Silver Wind live

[clarky]

We arrived in Athens after a very long journey from Australia.  we were met on arrival by the SS rep and taken to our hotel.  The Grande Bretagne was a beautiful hotel and we enjoyed our stay.  The evening of our arrival 11 guests who would be sailing to tromso were taken to a restaurant with amazing views of the acropolis. It was a lovely evening making new friends enjoying food  and wine.   A SS rep was available to answer any questions we had and explain the next days procedure for boarding.  Our suitcases were to be outside the room by 11:00 a.m. and we were given a number and a time of pick up. We were in group 2 pick up at 2:15.  This was managed so efficiently and after the 20 minute bus ride to the port it took 20 minutes to board the ship, about 15 minutes was taken up with a RAT test.  It was all managed with efficiency and it felt like in no time we were on the Wind.  We were greeted enthusiastically by the crew and informed we could go staight to our room.

 

I'm not typing from my normal computer so please forgive any typos as I'm trying to give as much information as possible in the time I have.  I will also attempt to post some photos.

 

The Wind is looking amazing.  She looks so fresh.  New carpets on the stairs.   unfortunately the navy carpet and the lack of lighting on the stairs means you really need to pay attention when using them.  I love the remodelled bathroom.  No bath tub but a lovlarge shwer with a bench seat overhead shower and a wall shower head.  lovely new large towels.

 

Most of the staff we have spoken with have all worked for SS before.  We had drinks with Captain Mino Pontillo last night and he told us the Wind has anew engine.  I can attest to it being very quiet

 

We had our first shore excursion this morning.  Monemvsia walking tour of the old town.  We had a great guide and wonderful  weather .  The town was full of history and we had the option of staying in town to walk around or go straight to the shuttle bus or walk back to the tender. We opted to walk back to the tender as we needed to walk of the calories we consumed last night at hot Rocks.  

 

Also there are new bath products Ortigia. Hopefully  I get better at adding photos.  If anyone has any questions please let me know.

[WesW]

Thanks for sharing the Wind’s first expedition voyage with us.  If u see Conrad Combrink pls pass our warm regards (Wes&Ida)

[daddyo]

We board in Lisbon and look forward to your observations. 

[FauxNom]

II’ll echo what @clarky said: the Wind is looking great and staff have been uniformly impressive. While I’m sure there are a few trainees, most everyone on the bar, restaurant and expedition teams seems to have done multiple contracts with Silversea. They exude happiness at being on the first voyage of the revamped Wind. 

 

Conrad Conbrink and some other management folks are onboard. He made really nice remarks, thanking the passengers for sticking with silversea through all the upheaval.

 

My embarcation was slower because I was on the third/last bus and it was a bit late leaving the hotel. But the screening process (complimentary rapid antigen tests) was super efficient. People in my group who did the test In advance did save about 25 minutes.

 

I feel like I’ve been at a dead run ever since I boarded. So much to do...so many people to meet. As a first-time solo traveler it’s been great to find out how friendly people are! Clarky and I met by chance right away, which leads to me sharing her thread with her blessing. Internet it slow so I don’t envision posting much. But I’m happy to answer questions. 

 

It’s great to be back onboard!

Edited May 29, 2022 by FauxNom

[FauxNom]

The famous Suite 738

 

Some will already know about Vista suite 738–an oversized hidden gem that books at the lowest fare category because it lacks a balcony. I’m feeling very lucky to have booked this! The photos show one view looking at the two windows, one of which is called a French balcony, and the other looking toward the door, with a large closet and then the bathroom on the right. There’s no balcony but the window will lower from the top down. Unfortunately it’s on the fritz and they are hoping to get it fixed.

 

The suite is huge and so well-located near LaTerraza and just below the pool, grill, and Panorama Lounge. It’s next to the tender that we used today (and will for the duration of this first leg, instead of Zodiacs). It was audible but surprisingly quiet when they cranked it down this morning. No noise from the pool at all.

[jpalbny]

Enjoy the beautiful newly refurbished Silver Wind, clarky and FauxNom! Excited to hear more about your journey, time and bandwidth permitting. We have to wait a little more than a year until we are on board for Helsinki to Hamburg.

Edited May 29, 2022 by jpalbny

[les37b]

1 hour ago, FauxNom said:

The famous Suite 738

 

Some will already know about Vista suite 738–an oversized hidden gem that books at the lowest fare category because it lacks a balcony. I’m feeling very lucky to have booked this! The photos show one view looking at the two windows, one of which is called a French balcony, and the other looking toward the door, with a large closet and then the bathroom on the right. There’s no balcony but the window will lower from the top down. Unfortunately it’s on the fritz and they are hoping to get it fixed.

