bogey

I apologize, I didn’t think this through. If I had, I would have realized that my post would lead to an excited debate about tipping. — the “third rail” of Silversea discussion groups.

I do appreciate the two or three folks who, while not really answering my question, at least  addressed it. 

But I do have one more question — is a Tuxedo really expected to be worn on formal nights, or will a nice pair of jeans suffice?    JUST KIDDING. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I hope I’m not banned from these boards. 

I’ve read that some folks, in lieu of tipping, donate to the Crew Welfare Fund.  I think this is a great idea and am seeking guidance. What do folks think is a donation amount that will adequately reflect our appreciation to the magnificent crew? I'm thinking something in the range of $10-$20 per day. (We will be onboard for 24 days)   I would love to know how this might compare with what others have done.  
 

I understand this is a very personal decision, but would really appreciate thoughts. 

We're returning to Silversea for the first time since Covid.  We'll be on the Dawn in the Spring and I cannot remember how they run evening entertainment. What time(s) do they normally schedule evening shows in the Venetian Lounge?   I’m trying to figure our best times to dine and have opportunity to see a show. 

So, to set up the test, all you do is call the customer service number?  Sorry if I’m missing something. I just ordered the tests and have no other info at this point. 

We were on the Spirt holiday cruise. Disembarked in early January. So, I’m hopeful it is the same. Somewhere, I have her business card,  If I only knew where .....

Thanks. 😀 That is the answer I was hoping for,  We enjoyed Esther very much on our last cruise on the Spirit.  I sure hope she remains on board until mid-September.

We're on the Spirit in about 6 weeks.  If anybody is on the ship now or has been recently, I’d like to know who is singing in Silver Note. Thanks!  

We had friends who took an upsell to a Pinnacle Suite on the Eurodam. What a magnificent suite!  I think the only additional perks they received that we didn’t in our Neptune Suite were the non alcoholic beverages and the behind the scenes tour.  BUT, they also received a level of service that was noticeably a cut above. Example, when we arrived with them for “as you wish” dinner on the first night, we were escorted to what they consider the best table for 4 in the dining room (centerline, aft by the large windows.). And, as we were leaving the desk, I overheard the Maiter 'd whispering into his lapel mic “Pinnacle Suite # ____ is in the House.”  Thy cold reserve that table every meal, lunch or dinner with a phone call. That is one example of the special attention. 

Sorry to come late to this party. I think the original post hits the nail on the head. If you don't care about the cabin, I would recommend Crystal. I think they are a bit ahead in most categories, but com out way behind in terms of cabin size, amenities, and service. My personal choice is for Silversea, because I do appreciate the larger standard cabins, the butler service, etc.

i've been reading about massive blooms of seaweed in the Gukf and Caribbean. Should I be rethinking my 2018 holiday cruise to the Caribbean?

For Konningsdam veterans: how necessary us it to make specialty restaurant dining reservations in advance? We like to wait until we are on board to see how things seem to be set for the cruise. However, on one occasion (on one of the older, smaller ships), we found Pinnacle fully booked for the entire cruise.

We were in one of the aft corner cabins on deck 7 of the Eurodan about a year ago. Vibration was not an issue at all. I would book it again in a heartbeat.

I am fascinated by this exhaustive discussion of consumer protection law and cannot wait to hear how this saga ends. Please let us know how much is eventually recovered and which of the many processes discussed resulted in your recovery.

Seems to me that complimentary pre-cruise night or two and transfers to the ship make this a "no brainer" for Neptune Suite guests -- unless you don't have the extra time or rebooking becomes cost-prohibitive. We're doing it in Amsterdam in July, so I hope I'm right.

You got a great upgrade from Inside to Vista. Congratulations!

We were on the Spirit last November and booked a cruise for December of this year. All the talk was of the "slice." We have wondered how in the world it would happen. These amazing photos are great. THANKS👍 I am less concerned about the enlargement of the ship now that I see the actual size if the insert. I think there is an excellent chance that the Spirit will retain its small ship feel. We are now really excited to experience the "new Spirit" in December and see if my optimism us justified.

