The Trip Begins- Cartagena-Lima- Fort Lauderdale on the Nova

[A Tucson Guy]

19 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

Costco has it during the Holidays and most of the time via on-line sales.  So you can have it more offend.

Thanks RonRick. I forgot that Costco delivers caviar. Just ordered 2 OZ. of Osetra with the fixin's for $125!! Such a deal and now let's see it is delivered in 2 business days as promised.

Happy Holidays!!

[ronrick1943]

7 hours ago, Lookingtocruise42 said:

This is great. Room Service is usually terrible and cold. Nice to know it was hot and well made.

 

I remember a while ago seeing that they added a hot chocolate menu for evenings on the balcony. Have you seen that, or am I imagining things?

 

As an aside, I’m assuming the answer is no one cares: but have you noticed any difference in your service for being two guys vs a more “traditional” couple? My husband and I have never had trouble with this, but we have heard stories with various lines. The biggest problem we have had is places sometimes insisting on it being Mr and Mrs., saying they will correct it, then missing it again. Very minor in the grand scheme of things.

Can’t say about the Hot Chocolate, but I’m sure you can order it.  For Christmas we invite a few people for a before dinner party and asked for Egg Nog and they made it for us.

 

We are treated like anyone else of the ship, always called by name, always courtesy and never have we felt uncomfortable anyplace on the ship or getting off or on the ship.  

[ronrick1943]

7 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

On Azamara it's $95 and now being offered practically every night, with 3-4 rotating menus (French, Italian, Seafood, etc.) so you can do it several times per cruise – all with high-end wine pairings included.  So does Silversesa do something like that?

Yes, it’s the Salt Dinners, I think the extra cost is $160 or $180–not really sure but I’ll check the price.  They do it within the Salt Kitchen-I not sure about everyday, but many days and I understand it’s been sold out.  I believe 16 per night.

[Host Jazzbeau]

2 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

Yes, it’s the Salt Dinners, I think the extra cost is $160 or $180–not really sure but I’ll check the price.  They do it within the Salt Kitchen-I not sure about everyday, but many days and I understand it’s been sold out.  I believe 16 per night.

Ah, so not on Whisper or Endeavour.  But if I move quickly enough on Ray in 2026...

[ronrick1943]

16 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi Jazz, the only Chef's Table I have attended was on Nova.  I have sailed multiple ships and cannot think of it ever being offered on any of them.

Lois, On Oceania they had a special dinner, 3 tables, 8 at a table.  Special Waitstaff with 2 chef’s.  Each dish was explained as served, same with wines.  Everything was prepared and plated. just a few feet away.  Small portions with many courses.  It’s been years since we cruised them.

[tulok]

Ama Waterways does this also with a wine pairing. Also 3 tables of eight. It was a fun evening as the chefs really made the show. There was not an extra cost. 

[ronrick1943]

Christmas Eve we had dinner with some other guest board, had a nice wonderful  evening.  Our small Christmas Eve party when off as planned, Silversea did a nice job on the food and presentation.  After the little get together They a Christmas sing along using all 3 floors in the near the center of the ship. We planned to go to the evening Christmas show, but never made it.

 

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY HOLIDAY AND A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄🎁 

Enjoy your day no matter what you’re doing…………..

[tulok]

Merry Christmas. Sounds like they had a festive evening for everyone to enjoy. I like the togetherness they included for the celebration.

[Lois R]

2 hours ago, ronrick1943 said:

Lois, On Oceania they had a special dinner, 3 tables, 8 at a table.  Special Waitstaff with 2 chef’s.  Each dish was explained as served, same with wines.  Everything was prepared and plated. just a few feet away.  Small portions with many courses.  It’s been years since we cruised them.

Hi, thanks for that information. I have never sailed with Oceania.  Oh, the Chef's Table on Nova is 180.00 per person. I had posted about it on my old live from thread when I was sailing on the TA crossing.

[ronrick1943]

It’s Christmas Day, very pleasant.  Today Santa arrived on the ship for the kids on board, nice touch Silversea made.  All children got a gift from Santa himself.  

Today at lunch we when to La Terrazza, yes the buffet again.  Surprising again it was good. They had real nice choice of salads, entrées and desserts.  was really surprised they had a few Mexican dishes like chimichangas. They were really good and full of spice.  served cuts from a large ham, and of course the other general meets and the pasta of the day.

Tonight will be dining at Allantide for Christmas Dinner.  They say all 3 main dining restaurants will have the same menu for tonight.  The Grill will have it’s regular menu.

So let’s how they do Christmas dinner.  We’ve asked a crew member to join us for dinner.

Edited December 25, 2023 by ronrick1943

[Lookingtocruise42]

7 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

It’s Christmas Day, very pleasant.  Today Santa arrived on the ship for the kids on board, nice touch Silversea made.  All children got a gift from Santa himself.  

Today at lunch we when to La Terrazza, yes the buffet again.  Surprising again it was good. They had real nice choice of salads, entrées and desserts.  was really surprised they had a few Mexican dishes like chimichangas. They were really good and full of spice.  served cuts from a large ham, and of course the other general meets and the pasta of the day.

Tonight will be dining at Allantide for Christmas Dinner.  They say all 3 main dining restaurants will have the same menu for tonight.  The Grill will have it’s regular menu.

So let’s how they do Christmas dinner.  We’ve asked a crew member to join us for dinner.

Out of curiosity, do you know what types of things they gave the kids?

