All things- Silver Spirit!

[Shellback91]

Hello All,

 

Thanks for the early encouragement. I hope you still feel the same after you keep reading:) Here is the next installment, Pre-Cruise. For those of you who do not like all the extraneous information, be forewarned, this section is chock-full of extra stuff.

 

Pre-Cruise:

 

 

Once I gathered what I thought was enough information (turns out I could have used more), I booked our cruise. Seeing as I am a take charge kind of guy, I booked the cruise on my own sans TA, as I have done with all previous trips/vacations. Looking back, this may have not been the best option. After additional time spent reading the CC boards I learned things which would have been beneficial to know before hand. Such as how TA's often can get you shipboard credit you cannot get on your own, as well as a better knowledge of the SS air department.

 

 

The air department was a bit of a sore spot, as I feel I did not get full or accurate information. Of course, when trying to decide which way to go, I had to determine if the amount of the credit was greater than the amount it would cost me to book, and therefore make it worthwhile to do it myself. While tickets from home to Fort Lauderdale were very reasonable at the time ($74), the flight from Barbados back home would have exceeded the credit. I asked if I could utilize them (SS air) on the flight home, but get a partial credit for the flight down and book it myself, but was told it was a all or none deal. Not sure if that is true, but it made sense. I then asked if it would be possible to fly to Fort Lauderdale on 12/01 (they had me flying down on 12/02, the day of the cruise), and was told if I utilized their program I had to go down the day of the cruise. I was told only international travelers come in the day before. I now know this to be untrue, though there is an extra fee.

 

 

After booking the flight, I became nervous as the cruise neared. They had us arriving around 12:30PM, which does not allow much time in case of delays, not to mention possible weather situations traveling from a northern climate. I ended up booking our own flight anyway and coming down on 12/01. The cost was $79, which was cheaper then trying to change flights through SS or US Air. When future new travelers are comparing the cost of scheduling flights on your own versus using SS air department, make sure you consider the extra cost of flying out of your local airport if it is not one of the “gateways”, and the cost involved in flying in a day early. These additional costs may influence your decision.

 

 

Upon our arrival in Fort Lauderdale, we stayed at the Hilton Hotel-Airport. This hotel is adequate, or perhaps a little to adequate for the chain and the price, particularly for a hotel that states it is for business travelers as well as pre/post cruise travelers. I do not want this to turn into a hotel review, but a little information may help make your journey easier.

 

 

Dining in the hotel restaurant is going to be your only option, unless you are driving, or are willing to take a taxi, as there is nothing within walking distance. The cost of dinner is a little high, even when considering it is a “hotel” restaurant. The chicken teriyaki was $21.00, and that is exactly what it was, chicken. It did not come with vegetables or rice, noodles or potatoes. This was not indicated on the menu, nor mentioned to us by the wait staff. Service was very slow. We waited a long time for our order to be taken and a long time for the food to arrive. The waiter never returned after after bringing our food. I had to get up to find him to get our check. When I commented on this to the Assistant Manager at the front desk the next day, the response was, “Oh yeah, that is typical in the evening.” We skipped breakfast, as the “buffet” was $14.00 and contained juice, coffee, toast, pastries, yogurt, and cereal. If you wanted eggs, that was and extra $2.00

 

 

The room was your standard business class room, which was clean enough with the exception of the bathroom mirror which was covered with water and toothpaste spots, and the dressing mirror in the room, which looked as if someone had licked it all over with their tongue after eating lunch. The room also did not contain a refrigerator, but one was available for an extra fee. Internet access was $13 (something I have not had to pay for in a hotel for several years). They did not even have complimentary internet access in their business center. The sound proofing/noise control was also lacking. In addition to hearing people talking in the hallway, we could clearly hear the person in the next room using the toilet. Well, I have gone on too long already about the hotel. In my opinion, it is okay for one night pre/post cruise, but I would not recommend it for anything longer. One last thing. If you ask the front desk, or a bellhop, for a cab to the cruise port, they will contact a private van company. The cost for us was $18, which was about three dollars more than taking a cab company (I called Yellow Cab, and was quoted $15).

 

 

Embarkation went smoothly, and the time between getting out of the cab to walking up the gangplank was around 30 minutes. It would have been faster, but the two gentleman ahead of us, and then myself, where patted-down at security, and several individuals at the check-in table did not have their passports handy and we waited while they went through their bags. Once aboard, we were greeted with a cold towel and presented a welcome aboard beverage. We completed the check-in process at reception (my only pleasant encounter with them, but more on that later), and went to walk around the ship. We decided to have lunch in the Restaurant. The food was delicious, and a great introduction to what we could expect. Remembering what I read on the boards, when I did not care for the wine presented by the sommelier, I merely asked for a wine more to my preference, and in a few minutes I was presented with a fine accompaniment for our lunch. After lunch we went exploring to familiarize ourselves with the ship (it took about 30 minutes), and to meet some of the great staff (most importantly the bartenders;)).

