Catlover54

Gourmet Gal and others interested in hot tubs, be sure and check out the one on the Nova, Cliff Whirlpool, deck 11, open to all (typically 8-8PM, minus times it is sealed off due to weather or staff forgetting to open it up).

It is a level or two above the pool action area, and has a stunning view.  It is not very private, more like semi-private, as there is a little bar area next to it so at popular times people will walk by in both directions, though most of the action (or what there is of it) is a deck lower.  On this 2/3 full TA with ok but not the greatest weather, I walked by it several times as part of my exploration  (and scouting for hot tub loving DH for next time), and only once did I see two couples sitting in it and talking.   I imagine on stunning weather days (say in the Med) even though it is a level up from the main pool sitting area it would be popular, since it is the only one. 

 It was beautiful after it got dark, and a shame it closes off a 8PM, as it will be closed by the time most people come back from dinner and thus moonlight soaks before bed will be limited absent special arrangements.  It also felt appropriately hot to the touch (not luke warm like on the Hapag Lloyd ships).   The view can't be beat, but it doesn't have the privacy of the "secret" tubs on Seabourn, or Moon ships.

Just now, Gourmet Gal said:

I may be mistaken but did you mention there is a hot tub aft outside the spa or is that only available if one books a treatment?

When I was given a spa tour the first day, I asked about a thermal pool and a staff lady showed me a rectangular pool, maybe 4x3 meters or so (sorry I have no picture and I may be off on the size), with an ocean view, in a little room. It looked very appealing, but would be less so to me if there were overly chatty people in it with me.  I asked about hours of accessibility and she gave me spa hours (until 8PM) .  She did not say if one had to book a treatment and I didn't pursue it because unfortunately I wasn't fit enough this trip to go in, due to a medical issue.   I should have nailed her down on it for future reference.

Maybe someone who has used that pool and/or is on board now could comment on whether you have to book a treatment to use the little thermal pool in the spa?

Just now, lincslady said:

Hi Lois - it didn't seem to be like yours, which did look a good size.  I don't know anything about the suites, though, maybe this one had a tub too?

Yes, as I said in my tome, I wanted my very important tub, so the shower I pictured was that of the shower in a suite with the bath and shower.  My understanding is  showers are larger in at least some (all??) of the shower-only suites on Nova. 

But I did test out this shower a couple times when I was in a hurry and skipped the tub, and did my best to assess if DH would be happy in it.  We would both have been ok in it -- even together in a pinch -- but neither of us has broad shoulders 🙂

2 hours ago, texanaust said:

Thank you for your review.  Although you gave the cruise 4.3/5, your review reads more like 2.5-3 out of 5.  In fact it sounds like you were quite disappointed overall.

 

Would you say the food is significantly worse than the current quality on Seabourn?  How is the quality (fixtures/fittings) of the Nova compared to your recent cruise on Ovation?  I was on Ovation earlier in the year and although the product is still nice, I felt Seabourn was not what it used to be.  

That's just my style of reporting facts and opinions so people, especially new readers, have an idea what might be negative, if they care, because cruising is not like the brochure magazines. Negative stuff just takes more words than positive because I like to provide specificity.

I was not "disappointed overall" , just in a few things ( some of which I trust will work themselves out, like the smell in VL, and the electronic schedules) . The main things were there -- ship is lovely, I was at sea for many days mostly uninterrupted by the hard work of excursions, I heard some interesting talks, had some great food ( though not all was great enough of it was) and played "scout" to help me decide if the layout and flow of this ship would be in the running for trips with DH and the answer is yes  (he likes a lot of ports with a lot of picture opportunities).  SS entertainment has also improved, as a bonus, on Nova.  
 

As for Ovation food comparison, I would give a small but not "significant" nod to Ovation food because at least on that short cruise it was more reliably good for my tastes.  Others may say opposite ( that is to a great degree subjective).  I do agree SB is not what it was a few years back but no line is.  DH also loved the lone quiet hot tub in the bow on SB ships, SS does not have that ( just one big one way on top) but it isn't  deal breaker.

