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Live from the Whisper: Venice to Athens


CruiseCat99
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We arrived in Venice on Tuesday, September 4th, for a few days to enjoy Venice. We took advantage of the early morning arrival and attempted to defeat jet lag, despite no sleep on the 8 hour flight from Detroit. We are a “May/December” couple, with my husband being more the typical Silversea cruiser age, and I am younger. I am still working and he is retired. We enjoy the small ships, less people, and high quality service. We are seasoned cruisers on the mass market lines, and made the move to Silversea in 2016. This is our first time in the Whisper and first trip to The Eastern mediterranean .

After our days seeing Venice, we took advantage of an early luggage drop off on embarkation day. This is amazing as we could explore further and not worry about luggage.

We boarded at 4:00, was escorted to our suite, and our luggage was in the room. We had an hour to unpack. No sign of our butler. Muster was at 5:00pm. This is one of my few complaints of SS. Why are we stil forced to stand with those hot stinky jackets on the deck for 30 minutes???

After Muster, we showered and explored the ship. Still no sign of our butler. Noticed water on the bathroom floor...we cleaned it up and went on our way. The size difference from the Wind (our previous SS ship) is noticeable. We had dinner reservations in La Terraza. Service was hit or miss. We had to ask for wine. Staff seemed rushed and generally stressed out.

We were pretty worn out from 3 straight days of walking Venice, so we decided to skip the intro show abs get some rest. We had an early morning tour for the next day.

We returned to the room to find turndown service. We called the butler because hubby is on CPAP and there was no plug close to the bed. The butler helped us set this up. He also seemed hurried and stressed. We assumed he had too many suites to manage. He brought our requested bar service and asked about dining preferences, etc.

We mentioned the water in the bathroom and he said someone would come look at it. More on that for the next post...

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Koper, Slovenia:

Woke up to more water on the bathroom floor... called reception who then directed us to our butler.

We had ordered coffee and a light breakfast to our room before our tour. Our shop was docked. Our tour met and boarded a lovely large bus and headed out along the cost. We saw the coastal towns and then went to a village to taste the local food and wine. It was a lovely tour, and we would book it again. The port of Koper is large, and we did not explore beyond our tour. Since we only had about an hour and a half before all aboard time, we simply went to our room to rest up. The room had been serviced. Even more water on the bathroom floor, standing water. Called again and this time maintenance was sent to assess the issue. The toilet was leaking. It took several calls and prompting to get this fixed, as the plumber would come, look, fiddle with something and leave. After about 3 hours of this, the leaking seemed to have stopped.

Dinner was in The Restaurant. It was lobster night and the hubby had 34 day dry aged steak, I had the lobster. Both were very good. Service here was much more smooth than the night before. However, we witnessed 3 “collisions” of staff and many spills. Unusual based on past cruise experiences. The staff does not seem to be working together smoothly on this cruise.

The show was a tribute to swing/big band era music. It was typical for a small stage production. I wish the girls would not sing in falsetto for the whole show. If you call yourself a soprano, you should not need falsetto for an entire show! Another slight complaint is that the staff continued to escort people to their seats even 20 minutes past the start of the show. This is very annoying when guests are on time and now my enjoyment of the show is being interrupted by late people. Perhaps they shouldn’t seat people beyond the start time or a few minutes beyond? Maybe a section in the back dedicated to late people?

This is more a fellow passenger annoyance than with Silversea, as there are rude and entitled people everywhere. :rolleyes:;)

There was not much to see or do after the show, so we made our way back to the room. Early morning tour the next day, again.

The tv in the suite has a few “live” channels including news networks, HGTV, Food Network, and Travel Channel. There are also movies on demand, a mix of new and classics.

PS: there was no water on the floor in the bathroom tonight!!!:D

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Hvar, Croatia

Our tour this morning was sailing the archipelago with lunch. Our ship was tendered. After coffee and light breakfast in the suite, we met in the show lounge and was escorted to our tender ashore. At first, there seemed to be a lot of people on this tour. However, they divided us into small groups of 6 and put us on multiple sailboats. We actually sailed, not motored, to our first stop for a swim. The sun was hot abs the water cool. There was a rocky beach to swim too. Don’t bother with snorkel equipment, as there was nothing of interest to see under the water. However, the islands are beautiful.

We then sailed, and I mean really sailed, to the next stop. It was exciting to switch direction, chasing the wind as we zig-zagged across and through the archipelago. We docked in a cove and had a 7-10 minute walk to our lunch stop. The walk was uphill, but not too strenuous. The beaches were all rocky, and a group of school children followed us. They were loud and noisy, so we walked further and found a shady spot to relax before lunch. We did not swim here, but you could and you could also rent a lounger. The cost was 100 Kuna or about $15. All money here is the Kuna, not Euro.

