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Our First "Muse-ings" from Monte Carlo Roundtrip


Master Echo
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Madame has been cruising since 1964 and always told people they would be silly to travel on a maiden voyage. The ship would not only be new to passengers, but also to the Officers and Crew who would not have had the time to familiarise themselves with all shipboard services. So often “maiden” voyages are fraught with snagging problems, and passengers could find themselves sharing the ship with a plethora of carpenters and electricians et al.

 

When there was much talk all those months ago on Cruise Critic, of organising a CC party on the Muse’s maiden, one of our cruising friends tried a selling job on Madame to join the gathering, and roll with the flow, but she wouldn’t bite. Yet here we are, preparing to embark tomorrow on the “pre-inaugural”, as SS has titled it.

 

This is Voyage 6703, where 6 is the SS number for Silver Muse, 7 is the year of the sailing and 03 denotes the third cruise in 2017! Our cruise is the first Muse cruise on public sale, 6701 and 6702 seemingly being for invited guests, such as journalists and those in the cruise industry. At least by the 10th when we set sail, all the shipyard technicians should have left and the onboard services reasonably bedded in.

 

We have followed with interest the evolution of the Muse project. When SS created a mini website that included a countdown clock to launch date, it was Sir who pointed out to SS that the predicted date was for December 2016, not April 2017!! The countdown clock was changed the following day!

 

SS has been very clever in marketing the “Pre-Inaugural”, then the “Maiden”, immediately after the Christening on April 19, and finally the “Venetian Society Inaugural” sailing. This was initially exclusively for Venetian Society members; maybe that is why at the present time, there are still the three lower grades of suites available. So SS will have three bites of the cherry, whereas normally there is only the first voyage which is especially marketed as “the Maiden”.

 

Although not the longest serving SS Captain, Captain Alessandro Zanello will be Master, someone with whom we have not had the pleasure to sail with previously, although by all accounts he is a charming gentleman. Paulo Percival, who we know well, spent five years as Hotel Director on the Spirit, before choosing to move around the other ships. Being Italian, he was a good choice to be closely involved with the Muse during her construction and will be its first HD. Finally, we’ve been told that Jimmy Kovel (with whom we’ve never sailed) will be the first CD. One wonders if the latter includes any special subjects in his Trivia, such as Colin Brown’s phobia and collectives?! We also understand that the Executive Chef will be Anne-Mari Cornelius.

 

We have noted the arguments on these boards for and against SS decisions, the main one seemingly, no MDR. Well, from tomorrow, Wi-Fi permitting, we will report on life on board, both factually and expressing our opinions.

Our plan is to board early and tour the ship to both familiarise ourselves with the layout and form a first impression. We’ll keep this blog updated when time and something to say permits.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

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Looking forward to hearing your news ..... and it's not too late for you to have a small CC meet up as by all accounts a few or on your cruise.

 

Really hope you enjoy your trip and looking forward to reading your blog as I always find your posts interesting, and informative.

 

:)

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Thank you for sharing information on Senior Staff. All of this is new to us but we are also looking forward to your blog.

Our cruise is not until July but waiting with great anticipation, your comments will be valued and keenly read.

 

Do enjoy your first Maiden Voyage.

 

 

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Well, we've arrived in Nice. Our car from the airport to the hotel had an Italian driver who used to live in Bournemouth, in England. He was very charming and is collecting us tomorrow to take us to the port. As his wife is in hospital, he asked to come 15 minutes early, if we didn't mind. So we've told him to arrive 30 minutes early.....hopefully, we'll able to board a little early.

The hotel is wonderful. Unfortunately there's building work outside, so the hotel has given us earplugs. :o

Being a Sunday, there is no noise today. We'll see what happens tomorrow am.....no sleeping in after 8:30, when the building work starts. ;) So far, so good.

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We'll wave hello to you Master Echo, as we head off tomorrow at the crack of dawn for the airport and back to the land of do-your-own-laundry-cook-your-own-meals. Can't wait to follow along on your experience.

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

 

Madame has been cruising since 1964 and always told people they would be silly to travel on a maiden voyage. The ship would not only be new to passengers, but also to the Officers and Crew who would not have had the time to familiarise themselves with all shipboard services. So often “maiden” voyages are fraught with snagging problems, and passengers could find themselves sharing the ship with a plethora of carpenters and electricians et al.

