LIVE FROM SILVERSEA SPIRIT- October 23, 2010- Lisbon to Barbados

[tonyballoons]

Thanks for the info. We 're in cassablanca next week with the cloud and Had plans to hire à local taxi... Now we 're going for the bus option... Is there a shuttle service from the ship to the centre?? Many thanks

[DGF]

Message # 5

Saturday October 30, 2010- second day at sea

Correction- I reported Dr. Herb Keyser occupation incorrectly. He delivers babies (Obstetrics) rather than a pediatrician who looks after the babies once born. Sorry about that error, Herb

Weather- Have we ever been lucky with the weather. Mostly sunny and with few clouds. This is our second consecutive day of sun at sea. It is nice to wake up to a sunny warm day on the balcony (we always get a port side cabin when we cross the Atlantic from Europe)

Cabin 624 in detail (all dimension approx, and may be wrong on some finishes). I am always hesitant to go into such detail and for those who find it too much please “skip read”)

Hallway

- Floor- width- 4' 6" wide, floor covered by high quality carpet edged with dark burgundy colour and with two lighter patterns in the centre, one large in front of the Cabin doors, grouped two on each side, and one narrower from one cabin entrances to the next.

- Walls- cream coloured metal with slight pattern and metal/ imitation wood handrails along one side

- Ceiling- 7' in height, cream coloured metal. The height could be a problem with a very tall person, giving him/ her a feeling of a low confining ceiling. Dean is 6' 2" and had no problem

- Cabin entrance- are recessed 18", a first for us for standard balcony cabins and normally only found on the suite deck on other ships, highlighted with burgundy coloured “paneling” from floor to ceiling

- with door bell, another first for standard cabins

- door, 27" wide, heavy metal door likely solid core and fire rated, has a security peep hole to see you is knocking at your door (another first for standard cabins), coloured a lighter burgundy. Some threads on Cruise Critics have commented on the narrowness of the doorway and the challenge to the Butler when delivering breakfast. We did not experience either

- resulting in a very attractive décor, with a luxury feel. Well done Silversea. We noted that throughout the ship, the feel of long hallways were overcome with centre “dividers” where you passed either to the left or right. The same principle was applied when you go from one common area to the next. Also the elegant circular stairwell mid ship breaks the sight lines

Cabin

- Size- 376 sq.ft. (Verandah 65 sq.ft.) calculations by Silversea

- Entrance Hallway- 35" wide x 12' in length, 7' in height. Some on Cruise Critics found the hallway too narrow; but we did not experience this feel. As you enter on the right is a clothes hook and next to it in front of the door into the bathroom is a mirror with a handy wooden ledge for leaving the card coded room key. On the left is the light switch, the use of which we are still trying to master as to which lights they turn on and off. The wall has a wooden molding and carpet baseboard, cream coloured with pattern, which is common throughout the cabin except in the bathroom

- Step Up Bathroom- with a dimension of 6' 4" in depth and 9' in length is a most impressive facility. The soaker bathtub, the largest we have experienced on any cruise ship (Dean loves its length of 4' at the bottom with back rest to a length of 5' 4" at the top). Tub also has an unusual hand wand that one must be careful with to avoid spraying the bathroom instead of your hair, which Dean did. Separate shower stall which has an unusual shape due to the recessed cabin entrance, having a normal wand shower head and a “waterfall” shower head on the ceiling; the latter being our first on any cruise ship (will have to figure out how to install in our master bathroom at home). The granite counter top (45" in length by a depth of 19", on which is located a very large raised oval sink, designed for appearance. Leaves only 9" of counter top space on each side. To overcome this problem, Silversea designers installed 5" wide by 9" deep shelving on each side of the sink from counter top to ceiling and two under the sink shelves 54" wide by 13" deep. Faucet- having been warned by many cruise critic comments we carefully mastered the use of the tap, which works well. The finishing in the bathroom is very impressive, wooden floor (or extremely good imitation vinyl) with granite border. The walls are marble with granite edging, other than in the shower area. Excellent lighting. Only one North American electrical outlet with one side 120 and other side 230 volt. Bathroom also has a telephone. Glass container inserted into counter top containing Q-tips, another nice touch. Gayle says this is the most impressive bathroom of all cruise ships experienced to date

- Walk In Closet- located with door, off the hallway, 4' wide by 5' 9" in depth. On the starboard side is clothes hanging rod and shelf above and shelf for shoes below. At the end of the closet is a wooden chest of drawers with six drawers and at the top two double doors in which is located the safe. The distance between the chest of drawers is slightly too short to allow some clothing to hang (i.e. men’s jacket) and difficult to access with a full rack of clothes. The walk in closet is much smaller than we have experienced in other ships.

