Shadow Hong Kong to Tokyo to Seward

[duct tape]

Travel safely.

[Emtbsam]

Hope you have an easy trip home. Thank you for sharing your trip with us.

[Tothesunset]

The British contingent are now in Vancouver Airport. Some thoughts on the 27 nights on the Shadow:

 

Some of the carpeting and decor is aging but the entire feel of the ship has a lived-in, homely feel.

 

Food and service were of the highest standard - we are always amazed by the attention to detail of the staff. On the other hand we are embarrassed by the behaviour of some guests - it is possible to be specific in your needs without being arrogant, oafish or just plain ignorant, some guests don't seem to manage that.

 

We chose the itinerary for an interesting mix of sea days and destinations. It fitted the bill but clearly didn't suit a lady we met who stated that she wouldn't have come on the cruise if she'd known the sea could be rough. In the Bering Sea? Roughness? Well, I never!

 

Good to meet the other CCers and share experiences.

 

One negative must be addressed. For the first 2 weeks the extraction system in the humidor worked well but failed on about day 16. Thereafter it worked a couple of days later for maybe 24 hours and then stayed off for the remainder of the cruise. Daily complaints were met with polite denials that the system was off. Yet anyone using the Humidor spent their time in tobacco fog. Le Champagne smelled of smoke and the humidor of stale food. And still the problem was dismissed as being fixed even when those of us that used the room insisted that the ventilation system, which is very clearly audible, was not running. We will be taking this matter up more fully on return home but it impacted severely on our enjoyment of the final fortnight.

 

So, a great experience unless you like a cigar or two!

 

Finally, some of the works of art aboard were awesome courtesy of the resident art dealer. How many times do you pass original Picassos, Chagals or Miros on the way to dinner?

[Kiwi John]

A bunch of Aussies boarded in Seward apparently two groups. It bought the demographic down by about 20 years, what had been a pleasant crossing from Tokyo has turned into a 7 day booze cruise from Seward to Vancouver. The dress code for this segment is 5 casual and 2 informal, no formal. Apparently this will be the case for all 7 day Alaska segments this year.

This has resulted in quite a degradation of the dress code, an example last night was an Aussie in Flipflops in the restaurant on a casual night, clearly a breach of guidelines but he got away with it!

Unfortunately the staff have to turn a blind eye to it as casual is not that clearly defined in Silverseas's policy.

If this is going to be the case going forward beware of taking 7 day segments as the once 6 star experience is becoming equivalent of mass market and not worth the premium price.

[Wellseasoned]

Sounds like we disembarked just in time! The last day in Homer was very pleasant. Stumblefoot, we did see the Time Bandit in the Homer harbor and enjoyed a brew with the Tothesunsets in the Salty Dawg Saloon. We again had great weather for the scenic train ride from Seward to Anchorage. Overall excellent cruise, terrific crew, met wonderful fellow passengers. The Shadow needs some work as has been noted, but the experience was still excellent. We had an uneventful but tiring return home and have now caught up on our sleep. Here are a few last photos:

 

A bald eagle (they're everywhere) in Kodiak

 

I took this one just for the halibut

 

The Salty Dawg in Homer

 

From the scenic train between Seward and Anchorage

 

From the scenic train

 

Sunset the last night aboard

[duct tape]

Thank you for the last crop of pix. Looking forward to the Shadow next month. Hope to sail with you soon again.