Past Prince Albert II voyagers—insight, please

[GeneBK]

My wife and I cruise often, on both Regent and Silversea. We totally enjoy the ports and our shore adventures; and we equally enjoy ship life—evenings, lingering meals, a little after dinner dancing, entertainment, and relaxing in the lounges.

Now, we are considering an Arctic cruise on the Prince Albert II. No question—the itinerary is wonderful and the excursions are very attractive.
But, we wonder about ship life. Specifically—

Meal hours—since the ship is so much smaller, are the hours the dining room is open considerably shortened? Especially dinner, but also breakfast and lunch? If a couple is willing to be flexible about meal times (especially preferring late), is it difficult to get a table for two?

Evening hours—obviously dancing seems unlikely and entertainment would be much simpler, but is there much after-dinner activity on the ship? In general, does the ship quiet down and retreat to cabins at an early hour?
In considering the Prince Albert, we realize that with such a small ship and reduced facilities there will be a significant change; we just wonder how much.

Any comments from passengers on previous cruises would be very helpful. Thank you!!!!

[msrieski]

My DH and I just returned from a fabulous 10 days on the PAII. The dining hours didn't seem limited to us but we never tried to start dinner much later than about 8:30. We were usually pretty tired by then. To my recollection there was no evening entertainment but the bar on deck 5 was usually hopping until midnight. So much depends on the people you meet. If you hook up with some party folks, you'll have no trouble entertaining yourselves all night!

We thought is was a really, really great trip and we loved the ship. We've been Silversea cruisers for a while and love their small ships but to be on one with only 132 pax was ideal for us.

[Mike2131]

We were on the 6/22 RT out of Longyearbyen and absolutely loved it. My full review of the cruise is now up in the Member Review section, but I will agree with what the previous poster said. Entertainment is very low-key which was fine with us. Briefings and recaps, usually 2 lectures during the day, afternoon tea, several hosted cocktail parties, conversation before/during/after dinner, and perhaps a movie in the room. We were usually tired after a wonderful and full day of activity and turned in fairly early (9:30 - 10:00).

Meal hours were fine, but this was our first Silversea cruise so I cannot compare the length to their other ships. Tables for 2 were not a problem, but we enjoyed sharing the day with fellow passengers and new friends. It was a very international group of passengers and Expedition Staff and that made it even more enjoyable. We also really enjoyed eating breakfast and lunch on occasion with members of the Expedition team.

All in all, we cannot recommend the ship and itinerary highly enough. We cannot wait to sail on the PA II again.

[jpalbny]

We were on PAII last December. I have all of my daily newsletters with the exact meal times, but unfortunately they're at home, and we're away until next week. Can't remember the exact meal hours but we never felt restricted, and I don't think we ever missed a meal...:o Hopefully someone else can give you exact times.

Tables for 2 were available if we wanted but usually we dined at larger tables. The fun part of that was that the expedition staff would sit with the larger groups, and that made for some great dinners.

We never had a problem entertaining ourselves at night - the bar was open late enough (past midnight, as long as people were there). Many nights the keyboard player would play dance music for us. There is a tiny dance floor, but good enough for 2 couples. Some nights he did karaoke which was entertaining - one of the bartenders was quite good. But after running around all day it's hard to stay up much past midnight so we found we didn't miss having tons of stuff to do.

I don't remember any other "entertainment" on the Antarctica trip. It's definitely quieter than large ships, but considering the itinerary and the off-ship activities, we considered that a good thing.

[retiredbrit]

We were on PA2 28 June - 9 July 2010
Meal times
Brekfast buffet 7 - 9 - but waiters will bring you eggs etc
Lunch Buffet 12 - 2
Dinner 7:30 to 9:00 full service.

In Panorama
Buillion 11 am - 12 am
tea 4 - 5
canapes 6:30 to 7:30

There were just a few tables for 2 which we liked for breakfast - every other meal we asked to join a larger English speaking table which was very good. I dont mean English or American people many of the Europeans spoke better English than I do. The Maitre D was very good at remembering who was who.

