aml3679

We will do a regular balcony room on our transatlantic.

 

Bathroom was nice but we did not use the tub.  Plus, I have mobility issues and it was a bit scary getting into.

 

Nice amount of room, but, we did not use half.

 

Huge balcony but we only used a few times since there was no shade.

 

Luminae was nice but we ended up ordering off the MDR at least half the time.

 

Plus, being retired, we need to watch our pennies.

 

We did not get reserved seating in the theater.  Plenty of seats, no big deal.

 

Tuscan

On 11/22/2023 at 9:26 PM, patdoog said:

How was the Silouette?  Haven’t been on it for 10 years but am considering for next year in Europe.

Loved it

22 hours ago, mayleeman said:

 

What itinerary were you on?

Southern Caribbean 10 day

We just got off six days ago

 

Beautiful ship

 

Great service 

 

Wonderful food

 

Only complaint was all of the pools were cold

We had $1300

I just got off the Silhouette and it was al a carte

Final thoughts 

 

Best cruise ever

 

Embarktion was so easy.  The Retreat had a separate entrance.  They had snacks and drinks and comfortable chairs.  They personally came to check you in and we were on the ship in 20 minutes.  Our first cruise, they handed out glasses of champagne, not any more.

 

The ship is stunning.

 

Our room was not available until 1:30, but we were able to get our sea passes and drop of luggage.

 

We had a Sunset Sky Suite in the back of the ship.

 

There were 3 large closets.  We had to ask for more hangers.  Robes, slippers, and a safe.

 

Beautiful bathroom with a rain shower head and a huge tub.  There were large fluffy towels.

 

A full size sofa, hair, coffee table, and ottoman.

 

Large king size bed.

 

Large balcony.

 

Deepak was our room steward and he was wonderful.  Left dark chocolate on our pillow every night.  He brought ice everyday and stocked our mini fridge every day without asking.  We would come back to find my husband’s clothes folded.  He is on a 7 month contract and then goes home for 2 months.  He has a wife and children.

 

He takes care of 17 rooms.  Two suites and 15 others.

 

Food

 

Overall, food was excellent.

 

Luminae was our main dining room.  Absolutely stunning.

 

Bibi was the hostess.

Cosmin was our Maitre ‘D

Keith was the Sommelier 

Stephen was our waiter

 

The burger was to die for.  Half pound cooked perfectly.

Most of the other food was outstanding.

 

Tuscan Grill -one of our favorites 

Ate here the first night at a 50% discount

 

Loved the chicken parmigiana and the pistachio crème brûlée.

 

La Petite Chef was fun as always

 

All four of us had a filet you could cut with a fork.

 

We ate at Murano our last night

Between the 4 of us, we had

Lobster bisque

Goat cheese soufflé 

Chateau (sorry, I cannot spell) briand

Lobster cooked tableside

Dark chocolate and Grand Manier soufflés 

 

We were able to bring 2 bottles of wine with no corkage fee because we were Retreat, otherwise it would be $25 each.

 

While we did not eat in the main dining room, we did order off the menu when we did not care for the Luminae menu.

 

We also ate at The Porch and The Lawn Club Grill.  Not horrible, but, we will not eat there again.

 

The Oceanview Cafe had a great variety and tasted good.

 

The two bars we went to were The Martini Bar and The World Class Bar.  They didn’t go cheap on the alcohol.  My husband said they served one of the best old fashions.

 

Cafe Al Bacio was wonderful as usual.  The staff knew us by name after the second day.  We enjoyed many hot and iced cappuccinos with many pastries and desserts.

 

Room Service is included and we had breakfast on our balcony one day.  
 

 

Entertainment, activities, and music you could find everywhere.  My husband and I played Country Music trivia and got 30/30.  Fun.

 

 I love the Solarium pool because it has stairs and I have a mobility problem.  I was disappointed because it was cold.  Our friends said the same about the outdoor pool.

 

We preordered 2 bags of laundry.  We could have gotten away with 1.  The laundry no longer comes back on hangers and takes 2 days.

 

We did not use the Spa.  The most inexpensive massage was $300.

 

Wi fi was great.

 

Shopping had a variety.  Jewelry, clothes, alcohol, tobacco products, watches, etc.

 

Casino is non smoking.  We had $1300 in onboard credit.  We quickly lost $100 and chose not to darken the doors again.

 

The Sunset Bar is attractive.  My husband is a cigar smoker.  Not a lot of shade.

 

Disembarktion

We had a 4 hour delay because Port Everglades was closed to to high winds and torrential rain.