 

The suite is huge and so well-located near LaTerraza and just below the pool, grill, and Panorama Lounge. It’s next to the tender that we used today (and will for the duration of this first leg, instead of Zodiacs). It was audible but surprisingly quiet when they cranked it down this morning. No noise from the pool at all.

 

Hehe... My room!

 

I was meant to be in 738 for her final sailing to Tower Bridge in August 20 prior to cloudification. Really sad I missed that chance. Actually my last SS sailing pre COVID was in 738...  And handed over to TTS to look after.

 

Have a great cruise... Am envious.

 

Looking forward to sailing along with you all.

 

[Lois R]

FauxNom, glad you are enjoying your first solo cruise. I have found the staff/crew  always treat us solos superbly🙂.  They usually offer cocktails each evening in one of the lounges for solos, sometimes they are hosted, sometimes not. It is a very nice way to meet others (if you are interested). 

 

[Stumblefoot]

Great start, Clarky and FauxNom!  Look forward to following your adventure.  You’re sailing with a great SS captain.

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Thanks for the positive report! We board her in Oct.  

[clarky]

Just a quick update on our cruise so far.  As mentioned previously this cruise is very friendly both the guests and staff and we are having a wonderful time.  We have been told that there are 170 passengers on board.  We do not have a full compliment of waiters but as the ship is not full we have not noticed any deficiency in service.  As mentioned the ship is looking very smart however we have discovered a problem.  It was mentioned to me that water was flowing from the ceiling on level 7 and we could see doors opened and big fans in the hallway of some suites.  Yesterday while nearly all guest were on tours to Delphi we stayed on board having been to this port before.  We decided to use the Jacuzzi and swim. On entering the jacuzzi we noticed some brown substance on the seat and on closer inspection found it to be rust.  The jets could not be turned on or were not working.  We moved to the other jacuzzi and while this jacuzzi was warmer it also had the rust problem.  Not only did it have the rust but the drain in the centre was now connected to the inlet of the pump and  was sucking very hard.  My husband put his foot on this, not intentionally and it was very painful to pull it away.  I think we found the reason for the water leaking on deck 7.   

 

I wrote the above yesterday.  Today is a sea day so I have more time to Put down my thoughts and observations.

 

We have had one formal night which was unexpected on an expedition cruise.  Luckily I overpacked and had acceptable attire. The expedition team are ironing out some kinks in there procedures.  We are now not receiving announcements in our room in the early hours of the morning.  Announcements are in public areas only.  When the first excursions were taking place it was not made clear that you needed to attend the evening briefing to sign up for a time slot for excursions. They have now amended this and you can just show up and be placed in a group as long as it is within the time period of your excursion.

 

We will be moving to a silver suite for the next leg of the cruise and a medallion suite for the third leg so I will post photos of those suites.

 

Last night at Hot Rocks we wanted to order a revenue wine and asked for a wine list.  They didn't. have one.  The Sommelier Goran appeared and apologised that most of the revenue wines had not been loaded but he had some bottles available and we were happy with the wine we bought.  He is hoping the wines load in Lisbon.

 

We are currently on our way to Tunisia.  The weather gods have been kind to us so far so hopefully the fine weather will continue.

[FauxNom]

I’m sitting at the pool deck watching the crew add loungers for a busy sea day. Gorgeous weather and a flat-calm Mediterranean Sea...ahhh.

 

I have been thwarted by the jacuzzi a couple times so it’s interesting to read about @clarky ‘s experience. At least the pool is working and I did manage to get in the tub once. 

 

Dining so so far has been superb. I was surprised last night that we couldn’t get in to La Terrazza without a reservation as I have done on previous cruises. I guess I now know why the Restaurant has felt so empty! The al fresco experience clearly is popular. A new friend and I ate at Hot Rocks instead. Service was chaotic but we still had fun. I love breakfast in La Terrazza. They’ve been so accommodating in my quest to get avocado toast with eggs Benedict! I’m so impressed by the head chef: he chats with the passengers in every venue I’ve been in, and seems eager to get feedback, which can only lead to good things.

