Muse: YUL to FLL 2017-9-28 to 10-12

[meow!]

Thank you so much Meow, for taking the huge amount of time and effort to write this up. Very much appreciated!

Thank you kindly for your compliment.

[meow!]

Thank you very much for this very detailed report on Muse. It is especially helpful for those of us considering a voyage on this ship.

I was alarmed by the paragraph quoted above and by the thought that the traditional pool grill is no longer and only pizza is on offer.

Could it be that you are conflating Spaccanapoli (pizza only from lunchtime on) on Deck 11 with the Pool Grill on Deck 10? I understand that the Pool Grill has to close sometime in the afternoon to prepare for its new incarnation as The Grill (aka Hot Rocks), but surely -- I hope -- one can get burgers, hot dogs, etc., on Deck 10 during the early afternoon (2:30? 3?).

I am fond of a hot dog and soda around 3 pm (instead of afternoon tea!) and would be very disappointed to learn that such was not available on Muse.

Thanks again for your reports.

The pool grill on deck 10 only had made to request small pizzas and drinks to offer from 11 am -- it would become Hot Rocks in the evening.

 

One cat vaguely remember that at Spaccanapoli on deck 11, and at the right hours, hamburgers and hot dogs were offered, but not grilled fish, etc. However, it is conceivable that in the future this could change if they hear enough demand from the passengers. We invite those who know better to chime in.

[Observer]

... it is conceivable that in the future this could change if they hear enough demand from the passengers.

 

Herewith a "demand" from a likely future passenger for proper midday pool grill food on the pool deck.

 

Proper = burgers, hotdogs, grilled fish, fries, small salads, something sweet, etc.

 

Might those currently on Muse weigh in with reports as to whether management has already heard and responded to such demands?

[Focused1]

Herewith a "demand" from a likely future passenger for proper midday pool grill food on the pool deck.

 

Proper = burgers, hotdogs, grilled fish, fries, small salads, something sweet, etc.

 

Might those currently on Muse weigh in with reports as to whether management has already heard and responded to such demands?

 

We were on the Muse for 28 days last month and the pool grill served the usual pool grill type menu which included all that you mentioned plus a grilled fish of the day and a rotisserie meat (lamb, beef, chicken). You could also order pizza from deck 11 and delivered to your pool grill table. The menu was served from about 11:30 or 12 noon to 3:30 pm every day.

[meow!]

The pool grill on deck 10 only had made to request small pizzas and drinks to offer from 11 am -- it would become Hot Rocks in the evening.

 

One cat vaguely remember that at Spaccanapoli on deck 11, and at the right hours, hamburgers and hot dogs were offered, but not grilled fish, etc. However, it is conceivable that in the future this could change if they hear enough demand from the passengers. We invite those who know better to chime in.

We had hamburgers and hot dogs on deck 11 "Spaccanapoli" at 11 am once. We also had dinner there once. This outdoor restaurant at the top of the ship had "stretched fabric" cover (to shield guests from the elements). It also had hanging electric heaters, good for cold windy evenings. The attendants put towel-blankets on us, to keep us warm that time. We only ordered small pizzas then.

Edited October 29, 2017 by meow!

[meow!]

Herewith a "demand" from a likely future passenger for proper midday pool grill food on the pool deck.

 

Proper = burgers, hotdogs, grilled fish, fries, small salads, something sweet, etc.

 

Might those currently on Muse weigh in with reports as to whether management has already heard and responded to such demands?

We agree. Your request can be easily complied with if the management is willing.

[Observer]

We were on the Muse for 28 days last month and the pool grill served the usual pool grill type menu which included all that you mentioned plus a grilled fish of the day and a rotisserie meat (lamb, beef, chicken). You could also order pizza from deck 11 and delivered to your pool grill table. The menu was served from about 11:30 or 12 noon to 3:30 pm every day.

 

This is reassuring. Thanks.

[meow!]

THE SHIP

 

Deck plans, the ship's specifications, etc. are available on Silversea's website. So here we would only discuss features not covered by that website, and our impression of what we had experienced.

 

We attended both the bridge tour and the galley tour. The captain, a relatively young gentleman gave the bridge tour himself. The bridge was quite similar to the Spirit's, and it was mostly automatic sailing with manual override (and of course, local pilots would come aboard to take over when entering and exiting ports). The captain's own cabin was just a few steps away from the bridge, so he would be easily available when needed. The tour was about half an hour.

 

The galley tour was conducted by the chief chef, a middle aged lady who took a score of us (about the same crowd as the bridge tour) through the kitchen, showing us the various work stations. It was stainless steel (easy to clean and keep clean) everywhere. Unfortunately, there was no laundry room tour (used to be), and no engine room tour (would love to see those Wartsila engines).