- Sleeping Area- consists of a very comfortable queen size bed, 72" in length and 69" in width, with attractive leather head board fixed to the wall. On each side of the bed is a night table 15" x 17" with shelf and cabinet, port side night table also having a telephone. Above each night table is a reading lamp on an arm. Together with the ceiling lights, allows for a good reading environment in bed. Ample room under the bed to store your luggage. Facing the bed is the ladies make up station (attractively finished wood, large mirror, drawer in the centre, with comfortable stool, excellent lighting and further four shallow (4") shelves on each side with small cupboard on bottom= ample room to store everything. At this point the ship’s designers did something unusual, which if I might would call a design defect. The distance between the bed and the ladies makeup station is 18" to the stool and 21" to the makeup table, making it impossible to pass when Gayle was using. This appears to have been caused by the designer’s decision to incorporate a TV as part of the mirror (another first for us) which is cool in appearance but creates a spacing problem. Another first for us is that heavy attractive cloth drapes can be pulled on the port side of the sleeping area to separate the sleeping area from the “living room”, which allows one to sleep and the other partner to sit in the living area or in Dean’s case use the lap top. Good selection of pillows. Bed is not double sheeted, covering consisting of a duvet, top sheet and bottom sheet with protective mattress cover under

- living room area- 9' 4" in width and 11' in length, drapes on the sleeping side which as previously noted can separate the two areas, sliding floor to ceiling glass doors onto the balcony having a width of 70" (not the full width of the cabin) with drapes and sheers. On the aft side are two end tables on each side of a comfortable three seat sofa with wall reading lights above and oval coffee table in front of the sofa, 23" by 38". On the bow side is an attractively finished wooden ladies make up area/ work station, with unusual designed stool which Dean used with a pillow on top to work on his laptop. For clarity let’s refer to this as the Work Station but could easily be used as the Ladies Make Up Station, thereby avoiding the previously mentioned problem in the Sleep Area. The “desk top” of the Work Station has a depth of 16" and length of 62", on which is located a clock radio, one European plug and one North American plug, and another telephone. Thanks again to Colonel Wes for recommending guests bring a small outlet bar which Dean used for his laptop, and we used for camera battery charter, etc. On the right side of the Work Station desk top are four shelves 10" deep by 2' wide. On the left side is the same but with varying depths to hold the glasses, ice bucket, alcohol and daily fruit tray renewed every day. Below the desk top on the left are two wide drawers in the centre, cupboard containing a good size fridge stocked with your favourite beverages and on the right another storage cupboard. The Work Station has excellent lighting as well does the rest of the area with ceiling and wall lighting. The mirror that runs the full length of the Desk Top, has a hidden TV incorporated into the mirror, another first for us. Well done Silversea

- balcony- 6' 7" by 9' 9" furnished with comfortable wicker furniture- two reclining chairs, each with a stool and 2' square collapsible wicker table. Partitioning between balconies provides only limited privacy, not extending to the underside of the deck. Wooden railing, with security bars underneath, provide an open view of the sea. Deck is teak. Adequate room for two to lounge enjoying the sun and view. Well done Silversea.

I leave further detail and corrections to Meow and on to something more fun to read- Another relaxing sunny day at sea with a flood of activities provided, some of which we participated- Dr. Keyser lecture on The Life and Music of Johnny Mercer, watched Trivia, and took part in bingo (a different new approach for us- no charge, reusable cards rather than punch out sheets with prizes being points which can be accumulated for gifts at the end of the cruise). This results in an atmosphere of fun with no tension, which we all have experienced when you are competing for sizable check pots

Another enjoyable lunch in Terrazzo

In the afternoon on deck 9, at the stern, we discovered four comfortable circular loungers with retractable canvas side/ tops, a first for us on cruise ships (Someone please help me on the name of said?). The loungers accommodate two and we had several enjoyable hours removed from the breeze that had pick up, lying in the sun and shade when we wanted. And viewing the wake of the ship. Well done Silversea.

