Silversea Experts -- How would you recommend celebrating a big birthday on board?

[AllisonJames]

Hi all. I have been lurking here since booking my March 15, 2011 cruise on the Whisper. Previously sailed the Seabourn Legend, now trying Silversea due to the schedule and ports (and also to see if we like it better than SB, love, love, love the endless debates over that, since I never met a Caribbean vacation I didn't like, I'm sure I'll have a great time!) Anyway, I will be celebrating my big 5-0 on March 17, 2011 -- St. Patrick's Day, it's such a great day for a birthday! So, I am looking for suggestions on how to celebrate in style -- what would you Silversea experts to do if it was your birthday? We pretty much have the day covered (the added bonus of this cruise for us is we'll be in Antigua on my birthday, so plan to spend it at our all-time favorite resort -- Galley Bay) but are looking for suggestions for the evening . . . which dining venue and why? If you have had a special occasion on board, what special treats were arranged for you? Any anecdotes and info welcome, I love the anticipation and planning aspect of the trip :) especially with a long winter to get through :eek: P.S. It's a very big year for us, we both turn 50 and also celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary! Thanks so much everyone!

[TLCOhio]

Hi all. I have been lurking here since booking my March 15, 2011 cruise on the Whisper. Previously sailed the Seabourn Legend, now trying Silversea due to the schedule and ports (and also to see if we like it better than SB, love, love, love the endless debates over that, since I never met a Caribbean vacation I didn't like, I'm sure I'll have a great time!) Anyway, I will be celebrating my big 5-0 on March 17, 2011 -- St. Patrick's Day, it's such a great day for a birthday! So, I am looking for suggestions on how to celebrate in style -- what would you Silversea experts to do if it was your birthday? We pretty much have the day covered (the added bonus of this cruise for us is we'll be in Antigua on my birthday, so plan to spend it at our all-time favorite resort -- Galley Bay) but are looking for suggestions for the evening . . . which dining venue and why? If you have had a special occasion on board, what special treats were arranged for you? Any anecdotes and info welcome, I love the anticipation and planning aspect of the trip :) especially with a long winter to get through :eek: P.S. It's a very big year for us, we both turn 50 and also celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary! Thanks so much everyone!

 

Congratulations on your upcoming "BIG EVENTS". From the below live/blog postings that I did in early July, you can see more details for what we did as first-timers with Silversea. This was our third cruise after late June 2006 on 204-passenger Seabourn Spirit, Athens to Istanbul, enjoying the Greek Isles over seven days. Then late July 2008 on the 940-passenger Crystal Symphony, Dover to Stockholm, enjoying the Baltics and Russia. And this July 1-16 cruise was on the 296-passenger Silver Cloud from Copenhagen seeing the Norway Coast, fjords, above the Arctic Circle, Land of the Midnight Sun, etc. All three lines are excellent with great service, fellow passengers, staff, etc.

 

My wife's XX birthday was July 1, the day we started our cruise. Based on reading some earlier posts, I communicated with the Silversea folks alerting them to this "special need/interest". They advised the Chef and staff, with the key suggestion of checking in with the Maitre D' and/or Chef to finalize some arrangements when we were getting on the ship. The "BIGGER EVENT" would be later in the cruise as trying to make it all happen on that first night would have been pressing things too much.

 

On July 1, there was a special birthday cake for my wife with a candle, plus ice cream and staff singing. She was super pleased. Then a little walk around the pool deck and top area as the sun is setting. BEAUTIFUL!!! But, wait there is more!!! We returned to our room and there’s a large “Happy Birthday” balloon on the door. Then inside, there were more balloons, plus a cake and Champagne. Then, in the bathroom, the tub is filled with especially scented waters, rose petals, etc. My wife super loved it ALL! It’s a nice way to celebrate a birthday and the start to a great cruise with our friends and neighbors from Columbus.

 

Then on the evening of July 4th as the Silver Cloud was sailing out through the fjords, we had a custom, five-course dinner by Chef Douglas Hope to celebrate, formally and officially, AND AS A SURPRISE, my wife’s birthday. Hotel Director Giovanni Dotti joined us for this special dinner. Our two friends from Columbus where there along with three friends from Arizona/Calif. that we connected with prior to the the cruise through these CC Boards. It was just the eight of us. No menus, just a custom dinner from the Chef based on a few suggestions that I made. Each dining course was very special and unique, tied in with the Chef's expertise from his native Canada. He blended a little French/Europe taste with some western Canada style touches. There were items like Reindeer jerky on the salad, some truffle infusion with the beef main course, a triple chocolate dessert that the Chef said would knock your socks off (it did), etc.

 

It was super great. My wife and friends still talk about it. The secret? Ask in advance, be flexible, give some ideas, but don't get too unreasonable in your "demands". Each Chef is different and they have a variety of needs to satisfy in working these details out. I cannot guarantee that all of the Chef will do it like ours did. The staff, however, likes doing these special events. You can also discuss this need with your Butler. Personally, I would check with the Maitre D'. Let me know any questions of reactions from what I've outlined here and/or from review my postings with Silversea on our first cruise.

 

Below is just two visual samples from our wonderful cruise. We really liked dining at breakfast or lunch on the back deck area.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 19,500 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

For departing Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, we had lunch on the terrace. This is the visual to our right of others enjoying this spectacular dining with the view overlooking the Gefion Springvandet Fountain and St. Albans Anglican Church.:

 

 

 

Here’s the Silver Cloud in the top-rated and super scenic Sognerfjord. We are getting ready to depart from nearby Gudvangen after our morning visit to Flam, riding the railroad there, etc.:

 

[AllisonJames]

Thanks Terry, I have been enjoying all your posts, photos and the very useful info you always convey. All wonderful ideas! Did your custom dinner take place in the main dining room or elsewhere?