6 hours ago, Gourmet Gal said:

Catlover, I read your review with great interest as I am considering a Japan cruise next year, possibly on Nova.  I know your final summation and score were fairly positive but I noticed many, many negatives upon reading the detail.  Hopefully some issues are due to growing pains but can you tell me if the issue of loud music was ever rectified?  Seems a simple enough fix.  I too have a problem with loud music.  Why did you wait until mid-cruise to comment on a survey?  Surely the staff would have been accommodating if you’d asked right away if the volume could be adjusted?

I may be imagining it, but in the same areas I went to, music seemed a bit quieter after my ( and apparently other people's ) comments.   
I would not just expect staff just to accomodate *me*, as there are other guests.  I gave feedback when asked after a few days to comment on what we like or do not like, but what if, say, Lois or FDNY or others like the outdoor music to be everywhere, in that style,  and at the louder volume? They might be upset if it isn't there!  Who gets the veto?  Perhaps if enough complain about too much of it they can compile all data and then fairly decide, or then try it quieter and see if someone gets upset it's too quiet.  My suspicion is most don't care one way or the other, and some just don't hear well anyway.

27 minutes ago, Catlover54 said:

One average sized male and one average sized female,  together, would be snug in the shower, but it is doable.  One Person of Size alone will fit fine. If that is you in your Avatar, you will be fine, but not have space to let.

I will look if I have any shower  pictures ( but meanwhile also check online).  DH wasn't with me, or he would have had electronic measurements in 3D 🙂 

Here you go:

5 hours ago, fdnycruiser said:

catlover54, I just read your very detailed and appreciated revue. However, we never had to use our key card for access to any of the public restrooms.

Hmm.  Maybe my experience was because

1.  There were two public toilets I tended to use most often,  in the same area, and 

2.  I kept my room card in a case.

I was definitely motivated to enter! 🙂

On disembarkation day, after 8 AM, when I had vacated my suite  I couldn't get into those either, ( the two nearest to Panorama lounge and the Connoisseur's Corner),  even with the room key an hour later ( had to track down staff to let me in and wondered if that was by design, like internet expiring after checkout in some hotels).

Mystery.  Good to know this was not normal.

5 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi, I am sitting at EWR waiting for my flight home and in the middle of reading your review........thanks for all your thoughts. Did we ever meet?

One item, 2 of the singers are from South Africa......just to clarify.

1. Thank you for the correction about the singers.  Which ones were South African? 

2. I did not meet anyone named Lois, but I didn't go to get-togethers with introductions for various reasons ( most  of them health-related).  Plus, as I said, I hung out in my cabin in prime time a lot for sea-listening.  It's a physically  large ship for a luxury  vessel ( though nothing like mainstream, of course!), with so many mini-venues, which I think also fosters anonymity despite low pax counts  ( maybe that's why so many crowded into Arts).  That can be a good or bad thing, depending on perspective.

17 minutes ago, Lonedaddy said:

nice review.  One question how was the shower size in the combo room?  Are there any photos.  DW (also a cat lover) likes her soak, but my gripe on the dawn was the small shower.  

One average sized male and one average sized female,  together, would be snug in the shower, but it is doable.  One Person of Size alone will fit fine. If that is you in your Avatar, you will be fine, but not have space to let.

I will look if I have any shower  pictures ( but meanwhile also check online).  DH wasn't with me, or he would have had electronic measurements in 3D 🙂 

3 hours ago, Observer said:

Thank you for a wonderful, detailed, elegantly written review.

 

Your essay raises a question and an observation for me.

 

First, the question: Is the Marquee entirely exposed to the elements or are there covered areas in case of rain, etc.  Are there overhead heaters for chilly days/evenings?  Is there a bar ready of hand so that one can grab a drink before taking a table?

 

Second, the observation: People complain about the inability to get restaurant reservations, but (as you observe) Silversea compounds the problem by making it difficult to cancel reservations.  One cannot do so online after embarkation.  Butlers are off duty at precisely the hours one might decide to have dinner in the suite or just grab a simple pizza. And on two separate occasions in recent years I have call Reception to cancel that evening's dinner reservation, only to find that all of my reservations for the cruise were canceled.  I have now given up on trying to have Reception cancel the reservation.  

1.  There are some covered areas but open to the breeze and semi-horizontal rains.  There are heaters.  On a colder evening I went up there without reservations to see if I could be seated, and decided it was too chilly.  There were only about 20 people all huddled under blankets in primetime, and they were drinking wine ( I assume they could get hard liquor drinks too but am not sure and that is what you are asking -- my guess would be yes, as the pool bar is close by with stock even though officially closed).