 

Instead of getting off at 0730, we got off around 12.  We drove home and arrived around 6.

 

Today is grocery shopping and unpacking.

 

We had two very happy kitties.

 

 

 

 

On 11/14/2023 at 8:40 PM, NANCYR2 said:

Where did you book this tour? Ship or independent?
Thanks,

Nancy

We booked through the cruise line 

9 hours ago, NANCYR2 said:

Where did you book this tour? Ship or independent?
Thanks,

Nancy

We booked through the cruise line 

Our best excursion was in St Lucia.  Open air fun bus and beach escape.  Highly recommended.

4 hours ago, Mike981 said:

 

Thank you for your detailed review, could you please share more about this excursion? We have a cruise this January on Silhouette and so far none of the excursions have us interested.

 

Thank you~

Which excursion?

 

Taste of Local Rum

 

You travel in an air conditioned taxi to the proprietor 

 

They discuss the history and culture

 

You get to taste rum punch, pumpkin juice with rum, and a few more rums

 

The food varies but we had conch fritters, chicken fingers, jerk chicken, and banana pudding soaked in rum

 

They sell rum and T-shirts.  We bought 2 bottles and a T-shirt.  One bottle is for my brother in law who is keeping an eye on our cats.

 

Today was an at sea day.

 

We ate in LaPetite Chef.

 

We had a burrata salad, seafood boulibase, filet, lobster, and either rice pudding or ice cream sundaes.

 

Unfortunately, there was a medical emergency and the theatre was closed. Prayers.

 

Tomorrow, is our last sea day.  Mostly packed.

 

Eating in Murano tomorrow.

Just finished breakfast 

 

Mostly packed 

Two full days at sea

 

Having room service breakfast this morning- no service charge for Retreat

 

Going to do most of our packing

 

Liz and I are going to Sushi on 5 for lunch

 

My husband is going to Luminae for their burger - one of the best ever

 

A day of eating, drinking, napping, and relaxing 

 

Going to La Petite Chef for dinner

Lied maitre d Cosmin from Romania

 

Had a great excursion in Antigua

 

Taste of local rum

 

Besides rum, they served conch, chicken tenders, jerk chicken, salad, and bread pudding 

 

Bought a T-shirt and 2 bottles of rum for $60

 

Had dinner in Luminae and saw the show before heading to bed

 

Getting room service breakfast tomorrow to eat on our balcony 

 

Two full days at sea before we are home 

Maitre d Regan

I am answering the best that I can.

 

What questions am I another answering?

 

We did not do anything in Tobago

 

Do not know who the maitre d is in Luminae 

 

Had a great time in St Lucia

 

Took an open fun bus with unlimited drinks and beach - Pilgrim

 

The water was warm and beautiful 

 

$20 for two loungers and an umbrella 

 

Bought our 10 year old granddaughter a necklace and bracelet for $20

 

Bring cash

 

There were vendors selling food, drinks, jewelry, foot massages, etc.

 

When we got back, went to the Oceanview for lunch.

 

We went to the Sunset bar so my husband could smoke a cigar and had drinks.

 

Took naps.

 

Went for dinner in Luminae.

 

 I had a cold corn soup which had shrimp and an avocado ring, delicious.

For my entree, had prosciutto wrapped chicken breast.

 

My husband had the short ribs which were fork tender.

 

Our friend had tuna which was delicious.

 

All four of us had crème brûlée for dessert.

 

After dinner we did a little window shopping and played slots.

 

The show was a comedian who was very funny.

 

After that, we called it a night.

I am reading everyone’s comments 

 

Last night we went to the martini bar before the show

 

The show was a magician 

 

After that, we headed to bed

 

The ship was really swaying

 

Today, we are in St Lucia, beautiful 

 

We we’re on a fun bus with unlimited rum punches, beer, and soda

 

Spent 2.5 hours at the beach - Pelican Landing 

 

$20 to rent 2 loungers and an umbrella 

 

The water was great

 

A lot of vendors selling food, drinks, and jewelry- bought a necklace and bracelet for our 10 year old granddaughter for $20

 

Did some local shopping- a magnet for me and a shot glass for my husband.

Trinidad and Tobago

 

Unfortunately, our excursion was cancelled 

No reason given 

 

Went to Cafe Al Bacio and had iced cappuccinos.

 

Had a bit to eat in the Oceanview Cafe

 

Went to the Sky Lounge and painted watercolors and played Country Music trivia, got 30 out of 30

 

Relaxing until dinner in Luminae 

 

For entertainment, they have a magician tonight 

 

 

Did a bit of shopping in Barbados.

