Silver Shadow Refurbishment

[spinnaker2]

Jolly,

Bon Voyage!!!

Don't worry about the color of the hull.

Don't miss the assortment of chocolates at night, put out about 8:30,

Dr. Spins enjoyed them every single night.

I had to ask about the M&M's and then they magically appeared and were refilled when close to empty.

I can't wait to hear your impressions of everything, including those shadow boxes of bijoux in the "Arts Cafe".

 

 

Dont blame me for the orange toddler please. 

 

[jollyjones]

 

Well, I have a butler(ess) who I’ve had before recently (on the Wind) so everything I usually have to ask for she has already done but, is it just me or are the sink plugs useless? They click up and down but when up the sink drains fast, and when clicked down, the sink still drains, just slowly. What use is that? And what a waste of water. I’ve tried tightening them up but no use. 

Also, the shower water pressure is impressive (very!) but I did have to tighten up the connection from the handset to the hose, it was leaking sideways. A lot. Hmmm ... 

But I love the Museification colour scheme, never was a fan of dark brown, especially in the bathroom. 

 

PS The Cobbler’s on board. As always, I think why?

 

PPS New red carpet in the theatre, not sure it’s a good colour decision. 

Edited January 7, 2020 by jollyjones

[spinnaker2]

Didn't have the sink.drain issue.

We have had butler you have before.

Lovely smile and lovely person.

 Cobbler was busy... on our cruise

 

 

Is Teresa at the pool deck.

If so would you say hello from us and also saw hello to Alison

 

Edited January 7, 2020 by spinnaker2

[jollyjones]

Love the new Reception bar, full of life and people, great for people watching, lots of two top tables. Could become my favourite space. 

Now off to Panorama to look at, probably not join, the solo thing. On first look earlier, I thought the extra space given to the dance floor at the expense of the seating was an error but that’s just me, I don’t dance. We’ll see. 

[QueSeraSera]

27 minutes ago, jollyjones said:

Love the new Reception bar

Us too.

[jollyjones]

On 1/7/2020 at 5:40 PM, spinnaker2 said:

 

I can't wait to hear your impressions of everything, including those shadow boxes of bijoux in the "Arts Cafe".

 

 

The lighting for the boxes of bijoux adds a pleasant pop of sparkle around the edges of the Reception Bar, a nice theatrical effect that significantly adds to the attractiveness of the area. As for the contents of the boxes ... I can scarcely contain my indifference. They don't obstruct the exit from the room, that's all I can say.

 

The Bar by contrast seems even more dark, claustrophobic and gloomy than before - I hate it and never go there except for trivia (did I mention that we won yesterday?) - I always used to prefer Panorama because if I'm on a ship, I want views of the sea, but the Reception Bar is giving it stiff competition for a pleasant place to be. And better people watching.

 

SS calls it the Arts Cafe but I can't quite bring myself to do that because it really isn't the same as the Arts on the Muse and Spirit.

[les37b]

On 1/7/2020 at 10:03 PM, jollyjones said:

Well, I have a butler(ess) who I’ve had before recently (on the Wind) so everything I usually have to ask for she has already done . 

 

Same one from April?

[jollyjones]

Actually now I think about it, I think she’s the one I had on the Whisper in September. I suppose I could ask her but I haven’t. 

[spinnaker2]

5 hours ago, jollyjones said:

 

The lighting for the boxes of bijoux adds a pleasant pop of sparkle around the edges of the Reception Bar, a nice theatrical effect that significantly adds to the attractiveness of the area. As for the contents of the boxes ... I can scarcely contain my indifference. They don't obstruct the exit from the room, that's all I can say.

 

The Bar by contrast seems even more dark, claustrophobic and gloomy than before - I hate it and never go there except for trivia (did I mention that we won yesterday?) - I always used to prefer Panorama because if I'm on a ship, I want views of the sea, but the Reception Bar is giving it stiff competition for a pleasant place to be. And better people watching.

