Live Silver Spirit Maiden Holiday Voyage Barcelona to Lisbon

Craig and Wil are here,and Todd and I are here. I assume NJBelle is since they were supposedly on our flight. Kudos to Continental to actually getting us here w/ the situation at Newark and only 42 min. late. What a long nightmare from Houston.

It is quite cool here in Barcelona, but it is still nice to just walk like the locals. I have eve seen mice and baby bunnies for sale here in Las Ramblas. There is everything here and all the shops wide open to the street even though you can see your breath.

I just started this hoping Dan will give us a sticky.

We have seen the ship for about two minutes driving by, as did Craig. It should be awesome tomorrow, but expect gray skies in the background. I don't think we will see sunshine in Barcelona. No worries!

Enjoy the maiden voyage, Debbie and thanks for all your postings. Barcelona is wonderful no matter the weather.

Debbie, enjoyed your first Silver Spirit Maiden blog post, thanks for your super effort despite the jet lag...for SS CC readers the blog link is below:

believe I saw a glimplse of the Spirit in your pic "around the ship"...can't wait

for your personal (w/rich detail) posts while on board..most importantly enjoy the ship, your maiden holiday voyage, and sincere wishes for Todd and you to have the merriest "spirit" Christmas ever.

http://www.luxurycruiseandland.com/blogs/index.php?blog=11

I believe now I have it set up that you can just type luxurycruiseandland.com and get in. Wes, can you try it? If not, keep using the link Wes posted.

I hope to walk to at least the Cathedral today. We are still not at all energetic. We are just s anxious to get on the ship.

So far, the doing around here has just been one hour walking and looking around and then hanging out in this place around here. Very interesting.

Both the Around the Ship pics have the ship in them. I snapped too late. I was busy doing stuff and then we saw it and I was not ready.

Las Ramblas was lit up just beautifully last night, though they turn it all off at about 10. People and vehicles seem to be out all night long. This is one bustling place.

Hi Debbie and Craig...bet you're now on board the spirit.

Yes, Debbie by just typing your URL, Luxurycruiseandland.com your

Silver Spirit Holiday Maiden blog comes up.

Debbie,

Have you posted anything on your blog? I see photos but no "words".

Thanks . . . Peggy

Peggy, here is Debbie's first written post on her blog:

http://www.luxurycruiseandland.com/blogs/index.php/2009/12/22/trip-to-barcelona?blog=11

Debbie is now on board and asked me to share this post:

We boarded at 2;15. Noon would have been no issue. Wow.

So many familiar faces and everything is new.

Stars looks different from pics. 8:31:33 AM is beautiful. Nice buffet at 8:31:53 AM. No champagne but maybe we were early. Lots of Christmas decor. Going up to take pics and video.

Wilfred and I are aboard! As Debbie said, many familiar faces...both crew and passengers. So far she's lovely!

Debbie's next post below:

We have toured everything and took video and still. Seishin was full for Dec 31 and Jan 2 as of 4:30. Champagne looks nicer. They have a number of menus and I got one but not all the different regions. I got a Saishin one. The first 5 courses are raw or cold. The sake pairings look great. I wish they just had a sake room. Todd would not be happy till the tempura course. I have not seen the La Terraza area.

The thermal area has its own steam and sauna and aromatherapy and the stone beds and the outdoor hot tub and there are free sauna and steam that are unisex.

There is no Kenisis wall.

There is an acupuncturist on board that does Chinese therapies. They have a new bamboo massage and a new herbal massage.

By the time we went to the show lounge, there was a port lecture so we did not get great pics. It was not that pink. It should be larger, no doubt. We will see.

I think there is room to jog without moving anything if people leave things. Where they are.

The lounges are cozier than the other ships. The bar off the lobby is an extension and I think will get a lot of use. Panorama has a neat telescope.

Both TVs in the suite are in the mirror, and they are state of the art. There are IPod docking stations and a hub with audio and video jacks, hdmi, usb and audio and pc jacks.

Both maid and butler are helping us, and the unpacking is lovely. All our preferences were ignored from online but are being handled now. We have not been offered the pillow menu.

