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

[Goldens4]

Oh dear! Does anyone know what happened to Charlie and if he is OK? We met him on the Shadow last Thanksgiving. We had dinners with him and many cocktails and have stayed in touch. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

[DGF]

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.

 

Q- Tips- I have the brand Q-Tips in my medical kit and have compared to those supplied onboard. The true Q-Tips are of a higher quality but both are satisfactory for use

 

Production show- This is such a personal interpretation, but Gayle and I have enjoyed the majority of the Entertainment provided in The Theatre. Have also enjoyed the entertainment on the larger ships on the Premium Lines= does not appear the luxury level of the cruise ship will predetermine the quality of the entertainment. If a cruise line should drop the "shows" that line would be quickly moved to the bottom of cruise lines we would consider

 

Silversea as a luxury cruise line- As this is our first Silversea voyage, have no comparison to other Silversea ships, but can compare to our other experiences and are of the opinion that the Spirit certainly ranks in the luxury cruise line category (up there with Cunard Grill Class, Crystal)

 

DEAN

[meow!]

Just in case there is a typo, are you sure that the bed is only 72" (6'0") long? If so, some tall passengers over 6 ft (not us) will have their feet hanging in the air when they sleep straight. Even first class airline flatbed seats claim a "pitch" (horizontal length) of 78" (6'6")!

[Bon.Vivant]

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.

 

I like the production shows, but don’t need one every night. If they did away with them altogether, that would be a loss. I would like to see more going on in terms of live music and entertainment, and places to dance in the lounges and bars in the evening.

 

I think that having cabaret singers in the Stars Supper Club on Spirit is a great idea, and wish they could have some of that in the Bar and the Panorama too. On the Spirit last summer, the only place to dance was the Panorama, which had a DJ and disco most evenings. I like disco, but it would have been nice to have other options. There was a good live band in the Bar, but there’s no dance floor -- at least I wouldn’t call it a dance floor – a small bit in front of the band that’s about 2 feet X 4 feet (sorry, didn’t have my tape measure with me). What a shame. Never saw anybody dance there. Also, whatever live music there is generally stops at midnight, even if guests are still there.

 

Several years ago, the production show dancers and singers would occasionally come out to the Bar or Panorama, sometimes dressed in funny disco gear with colored wigs, mingle with the guests, get people dancing, and just get the fun going. Always a great time. But, I haven’t seen anything like that the last couple years.

 

One of my favorite evening activities is socializing with new-found friends, but it would be nice if there was more going on. All in all, it seems to me that evenings on board are becoming a little too low-key, a little dull, compared to several years ago. I wouldn’t mind seeing them do something about that, even if it means cutting out a few (and only a few) production shows.

[DGF]

Just in case there is a typo, are you sure that the bed is only 72" (6'0") long? If so, some tall passengers over 6 ft (not us) will have their feet hanging in the air when they sleep straight. Even first class airline flatbed seats claim a "pitch" (horizontal length) of 78" (6'6")!

 

Sorry about the typo. Bed mattress has a length of 78" and take off approx 2" for the headboard which is puffed and fixed to the cabin wall

 

I am 6'2" and have no problem

 

DEAN

[DGF]

I like the production shows, but don’t need one every night. If they did away with them altogether, that would be a loss. I would like to see more going on in terms of live music and entertainment, and places to dance in the lounges and bars in the evening.

 

quote]

 

I agree. Lack of a large dance floor on the Spirit is one of the few negatives

 

DEAN

[Bon.Vivant]

Sorry about the typo. Bed mattress has a length of 78" and take off approx 2" for the headboard which is puffed and fixed to the cabin wall

 

I am 6'2" and have no problem

 

DEAN

 

So, taking into account that we have to subtract 2" for the headboard, that leaves you with exactly 2" from the the bottom of your feet to the end of the bed (when you're sleeping straight out of course). Very important information. ;)

[WesW]

Best wishes to Charlie/Cehase for a speedy recovery.

[chicagogal]

I haven't met Charlie yet, but I feel like I know him from these boards. I truly hope he is OK.

 

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Charlie!

 

Patty

[meow!]

I haven't met Charlie yet, but I feel like I know him from these boards. I truly hope he is OK.

 

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Charlie!

 

Amen. From this board and his postings, we can tell he is a decent, good natured man. Best wishes.

[harbormaster]

Our best wishes for Charlie.