 

There were shops on board, operated by outside people. Other than some clothing and some perfume, etc., these shops were not remarkable. There was a shoe maker permanently on board, he was nice and helpful, the shoes he sold were typically $400 or so each, they included both leather shoes and sandals. The casino was usually operated by one lady, and had a number of slot machines and a "table".

 

Table sizes and spaces between tables in the various restaurants were quite generous, even during busy hours, it did not feel too cramped. The theatre was vastly improved over the Spirit's, though not multi-storeyed and could not hold all passengers in one sitting (unlike the beloved Shadow). Guests could easily climb over one another to get to the middle of a row, which was practically impossible on the Spirit (the theatre was the worst feature of the Spirit).

 

One cat had a pebbles body message, the Japanese lady was somewhat in ahurry. On this voyage, Silversea gave us (in addition to what our travel agent gave us in refundable shipboard credit) 2 x $250 non-refundable shipboard credit, that came in handy and not a penny was "wasted".

 

On deck 5, in the main lounge, there was a pianist playing, often with very few passengers present, though that lounge was often taken over by "trivia competition".

 

In the "Silver Note" restaurant, two ladies, one sang while the other played the clavinova. Since this restaurant was small and popular, pre-booking would be recommended.

 

The performing group in the theatre consisted of six people, three men and three ladies, The entire group performed on the first and the second to last night. On other nights, only some of them joined the performance. One young man, newly graduated from music college, was boasting of how

he performed in front of two thousand audience. Shipboard theatre was perhaps a good venue for new, young performers. They were quite friendly, standing at the door at the end to greet everybody, and some times proactively greeted and chatted with passengers elsewhere on the ship.

 

The "ride" through this voyage was smooth, especially considering that we avoided a serious hurricane by just a few days. We did not feel much motion at all, and did not hear about anyone bothered by motion sickness. All in all, it was a good voyage, though there were still organizational problems that needed to be solved.

 

We would suggest that the officers and crew find opportunities to sit down and have honest, frank exchanges of one another's concerns and suggestions on how to improve the functioning of the ship.

.

Edited October 29, 2017 by meow!

[meow!]

We were on the Muse for 28 days last month and the pool grill served the usual pool grill type menu which included all that you mentioned plus a grilled fish of the day and a rotisserie meat (lamb, beef, chicken). You could also order pizza from deck 11 and delivered to your pool grill table. The menu was served from about 11:30 or 12 noon to 3:30 pm every day.

The fact that the pool grill would become Hot Rocks in the evenings would mean that all those ingredients would be handy and available. Why did they decline to give it to us on the couple of days we asked was not known.

[Silver Spectre]

We were on the Muse for 28 days last month and the pool grill served the usual pool grill type menu which included all that you mentioned plus a grilled fish of the day and a rotisserie meat (lamb, beef, chicken). You could also order pizza from deck 11 and delivered to your pool grill table. The menu was served from about 11:30 or 12 noon to 3:30 pm every day.

 

 

 

As it did whilst we were onboard with meow!.

 

 

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[Silver Spectre]

 

The galley tour was conducted by the chief chef, a middle aged lady who took a score of us (about the same crowd as the bridge tour) through the kitchen, showing us the various work stations. It was stainless steel (easy to clean and keep clean) everywhere.

 

On deck 5, in the main lounge, there was a pianist playing, often with very few passengers present,

.

 

 

The galley tour was conducted by Anne Marie, it was well run and very informative.

 

The young lady, Ekaterina, who was playing piano in the Dolce Vita in the evening shared her time with a male solo guitarist, playing for about 40 minutes each until midnight.

 

 

 

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[Master Echo]

I concur with Silver Spectre on both his last two points. I too was on the Montreal to FLL cruise.

 

I ate at the Pool Grill on Deck 10 at lunch times (between 12 and 3) on several occasions, eating the grilled fish of the day and also hamburgers accompanied by sweet potato fries (the other sort is also available) and salad.

 

The menu is very extensive - more than on the other SS ships, and incorporates everything from hot dogs to hamburgers and rotisserie meats.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[meow!]

I concur with Silver Spectre on both his last two points. I too was on the Montreal to FLL cruise.

 

I ate at the Pool Grill on Deck 10 at lunch times (between 12 and 3) on several occasions, eating the grilled fish of the day and also hamburgers accompanied by sweet potato fries (the other sort is also available) and salad.

 

The menu is very extensive - more than on the other SS ships, and incorporates everything from hot dogs to hamburgers and rotisserie meats.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

Good. Perhaps we remembered it wrong, mixing it up with the one on deck 11 !

 

A different question, while so many fellow passengers are reading. If you ordered room service in the afternoon or after midnight (we did not), who would deliver it, your butler? Our butler hinted to us that the afternoon hours were her resting hours, was that true?

