Sunny429

As chance would have it, all of our sailings with Silversea have been on the Spirit - pre and post splitting and lengthening of her. Upon disembarking in May, this was the first time we were not sad to be leaving. Are the newer ships “better”? (I know this is totally subjective.) Also, I’m referring to the non-expedition ships. I read glowing reviews of the Moon on this site, so I cannot help but wonder if we should seek out another cruise aboard a newer ship.

jpalbny answered your question well. The only thing I can add is regarding the included wine. It’s usually perfectly fine. However, if you don’t like what they serve, ask for something else, describing your preference. They are very accommodating. 

46 minutes ago, bitob said:

It is not. 

👍🏻

Google “Silversea VIP amenities”. Yes, your TA can get the backpack/tote bag plus baseball caps, Evian atomizer spritz bottles, afternoon hors d’ouvres and free laundry for you no matter what class of room you are in if it important to you. 

2 hours ago, bitob said:

My TA inquired.

 

On the expedition cruises you get a backpack;  nothing on the regular cruises.

Your TA told you “nothing on regular cruises”?

1 hour ago, bitob said:

Will do. I hate to bother him with nonsense though. 

He’s working for you and getting a commission. If it’s important to you, ask him. Please let us know what he says. 

SS used to just give backpacks. Now they sometimes provide a white tote bag and/or a black backpack. Ask your TA.

28 minutes ago, Sunny429 said:

I haven’t posted a review on CC, but totally agree that SS is not what it was pre COVID. Most every dinner lasted 3 hours, the much touted “chocolate extravaganza” one evening looked neat, but wasn’t tasty, one of our excursions left 20 minutes late, then 10 minutes in to the bus ride, the bus turned around to return to pick up two guests who were late to arrive and upon return to the ship, our lunch options were limited as La Terrazza closes early to prepare for dinner (and lunch at the pool Grill is not good). Also, we used to enjoy having a cocktail in La Doce Vita before dinner, but the three times we tried this past time, we’re not pleasant.  The music -piano and singer - was lovely but way too loud thereby difficult to have a conversation. I did ask if the volume could be lowered and it was. 
A highlight was the staff in the Panorama Lounge.

And the pizza is still wonderful! 

9 hours ago, commodoredave said:

I have been on 6 cruises with Silversea and loved every one of them. Having said that, there has been a troubling negative trend in the passenger reviews on Cruise Critic https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/silversea-cruises/cl/

that has pulled the overall rating down to 3.8 out of 5 -- which is not good. I don't know whether it's the rapid expansion, the lack of detail on some ships, or whatever, but too many people say they are not getting the luxury experience they expected. I'm hoping that Silversea management is paying attention and will take the necessary steps to bring their rating back to where it should be.

I haven’t posted a review on CC, but totally agree that SS is not what it was pre COVID. Most every dinner lasted 3 hours, the much touted “chocolate extravaganza” one evening looked neat, but wasn’t tasty, one of our excursions left 20 minutes late, then 10 minutes in to the bus ride, the bus turned around to return to pick up two guests who were late to arrive and upon return to the ship, our lunch options were limited as La Terrazza closes early to prepare for dinner (and lunch at the pool Grill is not good). Also, we used to enjoy having a cocktail in La Doce Vita before dinner, but the three times we tried this past time, we’re not pleasant.  The music -piano and singer - was lovely but way too loud thereby difficult to have a conversation. I did ask if the volume could be lowered and it was. 
A highlight was the staff in the Panorama Lounge.

On 5/23/2023 at 10:15 PM, West Windsor girl said:

Just finished a 12 day cruise on the Dawn from Lisbon to Southampton. The ship is beautiful and the staff is lovely. We have sailed on Silversea for over 100 days and have found their food has definitely declined. Previously we found the cuisine to be outstanding, but on this cruise only one meal (at the Asian upcharge restaurant) was excellent. Most other dinners were mediocre at best. At Atlantide there were only 5 meat choices, 3 of which were steak! This menu never changed for the entire 12 days. One in our party is allergic to seafood, so this became problematic. Nowhere on the ship did any restaurant offer any chicken dish or veal scallopinni. S.A.L.T. Is a great concept, but we often struggled to find something on the menu that we wanted to order. Silversea, Seabourne, Crystal and Oceania all had great food, but I will now take Silversea off that list . We will try the new Crystal, Seabourne or Oceania. Obviously, many people like their new format of No main dining room, but it is not for us.

We were on the Spirit recently and we found that Silversea is not the Silversea we knew before COVID. I agree that the food is not as good as it used to be. For example, we were traveling with friends and two of them ordered (at different times) a Reuben sandwich at the pool grill for lunch. They weren’t expecting a mile high Reuben that would be served in a New York deli, but they did expect more than one thin slice of beef. Every dinner we had lasted at least three hours. One evening, it took one hour to be served appetizers in Atlantide. I would have liked to see chicken on the menu as well. The Pizzas at Spaccanapoli (sp?)are still yummy. 

We have just returned from a cruise that included Dubrovnik and Split as ports if call. I highly recommend getting a guided tour of Diocletian’s Palace in Split. 

I had the best massage ever on the Viking Venus last year. Also, they didn’t try to sell me products afterwards. 

On 3/29/2023 at 4:07 PM, riandei said:

A good TA saves $ and is priceless.

 

If you cannot get a personal referral, Find one that deals volume with SS.