There seem to be 5 production shows but do not know when or if all this cruise. Aquarius Dawning, Euro 2010; Ticket to Ride, Jazz a la Carte, the Music World of Sir Elton John, Spirito Della Celebrazione. Cast is 8 people.

Casino is bigger than the other ships.

There are 5 guest lecturers. One is Andrew Roberts. Another is Rick McKay, winner of over 30 Emmys. There are other entertainers. Everything is on the TV but they still have Chronicles.

Our tour for tomorrow was canceled due to weather. I think we can replace right on the TV.

Thanks Wes . . .

Thanks Debbie and Wes.

Debbie, Bon Voyage.

Keith

I sent Wes several more posts that are not here. I am going to try to see what. I sent them from my Blackberry but thought I used my Blackberry address so I could repaste here and the blog.

We have been to The Restaurant AND STARS, and I have a lot to say, even more than I sent him.

Before I dig all those posts out--butler needs work. He is sort of a facilitator. Some got ship tours. We did our own.So far, we have had much less amenities and service than before, but it is the first day on a new ship. Almost no glasses, fridge had one Sprite, one tonic, and one club soda and the Drappier. Definitely not the stuff we asked for online. We have asked 3 times for chardonnay and phone did not work (not yet activated for the buttons but call 815) and ordered the chardonnay and two diet cokes, all brought by the butler that we already asked 3 times. He did not bring the other toiletries. Ithink there are a few things.

DO NOT come on this cruise without a power strip if you plan to do much of anything and are from the U.S. There is one plug in the bathroom, one in the bedroom and one in the living room that is used by the clock. The clock has a battery backup, so I have unplugged it to get my laptop plugged in. Who knows how long it will last.

Dinner service-get a section from a Silversea past employee. Those from other lines are busting tail at the bars and restaurants but don't yet have a clue. Todd is not at all fussy. I am fussier than that, but I don't mind waiting on myself. My minimum is thatI do require more than a butter knife for a 4 course meal.

Wines were Spanish. White was alright but we switched to Italian.

STARS has 5 courses of 3 tastings each, one course per letter, so if you get it all, it is 15 tastings. Some were doing it and loving it. We went here after dinner. They were wrong that it opened at 9, it was 8:30. They were wrong that the jazz singer did not perform till 9, she was there from the start. Some go for drinks and just get the nibbles on the table-fried flour tortilla chips, hummus, some other sauces, olives and some other things - something with chunky garlic that was yummy. We got "T"-scallop, frog leg, fois gras. Todd had the scallop, and I had the frog leg and fois gras. The fois gras was to die for. The dessert had creme brulee and pani cotta, I don't know the other. We did not order. I know the first course has a tuna. I tried to take the pic of sections of the menu. There is a full bar, and they also have some suggestions and wines. The house chard is from California and good. In the main bar, it was Italian and good.

Pat/IslandCruiser, you would not like Taste of Things to Come. Now it was only an intro, no taste, but being the first day on the new ship, it was important, even if only 15 minutes. We learned there are two shows-one at 6:30 and one at 10:15. We get to see Aquarius, the Elton John show and Europe 2010. There is a ballet couple on board, also.

The La Terazza has a bigger, static menu, and it was easy to get a reservation for 12/26. He was begging us to come there tonight. I wanted to do the sea bass at The Restaurant. Todd had the Angus Beef. The appetizer was lovely with salmon, sole, and a shrimp. It said it had vermicilli. It did not but instead had a yummy puff pastry. The waiter said it was cold and smoked, so Todd did not order it, but it was hot and steamed, so after I got mine, Todd ordered one. Just sit in a section with someone you recognize until a few sailings. These new people are happy to be here and dying to work. No worries, but give it a few weeks. Same with butler. Don't expect much right now, but I think even in a week they will be getting it right.

The seats at the show lounge are somewhat unusual, some love it. I don't have quite the same impression as Sue. I think it is alright for two, but if the person next to you crosses their leg, you might get claustrophobic a little.

The main bar is a huge hit. It just makes sense, and the location is great and it is festive and inviting. We love it there.