 

 

 

The first we met was Alvin in the Panorama Lounge. He welcomed us aboard and chatted with us for a few minutes before we went on our way. Several hours later when we returned, he greeted us by name. After our walk around, and a brief sit in the sun, we decided we were still hungry (we had skipped breakfast after all) and decided to swing into LaTerrazza for the lunch buffet (the first of four not so great experiences in that venue). A little after 2:00PM, we went to our cabin. We were very pleased. Though I had seen photos of the cabins, they do not do it justice. We also briefly met our butler, Mustafa, who showed us the cabin, asked us if we needed anything stocked in the refrigerator, informed us our bags would be arriving later, and asked if we need assistance unpacking (we declined). We then went out to what many refer to as the “Ponderosa Lounge”, which is the outdoor sitting area aft of the Panorama Lounge. It is so called because of the six round chairs (for lack of a better word) which can easily accommodate 2-4 people, and have a canvas canopy which partially covers the chair, giving it somewhat the appearance of the Conestoga wagons used by the settlers of the American West. There we enjoyed several beverages and met the first of many wonderful individuals as we enjoyed sailing out of Fort Lauderdale. We then wandered about on deck until about 6:30PM, at which time we wentt to our room to unpack and get dressed for dinner. So started our SS adventure.

 

 

Hope you are enjoying things so far. Stay tuned for the next installment, Interior of the Ship.

[V8Babe]

Enjoying your review Shellback91 - thanks for taking the time and look forward to reading more ...

[ging466]

the six round chairs (for lack of a better word)

 

Great review - I'm reliving my trip again.

 

Those lounges are called 'day beds' :)

 

Cheers

Jennifer

[white oak]

Scotspea I agree with you concerning the quantity of wine poured for the degustation menu in Le Champagne. I had read on these boards they they were very generous in their pours but that was not our experience during the Spirit TA. I have had more wine poured in my glass at wine tastings I've attended. My wife had to ask a la Oliver Twist, "Please Sir, I want some more". While the wines were nice, $400.00 for two given the quantity is definitely not worth the value. I bought my own bottle the next time we dined there. I noticed with our own bottle the pours were quite generous.

[ging466]

during the Spirit TA.

 

Hi white oak

 

I note that u were on the Spirit transatlantic. Sorry to have missed meeting u. Did u enjoy the cruise? I had a fantastic time.:)

 

Cheers

Jennifer

[wripro]

It's quite disconcerting to hear that they are being chintzy with the wine pourings in Le Champagne. As one who is innately opposed to any extra charge for an alternative restaurant on an all inclusive ship I sort of made an exception for Le Champagne based on the quality of the wines they were offering. But if they are stinting with even that I once again state that it's false advertising to say you are all inclusive when you are indeed NOT. And by all inclusive I mean food, beverages and tips.

[Travelcat2]

It's quite disconcerting to hear that they are being chintzy with the wine pourings in Le Champagne. As one who is innately opposed to any extra charge for an alternative restaurant on an all inclusive ship I sort of made an exception for Le Champagne based on the quality of the wines they were offering. But if they are stinting with even that I once again state that it's false advertising to say you are all inclusive when you are indeed NOT. And by all inclusive I mean food, beverages and tips.

 

I wonder if this has to do with the fact that Silversea is giving $500 OBC on several of its itineraries. La Champagne was booked most of the during our cruise last month. . . . . (one with the OBC). IMO, the OBC is the same as offering the dining experience at no cost. . . . and they may change the wines and food quality according (hope not).

[Shellback91]

Interior of Ship:

 

 

As I mentioned earlier, the cabin was wonderful. The bathroom was great. The style and décor had a subtle contemporary elegance, while retaining functionality. It was bigger and more comfortable than bathrooms in many upscale hotels I have stayed in. The shower was spacious (and I am a fair-sized guy, 6”4” and 220lbs), and the rainfall shower head felt exquisite after a hot day ashore. Though it did catch my wife by surprise the first time she used it; she was watching the wall mount hand sprayer. The tub is equally as spacious, and for those so inclined, could fit two people. The small shelves on either side of the vanity were sufficient to store the various toiletries we brought, and the lighting was more than sufficient to get a good look at yourself for a close shave or applying make-up. The only two drawbacks in the bath were the faucet on the sink and the placement of the toilet paper holder. The contemporary design of the faucet has it coming out of the vanity and arching up and over the edge of the raised basin, with the on/off, hot/cold handle near it's base on the outside of the basin. The bottom of the faucet (where the water comes out) is too near the edge of the bowl, and anytime I washed my hands, water would splash onto the counter top (maybe I wash them to vigorously). Also, turning off the water after washing caused water to run from my hands onto the counter. This caused me to have to grab a towel and dry off the counter after each use; otherwise, the water would run around and anything you placed on the counter would get wet. The toilet paper was placed on a rod underneath the counter to the right hand side of the toilet, and somewhat to the rear of the user. To obtain said paper, one had to turn to the right, move the towel out of the way, and reach slightly over and back. While this may not seem like an issue to most, I did talk to a fellow cruiser who stated with his shoulder problem he could not reach the paper and had to remove it from the holder and keep it on the counter top. A second passenger stated her mother had the same problem due to a limited range of motion.