 

SS calls it the Arts Cafe but I can't quite bring myself to do that because it really isn't the same as the Arts on the Muse and Spirit.

Yes it's definitely not the arts cafe.

Perhaps it should be called the Shadowbox Cafe as that is what is hanging on the walls in lieu of "art" and after all it is the Shadow.

 

Agree with you about the Bar being dark in the daytime. The ceilings seem low and there is a lot of furniture in it. But at night it seems a more intimate and cozy venue.

 

Good news about trivia! A far better host than the insipid one that caused an exodus on our crossing.

 

 

[nowornever]

Hi Jolly, thanks for your posts.  Can you tell me who the current Cruise Director is?  

[les37b]

13 hours ago, jollyjones said:

Actually now I think about it, I think she’s the one I had on the Whisper in September. I suppose I could ask her but I haven’t. 

 

No need. I was only asking as we had a lady butler on our shared voyage.... And we never really saw her, so from the attentive nature you described I kinda guessed it wasn't. TTS had her when we vacated and they had the m&ms and nuts which we didn't. That said, I know she had her hands full with guests who were moved into the owners suite after complaining about something, who probably took more of her time that it should have.

 

Anyway.... Glad the shadow is shaping up nicely. 

 

Like you, I can't say I'm too bothered about the paint job. But I do like the Cloud's colours.

 

Any negatives you've noticed that niggle?

[jollyjones]

Cruise Director is Adam Wright (but he's disembarking at the end of his current contract in Lauderdale 24th Jan, dunno who's next).

HD is Paolo Percivale

Skipper is Captain Cataldo Destefano

Cruise Con is Natsjha Horn

My Butler is Olivia.

 

I'm loving the ship. Still only go to The Bar for trivia (did I mention we won again yesterday?)  -  Spin's 'intimate and cozy' to me is small, dark and crowded - but I am finding myself in the Reception Bar in preference to my usual Panorama.

As my first leg is a 7 day Barbados - Barbados the ship is full of Brits, it being easy to fly from London (a much easier trip down than mine, in fact, I have terrible flight connections) so the pool deck is crammed with them sunning themselves, but the deck guys are coping admirably. This despite 40knot winds and 12ft seas which has meant cancellation of Mayreau, Les Saintes and Antigua - substituted by sea day, Pointe a Pitre and Castries - an improvement IMO, but that's because I don't like tendering and I've been to Antigua far too many times.

 

Otherwise the ship doesn't feel terribly different apart from the Museified cabins and color scheme, such an improvement over brown ...

La Terrazza hasn't changed much either, nor, sadly, has the menu. Surely time for something new?

The outdoor smoking area by Connoisseur's Corner is quite cute with fake greenery and I thought the partitions would interrupt my walking laps when it's raining too much for Deck 9, but not many people use it as the other areas closer to the pool bar and out back of Panorama are still active so it's no problem. I know the smell of smoke bothers many people but as an ex-smoker I don't really care about the smell - and there's plenty of deck space where's there's no smell of smoke at all.

I'm not interested in La Dame, the Casino or the Spa so I can't comment there.

The 'Observation Library' is pretty much the same as the other ships where an actual library has been abolished - a pathetic selection of fiction and a useless paperback exchange. Whilst I have my iPad loaded with books, I hardly ever actually read them, I so much prefer a real book, I'm such a dinosaur. I used to bring a dozen or more books with me but that's one of the things I've had to sacrifice in the trade off for the convenience of travelling with only carry on luggage, now I only bring two or three, soon read.

 

 

 

[brimary]

1 hour ago, jollyjones said:

Cruise Director is Adam Wright (but he's disembarking at the end of his current contract in Lauderdale 24th Jan, dunno who's next).

HD is Paolo Percivale

Skipper is Captain Cataldo Destefano

Cruise Con is Natsjha Horn

My Butler is Olivia.

