Live Silver Spirit Maiden Holiday Voyage Barcelona to Lisbon

[dougburns]

Considering the fact that Silver Spirit had her first sea trials in Sep and that the shipyard wanted to deliver her in Nov, I find it a bit disconcerting that there are so many major and minor fit and finish issues still remaining. It smacks of extremely poor quality assurance and training on the part of both Fincantieri and Silversea. They had plenty of time to address these issues prior to the ship ever leaving Ancona. The ship may be beautiful and a step forward in technology, but she won't get far with passengers if these issues are not corrected quickly. Hopefully, she'll be up to snuff by the time we board in Lisbon. We're not fussy people, but we do expect a quality product when we anty up with a quality price. Time will tell! My first stop when we board will be to Paolo Percivale(hotel director) to check on the party, even though Fort Lauderdale assured me that everything was taken care of.

[cruzemaven]

We're going on back to back cruises on Silver Spirit in July. My concern (after counting the chaises around the pool in the pictures posted on Debbie's blog) is where are all the passengers going to sit on a sea day. I know there's an upper deck with chaises...but those are in the sun and still far from enough seating for a ship with over 500 passengers. Hope I'm wrong...but I suspect this could be a problem.

[oregon50]

Booking the first two voyages is fine if you want the novelty of a new ship. If you are expecting close to 100%, I'm having a good laugh.

 

Craig....great, to the point review.

[Older Party]

Would love to hear about the show Aquarius. I am also curious about the ballet couple. Are they part of the show or do they perform separately and if so, what are their choreographies? Divertissments and Codas maybe from known ballets? I would love to know more about them and what company they are from. Thank you.

[Goldens4]

I agree with dougburns and cruzemaven regarding their concerns, especially the chairs around the pool. Husband and I are thinking about the Carrib. next year on the Spirit. I am sure all the "glitches" will be gone by that time, but there is nothing you can do about deck space and chairs.:eek:

[dwelsh]

Craig:

 

Thanks you for your very literate report on the Spirit.

 

As has been pointed out by other posters, many of the concerns and glitches are because of the newness of the ship; bad dining room service should not be one of them. Obviously more training is needed but not at the expense of fee paying passengers.

 

The mechanical problems in suites are to be expected in a new build, as long as they are fixed in a timely manner. I hope that the compliment of service engineers on the first voyages has been augmented by extra manpower.

 

It should be expected that the new ship is an improvement over the rest of the fleet, it sounds like this is the case.

 

Happy sailing to all of those now on board and to those who will be boarding in the years to come.

[Keith1010]

dwelsh, very well said.

 

Even after a dry dock, most ships going through a few week period where items are being worked out and this takes longer on a new ship.

 

And I think it take about one year before a crew of a new ship really comes into their own. Similar to a land based restaurant but that more challenging on a cruise ship given the number of crew members. There is not only the chalenge of developing that team but also for each of them to learn all about the ship.

 

Keith

[meow!]

, but there is nothing you can do about deck space and chairs.:eek:

As shown in our previous postings, there is a decrease in the per passenger public space from the Shadow/Whisper to the newbuild. We are still waiting to hear from DebbieH103 whether there is any "bottleneck" anywhere, the buffet restaurant on a windy rainy day, or the poolside in fair weather, and whether tables and chairs are put closer together (more like Oceania in the restaurant and lounges)? While the newbuild Spirit's per passenger space is more than 1.5x the R ships in the cabins, it is getting close to the R ships in the public areas! The question becomes is there some "Oceaniazation" (which is still nice, mind you) of public spaces (including the single storeyed show lounge) of the newbuild Spirit?

[wripro]

Debbie and Craig,

 

Thank you both for your observations and comments. Stars sounds like a terrific venue and one I would spend a lot of time in. I guess the hiccups are to be expected though some of them need to be addressed immediately by the hotel manager, especially the restaurant service. I hope you continue to enjoy the voyage and that things will improve as it goes on.

 

Sorry they're not making more of a deal of the maiden voyage. Even though the South American voyage will be their big sendoff they marketed and sold this as the maiden and should acknowledge it somehow.

[meow!]

And I think it take about one year before a crew of a new ship really comes into their own.

We are still hoping for the possibility of getting on a cheap Caribbean voyage in November, 2010 to try out the newbuild on our own.

[WesW]

Meow, Debbie has not posted yet today (Todd and her are now at Dinner and

going to the Christmas show after) ..here is what she did say today reference crowds

this afternoon during a bad weather day:

 

I love the bar being off the lobby. Since there is nothing happening on the pool deck since it is so hideous out, people are in all the lounges, and the ship can accomodate everyone without a crowd even when nobody is using the pool deck

[cechase]

Thank you all for the postings re: Spirit - it is very interesting to read comments concerning a maiden voyage. Since the ship is new and larger than those in the existing fleet you would expect to be glitches in both maintenance and service.

 

Looking forward to taking a Transatlantic from Lisbon on Spirit in October [along with Jennifer - ging465.]

