preferential priority

[meow!]

For Oceania, for example, different classes of passengers are given different colour key cards, gold for mini-suite and up, silver for concierge class (regular cabins with additional payment), and white for regular balcony cabins and below (including inside cabins). The class affects the number of times you can eat at specialty restaurants, and preferential this and that.

On Silversea, we believe all cards are silver coloured ("silver"sea), and other than the following, we don't remember (or know, since we have not been in) other benefits for the upper suites (silver to owners).

" Additional Services for Royal, Grand and Owner’s Suites
Liaise with the Silver Shore Concierge to coordinate shoreside activities
Serve afternoon canapés
Secure shoreside dining reservations
Organise an in-suite cocktail party
Draw a scented whirlpool bath "

Just curious, have those esteemed upper class passengers got more benefits than the ones listed above?

[quest145]

Resturant tables are definatly allocated according to your class of cabin. I.E. the more expensive your suite the better position you will be given in the resturant

[Observer]

Resturant tables are definatly allocated according to your class of cabin. I.E. the more expensive your suite the better position you will be given in the resturant

On Silversea? Not at all. Unless someone is very brash and flaunts his/her suite status, the maitre d' does not have a clue as to what suite a guest occupies.

[CruisinGerman]

Back in the days when the alternative dining was in the buffet room and was a "themed" event each night that only held about 20 people, when we used to cruise in the Owner Suite on Shadow/Whisper we were allowed to eat there every night if we wished and not just once per cruise.

On one sailing, there was a famous French chef aboard who hosted a dinner, which we were invited to.

You also get free laundry in the large suites -- but that is a standard benefit.

I think all of the things you mention can probably be had in any suite, and I think the service is pretty much equal (on the plus side) for all suites, whether vista or Owner.

Where we are in fact treated like royalty are in the most expensive suites on NCL and Royal Caribbean. They give you service in those suites that makes you forget you are on a mass market ship. You don't have to wait in line for absolutely anything, and you are given personal service with regard to everything. You would need to experience this to know what I am talking about, basically.

On Silversea, the service was much more democratic -- very good service across the board no matter what type of suite you are sailing in.

Kind regards,

Gunther and Uta

[TLCOhio]

On Silversea? Not at all. Unless someone is very brash and flaunts his/her suite status, the maitre d' does not have a clue as to what suite a guest occupies.

CruisinGerman: On Silversea, the service was much more democratic -- very good service across the board no matter what type of suite you are sailing in.

Agree 100% with these two above posts. Our experience for two weeks plus on the Silver Cloud was excellent. We were treated super well by the Maitre d' and we (and others) were just in the regular rooms. Everyone is "special" on the ship. That was our experience, plus that for our friends traveling with us, plus others with whom I talked.

There have been other posts on the Butlers. It worked well for us. They are happy to do coffee and food at 4 pm in the afternoon, an evening in-suite party like we did for the World Cup soccer final game, etc. See picture below. Easy and fun!!! Within reason, they are very happy to satisfy your needs and interests.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 29,900 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.
www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923


For the World Cup Championship game, Spain versus Holland on July 11, this was our “PIZZA PARTY” set-up in our room as we sailed along the Norway Coast south of the Lofoten Islands. This set-up worked well for size with six in that space. We ordered in advance off of the regular room service menu, set-up through our wonderful Butler. In place of eating in the main Dining Room, we had our food and drinks in the suite. Eight people would have been too tight for such a party in a regular suite on the Silver Cloud. Six people worked well as a perfect sized group for doing this in our room.:

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

[dusababy]

Resturant tables are definatly allocated according to your class of cabin. I.E. the more expensive your suite the better position you will be given in the resturant

That has not been my experience, and I've experienced 33 cruises on Silversea, only once in a Silver Suite, all others either Vista or Verandah.

There are additional perks that go along with the higher categories. I believe all are described in the brochures.

[brimary]

Silversea remains a top quality classless cruise line and long may it remain that way.

[Silver Spectre]

Silversea remains a top quality classless cruise line and long may it remain that way.

Well said.

However, if you go for a Royal Suite or a Grand Suite and the seas are obliging enough, then you will qualify for the Silversea motion bonus.

[meow!]

Thank you all, for such interesting information and comments!

[wripro]

Who cares?