 

 

The closet had more then sufficient space, and hangers, to accommodate the clothing we had to hang-up. However, once we placed our suitcases on the shelf, it cut down on the space available for dresses, suits and pants to hang freely. The drawer space was also sufficient, and extra space could be utilized elsewhere in the cabin if need be.

 

 

The sleeping area was good, and the bed, pillows and blankets were very comfortable and even with my height the bed was great. Only on occasion would I wake up with my feet hanging off the bed. The area around the make-up vanity also provided many shelves to place various items. The space between the vanity and the bed was narrow, and if someone is sitting there, you will have to climb over the bed, or scoot across their lap, to pass. Many posters have said when their wives are sitting there putting on make-up, they cannot get by without climbing over the bed, or asking her to move (which usually results in one of those looks, or a plain ol' refusal). Perhaps one could gently request her to apply said make-up in the bathroom, where the space and lighting is excellent (and you do not have to worry about the dull/fuzzy spot caused by the television behind the mirror). Even the mirror in the sitting area would be a good alternative. Again, plenty of space and lighting. Of course, if those options fail, you can just watch television or read in the sitting room while you sigh to yourself. Or you could enjoy a beer on the veranda, and tell her to snap it up and not take so long (make sure you dodge any flying objects coming your way.

 

 

The sitting area was more than spacious for two people, again with plenty of storage options, and the refrigerator held a sufficient amount of needed beverages. The couch also seemed quite comfortable (this may be handy information for those guys who happen to tell there wives to “make it snappy” while putting on their make-up).

 

 

The veranda was larger than I expected. It had enough space for both of us to comfortably relax, read, or dine while enjoying the scenery.

 

 

The public areas of the ship were always clean, and I found the décor pleasing to the eye and relaxing. The public rest rooms I used where also always clean. The stairways, and a few other areas, where decorated for Christmas with pine boughs and some garland, as well as some festive shiny branches artistically placed in vases, and a frosted Christmas tree or two. Nicely done without being over the top.

 

 

The Restaurant, Le Champagne & Seishin:

 

 

The décor and style of the Restaurant was contemporary and stylish. It felt elegant, modern and airy. The table settings were lovely and the colored water glasses and flowers added a splash of color to the tables. At some tables the two plates, silverware, and three glasses (water, red & white wine) per setting, along with the flowers, salt/pepper, and table number made the table feel cluttered.

 

 

The décor of Seishin and Le Champagne were also pleasing and elegant without being over the top. When all the tables were full, it did feel a bit cramped according to several guests who dined in both.

 

 

Reception, The Bar & Theater:

 

 

The décor of the reception and the Bar are the same as one flows into the other. The couches and chairs were comfortable, and the upholstery (while not one I would chose) was relaxing and soothing to the eye. The groupings (two chairs, couch & table) allowed for pleasant conversation, and the decorative glass dividers added a bit of separation and privacy, and helped break up what is otherwise one big room. The bar reminds me of many seen in upscale hotel bars, and was welcoming to patrons. The dance floor was a bit small; however, during the times we were there, which was nearly everyday, there were never more the three couples dancing.

 

 

Spa & Fitness Center:

 

 

We did not utilize either of these services, and I only did a quick walk-thru. I can see how, if there were more than a few people, it would start to feel crowded. Definitely could have been bigger.

 

 

La Terrazza, Stars & Library:

 

 

The decor/style of La Terrazza was my least favorite, compared to the other dining venues; however, the windows make for a great view while dining. The set-up of the restaurant seemed to cause a great deal of cross traffic and made it somewhat difficult for people to navigate. Especially those with mobility issues who needed a cane, walker or simply an arm for assistance. This was particularly noticeable during breakfast and lunch when the buffet was in progress and people were walking to and fro. During dinner it also felt a bit crowded, especially if you were at a table for two, stuck between two tables of six. Dining out on the terrace offered more space, and was very pleasant (weather allowing).

 

 

The style of Stars was classy, and the feel was cozy and comfortable. The bar was quaint yet serviceable. This is true until the show starts, at which point it becomes overcrowded and can be rather unpleasant for diners. I am not sure if it has always been so, or only since Mikki and Eric began performing. They attracted a rather loyal and robust following, and, with the exception of the last night, really packed them in (this is according to the CD and several staff members I spoke to, as well as several guests). For those unfamiliar, reservations are between 9:00-9:30PM, and the show starts at 10:00PM (which is when the lounge opens to all guests). The meal is brought out in five courses at a leisurely pace. We had 9:00PM reservations, and were waiting for the last course to arrive by the time the show started (and we are not slow eaters, nor side tracked by conversation). Guests who had 9:30PM reservations were on their third course, as was a talkative group who arrived the same time we did.