 

Am curious - how do you turn a mirror into a TV?

[WesW]

Charlie, check this link out, brief discussion (infatuation) with new suite TV/mirror

combo:

 

"This is the real piece de resistance in Silver Spirit's suites. TV's that are hidden away behind the mirrors. There's one in the sitting area and one opposite the bed.

 

I very rarely even bother to put on the TV when I'm on a ship, but I've been switching them on and off, discovering all the things you can do apart from just watching TV or a film, such as check out the excursions and the places to eat on board, see what is happening on the ship today and keep an eye on the bill.

 

It's all clever stuff, but actually all I really want to see is the picture emerge from the mirror. How sad is that!"

 

 

 

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/blogs/cruise-lines/2009/12/small-is-beautiful---and-so-mu.html

[meow!]

... since it is so hideous out, people are in all the lounges, and the ship can accomodate everyone without a crowd even when nobody is using the pool deck

Thank you kindly, Colonel, for such deligent relay .. meow!

[Wellseasoned]

Ditto, thanks for the excellent posts from the Spirit. We are really looking forward to comparing our own observations on the maiden crossing and subsequent leg to Barbados to see how quickly the rough edges smooth out. We are also booked on the Spirit next August, so the comparison after a half year of operation should also be interesting.

 

One question: How is the internet working? are you able to use it satisfactorily from your suite?

[duct tape]

Very interesting, all of it. The W Hotels have those TVs in the mirrors, odd. The Supper Club menu is sounding similar to R2 on the new SB Odyssey...yum, my favorite! Keep up the good work, folks and enjoy!

[WesW]

this is sort of off/topic; tv/mirror is appealing, my ? is what happens if the Spirit tv breaks, needs maintenance?

[dwelsh]

It should be simple - replace it!

[DebbieH103]

First off, Helmut/our wonderful F&B manager, forgive me for revealing, but since you are now reading, let us all join together...

 

Cozy, Meow, means cozy. intimate. So far, I think it is better in most cases. The lounges are places you want to be.

 

When they designed the show lounge, it was during the timeframe they stopped production shows, so they envisioned cabaret. The ship was already ordered when they brought back the production shows. We will see how it goes when a show comes. So far, the lounge has not been full. The shows are twice a night, less than 1/3 full. The Christmas show was not crowded, midnight mass not crowded, etc.

 

OK, so the lounge is not full, but the seats are tighter. I don't have an issue with the seats for two, they fit just fine, but the rows are tighter, and there are new rules about this and that, and right now you have to bring your own drink, I am hearing even for a lecture. This will not go well. Someone in TPTB thinks they cannot meet demand for drinks and if they offer a tray, people will want what is not on it like they are used to on the other ships. I said, well give education, have 6 or 8 choices, give us something and make us make do vs. nothing. Rows are tight, it is hard for them to navigate, no tables, only arm chairs with little trays. Please help in voicing you want service if this is important.

 

STARS, as I pointed out, I think it is one of the new gems, but when the demographic goes lower, it may get more crowded, and it is using LT's kitchen, so it is not serving food till 9. They don't feel they can unless the galley is expanded. Try the 15 tastings, even if you start at 9. This is a big, big, big benefit. I just see this being taken out and turned into a bar.

 

While the casino is bigger, the tables are more popular, and I don't see blackjack on the Game King machines. I could not get into blackjack, so I lost at roulette, while Todd won at blackjack more than I lost. He indicated he is not covering my losses, lol.

 

For the Christmas dinner at The Restaurant, service was a little better but still not fabulous at all. I thought the Christmas goose was overcooked. It was still good, and I had been encouraged to have the veal chop and did not.

 

I encourage you all to try room service and post your thoughts here, too.

 

I also think the bar is the nicest thing around besides STARS, and the pink grapefruit juice is the best I ever had. The thing is everyone loves it, so the snacks go quicker than they are checking. They are not allowed to have heated flames right now, so no hot appetizers anywhere. I don't like that. It is a rule they have. I would like to see fruit added there when they have the pastries.

 

I think 10 a.m. is too early to end the breakfast buffet. Helmut said they did flow over to STARS today, and Meow, when I told him you predicted it, he said you were smart.

 

For every operation issue we report, they know it, and they are meeting all the time about it. I was encouraged to give them 4 days, and I think things are lovely and at 95%, but let's see.

 

TVs are neat, for sure, but not as big as I would like. The bed one is totally transparent, where the living room one is a blace square. The movies are older, not the PPV dated types of the other ships, but there is enough to watch.

 

Up on 10 when they do the stone food dinner, they have the capacity to heat the area 10 degrees. They are not likely to open it this cruise but will on the TA on the Caribbean portion, so you guys will get to try it.

 

I am sorry I was not on today, I have been sick and had to lay down for quite a while. My throat is just raw from this weather.

 

Merry Christmas, everyone.