 

We had the feeling that the butler had too much to do, while there were too many restaurant staff, especially during the later days, with the introduction of those blue clothed helpers. We thought there should be more butlers and fewer restaurant attendants. Do you agree?

 

.

Edited October 30, 2017 by meow!

[Observer]

 

A different question, while so many fellow passengers are reading. If you ordered room service in the afternoon or after midnight (we did not), who would deliver it, your butler? Our butler hinted to us that the afternoon hours were her resting hours, was that true?

 

.

 

I think it is definitely the case that butlers have rest periods during the afternoon. They also have an opportunity to get off the ship and explore the port, etc. (And they deserve these respites!) This is a time when there are relatively few requests for service. One or more butlers (depending upon the size of the ship) are on afternoon call and provide service throughout the ship. Calls to your butler during these rest periods are transferred to the butler on call. S/he will deliver room service meals, etc. On the very rare occasions on which I have ordered very late night food service, it has (as I recall) been delivered by a person who I took to be a member of the galley/restaurant staff and not a butler.

[meow!]

I think it is definitely the case that butlers have rest periods during the afternoon. They also have an opportunity to get off the ship and explore the port, etc. (And they deserve these respites!) This is a time when there are relatively few requests for service. One or more butlers (depending upon the size of the ship) are on afternoon call and provide service throughout the ship. Calls to your butler during these rest periods are transferred to the butler on call. S/he will deliver room service meals, etc. On the very rare occasions on which I have ordered very late night food service, it has (as I recall) been delivered by a person who I took to be a member of the galley/restaurant staff and not a butler.

Your reply sounds realistic, that was the case, thank you.

 

Could someone comment on the second question

"We had the feeling that the butler had too much to do, while there were too many restaurant staff, especially during the later days, with the introduction of those blue clothed helpers. We thought there should be more butlers and fewer restaurant attendants. Do you agree?"

.

[Observer]

 

Could someone comment on the second question

"We had the feeling that the butler had too much to do, while there were too many restaurant staff, especially during the later days, with the introduction of those blue clothed helpers. We thought there should be more butlers and fewer restaurant attendants. Do you agree?"

.

 

The butlers are sweet, hard working, and well intentioned people. But I am perhaps not the best person to respond to your query. I know they are frightfully busy on embarkation day and on port days when many passengers are off on tours and the butler is asked to serve a number of breakfasts precisely at 7:30 am. :) However, I am so low maintenance that I must be a challenge for my butlers. How many times can they polish my eyeglasses or shine my shoes or rearrange my books? However, I am likely to be calling on his/her services more on my next cruise -- a bit more in suite dining, etc. -- and I may be in a better position to respond to your query.

[gotallanswers]

Each butler has 15 rooms on every ship? That seems like a lot 1 butler for every 30 people.

 

Also with late night food, can you order it with a bartender at a bar or do you need to call a butler or room service?

[meow!]

Each butler has 15 rooms on every ship? That seems like a lot 1 butler for every 30 people.

 

Also with late night food, can you order it with a bartender at a bar or do you need to call a butler or room service?

That was a lot of work for the butlers! On other ships, such as the Shadow, it used to.be a dozen or so cabins per butler. Also, a smaller ship with more centralized kitchen and fewer places to "hop" between, would give the butlers a more manageable job. We would think that putting different food production at different kitchens would be an extra burden for room service delivery.

 

As for your second question, we hope other posters who know better will chime in.

 

.

[meow!]

DISCUSSION

 

We had only been on four Silversea voyages, that would be miniscule compared to the rest of you. We do read various articles and comments on the web, and try to surmise the various facts and opinions.

 

Half a dozen years ago, we posted numerous times on the Oceania column, and complained about Oceania's pricing (though admitting that it was a good product, just too expensive). In those days, Oceania increased its price by some 20% every year. Also, Oceania built two medium large 60,000 tonnes, 1200 passenger ships in a row. We wondered about Oceania's ability to go on that track.

 

The years passed by, so far, we have not heard of any Oceania plan to build new ships, and their fares "flattened". They still have trouble filling their ships. We tried to compare Oceania pricing with Silversea pricing next year, and found a good example for comparison:

 

Oceania Marina PH1 mini-suite October 16 Barcelona to Venice 10 days $5549

Silversea Muse delux verandah September 29 Venice to Athens 10 days $8910

 

While Oceania Marina is relatively old, it was extensively refurbished last year. The mini-suite is 420 sq.ft. compared to the Muse's 387 sq.ft. The PH1 included unlimited priority specialty restaurant dining, and Oceania food was reputed to be the best. The Eastern and Western Mediterranean might have slightly different costs. But how would one justify a 60% price difference? (Of course the market decides).

 

Silversea has publicly committed itself to a second ship, the Silver Moon. It will have some more advanced features, like less vibration and less pollution, very commendable. But will the market support such a bold business move? The world economy could have peaked again, and the future looks uncertain. Only time will tell.

