jollyjones

Any idea what a "horse topper" is?

Luxury mattress topper, according to this:

https://www.savoirbeds.com/store/our-beds/toppers/hca

I'm not promoting this mob, it's just the first result from google.

I wonder how many of the pax on the inaugural voyage even know? D'ya think SS told them?

I confess that feel sorry for the armed sheriff who stayed outside the school, it just proves that we can't know how even trained marks(wo)men will react under pressure.

Just ban the automatic weapons, does that really remove the right to bear arms? Why is that so difficult for the NRA to accept?

 

Rp

When you see all the police shootings in the States, it emphasizes how incredibly difficult it is to make the correct, or more often the least bad, decision in a critical situation - and that's trained officers.

Arming teachers? Ludicrous.

Selling military style assault weapons to civilians of any age? Dangerous.

To a teenager? There are no words ...

Many of us non-US folk struggle to understand why you do this to yourselves.

Never known them to do it unless something has changed very recently.

It'd be a long detour going the wrong direction to get to Maui, I doubt there'd be time even if Princess was willing to use the extra fuel. Nawiliwili is on the south east corner of Kauai.

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Um, puzzled ... why does this matter?

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Oh, come on, it's not that big!

Just board, wander around a bit, and you'll have it sussed.

I've never needed a map of any SS ships, they're so easy to find your way around.

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And such a great city to visit, always worth the time if you have it.

You're on Seabourn so you'll probably be at the World Trade Centre Terminal in Barcelona - if so, taxis are usually readily available outside and you can make a swift start toward the airport. If not, I think you have to be shuttled in from the outer piers and then compete with the hoards for a taxi.

Last time I cruised in, I was on Silversea in a similar situation to you and made a 11.30am flight (to LHR) and I made it easily but I think a 10am flight would have been very worrisome. Nowadays with the extra security checks for flights to the USA, it could be worse.

So my answer is probably, maybe, but I wouldn't risk it.

But Bechi, SS has already apologized. Corporate for sure knows you were unhappy and authorized hundreds of thousands of dollars credits to reinforce their apology. So I ask again, what more do you hope to achieve?

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I wrote to Frank, ccing Mark Conroy, about the abominable NYC to Barbados cruise last November on the Whisper with the non-stop pool deck replacement, pushy "art auctions", and "fashion shows". No acknowledgement whatsoever. An apology from Corporate and some expression of appreciation for loyalty of almost twenty years, since our first cruise on the Wind would have gone far, but not even so much as a "too bad, so sad" from Silversea. I never thought I'd be old enough to say so, but things sure have gone downhill since the turn of the century!

 

Bechi

I'm wondering what more you are trying to achieve? SS acknowledged and apologized for the deck renovations while we were still onboard (Antigua, Nov 10th) and issued generous future credits to everyone.

Fair enough, the 'art' was intrusive at first but once I saw the ridiculous side, it was a source of considerable amusement to those of us who chose to look at it that way. Since it was a one-off, and I'm sure plenty of us mentioned it adversely on our comment cards, I expect SS will be cautious about doing it again.

For such an abominable cruise, I sure had a good time and met plenty of other pax doing ditto.

There aren't any outlets near the head of the bed; I think there is one US and one European at the vanity at the foot of the bed as well as the same at the desk.

I'd suggest you talk to Silversea at specialservices@silversea.com

I agree with MLeh in post 43, she has stated it rather well.

And, as for Fletcher, many of his posts have comments of an unhelpful or insulting nature.

There should also be quite a large library of DVDs you can take out and watch any time you want using the DVD player provided in your room. They're not very current movies though.

Usually it's 5% for onboard booking and another 5% for a Venetian sailing. The onboard Cruise Consultant is the person to help you.

All of the above is fair comment but think about this too:

A 7.30am flight means getting up at ridiculous 'o clock so you'll be tired when you get to Venice and won't make the most of your first day. Also, it possibly means staying at a hotel at LGW the night before - an unedifying experience.

Wouldn't it be preferable to get a full night's sleep and take a later flight the day before, and then enjoy a dinner and stroll around Venice (more attractive than LGW, yes?) before boarding feeling refreshed and eager?

last 5 days no hot showers.

Could you clarify? Do you mean no hot water at all, or do you mean that with the shower tap turned fully towards hot, the water was only warm?

On my recent Muse cruise, I found that sometimes, at possibly peak showering time (before drinks 'n dinner), the water was warm rather than hot. Fine by me, in general hot water isn't good for the skin.

Is there a table one can use to apply make up? Is it well lit or do I need to bring a makeup mirror from home? We are in a deluxe verandah on deck 7.

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Mom C

Why do you keep asking this? You've already been answered twice on the other two threads where you've asked. Asking again isn't going to change the fact that there isn't a vanity, there's only the desk to use in the cabin. It isn't particularly well lit but it's the best there is. Bring your own makeup mirror. On the plus side, there is a power outlet for the provided hairdryer which is quite adequate, that's one thing you don't need to bring.

And don't forget, you're on a cruise which is a wonderful thing - just relax and enjoy yourself, don't stress about makeup!

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Interested in the cabin/suite comment as the Whisper only accommodates guests in suites. Has deck 3 been opened up recently?

 

 

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Semantics.