 

 

What does this have to do with anything? As I mentioned, the show was very popular and just before 10:00PM, people would arrive for the show. They would take any open seat, including those at your table, and would also slide in next to you if you were seated in a booth. As you can imagine, this could dampen one's dining experience. One couple we talked to was seated in a booth. People sat down on both sides of them and began conversing across them. When the wait staff brought out the next course, and began explaining what it was and what seasoning would compliment it, a person who came in for the show turned to them and said, “Would you shut up, you are disturbing the show.” I heard similar tales mentioned several times. Perhaps starting the dinner times earlier, or moving Mikki and Eric to a larger venue would be a possible solution if this becomes a regular problem.

 

 

We did not utilize the library, as we did not access the internet, and the weather made reading outside a pleasure. That being said, the library appeared to have a large selection of books available, and was very comfortable and relaxing. The lighting inside the bookcases added just the right touch of ambience.

 

 

Shops, Casino & Connoisseurs Lounge:

 

 

I cannot say much about the shops. There are not many (and as such not much variety), but what can be expected on a ship this size. They appear to cater to the affluent shopper (which is SS main customer base). However, one guest, significantly more well-heeled then I, stated they are a bit pricey even compared to upscale land based shops, and she was not able to find any deals.

 

 

The casino was small yet functional, and I only spent a brief period of time gaming. There were plenty of slot machines, a roulette table and five blackjack and/or poker tables. I would like to have seen a craps table. I know they can be rather large, but it is an exciting game and can entertain a significant amount of people and create quite a lively atmosphere.

 

 

The Connoisseurs Lounge was very relaxing, and I enjoyed some very nice conversations (as well as a good stogie) in there. The ventilation system seemed more than sufficient, and the smoke was never overpowering. That being said, there were no more than five smokers in the room while I was there. They have a fair selection of quality cigars, but you will find better prices at your local tobacconist.

 

 

Panorama Lounge, Pool Area (pool, hot tubs, grill, & bar):

 

 

We spent a lot of time in the Panorama Lounge, particularly in the outdoor lounge. The Panorama Lounge was very comfortable and relaxing. The décor however is a little difficult to explain. It is as if they tried to make it a little retro, or perhaps 70's chic, and all it appears to me is a little dated. Kind of like going to your great aunt Tilly's house. The dance floor was generally sufficient. A few nights it was a little crowded. For some reason they have furniture placed on the edges of the dance floor (chairs and tables on two sides, and a couch and tables on one side) which reduces the area available to dance. People are also hesitant to sit in those areas when dancing was going on. The bar is oddly set up. There is the bar, then a walk area and then another counter with four chairs. This also where they place the snacks. The area between the chairs and the bar is used by the staff to walk from the lounge to the back area, as well as where the wait staff wait for the drinks to be made. Many guests do not even realize you could sit by the bar. On the one or two occasions I did sit there, and I felt like I was in the way. Bad design.

 

 

The outside lounge area was also very comfortable and relaxing. The outdoor furniture was well-suited and surprisingly comfortable (the sofas and chairs, as well as the “Ponderosa” lounge chairs). The port side is the smoking area. On several occasions there were several smokers relaxing on the port side. We could not smell the smoke, even when we were down wind.

 

 

The pool area was, well, a pool area. There were several different types of lounge chairs available to use. During prime lounging time, chairs could be hard to find. Particularly if you were looking for two chairs together. The bar was welcoming and cheerful, and during lunch would get full. Dining was at outdoor tables and was comfortable and casual. I cannot really comment on style or décor, as it is an outside pool area.

 

 

Observation Lounge:

 

 

The observation Lounge was very elegant and made you feel right at home. According to many guests, it was a popular spot, even in the morning as a place to have your coffee. We only visited on two occasions. I think part of that was due to it's somewhat remote location (in comparison to the rest of the ship). It often occurred to me as an afterthought as we were heading back to our cabin.

 

That is it for now. Next up on the hit parade, Food and Beverages.

[ging466]

Excellent Shellback91 - am looking forward to your next instalment.

 

Cheers

Jennifer

[Scotspea]

Scotspea I agree with you concerning the quantity of wine poured for the degustation menu in Le Champagne. I had read on these boards they they were very generous in their pours but that was not our experience during the Spirit TA. I have had more wine poured in my glass at wine tastings I've attended. My wife had to ask a la Oliver Twist, "Please Sir, I want some more". While the wines were nice, $400.00 for two given the quantity is definitely not worth the value. I bought my own bottle the next time we dined there. I noticed with our own bottle the pours were quite generous.

 

Glad it was not my imagination. Last time on Whisper we had to call a reluctant halt to each wine as they don't supply taxis back to the suites!

Very poor value and although we like the venue the shine has gone.

P.S. That was courtesy of a $1000 on board spend

[white oak]

Hi white oak

 

I note that u were on the Spirit transatlantic. Sorry to have missed meeting u. Did u enjoy the cruise? I had a fantastic time.:)

 

Cheers

Jennifer

 

Hi Jennifer

 

I did enjoy the cruise, found the 6 continuous days at sea without having to be anywhere or do anything quite relaxing. So much so we booked a TA on Seabourn in March which has 11 continuous days at sea. Hope we're up for it. Look forward to comparing the two lines. We have never sailed with Seabourn. Sorry to have missed you too. It looks like you definitely enjoy SS. I noticed after the TA you did the BTB Barbados and then on to LA. Wish I had the time (and $).;):cool:

[white oak]

The meal is brought out in five courses at a leisurely pace. We had 9:00PM reservations, and were waiting for the last course to arrive by the time the show started (and we are not slow eaters, nor side tracked by conversation). Guests who had 9:30PM reservations were on their third course, as was a talkative group who arrived the same time we did.