 

When there was much talk all those months ago on Cruise Critic, of organising a CC party on the Muse’s maiden, one of our cruising friends tried a selling job on Madame to join the gathering, and roll with the flow, but she wouldn’t bite. Yet here we are, preparing to embark tomorrow on the “pre-inaugural”, as SS has titled it.

 

This is Voyage 6703, where 6 is the SS number for Silver Muse, 7 is the year of the sailing and 03 denotes the third cruise in 2017! Our cruise is the first Muse cruise on public sale, 6701 and 6702 seemingly being for invited guests, such as journalists and those in the cruise industry. At least by the 10th when we set sail, all the shipyard technicians should have left and the onboard services reasonably bedded in.

 

We have followed with interest the evolution of the Muse project. When SS created a mini website that included a countdown clock to launch date, it was Sir who pointed out to SS that the predicted date was for December 2016, not April 2017!! The countdown clock was changed the following day!

 

SS has been very clever in marketing the “Pre-Inaugural”, then the “Maiden”, immediately after the Christening on April 19, and finally the “Venetian Society Inaugural” sailing. This was initially exclusively for Venetian Society members; maybe that is why at the present time, there are still the three lower grades of suites available. So SS will have three bites of the cherry, whereas normally there is only the first voyage which is especially marketed as “the Maiden”.

 

Although not the longest serving SS Captain, Captain Alessandro Zanello will be Master, someone with whom we have not had the pleasure to sail with previously, although by all accounts he is a charming gentleman. Paulo Percival, who we know well, spent five years as Hotel Director on the Spirit, before choosing to move around the other ships. Being Italian, he was a good choice to be closely involved with the Muse during her construction and will be its first HD. Finally, we’ve been told that Jimmy Kovel (with whom we’ve never sailed) will be the first CD. One wonders if the latter includes any special subjects in his Trivia, such as Colin Brown’s phobia and collectives?! We also understand that the Executive Chef will be Anne-Mari Cornelius.

 

We have noted the arguments on these boards for and against SS decisions, the main one seemingly, no MDR. Well, from tomorrow, Wi-Fi permitting, we will report on life on board, both factually and expressing our opinions.

Our plan is to board early and tour the ship to both familiarise ourselves with the layout and form a first impression. We’ll keep this blog updated when time and something to say permits.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

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What hotel are you staying in Turnips?

 

 

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Hi,

It's the Boscolo, a small Italian chain, in the Marriott group.

The welcome was very warm, we were offered a Prosecco as we checked in. We were given a lovely upgrade ;). As the hotel restaurant isn't open tonight, they made a reservation at a restaurant near the old town for us. Nice touch. Turnip

PS you need to like white.

http://nice.boscolohotels.com/en/video/boscolo-exedra-nice

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Hi,

It's the Boscolo, a small Italian chain, in the Marriott group.

The welcome was very warm, we were offered a Prosecco as we checked in. We were given a lovely upgrade ;). As the hotel restaurant isn't open tonight, they made a reservation at a restaurant in near the old town for us. Nice touch. Turnip

PS you need to like white.

http://nice.boscolohotels.com/en/video/boscolo-exedra-nice

 

Oh Lovely ...... wise choice! Victor Hugo is the most elegant street in Nice imho. We use to stay at the HI almost next door.

 

I hope tonight you cross the road and head off into the Old Town for a mooch .... you might see "The Blues Brothers" wondering around playing music and offering their hat ... and if you have some time in the morning before you are "off" ...Mondays are normally flea market day in the "market of flowers " ie Cours Saleya.

 

Very envious. Enjoy turnips and remember to take us with. :)

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We were too embarrassed to watch him. Several people were smiling at him, but not in an admiring way.:o

 

The restaurant is la Maison de Marie on Rue Massena:confused:

 

 

Oh, that place looks really good ... and just a few minutes lurch from your hotel. Whatever you do, don't do the wrong thing and go back to the hotel after your meal. A lovely wander on a Sunday night in Nice. Life doesn't get much better.

 

I am extremely envious and it isn't fair that you are there and I am here. Two Hampshire people separated by a lovely meal waiting for you. I do hope you give us all the detail of that meal.

 

Brasserie Des Ponchettes is wifey's favourite place for a coup or two in Cours Saleya if you are interested. They also do a mean Dry Martini with Noily if you ask.

 

Really enjoy turnips!

 

:)

 

 

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Arrived in Nice, all bags present at 17.40. The couple behind us on the plane were also embarking tomorrow, as was another guy we met at the baggage carousel, last seen on the Wind in May 2016.