 

My husband got a shirt, ball cap and shot glass.

 

 I got a straw bag.

We were in Barbados today.  Did the Best of tour.  By the time we got back, we’re exhausted.

 

Went to Luminae for dinner.

 

The amouse bouch was watermelon and feta with basalmic glaze.  Delicious.

 

Had the tuna tartare which was a bit spicy.

 

Unfortunately, my duck confit was inedible.

 

My husband had French onion soup and a NY strip.

Yesterday, we arrived in St. Maarten.

 

We did a 4.5 hour bus and boat tour.  Very enjoyable.  Not bad for $79 each.  The boat tour included all you can drink rum punches, beer, soda, and water.

 

We got back and headed to the Oceanview Cafe for a bit before a nap.

 

All of the top officers had a soirée in The Retreat Lounge was a nice touch.

 

We ate in Luminae for dinner.

 

Each of use had French onion soup from the Main dining room.

I had a veal chop with veggies.

My husband had eggplant parmigiana.

 

Our friends had sea bass and surf and turf (extra $35)

 

Each of us had the chocolate soufflé with coffee gelato.

 

Excellent food a service.

 

 I wanted to see the cabaret show but was too tired.  My husband went with Liz.  The, he went to Deck 15 until 2 am.

 

Today, we are in Barbados.

Day three was another full day at sea.

 

Had breakfast in Luminae.  I had the eggs Benedict and my husband had a cheese omelette cooked perfectly.

 

Another day doing our own thing.

 

Explored the shops, nothing special.

 

Played slots.  Spent $25 and won $25.

 

Had lunch in Luminae.  My husband had burgers.  Our friend had a shrimp po boy and a salad with chicken and a green goddess dressing.  All excellent.

 

For dinner, we went to the Lawn Club on Deck 15.

 

My husband started out with a pepperoni flat bread, filet, and cheesecake.  I had a filet along with a shrimp and scallop kebab, and carrot cake with vanilla ice cream.  Service and food were excellent.

 

After dinner we went to the Martini Bar on Deck 4.  We hung out for a while.  Then I went off to our room while my husband went to Deck 15.

Day two was a sea day.

 

We had breakfast at Luminae.  Our friends decided to eat in the Oceanview Cafe.

 

My friend and I hung out at the solarium pool while our husbands hung out at The Sunset Bar on Deck 15 where they smoked cigars and drank bourbon and Long Island iced teas.  Disappointed the water was chilly.

 

That night, we ate at The Porch.  All of the food has been excellent except here.

 

My husband, who is allergic to shellfish, had a half a Cornish hen which was just ok.  The three of us had the seafood tower, which cost $15 extra each.  The lobster was overcooked and would not come off the shell.  You get 6 mussels, 4 huge shrimp, 4 scallops, a lobster tail, and seafood salad.

 

Food is subjective and someone else might love.

The embarkation process was a breeze.

 

The hotel shuttle dropped us off at the terminal.

 

There is a separate entrance for Retreat to the left.  You show your passport and boarding pass.  You take the elevator to the second floor and go through security.

 

You enter the Retreat Lounge where they come to check you in.

 

There is coffee, cold beverages and various snacks.

 

Once you board, you can drop your luggage off in the room.

 

Then we headed to the Retreat Lounge on Deck 5 where they have a full bar, various cold beverages and snacks.  What surprised me was they did not ask for our sea pass.

 

They we mustered outside of Quisine.

 

We went to lunch in Luminae on Deck 3 which is stunning.  Excellent service.  My husband had their burger which was cooked perfectly and tasted divine.  The rest of us had the lobster roll which was excellent.  For dessert we had white chocolate mousse with strawberries and basalmic glaze - yum.

 

You are allowed to go to your room at 1:30.  We got a sunset Sky Suite.  Very satisfying.  We met Deepack, our room steward.  Very present, friendly, and can not do enough for us.

 

There are 3 closets.  The only think we have asked is for extra hangers.  My husband asked for the mini fridge to be emptied.  He even filled it with water and soda.

 

We ate at Tuscan that night, one of our favorites.  Food and service were outstanding.  I had a meatball appetizer, half an order of carbonara, filet, and a pistachio crème brûlée that I am still thinking about.  My husband had a goat cheese salad, chicken parmigiana, and lemon cheesecake.

 

We went to the theater where there was dancing, singing, and acrobatics.  Very enjoyable.