How does one “find one that deals volume with SS”?

8 hours ago, 5waldos said:

Ours is paid in full. I understand the gold rule but hope that SS doesn't take advantage of it. Giving us on board credit would be a real waste. So- I wait and have fingers crossed. 

It is my understanding, though I could be wrong, that once one has paid in full, price drops are not applicable.

I am enjoying reading the responses. We are very self sufficient as well, but it’s nice to learn all of the things that a butler can do for guests. Replacing the button was awesome! Also, it never I occurred to me that I could order a mixed drink while I’m getting ready for dinner. 
I think I’m still a little miffed about our previous butler who was a bit intrusive. One morning, I was lying on the sofa reading in our suite and I hear a faint buzz of the doorbell and almost immediately afterwards he came in. I was “decent”, but there sure wouldn’t have been time to become so if I wasn’t. We exchanged pleasantries and then he continued to talk about his idol for at least the next 30 minutes.

12 hours ago, -Lew- said:

 

I believe you'll find that VAT and duty are two different things.  We were on the Celebrity Edge last fall for three segments...we had to pay VAT in the onboard shops for only the second segment which, we were told, was triggered by one of the countries we stopped at during that segment.  No VAT was charged for the first and third segments.

 

Before we arrived at our final EU port, Ponta Delgada, Celebrity provided us with the completed document with copies on the receipts attached.  They also arranged to bring government officials onboard to process the forms.  Couldn't have been easier.

 

It took about four weeks until our refunds were EFTed to our checking account.

Thank you for clarifying this for me. 

4 minutes ago, imcpa said:

I hope not.  
I will admit though that the two in charge of our suite on Seabourn Ovation in November were great too ( just cruised the Moon in March from Rio to Barbados).

To my knowledge Seabourne doesn’t have “butlers” (at least they didn’t when we sailed with them a few years ago).. I’m referring to Silversea.

I thought purchases made on board were duty free, as the shops don’t open until the ship is at sea. You will most likely have to account for overseas purchases upon arrival at your home country.

A few years ago, someone from the UK stated on one of these forums that; Americans like the butters because it makes them feel aristocratic, or something to that effect I cannot speak for all Americans, but I feel they are superfluous. Only once has a butler gone above and beyond, anticipating our needs. (We we’re cruising through the Gulf of Mexico on our way back to Ft. Lauderdale and the wave action was a little rough. Without us asking, he rang our doorbell, arriving with a lovely pot of tea. Just what I needed.) Other than that, I find I can make dinner reservations quicker and easier than asking the butler and what really gets to me is it’s one more person coming in and out of our room. If it weren’t for the other wonderful attributes Silversea offers, I’d choose another line.What do you all think? 

23 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi Jazz, I will be on Spirit in about 10 days and can check on the Gins for you.

We will be on the Spirit in 20 days! 😀 

On 3/6/2023 at 1:06 PM, Vineyard View said:

We are scheduled to dock in Fusina this May

We are too.
Our travel agent told me that shuttle services will be provided by bus from Fusina to the Venice Marittima Terminal at the end of our cruise. We have made arrangements with our hotel in Venice to secure transportation for us from Marittima to the hotel. We are sailing on Silversea ship.

For what it’s worth, I would look at Viking Ocean itineraries for a Norway cruise. We have sailed with Silversea more than any other line and really enjoy them. However, we sailed with Viking Ocean for the first time last year on a “Northern Lights” tour and amazing is not strong enough a word to describe our experience. We were on the Viking Venus, a beautiful ship. The food was really good and the interior spaces were lovely and spacious. From what I gather, Norway is one of Viking’s specialties.

10 hours ago, Daveywavey70 said:

The steak in Atlantide almost brought me to tears. Never before have I encountered such a noble beast as a Limousin being toppled and extend such anguish upon me. Several diners on the surrounding tables commented upon the fact that my teeth just weren’t up to the job and urged me to send it back. One thing I Will never do is waste the flesh of a magnificent beast but this is the closest I have ever come to turning vegetarian. I’ve spent much time pondering upon it since. 

Thanks for the feedback. Dare I ask, was the steak better at other venues? Or, should I ask, where can my husband expect to get a good steak onboard?

3 minutes ago, Sunny429 said:

How is the steak in Atlantide (the Main Dining room) these days? On previous cruises it tasted, for lack of a better word, “steaky”. Very strong tasting and the chicken was sometimes rubbery. 
One neat service they offer is if you order a bottle of wine from the list and don’t drink it all, they will save and store it for you and bring it to any dining venue you’re at the next evening. 

3 minutes ago, Sunny429 said:

How is the steak in Atlantide (the Main Dining room) these days? On previous cruises it tasted, for lack of a better word, “steaky”. Very strong tasting and the chicken was sometimes rubbery. 
One neat service they offer is if you order a bottle of wine from the list and don’t drink it all, they will save and store it for you and bring it to any dining venue you’re at the next evening. 

I just saw the What to eat/drink and what to avoid thread. Apologies, I should have posted my question there. 

How is the steak in Atlantide (the Main Dining room) these days? On previous cruises it tasted, for lack of a better word, “steaky”. Very strong tasting and the chicken was sometimes rubbery. 
One neat service they offer is if you order a bottle of wine from the list and don’t drink it all, they will save and store it for you and bring it to any dining venue you’re at the next evening.