Master Echo

Actually it’s not just the inaugural cruise that  has been cancelled - but the first three - all of which I had  booked. !!

Correcting  an earlier post on this thread I was on the first Muse sailing  & it was an excellent cruise about which I posted contemporaneously.    There were a few design issues but these  did not spoil the overall cruise experience.  Unfortunately someone who was not even onboard. posted  a continual diatribe which failed to reflect the true facts.

kindest regards

Master Echo

Good evening Mr Spectre - good to hear your perspective on the Moon.  
 

Interesting correlation on the improvement of the Internet service when the Travel agents/free loaders disembarked.  This mirrors my experience on the Moon’s Christening  cruise at the end of July.  
 

During my September cruises on the Shadow, I asked the IT Manager whether Premium WiFi offered superior speed & he just shrugged his shoulders.  This confirms previous conversations with other officers who said that  the speed was no better.  
 

On the Shadow in September whilst masks were mandatory inside the Spa, they did not have to be worn whilst exercising in the gym area, merely on entering. Whilst masks were worn inside the ship, once arriving on outside decks and in the fresh air they could be removed.  Unfortunately not so for any officers or crew who had always to be masked even outside on Pool deck.

Hope your CC weather forecaster is correct &  you continue to have fair weather across the Pond.  Hope Mr & Mrs Spectre that supplies of Tiki are plentiful!!! 
 

Enjoy

Kindest regards

Master Echo 

Thank you Silver Spectre - yes I did, hope you did likewise.  Its  now back to reality with a bump🙁🙁!!

I heartily concur with Daddyo' s comments.  Despite knowing most of the ports visited,  I thoroughly enjoyed all those offered.

I also met some very interesting fellow passengers and enjoyed exemplary service from the staff at all levels.

As Daddyo has said, the safety protocols were efficient unobtrusive and effective.  Life onboard is far safer than on your local High Street!! The 'floating petrie dish' reference of life onboard a cruise ship can only be made by those who havent experienced a cruise with SS!!!!

Now all I have to do is to replace the four cancelled cruises of which we received notification whilst on our two Shadow cruises, not least the Black Sea and Australasia!!

Here's to a return to more normal cruising in 2022 and hope we all get to meet again as soon as possible.

Please all take care and keep safe.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Yesterday one of the most travelled Venetians with nearly 2000 days celebrated his 94th birthday onboard.  He is extremely well liked by  all the staff and passengers alike.  

Long may he continue!👍🛳😃🙏

Kindest regards

Master Echo

We are all entitled to different opinions even if the basic events were the same.

I wish to provide a counterpoint on this thread about Bob the CD.

In my opionion he is the worst CD that I have ever sailed with on SS.  Rather than give you a litany of examples, I will confine myself to last night

in the Panorama, the replacement venue for the pool deck party, relocated due to the high winds.

Prior to the start of the show, Bob came to talk to a group of Americans but left without continuing to 'work the room' before the commencement of the show.  Part of his duties includes circulating around all passengers, not just his chosen few.

At the conclusion of the performance, he thanked fhe  Voices of Silversea, but only named two of the artistes who had performed.  If he has a problem remembering names,  he should either not name anyone, or have all their names on a crib sheet.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Master Echo

By way of an adjunct to Silver Spectre's  earlier comment on the three sad looking abandoned Seabourn vessels and the 'notorious' Diamond Princess. 

The Diamond Princess's Captain Gennaro Arma ( cousin of SS 's Captain Gennaro Arma) was given an Order of Merit by the Italian Government for his efforts in handling the Covid outbreak and subsequent three weeks quarantine.  He was in fact the last person to leave the ship.

Kindest regards 

Master Echo

I do realise  that there has been conflicting information on where passengers arriving to embark a cruise from Venice should go to.  Unfortunately so many TA's seem to have  even less information and give out erroneous answers.

For an accurate and detailed account on leaving Venice from September 2021 - please read my earlier post of September 14th.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

SThere is no check in facilities in Fusina from where ships now sail.  Hopefully your TA will tell you that check-in is at Marittima.  This has been the case since September 8th when we sailed from Fusina on the Silver Shadow.

Eventually there will be a new terminal built at Fusina, but the days of sailing down Guidecca Canal have gone.

