Live from Silver Shadow -- "where everybody knows your name" =)

[LOVE@CRUISE]

May 13 - May 25, 2010, L.A. - Vancouver

 

We are back on Shadow and the first three days have been, as expected, amazing. We are in a mid-ship verandah and food and service have been over the top. If you remember the TV show "Cheers" you will remember the theme song that says, ". . . you want to go where everybody knows your name." After the as-usual smooth and efficient check-in at noon in the cruise ship terminal in San Pedro, California, we followed our escort, who carried our hand luggage, towards security. On the way we heard someone call our name. In the distance was Vishal, a pool bar server, using a pay phone to call his family in India. He had spotted us and interrupted his phone call to say hello. We were not even on the ship yet! As we boarded there were enthusiastic welcomes everywhere, from servers, reception staff, shore concierge staff, David Lawton the cruise director, Jana the head housekeeper, Oliver (head bartender now promoted to F&B Comptroller!) and more. What a welcome!

 

Our suite was ready and immaculate, with Pommery champagne on ice. By the time we had finished lunch in The Restaurant our luggage had arrived. Unpacking was quick and easy, our Butler stopped by to introduce himself and offer his services. The rest of the day was just abut as perfect as it gets.

 

The next morning, Silversea had arranged a get together for CC members in panorama Lounge at 10, complete with beverage service and pastries. It was fun putting faces to all those aliases we have met on Cruise Critic! Out of our group of abut 20, 12 are from Australia, including 5 couples traveling together. There are a lot of Aussies on board, and they are always a fun group.

 

We sailed all day under cold, gloomy and windy skies until we entered San Francisco Bay. At that moment the wind died, the clouds parted, and the sun shown on the Golden Gate. What a sight! Now two days at sea enroute to Ketchikan.

 

Staff on board include

 

Captain Ig****o Tatulli,

Helmut, hotel manager

David Lawton, cruise director

Jana, head housekeeper

Oliver, head bartender

Marcelo, maitre d'

Maarten and Christophe, head waiters in The Restaurant

Ricardo, host in La Terrazza

Debbie, host in Le Champagne (she hosted Dining under the Stars last cruise)

Mark, host in Dining Under the Stars (Mark was a pool waiter last cruise)

Sunny is pool bartender

Joey is The Bar bartender

Lougie runs panorama Lounge

Marilyn still runs The Humidor

Filimo runs The Lampadina

Riccardo Dotti is still Exec. Chef (thank goodness! =)

 

More later.

[Goldens4]

Don't you just love it! And, thank you LOVE@CRUISE on the personnel update. :)

[WesW]

Mike & Mary, have a sensational cruise and thanks for the detailed seamail

[LOVE@CRUISE]

Mike & Mary, have a sensational cruise and thanks for the detailed seamail

 

Thanks, Col. Wes. With extremely calm seas we are sailing for Ketchikan. Today's highlights included port talks, martini "demonstration" wine & food pairing with sommelier Karolina and Chef Ricardo, and instruction to pool bartender Sunny on how to make a Chocolate Russian (why not? There is hot mulled wine and hot chocolate (made with Vahlronna chocolate) at all times on the pool deck =)

 

Helmut sends a fond Hello and is glad you received the recipes =)

[chicagogal]

May 13 - May 25, 2010, L.A. - Vancouver

 

We are back on Shadow and the first three days have been, as expected, amazing. We are in a mid-ship verandah and food and service have been over the top. If you remember the TV show "Cheers" you will remember the theme song that says, ". . . you want to go where everybody knows your name." After the as-usual smooth and efficient check-in at noon in the cruise ship terminal in San Pedro, California, we followed our escort, who carried our hand luggage, towards security. On the way we heard someone call our name. In the distance was Vishal, a pool bar server, using a pay phone to call his family in India. He had spotted us and interrupted his phone call to say hello. We were not even on the ship yet! As we boarded there were enthusiastic welcomes everywhere, from servers, reception staff, shore concierge staff, David Lawton the cruise director, Jana the head housekeeper, Oliver (head bartender now promoted to F&B Comptroller!) and more. What a welcome!