 

As compared to other luxury lines, we do not like the RSSC ships (mostly reconstructed hulls, and mandatory inclusion of shore excursions). We do not like Crystal (very expensive with small cabins and hinging everything on an unquantifiable called "service"). By what we have read, we wish to try Seabourn in the next few years if we can find a suitable itinerary (e.g. on the west coast if we can afford it and are still healthy enough to travel).

 

In the meantime, we will keep posting and talk with all of you nice folks.

 

.

[Observer]

The years passed by, so far, we have not heard of any Oceania plan to build new ships, and their fares "flattened". They still have trouble filling their ships. We tried to compare Oceania pricing with Silversea pricing next year, and found a good example for comparison:

 

Oceania Marina PH1 mini-suite October 16 Barcelona to Venice 10 days $5549

Silversea Muse delux verandah September 29 Venice to Athens 10 days $8910

 

.

 

Thanks very much for your thoughtful posts. This passage struck me. I have never sailed on Oceania and do not know with certainty about what is included in their fares. But this seems to be a big difference and I thought it might be time to explore Oceania.

 

It may be worth noting that a) Muse is a brand new ship and thus more sought after, b) Silversea offers a 10% discount for early payment (due to expire at the end of the month and quite possibly to be renewed), c) Silversea offers free economy air (like Oceania) and upgrades to business class from $599 each way, and d) (to venture into hazardous waters) Silversea includes gratuities and Oceania apparently does not.

 

As I check Oceania today (fares are dynamic) I think that the PH1 fare that is closest to the Silversea offering -- including economy air, unlimited internet (better than Silversea) and a drinks package -- is $6349. With the 10% early payment discount, included gratuities, a reportedly stunning new ship (with some teething problems regarding the restaurant arrangements), and the (IMHO) reasonably priced business class upgrade the difference may be justified.

 

I think it is impressive that both Silversea and Oceania include taxes/port charges in their quoted fares. It is beyond infuriating to explore cruises and find that the fare after taxes/port charges is considerably higher than it would at first appear. (On a recent cruise of mine on another line, port charges added more than $3000 to a fare.)

 

I appreciate your directing me to Oceania. In the end, I doubt I will sail them. I generally travel solo. Apparently the Oceania standard single supplement is 100%, with 27 cruises being listed now with a 50% single supplement. Silversea is offering over 90 cruises with a 25% supplement, and I think that a 50% supplement is widely available if one books early, etc.

 

Next thing I know, you will have me measuring room dimensions. :)

[meow!]

Next thing I know, you will have me measuring room dimensions. :)

 

That will be very interesting and helpful .. meow!

[Focused1]

Good. Perhaps we remembered it wrong, mixing it up with the one on deck 11 !

 

A different question, while so many fellow passengers are reading. If you ordered room service in the afternoon or after midnight (we did not), who would deliver it, your butler? Our butler hinted to us that the afternoon hours were her resting hours, was that true?

 

We had the feeling that the butler had too much to do, while there were too many restaurant staff, especially during the later days, with the introduction of those blue clothed helpers. We thought there should be more butlers and fewer restaurant attendants. Do you agree?

 

.

Our butler delivered room service every time on our 28 day cruise on the Silver Muse ( day or night).

[meow!]

Our butler delivered room service every time on our 28 day cruise on the Silver Muse ( day or night).

 

Then you would agree with our suggestion

"We had the feeling that the butler had too much to do, while there were too many restaurant staff, especially during the later days, with the introduction of those blue clothed helpers. We thought there should be more butlers and fewer restaurant attendants. Do you agree?"

[sailingskyward]

I attended a wedding yesterday where several guests were chatting about their recent sailings on Seabourn, Oceania, Silversea, and Azamara Club. People seemed universally impressed by Seabourn, but I doubt I'll find myself on their ships with their 75%-100% single supplement.

 

Oceania and Azamara Club did seem intriguing options, but I just don't know if I'd want to sail on a Azamara Club rebranded ship when I can easily stay with Silversea on purpose-built ships. As for Oceania, their pricing matrix is maddening and even looking a year in advance, several categories were marked WAITLIST or CLOSED. So why advertise "Fares from $XXXX" only to have the customer click on the sailing and find out the cheapest room is actually twice that amount?

[Focused1]

Then you would agree with our suggestion

"We had the feeling that the butler had too much to do, while there were too many restaurant staff, especially during the later days, with the introduction of those blue clothed helpers. We thought there should be more butlers and fewer restaurant attendants. Do you agree?"

 

Not really (would I agree). He never appeared to be rushed and always spent time talking with us at great length, and would bring us special items in evening that we didn't even ask for such as fresh ginger tea. Perhaps he had fewer guests to attend to on Deck 11.