Off to dinner in The Restaurant, requested Table of eight which was provided, and had a delightful time with our new found dinner friends- Andy and Val from Barbados, Alfred and Alfreida from Pennyslvania, John and Andrea from Great Britain, with all trying to provide Andy, who had joined up for Silversea boat construction contest, with ideas on how to build a boat out of the materials given by Silversea. Many laughs and suggestions provided. We thank you all for a great night, and food as usual was well presented, very good and excellent service.

We skipped the entertainment in the The Theatre and retired to our cabin.

[Wellseasoned]

 

 

 

In the afternoon on deck 9, at the stern, we discovered four comfortable circular loungers with retractable canvas side/ tops, a first for us on cruise ships (Someone please help me on the name of said?). The loungers accommodate two and we had several enjoyable hours removed from the breeze that had pick up, lying in the sun and shade when we wanted. And viewing the wake of the ship. Well done Silversea.

 

 

 

I don't know the official name of those loungers, but their "covered wagon" appearance led some of us on the maiden TA to dub that deck space "The Ponderosa". :)

[meow!]

I am always hesitant to go into such detail

 

What a marvellous posting. It will save us a lot of work (though we will still measure) when we board the Spirit within a few weeks. This posting, along with TLCOhio's National Geographic grade pictures, should be voted the postings of the year on this Silversea board.

 

To start with, the Spirit's hallway is 35" wide x 12' long. The Shadow/Whisper's varies from 43.5" (next to the bathroom) to 35.5" wide next to the walking closet. Since the walk-in closet portion is only 4'5" long, the Shadow/Whisper's hallway will feel wider (less restrictive). The Spirit's ceiling is 7'0" high, versus the Shadow/Whisper's 7'1", a difference of only 1", but at this height, every inch counts. The Shadow/Whisper's bathroom is somewhat irregularly shaped, with the shower stall sticking into the outside corridor, and it has a cut corner at the toilet bowl. The tub has a "top inside opening" dimension of 5'1" (versus the Spirit's 5'4"0) x 1'10". The Shadow/Whisper's granite countertop is 58.5" x 19.5" versus the Spirit's 45" x 19"; this may be the reason why the Spirit has only one European style fountain sink while the Shadow/Whisper has two hemispherical sinks.

 

The Spirit's closet is 4' x 5'9" versus the Shadow/Whisper's 3'10" x 6'7" (outside dimensions). The Spirit's bed is 72" long x 69" wide, versus the Shadow/Whiper's 78" long x 66" wide. So the Spirit is better for the chubby while the Shadow/Whisper is better for the tall. The Spirit's shorter bed may have been necessitated by the narrower cabin overall to provide what room there can be between the end of the bed and the make-up table. The distance between the bed and the make-up table is 21" (with the make-up bench being longish and rectangular), compare this to the 25" clearance on the Shadow/Whiper at the tip of the arc-shaped make-up module (with the distance between the bed and the wall being 37"). This difference is substantial, since it is much easier to "slip past" the arc-shaped make-up module in addition to the 4" difference in clearance even at the minimum.

 

The Spirit’s sitting area is 9’4” in width x 11’ in length, compared with the Shadow/Whisper’s 9’7” in width x 7’11” in length (inside dimensions). This again shows the Spirit’s narrower and more elongated cabin shape, as necessitated by a larger single aisled ship with wider beam, to keep the cabin size within check . As the Spirit’s beam is 5’ wider than the Shadow/Whisper’s, its cabins are 2.5’ longer, while being 3” narrower, which roughly translates into a 10 sq.ft. increase in cabin area. Silversea claims the Shadow/Whisper’s standard cabins to be 345 sq.ft. (we figure a 10 sq.ft. underestimate conservatively), and the Whisper’s to be 376 sq.ft. (we figure a 10 sq.ft. overestimate liberally).

 

A decade down the road, if Silversea builds a new ship, they should keep the Spirit’s hull (praised by Navy Captain Burns as the steadiest and smoothest riding). They should reduce the passenger capacity by 11% from 270 cabins to 240 cabins. Then widen the standard cabins by 6” (which should alleviate all cabin narrowness problems while using up only 7% of the cabin portion space of the entire ship). This should still leave 4% of the cabin portion space plus 11% of the per passenger public area space of the entire ship for a larger main restaurant (taking in the Japanese restaurant and Le Champagne which can be moved to another deck) able to sit all passengers “in camera” for special functions; return to a double storeyed true theatre again able to seat all “in camera” for safety drills, Venetian Society meetings and popular "production shows"; and a larger gym for the sporty like the good Colonel.