 

We had booked a private transfer to take us to our hotel in Monte Carlo, and he was there waiting on our arrival. He was a very smart intelligent young man with good English who hails from Moldavia and has only been here three years, and who speaks four languages, Russian, Romanian, English and French and is in the throes of trying to learn Italian! Certainly puts a lot of us to shame.

 

We then hightailed it via the various escalators, lifts, tunnels and stairs, to Port Hercule but Muse was conspicuous by her absence!! If only we had read Caroline's post first!!

 

More tomorrow - sleep tight all you who are sleeping in Monaco tonight in anticipation of our day tomorrow!

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

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Morning Jeff and anyone else interested,

Time is running away with us this morning!

The restaurant last night is well worth another visit. It was packed! We did intend to take photos, we discussed it as we sat down at the table, then forgot about it until we were half way through the main course...oops.

We both chose the same, without planning. To start we had avocado and crab with ginger and chilli. Very good! Followed by rack of lamb, with vegetables in a pancake ( like a very thin Spanish omelette) and a potato on a skewer that I thought was a sausage! Enjoyed the meal with an OK bottle of red wine followed by a complementary limoncello ( the Italian influence in Nice coming through). We had strange looks as we were without jacket/coats, whereas the locals were wrapped up in scarves and warm coats.......did we look like tourists!

Just popping out for a stroll before we make our way to Monte Carlo..Turnip.

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A beautiful morning for our embarkation. From our hotel we can see the Muse has arrived to collect us. Even the Prince of Monaco is outside our hotel to bid us farewell ( well maybe not) but he is delaying our departure to the port, as taxis are not allowed to stop until he has passed through.

 

Kindest regards to all, those who are sailing and those who are not so fortunate!!

 

Master Echo

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Morning Jeff and anyone else interested,

Time is running away with us this morning!

The restaurant last night is well worth another visit. It was packed! We did intend to take photos, we discussed it as we sat down at the table, then forgot about it until we were half way through the main course...oops.

We both chose the same, without planning. To start we had avocado and crab with ginger and chilli. Very good! Followed by rack of lamb, with vegetables in a pancake ( like a very thin Spanish omelette) and a potato on a skewer that I thought was a sausage! Enjoyed the meal with an OK bottle of red wine followed by a complementary limoncello ( the Italian influence in Nice coming through). We had strange looks as we were without jacket/coats, whereas the locals were wrapped up in scarves and warm coats.......did we look like tourists!

Just popping out for a stroll before we make our way to Monte Carlo..Turnip.

 

I noticed that lamb ....... between two I think.

 

Enjoy the drive

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Quayside at 11.15 and believe we were passengers one and two to go onboard.

 

Sorry Duct Tape it was a gangway to Deck 5, but at least it was stable.

 

Greeted by Paolo (HD) and Jimmy (CD) at reception. Fernando (Ambassador/ Senior CD) was seated close by. Four of the first five crew that we met during embarkation were known to us and we were greeted by name, one actually remarking that it had been some time since we had sailed with him.

 

The ship emanates that lovely new smell, and the carpets have that "bouncy" feel of new underlay, and the Bar is huge!!

 

More later

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

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GENERAL LAYOUT OF THE MUSE

 

The layout of the ship is broadly the same as Silver Spirit. Cabins are at the front and middle, whilst public areas are generally towards the rear. There are four restaurants on Deck 4, with La Terrazza and Silver Note on Deck 7. The main bar, now called Dolce Vita, is mid-ships on Deck 5 in front of the Reception and Shore Concierge desks and the Panorama Lounge is on Deck 9. The Observation Lounge, called Tor’s Observation Library, is right forward on Deck 11. Thus the ship’s layout largely follows the Spirit template.

 

You may wish to see images of the ship, which were taken during Voyage 6701; see the link below:

 

http://www.fromthedeckchair.com/2017/04/04/introducing-silver-muse-day-1/

 

Those onboard since the ship sailed from Genoa on April 2, have reported on dining arrangements, some of which has been conflicting.

 

I therefore took the opportunity to discuss this with Paolo when we embarked. If he doesn't know, then nobody does!

 

The first and last night's on each voyage will be casual attire in the evening irrespective of in which restaurant you dine. The remaining nights will not have any ship-wide dress code, but this will be determined by the restaurant which you choose. - (see below).

 

What follows is a description of the dining venues and dress codes.