[harbormaster]

Thank you for your detailed report of your Spirit cruise. We know how much time it takes.

While it may be more detail than we personally need, it is helpful to compare the Silversea ships. We found the cabins in the Shadow to meet our needs best, then the Wind, then the Spirit. While all ships have their pros and cons, if we were planning to do a long cruise, we would think twice about the regular balcony cabin on the Spirit as we did find it problematic in just navigating the two of us in the room. She is beautiful however, and we found a lot of the space appealing, like the Panorama Lounge and outside area there. Agree on the comments on the theater.

On our recent Shadow cruise, the cruise consultant framed the Spirit as a "sun" ship, suited for the Med and Caribbean because the balconies are larger and she said the ship is suited for 7-10 day cruises. It appears that the marketing will go that way. However, she is doing the world cruise and it will be interesting to hear reports. We are lucky to have such choices.

[CanadianKate]

On our recent Shadow cruise, the cruise consultant framed the Spirit as a "sun" ship, suited for the Med and Caribbean because the balconies are larger and she said the ship is suited for 7-10 day cruises.

 

Hmmm, wonder how we'll react. We're on the 21 day (long cruise) Sydney to Hong Kong (therefore sun) but in a vista suite (therefore no balcony.)

 

We are still working so prefer the Vista cabins because there's more room (not literally but practically since one can set the table up against the window as a desk and not have to worry about leaving room to get out onto the balcony.) With the Vista cabin savings, we put the savings towards additional cruises.

 

Doug, I don't think I've seen you say anything about Deck 12. Are there deck chairs up there so we can lie out in the sun with a 360 degree view?

[duct tape]

Best of luck, Charley! Please post if anyone hears anything. Thanx.

[DGF]

Message # 7

Monday, November 1, & Tuesday, 2, 2010- Another two calm days at sea, sunny for most of the day with clouds moving in the late afternoon the first day. More clouds in the second day.

What enjoyment- sitting on your balcony in the sun, having your favorite free drink, hearing the sound of the beautifully blue sea hitting the ship and creating a white frothy wake, and enjoying a slight sea breeze; all on board a correctly defined luxury cruise ship, with your wife of 46 plus years. Life can’t be better than thisJ

Rather than continue on providing a review of what we did, I thought readers might like to know a typical day at sea. Here is a list (times of the events change each day. The following times are for Nov 2, 2010):

8:00 AM Pathway to Yoga with trainer Kiernen

9:00 Fitball class with trainer Kiernen

English speaking class for those where their first language is not English

10:00 Chess Play

Mesi-SPA Seminar- Introduction to Dysport, Perlane & Botox cosmetics. Topics differs for each day

Learning a language class- differ for each day- German, Italian, Spanish

Bridge Lessons- differ each day- beginners, Intermediate

Table Tennis with Production Staff

Coffee chat with Production Staff

Enrichment lecture- Dr. Herb Keyers- different topic each day on the life and music of a theatre entertainers and or writers. His lectures are very very well done. Recommend you don’t miss. Herb, who we were privileged to get to know, with his beautiful wife Barbara, and had several enjoyable times together. Herb has a fascinating background- born of deaf parents, in the top of his class in school receiving a four year scholarship to college during which he was involved in theatre/ entertainer (dancer, singer, actor) to a slight detriment to his studies, got a late offer to join medical school, went on to be a doctor but kept his interest in the theatre, writing a book and giving lectures on persons involved in theatre. We purchased his first book and look forward to reading

10:15 Tour navigational bridge

11:00 SPA seminar- talks differs each day. Today- Introduction to Chinese medicine with acupuncture.

Dance class instructions with the dances varying each day

Shuffle Board competition with the Production Staff

11:30 Bar tendering competition with Bar team

11:45 Gulf putting competition with Production Staff (No putting green onboard and use a lay down). Also held at a second time, today 5:45 PM

12:05 PM Weather and nautical info announcement by Captain Angelo A. Corsaro

12:15 Lunch time trivia

12:45 Trivia contest on different topics, today 1960 Music Trivia

1:00 Table tennis competition with Production Staff

Mahjong players get together

2:00 Bridge Play

3:00 Water volley with Production Staff

3:30 Arts and craft with Production Staff, topics vary by day

Sailing into the future by Cruise Consultant Rosanna

4:00 Pathway to Pilates class with personal trainer Kieren

4-5:00 Silversea afternoon tea accompanied with resident pianist in La Terrazza (deck 7). Please refer to our previous notes

4:00 Shuffle board contest with the Production Staff

5:00 Enrichment lecture by Ambassador Adrian Sindall- different topic each day

Body conditioning class with personal trainer Kiernan

Bingo. Please refer to previous notes

Ring Toss with production staff

5:15 Galley tour

5:30 Friends of Bill W meet

6:30 PM Pre-dinner cocktails and dancing with the Silver trio band in The Bar on deck 5. Note: good acoustic, well furnished and good décor, but small dance floor

6:45 Pre-diner music with Pianist Amedo in the Panorama Lounge (deck 9). Again small dance floor.