Enjoy your cruise

Kindest regards

Master Echo

I have seen numerous ferries arriving and departing in very quick succession during our enforced sojourn wallowing in windy conditions in the waters off the island of Tinos, also one of the Cyclades.  As they arrive from various Greek islands, undoubtedly there will be many nationalities, not only Greek nationals.

Despite the fact that we have been in Greek waters for well over 14 days, one wonders if that is also true of the many passengers arriving today on the ferries.  Once again the curse of the 'cruise ship passenger' strikes again! 😡😡

Kindest regards

Master Echo

By way of clarification, concerning Silver Spectre's earlier post regarding dimimg with officers.  On the sail from Venice to Athens, the Captain dined with passengers with whom he had sailed many times, but did not greet passengers attending the cocktail parties.  Hoever he did present certificates to those with milestone anniversaries at the Venetian cocktail party.

During  the present cruise Sir & Madame dined with the HD with whom they have sailed many times.       .                

Officers can still have drinks/coffee should they wish with passengers.

Fernando is the exception as he is not considered an 'officer' because he is on the passenger manifest, and can therefore dine with passengers.

Kindest regards

Master Echo.

It is a pity that the visit to Syros has been abandoned,  as it has a very interesting port town, and the ship docked only 5 minutes from the centre. 

Fortunately I was there on the Moon on July 29 and I was looking forward to returning😕

Kindest regards

Master Echo

There is no check in facilities in Fusina from where ships now sail.  Hopefully your TA will tell you that check-in is at Marittima.  This has been the case since September 8th when we sailed from Fusina on the Silver Shadow.

Eventually there will be a new terminal built at Fusina, but the days of sailing down Guidecca Canal have gone.

Enjoy your cruise

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Thank you Silver Spectre for your timely warning.

'They seek him here. They seek him there. Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in Heaven? Or is he in Hell? That damned, elusive, pimpernel'.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Welcome aboard Silver Spectre

Glad your journey from home was reasonably uneventful & you were one of 71 new embarkees to pass the test and join the Covid free Lady Shadow!!

Fortunately all passengers also tested negative for which we all were very grateful.

As far as I am aware, all passengers so far embarking the Silver Shadow,  and the Silver Spirit have been granted passage, apart from one poor passenger on the inaugural of the Silver Moon on July 28th, who was denied boarding having tested positive for Covid.

Fortunately Silver Shadow can now sail on her second voyage 'clean'' & hope that the daiily temperature check does not throw up any high temperatures!!

kindest regards

Master Echo

Port calls 

I was told sometime prior to sail date that the call to Durres Albania had been cancelled at the behest of the Greek Authorities, otherwise Silver Shadow would not be permitted to cruise in Greek waters.

Whilst in Corfu Greece, I observed cars being loaded on one of the two daily ferries that link Greece with Albania, and I confirmed that I was not mistaken. 

For those on the Grand Voyage, both the Italian and the Portuguese authorities said that access ashore for cruise ship passengers would only be permitted as part of organised shore trips.

Both Italy and Portugal permit free movement for tourists arriving in these countries.

Despite Silver Shadow being ‘cleaner’ from Covid than any other mode of travel, why do the three countries referred to above show prejudice against cruise ship passengers.

 Kindest regards

Master Echo

I agree wirh both Jolly Jones & Stumblefoot and perhaps it would be helpful if posters would read all comments on the subject!

Kind regards

Master Echo

Silver Shadow Refurbishment

I thought a few notes on the changes made during the 2019 refurbishment which might be appropriate in case readers have not been appraised of these on other threads.

The decor follows the style of Silver Muse.  The exception is the walk-in wardrobe in the verandah suites which still retain their rosewood panels.  Therefore the hanging space is compromised by firstly, the shoe rack, the depth of which narrows the length of the hanging rail. The half rail which has often been removed on past cruises was in situ on this one.  If garments are hung on this rail, it obscures items on the floor.  So it doesn’t work on both counts.  

However there is one change which has met universal favour to whomever it has been mentioned.  Namely the bathroom has a ‘’nighttime’ light which illuminates the room below the sink level thereby negating the necessity for turning on the light in the wee small hours and disturbing other occupants of the cabin.