Lunch was delicious. We were served salad and bruschetta, finished with a dessert. Red and white local wine was included, and quite good. The tomatoes were amazing. I grow heirloom tomatoes at home, and these put mine to shame.

After lunch we motored back to the port. I would do this tour again and again. It was excellent. Wine and crackers (and water) were available throughout the time on the sailboat. We immediately caught a tender back to the ship. We showered and immediately caught another tender back to the port town. The town is a mix of touristy and old world charm. We wondered the side streets, and found a place to people watch. We exchanged a small amount of money and enjoyed a charcuterie plate with the local beer for around 170 Kuna. We leisurely walked back to the tender area with a stop for gelato. It was better than the gelato in Venice!!

Back in board, we took advantage of the empty ship and did some self-service laundry.

We had a drink at the bar, and enjoyed the view.

Dinner was at the Grill. Service was excellent, but the same rushed and stressed atmosphere seemed to perpetuate everything. The food was very good. We opted to coon for ourselves. The prawns were not like we have had before. They were already shelled and not whole.... I missed the whole ones.

The show was one singer tonight, and we opted to skip it. We enjoyed the lounge for awhile before bed.

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Day at Sea:

We slept in and ordered coffee. We had requested to join the bridge tour, but 10 minutes before we were to be at the meeting place, we were called and informed it was canceled.

Currently, we are enjoying a movie in the suite. There is not much going on onboard today. A guest lecture, casino, shop and spa sales pitches, that’s about it!

We will get rested up as this is the only sea day we have!!

More to come as time allows!

Feel free to ask questions. I will try to answer when I can.

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Appreciate your nice posts, comments and follow-ups. Will be departing Nov. 13 for Athens from which we will doing a 20-day sailing with Oceania to Dubai. Will you spend some time in Athens at the end of your cruise? Look forward to any insights, details, tips, etc., from your time in Athens. Keep up the great sharing!! Have you talked with the Hotel Director, got proper responses for any service issues, etc.?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!! Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 76,514 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

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We have 4 days in Athens post cruise. Looking forward to seeing the ancient sights.

It seems most things have been smoothed out and we are enjoying the cruise. We did speak to the hotel director and he was most apologetic about the water issue. It also appears our butler was assigned to cover for 2 sick crew the first few days. Poor guy! That had a negative effect on performance, obviously not his fault. It has since been rectified, and service is once again back to standards.

On to more relaxing!

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We have 4 days in Athens post cruise. Looking forward to seeing the ancient sights. It seems most things have been smoothed out and we are enjoying the cruise. We did speak to the hotel director and he was most apologetic about the water issue. It also appears our butler was assigned to cover for 2 sick crew the first few days. Poor guy! That had a negative effect on performance, obviously not his fault. It has since been rectified, and service is once again back to standards. On to more relaxing!

 

Appreciate this follow-up with the important details as to how your ship service has "smoothed out". Glad you talked with the ship Hotel Director. Wonderful that you will have four days in Athens. Hopefully in that time, you will be able also to do a day-trip from Athens in order explore beyond what is just in that city. Keep up the great sharing!! Am loving following along.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For Athens and nearby, look at this earlier posting for many options and visual samples from this city that is so great for seeing its great history, style and architecture. This posting is now at 25,370 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

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Terry, a lot of this cruise actually goes to the southern peninsula of Greece, so we will probably mostly enjoy the areas in and immediately around Athens. We are staying in the Plaka area.

Tomorrow we will be in Kalamata, and are making the trip into Sparta.

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Terry, a lot of this cruise actually goes to the southern peninsula of Greece, so we will probably mostly enjoy the areas in and immediately around Athens. We are staying in the Plaka area. Tomorrow we will be in Kalamata, and are making the trip into Sparta.

 

WOW!! Great follow-up and wonderful to learn that you will be seeing and doing so much in the southern peninsula of Greece. And, staying in the Plaka area is very, very smart!! We stayed at the AVA Hotel in the Plaka area in 2006 and will be back there again for our second trip to Athens. Wonderful area with such great charm and character. Looking forward to seeing all of your continued sharing and trip details. Will keep following along for your adventure.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 211,777 views for this posting.