7:00 Cocktails under the Stars- pre- diner drink cocktail while enjoying the music of the Crown Jewell Duo on Pool Deck (deck 9)

7:30 Today- special barbecue dinner under the stars (deck 9)

9:00/ 10:25 Entertainment normally in the Theatre (deck 5) , with various productions/ entertainers. Today- Silversea Spirit Singers and Dancers starring the “Spitio della Celebrazione” (deck 9) followed by Disco by Moonlight with DJ Adam and Cruise Director Mike, Yvonne and Isabelita

9:30 Amedeo- piano in Panorama Lounge (deck 9)

Eroc O’Bach plays your favourite classics for your listening and dancing pleasure in the Bar (deck 5)

10:00 Micki Brown and Eric Niessner perform your favourite Jazz standards in Stars Jazz Club (deck 7). They are outstanding Performers. We highly recommend

10:30 Black jack in the Casino, with various promotions each night. Casino black table had something new to Dean- the $5.00 minimum bet table had a maximum bet of $50 rather than the traditional $100 limit and sometimes $200. Casino was smaller room than we have found on other ships, having limited slot machines, one roulette table, 1 poker table, and three black jack tables, minimum bet $5.00, $10 and $25. Smoking is permitted in the Casino but number of persons smoking was nominal and full enjoyment for smokers and non smokers. Having our less than normal luck on Bingo, have yet to partake in the Black Jack

11:00 The Silver Spirit Trio joins Mickii and Eric for a late night Set of Jazz in Stars (deck 7). We had an enjoyable dinner in Stars on Nov 1, consisting of an excellent sampling of various dishes broken out in the menu under the heading S, T, A, R, S. We sampled every one and as a result had a filling meal with the most enjoyable entertainment Mickii and Eric; and others.

11:00 Disco in the Panorama Lounge (deck 9)

Meal and Snack Hours

6:30 – 11:00 AM Coffee Corner with small selection of fruit & pastries- The Bar, Deck 5 & Panorama Lounge Deck 5. We used several times being late risers. Would have been nice to have a greater selection

6:30- 10:00 AM In Suite Breakfast with a good hot and cold menu selection

7:00- 5:00 PM Coffee, Tea & soft drinks- Observation Lounge Deck 11

8:00- 10:00 AM Breakfast buffet La Terrazzo- Deck 7. We found the food selection extensive, food fresh, and of the highest quality. Seep reeevious note on the special service

8:00- 9:30 AM Wellness Breakfast, Pool Deck 9

8:00- 9:30 AM The Restaurant- full services, Deck 4. We found the service slower than during Dinner Dining

11:00- 12 noon Bouillon and crackers, Panorama Lounge, Deck 9

12:00 noon -4:00 PM Pool Grill lunch Deck 9. Tried once and was enjoyable

12:00 noon- 2:00 Buffet in La Terrazzo, Deck 7. Again, we found the food selection extensive, food fresh, and of the highest quality

12:30- 2:00 Lunch served in The Restaurant. When we had lunch here, we found impeccable service, very very good food, comfortable seating, and the room having a nice décor and did not find the low ceiling affected our enjoyment

4:00- 5:00 PM Afternoon tea in La Terrazzo , Please refer to previous notes

6:30- 8:00 PM Canapes in the Main Bar, Deck 5

7:00- 9:30 Dinner is served in the Restaurant. We found the service impeccable, presentation of the standards found in Gourmet restaurant, and the food very very good

7:30- 9:00 Tonight only, a special barbecue under the stars, we hope, Pool Deck 9

7:30- 9:00 Le Champagne (Deck 4). Menu changes every day. Service charge (please refer to previous comments on the options). We found the service impeccable, presentation of the standards found in Gourmet restaurant, and the food very very good. I agree with Col Wes that on a luxury ship a special service charge is not expected (Oceania did not have service charges for the specialty restaurant on our recent SA voyage onboard Insignia),

7:30- 9:00 Seishin, Deck 4. Asian Infusion food. Also a special service charge. Please refer to previous notes on our experience

Bar Hours

We found a full assortment of wines, beers, cocktails, alcohol, pop and limited selection of champagne onboard, all included in the cruise fare price. Very sophisticated clientele, with no over indulgence noticed.