 

The above are all necessary trappings for a true luxury ship (while Oceania goes from cabaret lounges to real theatres with their newbuilds, Silversea should not do the opposite). A larger ship (more passengers, less exclusivity) should have a higher space ratio as compensatory grace, and not lower it. In the luxury class, you don’t just provide “necessary space” but “plentiful over-spaciousness”. As the Spirit is seldom full, filling all 240 nicer cabins is better than having 30 of the 270 cabins vacant. And for sailings that appear to be filling up, lessen the discount from 60 to 50 or even 40%, and the overall income may not be decreased. Besides, this tactic will enable Silversea to continue to crow about its largest standard cabins and space ratio at sea.

 

We should all be indebted to DGF for his gracious effort, sacrificing his own time to provide such precious information. We are so delighted to see his contribution. If we had a chance to read this a year back, it might have saved us quite a few thousand dollars by letting us stay home instead .. our voyage is already fully paid for and non-refundable .. meoow! Now we will try to console ourselves by thinking of the actual onboard experience (besides measurements), while the Caribbean ports are of secondary importance, though ironically, we haven’t been there before.

[Rally]

What a marvellous posting. It will save us a lot of work (though we will still measure) when we board the Spirit within a few weeks. This posting, along with TLCOhio's National Geographic grade pictures, should be voted the postings of the year on this Silversea board.

 

To start with, the Spirit's hallway is 35" wide x 12' long. The Shadow/Whisper's varies from 43.5" (next to the bathroom) to 35.5" wide next to the walking closet. Since the walk-in closet portion is only 4'5" long, the Shadow/Whisper's hallway will feel wider (less restrictive). The Spirit's ceiling is 7'0" high, versus the Shadow/Whisper's 7'1", a difference of only 1", but at this height, every inch counts. The Shadow/Whisper's bathroom is somewhat irregularly shaped, with the shower stall sticking into the outside corridor, and it has a cut corner at the toilet bowl. The tub has a "top inside opening" dimension of 5'1" (versus the Spirit's 5'4"0) x 1'10". The Shadow/Whisper's granite countertop is 58.5" x 19.5" versus the Spirit's 45" x 19"; this may be the reason why the Spirit has only one European style fountain sink while the Shadow/Whisper has two hemispherical sinks.

 

The Spirit's closet is 4' x 5'9" versus the Shadow/Whisper's 3'10" x 6'7" (outside dimensions). The Spirit's bed is 72" long x 69" wide, versus the Shadow/Whiper's 78" long x 66" wide. So the Spirit is better for the chubby while the Shadow/Whisper is better for the tall. The Spirit's shorter bed may have been necessitated by the narrower cabin overall to provide what room there can be between the end of the bed and the make-up table. The distance between the bed and the make-up table is 21" (with the make-up bench being longish and rectangular), compare this to the 25" clearance on the Shadow/Whiper at the tip of the arc-shaped make-up module (with the distance between the bed and the wall being 37"). This difference is substantial, since it is much easier to "slip past" the arc-shaped make-up module in addition to the 4" difference in clearance even at the minimum.

 

The Spirit’s sitting area is 9’4” in width x 11’ in length, compared with the Shadow/Whisper’s 9’7” in width x 7’11” in length (inside dimensions). This again shows the Spirit’s narrower and more elongated cabin shape, as necessitated by a larger single aisled ship with wider beam, to keep the cabin size within check . As the Spirit’s beam is 5’ wider than the Shadow/Whisper’s, its cabins are 2.5’ longer, while being 3” narrower, which roughly translates into a 10 sq.ft. increase in cabin area. Silversea claims the Shadow/Whisper’s standard cabins to be 345 sq.ft. (we figure a 10 sq.ft. underestimate conservatively), and the Whisper’s to be 376 sq.ft. (we figure a 10 sq.ft. overestimate liberally).

 

A decade down the road, if Silversea builds a new ship, they should keep the Spirit’s hull (praised by Navy Captain Burns as the steadiest and smoothest riding). They should reduce the passenger capacity by 11% from 270 cabins to 240 cabins. Then widen the standard cabins by 6” (which should alleviate all cabin narrowness problems while using up only 7% of the cabin portion space of the entire ship). This should still leave 4% of the cabin portion space plus 11% of the per passenger public area space of the entire ship for a larger main restaurant (taking in the Japanese restaurant and Le Champagne which can be moved to another deck) able to sit all passengers “in camera” for special functions; return to a double storeyed true theatre again able to seat all “in camera” for safety drills, Venetian Society meetings and popular "production shows"; and a larger gym for the sporty like the good Colonel.