 

 

What does this have to do with anything? As I mentioned, the show was very popular and just before 10:00PM, people would arrive for the show. They would take any open seat, including those at your table, and would also slide in next to you if you were seated in a booth. As you can imagine, this could dampen one's dining experience. One couple we talked to was seated in a booth. People sat down on both sides of them and began conversing across them. When the wait staff brought out the next course, and began explaining what it was and what seasoning would compliment it, a person who came in for the show turned to them and said, “Would you shut up, you are disturbing the show.” I heard similar tales mentioned several times. Perhaps starting the dinner times earlier, or moving Mikki and Eric to a larger venue would be a possible solution if this becomes a regular problem.

 

We had similar experiences when we dined at STARS. People shussing or asking us to be quiet while we conversed during our meal. Many of the passengers would arrive when Mikki and Eric would begin their show and expect that those that had made reservations in STARS were to sit in silence and eat their meal. The operative word here is that STARS is billed as a "supper club". It is not a theatre. The very concept entails eating, conversing with your dining companions, and listening to the music, sometimes all at once. (With the exception of eating and talking, I hope). This is not a concert venue where one is expected to be totally quiet. Not many realized this. I'm sure the ones that did the shussing would have been outraged had I gone up to their table and asked them to be quiet and sit in stony silence while they dined in the Restaurant or La Terazza. SS should either, as suggested, change the venue or inform the passengers of what the expectations are concerning talking while the musicians perform. I think part of the problem was that Mikki and Eric were the best entertainment going and the most lively so everyone wanted to hear them. It would have been great to get them up in the Panorama lounge. They would have "Got the Party Started".

[Scotspea]

Having gone to Stars every night of the cruise we feel that the venue is VERY wrong for these superb entertainers. Everything mentioned before is true, resentment from both audience and performers. On the evening following their performance in the theatre, Stars was so packed, we were even sitting in the fire escapes. Another venue such as the Panorama lounge is needed when you have musicians of such calibre.

Stars entertainment should be provided by a good jazz quartet who are BACKGROUND music and not easily fazed by noise or bad manners!

[wripro]

Whether the popularity of Le Champagne is due to the OBC offered by SS or not, it should not affect the pour of wines. You are paying for the experience with your OBC just as those who don't have it and are paying out of their pockets. It's a shabby and cheap approach and ultimately will cost them because people will simply book the $30 charge for the meal and order off the wine menu.

[Shellback91]

Food & Beverages:

 

 

This section is going to give a brief synopsis of our opinion on the various dining/drinking venues. I have debated whether or not to also discuss the service received in the various locales, as that is nearly as much of the experience as the food; however, I believe I will address the quality of service in the “Staff” portion of the review. I also am not going to break down our dining experience meal-by-meal for the Restaurant (a vast majority of meals were consumed there), but will go into a bit more detail on meals taken in the other venues.

 

 

The Restaurant:

 

 

What can I say, we loved it. There was not a meal, lunch or dinner, we did not enjoy. That is not to say some were better than others, as some clearly were. That is also not to say we loved everything, as there were some things we did not care for. Some of the items we did not care for were simply not to our tastes. We both tried things we have never had before (or have not had in a long time), and when you sample new fare, you are bound to find things you do not like, as well as new favorites.

 

 

There were several stand-outs among the various choices, as well as a clunker or two. Some of the stand-outs from the everyday menu include: Blank Angus fillet (not quite up to par with my favorite steak houses, but definitely better than most), lamb chops (one of the best we have had). Some real winners from the special menus include: Cajun pork medallions, squash & sweet potato soup, fillet of highland venison, roast breast of duck, veal shank, fresh Tilapia & Sea Bass, and the chateaubriand.

 

 

I felt one weakness was in the dessert category. Of the various selections tried, I will say most were okay (okay, but I probably would not get it again) to average (might get it again if nothing else looked better). That being said, the presentation on nearly all of the desserts was excellent, with some almost being too pretty to eat. This does not apply to the cheese plates, which I felt were wonderful. Of course, we all have our favorites, and not so favorite, but the selection was impressive and I enjoyed them all (even my not so favorites).

 

 

As far as beverages go, the complimentary wines were plentiful, and covered a wide range. As has been mentioned on the boards, some are not advertised, and one must specifically request them, sometimes more than once. One couple I sat with had a list of available wines (which I suspect was obtained from CC) and requested several bottles from the list over the course of the cruise. On two occasions (those I was aware of) the sommelier working their table seemed reluctant to admit the wine was available. They simply requested to speak to the head sommelier, and upon his arrival the request was again given. Shortly thereafter the wine arrived. Again, it definitely helps to read the boards. My wife and I have a narrower range then most when it comes to the wines we enjoy, preferring sweeter varieties (Rieslings, Zinfandels, white table wines, and dessert wines). Once our preferences were explained, various options were made available.