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Checked your cruise schedule and saw that on day ten of your cruise that you will be stopping in Nafplion from 8 am to 10 pm. Great location with so many wonderful options nearby. It's very good that you have a decent amount of time in this port. Below are my visuals highlights for a few of those nearby options. Choose wisely!! Look forward to seeing the reports as to what you do here and in these other excellent ports.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 230,737 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

These Mycene ruins go back 2700 years from a spectacular empire. As a major center of Greek civilization, this military stronghold dominated much of southern Greece. The period of Greek history from about 1600 BC to about 1100 BC is called Mycenaean in reference to Mycenae's power during this "bronze age". Much of the Mycenaean religion survived into classical Greece in their pantheon of Greek deities. Lots of "real" history here!! Second is one of the historic gold item in their museum here.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

MyceneRuins.jpg

 

MyceneGold.jpg

 

Looking down upon Nafplion from the historic Palamidi military fortress that overlooks the town and its harbor. This fortress is on the crest of a 216-metre high hill. It was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area (1686-1715). Second, at Nafplion, this is a closer view of the fortress in its harbor:

Nap.jpg

 

PelPenNapFortress.jpg

 

Epidaurus is the famed outdoor theater with super great acoustics on the Peloponnesian Peninsula. Their local prosperity enabled Epidaurus to construct civic monuments including this huge theater that had dramatic performances, ceremonial programs, etc. It was designed in the 4th century BC. The original 34 rows were extended in Roman times by another 21 rows. As with many Greek theaters (and as opposed to Roman ones), the view on a lush landscape behind the performing areas was an integral part of the design. It seats up to 15,000 people. The acoustics permit almost perfect intelligibility of un-amplified spoken word from the proscenium. A 2007 study by Georgia Tech scholars indicates that the amazing acoustic properties are either the result of an accident or the product of advanced design . . . rows of limestone seats filtering out low-frequency sounds and amplify/reflect high-frequency sounds from the stage.:

GreekOutThTwo.jpg

 

Gr.jpg

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Terry, we have already booked a tour that goes to Mycenae as well as Epidurious. It also includes some time at the famously well preserved theater.

We also stop in Kusadasi, Turkey in a few days. We have hired an archaeologist to take us through Ephesus and the terrace houses. SS has a concert in the theater for us that night as well! Lots to look forward to...

Well, must go get ready for formal night!

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Terry, we have already booked a tour that goes to Mycenae as well as Epidurious. It also includes some time at the famously well preserved theater.

We also stop in Kusadasi, Turkey in a few days. We have hired an archaeologist to take us through Ephesus and the terrace houses. SS has a concert in the theater for us that night as well! Lots to look forward to... Well, must go get ready for formal night!

 

Wonderful that you had already done the smart research and planning to have booked tours that go to both Mycenae and Epidurious. Excellent!!

 

For doing Ephesus, it also appears that your planning is very, very good. And, to have a good expert with you is so wise and important for understanding all that you will be experiencing. That should also work out very well. In 2006, when sailing with Seabourn, we were able to experience the evening concert at this historic setting. Below are some of my visuals for what you will be able to enjoy there. Look forward to reading your comments and reactions. Yes, get dressed for your formal night.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 239,840 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

Walking to night concert at the Ephesus library gives a great, less-crowded sampling for this historic site. Second is a wider view as we enjoyed a night concert in front of the historic library at Ephesus with the sun getting ready to set. This Library of Celsus was built in honor of a Roman Senator and completed in 135 AD by his son, a Roman Consul and powerful official. The library was built to store 12,000 scrolls and to serve as a tomb for his father. The interior of the library and all its books were destroyed by fire in an earthquake in 262 AD. Only the facade survived, but was later destroyed by another earthquake. In a restoration during the 1960's and 1970's, the front was restored and serves as a key example of Roman public architecture. Third is after the sun has set, there is a closer angle of the the Ephesus library as its dramatic lighting adds to the significant visual impact at this location.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

EphesusWalkingIn.jpg

 

NightLibrary.jpg

 

EphNightLibr.jpg

 

As we departed after the music program, here is the view of the outdoor theater at Ephesus as it is fully lighted for events in the evenings. This famed outdoor theater hosted Saint Paul preaching, plus more recently, rock stars, etc. At this large, 25,000 seat outdoor theater in the 1st century AD, the Apostle Paul did a famed sermon condemning pagan worship. He spent over three years in Ephesus preaching the Gospel.:

EphNightOutTheat.jpg

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It sounds like things are calming down and balancing out what with the Butler issue and the water leak issue resolved. Your tour in Hvar sounds like something we would love to do.

 

When we were in Nafplion, we ended up renting a car and driving all over because Our booked excursion got cancelled. One of the best days ever. So if that happens to you, there is a car rental place right down by where the tenders drop you.

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It sounds like things are calming down and balancing out what with the Butler issue and the water leak issue resolved. Your tour in Hvar sounds like something we would love to do.

 

When we were in Nafplion, we ended up renting a car and driving all over because Our booked excursion got cancelled. One of the best days ever. So if that happens to you, there is a car rental place right down by where the tenders drop you.

Thank you for the tip! I hope this doesn’t happen, but good to know we will have the option.

