gcornell

Glad to help. I’ll try to ask this morning. Weather has been outstanding starting with Denali. We saw Denali for the entire train ride on day 1. Looked so close but was so far. Other days started foggy but bright sunshine by mid morning. Don’t worry, we had the same raining forecast when I looked last week. In Sitka, they had a band playing at the pool mid afternoon and got a little busy with even adults swimming. Sun was warm. Air cool. We are in 734/736 which is right next to elevator and laundry and you do not hear anything. Ever. From the side, up or down. Nothing. It is nice having the laundry right there as we pack really, really light. 4 people, 2 half filled suit cases. We just get up in morning and throw in a load first thing. Here is what it looks like.

Correction. Disregard my comment above. Ugh! Jackets ARE required for men in select venues even on informal night. For example, Atlantide, the main dining room requires jackets to walk in. Once seated, most took them off. Even on board, it’s confusing. Jacket and tie on informal. Only slacks required in La Terezza on all nights.

Pics of the schedule for Ketchikan below. Also, I have finally figured out the dress code for men which you can see in the attached Chronicals. Informal - Jackets are required in Atlantide to walk in the restaurant. Once you are seated you can take off and put on your chair. Formal (none on Alaska or expedition cruises) - jacket and tie required for men.

Correction. I was wrong about jackets. Just walked into altantide and jackets are required to walk to your table. They have a small supply. Sorry.

Update to my comments regarding Covid and the fact that I’ve heard nothing of it since we boarded. Talked to some guests today and their friends weren’t feeling well so they went to the medic and tested positive so they have to quarantine in their original stateroom. In addition, I guess he gave them the names of close contacts (at meals) and those people have to get tested as well. No announcements from the crew.

I’m on the Muse now. The only thing required for men on non formal nights is long pants which is exactly what it says on the SS website. I didn’t even bring a jacket.

Muse in Sitka

Today was Sitka and my Son and I did the Remote Fly Fishing ($329pp) which lasted from 8:45am to very last tender at 3:45. Silversea marks it as strenuous but it’s should have a special warning. It’s exhausting but worth it. Hiked for about 2 miles and walking through the river was not easy. Still had a blast and caught a few small ones (disappointing) but hoping the salmon fishing tomorrow lands and big one. Did not get a chance to see the town. This excursion is has very limited space, 6, so book first day it becomes available.

The grill has table service. Regarding food, I have picky kids so our options are limited. So far we have eaten at Indochine, La Terezza and The Grill. Tonight is Altantide. Food has been good not great although most guests seem happy with it. Desserts have been the biggest disappointment but theirs always homemade ice cream. One gripe is they only have 2 omelette chefs in the morning and it’s been taking about 20 min to get a simple omelette so had to adjust our start time earlier when we have tours.

Also the schedule for dining. Pretty sure the only thing that changes is the breakfast start time depending on the port. For example, today in Skagway, breakfast started at 6:30am instead of 7:30 for the early tours. As I mentioned, lunch options seem very limited to me. Not sure if it’s because we are at a little over half capacity.

For those interested, I remembered to take a picture of the daily schedule for Skagway and Sitka.

The only music at the pool during the day is coming from the Carnival ship across the harbor. 😜 It’s very peaceful and quiet all over the ship. In fact, they play 60-70s lounge music in the fitness center. That’s a first. Before dinner there are generally 2 lounges with some low key music. It’s so soft you may not even realize it’s live music. There are great cabanas on deck 10 aft with another hot tub. Here is live picture. This is the spot for an outdoor nap. Just the winds and birds and course the view.

Today we are in Skagway. Wow, what a beautiful port. We did the Grizzly Falls Ziplining. The ziplining was okay. Compared to say Costa Rica it’s pretty basic. The drive and guides were amazing. All of our tour guides have been incredible without exception. They all have such knowledge and passion for Alaska and we learn something with each one. All are comedians too. After ziplining we walked through town and words don’t do it justice. Charming, clean, interesting, historical and right out of a movie set. There is even a sign for an old radio shack and the biggest old school hardware/general store I have seen in 20 years. Again, I want to add how relaxing and refreshing this trip is. No one is talking about Covid. Anywhere! On tours, in town, on the ship. I haven’t heard the word Covid since I boarded. Also, guests are very relaxed and easy going. No one is doing the Covid dance when we pass in the tight hallways.

