Just Booked my First SILVERSEAS CRUISE

[Lois R]

Fantastic! We've taken the American Airlines Rome to Charlotte flight and it was great.

 

 

Hi Randy, good morning:).........I agree:D

 

I posted on another thread but will ask you here about the dress code. Do you and your wife wear true "formal wear"?

I found an old thread (back to 2011) and it had been replied on last month so I replied again.......but just wondering about

formal nights. I don't own "formal gowns" and don't plan to buy any. Would you say a long black skirt and pretty top

would be acceptable? Not sure what your bride wears.......I have dressy black slacks.....are they appropriate?

[Lois R]

The range and selection of hotels in Barcelona is almost mind boggling from traditional European to ultra modern, from expensive to reasonable. We stayed at the El Palace and really liked it but it certainly wasn't the cheapest. We liked the central location and the facility, basically a remodeled tradition European, was I think once one of the Ritz Carlton hotels in Barcelona. It's the only place we've stayed so I don't have a list of recommendations. You might look at the ports section here on Cruise Critic and see what the recommendations are there. I've found it to be a good source as the majority here are looking for and sharing their pre and post cruise experience. They often cover things like access to local points of interest, nearby restaurants, and distance to or from the cruise terminal.

 

 

WOW....this place looks lovely:D.....and yes, it gets VERY high marks on Trip Advisor and it was a Ritz...there is an

entire history on their website about it. They offer a room for a single guest too.......will research this a bit more.

[Randyk47]

Hi Randy, good morning:).........I agree:D

 

I posted on another thread but will ask you here about the dress code. Do you and your wife wear true "formal wear"?

I found an old thread (back to 2011) and it had been replied on last month so I replied again.......but just wondering about

formal nights. I don't own "formal gowns" and don't plan to buy any. Would you say a long black skirt and pretty top

would be acceptable? Not sure what your bride wears.......I have dressy black slacks.....are they appropriate?

 

 

We were a tux and gown couple for years and years but when we started going to more distant destinations like the Med six cruises ago we changed up a bit. My tux needed replacing and rather than buy a new tux that I'd only use cruising I went with a black suit. With that I wear more formal looking silk ties, usually fairly solid blacks, blues, or deep reds that look more formal. I find I can wear the suit several nights throughout the cruise just by changing up shirts and ties. Concurrently Carey stopped taking the full formal gowns and changed over taking a pair of black and sometimes a pair of white/off white dress slacks, and a long black skirt, kind of full flowing crepe type, she found at Macy's or maybe Dillard's in their formal separate wear department. She also has picked up three or four separate formal looking dress tops in the same departments. All pretty light weight and easy to pack. While we both still like to "dress up" we think this has been a good compromise. We have never felt underdressed on formal nights.

[Lois R]

We were a tux and gown couple for years and years but when we started going to more distant destinations like the Med six cruises ago we changed up a bit. My tux needed replacing and rather than buy a new tux that I'd only use cruising I went with a black suit. With that I wear more formal looking silk ties, usually fairly solid blacks, blues, or deep reds that look more formal. I find I can wear the suit several nights throughout the cruise just by changing up shirts and ties. Concurrently Carey stopped taking the full formal gowns and changed over taking a pair of black and sometimes a pair of white/off white dress slacks, and a long black skirt, kind of full flowing crepe type, she found at Macy's or maybe Dillard's in their formal separate wear department. She also has picked up three or four separate formal looking dress tops in the same departments. All pretty light weight and easy to pack. While we both still like to "dress up" we think this has been a good compromise. We have never felt underdressed on formal nights.

 

 

Thank you for that informative, courteous reply:).....I will be just fine then.....:D I do enjoy looking nice and yes,

her outfits are probably in the same genre that I would wear too.

[Lois R]

Hi Lois, Long time no speak! I most often sail SS and Seabourn these days and, indeed, am sailing SS in August too. However, I'll be on Whisper from Stockholm to Montreal. Enjoy your cruise - that is a certainty.