 

 

Le Champagne & Seishin:

 

 

As I mentioned earlier, we did not eat in either venue. Neither of us are partial to the cuisine in Seishin, so we did not partake. Seeing we have a rather limited wine palate, we did not see the benefit of the cost with the wine pairing in Le Champagne. Looking at the menu, we also did not see the benefit of the surcharge. Of course, one may ask if an all-inclusive cruise should be charging extra to dine in any of their dining venues, but that topic has been addressed on other threads.

 

 

STARS:

 

 

The varied small samples provided over the five courses where very interesting, and very enjoyable. Some of the items presented are not ones I would have ordered if left to my own devices, but the sampling provided a good introduction to them, and I discovered some of them to be quite delicious. My wife, not a very adventurous diner, found nothing to be objectionable, and enjoyed most of the items.

 

 

Being a sampling menu, the portions are rather small. Yes, there are 15 different items (if you eat them all); however, unless you are a light eater, there is chance you may still be hungry afterward. I guess that is what room service is for.;)

 

 

La Terrazza:

 

 

As I mentioned earlier, the experiences in the restaurant did not leave a pleasant taste in our mouth (pun fully intended). That being said, the quality of the food was not really a problem on three of those visits, and only part of the problem on the fourth (that will be addressed under the service section).

 

 

The food we tried during the lunch buffet was very good. All the items we tried were well prepared and tasty. Of course, with any buffet the quality of the item can depend on whether the tray was just brought out from the kitchen, or if the last piece you just put on your plate had been sitting there for a while. The selection of salads, fruits, cheeses, and desserts were great. The hot items generally included items available in The Restaurant, as well as an additional item or two.

 

 

Our dinner was made up of items ranging from bad to only average. Our appetizers were okay, as was my gazpacho and my wife's entree. Quality-wise, I would place them firmly in the Italian chain restaurants level. The notorious stand-outs were my wife's intermezzo, duck ragout pappardelle, and my entree, veal scallopini.

 

 

Besides looking uninspiring, the look on my wife's face after a couple of bites told me she was not enjoying her food. I asked what was wrong, and she stated it did not taste quite right. I helped myself to two mouthfuls, and had to agree with her. It had a familiar flavor, but it certainly did not taste like duck, nor any duck ragout I have tasted. At this point I looked over at the table next to us, and noticed two people at the table also had the duck ragout pappardelle sitting in front of them, and equally untouched (It always feels good to know you are not the only one who does not like something). I watched my wife take another bite, and then exclaim, “Hamburger Helper, it tastes just like Hamburger Helper.” She was right, that was the familiar taste I had noticed upon my trying it. After my wife said this, a lady sitting at the next table (one of the two with the duck ragout in front of them) said, “I couldn't help but overhear what you said about the duck ragout. You are right, it tastes just like Hamburger Helper.” The gentleman at the table also agreed.

 

 

For those who may not be familiar with Hamburger Helper, basically, one takes ground beef, fries it, drains the grease, adds hot water, adds the contents from the box (noodles, flavorings and sauce), cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes. It is an “easy to prepare, tasty meal for the busy family on the go” Betty Crocker's words, not mine.

 

 

Okay, enough about the ragout. As I said, I ordered the veal scallopini, a dish I really enjoy. It looked great when it arrived at the table. The first bite was a disappointment. The veal was dry and rubbery (like chewing on a popped balloon), and had no flavor. The gentleman at the next table who I had talked to several times since the duck episode, saw me not eating, and commented he and his brother had ordered the same thing, and both sent it back.. I did not send mine back, at this point I was so fed up (or perhaps more correctly, not fed) with our whole dinning ordeal, as soon as my wife finished her entree, we left.

 

 

I know that any given kitchen, on any given day, can turn out a bad item (in this case maybe more than one). But when one only has a limited amount of time on board, one wants to make the best of it. Coupled with the poor service (on multiple occasions), we decided not to try La Terrazza again. Part of it may have been the big build-up. So many people said, “You must try La Terrazza, you'll love it.” I talked to several first time SS cruisers, and all but one said they were anywhere from a bit disappointed, to very disappointed. All agreed the high expectations going in may have intensified their disappointment. Two veteran SS couples said they noticed a drop in food quality at La Terrazza since their last cruise. Two other veteran couples said the food was the same, but the service had gone down. Meanwhile, three other veteran couples said everything was the same, great. So goes the nature of tastes and opinions. Which is why they call them opinions, if everybody had the same one, it would be a fact.

 

 

Pool Grill/Hot Rocks:

 

 

We ate pool side for lunch on several occasions, and found the food to be hearty and flavorful. Admittedly, it was your basic grill food, but sometimes you just want a good hot dog or hamburger. Both the burgers and dogs, as well as the fries, were very good, and of substantial portion. For some reason though, they want to be stingy with the ketchup. They also need to consider adding a Chicago Style hot dog to the menu, yum.