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Tonight was formal night. There was a mix of very formal, tux and ball gowns, to less formal. Saw one person in jeans and a dinner jacket!!!

The food in the Restaurant seems to have improved greatly since our previous SS cruise. We had 34 day dry aged filet tonight. Mine was cooked perfectly, medium rare. Service was much better tonight. Maybe it was the section we were in before?

The show was an opera, and it was just okay. I am a classically trained pianist and studied vocal, including some opera, so I may be a bit biased.

We have a time change tonight as we go to Greek time.

Tomorrow we get to sleep in! We arrive in Kalamata at noon. Our tour is to Sparta.

So far, seas have been pretty calm. There was some slight rocking during the show tonight, but nothing that would cause anyone a problem. The weather has been fabulous.

More to come tomorrow!

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Kalamata, Greece—-we set the clocks ahead one hour.

Today our ship did not come into port until 12:00pm (noon). We had a relaxing morning and left for our tour at 12:30pm. We had booked the Mystras Medievel Citadel tour. We boarded a very nice coach for an hour and ten minute drive to Mystras/Spártā. We were given ear pieces to use once we arrived at the fortress. The scenery was amazing. Yes, it was a long time on the bus, but very worth it. We arrived and our guide walked us through the two lower churches before we had about 45 minutes on our own to explore. I wish we had longer. We did not have time to climb to the top, and the tour busses cannot drop people at the top enterance. If we did this again, we would hire a guide to drive us, drop us at the top, and work our way down to the bottom.

We saw about half, as we made it up to the palace. It is steep and often dangerous walking with uneven walkways, loose stones, and often steep steps. Let’s put it this way, the people who work there go up on donkeys. The Silversea guidebook says this is a “moderate” tour with .93 miles of walking. Well, that is a little off. If you just stayed with the guide and didn’t see anything else, maybe...

There is a little museum at the end of the pathway where you can buy souvenirs. We bought a drawing of how old the ancient hillside would have looked during the time of ancient Sparta.

We boarded our bus for the hour and 10 minute drive back. Along the way we stopped at the famous statue of the king of Sparta, Leonidas, leader of the 300. We had about five minutes to take pictures.

I was a little sad that there was not time in Port to enjoy a trip into the old city. Silversea did run a shuttle bus into the old town for passengers who wish to go in and explore. I definitely miss the fact that we did not get to try any of the Kalamata olives while in Kalamata!

We have dinner tonight in La Terazza. The ship sails at 8:00pm.

The show is at 10:00pm and is a tribute to the Blues/Soul era. If we can stay awake, I’m sure we will enjoy it.

Tomorrow is Santorini!

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We enjoyed dinner and drink a little too much last night and were too tuckered our to stay up for the show. We fell asleep quickly to the gentle rocking of the ship.

 

We are now watching the ship come slowly into Santorini. We will be here until 11:59pm, so we have the whole day to enjoy and hopefully not feel rushed. There is a large ship that arrived at 7am in port, and another large ship is supposed to come in at 2pm. Both leave by 6pm.

 

Our plan is to get off the ship about 9:30-10am when then shore excursion tenders are all gone. We hope to catch the speedboat to Oia and spend most of the day there. Then, we hope to catch the bus to Fira, where we have a dinner reservation at sunset, with a view. Then, since the other ships will be gone, we will head down the cable car and to the ship around 8-9pm.

I have a new memory card loaded in the camera and 2 extra batteries packed for today!

I’ll update when we get back!

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Santorini, Greece

 

What an amazing day in Santorini! There was one large MSC ship in port when we arrived. We tendered at 9:30am and were told it was a 2 hour wait for the speedboat to Oia. However, there was no wait for the cable car! We actually had the car for just the 2 of us. We wondered our way to the main road looking to catch a bus, but were pulled in by the tours. We arranged a 5 1/2 hour private guided tour for 220€. We went to Red Beach, Black Beach, the Monastery, Santo Wines (where we tasted 10 of the wines), then had a few blue dome photo stops, and finally to 2 hours in Oia on our own. Our driver then took us back to the old port. It was an amazing tour with more than we had expected to see for less than we expected to pay.

We had a sunset dinner reservation on the cliff, so we had a few hours to walk around Thira for awhile. We had a Gyro, some gelato, and browsed the shops. I even got an early start on Christmas shopping!

Finally, the sunset.... amazing, although a storm cloud came in just before it actually set, so the pictures could have been better. We stayed to watch the other ship leave and then made our way slowly back to the cable car. No wait and the car to ourselves on the way down.

We waited for nothing today and it was not nearly as crowded as I had braced for after reading some horror stories.

It was about as perfect of a day as it could have been!

Tomorrow is Mykonos....

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