Another improvement after many years of suggestions to Management is the disappearance of those ‘make up suite/do not disturb’ notices so reminiscent of hotels etc worldwide.

In 2018 someone on these boards, suggested electric visual panel in substitution for Silver Moon.  I passed this suggestion to Barbara Muckermann who passed it to the new build team.  Unfortunately it seems it came too late for the Moon, which retains the old card system.

However the Shadow now has a neat light switch you operate at the door before leaving your cabin, showing green for service or red should you wish to be left alone  - progress!

Of course for those who may not have travelled recently,  the swiping of cabin key cards is now a distant memory.  All one needs to do is touch the little pad attached to the desk at the entry to and exit from the ship - this of course is far more efficient and saves time.  One other point to mention - arrival to the ship whether from a tender or land, is always from Deck 3 saving the ghastly,  often steep walk,  from quayside to Deck 5.

Deck 5

The area between the main and the forward stairwells has changed completely.  This is now  open-plan, with four small offices (as previously), for the Hotel Director, Cruise Director, Finance Officer and the FCC.  In addition there is the main Guest Relations back office.  The casino has now moved to deck 8.

There is a central bar with bar stools and a mini Arts Cafe, this facility is now called the Atrium Bar.    There is lounge seating making for a comfortable relaxation space.   

Forward of this is an open plan boutique, with merchandise behind lockable glass cabinets and this is the only facility mentioned on the deck plan.

Deck 8 

As a ‘sop’ to smokers, SS have now provided an enlarged indoor room with an adjoining outdoor space which has several seats and tables, cleverly designed with windbreaks and potted plants. Unfortunately smoking, including that of cigars is still permitted on deck 8 Pool Deck starboard side, which has proved extremely annoying on this trip, by a cigar smoker who seemed to be permanently ensconced on most days!  I feel that smoking should now be completely banned on this outside deck - unfortunately smoke is not able to distinguish between port and starboard!!

Kindest regards,

Master Echo

Herman

Yes I have still got the cruise ticket, and you are correct the agents address listed is San Basilio.  However remember, there are currently no facilities in Fusina, for any sort of offices, so these remain 'in town'. 

Embarking/disembarking in Venice direct from the airport or a land based hotel, is no more of a nightmare than it ever was.  Staying in Venice itself and using vaporetti to reach the ship, was always difficult particularly if you had several pieces of luggage which you had to manhandle yourself.

I have embarked multiple times  in Venice and had to manhandle my luggage from where the vehicle dropped me off,  to the point where the stevedores were prepared to assist.  This was at San Basilio and was a nightmare for elderly passengers incapable  of moving their own luggage with no one to assist.  

Kindest regards

Master Echo

As I said before, in 937 there were a couple occasions only when I heard noise overhead.  During the day there was no noise from Pool deck above.

I fail to see the significance that there is an adjoining cabin because this created absolutely no issue for me, because there was no noise from the adjoining cabin.  In any event the connecting door is near the door into 937 and is well away from the living and sleeping quarters.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Folks

Copied  below is the relevant report from my current Silver Shadow report- 

Fusina port embarkation

I received an email from Barbara Muckermann prior to leaving home that all passengers had to go to the Port Marittima for pre-embarkation.  

Taxis at Venice airport were plentiful and there was a set price of 45 Euros to the port of Marittima.  In the past this port would have been thronging with cruise ship passengers, with many ships tied alongside the various berths.  On Sept 8th it resembled a ghost town, there were no ships anywhere and the two berths we were adjacent to had an air of neglect and decay.

We were shepherded into Pier 107 for the usual embarkation checks, plus a rapid Covid test, waiting the requisite 25-30 minutes for the result.  Assuming your test result was negative you were taken in groups to the waiting coach for transfer to Fusina port, a journey of some 30 + minutes.  Luggage was taken separately.

Fusina Port currently serves ferries to other ports in Italy and further afield, as well as light cargo vessels as there is no heavy overhead cranage.  I was told that facilities were going to be built to cater for cruise ships and while we overnighted there, the dock was being constantly dredged.

Alighting from the coach I passed through a small temporary cabin, which was used for security scanning of my hand luggage and me.  Then out onto the quayside, walking a few yards to the waiting open arms of Silver Shadow - for those who didnt’t feel able to walk the last few yards, a shuttle bus was available.

