SkiWave

r&rd - Thank you for your comments.  Yes, we would definitely plan to arrive a few days early to do the Golden Circle and enjoy Reykjavik. We will check out your video.  Our plan would be to travel in August, and understand that the weather is unpredictable.  Just seeking out a bit of an outdoor adventure via cruise ship.    

Are the complimentary "all weather" jackets provided by Seabourn for Alaska cruises of the lighter wind-breaker type, or the warmer/heavier insulated type?  We are preparing to pack for an upcoming Alaska cruise, and want to avoid bringing our own heavy jacket if not necessary.  Of course, August weather may be more wet than cold.  Thank you for your assistance with this question.  

Received my response letter with cruise details back in the mail as "undeliverable."  As mentioned above, Windstar provided an incorrect return mailing address for their own office, in addition to their short deadline.   Very frustrating the sloppy way they are handling this issue.   

We received our letter, which only references our two most recent cruises, and which fails to referernce three additional cruises which we took in 2001, 2006, 2007 (prior to current Windstar ownership).  The letter seeks mail response within 2 weeks, with no on-line option to correct their inaccurate records.  Not sure how we can establish our prior three cruises - hopefully, they will accept our word, and/or take the time to check their own records.    

Thank you les37b - very helpful. We will be on the Silver Spirit following its current "stretch" and remodel, and the restaurants are supposed to be the same as the Muse.

On a related Silver Muse/Silver Spirit dining question, is the Spaccanapoli Pizza resturant indoors or outside on the deck? I do not see the location on the deck plan. We are making restaurant reservations for most nights on our upcoming cruise, but we were not sure if Spaccanapoli was a full service restaurant or take away pizzas. The Silversea website just shows pictures of pizzas. Thank you.

Celebrity recently added 2 new small ships in the Galapagos Islands. We are booked on the Celebrity "Xperience" for September 2017. Ship has 24 cabins; 48 persons occupancy. Has anyone seen any reviews or traveled on this refurbished ship? Inaugural cruises started last month and it sails weekly. We also do not see the Xperience listed in the Roll Call section, and we would like to start roll call once the ship is listed. If anyone has any info to share about this ship, it would be much appreciated.

And, may I ask: Did you have set dining time or did you have the anytime dining option? If you had anytime dining, were you able to arrive in the MDR anytime you wanted and receive table? Were you able to join other people for dinner? Thanks.

We took similar itinerary last year on another cruise line (small ship), and we found the itinerary excellent. These cruise itineraries are not offered that often, and they are nice change of pace from more visited (and crowded) mediterranean ports. From Cherbourg, the highlight is the Normandy battlefields (Utah and Omaha beaches, ...). From St. Malo, the highlight is Mont St. Michel (crowded, but incredible). If you have not already visited those two areas, this cruise is great. We also enjoyed Porto (stayed in town). In Spain, we enjoyed visit to town of Betanzos (El Ferrol). Did not visit Brest or Vigo, but cant go wrong with small coastal towns in France and Spain. We have been to Lisbon several times, and very easy way finish to trip, with good airport.

Hope that helps with your decision.

Blog summary today, with some historical context and past video, and information regarding CDC insprections, at:

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/

And, the new boutique may actually be the most sanititary location on the ship!

I am first time poster today - We board the Silver Shadow THIS Monday May 4 for 10 day cruise to Alaska. Nice to know we spent thousands of dollars to board a ship that just failed a health inspection. Usually, you would expect improved conditions following inspection, but that may not be the case when you have a crew willing to deceive inspectors.

And then there is Item # 40 in the CDC report regarding pantry pool grill:

"Violation: The door to the pantry was propped open when the inspector team arrived in the area. A sign on the door informed crew to keep the door closed at all times. The inspector returned to the area a few hours later, and again the door was propped open. Recommendation: Protect entry points where pests may enter the food area."

You would think the crew might want to wait until the inspectors left the ship before they reversed the just taken corrective measure!

Second failed ship inspection in 2 years suggests Silversea may not be making the health and safety of its passengers on the Silver Shadow a priority.