The other public areas are more cozy than before. The pool deck chairs are nice, but the weather is too yucky right now.

It is $25 for the thermal area and then you can get the whole cruise for $250 (I think it was). I explained in one of the posts I sent Wes, don't know if he posted. I know my comments on Seishin are not here.

There are 80 or 90 Japanese on board, and they may start opening the Seishin tomorrow at lunch and have not decided whether to charge or what to prepare. She said keep checking back. The Japanese did not arrive until 8 or 9 and they were going to visit with them and whoever stopped by.

They have seating for 24 and had 22 tonight. There are 7 sakes for the pairings I have a menu from there and one of the Le Champagne ones but not all the regions. I got the Italian one. Tonight they did the Spain menu. At Seishin you can do just complimentary wine, a wine pairing or a sake pairing. I would like to see a side bar for sake, as I would love to just do those even if not free.

Le Champagne is more upscale. I think the whole ship is. When people are rested, we will see how crowded the public areas are.

Our tour tomorrow to the vineyard was canceled due to weather. We saw the Gothic Quarter and the Barcelona Cathedral today. I did not want to do any of the other tours nor did Todd so I will take the free shuttle and self explore tomorrow when I feel like it (runs every 30 min) and Todd will stay here.

Going to consolidate all my ramblings for the blog and see if I can get a few pics up.

Debbie, glad u'r now posting...I went to workout and do yardwork (honey do list) u sent me 3 short bb notes on Star opening hours, two show times in the theater, and the japanese group eating at Seishin tomorrow. Great gouge on the Spirit vibe...thanks

for the rich detail debbie and taking the time for all of us here on CC

I am not saying the Japanese group is eating there, I am saying they are opening because there are that many on board so we are supposed to all get to enjoy it but are supposed to check back. Can you consolidate those little posts and paste here, as I cannot get to them.

I want to put all this into one blog entry.

I am going to post some pics from the ship, but it is 12:34 already, so they will go into uncategorized tonight and get mored to Around the ship tomorrow. They won't be labeled right now, and I have more on a 3rd camera. Sorry some are too white and stuff, but even though the new camera is better, I am not, and I had it on the wrong setting until halfway through.

Debbie,

Continued thanks for your postings. Most interesting.

Here are Debbi's earlier Blackberry posts about the Spirit:

Post 1: There will be two shows a night, 6:30pm And 10:15pm, so no worries about the lounge.

Post 2: Stars does not open till 9pm (in the post above, debbie points out Stars opens at 8:30 pm)

Post 3: There will be 80 or 90 Japanese onboard and so they may open "Seishin" for lunch as early as tomorrow and have not decided as they have not arrived. They have beautuful fish in there as of now.

Post 4: STARS is lovely. Every letter has 3 tasting portions. Some had all of them. Music is fabulous. We shared "T". It was scallop, frog leg and fois gras. The second "S" is 3 desserts. Beverly hosts and is exceptional with guests. They are dying for it to succeed. I love it.I could easily do the whole tasting of 15 items. Cocktails are there and nibbles of fried flour tortilla chips and toppings like hummus and many other things.

Your Blog and posting are great, it must keep you busy to do it all. I will follow it daily, you deserve our utmost thanks for keeping us informed. Wish we were with you. keep it up

Kudos Debbie, your blog at

http://www.luxurycruiseandland.com

now has the most extensive Spirit pics on the web...echo Palamoh, your selfless

efforts are sincerely appreciated, thank you

DebbieH103: You seem to indicate that the public areas are more "cozy", do you mean less space per person, and people are seated closer together? Is it easy to get tables for two in the buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch? Do they use the Supper Club space as an extension to the buffet restaurant during the day?

While the show lounge is single storeyed, at least are the seats tiered for better viewing? Are the loveseats suitable for couples sitting together by themselves?

If you have in-suite meals, do they put that converter board on the centre table and then put on linen for fine dining as on Shadow/Whisper? There has been mentioning of the pool side grill becoming a poolside restaurant offering "stone grilling" of meats and seafood, is that true?