 

I'm loving the ship. Still only go to The Bar for trivia (did I mention we won again yesterday?)  -  Spin's 'intimate and cozy' to me is small, dark and crowded - but I am finding myself in the Reception Bar in preference to my usual Panorama.

As my first leg is a 7 day Barbados - Barbados the ship is full of Brits, it being easy to fly from London (a much easier trip down than mine, in fact, I have terrible flight connections) so the pool deck is crammed with them sunning themselves, but the deck guys are coping admirably. This despite 40knot winds and 12ft seas which has meant cancellation of Mayreau, Les Saintes and Antigua - substituted by sea day, Pointe a Pitre and Castries - an improvement IMO, but that's because I don't like tendering and I've been to Antigua far too many times.

 

Otherwise the ship doesn't feel terribly different apart from the Museified cabins and color scheme, such an improvement over brown ...

La Terrazza hasn't changed much either, nor, sadly, has the menu. Surely time for something new?

The outdoor smoking area by Connoisseur's Corner is quite cute with fake greenery and I thought the partitions would interrupt my walking laps when it's raining too much for Deck 9, but not many people use it as the other areas closer to the pool bar and out back of Panorama are still active so it's no problem. I know the smell of smoke bothers many people but as an ex-smoker I don't really care about the smell - and there's plenty of deck space where's there's no smell of smoke at all.

I'm not interested in La Dame, the Casino or the Spa so I can't comment there.

The 'Observation Library' is pretty much the same as the other ships where an actual library has been abolished - a pathetic selection of fiction and a useless paperback exchange. Whilst I have my iPad loaded with books, I hardly ever actually read them, I so much prefer a real book, I'm such a dinosaur. I used to bring a dozen or more books with me but that's one of the things I've had to sacrifice in the trade off for the convenience of travelling with only carry on luggage, now I only bring two or three, soon read.

 

 

 

Thanks for your excellent update .Our recent experiences on Silversea over the last couple of years left us with the same conclusion you reached regarding much needed change to the La Terrazza menus which is long overdue.We also felt all other restaurants provided little change in Menus over the past ten years.Boring is a word that springs to mind

[spinnaker2]

Adam will be replaced by Moss.

Get ready for airport codes and Zimbabwe questions.

And agree about the menu in La T.

Also had the duck ragu paparadelle on our last night aboard. It was very poorly prepared. No sugo to speak of at all.

 

 

[beaujolais]

We eat in LT often on our cruises but always eat "special order"

We use Andrea Camilleri's, Montalbano, a gourmet as well as a detective, as a inspiration and order at least a day in advance and use the recipes of his favourite meals which are explained in the appendix of the early books

Giuseppe, the chef in December, was from Sicily and prepared some wonderful meals but do agree that the menu has become very tired.

 

[Stumblefoot]

4 hours ago, brimary said:

We also felt all other restaurants provided little change in Menus over the past ten years.  Boring is a word that springs to mind.

Boy, you won’t find anything boring on the Cloud.  Chef Pia has The Restaurant hitting all cylinders.  While I wish their were more options at breakfast, her lunch and dinner menus have been fantastic with such incredible variety day after day.  5-days in so far and we’ve enjoyed all sorts of yummy dishes including Asian, Indian, and Mexican.  Every single soup has been killer good too!  And all the fish has been stellar too.

[nowornever]

Thanks Jolly & Spinnaker.  Great news on Moss.  Counting down for the 24th !  Love all of your posts about the Shadow & I can't wait to see the "NEW" Shadow.

[QueSeraSera]

2 hours ago, nowornever said:

Counting down for the 24th

I think you're going to like it!