9:00- 12noon The Bar, Deck 5

9:00 AM- until… Pool Bar, Deck 9

10:00- until … Panorama Lounge (Deck 9)

4:00 PM- until … The Bar, Deck 5

6:30- until … Observation Lounge, Deck 11

9:00- until … The Stars, Deck 7

9:30- until … The Connoiseurs’ Corner

Next message will cover the ship in some more detail

 

This is my third attempt to add the following- Sorry for the formating, change in type size, etc in downloading and the biggest problem continually cut off from the web site

[dougburns]

Glad you're having a good crossing on the wonderful Silver Spirit. We board on 2 Dec for 18 days. You have a great captain in Capt. Corsaro and a very good Hotel Director in Paolo Percivale. If the opportunity presents itself please say hello to them from Doug and "Miss Lynn" Burns. Hope you continue to have a good cruise.

[meow!]

... the ship is suited for 7-10 day cruises. It appears that the marketing will go that way. However, she is doing the world cruise and it will be interesting to hear reports. We are lucky to have such choices.

If somehow our suggestions (#29 of this thread) can be incorporated into the next ship in a decade's time, that ship (and with six restaurants for variety) will be suitable for all cruises (long and short), especially with the existing superb hull.

[Wellseasoned]

Hmmm, wonder how we'll react. We're on the 21 day (long cruise) Sydney to Hong Kong (therefore sun) but in a vista suite (therefore no balcony.)

 

Doug, I don't think I've seen you say anything about Deck 12. Are there deck chairs up there so we can lie out in the sun with a 360 degree view?

 

The portion of deck 12 accessible to passengers is forward, essentially the roof of the observation lounge, reached via an outside staircase at the port side of the observation lounge. It is bare, no chairs or other furniture. Fine views, but extremely windy when the ship is underway. Not at all suitable for comfortable sunning.

 

I think you will be just fine on your longer cruise. We have been on the Spirit twice this year, for 27 days and 14 days respectively, and it is well-suited for longer cruises: spacious outdoor areas, more dining options, etc. If you want a great place to sun and lounge, deck 8 aft is the place. It is only reachable by outside stairs from the decks above and below, so it tends to be uncrowded and peaceful. Have a great cruise!

 

Dieter

[CanadianKate]

Dieter: thanks for the description of deck 12 and for directing us to deck 8. It helps to know these things ahead of time so we don't waste time getting settled into a 'new to us' ship.

 

We've always sailed the Shadow but the last trip was on the Whisper and we settled into her in a matter of a couple of hours. I know it won't be as quick on the Spirit but with all these detailed descriptions, we'll be 'at home' more quickly than had I never found this forum.

[beckaboo]

Dean & Gayle, thanks so much for posting (we really appreciate the effort that this takes!) - we join the Spirit on 11/6 and I'm just so excited reading all of your posts...

[meow!]

Automobile designs take some five years before putting on the market, and new ship design may take just as long. While we have the great DGF couple on board, perhaps if they so choose, they can put our ideas to the ship's officers and see if they would take these into consideration for the future. (We are anonymous cats, and we cannot put forth such suggestions ourselves so as not to be noticed, or worse, identified).

 

As we explained in posting #29 of this thread, if the next newbuild can use the same hull but with 480 passengers (11% fewer) instead, and if we leave the two owners, four grands, two royals, twenty six silvers and twelve vistas alone, and reduce the 224 midship/verandahs (the ones more likely to be vacant in any case) to 194, the following can be done. At present, these (single aisled one on each side) cabins occupy 112 x (9.3+0.3) deck-ft = 1075 deck-ft (assuming inter-cabin walls to be 4" thick). With the fewer, wider (by 6") proposed verandah cabins, it takes only 97 x (9.8+0.3) = 980 deck-ft, saving 95 deck-ft (nearly a fifth of a useable deck) for more public space while making the cabins themselves substantially more comfortable.