 

 

Hot rocks was a blast, with a fun and relaxed environment. You could hear people laughing and could tell they were having fun. The food was delicious. My wife had the ribeye (or was it the strip?) and prawns, and I had the fillet mignon and prawns. Remembering what some posters said about the food cooking rather quickly, I was extra vigilant. I left the fillet on the side it came out on for about two minutes, flipped it and let it cook for three minutes on that side. I then removed it and cut it into four thick strips. I then cooked the strips for about one minute per side. This made them a perfect medium. The prawns were a little more difficult. One wanted to make sure they were fully cooked, but a little too long and they would be chewy. I cooked them on both sides, and then on the spine side. How long is anyone's guess. I just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. We got lucky, they were perfect.

 

 

I did not talk to anyone who did not like Hot Rocks, though I heard one person saying the food was okay, but he did not like needing to cook his own meal. Some folks ate there multiple times. To each their own.

 

 

The Barbecue was very good, and it was a festive atmosphere despite the brief rain shower. I suppose I may have felt different had I not been fortunate enough to be sitting under the overhang. All the food I tried, from the shrimp, crab claws, mussels, and oysters, to the chicken and ribs (I know I am forgetting some things) was delicious and cooked just right.

 

 

The Bar, Panorama Lounge & Pool Bar:

 

 

Much time was spent relaxing in these areas, and indulging in adult beverages while enjoying good conversation, music (particularly in the Bar) and snacking on canapes. Speaking of canapes, they were a mixed lot, some very good, some okay and some not. After the third day, I felt as if I had seen and tried them all.

 

 

All the drinks we ordered in the Panorama were superb. Alvin was top notch, as was his associate who served us a few times (unfortunately I do not remember his name).Whether it was from their drink menu, or an old classic, they were served up just right. On the two occasions he was not familiar with the requested beverage, I simply told him what was in it, and he mixed it up no questions asked. They tasted as if he had been making them for years. I later heard him suggesting one to another guest. :D

 

 

The pool bar was often a lively place, and attracted a good size crowd during certain times of the day. The drinks there were also very good, and the bartender Gaereth (sp?), was a very amiable person. One note however, if you like banana daiquiris, make sure you ask for a little extra banana. For some reason they are a bit stingy on the amount of banana they put into the blender, and there is not much taste if you do not get extra.

 

 

I had mixed results in the Bar. I only ordered at the bar once, and the rest of the time ordered the drinks through the waiters, as we were dancing and listening to music. I make note of that because I do not know if the drinks in question came from one bartender, or several. On several occasions the drinks were very strong. I know some folks like their bartender to be generous, but sometimes generous is not a good thing. It can ruin the flavor of a drink, which is why people order mixed drinks, the flavor. Otherwise, we would just order our liquor of choice straight (not that there is anything wrong with that). A couple of the drinks had to be sent back as they were undrinkable. Also, several of the cocktails I ordered from their drink menu were not made correctly. Some had their ratios wrong, and on two occasions the wrong liquor was used. I know this as I had these drinks several times from the other bars.

 

 

A quick side note: I am a scotch drinker, perhaps not as well versed as some, but a consumer of good scotch nonetheless. The complimentary scotches available have been discussed on other threads, and I want to add that while there is nothing wrong with the three Glenns, it would have been nice to have Macallan 12, or Aberlour 12. At least they are not serving Scoresby 36 (that would be 36 months. Look it up if you don't believe me). I also must apologize to the other two scotch drinkers who got excited when I told them I saw a bottle of Aberlour behind one of the bars. I know I saw a bottle of it behind one of the bars that first afternoon, or early on the sea day (day two). I clearly recognized the distinct shape of the bottle and the label. I even remember thinking to myself, “I wish it was later in the day.” Later when we went looking, there was none to be found, and the bartenders denied any knowledge of it. I guess it could be I had too much sun, but more likely there was only a little remaining, and a lucky scotch drinker discovered it later in the day and finished it off.

 

 

One last thing regarding the food. This is not about a certain restaurant, but rather a whole category of food, and that is breakfast. I know breakfast is not that exciting, and the various options are not as plentiful as compared to the other meals, but our breakfasts were woefully disappointing. It did not matter if it was in the Restaurant, La Terrazza or room service. I like my eggs over easy. I do not know if I am unique, or if it is particular to the region I live in, but they seemed to have no idea what they were. Both times I ordered it, they were completely cooked through. I tried sunny side up, and they were not cooked anywhere near enough (the slim nearly ran off my plate when the waiter put the plate on the table). My wife ordered Eggs Benedict twice. The ham was tough, and the hollandaise (or some derivative) was chunky. We both tried the pancakes. Twice they were dry and tasteless, and once they were dense and heavy (pancake eaters know what I mean). The waffles where a bit heavy, and felt chalky.