Assuming that the upsell is pp for the 2 adults, I'd take it. (But I may not be as frugal as you are :)). With the Neptune Suite you get much more than a cabin and balcony which are roughly double the size of a standard balcony cabin. If you haven't done so, go online and take at look at the perks you get. (My wife swears that the best perk of all is daily breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill.). None of these perks are necessary, but they can make a vacation special.

Thanks for a most informative review. We are booked on K this summer, and your review and photos answered so many of my questions. Your final comment about the Spa Neptune Suite confirmed my fears about those based on the deck plans I'd seen. So we moved up to SB and got one of the aft wraps on deck 7.

Was your mariner discount good in all dining venues which had a fee?

Yes, we're doing this in Venice in Oct. Not sure which hotel has been selected yet.

Agree that this is an excellent offer. Any idea about the hotel they use in Amsterdam?

Checked pricing on Scenic Eclipse. About the same as Silversea except they include excursions. I question whether a 200 passenger ship can be profitable based on both SS and Seabourn going to larger vessels.

I received a Scenic e-mail this morning advertising an 8-day Panama Canal cruise. Pricing was "from $8345 per person." I know it is impossible to do a true apples-apples comparison. But in my experience, that lowest per diem price of >$1000 per person is significantly more than the overwhelming majority of Silversea cruises. It might be more in line with and more comparable to SS expedition pricing, not sure.

Would you say "eggs is good"or "eggs are good." Grit us singular -- just remember "My Cousin Vinny" who asked "What is a grit?" 😀

You've received excellent input. I would only at that, on our Spirt cruise in November, we found it hard to get an advance reservation in La Dame. The reservations quickly disappeared on line. However, once on board our excellent Butler was able to obtain a reservation for us. Along with the name change for that upscale French restaurant, the menu also changed. We thought it was a wonderful improvement

For those of you on the April 25th sailing, there has been an announced change. Essentially, the two Crimean ports, Sevastopol and Yalta have been dropped. I'm not sure what has been added as substitutes for those two days.

I recommend that you contact your travel professional or the cruise line for details. I got this information from my TA within the last hour.

Best wishes to you all!

I still think SS is waiting to close the 100% clause in the passage contract to make determinations. From 30-0 days before the cruise, one would lose 100% of their payments. That date is Monday or Tuesday next week. If SS pulls that one over on people so they are covered 100% even if someone has a cancel for any reason insurance policy, I for one will never book with them again.

Bohaiboy -- Silversea certainly realizes by now that they must do something about your itinerary. Ten days or so ago, things were uncertain enough that maintaining some flexibility was reasonable. The uncertainty is essentially gone at this point. And, they are already inside the 75% forfeiture window. That should be a big disincentive for folks to cancel. Obtaining 75% of the fare while providing no service would seem to be exceptionally reasonable compensation for any cancellations they do have. (And, as we've read, there are strongly held views that, in Britain, the consumer wouldn't have to pay those forfeitures.)

In summary, I agree with your position. If Silversea announces its intentions just inside the total forfeiture deadline, I may be forced to find a different favorite cruise line. (I had a similar issue with Oceania several years ago when they announced a major itinerary change just inside the forfeiture deadline. I have not been back to Oceania.)

While I have some sympathy with businesses which find themselves in difficult situations through no fault of their own, that sympathy dissipates rapidly when the business stops operating in good faith. The longer we get nothing but silence from Silversea, the more it appears that they are not exercising good faith in dealing with their customers. The fact that other lines are being transparent about their plans makes Silversea's silence more difficult to accept.

I really hope that things settle down over there and your cruise can go as planned. I will happily eat my words and applaud Silversea's calm, reasoned approach if that comes to pass.

I don't pretend to understand immigration law but common sees tells me that such travel restrictions are entirely possible. Example: Americans were forbidden (by America) from travel to Cuba during the Cold War. Those restrictions have been eased but not eliminated. I would think that Russia could exclude Americans (or any other nationality) by simply refusing to issue visas.

The stories we hear about the state of the Russian economy might, if accurate, cause them to hesitate to eliminate a source of foreign currency, but I think they have the power to do it.