 

 

Oh wow, I missed your post.....long time for sure. Hope you are doing well:D Too bad we are not on the same cruise!

[Lois R]

Have to jump in.. after more than 20 years of traveling on Silversea with my husband, I am, sadly, now traveling solo. One of the things which keeps me going is how well they take care of single cruisers. I suggest that you take SS excursions. They are generally very good, always escorted by ship's personnel, and you won't feel either lonely or unsafe. Do register for both the Cruise Critic Mix and Mingle and go to at least one of the solo travelers gatherings.

I think you have made a wonderful decision to trust Silversea and to take the plunge. Have a terrific time, and please, keep all of us in this adventurous loop. We all love to be taken along!

 

 

My condolences on the loss of your husband.....but it sounds as if you love Silverseas. Thanks fort the reply. I am sure

I will have a great cruise:).....I keep looking at hotels.......I should probably just go eenie meenie...and pick one....LOL

[Lois R]

Well, final payment has been made:)....it is early but they had a 10% savings if you paid by 2/28........so that is a good

amount of $......

Can any of you recommend what to do in Livorno?.....I have never been there nor to Florence or Tuscany........

[jpalbny]

Welcome aboard! You'll love it.

 

Lots to see at Livorno. Pisa, Florence, Lucca...just to name a few. Siena and San Gimignano as well.

 

All are worth a visit. The ship will likely offer tours to many of these places.

 

We last visited Livorno before our DIY phase, so I can't tell you how to DIY from personal experience. But some take the train to Florence on their own.

 

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[Lois R]

Welcome aboard! You'll love it.

 

Lots to see at Livorno. Pisa, Florence, Lucca...just to name a few. Siena and San Gimignano as well.

 

All are worth a visit. The ship will likely offer tours to many of these places.

 

We last visited Livorno before our DIY phase, so I can't tell you how to DIY from personal experience. But some take the train to Florence on their own.

 

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Hi JP:).....thanks for the reply. The excursions aren't available yet.......I am surprised I cannot even look at

what they offer....unless I am missing it somewhere on the Silversea website. But I will see what the ship offerings

are and maybe just go with them. Since the ship is so much smaller than the mainstream lines I would guess the

size of the tours will be smaller as well.:).....guess what? I just found the "excursion link"...so now I can see what

they offer!!!

Edited March 1, 2017 by Lois R

[Randyk47]

Hi JP:).....thanks for the reply. The excursions aren't available yet.......I am surprised I cannot even look at

what they offer....unless I am missing it somewhere on the Silversea website. But I will see what the ship offerings

are and maybe just go with them. Since the ship is so much smaller than the mainstream lines I would guess the

size of the tours will be smaller as well.:).....guess what? I just found the "excursion link"...so now I can see what

they offer!!!

 

 

We do a mix of tours from self to private to ship tours. On your itinerary the stop in Livorno is an overnight so we and the couple we were traveling with took the train over to Florence on our own for the day. We left as early as possible in the morning and caught the train back to Livorno about 7:30 PM. Obviously that may not an option for you if you're traveling solo but then again you don't know who you might meet on the cruise and partner up with. The next day in Livorno we took the ship's tour to Pisa and the Leaning Tower which is a must see. Anyhow, point is we don't always take ship tours but don't avoid them either. I think in 60 some Silversea cruising days in the Med we've probably taken a dozen plus ship sponsored tours. Probably only one was not up to expectations or at least not what we wanted but that was way across the Med on a different itinerary than yours. I will say that Silversea tours are way smaller than mass market line tours. The average number of people on our ship tours has probably been 10 to 12 with maybe 20 as the max. Very comfortable and easy to keep together and move along.

[jpalbny]

An overnight in Livorno? Oh, to have that chance again... We had that on our very first O cruise back in 2006, when we were neophytes. We did ship tours both days.