[TLCOhio]

Thanks Terry, I have been enjoying all your posts, photos and the very useful info you always convey. All wonderful ideas! Did your custom dinner take place in the main dining room or elsewhere?

 

THANKS, Allison, for the kind comments and following these postings! YES, we were in the main dining room. center of the area. The Hotel Director didn't know what was planned and asked for the menus from the waiter. He was told what was happening, a surprise for him, too. Very nice. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 19,500 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[Emtbsam]

We were guests at a simply lovely birthday celebration this past February on our cruise to the South Pacific on the Shadow. The dinner was in the main dining room. I believe Rally has posted a review of the dinner for his lovely wife Love@cruise. We highly recommend having the celebration in the main dining room and letting the staff take care of all the details.

[TLCOhio]

We were guests at a simply lovely birthday celebration this past February on our cruise to the South Pacific on the Shadow. The dinner was in the main dining room. I believe Rally has posted a review of the dinner for his lovely wife Love@cruise. We highly recommend having the celebration in the main dining room and letting the staff take care of all the details.

 

YES! Rally's wonderful posting and details were my "spark" and inspiration on that idea that worked out so well for us along the Norway Coast.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[bobndee]

Well, this sounds promising!

 

We've already booked a cruise on the Shadow for June. We will celebrate our 39th anniversary as well as my 61st birthday while on board. The cruise consultant made note of our anniversary when we made the booking aboard the Cloud.

 

My sister and her husband, first timers to SS, will be joining us. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[TLCOhio]

Well, this sounds promising! We've already booked a cruise on the Shadow for June. We will celebrate our 39th anniversary as well as my 61st birthday while on board. The cruise consultant made note of our anniversary when we made the booking aboard the Cloud. My sister and her husband, first timers to SS, will be joining us. It will be interesting to see what happens.

 

YES, Bob, go for it! Congrats!!! Be sure to let them know BOTH before your cruse and when you get on the ship. The background that you shared with me about the Chef and his style was very, very helpful to know in working out what we did for my wife's birthday.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 19,900 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[wripro]

A couple of years ago I was on the Cloud for my birthday. My friends arranged to secure the little lounge off the Panorama Lounge for a private cocktail reception pre-dinner. There were eight of us and SS provided tons of fresh shrimp, caviar (it was still included then,) a full bar setup and a waiter to serve us. Truly great. Then we all went to Le Champagne for dinner. Quite a night and it wasn't even a special birthday.

[lord of the seas]

Then we all went to Le Champagne for dinner. Quite a night and it wasn't even a special birthday.

 

I bet you got a special bill at the end of it. :)

[wripro]

Not one red cent was charged (other than the dinner at Le Champagne.) The only expense was a gratuity for the waiter they assigned to serve us.

[beckaboo]

My husband's 40th is on 11/11 while we're at sea on the Spirit... it's our first cruise on Silversea and I've been really curious as to how it will go to celebrate.

 

Honestly, he's a simple guy - since it's a sea day, he's planning to spa & play in the casino, and would probably be delighted with the steak / potatoes / chocolate cake thing, but it might be fun to do the balloons and more elaborate celebration. After all, we won't know anyone else so everyone will help celebrate :)

 

If anyone has other creative ideas for things to do on a sea day to celebrate, I'd love to hear... for sure he'll be getting breakfast in bed!

 

Terry - did you bring the balloons & decorations or did the crew come up with this themselves? Also, did you work with the Maitre d' when you boarded or in advance?

 

PS Thanks for all of your help as I've been lurking these many months - we've sailed Radisson (but not Regent since the switch) and Azamara, and are really looking forward to Silversea!

[Wellseasoned]

Beckaboo,in our experience the balloons, chocolate cake, etc. appear automatically for birthdays and anniversaries, as long as they are aware of the date from your guest information form or your verbal communication. They have also placed candles in the evening and towels sculpted into swans, particularly for anniversaries. You need supply nothing.

[TLCOhio]

My husband's 40th is on 11/11 while we're at sea on the Spirit... it's our first cruise on Silversea and I've been really curious as to how it will go to celebrate. Terry - did you bring the balloons & decorations or did the crew come up with this themselves? Also, did you work with the Maitre d' when you boarded or in advance? PS Thanks for all of your help as I've been lurking these many months and are really looking forward to Silversea!

 

Glad you've got an upcoming sailing on Silversea. YES, we did both let them know in advance before boarding AND working with the Maitre D' once on the ship. YES, they provided the balloons, decorations, etc. They know that many times people are using or on cruises to celebrate special times, etc. Don't be shy!!! Keep asking the good questions. Have you looked through my live posting from our July cruise? That might give you other ideas and options to consider to add to the excitement for your trip.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 19,900 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[wripro]

Beckaboo,

 

Perhaps a visit with the maitre d' a couple of days prior would be in order. Tell him about the occasion and discuss a special meal. You might also ask the preselect a nice table and have it decorated. They will be very helpful and probably have suggestions and ideas for you.

[beckaboo]

Thanks all - that was just the confirmation I was looking for. Nice to know that they will take care of the major details, and I'm going to check with the M/D for sure when we board.

 

Terry - I've definitely reviewed and have some great ideas... now if we can just make the next month go by (we leave 11/5)...

[TLCOhio]

Thanks all - that was just the confirmation I was looking for. Nice to know that they will take care of the major details, and I'm going to check with the M/D for sure when we board. Terry - I've definitely reviewed and have some great ideas... now if we can just make the next month go by (we leave 11/5)...

 

THANKS for the comments! YES, your cruise is very close and nearly here. Update us on how things go on the ship. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 22,000 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

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