For us, no cruise till May, not sure if we can stand it 😓

[jollyjones]

Well damn! I also disembark on Jan 24th so will miss Moss returning to the Classic fleet. Will just have to wait till the crossing 27th March, hope he'll still be onboard then. (Although I wonder if he'll board in Key West on 23rd, for a day's handover, sometimes they do that)

 

Another ship note - the A/C seems to be uber efficient. High volume of air flow means I can't quite get my cabin warm enough - I'm not freezing but another degree or two warmer would be more comfortable. I thought it was just me (my personal inner thermostat being entirely unreliable) but a guy on my trivia team also commented on it so it's not just me. (Did I mention we won again yesterday? We're gonna get seriously unpopular at this rate). And this being a southern Caribbean itinerary I didn't bring a sweater ... thought of it and said nah, don't be silly, you'll be too hot ...

 

We're docked at Point Seraphine today in St Lucia so plenty of shopportunity to buy a sweatshirt, maybe I'll do that. 

Edited January 11, 2020 by jollyjones

[brimary]

19 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

Boy, you won’t find anything boring on the Cloud.  Chef Pia has The Restaurant hitting all cylinders.  While I wish their were more options at breakfast, her lunch and dinner menus have been fantastic with such incredible variety day after day.  5-days in so far and we’ve enjoyed all sorts of yummy dishes including Asian, Indian, and Mexican.  Every single soup has been killer good too!  And all the fish has been stellar too.

That’s great to hear,continue to enjoy....we do not do expedition cruises so sadly will not benefit from the excellent cuisine on the Cloud.

[seawolf29]

On 1/11/2020 at 6:56 AM, jollyjones said:

Well damn! I also disembark on Jan 24th so will miss Moss returning to the Classic fleet. Will just have to wait till the crossing 27th March, hope he'll still be onboard then. (Although I wonder if he'll board in Key West on 23rd, for a day's handover, sometimes they do that)

 

Another ship note - the A/C seems to be uber efficient. High volume of air flow means I can't quite get my cabin warm enough - I'm not freezing but another degree or two warmer would be more comfortable. I thought it was just me (my personal inner thermostat being entirely unreliable) but a guy on my trivia team also commented on it so it's not just me. (Did I mention we won again yesterday? We're gonna get seriously unpopular at this rate). And this being a southern Caribbean itinerary I didn't bring a sweater ... thought of it and said nah, don't be silly, you'll be too hot ...

 

We're docked at Point Seraphine today in St Lucia so plenty of shopportunity to buy a sweatshirt, maybe I'll do that. 

Your comment re AC are very interesting, I had the same problem last November on the Whisper, and it was never corrected, they had to use duct tape and shut off the blizzard-like flow of cold air....

We are joining the Shadow on the 24th for the Grand Voyage and I have the (virtual) chills just thinking of a deja vu with the cabin temperature...and yes, I also agree with your remarks about the thermostat, just a decoration.

Has the problem been solved?

Best regards 

[jollyjones]

Either the A/C or I have settled in - so long as I keep the thermostat at the warmest setting, the cabin is comfortable now. Maybe it’s because the very strong and cold (for the Caribbean) winds we’ve had have now moderated and warmed a little?

 

On the question of the hull, I remembered to look at it today and was hard pressed to tell it wasn’t white - IMO the grey is barely noticeable and utterly unimportant. Turquoise and royal blue stripes might have been striking ...😁

[QueSeraSera]

Glad that the AC has settled, we found the thermostat to be confusing but believe it did have some effect on our room conditions on the Shadow.

Just a thought - is the grey color we are discussing supposed to be seen as Silver?  

[jollyjones]

10 hours ago, QueSeraSera said:

Just a thought - is the grey color we are discussing supposed to be seen as Silver?  

 

Possibly. It's a very pale grey, nothing like 'battleship grey'.

 

Just the sort of bright idea someone in an office might come up with, sounds good on paper I expect.

[eastwoodboy]

The. colour of the hull and state of the air conditioning pales into insignificance with the loss of toilet facilities for 20 cabins and a strong smell of sewage in the corridor.

This has been going on for at least 6 hours now and looks like the night will bring back memories of a seaside boarding house in the sixties whilst roaming to corridors to find suitable facilities.