The whole operation from arrival at Marittima to embarking the Lady Shadow went like clockwork and seemingly this will be the regime for embarking passengers wishing to sail out of Venice in the future.  Lucky for those of us who will remember the sail past St Mark’s square!!

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Hellloooo!!

i have recently returned from a stay in suite 937 - the Christening cruise of the Silver Moon on July 28.

On a few early mornings after 6.00 am there was some noise immediately overhead, possibly bringing the fresh towels in a tub into position either side of the pool deck.  Other than that there was no other noise & only a light sleeper would have detected the disturbance.  

It is certainly a nice roomy Silver Suite & I would book this cabin again.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Fusina port embarkation

I received an email from Barbara Muckermann prior to leaving home that all passengers had to go to the Port Marittima for pre-embarkation.  

Taxis at Venice airport were plentiful and there was a set price of 45 Euros to the port of Marittima.  In the past this port would have been thronging with cruise ship passengers, with many ships tied alongside the various berths.  On Sept 8th it resembled a ghost town, there were no ships anywhere and the two berths we were adjacent to had an air of neglect and decay.

We were shepherded into Pier 107 for the usual embarkation checks, plus a rapid Covid test, waiting the requisite 25-30 minutes for the result.  Assuming your test result was negative you were taken in groups to the waiting coach for transfer to Fusina port, a journey of some 30 + minutes.  Luggage was taken separately.

Fusina Port currently serves ferries to other ports in Italy and further afield, as well as light cargo vessels as there is no heavy overhead cranage.  I was told that facilities were going to be built to cater for cruise ships and while we overnighted there, the dock was being constantly dredged.

Alighting from the coach I passed through a small temporary cabin, which was used for security scanning of my hand luggage and me.  Then out onto the quayside, walking a few yards to the waiting open arms of Silver Shadow - for those who didnt’t feel able to walk the last few yards, a shuttle bus was available.

The whole operation from arrival at Marittima to embarking the Lady Shadow went like clockwork but was lengthy, and seemingly this will be the regime for embarking passengers wishing to sail out of Venice in the future.  Lucky for those of us who will remember the sail past St Mark’s Square!!

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Italian immigration

I thought it might be worth a few notes about Italy’s current prevailing Covid requirements for entry into Italy.

Apart  from the usual proof of vaccination, the pre-departure Covid test, prior to leaving home and of course the completed online Passenger Locator Form, the airline handed out two forms during the flight to be completed before arrival in Italy. One of these forms was collected on the plane, the other was to be given to immigration.  

Venice Marco Polo airport was quiet so there was no pressure on the immigration staff & the queue was minimal.  With a quick  ‘buonjourno’, a flick through the passport to stamp the page of his  choice - he waved us through!!  No examination of our covid documentation and no collection or even glance at the form filled on the plane!!

kindest regards

Master Echo

Thank you Silver Spectre - looking forward to seeing you both in Athens.   Lois will definitely pass on your message to Eric as and when I see him.

Some numbers.  There are currently 223 passengers of whom 61 are doing the Grand Voyage (GV), roughly 60% of capacity.

The next voyage sailing on September 20th, which of course should have been sailing to the Black Sea, was fully booked within weeks of its announcement some two plus years ago.  This itinerary was changed recently to an intensive cruise round Greece.  The manifest for this cruise has now been received on board and will comprise only 148 passengers ( roughly 40%) capacity of which 77 will be in transit (61 on the GV) and 71 embarking.  How times change!

More to follow

Kindest regards

Master Echo

The Lady Shadow’s Mediterranean season commenced in Venice on September 8th, and was also the start of the Mediterranean Grand Voyage.  Unsurprisingly, the GV has attracted a number of ‘big’ Venetians, some of whom regularly tread these boards.  For this reason I have delayed in filing a report in case others wished to start the ball rolling, but in the apparent absence of anything from others - here goes.

For two reasons I do not propose submitting regular updates, but will comment on aspects of particular relevance to this cruise.  First, WiFi connectivity has been haphazard so far,  confirmed by Reception staff.  Secondly regular reporting can become time consuming & distract from life on board, particularly in view of the quirkiness of Cruise Critic!

More anon

Kindest regards

Master Echo