 

The main restaurant as is can seat 456, while the Seishin and Le Champagne can each sit 24, let the main restaurant "engulf" those two, then it can sit at least 504, more than the new proposed total of 480 passengers all "in camera". Move those two small restaurants from deck 4 to 5 where the main bar is now, and free cabins 640 to 650 from all the band noise below. Move the reception area forward and lengthen the theatre by perhaps 20 deck-ft, and make it double storeyed (just like the Shadow/Whisper) and move the main bar down to deck 4, underneath the theatre's upper storey (this works great for the Shadow/Whisper). You may lose perhaps 30 deck-ft below the theatre's lower storey on deck 4, so you have used up perhaps 50 deck-ft. This still leaves 45 deck-ft for a much larger gym, a larger library/internet room and perhaps a slightly larger Terrace buffet. (The Terrace buffet should be joinable with the Supper Club during day time for buffet breakfast and lunch, and separate for dinners).

 

Partially cover deck 10 (the deck above the pool area) to make this a quasi-double storeyed pool-plaza (with deck 10 as mezzanine), so the "pool area" will also hold all passengers "in camera" for special poolside barbeques, etc., not to mention expanded space for more "stone grill" tables. The above arrangement should remove potential "bottle necks" and make the ship "plenty spacious" as required for a luxury liner instead of just "adequate". It will resume the Shadow/Whisper's space ratio, with six restaurants (variety for long voyages) and the best (existing Spirit's) hull. As mentioned before, with better "yield management" type fare structure, Silversea may not lose anything while having a better ship down the road.

[Rally]

Automobile designs take some five years before putting on the market, and new ship design may take just as long. While we have the great DGF couple on board, perhaps if they so choose, they can put our ideas to the ship's officers and see if they would take these into consideration for the future. (We are anonymous cats, and we cannot put forth such suggestions ourselves so as not to be noticed, or worse, identified).

 

As we explained in posting #29 of this thread, if the next newbuild can use the same hull but with 480 passengers (11% fewer) instead, and if we leave the two owners, four grands, two royals, twenty six silvers and twelve vistas alone, and reduce the 224 midship/verandahs (the ones more likely to be vacant in any case) to 194, the following can be done. At present, these (single aisled one on each side) cabins occupy 112 x (9.3+0.3) deck-ft = 1075 deck-ft (assuming inter-cabin walls to be 4" thick). With the fewer, wider (by 6") proposed verandah cabins, it takes only 97 x (9.8+0.3) = 980 deck-ft, saving 95 deck-ft (nearly a fifth of a useable deck) for more public space while making the cabins themselves substantially more comfortable.

 

The main restaurant as is can seat 456, while the Seishin and Le Champagne can each sit 24, let the main restaurant "engulf" those two, then it can sit at least 504, more than the new proposed total of 480 passengers all "in camera". Move those two small restaurants from deck 4 to 5 where the main bar is now, and free cabins 640 to 650 from all the band noise below. Move the reception area forward and lengthen the theatre by perhaps 20 deck-ft, and make it double storeyed (just like the Shadow/Whisper) and move the main bar down to deck 4, underneath the theatre's upper storey (this works great for the Shadow/Whisper). You may lose perhaps 30 deck-ft below the theatre's lower storey on deck 4, so you have used up perhaps 50 deck-ft. This still leaves 45 deck-ft for a much larger gym, a larger library/internet room and perhaps a slightly larger Terrace buffet. (The Terrace buffet should be joinable with the Supper Club during day time for buffet breakfast and lunch, and separate for dinners).

 

Partially cover deck 10 (the deck above the pool area) to make this a quasi-double storeyed pool-plaza (with deck 10 as mezzanine), so the "pool area" will also hold all passengers "in camera" for special poolside barbeques, etc., not to mention expanded space for more "stone grill" tables. The above arrangement should remove potential "bottle necks" and make the ship "plenty spacious" as required for a luxury liner instead of just "adequate". It will resume the Shadow/Whisper's space ratio, with six restaurants (variety for long voyages) and the best (existing Spirit's) hull. As mentioned before, with better "yield management" type fare structure, Silversea may not lose anything while having a better ship down the road.

 

Astonishing.

[Host Dan]

You are a deep thinker meow!, thats for sure! :)

 

Host Dan

[meow!]

Thank you both for the compliment. And we are lucky to have such a good host!

[Host Dan]

Thank you both for the compliment. And we are lucky to have such a good host!

You are so welcome meow!

 

Host Dan

 

PS Thank YOU for the compliment!