 

 

RESTAURANTS ON THE MUSE

 

La Dame

 

Muse’s equivalent to Le Champagne is called La Dame, and features a bespoke menu by top chefs from the Relais & Châteaux team. Dress here is formal and the cover charge is $60 per person.

 

Kaiseki

 

In Japanese the word “Kaiseki”, “is a highly ritual Japanese meal characterised by small portions, subtle flavours, artful presentation, and an emphasis on fresh seasonal ingredients”. Silveursea say that the menus have been inspired by the five elements of Japanese nutritional cuisine and respects the equilibrium of yin and yang. Daytime menus feature sushi, sashimi and other raw Asian-inspired dishes, whilst in the evenings Teppanyaki is available. The latter translates literally to “grilling on an iron plate”, and is derived from “teppan” meaning iron plate and “yaki” which means grilled, broiled, or pan-fried.

The meal is cooked on a hot plate in front of the customer, and can consist of meat, fish and vegetables. Historically, only the best and freshest ingredients are used for these meals and as Teppanyaki is cooked at 400C, all the ingredients’ natural flavours are seared in. There is definitely an art to the culinary skills of the chefs and part of the enjoyment is watching them prepare these dishes. When Sir and Madame went to a Teppanyaki restaurant, the chefs flung their oh-so-sharp knives up in the air, juggling with various pieces of cutlery, before cutting the ingredients into exact sizes. One hopes that, should the Muse chefs have any such idea, the ship isn’t moving!!

 

Like La Dame, there is a $60 cover charge per head. Dress code is informal

 

Atlantide

Situated on Deck 4 adjacent to Indochine, and forward of La Dame and Kaiseki, Atlantide was named for the “Atlantides” who were the seven nymph daughters of Atlas. Creative muses, known for their wisdom and beauty, the sisters were granted immortality in the form of stars and can still be seen today in the constellation of Taurus. This restaurant with a bar area, appears similar to that of Hot Rocks, in the fact that high quality steak and fish will be served. However they promise “designer” dishes, from Royal Crab to Verbena infused Snapper served in a salt crust.

 

As expected Atlantide is the venue for breakfast and lunch. Dress is formal in the evening and there is no cover charge.

 

Indochine

On the port side of deck 4 and adjacent to Atlantide, this restaurant as its name implies, offers dishes from the Asian subcontinent, from India, Thailand and Vietnam with an emphasis on the subtleties of exotic spices. Dress here is informal and there is no cover charge.

All the above venues are on Deck 4.

 

La Terrazza

Situated on Deck 7 aft, as on the other ships, La Terrazza needs no introduction. As normal, the Muse has both inside and alfresco seating. There will be no cover charge. Dress is informal.

 

Silver Note

Silver Note tucked away behind the casino on the starboard side on Deck 7 before reaching La Terrazza, this restaurant is Muse’s answer to the Stars Supper Club on the Silver Spirit. Offering small plates of tapas-style dishes from an international cuisine, where one can listen and dance to a Jazz/Blues singer. There is no cover charge, and dress is informal.

 

Hot Rocks

Mirroring that on all the other ships, this very popular dining location at night, is for the cooking of meat and fish on hot lava stones. They will have a daytime rotisserie with a gourmet salad and burger bar which you can customise. Dress attire is casual.

 

Spaccanapoli

With a name that may be difficult to pronounce for some, it means “Naples splitter”, it is in fact the straight and narrow main street that traverses the old, historic centre of the city of Naples, in Italy, renowned for its pizzerias. So what better name for Silversea’s Italian restaurant, situated high up on Deck 11. The dress code is casual.

 

All restaurants are reservable. Approximately 60% of covers are available for booking on "My Silversea" in advance of embarking. The remainder is only bookable once on board.

 

The two paid for restaurants have a small capacity of around forty each. By contrast Indochine can seat 180, and Atlantide 140. These figures will be reduced if there is a high demand for tables for two.

 

I asked Paolo about the conundrum that has oft been raised on these boards concerning "turn up and go" dining. You are in Dolce Vita having a pre- dinner cocktail and strike up a conversation with another couple; where do you dine?? Ordinarily you would go to the MDR. Paolo' s answer was that disregarding the paid for venues and assuming informal attire, the first place would be Indochine because of its capacity with La Terrazza as a fall back. Just how this will pan out, only time will tell.

 

Concerning dress code enforcement, Gilbert is the Maitre 'D and has a reputation for taking a hard line on enforcement.

 

More on dining as the days unfold.

 

I hope this has helped to clarify the situation once and for all.

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