 

Our suite was ready and immaculate, with Pommery champagne on ice. By the time we had finished lunch in The Restaurant our luggage had arrived. Unpacking was quick and easy, our Butler stopped by to introduce himself and offer his services. The rest of the day was just abut as perfect as it gets.

 

The next morning, Silversea had arranged a get together for CC members in panorama Lounge at 10, complete with beverage service and pastries. It was fun putting faces to all those aliases we have met on Cruise Critic! Out of our group of abut 20, 12 are from Australia, including 5 couples traveling together. There are a lot of Aussies on board, and they are always a fun group.

 

We sailed all day under cold, gloomy and windy skies until we entered San Francisco Bay. At that moment the wind died, the clouds parted, and the sun shown on the Golden Gate. What a sight! Now two days at sea enroute to Ketchikan.

 

Staff on board include

 

Captain Ig****o Tatulli,

Helmut, hotel manager

David Lawton, cruise director

Jana, head housekeeper

Oliver, head bartender

Marcelo, maitre d'

Maarten and Christophe, head waiters in The Restaurant

Ricardo, host in La Terrazza

Debbie, host in Le Champagne (she hosted Dining under the Stars last cruise)

Mark, host in Dining Under the Stars (Mark was a pool waiter last cruise)

Sunny is pool bartender

Joey is The Bar bartender

Lougie runs panorama Lounge

Marilyn still runs The Humidor

Filimo runs The Lampadina

Riccardo Dotti is still Exec. Chef (thank goodness! =)

 

More later.

 

Love@cruise,

Appreciate the update very much. How fun! Wishe we were there, too! If you think of it, please tell David Lawton hello from Bill and Patty in Chicago. Thanks!

[LOVE@CRUISE]

Love@cruise,

Appreciate the update very much. How fun! Wishe we were there, too! If you think of it, please tell David Lawton hello from Bill and Patty in Chicago. Thanks!

 

Will do! =)

[WesW]

Mike, Mary; your cruise is chock full of wonderful activities...thanks again for sharing.

 

Please also, pass Ida and my warm regards along to Karolina and Helmut. As you very well know, Karolina is an exceptional sommelier...on the Spirit maiden cross--Karolina made our Silver anniversary dinner xtra special, as well as many dinners in the Restaurant that much more enjoyable with her pairing recommendations. Helmut worked his F&B magic many times during our voyage as well.

 

best, Wes

[meow!]

Out of our group of abut 20, 12 are from Australia, including 5 couples traveling together.

Remembering our Panama Canal aboard this ship in December, 2007, it was a wonderful ship with wonderful service.

 

One reason that you have so many Australians on board may be due to the high A$, which has gone up from 48 cents to 94 cents in the last decade, just about doubled. Now that the euro has started its declining trend, perhaps there will be fewer Europeans in the years to come?!

[funoton]

Sonny and Marilyn are old timers, with Silversea for ever, both fantastic employees, the line should be proud of them.

[WinWin]

I am SO disappointed that we missed this cruise - we had booked it and work requirements made the voyage impossible. Is Igor not at La Terraza any longer? He made every meal special with foie gras in one form or another - just because he knew I loved it! And is Marc the amazing Marc from Scotland? Marcelo is just wonderful - the ultimate professional! I am so jealous you are there - please have a wonderful wonderful cruise!

[Emtbsam]

Wish we were there. Have some Dimple for us!

[ARAZONA]

Helmut @ marcrlo

please say hi, both have new jobs and are great people, from there friend on the spirit, who liked stake tar, tar and had fun with the silverware

[LOVE@CRUISE]

I am SO disappointed that we missed this cruise - we had booked it and work requirements made the voyage impossible. Is Igor not at La Terraza any longer? He made every meal special with foie gras in one form or another - just because he knew I loved it! And is Marc the amazing Marc from Scotland? Marcelo is just wonderful - the ultimate professional! I am so jealous you are there - please have a wonderful wonderful cruise!

