palladian

We will be arriving in Santiago on November 22 till our cruise departs on the 28th Not sure whether to spend the time in the city and day trip or go elsewhere any recommendations 

Any recommendations for transfers from LHR to London and London to Dover

Silversea has gone from 5 star to 3 star all round condition of the ships cosmeticly as well as mechanically have been let go. The food is nothing great in any of the restaurants the specialty restaurant never change the menu. The crew all foreign and difficult to understand though they do try hard. It's a problem with management and cost-cutting not putting back into the ships when you sail with only two thirds capacity you don't make money . But rather than discounting the cruise to fill it up they rather leave it empty this makes no sense financially

On the other hand Seabourn the once great Galley dinners have disappeared the wine choices are more limited but still Seabourn is light years ahead of Silver sea

The era of small Ship luxury cruising has passed it's all about economy of scale bigger ships more people less attention to detail more profit. Sad.

We thought that we would give Silversea another chance after a terrible experience on the shadow two years ago. Let me first say that we have over 100 days with Silver sea and in years past they were the best. Unfortunately and they have slid down the pipe and now I'm no longer considering them to be a 5 Star line. After having just spent 14 days on the Silvercloud the condition of the ship was deplorable the air-conditioning didn't work carpets were dirty the rooms were in poor repair furniture tattered. The quality of the food was subpar and to top it off the shore excursions were unbelievable. In Richards Bay they offer the a shore excursion for $450 per person we decided to go to the same golf course and play golf our cost for the taxi clubs and golf for two people totaled $127.00 us not the $900.00 they wanted quite understandable for the cruise line try to make money on shore excursions but this is ridiculous. When we returned to the ship several people had booked the $900 per couple golf trip when they found out what the real cost was they were beside themselves The ship sailed with less than 200 people. This is only one example of the ridiculous cost of their shore excursions. To add insult to injury he paid $120 for taxi Cape Town airport when I found out that the normal charge was $25 two days before hand I canceled the Silversea $120 taxi and was told that I could not cancel. My 4 o'clock departure to the airport I waited till 425 no private car from Silversea The charge was on my bill and no car luckily I found a taxi so that I could catch my flight. I will never again waste my time with this cruise line again save yourself the trouble and find another .

When was the last time they had a sale requiring full payment a year ahead of sailing?

I believe it was when the Spirit was being built

$1500.00

can i ask how much extra the penthouse was please?

$1500

On a upcoming cruise in late Oct I booked the low price ob suite last week i was offered an upgrade to penthouse for the cost of booking a v2. This is the third time I have got upgrades to penthouse or owners albeit the other two i had booked actual cabins I choose. i'm thankful for the good luck

In 2012 many were still feeling the effects of the economy so fewer people were booking ,usury cruises and fares were lower. That incentive seems to have disappeared.

After the last few days of market volatility we could see a return to 2012 levels.

There is a stuff your laundry into a bag one price $50. its amazing how much can be put in to the bag worth every penny who wants to do laundry your on vacation.

love to have a look we we will get on in Auckland Friday

davidchambers@charter.net

We did this trip a few years ago with SS only one other couple, the guide and driver. it was not cheap but was fantastic i would go with SS they put it together. the morning flight in a balloon was amazing.

We sailed in 800 owners suite on the Odyssey in October the bed was configured as a queen but i did see that the side tables were removable and it could be set up as a twin.

We are 3 points shy of a change in status and about to take a 20 day cruise. I am wondering if we are able to take advantage of any of the extra benefits while on this cruise, or will we have to wait until the cruise after???

We are on a 32 day cruise Auckland to Bali the cruise was sold as a single cruise originally then later it became 2. Auckland to Melbourne Melbourne to Bali before the first segment to Melbourne we will have reached Gold club status I wrote to Seabourn club asking if we would be advanced to the next level. They responded that we would, just alert the club or cruise specialist upon are arrival in Melbourne.

Anyone know who the Captain CD and Chef are now?

We stayed in suite 800 last Oct. there was some vibration but only when the ship was powering up to speed then it went away nothing to be concerned about at all.

Wait till your on board there are more than a few to choose from. Just ask your room steward after you look at the bar.

We did the overnight Borobudor trip privately two years ago i will caution you that the roads are horrid from the port of Samarang the ship tour will use police escorts to get through the traffic. and will arrive there hours before any private car. it can be done hope the ship departs late the second day.