Presumably, you have a verandah suite. If you sit on the stool in front of the make-up mirror and do your eyelashes, can Todd pass by (between you and the bed) easily, or does he have to carefully squeeze through, or have to ask you to stand up and let him through? We are trying to envisage the clearance space between the end of the bed and the wall.

In the bathroom, besides the counter top, are the "marbled" walls cold to the touch or not (real or fake marble). That lone European basin sink, is it practical or do you prefer the regular double sink on the Shadow/Whisper? Is the water temperature of the shower well controlled or fluctuating a lot?

The wooden furnishings, are they pattern vaneered? Are the desk tops wood or formica? Is the air conditioning spread in a long slit and bi-directional (facing the sitting and bed areas as on the Shadow/Whisper)?

On the whole, do you find the newbuild a step up or down compared to the Shadow/Whisper? Or perhaps a mixed bag with pluses and minuses?

What can I say....or ask?

Some of my thoughts of the maiden day of the maiden voyage:

Stateroom: Lovely. I can feel the additional space, especially as compared to the Wind/Cloud. Mirrored TV? Brilliant. Veranda has two chairs, footstools and a table. The bathroom sink is ovoid vs. round and the shower is larger. The shower had both a hand-held shower and a "rain shower." NICE! Not all the lights are working and the “main” phone wasn’t installed so we couldn’t call any one. The phone was installed by the time returned from dinner.

Butler: He’s passed the first test…he unpacked for us!

Bar: We went at about 8PM and it was bustling but we didn’t have to wait for a seat. To me it does feel different than “the Bar” on different ships because there’s no real delineation between the bar and the reception area. Think of a hotel lobby set up and you get the idea. My preference is tends not to be towards a hotel lobby set up. The Spirit offers distinct bars in other locations.

STARS: Wonderful concept! Wonderful layout! Wonderful entertainment! Think “Café Carlyle” in NY. The manager greeted everyone and spoke at length about the concept. The singer and her accompanist were top-notch, and the service was great.

Restaurant: Needs a bit of work. From a service point of view the staff is enthusiastic but there were some missteps. For example, I had asked for the “Beef Consommé” which is available on the “anytime” menu (is that what it’s called?) My partner ordered the consommé that was on the dinner menu. His came out first and was served leaving him to decide whether to wait and potentially have cold consommé or eat it and then we’re out of synch for the meal. For the main course I ordered the pork medallions wrapped in bacon however I was served the beef dish. I returned it, but again my partner was left with the choice of eating his dish (fish) immediately, or wait. He asked the waiter to remove the dish until mine was ready.

The food itself was quite tasty.

Panorama Lounge: We went after dinner and it’s a bit jazzier than the Panoramas on other ships. Very nice!

Observation Lounge: We noticed that there’s a bar up in the observation lounge. We didn’t go to this lounge while the bar was open but its availability is a welcome addition.

Spa: Huge with a private deck/hot tub. They have this thing there with which I am unfamiliar. It’s called a “gym”? :D

Embarkation was effortless.

Décor: Tastes and styles are personal preferences. I like the décor of the ship.

Pool: The pool itself seems smaller than the pools on the other ships? The tables up on deck 10 (beneath the canopy) have heat lamps!

Other notes: So far I haven’t seen any mention of this being the maiden voyage. I haven't yet encountered any bottlenecks.

Debbie and Craig

Reading your blog and observations of this fabulous new ship is absolutely wonderful. I'm really excited to be going on it even if it is in October next year!

Debbie, the photos are great.

I'm disappointed about the Kinesis wall. Craig, you won't worry about this because it's in the dreaded gym:eek::D

Thank u so very much for taking the time to post this great information for us. It is really appreciated. I'm looking forward to reading more every day.

Cheers

ging466

Debbie and Craig,

Thank you both for your thoughts ( and pictures) from the Spirit.

All seems to be fine more or less. Can't wait to come aboard (01-02)

Hope you all have a fabulous Christmas and New Year.

Regards,

Maria

Craig, thanks for the Spirit SITREP (Situation Report)...am sure the fitness instructor would be happy to offer a "gym" orientation class. :)