 

The above are all necessary trappings for a true luxury ship (while Oceania goes from cabaret lounges to real theatres with their newbuilds, Silversea should not do the opposite). A larger ship (more passengers, less exclusivity) should have a higher space ratio as compensatory grace, and not lower it. In the luxury class, you don’t just provide “necessary space” but “plentiful over-spaciousness”. As the Spirit is seldom full, filling all 240 nicer cabins is better than having 30 of the 270 cabins vacant. And for sailings that appear to be filling up, lessen the discount from 60 to 50 or even 40%, and the overall income may not be decreased. Besides, this tactic will enable Silversea to continue to crow about its largest standard cabins and space ratio at sea.

 

We should all be indebted to DGF for his gracious effort, sacrificing his own time to provide such precious information. We are so delighted to see his contribution. If we had a chance to read this a year back, it might have saved us quite a few thousand dollars by letting us stay home instead .. our voyage is already fully paid for and non-refundable .. meoow! Now we will try to console ourselves by thinking of the actual onboard experience (besides measurements), while the Caribbean ports are of secondary importance, though ironically, we haven’t been there before.

 

This is so great --- thanks so much! Can anyone tell me the space between the midpoint of the closet pole and the beiling of the closet, and the number of padded hangers that can comfortably fit on the longest pole? That would be so helpful. Also, someone posted that they found 16 Q-Tips in the container on the sink in the bathroom. Two questions: can anyone confirm that they are catually "Q-Tip" brnad instead of cheap imitations; and have anyone felt cheated by finding only 15 (or less!) Q-Tips in the container on the sink upon embarkation? Thanks so much in advance, and enjoy your cruise!

[dusababy]

Rally - THANKS SO MUCH !!

 

I had the very same questions......;)

[duct tape]

;-) My sentiments exactly...

[Rally]

;-) My sentiments exactly...

 

Maybe this should be taken us with SS management? =) Inquirying minds want to know.

[meow!]

Also, someone posted that they found 16 Q-Tips in the container on the sink in the bathroom. Two questions: can anyone confirm that they are catually "Q-Tip" brnad instead of cheap imitations; and have anyone felt cheated by finding only 15 (or less!) Q-Tips in the container on the sink upon embarkation?

Since Q-tips are rather personal items, for hygienic reasons, we believe they ought to be supplied in the form of pre-packaged boxes, and not put in by the handful (touched by the cabin attendants).

[Rally]

Since Q-tips are rather personal items, for hygienic reasons, we believe they ought to be supplied in the form of pre-packaged boxes, and not put in by the handful (touched by the cabin attendants).

Absolutely and they are not! They are packaged in plastic, two to a pack. So, I guess, finding 15 could be a problem, but what about 14? Are there 16 in the "upper suites?" 12 in the Vista Suites? Is there a conspiracy here? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm?????

[oregon50]

Oh my god!

 

Meow!, in the thread started by you about two weeks ago, you promised to stick to the facts. Please, do we really need to know how you would build a ship? Can't you find a more suitable forum for your discussion?

Some kind of tape measure group perhaps. Maybe a shipbuilding forum,

or why not participate in the boat design contest onboard?

[Bon.Vivant]

....We should all be indebted to DGF for his gracious effort, sacrificing his own time to provide such precious information. We are so delighted to see his contribution. If we had a chance to read this a year back, it might have saved us quite a few thousand dollars by letting us stay home instead .. our voyage is already fully paid for and non-refundable .. meoow! Now we will try to console ourselves by thinking of the actual onboard experience (besides measurements), while the Caribbean ports are of secondary importance, though ironically, we haven’t been there before.

 

Meow: You are pulling the collective leg, aren't you, with this long post about measurements? Are you serious -- that you would not have booked had you known the measurements earlier? :confused:

[meow!]

Well, it is half true. We are so impressed with DGF's measurements (posting #27 on this thread).

[MandH]

We are on Spirit next week. Apologies if this information is in your very comprehensive report, but how much is internet access on board?

 

Thanks for your great report and info!

[CruisinGerman]

Dear friends:

 

I think the cruise lines in modern day ship design, are starting to have second thoughts about using up two stories, plus so much space, for a venue that is only used at most for an hour or two per day, and never really fills up.

