dawntrdr

Dawn has the Otivm spa set-up.

Over several years of cruising on SS, I have never experienced a long wait getting into the main Restaurant or SALT. Even if an early show or event just ended and there is a line, it moves quickly. You are more likely to encounter a line at LaTerraza at 7 pm when it opens and everyone with 7 pm reservations shows up. Still, it moves promptly. I think you can rest easy about that. Actually, I have made some of my best cruise friends waiting in line at the restaurants - it's a great place to get dining companions. I don't think you can book two reservation-restaurants in the same night, but you can certainly go to the main Restaurant (Atlantide) or SALT (you didn't mention what ship you'll be on) at 7 pm and then hit a 9 pm Silver Note reservation.

You're so right, Lois. Moreover, the Arts Cafe is on the same deck (Deck 4) as the main entrance to the Venetian Lounge and there is no bar on that deck, nor do they do drink service in the Venetian Lounge any more. If you want a drink to enjoy during any show or lecture, you have to get it yourself from the Dolce Vita on deck 5 and carry it down the stairs or elevator or go down the hall to the (almost secret) Deck 5 back entrance to the second level of the Lounge which has very limited seating.

I would avoid Greece in July and August. If you can do a voyage-to-voyage transfer for Sept or October, it will be much more pleasant, both in temperature and the number of tourists. The new Silver Ray is doing a number of Aegean itineraries during that period. As to the refurb of the Whisper, no worries, it will be fine.

Last January, we got to FLL port (Port Everglades) at noon and boarded by 1 pm. Tagging @Randyk47, whom I believe had the same experience. Getting there earlier doesn't help because the boarding area is not open/employees not there yet.

shorthand for Silversea.

Kirk is back home in Marion, Ohio managing the Marion Palace Theatre, a grand old theatre in the class luxe style: https://isp.page/news/aces-of-trades-kirk-detweiler-likes-have-a-place-to-call-home/#gsc.tab=0

The Marquee has a fully covered section, a partially covered section, and an uncovered section. The fully covered section has the latest thing in radiant heaters. We ate there several times in 50-60 degree temps and was fine. The only time we changed our minds was when it was raining with a stiff wind.

The La T menu on the Nova this month was similarly abbreviated - much fewer choices. Although it tasted fine, there was nothing outstanding in the ingredients or presentation.

Since this behavior is happening on the sea rather than in the sky, perhaps the Deep Six Club would be more apt.

They should put a tutorial video on the television screen that you can watch. There's enough other things there.

If not, remember that the bathroom hairdryer can always stand in for a space heater in a pinch.

Actually, we found that it was much easier to get around the tables in this new Venetian Lounge than the setup in the lounges in the other ships. On the bench rows, the small round table is attached to the bench so it is not only tucked out of the walking path but usable for support when walking. On the chair rows, you can push the tables forward to make more room. And I will note that I did not smell anything chemically other than possibly new furniture smell. On the topic of aroma, however, the classic "white tea" scent that we associate with SS was missing except outside of the Silver Note. Maybe it takes years for that to build up.

Make sure that your veranda door is completely locked and the handle is fully turned. On the Nova, the A/C stops when the veranda door handle is not all the way around and this may be true of heat too.

I venture that Nova was primarily designed for warm weather cruising. Not just lots of lounges but many nooks with comfortable private conversation areas on the pool deck. Many 2 person sunbeds too.

Does it count if we are both in the same bar when we are drinking (ha ha)? I truly enjoyed meeting you to and I agree with your evaluation of the great features of the Nova, as well as the things we would like to see improved

We were just in Medallion 8046. I can't comment on smoke because we weren't that far aft but we had no smell problems at all and it was very stable. The Illy coffeemaker in the suite is great since the Arts Cafe is not close. We passed the smoking lounge inside many times and noticed practically nothing.

DH and I attended most of the lectures, which were generally excellent. The lecturers were: bill Miller: history of the great ocean liners, life aboard them and how the stars traveled (hint, ladies have it much easier now). A delight to talk to. steve Rivellino: Broadway producer and former manager of Radio City Music Hall. He spoke on the Weimar cabarets, Bob Fosse, Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller, Chopin and Radio City. Really connected with the audience. Jim Brochu: actor and film historian on RKO studios and his friend Lucille Ball. Very accessible for questions. Michael Buerk: BBC reporter and long time anchor on the history of the British Empire,, language and social commentary. Everyone had very good film and pictures to illustrate their talks, especially Steve Rivellino, who produces informational films for business as well. Talks were 45 minutes. They were a definitely a few steps above lectures on our prior cruises. We would give them all a solid 5 out of 5 except for Buerk, who made some statements that were intentionally politically or socially provocative (as he had warned). He was not reading the room. @Catlover's review addressed this point cogently. His speech on the history and development of the English language was quite good though. All of the lectures were available for viewing on the TV.

I think the Dolce Vita size on the Moon and Dawn is perfect. The one on Nova is smaller.

Although the seas are rough today, the ship is acceptably stable. Just creaky.

The seas were mostly smooth except for the first day out of Lisbon (a notoriously rough area) and today. The Captain had been preparing us for several days that it would be bumpy today and indeed the seas are 3-5 meters with wind. Otherwise he has sailed a southerly course that gave us very mild pleasant weather (even some pool users yesterday). But indeed,new ships are creakier than old ones. The wear spots between gaskets in the door frames and where cabinets meet the walls haven't formed yet. We heard that one couple had to be moved to another cabin because of a problem with the sliding door noise. We have spent quite a lot of time sticking folded paper in various crevices.

The selection is pretty up to date too. They have Kate Morton's Homecoming which was only published a few months ago. Also Salman Rushdie, Stephen King, and a shelf of unmarked books which likely were left by pax. Much less emphasis on travel and animal life.

Here's a picture of the "hidden library".

Here's the current laundry price list on Silver Nova. A two piece suit is $16.50; $12 if you just want pressing.

Transocean cruises traditionally have a lot of activities and this cruise does not disappoint. Here are Today's Activities (two pages) copied from the tablet computer. You can also ask to have it printed and delivered (I see it in some mailboxes when I go to breakfast)