2.  As for dining:  butler are on 4-9:30 evenings.  If you want a really early dinner, call room service and someone else besides the butler will bring it ( though I worry someone will wake the butler and I don't want that). Sometimes I had no answer for both room service and reception ( at busier times, I allow 20-30 rings then pause), but I'd try again a few minutes later and it got through .  This was a small n, however, as I only did room service a few times. You can also track your dinner reservations for that night ( but not going far forward) on the TV, they pop up each morning, sometimes late the night prior.  I asked for a printout of all my reservations when I boarded to make sure it matched my plans, and also each time I personally added a new one, or personally canceled,  I got a TV email confirming a few hours later.  I added everything to my ical as I went along just in case -- and to a paper note pad since I know that will still be there and not disappear.

Here is the CC link to my very, very, very long review about my impressions of the Nova.

Bottomline:  I enjoyed the ship and the journey, and would consider cruising on Nova again, either solo, with DH, or with friends.  There were many pros, and a few cons and oddities ( to me), but my overall rating is 4.3/5, rounded down to 4/5 for the CC ratings options.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=708560

Bottomline:  It was overall a pleasant cruise, with mostly good food, service, and facilities.

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=708178&stay=1&posfrom=1

14 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

I think it is safe to say no one on a cruise is going to St. Petersburg anytime in the near future.

Nor will most be visiting ports in Israel -- but for different reasons. 😞

Welcome to HAL, Bundtkate (cute username, BTW):) !  It is always nice to read a post by someone who has  researched and informed herself as well as possible  about a feature being considered but still has specific questions.

I am very new to HAL myself (only 4 total, twice in suites) but like others here, I absolutely loved the separate CO dining facility (I was on Rotterdam, but it was similar to the Konigsdam layout).   I thought the service was better than in the MDR (more efficient and more properly staffed), and the venue was quieter.  I strongly dislike loud MDRs and I don't think that dining room noise concerns are "piddly" .  I did not experience lines at CO (which I also try and minimize, including for tenders) , and it was nice to have an extra entree choice.

The only thing I missed was a sea view, and that it was closed at lunch.

The food wasn't at Haven level, but was still very good cruise food, and oddly overall I even liked most of the food better than the MDR food on my last 'luxury' Seabourn cruise (and the better service just made everything taste nicer).

If you want an even more "premium" meal, I also encourage you to try at least a couple of the specialty restaurants if you can (book as far in advance as you can to assure a spot at a popular time, though spots open up on the cruise). 

If you have your first dinner and decide that the entrees run too small and you or your DH need "extra", you can advance order two entrees instead of one at future dinners (or when the entree arrives you can eyeball it and decide to order more then and there).  But you can do that in the MDR too . I found the portions sizes just right for me, a senior female with a normal BMI and only moderate activities, but a big muscular and/or younger guy who works out a lot might need either a bigger entree, or extra courses.

The waiters can suggest some decent wine pairings for your food, but they are not sommeliers and don't have unlimited time .  If you want a more precise pairing, look at the food menu in advance on the app, and you can also look at the wine menu to get some ideas on what is covered by beverage packets, what the mark-ups are, and what might be fun to try, i.e., do a bit of your own research, and then run it by the servers if you still need help. 

I hope you have a fantastic cruise, and report back on this board and/or as a "member review" (or both) after you have sailed!

On 9/13/2023 at 2:34 AM, MJN1 said:

Another place we like is the Arts Cafe on Deck 8. Nice, comfy place (and without the lines of loud talkers waiting for help at the SB Square).

And here I thought it was just me who dislikes the "loud talkers" in SB Square in the mornings while I am in a semi-coherent pre-caffeinated state 🙂

Thd "loud talkers", on top of the loud machinery sounds of the grinding and blending equipment, lead me to avoid SB Square in the mornings (and the pumped in  music thumps lead me to avoid it later on unless I needed its wifi connection or had a problem the service clerks needed to resolve for me).

The best AM ritual is still coffee in my own suite, whatever the ship is, or in the quiet observation lounge equivalents with a pastry (preferably buttery), or the deserted outdoor deck loungers  early in the morning when no one is there yet to facetime his grandkids without headphones.