 

I for one would prefer that the space be used for something that would add more to the at sea experience of cruising around the world on a line such as Silversea. If I wanted to go to the theatre, that's what New York and London are for.

 

Any brand-new, mass market cruise ship has a gym and spa area that puts the Silver Spirit to shame -- and the spas are even run by the same company on the mass market lines.

 

I would much rather have a better spa and gym facility, perhaps more dining venues, than to have all of that space wasted with a Broadway-quality theatre that stays empty most of the cruise.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

[DGF]

Message # 6- Sunday, October 31, 2010- At Sea

Another sunny day with some clouds on a calm sea. If this keeps up, it will our first on any ocean repositioning cruise

Special Thanks- To Toyisana Chow Fatt, I.T. Concierge, Internet who bailed Dean out of the following internet problem; Toyisana being another example of the highest level of service provided by every staff member we have had the privilege of being served by/ have met on Silversea Spirit. The problem to assist readers so they can avoid on their cruises is as follows- after you get on line and dial into Cruise Critic site, do your reading or downloading, and follow the normal procedure on left clicking on the x to close out the web site, on the Windows 7 Ultimate platform you will often get a drop down which will make you believe you have lost connection with the web provider while in fact you have not; thereby leaving you connected to the web site when you are off for dinner or lunch. Toyisana kindly credited us for the lost of substantial minutes and provided Dean with the fail safe procedure to follow- add one final step of always going to your internet provider and try to connect. If you are directed to the Silversea Web site registration process you know you are logged off. If you end up with your default page, which in my case is Google, you know that you have not logged off

Cabin 624

- Horizontal Sound pollution- Once and a while, you will hear one of the other cabins door slam shut and muffled sound of a TV from the cabin next door. Vertical pollution- once and a while you will hear someone walking from the deck above in the bathroom area. None of these items were found to be disturbing or have any impact on Sleep

- Heating and air conditioning- regulated by a thermostat on the wall in the sleeping area, with only one turn dial control to control the temperature by turning the dial clockwise for warmer and counter clockwise to cool down the cabin. Extremely quiet system. Dean likes a cool room for sleeping (68F) and to date the system has accomplished. Was able to accomplish with the exception of tonight. Will have to see how it works as we get closer to the warmer Caribbean.

Our relaxing day- Slept in again, missing much of the morning activities. Another excellent lunch and service in La Terrazzo where we joined several cruiser critics. Followed by Dean working out in the gym (not crowded, but this time he would have preferred more equipment) and a few laps around the outside track with Jennifer; and Gayle off to the Panorama Lounge for Trivia and Bingo, the latter joined by Dean. No luck on either.

Off to Diner at La Terrazzo, asked for a table of six and were joined by Richard & Susan, and Harry & Kathleen from Glasgow. Our first experience where two of the guests received meals not cooked to their liking. Our meals were very very good, presentation of the meal extraordinary and impeccable service. Thank you all for joining us for dinner and the most interesting conversations we had. There is such an interesting group of guests onboard this cruise

Off to The Theatre for the Silver Spirit Singers and dancers in “Jazz a la Cart”. Stayed for a few numbers, found show not up to the standards of previous. Tried to get into stars without success, and retired to our cabin

Another night where we set our clocks back one hour. What a wonderful benefit of cross ocean cruising- no jet lag or time zone body clock problems when you arrive back in North America!!

[AllisonJames]

That's it! I am cancelling my cruise as I was absolutely promised the width of the hallway was 36 inches! Oh, wait . . . this post was about the Spirit??? Oh thank goodness, I am saved, I'm sailing on the Whisper!!!!!

 

Although I can't really figure out if all those measurements were "tongue in cheek" I sincerely have to admire the patience of someone able to take all those measurements. I'd be too busy at the bar to think of something like that! And I can imagine they might be important to someone who was trying to navigate the suite with a walker . . .

 

Did enjoy the recommendations on how to improve future builds, one of my favorite games is to think about my favorite resorts and how I'd make them even better . . .

 

Love, love, love this board, you guys are so entertaining :)

[DGF]

Your question- This is so great --- thanks so much! Can anyone tell me the space between the midpoint of the closet pole and the beiling of the closet, and the number of padded hangers that can comfortably fit on the longest pole? That would be so helpful. Also, someone posted that they found 16 Q-Tips in the container on the sink in the bathroom. Two questions: can anyone confirm that they are catually "Q-Tip" brnad instead of cheap imitations; and have anyone felt cheated by finding only 15 (or less!) Q-Tips in the container on the sink upon embarkation? Thanks so much in advance, and enjoy your cruise!