There is no rush to leave the dining room after dinner we often lingered and enjoyed the converation

We didnt get involved in much evening entertainment - some mornings you could be on a 7:30 am zodiac so we were usually in bed by midnight latest as its a long job getting the layers on.

I will do another post soon on things I wish I had known

regards Alan

[TLCOhio]

We were on PA2 28 June - 9 July 2010
Meal times
Brekfast buffet 7 - 9 - but waiters will bring you eggs etc
Lunch Buffet 12 - 2
Dinner 7:30 to 9:00 full service.
regards Alan

As Alan was finishing his cruise, we had a chance to tour the Prince Albert II on July 8 while both of our ships were in Tromso. The PAII looks very, very nice (from $30 million being spent in 2008). The finishes, wood trims, etc., are well done. We did not get to see any of the passenger rooms. Most on the ship seemed very happy and to be enjoying themselves. Your options, however, are a little narrower for dining and "entertainment" than what you would have on the other Silversea ships. As noted, both breakfast and lunch are buffet only. Dinner provides a fuller menu where you are served at your table. The "bar" and back patio/deck areas seem to be the major "activity areas" on the PAII. The ship deck plan shows a "theatre", but that is not for shows. It is more for briefings and reviews about where and what they are doing for "adventures" each day. Below are some pictures from my tour on this ship.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For more details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle Silver Cloud experiences:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923



From the deck of the Silver Cloud, you can see the Prince Albert II docked nearby. Many of the passengers and staff did tours of this ship.:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/TromsoPrinceExcView.jpg


From the deck of the Prince Albert II, a staff geologist is explaining how this ship operates during trips to and around the Arctic, Antarctica, etc.:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/TromsoOnPrinceAlbertII.jpg


Here are three added pictures from the Prince Albert II during our tour. First, is a sample of the two levels of its back decks. Two whirlpools, but no swimming pool. Second is its nice front observation/library/lounge. Finally, on the flat-screen TV, they had some visuals of the polar bears that had been seen earlier in the week during their journeys.:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/PAIIBackDecks.jpg


http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/PAIILoungeLibrary.jpg


http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/PAIIPolarBear.jpg

[rojaan19]

While I haven't been on the PA II yet - we have our Arctic cruise next month and cant wait !!

Here is a link to 71 photos of the PA II suites that was posted back in September 09

http://ngaire.smugmug.com/Cruise-Lines/Silversea/Prince-Albert-II-Cabins/5865446_D6fUj#P-1-12

and these are of the public areas

http://ngaire.smugmug.com/Cruise-Lines/Silversea/Prince-Albert-II-Ship-Shots/5867099_ZUWft#364231354_9sNLb

Ann

[GeneBK]

These responses are very helpful.....thanks to all

[Mike2131]

Hi Terry:

The Expedition Staff member in your photos is Juan Carlos Restrepo from Columbia. The entire staff and crew were excellent, but he was definitely one of our favorites. It is no surprise that he was one of the staff helping with the tour of the ship.

One slight modification. In addition to the breakfast buffet, omlets, eggs to order, pancakes, etc. are avalable from the waiter.

[TLCOhio]

Hi Terry: The Expedition Staff member in your photos is Juan Carlos Restrepo from Columbia. The entire staff and crew were excellent, but he was definitely one of our favorites. It is no surprise that he was one of the staff helping with the tour of the ship.

YES!!! I was super impressed with Juan and how he did the tour with us. It was helpful to hear from someone with his background in covering "the details" with us for such types of specialized cruises. He was not just a "smiler doing a tour" with us who would say "doesn't this look pretty". He knew his stuff, answered lots of questions, walked us off of the ship, etc. See below. He was great for us in our little tour and I can understand why he and other staff made a big, positive difference for your cruise. At the left in that picture, you can see the Executive Chef from Germany. Right?