 

If I knew then what I knew now. I would have walked to the train station, visited Florence on my own, spent half the money, and seen twice as much. But we weren't comfortable on our own yet. Live and learn.

 

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[UKCruiseJeff]

Lunch in Lucca. What could be better.

 

Jeff

[duct tape]

If you want to treat yourself well, book a hotel in Florence, have the hotel pick you up and return you to the ship next day. Do some research ( the fun part) to see what you refuse to miss! You cannot see it all!! Make list of the sites, see if they have timed entry tickets, pass that list to the hotel also and your tix will be ready when you arrive! Enjoy. Don't forget to include some cafe-sitting time. Be very careful of gypsies and pickpockets.

[Camillus112]

I agree with DT's suggestion, immerse in artistic Florence, your breath will be taken away. With regards to gypsies, I was an accidental observer when a gypsy girl tried to steal a tip left in a table...the waiter was faster! The girl was furious, since the waiter was jeopardizing her livelihood. Par for the course, the waiter smiled at her and at all of us looking on and said he would not call the police. Enjoy you stay!

[Lois R]

Thank you all for the suggestions:)gives me a lot to think about. But since this is my first time to these places and yes,

I travel solo, many things are easy for me and other things I like to be taken care of:D......going on a cruise, for example,

is a piece of cake but not sure I want to take the train by myself....not meaning to sound like a whimp, because I don't

consider myself one at all, but I think I would prefer to do some sightseeing with other folks...and yes, it is very easy

for me to meet people so maybe I will meet some folks on the cruise who would like to do the same thing.:)

 

Again, thank all of you for giving me some things to think about.

Edited March 1, 2017 by Lois R

[Randyk47]

Duct Tape's recommendation is excellent though I understand the reservations about going solo. I will say we considered it on our first visit but also wanted to see Pisa the next day so felt we had to get back. If we ever get back, and I hope we do, we may very well do exactly as recommended. Great idea. Of course it also points out that, as with much of the Med, you could spend weeks, months, and probably years and not see everything or enough. 😀

[Camillus112]

Forgot to say that, after the waiter's remark, there was an applause. Lois, do what you feel comfortable with - I would do the same - but anyway enjoy all the quirky things that may come your way; these are what makes memories after many years go by.

[Lois R]

Forgot to say that, after the waiter's remark, there was an applause. Lois, do what you feel comfortable with - I would do the same - but anyway enjoy all the quirky things that may come your way; these are what makes memories after many years go by.

 

 

Thank you:)...I am sure I will find some lovely things to do/see in all the places we are visiting and I will do exactly

what you have posted.......feeling comfortable with my choices is the best thing:)

[Lois R]

I got my forums mixed up and thought I posted this on here but it was actually on the SPAIN FORUM...LOL

 

I booked my hotel tonight and decided to go with Hotel Pulitzer......it looks very nice to me, it gets excellent reviews

on Trip Advisor and I am happy with the price too:D

 

Again, thank you all for the help.

 

JP, I think you mentioned ya'll stayed there before, right?

[Azulann]

I got my forums mixed up and thought I posted this on here but it was actually on the SPAIN FORUM...LOL

 

I booked my hotel tonight and decided to go with Hotel Pulitzer......it looks very nice to me, it gets excellent reviews

on Trip Advisor and I am happy with the price too:D

 

Again, thank you all for the help.

 

JP, I think you mentioned ya'll stayed there before, right?

 

Lois, I have been following your thread about taking a Slversea cruise. I have followed your posts on Celebrity forum for many years.

I have stayed twice a the Hotel Pulitzer. Most recently last July ,pre Constellation cruise.

It is a great location , a half bock to Placa Catalunya, the big plaza at the end of Las Ramblas. They have a great breakfast, lovely roof top bar area and the main bar is wonderful too for a nice drink or coffee any time.

The rooms are typcial for Europe, a little on the small size but wonderful beds, large bathroom with up scale shower or even ones with bathtub and shower.