[ronrick1943]

3 hours ago, Lookingtocruise42 said:

Out of curiosity, do you know what types of things they gave the kids?

Sorry I don’t, the Santa thing was pretty cool.  Santa’s bag look small so I don’t thing anything big.  We met a family with a child- went we see them I’ll ask and get back to you.

Edited December 26, 2023 by ronrick1943

[ronrick1943]

Christmas Dinner, I would say 95% of the people dressed for the night.  Dinner itself was outstanding.  The food was Delicious and the platting very nice, all in all the the evening was really special.  We had a starter of Foir Gras Terrine which very good, followed by a Cream of Porcini and Truffle Soup which exceptional.  After that we had Traditional Turkey Roast, Ron added Pan-Fried Foie Gras on top.  We both enjoyed the Turkey and Ron loved the added Foie Gras.  The meal ended with a Christmas Pudding & Yule Log for dessert.  The platting was exceptional as the Christmas Pudding.  The Yule Log was nice, but not really that good.

Over all the evening was a nice ending of the day.

We took some photo’s and I’ll post soon-Think you’ll like these if your thinking of a Christmas cruise.

[Lookingtocruise42]

18 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

Sorry I don’t, the Santa thing was pretty cool.  Santa’s bag look small so I don’t thing anything big.  We met a family with a child- went we see them I’ll ask and get back to you.

Thanks, it’s not super important as we don’t have kids, just curious. 😀

 

Have you spoken to/made friends with many guests?

 

 

[ronrick1943]

9 hours ago, Lookingtocruise42 said:

Thanks, it’s not super important as we don’t have kids, just curious. 😀

 

Have you spoken to/made friends with many guests?

 

 

We really hav’t gone out of way to do that.  We pretty much cruise for quiet time and just plain relaxation.  However we’ve had lunch and dinner with a few people we met around the ship.  If you take part in the activities on the ship you’ll have a good opportunity to meet others.  It’s really up to you.

[ronrick1943]

This is the dinner menu from last night (Christmas Dinner).  I’ll had pictures of the plating later today.

[Lookingtocruise42]

56 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

We really hav’t gone out of way to do that.  We pretty much cruise for quiet time and just plain relaxation.  However we’ve had lunch and dinner with a few people we met around the ship.  If you take part in the activities on the ship you’ll have a good opportunity to meet others.  It’s really up to you.

Nah, we almost always keep to ourselves. Was more of a curiosity based on what you have mentioned so far.

 

Thanks for all of the information so far!

[ronrick1943]

16 hours ago, Lookingtocruise42 said:

Out of curiosity, do you know what types of things they gave the kids?

Just at breakfast with one of the families with children .  The gifts were not at random, but depending on age, gender the ship made decisions for each child.  Are friends child got a nice size toy race car.  I also so a few dolls around the ship for little girls.  I was a nice plan Silversea put together for Christmas.

[ronrick1943]

Here are the photo’s I promised of Christmas dinner.  It was all nicely presented and tasted really good.  The mushroom soup was a standout as was the Foie Gras.  On Ron’s plate you can’t see the turkey- the pan seared Foie Gras covered most of the turkey (the 2nd photo).  Our friend dinning with us had the Steak and lobster combo.  Didn’t take a photo of the soup for some reason, but it wouldn’t have photographed very good.

[ronrick1943]

One thing that is kind of odd, we don’t really do a lot of touring unless it’s something we really want to see.  So a lot of times we take the shuttle bus from the ship to the drop off.  Silversea really doesn’t have people come on board to tell you what the port is about and hat to do like Regent.  Like today we’re in Panama City, we asked the tour desk where does the shuttle bus drop you off?  No one knows for sure other than an address for the shuttle.  So if you’re not taken a tour it’s a guess unless you take a taxi which most of the time we do that.

[tulok]

Do they offer city maps of the area they drop off? There are a couple of ports we were just going to take the shuttle and enjoy the day. I will print my own maps before we leave home if it is necessary.

[Lois R]

2 hours ago, ronrick1943 said:

One thing that is kind of odd, we don’t really do a lot of touring unless it’s something we really want to see.  So a lot of times we take the shuttle bus from the ship to the drop off.  Silversea really doesn’t have people come on board to tell you what the port is about and hat to do like Regent.  Like today we’re in Panama City, we asked the tour desk where does the shuttle bus drop you off?  No one knows for sure other than an address for the shuttle.  So if you’re not taken a tour it’s a guess unless you take a taxi which most of the time we do that.

That does not happen all the time. I have been on various sailings where they have had locals to help out with information.  Sorry they did not offer it on your cruise.

[ronrick1943]

1 hour ago, Lois R said:

That does not happen all the time. I have been on various sailings where they have had locals to help out with information.  Sorry they did not offer it on your cruise.

I realize that, but really the person in charge of tours for Silversea should have something available for guest.  In the long run it’s cheaper for Silversea, as guest aren’t taking a tour that cost Silversea.

[ronrick1943]

The other night before dinner we had a little party for a few people we met.  The Butler did a nice job in setting up, all the food hasn’t been placed yet and caviar will arrive soon.  They made egg nog for us as it was Christmas eve.

[ronrick1943]

The Spa.  It’s very nice and welcoming.  We’ve had a few treatments so far, all very good-in fact really nice.  The pricing some think is high, but it’s really no more than at a good resort.  Besides Champagne they have favored water and little treats.  The staff A+.