nuneham

Thank you all so much for your advice. We always have euros so no problem to take some with us. We even have US dollars over from a South Pacific cruise earlier in the year so it will be a very economical beginning to this cruise. Well, at least as far as currency goes!

Good luck with your Nov. 6-20 B2B Caribbean sailing. I noticed that you will be visiting a number of interesting ports and great areas with these two cruises. This includes starting in Barbados and visiting the Dutch ABC islands, Philipsburg/St. Maarten, Gustavia/St Barts and Roseau/Dominica. As detailed on my live/blog connected below, we visited seven of these locations. There are a great variety of options and potentials there. Let me know if you have any added questions for what Silversea offers on their excursions and/or what fits your interests/needs.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 29,117 views for these postings.

Terry, from experience could you tell me if we will be ok with American dollars only? We visit 12 islands on the 2 cruises and it could get very complicated. Barbados is the only one which we visit for more than one day - 3 in total. Many thanks.

Good luck with your Nov. 6-20 B2B Caribbean sailing. I noticed that you will be visiting a number of interesting ports and great areas with these two cruises. This includes starting in Barbados and visiting the Dutch ABC islands, Philipsburg/St. Maarten, Gustavia/St Barts and Roseau/Dominica. As detailed on my live/blog connected below, we visited seven of these locations. There are a great variety of options and potentials there. Let me know if you have any added questions for what Silversea offers on their excursions and/or what fits your interests/needs.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 29,117 views for these postings.

Thank you so much for your kind offer of assistance if needed. I had found your blog previously but just looked at it again - mounting excitement! I am sure that there will be a question or two before we leave, many thanks.

Nunham, are you on the Nov. 20 SS Barbados/Amazon sailing?

No, we're B2B 6th to 20th November. First time Silversea and Caribbean so trying to gather information on both. Enjoy your cruise!

Apologies if the post offended, it was not intended.

No, not offended, more bemused that you would imagine individual behaviour to be typical. But let's move on. I shall bring my positive attitude, good manners and decent wardrobe to Silversea - or any other cruise line. Apology accepted despite there being no offence taken and I hope that one day we may share a drink onboard.

I find these comparisons especially useful when the passenger gives information about his/her preferences so that I can judge if they match my own. Food, for example, is important to us; entertainment less so BUT I do like to dance after dinner. We hate music at the pool every afternoon, some people like it. You still have to sample the lines to find your niche, but it is helpful to have some of the work done for you.

Sorry, niche was the wrong word there but I hope you get my drift.

[i am finding this thread very interesting. We are on Whisper in November, our first time with Silversea, and were beginning to share some of the misgivings expressed here based on recent reviews - particularly with reference to food and wines. I was reassured by downloading the menus recently posted on the Silversea forum - by 'looking' I think. There had been so much chat about burgers, but now I see that there are many other choices. Proof is in the eating of course but I am now much happier about this.

I find it very refreshing that the thread has not been totally dominated by Silversea loyalists, as so often happens when people ask for comparisons. Here, to me, we have good points, well made. Specifically, that economies are being made by all of the lines but nevertheless I am expecting to receive a good experience overall. We have been Azamara regulars, would cruise with them again in a heartbeat, but it's not what it was I think, particularly the food. We tried Regent for the first time this year - it was an outstanding deal - and loved it.

I shall set out determined to enjoy the cruise. I share the view that a positive attitude is always a bonus.

Had 8005 on Quest and the thumping noise woke us on the first morning - we are not light sleepers. It didn't happen every morning but it was a nuisance.

Hope you will write a Silversea v Azamara comparison Lottie (please).

 

Lynne:)

Yes, would be really interested to read what to expect on our first Silversea in November. When we tried Regent earlier this year we thought it overall a better product but less fun than Azamara.

Hi,

 

I think you will have one formal night. We did 2 years ago and we are booked on the Whisper 6th Nov to 13th Nov 2015 and there is one formal evening.

 

Log in to your booking via the Silversea web site and you can see all the info you will need with regards to formal nights, on line dinner reservations, spa etc.

 

Does anyone know if they are still having the BBQ evenings?

 

Have a great cruise.

Would love to do that but, despite booking several weeks ago, we still cannot access all sections. It's my husband's birthday on the first night and our TA had to make the speciality reservation for me. I think I'll chase again!

A limited list of alcohol-free, but it's there.

Thank you for that, Otis. It's a worst case scenario - carry your gear and don't need it or leave it at home and feel uncomfortably conspicuous.

We have also been very happy with our guarantee balconies. This time we were given our cabin number within days of booking, in the past we have waited until late. We have also met people who have been upgraded, although still in a balcony, after receiving their cabin number. I'm sure you will be fine. We would never be tempted to an oceanview guarantee on account of those with an obstructed view, which we think should be sold as 'insides'.