 

Igor is on vacation but will be back in a couple of months. We will ask Marc tonight if he is from Scotland . . . .all we know is he is from the UK and was a pool waiter just a couple of months ago =) There are lots of promotions on this ship and a very happy crew!

 

Victoria & Bob ---------- no Dimple, but Chevas will do in a Pinch =)

[LOVE@CRUISE]

Mike, Mary; your cruise is chock full of wonderful activities...thanks again for sharing.

 

Please also, pass Ida and my warm regards along to Karolina and Helmut. As you very well know, Karolina is an exceptional sommelier...on the Spirit maiden cross--Karolina made our Silver anniversary dinner xtra special, as well as many dinners in the Restaurant that much more enjoyable with her pairing recommendations. Helmut worked his F&B magic many times during our voyage as well.

 

best, Wes

 

Wes & Ida: Hello to you! from Helmut, and he is relieved you got the recipes. Karolina is exceptional; we had not met her before. She did try to demonstrate opening a champagne bottle with a sword and failed --- I have rarely seen the color of red she turned =) She is very, very knowledgeable, and very visable. Turning into a wonderful friend.

[DebbieH103]

Thanks for the posts!!

 

How lovely to be sailing with Helmut!

[cechase]

Love@Cruise, I was thrown off the Shadow just before you boarded, my finger nails making scratches in the woodwork [just kidding].

 

Your comments are essentially mine if I had the energy to visit Cruise Critic once more after 15 great nights [and the Panama Canal] on Shadow.

 

Just some thoughts for all of you Shadow Fans. David the CD who first came on during my late November cruise was really great. He put on a wonderful show [particularly the Camelot portion], and was always mingling with the passengers. Helmut the Hotel Director is a first class act. I had filled out a comment slip in which I praised Marilyn in the Bar, Jovi in the Bar, my room attendant Patricia, and my Butler, Sanrath. He sent me a wonderful note, and thereafter when ever we met called me Mr. Chase. Of course, I was the Shadow for about 30 minutes and had at least two of the waiters at the pool bar calling me Mr. Chase. [That might be because I hung around with Goldens4 and her husband Dick quite a bit at the pool bar on the November cruise.]

 

I should mention that I was really moved by Patricia and Marilyn. On my first cruise on Shadow and with my late wife in Silver Suite 724, Patricia was our wonderful Suite attendant [before butlers]. This cruise I was in 716, and Patricia was there, and we had a great reunion - some tears on my part. Then, that night I walked into the Bar and Marilyn not only remembered my name, but was like a mother hen during my tenure in The Bar during the cruise. My dear Nedra just loved Marilyn a bunch and I think that it was mutual. She was so sad about Nedra's passing - but made my cruise so much better.

 

The only disappoint about this cruise was no Cruise Critic members - except for me. That makes it somewhat more difficult for solo cruisers. However two wonderful couples from Australia sort of adopted me for the cruise and we had dinner on four occasions.

 

Conclusion: Shadow is still No. 1 in my book.

[Emtbsam]

Love@Cruise, I was thrown off the Shadow just before you boarded, my finger nails making scratches in the woodwork [just kidding].

 

Your comments are essentially mine if I had the energy to visit Cruise Critic once more after 15 great nights [and the Panama Canal] on Shadow.

 

Just some thoughts for all of you Shadow Fans. David the CD who first came on during my late November cruise was really great. He put on a wonderful show [particularly the Camelot portion], and was always mingling with the passengers. Helmut the Hotel Director is a first class act. I had filled out a comment slip in which I praised Marilyn in the Bar, Jovi in the Bar, my room attendant Patricia, and my Butler, Sanrath. He sent me a wonderful note, and thereafter when ever we met called me Mr. Chase. Of course, I was the Shadow for about 30 minutes and had at least two of the waiters at the pool bar calling me Mr. Chase. [That might be because I hung around with Goldens4 and her husband Dick quite a bit at the pool bar on the November cruise.]