I do know SS chooses to call regular cabins 'suites', and suites 'medallion, silver, owner's etc. suites', but I'm just for an easier life, I was trying to save on the typing.

And I think this might have been the cruise with the art group on board and hideous things on easels all over the place but that was a one off, we didn't get compensation. What would it have been for anyway? The chance to laugh at a pretentious bunch of gullibles with more money than sense?

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We were appalled at the deck refurbishment on silver whisper cruise New York to Barbados which resulted in us being unable to use pool deck due to noise and work. It was awe full. We’ve shown videos of the work to many people including captain of a different ship and all were appalled. This job was for a refit and clearly the company has taken a punt hoping that few will take them on. We’ve cancelled all future cruises with silversea( 3) as it’s a matter of honesty. We can’t trust them not to destroy another holiday. See the video. It will explain things

I was on this same cruise and another one on the Whisper a few weeks earlier. On both cruises they were renovating areas of the deck, (under a tent) - it was unsightly and sometimes a bit noisy but I was on the pool deck or the one above every day and enjoyed myself just fine.

It was explained that they had hoped to finish the deck work before the repo to the Caribbean when pax want to lie around the pool (earlier cruises were a northern TA and Canada/New England) but because of the extremely bad weather in October, they had fallen behind schedule.

IMO Breconboy is over-reacting; cancelling all future SS cruises is a shame for him too because he will not be able to enjoy the benefit of the future credit issued to all pax by Captain Rutigliano in compensation for the inconvenience caused by the weather delay. $1,000 $US per cabin pax, $1,500 $US per suite pax (GBP 757 / 1,137) - very generous in the circumstances, I felt.

Lady Mad,

Thanks for taking the time to post; those of us between cruises and suffering withdrawal follow along eagerly.

I think you have Vicki as CD - I shall be interested to hear if she copes with a larger ship.

And Spins - yo ho ho and a TA in September! Revising the countries that border Zimbabwe ...

Ladymadeline, when we were aboard the Muse in September/October there was no actual library. Only a relatively few books in the Tor's Observation Lounge forward on deck 11. Is there now a real library as on the other Silversea ships?

 

Have a great cruise![/

 

I'm sure the library is still in the Obs Lounge but hopefully with more books now. When I was on the Muse in Dec, I commented on the poor selection and half empty cupboards and was assured by Jimmy that a whole lot more books were on order and should be on board imminently.

 

 

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Most of the hotels near the cruise port are relatively close to the airport. Likely a $15.00 (in USA taxi ride) between airport and many of the hotels listed and about the same to the port.

 

If you want a hotel just for the one night consider the Embassy Suites. It's relatively close to airport and port and close to shopping should you need any last minute items. It includes a very nice breakfast.

 

Hotels like Embassy Suites allow you to book a shuttle which you can do upon your arrival but to me it is very easy to go with a taxi or the other companies I mentioned.

 

Keith

Christophe is flying in from Switzerland so it'll be MIA, not FLL, that's why I quoted a $90 US taxi price.

And as mentioned, book early. Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale 17th St is currently showing flexible rate Dec 19/20 at $199 US ($222.88 with taxes) - this is very cheap for this area at this time and, since it's fully flexible and cancellable, I would strongly suggest you make a reservation now.

I would just get an Uber.

OP is from Switzerland and probably won't be using international data roaming or have the app so Uber not much use - if he does use Uber, then OK, that's an option.

I always get Supershuttle from Miami airport to Embassy Suites 17th St but I'm solo, the price for two on Supershuttle is still cheaper than a taxi but not by so much. Taxi is about $90.

Then get a taxi to the port, $10 to $20 from any hotel near 17th St.

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Hi Pash,

I disembarked as a solo cruiser from the Muse just before Christmas and as of that date I afraid the answer to your questions is no, with the exception that Atlantide is now no reservations. I didn't hang with the solos so I don't know where they dined but they did seem to gather in Panorama as usual and go off to dinner together.

However, I did still enjoy my cruise because I could make the dining options work for me ... just ... but it is an issue. It was very noticeable that when I was invited to an officer hosted dinner, it was always in La Terrazza whereas on the other ships it is usually in the MDR.

I prefer the paler decor so I was happy with that, I definitely prefer the Muse cabins, and whilst I can see what people mean about the Dolce Vita it doesn't bother me as I only went there for trivia, I prefer Panorama as a lounge. The ship does need a large space to accommodate the larger number of pax when they need to so I doubt there'll ever be much change there.

So, to get back to your original question, no the Muse hasn't changed much, but I found that she gradually grew on me as I learned to deal with her differences. My next SS cruise is also on the Muse and that's fine, I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

PS - off topic - not that I'm not also looking forward to the Spirit TA in Sept, Spins!

The most convenient for the port is the Renaissance, opposite the port entrance (although you'll still need to take a shuttle to the Pier, it's such a large port), although I often use the Embassy Suites 17th St just along the road - a perfectly adequate hotel for a short stay. Or the Hilton Marina does offer some pleasant views of the Intracoastal Waterway and ditto is adequate for a short stay.

Wherever you choose, book early (like now) as you'll be getting into peak cruising season and all the convenient and decent hotels near the port get fully booked. For this reason, you'll probably also find that hotel prices for your dates may be higher than you'd expect.