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For more details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle Silver Cloud experiences:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923


After our tour, here is an English couple on our ship standing next to the Prince Albert II and our tour guide.:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm271/tlcohio/TromsoPrinceAlEngCouple.jpg

[retiredbrit]

as I have written elsewhere we were on PA2 Longyearbyen to Tromso sailing June 29.
I have just uploaded a few photos of our trip - selected is too grand a word - I just clicked on a few of the pictures hopefully to give you an impression - one day I may get round to putting captions on - or maybe not:)
http://picasaweb.google.com/alanberko

regards Alan

[Mountainduo]

Several of you have mentioned the excursions ashore, zodiac groups, etc.

How ambitious/strenuous are the shore excursions?

Are the groups perhaps arranged by ability/stamina/experience?

(We are experienced hikers, we snowshoe all winter, and are used to long and rugged hikes and climbs.....too often "shore excrusions" on cruises, even the ones that warn of "strenuous activity", are quite mild and limited.)

[rojaan19]

I have just uploaded a few photos of our trip -
http://picasaweb.google.com/alanberko

regards Alan


And what great photos too ! Thanks for sharing Alan.


Ann

[ging466]

Fabulous photos!

Cheers
Jennifer

[Aussieflyer]

Ditto on the photos - we leave in a few weeks - sooooo excited.
Jenny

[retiredbrit]

Excursions in the arctic - - on our trip - most of the zodiac landings were very easy for most even if you are used to hiking or not.

The hard looking one - we didnt go by the way is the hike up to north cape. From the ship you can watch them going up a steep zig zag path. Everyone made it ok, though the odd person in the past groups had to be helped a lot.
The crew make sure at the pre-landing briefings that everyone is aware that it is not that easy - even so it looked as if about half the passengers made the climb. The rest of us sailed round the corner landed and went by bus.
On other landings no great distances are covered because you have to be in sight of the bear guards on the perimiter.

Groups are split English speaking / German speaking

regards Alan

[RachelG]

Several of you have mentioned the excursions ashore, zodiac groups, etc.

How ambitious/strenuous are the shore excursions?

Are the groups perhaps arranged by ability/stamina/experience?

(We are experienced hikers, we snowshoe all winter, and are used to long and rugged hikes and climbs.....too often "shore excrusions" on cruises, even the ones that warn of "strenuous activity", are quite mild and limited.)

We are just like you. Most of the time, even hikes listed as "strenuous" are really quite mild and leave us wanting more, but every so often you get surprised with one that is really more than mild.

[rojaan19]

Hi Alan or Mike,

Can you give me an idea of the cost of the internet on the PAII ?

I did ask the same question on the " Current cost of Internet " thread but nobody answered. Is it the same across the board of all SS ships,
eg: $ 85 for 250 minutes/ $ 250 for 1000 minutes was mention for Spirit Cloud and Wind.

and if you used the internet how was the service ?

thanks Ann

[Mike2131]

Hi Alan or Mike,

Can you give me an idea of the cost of the internet on the PAII ?

I did ask the same question on the " Current cost of Internet " thread but nobody answered. Is it the same across the board of all SS ships,
eg: $ 85 for 250 minutes/ $ 250 for 1000 minutes was mention for Spirit Cloud and Wind.

and if you used the internet how was the service ?

thanks Ann
Hi Ann:

There coverage was so spotty that I am not sure anyone bought a package. The announcement was made that access would be very hit-and-miss so we never saw anyone in the Library/Internet Cafe.

I am not sure it will be the same for you since we were strictly in the Arctic. There was a certain undeniable charm to being unreachable (except through the ship in the case of an emergency).

[jpalbny]

as I have written elsewhere we were on PA2 Longyearbyen to Tromso sailing June 29.
I have just uploaded a few photos of our trip - selected is too grand a word - I just clicked on a few of the pictures hopefully to give you an impression - one day I may get round to putting captions on - or maybe not:)
http://picasaweb.google.com/alanberko

regards Alan

Well, I saw some of the captions! Great shots - looking forward to seeing that in person next August.