[taxprofessor]

I have only been in the Grand Suite on the Silver Shadow, although sailing in the Grand Suite on the Cloud this coming weekend. We were invited twice to dine with senior "officers" (once the CD and once the Hotel Manager). My DW was also escorted to her table each evening by the maitre d', rather than by one of the hostesses. Although I never mentioned our cabin number, my sense is that they are aware of these nuances on their own. Not sure this made up for the price differential.

The principal advantage of these suites is that the bedroom is in a separate room from the sitting area. So, if one of you is a late riser (or a night owl), one can be in the bedroom while the other can carry on without disturbing your spouse/SO/suite mate who is in the bedroom.

Caution if you are in a Royal or Grand on one of the Alaska cruises on the Shadow. Your bedroom has three large windows facing the bow. While this makes for great viewing of what lies ahead, it also allows a great deal of light if you like to sleep in.

[patnlcc]

We were in a regular balcony suite on the Cloud and were invited to the CD's table twice and to the Hotel Manager's table twice during our 15 day transatlantic. I don't think the cabin you are in makes a whit of difference to the staff.

[oregon50]

Who cares?

Meow!

Top suites do have preference in the dining room. It may not be in print, but the maitre'd bows to their wishes. It is a rare unpublished benefit.
There is no reason why anyone would notice, unless you wanted a particular table that was occupied by the same people every evening.

[Goldens4]

On our 4 cruises, I was always escorted to our table on the arm of the maitre'd with the husband following. Happened every night in The Restaurant and in LaTerrazza. We always had a verandah. So who knows!!!! I really don't think it makes a difference on SS.

[Goldens4]

On our 4 cruises, I was always escorted to our table on the arm of the maitre'd with the husband following. Happened every night in The Restaurant and in LaTerrazza. We always had a verandah. So who knows!!!! I really don't think it makes a difference on SS.

[meow!]

TLCOhio: It is nice to see that they helped you throw a small party in your cabin. From the Silversea website, theoretically, they only arrange in-suite parties for the upper suites. It looks like Silversea is willing to accomodate when possible even if the perk is not prescribed. Good for you!

Thanks to all that replied: Perhaps the preferential dining treatment is "informal" done in a "discreet" way pleasing the upper suite passengers without being noticeable or causing inconvenience to all others (?) The maitre d' has to remember them without having to look at their cards. Or alternatively, it may partly be individual perception. We don't know, and wonder if anyone from Silversea may like to clarify on this? Perhaps they won't!

[dusababy]

Meow I'm curious as to why this is of such interest?
Do you really think Silversea upper management would admit to giving preferential treatment?

[taxprofessor]

[quote=dusababy;27638417]Meow I'm curious as to why this is of such interest?


Seems a fairly innocent question to me. Poor meow! -- just trying to learn if there are any hidden perks only to get such seemingly sharp reactions.

In any event, I for one am glad it was asked, and particularly glad to read so many responses confirming that Silversea generally does not appear to discriminate by cabin.

And I thought my good looks and scintilating conversational skills were partly accountable for the special treatment. Foolish me! It was just SS being SS.

[meow!]

Seems a fairly innocent question to me. Poor meow! -- just trying to learn if there are any hidden perks only to get such seemingly sharp reactions.
.Your kindness is well appreciated.

[meow!]

Meow I'm curious as to why this is of such interest?
Do you really think Silversea upper management would admit to giving preferential treatment?Well, it may be trivial to ask, but it is a bona fide question. Since the upper suites seem to sell out more than regular cabins, the cruise line is unlikely to highlight the difference. If the reverse is true (or becomes true), cruise lines may like to attract upper suite customers, and many cruise lines do just that. For now, at least we sample the experience of many other passengers. This is one of the ways this board helps everybody, with the exchange of information, some interesting to some, and others interesting to others.

[billcrooz]

Meow!

Top suites do have preference in the dining room. It may not be in print, but the maitre'd bows to their wishes. It is a rare unpublished benefit.
There is no reason why anyone would notice, unless you wanted a particular table that was occupied by the same people every evening.

and why not ! they pay much more than we peons in the cheap seats;and they also by the way pay attention to how many previous cruises you have sailed with them . It's called CUSTOMER LOYALTY and that's the way it should be !:cool:

[conchyjoe]

For Oceania, for example, different classes of passengers are given different colour key cards, gold for mini-suite and up, silver for concierge class (regular cabins with additional payment), and white for regular balcony cabins and below (including inside cabins). The class affects the number of times you can eat at specialty restaurants, and preferential this and that.

