct. Anyway, it's more a "nice to know", the world won't end unless we turn up at the dock and find we don't have a cabin 🤪

Have you looked under 'Details' on your booking on my.silversea.com?  They will assign the cabin but not notify you.  We were assigned about 11-12 days out.  

11 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Have you not spoken to the dog owner directly to find out why they bring it and why they feel elevated enough to not be part of the rules and guidelines.

Gutsy move, but not worth the potential backlash that might ruin ones zen cruise vibe.  

9 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

I can't recall but I never ate in the Colonnade on that trip at all.

Are you away this summer with Seabourn 

Well that would be why!  We are doing Iceland on the Ovation in late July, but (for a change) are also going on Silversea in the Med in just over a week from now.  

14 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Waldo and Corne 

Are they comedians or musicians.

Mr Luxury, I'm surprised-how could you miss him!!!  You and I were on Encore last summer for the Ephesus concert with Handre, etc and Corne was the Maitre'd at the Colonnade.  He is excellent, so too his younger brother Waldo. 

They work on separate ships and Waldo is/was a TK waiter, but very ambitious, so I imagine it won't be long before he moves up too.  

29 minutes ago, SLSD said:

I asked Cristian last night how long he will be on Ovation.  He will be on board for the next several months so you should be able to sit at one of his tables when you sail.  

Do you know if Waldo or his brother Corne are onboard?  We are joining Ovation for two weeks at the end of July and Cristian sounds excellent by all reports.

12 days out from Spirit cruise, we have just been assigned from Vista Gty to Sup Veranda Suite.  Midship with cabins above and below.  Perfect location-could not have picked a better suite myself (other than the 4 Silver's still left!). 👍

30 minutes ago, lincslady said:

So trios and quartets do not do contracts, thus staying on the ship for several cruises or even months?  Maybe that is the case, but different from other entertainers apart from 'acts' who just come on board for a few days.

The trios did have contracts.  That is why the change did not take place last year.  Personally I am in favour of the DJ as the trio on our last cruise could not/would not play anything past the era of 'Girl from Ipanema.'  

In regards to the Club entertainment changing, there should also be an electric guitarist from what I was told.  So that would be two people versus the trio.  Also the aim was to remake the Club into the ship's lively entertainment venue whereas the Observation bar is where more sedate music would be played.  The DJ should also take some of the pressure off the CD's like Ross who were becoming the default DJ out on the rear deck behind the club.   

I think the DJ is here to stay.  The purpose is to 'modernize' the music for the younger crowd.  According to Handre the cost of the DJ is similar to the trio. 

Could you request songs for the DJ to play via the app in the Club?  The club was supposed to get technological improvements in addition to this new music option. 

49 minutes ago, Gourmet Gal said:

I have never in my life anywhere waited 2 jours for an entree.  I would have walked out long before.  Perhaps they could have delivered it to your cabin.

2 days is a very long time!!

We are at 22 days and nothing assigned yet for the Spirit.  The Panorama suite is not really an upgrade as you state.  The room looks narrower and longer on the deck plan and you miss out on the couch.  It will be interesting to hear your feedback.  

20 hours ago, Dusko said:

Before our latest cruise there was no opportunity to request online. When we got to our cabin the spirits and fridge contents were all the same as for previous cruises. Your record follows you nicely. 

Not for us.  Our online preferences have never been observed...however you can just ask once onboard. 

Does anyone know if you can request a bottle of Cognac to the suite?