[WesW]

Debbie, and a very Merry Christmas to Todd and you. Geez what a chock full

of wonderful Spirit detail your post above is...thank you again...and we look forward

to trying the Hot Lava Rock dinner in the Caribbean on our TA.

 

ps..how is the ship handling in the open seas...understand you are not in the middle

of the Atlantic like we will be on the TA..but am curious how the you find the Spirit ride.

 

pss. have you seen anyone use the pool...from the brochure I understand it is heated, is

this the case? thx

[CASHIPman]

STARS: Went back because we enjoyed it so much. It's still spectacular. I would suggest that anyone traveling between now and 19JAN avoid it so that W and I will have no problem getting a seat. :D

 

The Restaurant: Service improved abit. I had the veal chop which was good. W had the goose which he enjoyed. There was a lengthy wait between the second course and the main course.

 

Room service: A disaster. We didn't have a room service menu so we called reception to ask the butler to bring us one. None appeared. We called an hour later...again, none appeared. We then called room service directly to place an order. I asked for pasta with alfredo sauce, "Sir, what is alfredo sauce?" was the reply. When the food arrived, well...I've attached a photo of how the stewardess left the food. She dropped the tray and literally ran from the stateroom. The plate with the pasta alfredo was jammed in the silver warmer and couldn't be unleashed. By the time the butler came up and replaced the stuck dish it was time for the lifeboat drill. Good thing as the pasta alfredo was not tasty at all.

 

Ship: She's at sea now and it's a very smooth ride.

 

TV: Couldn't hear the captain's announcements regardless of what channel we had on, but we could hear the cruise director's announcements fine.

 

Space: So far I haven't seen any issues with the layout of the Spirit making her a crowded ship.

 

There ya go!

[WesW]

Craig another excellent (sorry about room service..hope it improves manana) daily Spirit SITREP (situation report)...and you can expect Ida and I will be in STARS nightly too.

[meow!]

I think 10 a.m. is too early to end the breakfast buffet. Helmut said they did flow over to STARS today, and Meow, when I told him you predicted it, he said you were smart.

Thank you kindly DebbieH103, you are so helpful!

[gnld]

Enjoyed reading all the posts about the new Silver Spirit and her first couple of days. Yes, there are some bugs to be worked out -- but that's to be expected on the first cruise. Probably a bit smoother when we board in Lisbon. We will be viewing the Spirit with "all new eyes" as this will be our first Silversea sailing (but we can do a mental comparison with our Regent and Crystal experiences). Will we be the only "newbies" on board? Definitely looking forward to it - we leave San Diego next Friday. Got to start packing!

Gary & Carol

[MuseCruiser]

I'm Craig's partner, Wil, and thought I'd give a brief report from my perspective.

 

The ship is lovely; to me, its very similar to the Shadow, just larger proportions. It has a very lively feel to it. People are out and about at night until the wee hours of the morning; something not so often seen on the other SS ships. There's, to me, a spirit of liveliness throughout the day and evening that isn't as present on the other ships. The last two nights, people have been in the Panorama lounge until after 1:00 a.m. (we've left around then and there are still people there). That's fun! Another example is the casino. This afternoon, around 4, two tables in the casino were hopping. One was blackjack (where I made my daily contribution to the Captain's fund via the casino) and the other was three card poker. Each table was full and lively--it was a fun atmosphere! Also, walking by the Connoisseur's Corner (their version of The Humidor), there were a few people hanging out in there today, visiting and talking. At night, there are also a few people hanging out there. I'm not used to seeing people in that type of room in the daytime, but there are here.

 

That said, there's never a sense of things being crowded. We were in the Panorama lounge this afternoon around 5:30pm and there were maybe 3 or 4 couples sitting and chatting but no more. Very spacious; lots of room. Same with the other bars/public spaces.

 

Tonight, we're trying Le Champagne (they're having for one night only a white truffle dinner--with alba truffles). Should be great. Marcello is the maitre'd; he's very professional. Other nights, in addition to their regular menus, they're having themes such as a lobster themed dinner and a caviar dinner one night. The Chef for Le Champagne is french and by reputation is very good; we'll see tonight.

 

I love the tv's in the mirrors; genius. Our room definitely seems larger than the same type of room on the other ships.

 

The butler is very good (despite the snafu Craig mentioned yesterday although it wasn't his fault. When he came to our room, he told us he had been off duty and whomever was covering for him did not respond. No excuse, but it reflects more of a systems problem than an issue with this person.) He unpacked for us, and everything was so neatly placed in all the drawers by theme (swimwear in one drawer, t shirts in another drawer, etc...all placed so neatly). He brought tea and juice this morning, and we'll call upon him later to make reservations at La Terrazza one night soon.

 

Overall, I'm enjoying myself and its been a nice Christmas at sea. Can't wait to go to Stars again tonight (so far, my favourite after dinner venue) and maybe have a cigar in the cigar lounge after our truffle dinner.

 

Off to get ready for dinner...formal night tonight.