The folks at the front desk are so helpful. We booked a tour through them to see Gaudi house and the Gaudi church. The tour meeting point was a block aways. It lasted about 4 hours long and had a great guide. Met some other cruisers on the tour too. Be sure to walk through the big dept store across the plaza. On the lower level they have a great food market, even a wine bar. You sit on stool in the shape of wine corks, while you sip your glass of Cava.

I have jumped ship too from Celebrity and booked a Viking Ocean cruise.

[Lois R]

Lois, I have been following your thread about taking a Slversea cruise. I have followed your posts on Celebrity forum for many years.

I have stayed twice a the Hotel Pulitzer. Most recently last July ,pre Constellation cruise.

It is a great location , a half bock to Placa Catalunya, the big plaza at the end of Las Ramblas. They have a great breakfast, lovely roof top bar area and the main bar is wonderful too for a nice drink or coffee any time.

The rooms are typcial for Europe, a little on the small size but wonderful beds, large bathroom with up scale shower or even ones with bathtub and shower.

The folks at the front desk are so helpful. We booked a tour through them to see Gaudi house and the Gaudi church. The tour meeting point was a block aways. It lasted about 4 hours long and had a great guide. Met some other cruisers on the tour too. Be sure to walk through the big dept store across the plaza. On the lower level they have a great food market, even a wine bar. You sit on stool in the shape of wine corks, while you sip your glass of Cava.

I have jumped ship too from Celebrity and booked a Viking Ocean cruise.

 

 

Hi, thanks for the reply:) Glad you enjoyed the hotel!:D And the wine bar sounds lovely:)

[jpalbny]

Yes Lois, we stayed there in 2008 for one night before an Oceania cruise. Nice from what I remember. Convenient location.

 

If you want, it's so easy to take the airport express bus to Plaça Catalunya, then walk to the hotel. A one-way ticket costs maybe €5 and change. And it's impossible to miss your stop, as Pl. C. is the end of the line.

 

The buses are right there in plain sight as you step out of the baggage claim area. Ticket machines are available right at tje pickup spot, and the buses leave every 10 minutes or so. We have never used any other form of transportation between the city and the airport.

 

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[Lois R]

Yes Lois, we stayed there in 2008 for one night before an Oceania cruise. Nice from what I remember. Convenient location.

 

If you want, it's so easy to take the airport express bus to Plaça Catalunya, then walk to the hotel. A one-way ticket costs maybe €5 and change. And it's impossible to miss your stop, as Pl. C. is the end of the line.

 

The buses are right there in plain sight as you step out of the baggage claim area. Ticket machines are available right at tje pickup spot, and the buses leave every 10 minutes or so. We have never used any other form of transportation between the city and the airport.

 

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Hi JP, thanks for the tip. I am probably going to sound selfish but after flying all night, I would rather put the luggage

in the trunk of a cab and been driven to the hotel.

[jpalbny]

No worries. We don't mind hopping off a red-eye flight and taking public transport to our hotel. I like the comfort of knowing exactly how much it will cost and where I'm going.

 

 

We do this all the time, but realize that it's not for everyone. I study the options carefully before we leave home, so I know exactly what to do. But we'll break down and take a cab if the public transport options are bad.

 

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[Randyk47]

Hi JP, thanks for the tip. I am probably going to sound selfish but after flying all night, I would rather put the luggage

in the trunk of a cab and been driven to the hotel.

 

 

You don't sound selfish at all. Quite frankly the last thing I want to do is drag our considerable luggage around on public transportation. Admittedly the concept of packing light is a non-starter in our house and we look more like we're moving than going on vacation. :o:) Lately we've been traveling with another couple so if we can coordinate flights and either travel together or arrive close to each other we'll arrange a car service with the capacity to handle all our luggage. Pricing it out we've found that not to be much more expensive, if at all, than a couple of taxis.