 

I have heard grumbling about confusing communication: quite a few inconsistencies between the Chronicle and the tv, and excursion departures that never really seem to be by groups. (Still, that part is working if you just show up at the general time they’ve published. It’s just a little odd if you’re used to Zodiac groups.) Personally, the last thing I need in my life is another app, so I’m ignoring “my cruise” so far. I’m muddling through ☺️

 

Although our our itinerary and experience doesn’t feel like the expedition style I’m used to, I have really enjoyed the shore excursions. The guides have been excellent and the sites wonderful. So far, the Oracle at Delfi is my favorite, although our day in Albania was fascinating. 

 

BTW, no events or mention of solo travelers so far. It’s not a problem, but I know several people who were expecting some kind of gathering.

 

 

 

[FauxNom]

I’m sitting in the sun and can barely see these photos, but here are the early riser breakfast in the Panorama and a view of the pool deck and grill.

[Stumblefoot]

Loving the reports Clarky and FauxNom!  They truly help to cement in my mind to never take the first voyage (or maybe a few) after a dry dock or new ship launch.  But, that’s just me.  
 

Continue to enjoy your voyage(s) and I look forward to your next report!

[ex-hippie]

Thank you so much for the reports!

 

I'm still a little surprised about the formal night - maybe because it was the inaugural sailing?

Looking forward to more reports from the Wind - 28 days to go!

[FauxNom]

On 6/2/2022 at 12:03 AM, ex-hippie said:

I'm still a little surprised about the formal night - maybe because it was the inaugural sailing?

 

My theory is that this referred to the welcome cocktail party but not dinner. I walked into the Restaurant behind a woman wearing a tee shirt and nobody seemed to care.

[FauxNom]

Tunisia

 

Today’s stop in Sousse has been wonderful but unusual because it’s the first day with significantly controlled entry into the country.

+ We were told last night that a randomly selected group of passengers would have an antigen test in the morning. That happened around 6:30 and all of them passed; one passenger who was selected but then not tested said he thought only around 5-6 got tests. 

+ We had to show passports and vaccination proof as we left the ship. I’ve not been asked about vaccinations by anyone other than Silversea this whole trip.

+ Our buses had a police escort and we also had an escort who rode an off-road vehicle as we walked through the sook. They even pulled out to stop traffic so I could cross the street to return to the ship. Our guide said the numerous police were there both to protect us and to help with traffic. It worked!

 

The weather is getting brutally hot—feels appropriate for the landscape though. The locals are very friendly, even taking photos of the spectacle of a large group of tourists showing up. They seem happy to have us back.

 

Edited June 2, 2022 by FauxNom

[FauxNom]

I’m celebrating 2 milestones on this cruise: retirement and free laundry! My butler just delivered a bunch of crumpled active wear on hangers and my linen shirt was even ironed. I am impressed!

[Lois R]

Congratulations on both milestones😀. I will be joining you later this year on the laundry🙂.Already got the retirement😃

[les37b]

2 hours ago, FauxNom said:

I’m celebrating 2 milestones on this cruise: retirement and free laundry! My butler just delivered a bunch of crumpled active wear on hangers and my linen shirt was even ironed. I am impressed!

 

Coincidence. Mine was January, and the other one 6 weeks ago and loving it.

[Stumblefoot]

Whew!  Free laundry, just in time.
 

Congratulations Faux! And, it sounds like Les too.

[FauxNom]

Thanks @Stumblefoot, And you too @Lois Rand @les37b- I’m happy to join you in retirement!

[jpalbny]

9 hours ago, FauxNom said:

I’m celebrating 2 milestones on this cruise: retirement and free laundry! My butler just delivered a bunch of crumpled active wear on hangers and my linen shirt was even ironed. I am impressed!

 

9 hours ago, Lois R said:

Congratulations on both milestones😀. I will be joining you later this year on the laundry🙂.Already got the retirement😃

 

And we have had the laundry since pre-Covid times. FauxNom, I think we earned our 100 days on the expedition cruise that we shared in 2017, if I'm not mistaken? But sadly, it's still a few more years until we can retire... Cannot wait to celebrate that milestone!

[WesW]

FauxNom; Kudos on retirement and free laundry milestones.

 

JP, Chris and you will relish retirement and the choices your time presents and the cruises you can choose.  We earned free laundry on the Spirit from Sydney to LA back in 2015 and fortunately retired (Ida first time 2000, second time 2011 (26 years service), and me in 2009 (near 32 years service).

Edited June 4, 2022 by WesW

[Lois R]

 Its all about the timing.........most of you who already have the 100 days? You all have been sailing with SS since long before me. My first cruise was in 2017 where many of you have at least 10 years of cruising with them prior to that.........I would have made 100 before now but 2020 got in the way😲