I am really appreciating luxury land trips more than I did pre-Covid (I am convinced the Brits do those best, on average, by far).  But I still feel compelled to cruise despite the skyrocketing and ridiculous prices.  But I only have four more cruises lined up within the next year so far, ( on four different lines) with probaby only 1-2 additional likely to happen, depending on whether or not I can justify $50,000-$70,000 to stare at ice and fog for two weeks.

Perhaps "Flight Ease" should be renamed to "Flight Fretting" or "Flight ____" [ insert another word that begins with an F] 😞

Regardless of what cruise line I take, I do my darndest to maintain control of my own flights even if I can't use miles.  I know that usually costs me extra (though not always -- sometimes the cruise line "bargain" rate quotes a higher price, of course with more dependency on the line making errors, than what I can find on my own, and usually it's more or less a wash).  I see it as one of the many extra costs of travel (and boy have long-haul airline prices gone up these days, especially if you want anything other than economy -- even premium economy for many long-hauls is costing more than business class just before Covid).

Good luck, this is so frustrating.

This is one of several reasons to have a TA (let *her* do the jockeying with Flight Ease).

2 hours ago, vistaman said:

My review is published and all the items I wrote  are the truth in full.

I appreciate the balance (i.e., noting not just things you disliked, but also good things you liked), and all the details you provided about the not so good things.  Specifics you provide make it more difficult for potential cheerleaders who may have vested interests (as occurs on other lines) to pounce on you, e.g., to insist that you were mistaken, didn't do something correctly, exaggerated the importance of some issues, didn't have the right attitude, don't appreciate how lucky you are while people are suffering in the Ukraine, etc. There will always be some who will even accuse critics who provide specifics of being liars, though they usually use more elaborate phrasing or euphemisms.

Probably the most disturbing to me is that unlike on other luxury lines, the food and beverage managers were uninterested in at least pretending that they valued your input.  They seem to be foreclosing improvement.  

The other review available, by a frequent cruiser,  so far also rated their cruise no higher than yours.

But of course travel influencers and travel writers all over the internet who had complimentary cruises are, not surprisingly,  swooning.  

You cruise so much that had you been impressed with this cruise, you could have become a loyal and regular customer and thus a source of good profit for them.  They blew it.

So far, based on what I have read here and elsewhere, Explora would have to have a spectacular and convenient itinerary at an amazing price for me to book them, or a Hapag Lloyd Europa style Ocean Sun classical music festival.

It's not any one thing you described that is a deal breaker, it is the long report of non-luxury behaviors that was bothersome  (I had to laugh at the 20cc bottle of premium spirits they came up with for you).  

We'll see what their occupancies are over the next few months, compared with other luxury lines.  Maybe there is a group of paying customers that will find a niche for themselves on Explora as is, a group  that will be fine with luxury prices without luxury food and beverage.

There will be a little bit of deep fjords with Flam as Gnomie said, but the rest is western coastal Norway and Baltics.  All those areas have their own unique appeal (though fog can make everything gray and unpleasant while sailing, the towns are still interesting in the Baltics).

However, there is quite a bit of scenic cruising mixed into these sections other than Flam, e.g., between Helsinki and Stockholm is scenic and lovely, and with one or two exceptions the ports are stimulating.

This is a good cruise if you have never been there.  If you are interested in ship excursions, be alert to be ready to research and book them when they open up (which may be as soon as now).  Same with the reserve dining rooms.

5 hours ago, bitob said:

I hope he is reading these boards

If he doesn't fix the problems he will never fill those ships.

 

"Incredibly positive feedback"- hilarious

The reference is to "guests, travel advisors, and media" but it seems most of the positives have been travel advisors and media, or guests with a more restrained and balanced view (which doesn't mean they didn't enjoy their cruise, some exceptions who clearly hated it). 

Do travel advisors and media *ever*  write negative reports about a [comped] cruise they have been on? It doesn't mean that positive reviews by them are wrong and untrue, it just inspires skepticism in me when they drool, just like strikingly positive over the top reviews about a line written by their main cheerleaders (who often receive other indirect benefits) inspire skepticism.  

And yet I always hope the gaga travel advisors, media, and cheerleaders are right about how wonderful things are .  As someone who mixes and matches lines and is always exploring alternatives, I am delighted that sometimes things turn out to be even more wonderful than expected, though not necessarily in the way you thought it would be.