 

Answer- We have four padded anchors. They are shorter than the regular hangers and do fit in the area adjacent to the chest of drawers. The larger coat hangers can also be squeezed into this area by haning them on a slight angle

 

Yes, their is a glass of Q-tips in the container in the sink- a nice touch by Silversea that we have not expereinced on our othe cruises

[DGF]

Dear friends:

 

What a wonderful review. Thanks for dedicating the time (and money) to keeping us informed.

 

When Uta and I last went to Casablanca on a Silversea Cruise, the shore excursion desk booked us a private tour -- guide, car and driver.

 

Tour was mediocre to say the least. Very old car. Driver met us outside the pier and drove us to the middle of town to meet the guide. But what was most disturbing was the fact that, although we appeared to be following the same route and sights as the Silversea shore excursion (bus tour), we were not allowed into half the sights they let the bus visit.

 

We were later told that the larger bus tours have special privileges as to where they can take you, that the private cars and guides (even if registered guide) are not allowed.

 

The Silversea shore excursion manager was a gentleman in following up our complaint -- and ended up refunding the cost of the tour.

 

So our advice for fellow passengers visiting Casablanca would be to take the Silversea shore excursion and not waste your money on a private tour.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

 

We agree unless you can find a reliable private guide recommended on Cruise Critics or Trip Advisor

 

DEAN

[Observer]

Dear friends:

 

I think the cruise lines in modern day ship design, are starting to have second thoughts about using up two stories, plus so much space, for a venue that is only used at most for an hour or two per day, and never really fills up.

 

I for one would prefer that the space be used for something that would add more to the at sea experience of cruising around the world on a line such as Silversea. If I wanted to go to the theatre, that's what New York and London are for.

 

Any brand-new, mass market cruise ship has a gym and spa area that puts the Silver Spirit to shame -- and the spas are even run by the same company on the mass market lines.

 

I would much rather have a better spa and gym facility, perhaps more dining venues, than to have all of that space wasted with a Broadway-quality theatre that stays empty most of the cruise.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

 

 

I think you make very good points in your post. Your message raises a larger question about the role/importance of entertainment on luxury cruises.

 

One of the things I liked about the Seabourn triplets (haven't been on one in a while) was the very low-key entertainment.

 

I could easily do without production shows on cruises. If lines are looking for areas in which to economize, the production shows would (to my mind) be a great place to start.

 

I would be curious as to how many other CCers share my perspective.

[DGF]

Thanks for the info. We 're in cassablanca next week with the cloud and Had plans to hire à local taxi... Now we 're going for the bus option... Is there a shuttle service from the ship to the centre?? Many thanks

 

Answer- A complimentary shuttle bus operated between the ship and the United Nations Square

 

DEAN

[DGF]

Since Q-tips are rather personal items, for hygienic reasons, we believe they ought to be supplied in the form of pre-packaged boxes, and not put in by the handful (touched by the cabin attendants).

 

Answer- the glass container contains Q-Tips in a package of two per package. Also contained in the container is cotton absorbing material (having a seniors moment on the correct name), also in packages

 

DEAN

[DGF]

We are on Spirit next week. Apologies if this information is in your very comprehensive report, but how much is internet access on board?

 

Thanks for your great report and info!

 

Answer:

 

1000 Minutes for $250= $0.25/Minute

250 Minutes for $85= $0.34/Minute

100 Minutes for $45= $0.45/Minute

Pay as you go $0.50/Minute

 

Dean

[DGF]

We actually are having too much fun. Jennifer arranged a meet and greet which was attended by more than 25 CC'ers, and our precruise meeting started out just with Jennifer and myself and then grew to 19!

 

Spirit and her crew are absolutely fantastic. Very easy for me to get around even with my litle oxygen machine. Love my suite - 522.

 

Well that is enough for now - have to check my stocks!

 

Jennifer advises that our fellow Cruise Critic Charlie had to leave the ship in the Canary islands

 

Charlie- hope this e-mail finds you in good health

[oregon50]

Puleeeese.....there are no Q-Tips provided by SS. They do provide Chinese made knock offs of Q-Tips.

 

Observer.....I find the production show entertainers to be a terrible waste of space + expense. There is probably no reversing the trend of SB and SS becoming less luxury.