Sorry. Yes, the Grill is open as well as pizza. I asked about the Japanese restaurant being open for lunch and was told they added a sushi station in La Terezza so it’s not open for lunch. Seems most dine at La Terezza for lunch. It’s okay. I’ve had better and I’m not a foodie. Sushi is definitely not made by a sushi trained chef. Sashimi is good. Desserts are most dry and tasteless. Tried the chocolate cake, chocolate cupcakes and cookies today. One bit and decided it’s not worth the calories. Update on service in the restaurants…. There are plenty of staff and they try their hardest and very friendly. However, ordering is a slow process as they seem fairly new and English isn’t their first language. Just go slow, point at the menu and it goes smoothly.

Pics from The Grill where you cook on a hot rock. It’s a lot of fun cooking your own food and steaks are very tender. Also, I keep thinking of tips randomly, there are free washers and dryers mid ship on each deck. Detergent included. Also, irons and boards. However, there is only one washer and dryer. We got our laundry done but it’s keeps fairly busy. Tonight was casual. Saw someone in a suit but otherwise slacks and colored shirt (even a tshirt) is totally fine. I’m told there are only 300 guests (596 capacity?) which is surprising considering 2 years of cancellations. Nothing is crowded. Meals and lounges are at 25%, max 50% capacity.

Thank you. Staffing and service appears to be normal. Haven’t experienced any issues at all. I think, based on what I read and expected, that there are fewer lunch options. Only the main dining room and La Terezza are open for lunch and the variety at La Terezza is just okay. Could be better. I’d be happy to answer any other questions.

Today we are in Juneau along with 2 Carnival ships and a Regent ship. 5 min shuttle to downtown where there are at least a dozen jewelry shops (found that odd) and a bunch of souvenir shops. Did the Mendenhall Glacier Walkabout ($439pp) in the afternoon and family loved every minute of it. They provide all the equipment - boots, jacket, crampons, gloves. We got the heli to ourselves, just lucky, and had fantastic weather and guides. Super friendly pilot and staff. Well worth it. Spent about an hour walking around the glacier, filled up and drank Glacier water and were allowed to grab a few Glacier rocks to bring home. Last night was formal optional. No formal required on Alaska cruises. Saw one tux, a few suits, maybe 40% in sport jackets and the majority in dress shirts and slacks.

Lots of posts on here with many unhappy with how SS handles flights. Perhaps consider booking yourself and getting a refund for the air you didn’t use. In general, they will give you $1,000pp back and an additional $1,400 if you upgraded to business.

Also, on this cruise there are no daily temperature checks and like yesterday there is no one talking about Covid so very, very relaxing. First time in 2+ years we are having normal conversations.

Hubbard Glacier today. Best viewed from the bow deck. Dress warm. Captain spent about an hour circling round so plenty of time for everyone to get as many pictures as you wanted. No rush. Afternoon sun was warm so several adults in hot tub and some kids in pool although air temp never got above 60.

My wife and I used the fitness center at 6:30am today. Just a few others using it. Techno gym machines which are high quality and lots of treadmills, bikes, a stair master and elliptical. Breakfast buffet was excellent. The highlight being a vast variety of fresh fruit including figs which I rarely find. Most was self serve but a little odd that the hot food was being served to us behind glass and the omelette and pancakes were ordered through the waiter even though they had omelette stations. Not an issue just a little odd and took a minute to figure out. Most guess just hanging in the lounges on sea days as it’s too cold outside on deck. The highlight today is the Hubbard Glacier at about 2pm

Thank you TLC. Yes, we plan to drive up to Whistler for the day then fly home as we did Denali first. Another FYI… There are no formal nights. Only formal optional nights on the Alaska cruise. Pants and collared shirt is fine for men.

Got a few good tips before this trip from the board and figured I could help out others with upcoming trips. Family for 4 with 2 children, 11 & 13. We did the Denali pre cruise excursion. It was great just a lot of traveling. I figure we spent 7 hours on trains and 15+ on buses. A few random notes and feel free to ask any questions. Since we did the pre tour SS arranged our Covid testing in Anchorage Cruise train with majority of guests arrived 5:30pm Check in was done on train so we were in cabins by 5:45 and bags were waiting At least 10-15 families on board plus there is a kids program 2 people from our tour tested positive and couldn’t continue Mask were not required anywhere, including buses and train, so far except the muster drill. Interesting that this is our first trip since Covid started that no one is talking about it much anymore. Staff or guests. Relaxing environment and enjoyable conversation. Ship appears fully staffed, spotless and as expected for silversea.

Good info. I just packed the laundry pucks and will take them out now. Thanks

I'll add that prices are very fair as well. We leave Sunday for Alaska and when I compared the price of SS booked excursions to booking them directly they were within $20-$40.