Observer

I respectfully disagree. My last SS cruise was six weeks. I never once put on my sport jacket or a necktie. And I was not skimping on variety, and I only very rarely ate in my cabin, with the meal served course by course.

This is the key question for me. Cabin size is an important consideration for me, but not a decisive one. Having a veranda is non negotiable. I have lots of nights on Crystal and would be pleased to return. But the solo fares for a room with verandah are simply out of sight, especially when compared with solo fares on Silversea. (I book early.)

My butler on a recent cruise had only recently been promoted from suite attendant. Apparently, Silversea is having challenges staffing all of its new ships.

This is very surprising. It may be the case in some ports. However, in most ports access to the customs hall is strictly regulated. In my experience, one has to clear ones bag through customs (which is often a very perfunctory experience) and then give it to a Luggage Forward representative outside the door.

I believe that this is the case for the Baggage Valet service run by Silversea. But they have no involvement in guest arrangements with Luggage Forward. One has to look for a person holding a Luggage Forward sign at the exit to the customs hall. Once the person was not there, I was on endless hold with the Luggage Forward office, and I nearly missed my flight. I am now using the Silversea service where Silversea takes responsibility in getting the bag to the port agent who gets it to UPS/FedEx/etc.

This is a perennial topic, and I have remarked upon it in the past. Please excuse me if I repeat myself. I do not believe it is fair to expect the pool staff who bring drinks, etc., to police this matter. They are hotel staff and look forward to good comments on questionnaires and perhaps tips from regulars. They certainly do not want complaints from entitled chair hoggers. I wonder if the responsibility can't be given to the security staff. Specifically, I suggest that a security staff member cruise the pool deck once an hour. A sticker would be placed on unoccupied but apparently "reserved" loungers. If the sticker is still there an hour later, the security person or a pool staffer would remove any objects/towels, etc., and the chair would be liberated. Thoughts?

You can definitely get by with a sport coat and tie. On formal nights, simply dine at Hot Rocks (casual) or LaTerrazza (where informal --jacket but no tie needed) is accepted on formal nights. Formal nights are of course infrequent. I suggest you make reservations for LaTerrazza for formal nights.

Do I recall correctly that there is no charge for laundry in Silver Suites and above?

I have sailed in Silver suites multiple times, and I do not recall ever receiving a tote or backpack. These were classic, not expedition, cruises.

Perhaps they were eating at Hot Rocks, which is always casual. If they were dining at La Terrazza on informal nights, no jacket is required. The dress code in that outlet is always one step below the announced dress code. So, on formal night informal is acceptable in La Terrazza. And casual is acceptable on informal nights.

These announcements reciting the day's activities are essential on Silversea. Although the program is outlined in detail in the Chronicles, and the publication is provided to each suite, it is widely understood that very few Silversea guests know how to read.

I think this is a nearly obscene expense, especially to be sent to someone who has hundreds of nights and hardly needs a sales presentation like this. I would far prefer that they invest the money into the onboard experience, such as better cuts of meat, higher end scotches, etc. The cover letter from the CEO hardly inspires confidence. I was quoted savings in AUD$, though I have not been in Australia for years and live solidly in the USA.

A nice pair of jeans will certainly suffice in the Grill/Hot Rocks on formal nights.

I have had the same experience. I sent a message to her during the Christmas holidays, and it was understandably overlooked. I re-sent the message in the new year and received a prompt and substantive response.

This is a stunning report. As a search of my posts would reveal, I am a regular contributor to the Crew Welfare Fund and encourage others to contribute. My understanding was that (to quote from the thank you letter I receive from the Captain or HR Manager) the fund is generally used "to finance additional activities for the entire crew. These may range from shore excursions to crew parties and equipment for the various crew sports and entertainment." I have never sailed on a Silversea expedition ship (though I have sailed a number of times on Cloud.) But it must have been a very generous group of guests who provided nearly $40,000 for these $180 bonuses if the full complement of 212 crew were on board and funds for Apple Watches (let's say conservatively $200 per watch, or another $40,000.) Was Ivan printing money?

It is indeed the case that "no additional tips are required." However, tips are certainly expected by butlers, suite attendants, as well as those waiters, bartenders, and pool staff who have served you repeatedly and effectively during your cruise. I discussed this matter recently with a senior manager in the hotel department, who acknowledged that staff expect tips and that the cruise line accepts this reality because "it motivates people." In my hundreds of nights on Silversea, I have come to know many staff quite well, and I have discussed this matter with them. Yes, they appreciate good comments on the end-of-cruise survey. But good comments do not help pay school fees for their children. I really think that Silversea is misleading in saying "gratuities included." This means nothing more than the crew are paid a salary. I wish Silversea raised fares, increased salaries for the wonderful and hard-working crew, and announced that gratuities were forbidden and that any crew member accepting a gratuity would not receive further contracts on Silversea .

If this was the case, it is very disappointing. Also presents various kinds of hazard. If this was an ongoing situation, I would have a conversation with the HD and perhaps the safety officer. I have some mobility challenges, but I am respectful of the needs of others. Is this simply another case of Silversea enforcing reasonable expectations, such as guests' following the dress code for the evening and venue in which they are dining or not reserving pool loungers?

A slightly off topic question: I understand that gentleman are expected to wear a jacket when dining in La Dame. Is it the case that this expectation is relaxed on embarkation day and the evening prior to disembarkation (when the dress code would be casual for La Dame as it is for the rest of the ship)?

I do not know what cruise or ship you are booked on. But I trust you know that the classic veranda suites are identical in every respect (except location on the ship) to the deluxe verandas suites. I cannot imagine why there would be as much difference as $6000. Are the offers identical? Are we inclusions the same (such as business class air, economy air, etc.)?

7 PM

You had better take some snacks with you or you may go hungry. There is no evening/dinner buffet on Silversea.

Please do not think that a contribution to the crew welfare fund is a substitute for tipping. Here is the core of the thank you letter I received within the past year for a contribution to the crew welfare fund: The fund is generally used on board to finance additional activities for the entire crew. These may range from shore excursions, to crew parties and equipment for the various crew sports and entertainment. Your donation will play an important role in this and is much appreciated. There is nothing about the funds being used for crew emergencies or suggestions that crew members benefit directly and financially from contributions.

I have often championed the crew welfare fund, and I consistently contribute to it. however, it is important to understand that it in no way helps crewmembers feed their families or school their children in the Philippines or Zimbabwe or Kerala or wherever. This is the reason the crew are working on the ship. The crew welfare fund supports parties and tours and recreational equipment for crew during their contract. It is not like a tip, with money in the pocket. I think that the ambiguous situation regarding tipping on Silversea presents challenges both to the cruise line and the employees. Notwithstanding statements by the cruise line, guest – facing staff hope desperately for tips to supplement their meager salaries. I keep in touch with many staff I have met over the years on Silversea. A couple of butlers are going to MSC yacht club. I know a suite attendant who went to Cunard. I know a middle of management employee who is likely to go back to Crystal. In all of these cases, the move was a large part driven by matters of compensation and by the fact that the Silversea salary without tips does not approach what one can hope to earn on other lines with tips.

On my most recent Silversea cruise, guests were required to watch a video in their cabins and then attend a very brief muster drill, where they were shown in the way to the lifeboats. People did not bring or wear their life jackets. I believe that too many people may have tripped on dangling straps from lifejackets

This cruise does not go into the Arctic. It was a bit chilly as the cruise negotiated the Chilean fjords. But otherwise it is generally warm and sunny. It is a great change from the winter in many parts of North American.