I'm holding off on Explora for now as my dance card is pretty full for a year or so and I have no interest in some of their destinations on dates  I could squeeze in a quickie. I'll give them time to sweep their biggest dust bunnies under their designer rugs, and then I will probably book even though I won't be able to get a bath tub and the view of the sea from the bed will be partially obscured by a bookshelf 🙂

Two years ago when we flew into KEF arriving early in the morning, in summer, entry was very easy and quick and pleasant (though some elevators were broken).

Exit (flying back to U.S.) in the afternoon, when many flights to U.S. were leaving was terrible (huge understaffed security lines with no priority line for business class, and intense intrusive security even on 80-year-olds, it was quite bizarre -- plus the bz lounge is pre-security which heightened anxiety) .

8 hours ago, kittycrews said:

Cruising now on Silver Nova. Bartender was on Sky with us all. We continue to cruise but age and mobility issues keep us closer to home in Scotland. Still see your photo pop up, jd, from 2022 cruise.  Best wishes to all.

 

 

 

Of course living in a beautiful area such as Scotland makes staying "closer to home" a bit easier as one gets older and less mobile.

Every trip I plan has to compete with just staying in our own beautiful area (not to mention medical appointments).  But since we spent time driving around Scotland a few months ago, she has been calling our names to return for more cruising and more land journeys.

One of DH's hobbies is photography, and he was in seventh heaven there.  There  is still so much more to experience, but it's just the getting to Europe and back that is the hardest (even if we fly "business") not so much the being there. Since retirement, we have started combining more experiences in Europe, e.g., doing a port-intense cruise, then an easy-going land tour nearby,  then another intense cruise, then  visit friends and relax, then land, etc.,  to  avoid repeating the dreaded agonies, anxieties and commotions of repeated (not to mention ridiculously expensive ) long-haul flights to/from California. 

I hope you are enjoying the Nova, and wish you well!

On 9/3/2023 at 12:23 AM, vistaman said:

unfortunately for that disaster  i gave up a Nordic cruise on HL  as so far I never did a full Britain cruise contarely to my many Nordic cruises 

i am adding the list once again 

wijnkaart.pdf 1.52 MB · 14 downloads

It worked this time, thank you. 

5 minutes ago, JDincalif said:

We subscribe to NSIA update emails, and we know that some of you do as well. For those who don't, we just wanted to let you know that the Viking Sky investigation remains open and ongoing, along with a small number of other significant incidents.

 

Hoping that all our fellow 'survivors' are thriving these days.

Thank you, JD.  I was just thinking about that what happened with that investigation as I was getting ready to plunk down 5 figures on a Viking expedition 🙂

". . . .Because of past disrespect by visitors, photography was very restricted.. ."

". . . Members of the Arraluli explained the significance of the art and some of the stories associated with it. They wryly noted that some of the vandalism had been caused by their own people who used acrylic paints instead of the traditional earthen dyes and brushes.. . ."

Apparently things also happened during Covid (when no visitors could officially come).

I'm confused as to what the nature of the "disrespect" was that would preclude visitor photography (especially when coupled with the members' statement that their own people had used acrylic paints and apparently that itself is vandalism).  I'm having trouble picturing the events: perhaps when no one was looking during Covid, visitors of some sort brought in acrylic paints and together with some Arraluli members (perhaps youths)  used the paints  to make unapproved graffiti and  then took pictures?

It is of course the Arralui's place and they can ban whatever they want to ban for whatever reason at any time, but it would be disappointing to us to trek all the way out there and have to rely on just our memories because even supervised photos, without any paints up our sleeves,  are not allowed.  I know some churches and other tourist sites ban photos (even without flash, and even when admission has already been charged) with the hope that people will then buy the pictures sold at the site instead, to further enhance revenue. Perhaps it was as simple as that.

Hopefully it was disclosed in advance that photography would be forbidden on the excursion.

Other than that mild snag, it sounds like you had an amazing day!  How have the temperatures and humidity been?

When I search on the Crystal Forum, I am given a choice for Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony (which go way, way back to the start) but not the Endeavor (which started in 2021 and ended just a few months later, as you know).

Does anyone know where I can find the archives for Endeavor? Or have they been deleted?

I'd like to look up some information in some of the posts, even though the ship now belongs to SS.

Thanks in advance.