Great suggestions from Lottie. We also love that coastal drive between Monaco and Nice. If you're in Monte Carlo again do take the bus up to the garden at the top for an interesting visit and great views back over the city.

Just one more suggestion, do book your tickets for the Sagrada Familia online before you leave. The queues were really long - almost felt guilty just strolling past!

Please rest assured that I will. The 'justify' would be a little closer to home than Silversea's dress code!

We visited Lucca taking the train and stopped in Pisa on our return journey. Fabulous day, no hassle, no group timetable and no problems with the trains. Also extremely economical. We loved Lucca and would return without hesitation. Pisa was more crowded but the things you will wish to see are much closer together than I imagined. We were there for less time than allowed, were glad we had seen it but probably wouldn't hurry back. We've also visited Herculaneum by train - another excellent day and without problems. There were beggars on one train - not pushy, they had printed cards in several languages! - and a Mexican band on the other. Neither would deter us from using the trains again.

I've started the roll call - I hope! Brilliant news re the formal nights. Although I did have my eye on a lightweight maxi dress that I cannot now justify!

Hello. We're Ann & Peter from the UK. We're doing the previous cruise and staying on for this one. We had the same question about formal in the Caribbean. This is our first on Silversea. I thought that on a 7-night cruise there would be one formal, 3 casual and 3 semi-formal - but we have not yet seen a brochure or received any info so I may be completely wrong. I don't mind dressing up but I do sympathise with the gentlemen in hot climates - and a dinner suit takes up so much space when packing.

Yes, I had intended to comment favourably on Azamara's presence on these forums. Our experience of Regent's inclusive air package was excellent. We were travelling to Australia and the total cost was very reasonable. We also requested an upgrade on the section from LA on our return and were very pleasantly surprised at the cost. We would happily return to either cruise line. After ACC again next month we are trying Silversea in November - I think it's perhaps easy to take the benefits for granted if you stick with one line.

We've been with Azamara 8 times and tried Regent for the first time this year. Overall we thought Regent the superior product although we wouldn't consider them for Europe - from the UK, too expensive. The public areas on Regent were more spacious, the cabins larger and more relaxing and the bathrooms much better. For us the service was also very good on Regent, but you won't have the Captain dropping by to ask if he can share your table at breakfast or lunch. The included alcohol and the entertainment are better, for us, on Regent. Food - always subjective, I know - I thought the fresh fruit at breakfast gave the edge to Regent, just about. Lunches we thought better on ACC, dinner in the MDR we preferred on Regent. BUT we're back on Azamara in a few weeks, it's more fun! Our sea days on Regent became dreary - very, in fact. The jazz brunch, deck barbecues, White Nights etc do add to the Azamara experience.

Completely agree with you jollyjoyce. The Celebrity cabins particularly on S club vessels are very nice but the lack of drawer space is infuriating.

 

We love Azamara too but our loyalty should not be taken for granted. We have jumped ship and cruise with Holland America next week primarily because Quest is still in the middle of its long charter

 

On balance I think the changes proposed by Azamara appeal to me but the proof of the pudding is when I experience them in 2016

Hazel, I know that you and Lottie have loved Azamara, as have we, so I would be very interested to read what you think of HAL. We tried Regent, on a very good deal, in Jan/Feb and have been tempted by Silversea in November. We are on Journey in August and still look forward to that. Any news of Lorna and Morris/Boris.

That is an interesting angle. In effect, placing the new speciality restaurant in the aft open area means that area is no longer free, both in the sense that that it is no longer freely available and that it is no longer free in monetary terms.

Yes, that was exactly my meaning. Thank you for making it clearer.

We have always enjoyed this area and would prefer another speciality restaurant, if it is needed, to be situated elsewhere. For us, losing its free use would diminish our cruise experience.

Returned recently from our first with Regent after several with Azamara, we didn't miss Azamara's included drinks list or the Azamazing evening at all. These would be our main candidates for change. We did miss, so would not like to change, the White Nights evening and the Jazz Brunch. The latter helps to pass the sea days and we didn't think that Regent offered anything similar.

Two questions, both easy, I think. I know that gratuities are included, but no tipping even for room service? And is Assam tea available? I usually take my own on other holidays.

Apologies Deirdre!

 

Ann this is so spooky. As I was reading your post my phone rang and it was Lorna. She remembered you both straight away and obviouly passes on her best to you both too. I think I will address Maurice as Boris next time I see him. Think this is very funny.:D

 

Sorry we will miss you in November. Unlike in August when we got on Quest as you got off, this time we get off Journey as you embark.

 

I am sure we will all have a good time

Delighted to hear that they're both well. All good wishes to both. And to yourself & Lottie, too. Have a great cruise. Anything you're not too happy about, do mention it on the early feedback form so they have time to sort it for us!!