 

I should mention that I was really moved by Patricia and Marilyn. On my first cruise on Shadow and with my late wife in Silver Suite 724, Patricia was our wonderful Suite attendant [before butlers]. This cruise I was in 716, and Patricia was there, and we had a great reunion - some tears on my part. Then, that night I walked into the Bar and Marilyn not only remembered my name, but was like a mother hen during my tenure in The Bar during the cruise. My dear Nedra just loved Marilyn a bunch and I think that it was mutual. She was so sad about Nedra's passing - but made my cruise so much better.

 

The only disappoint about this cruise was no Cruise Critic members - except for me. That makes it somewhat more difficult for solo cruisers. However two wonderful couples from Australia sort of adopted me for the cruise and we had dinner on four occasions.

 

Conclusion: Shadow is still No. 1 in my book.

 

Charlie - consider yourself adopted for the Spirit crossing in October. Bob and Victoria are looking forward to meeting you!

[dusababy]

Love@Cruise, I was thrown off the Shadow just before you boarded, my finger nails making scratches in the woodwork [just kidding].

 

Your comments are essentially mine if I had the energy to visit Cruise Critic once more after 15 great nights [and the Panama Canal] on Shadow.

 

Just some thoughts for all of you Shadow Fans. David the CD who first came on during my late November cruise was really great. He put on a wonderful show [particularly the Camelot portion], and was always mingling with the passengers. Helmut the Hotel Director is a first class act. I had filled out a comment slip in which I praised Marilyn in the Bar, Jovi in the Bar, my room attendant Patricia, and my Butler, Sanrath. He sent me a wonderful note, and thereafter when ever we met called me Mr. Chase. Of course, I was the Shadow for about 30 minutes and had at least two of the waiters at the pool bar calling me Mr. Chase. [That might be because I hung around with Goldens4 and her husband Dick quite a bit at the pool bar on the November cruise.]

 

I should mention that I was really moved by Patricia and Marilyn. On my first cruise on Shadow and with my late wife in Silver Suite 724, Patricia was our wonderful Suite attendant [before butlers]. This cruise I was in 716, and Patricia was there, and we had a great reunion - some tears on my part. Then, that night I walked into the Bar and Marilyn not only remembered my name, but was like a mother hen during my tenure in The Bar during the cruise. My dear Nedra just loved Marilyn a bunch and I think that it was mutual. She was so sad about Nedra's passing - but made my cruise so much better.

 

The only disappoint about this cruise was no Cruise Critic members - except for me. That makes it somewhat more difficult for solo cruisers. However two wonderful couples from Australia sort of adopted me for the cruise and we had dinner on four occasions.

 

Conclusion: Shadow is still No. 1 in my book.

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Charlie thanks for your posts.

 

I've followed you for quite awhile -- admiring your willingness to revisit fond memories and understanding the loss of your beloved -- I too am alone after over 30 years of wonderful memories.

Couldn't find a better place to be a solo traveler. I've met many wonderful people, some of whom I believe will be life long friends, and am always well cared for by Silversea staff.

I'm boarding Shadow next week and wish we could have met.

Keep on cruisin'.....I'll say hello to Marilyn for you:)

Mary Ann

[LOVE@CRUISE]

Love@Cruise, I was thrown off the Shadow just before you boarded, my finger nails making scratches in the woodwork [just kidding]. Conclusion: Shadow is still No. 1 in my book.

 

You may be just kidding but we always "lose" our room card on disembarkation day, hoping they will not allow us off the ship; hasn't worked yet but hope springs eternal =)

 

This is our second Alaska cruise and what a difference good weather makes! Clear skies and 75 degree weather at Mindenhall glacier makes one appreciate the cold glacial breeze flowing off the face. Today we took the White Pass train to Frazier and coach back (the stop to pan for gold was forgettable, but so what? =) Absolutely gorgeous weather -- brisk but clear as a bell! For the first time we understand why people love Alaska.