 

 

On the bright side, the French toast was very good, as was the omelet I had at La Terazza. I ordered a ham, cheese, green pepper, and tomato omelet. The ham, cheese and pepper were in the omelet, which then had several nice slices of tomato placed on top of it. It was still very good, and made me smile.

 

 

One last thing related to breakfast (sort of), and that is coffee. I could not find a good cup o' joe to save my life. Whether it was at breakfast or after dinner, at any venue, IMO it was terrible. To my taste it was very bitter, at times almost seeming burnt. I do not mean the coffee was strong. I know sometimes Americans complain about how Europeans like their coffee strong, or conversely, how Europeans complain Americans drink our coffee weak. This was just bitter. Like everything else, some agreed with me, and others did not.

 

 

That is it for this portion. Stay tuned for Entertainment.

[WesW]

Shellback, thanks for the comprehensive food & beverage wrap up. Understand food tastes are subjective; another SS vet, Well seasoned (has close to 300 days on SS) and I absolutely loved La Terraza's duck ragout pappardelle. We both ordered this marvelous dish, numerous times on the Spirit's maiden crossing back in January. However, the La Terraza chef on our voyage could have been different than your LT chef. We also enjoyed breakfast almost daily on the outside deck of La Terraza, Dougburns and I consistently special ordered (omelets, french toast, pancakes, cornbeef hash) very tastefully made, served hot. Like you we too very much enjoyed dining (multiple times) at Hot Rocks.

[philipb]

I did the Silver Spirit transatlantic (and follow-on Barbados-Barbados) last October/November. Thanks to Jennifer and the other Cruise Critic members we had a great time. The ship is excellent - the passengers even better! So much so that I have booked the transatlantic again for this coming October:). I have started a roll call!

[SPANDER]

:confused: Is there a reason I can't find all the Roll Calls for the Silver Spirit? Do I need to start a new thread with the sailing date, which is 9/3/11 from Athens. I'm looking for people to share private tours with us.

[ging466]

:confused: Is there a reason I can't find all the Roll Calls for the Silver Spirit? Do I need to start a new thread with the sailing date, which is 9/3/11 from Athens. I'm looking for people to share private tours with us.

 

Hi Spander

 

Not every sailing has a Roll Call. Many passengers have never heard of Cruise Critic so do not post.

 

If u haven't seen a thread for your particular cruise, start one up and see if anyone responds.

 

Good luck & happy cruising.

 

Cheers

Jennifer

[wripro]

There is an interesting review of the Spirit by Mayriver on CC. This reviewer is obviously a very knowledgeable person whose take on the ship rings true.

[billcrooz]

there is an interesting review of the spirit by mayriver on cc. This reviewer is obviously a very knowledgeable person whose take on the ship rings true.

 

boy 'did mayriver hit the nail on the head ! Especially about the irrelevance of the butlers !

[WesW]

+1, Henry & Bill; Mayriver's review was laser spot on; we also found the Spirit's veranda cabins unacceptably narrow, tho the shower (rain) in the bathroom is wonderful.

[rols]

+1, Henry & Bill; Mayriver's review was laser spot on; we also found the Spirit's veranda cabins unacceptably narrow, tho the shower (rain) in the bathroom is wonderful.

 

That was a pretty interesting and well-written review - we'll get to find out for ourselves in just a couple of weeks. I wrote a review of a seabourn cruise we were on last year, and lamented the dreadful quality of the wines, I feel that all the premium brands have taken too sharp a knife to the food and drink bottom line and it's a bad trade-off for which they will eventually pay; losing their clients to non-all-inclusive lines charging quite a lot less money per night. Similarly Le Champagne was always right on the tip of 'all inclusive' but to have added another pay venue on the spirit is pushing the phrase.

 

Nevertheless - we had already determined this cruise that we would try both the speciality restaurants, and perhaps more than once, just dropping an in-port excursion we were having trouble getting very excited about gives us enough spending money to do that.

 

I look forward to our cruise and will write a review when it's all over.

 

Oh and Host Dan ... does All Things Silver Spirit still merit being sticky at the top? Now the ship is in service and all that.

[Travelcat2]

rols: Just a second opinion on La Terrazza. Our experience in this dining venue was all positive (November, 2011). The lunch buffet was the best we have seen at sea. The food was fresh, well prepared and served at the right temperature. We only had dinner in La Terrazza once and were very impressed. Not trying to take away from the earlier review of this restaurant. Food is subjective. . . and, there are so many areas of Italy with different takes on "Italian" food. Whatever they were doing worked for us:)

[wripro]

I'll be on the Spirit for the first time in October so I'll have the chance to judge for myself. I've thought from the first time I ever heard about the butlers that they were nothing more than a marketing gimmick, unlike a line like Oceania where they truly make a difference. On SS and SB there is very little your stewardess cannot do that a butler can except pack/unpack which most people do not want and for which you have to make an appointment with your so called personal butler.

 

As far as wine quality goes I think every luxury line goes through a period where the wines are less than stellar depending on availability in ports. I've heard complaints about that on every board at one time or another. Usually there are at least one decent red and white that are acceptable so I tend to stick with those.