On Silversea, we believe all cards are silver coloured ("silver"sea), and other than the following, we don't remember (or know, since we have not been in) other benefits for the upper suites (silver to owners).

" Additional Services for Royal, Grand and Owner’s Suites
Liaise with the Silver Shore Concierge to coordinate shoreside activities
Serve afternoon canapés
Secure shoreside dining reservations
Organise an in-suite cocktail party
Draw a scented whirlpool bath "

Just curious, have those esteemed upper class passengers got more benefits than the ones listed above?

We have always been in one of Silver Suites and apart from the free laundry and the canape's (if you order them), I'm not aware of any other benefit over those in other suites. We certainly have had our favorite dinner tables/waiters and have requested the Maitre D to seat us in that area, but I know others in Veranda & Vista suites that make the same requests and of course, they are equally accommodating.

I believe that guests in Silver Suites or above, do have priority seating and preferential choice of wine and food in the lifeboats however ;-)

"Would you like Merlot or Cabernet with your survival rations, Sir ?"

[meow!]

I believe that guests in Silver Suites or above, do have priority seating and preferential choice of wine and food in the lifeboats however ;-)

"Would you like Merlot or Cabernet with your survival rations, Sir ?"

That is humorous .. meow!

[taxprofessor]

I believe that guests in Silver Suites or above, do have priority seating and preferential choice of wine and food in the lifeboats however ;-)

"Would you like Merlot or Cabernet with your survival rations, Sir ?"

Surely, in this case, we would prefer a Port....http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Silver Spectre]

On a more serious note, there is the small issue of a certain amount of 'free' internet time, currently I think two hours per voyage per suite, and according to the new e-newsletter, being increased to four hours per suite per voyage.

[newlondon]

You are absolutely right conchyjoe. We had the same window table every night on our latest Whisper cruise and we were a verandah suite.

[Travelcat2]

On a more serious note, there is the small issue of a certain amount of 'free' internet time, currently I think two hours per voyage per suite, and according to the new e-newsletter, being increased to four hours per suite per voyage.

Coincidentally, I am currently looking at the "Additional Amenities" in the Silversea brochure (currently booked in a Medallion Suite. . . thinking of upgrading to a Silver Suite on the Whisper). If you are in a Royal, Grand or Owner's suite, you receive "Two hours of internet service per day per suite", as well as "Two hours of worldwide phone use from your suite, per voyage segment". We cannot really consider a Royal Suite as this will be a transatlantic crossing and we are already concerned about the seas being too rough. Since Royal Suites are in the front of the ship, the motion would be felt a bit too much for us up there.

[conchyjoe]

Surely, in this case, we would prefer a Port....http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Very clever !

[conchyjoe]

You are absolutely right conchyjoe. We had the same window table every night on our latest Whisper cruise and we were a verandah suite.

The current (as of Dec 2010) Maitre D' on Whisper is excellent. Nothing is a problem for him. I wish I could remember his name as we have not sailed with him before.

[newlondon]

His name is Hamid and interestingly, given the headlines, he is from Tunisia.

[Wellseasoned]

The Maitre'D is Hedi Karoui from Tunisia, and he is indeed excellent. He had the same position on the Spirit last summer. He will be leaving the Whisper in Valparaiso, so we will have to get used to someone else on the next leg of this cruise. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

[cruiseerf]

Traditionally, you were sat on large ships by your cabin class. Even today I understand this to be true and have seen it used just in the last few weeks on a large ship experience.

That said, knowing a few of the dining room staff....on Silversea, the Maitre D usually has either a list or a photographic list of who is in what suites. I have always experienced good seating and treatment and have only once been in one of the "premium suites", however our friends were in an owners and they requested and were granted their permanent table right in the front when you walk in....it was noisy and after a while we made them come eat with us on the carpeting away from the wood floor when we got together. Even when the dining room was full their table remained empty in case they decided to arrive and dine late.

I think overall this thread shows that Silversea does an excellent job of making everyone feel well treated and important, regardless of cabin...which ultimately is their goal.

Happy Travels.....Tomorrow we try our first Seabourn.