 

News! Capt. Tatulli left the ship in Ketchikan to be replaced by Captain Peter Stahlberg, late of the PA II. Seems Capt. Stahlberg came aboard in San Francisco to settle in before taking command. We met him at the Venetian Society party and he seems very nice.

 

An interesting note about the head bartender. Oliver had been Head Bartender on our last cruise, and was promoted to F&B Comptroller beginning this cruise. His replacement as head bartender was supposed to be a Frenchmen (we don't know his name --- people we talk to simply refer to him as "the man from France" =) Well, is isn't here yet. Whether the delay is related to volcanic ash, a misunderstanding, or something else we don't know, but Oliver has been wearing both hats and doing a fantastic job.

 

This is a happy, experienced crew. We have yet to talk to anyone who doesn't plan, hope or intend to return to Silver Shadow. Some are adamant about it! (Of course, we understand why =)

 

Now, a day of cruising Tracy Arm, another day at sea, then Victoria, BC.

[ging466]

two wonderful couples from Australia sort of adopted me for the cruise and we had dinner on four occasions.

 

Hi Charlie

 

Glad to hear u were adopted by Aussies....we are good people:D

 

U will be pleased to know we have a good roll up of CCers on our transatlantic in October...this is great from a solo cruisers perspective.

 

Cheers

Jennifer

[Silver Spectre]

Hi Love@Cruise

 

Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful visit to Alaska with us. When we were on the Shadow in Sept last year there were two innovations that we had not seen before, and neither of which were greatly loved.

 

There was a professional shopper on board for the Alaska ports and the vessel was full of art, all of which belonged to an art lecturer, and was for sale.

 

Spoke to David Lawton about both and got the impression that neither had really gone down well with the SS guests.

 

Any sign of either on your cruise.

[oregon50]

Can you let us know the featured entertainer in The Bar? Thanks!

[cechase]

Charlie - consider yourself adopted for the Spirit crossing in October. Bob and Victoria are looking forward to meeting you!

 

Thank you so much, and I am looking forward to meeting you at the Marriott on Friday night.

[cechase]

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Charlie thanks for your posts.

 

I've followed you for quite awhile -- admiring your willingness to revisit fond memories and understanding the loss of your beloved -- I too am alone after over 30 years of wonderful memories.

Couldn't find a better place to be a solo traveler. I've met many wonderful people, some of whom I believe will be life long friends, and am always well cared for by Silversea staff.

I'm boarding Shadow next week and wish we could have met.

Keep on cruisin'.....I'll say hello to Marilyn for you:)

Mary Ann

 

Thank you Mary Ann for the kind thoughts. Yes, I agree that Silversea is a great cruise line for solos, but it is so much better when you already know a number of folks who are on your cruise. Have a great cruise on Shadow - I can assure you that the crew is at its best. Give Marilyn a hug for me, and tell her Mr. Chase requested it.

[LOVE@CRUISE]

The personal shopper Phillip Rosenthal, and the art broker, Michael Judge, are onboard, somewhat low key....but they are there. The entertainment in the Bar is Charm and Kelsie. Overall, the evening entertainment was GREATLY improved over what we had in February. There was a fabulous pianist who performed twice, and the singer Michael Bell, who was very good as well. Of course David had his show, and the other evenings were shows featuring the new SS dancers and singers (most from the UK) who were better than the group they had in February.

DAVID LEAVES NEXT WEEK AND SUSAN WILL BE BACK!

Many of the current staff, including the chef, are on vacation beginning June 17, and all insist they will come back to the shadow. It is such a close group...I think that's what makes it so special! And they are all devoted to Helmut Jovi from the bar is being cross trained in reception now and Veshal from the pool deck is training to be a butler! Former head bartender Oliver is now the Controller ! My feeling is that it is such a happy crew because they truly enjoy their jobs, and they see the wonderful opportunities for advancement at all levels!