Our First "Muse-ings" from Monte Carlo Roundtrip

[les37b]

Very international for a Brit to use an Abraham Lincoln quote.... but it still work and will into the distant future....

 

I felt it better than you can't please some people any of the time! lol

 

I think the only downside to this change of direction is that if you found the food in Atlantide your best option, you would have to dress black tie every night. Conversely, if you preferred la terrazza, then you might feel out of place wanting to dress up.

 

I do however think people should respect the dress code and find it odd anyone could book without realising it's "that type" of cruise. I'd hate it people sought to get SS compete with Carnivals approach on "dress suggestions".

[Master Echo]

Les,

 

You do not have to wear a black tie in Atlantide or tuxedo! All men wore jackets and ties that we saw, but there were far less "black ties" in evidence. I am sure you would not be turned away if you were wearing an ordinary jacket.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[les37b]

Les,

 

You do not have to wear a black tie in Atlantide or tuxedo! All men wore jackets and ties that we saw, but there were far less "black ties" in evidence. I am sure you would not be turned away if you were wearing an ordinary jacket.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

 

 

So effectively it was "informal" i.e. Jacket or suit required with tie?

 

I'm glad that is the case anyway. I think I personally prefer to have the "formal night" shipwide approach with hot rocks and pizza being casual all cruise.

 

I do also think SS needs to update the website with the dress requirements as I just rechecked and still can't see anything to clarify.

 

PS ... so what was the food like in Atlantide. I think this is probably the one I'm most looking forward to.

 

 

 

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[friendlyfifer]

Formal wear is the dress code for Atlantide and I want to see SS enforce it! Otherwise, why bother with formal at all? Those who don't abide by the dress code can eat elsewhere or choose an alternative cruise line.

[hypercafe]

Master Echo, thanks for you reports. I know it takes lots of time. I really enjoy them as we have a trip coming on the Muse which will be out first Silversea trip. I was wondering how the food and entertainment are coming. I have the dress code down pat!😂

 

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[Silver Spectre]

ME, is there an area on the Muse with a couple desktop computers and a printer for the guests to use?

 

 

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[Mayflower1]

I thank you Master Echo for clarifying the ' Formal ' Dress Code. I was not trying to upset either you or Silver Spectre but merely attempting to find out the true position from someone on board the early Sailings. Silversea London indicated that ' Formal ' meant Dinner Jacket for both Atlantide & La Dame.

[friendlyfifer]

I thank you Master Echo for clarifying the ' Formal ' Dress Code. I was not trying to upset either you or Silver Spectre but merely attempting to find out the true position from someone on board the early Sailings. Silversea London indicated that ' Formal ' meant Dinner Jacket for both Atlantide & La Dame.

The dress code is set by the cruise line not the passengers. If SS in London have told you that formal means a dinner jacket then that is what you should adhere to.

[Master Echo]

Trivia Matters

 

For those who do not know Jimmy, his genial style provides a perfect host for Trivia. His basic rules - no more than eight a team, unless a large contingent, then he will accept 9. He does not do either phobia or collective questions and his points range from one to five, presumably depending on his judgement of the difficulty.

 

On this cruise there have only been three teams, and unlike on some cruises, the event has not become a blood sport!! This has made trivia light hearted and fun. For the last two days, two points have separated first and last, which provides a little tension and makes the competition worthwhile. Modesty precludes me saying where our team came for the last two days!!

 

The venue was originally in the Panorama as on the Spirit, but we have now moved to Dolce Vita - the main bar, but the ultimate permanent location is uncertain.

 

More to follow

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[Master Echo]

In response to the post that says dress code is not set by passengers - you clearly have nor read this thread properly. I thought I was writing in English - clearly not for some of you.

 

Whilst I might be just a passenger - I am currently on the. Muse, , have eaten in Atlantide and have seen that whilst some male diners there are dressed in Tuxedos, others are wearing ordinary jackets with ties which is PERFECTLY acceptable. If there are any of you who have sailed with SS before, you will know that provided you have a jacket and tie, although they will lend you both if you have neither, you are not barred from the MDR on On a formal night

[TLCOhio]

Whilst I might be just a passenger - I am currently on the. Muse, , have eaten in Atlantide and have seen that whilst some male diners there are dressed in Tuxedos, others are wearing ordinary jackets with ties which is PERFECTLY acceptable. If there are any of you who have sailed with SS before, you will know that provided you have a jacket and tie, although they will lend you both if you have neither, you are not barred from the MDR on On a formal night

 

Appreciate this added information and background. Does not sound like too bad of a policy to me. There seems to be some reasonable flexibility here IMO.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 177,359 views for this posting.

[Master Echo]

UKJeff regarding "will it won't it" have a casino, Sir & Madame went to look at the venue. It has 11 slots, two tables plus roulette

 

Regarding the "childrens room" it is called the Activities Room, has three computer terminals, a large TV, a couple of bean bags, and three or four benches. Immediately outside is a small open deck area for their use.

 

BTW it is nothing to do with the London office, they have given much misinformation in the past. It is the jurisdiction of the Hotel Director and the overall Restaurant Manager how the ship is run. Passengers have been dining in Atlantide with jackets and ties and tuxedos are NOT de rigueur.

 

And this is what we reported on our previous postings.

 

More to follow if time and Internet permit.

 

Kind regards

 

Master Echo

[UKCruiseJeff]

Hi ME,

 

Loving your postings, but I think you're confusing me with someone else! No interest at all in the casino. We all look alike after a while! :)

 

 

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[Silver Spectre]

I thank you Master Echo for clarifying the ' Formal ' Dress Code. I was not trying to upset either you or Silver Spectre but merely attempting to find out the true position from someone on board the early Sailings. Silversea London indicated that ' Formal ' meant Dinner Jacket for both Atlantide & La Dame.

 

 

Fret not, just my warped sense of humour. It's nigh on impossible to be upset by anything that almost anyone could post on these fora.

 

 

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[roomiec]

ME...I have a question regarding reserving Dining dates and times on the website prior to sailing. We sail on July 15 so I wanted to make reservations before we board. I chose a restaurant for the first evening, and instead of a specific time(eg: 7PM), it gave me a 7-8PM choice. I assume I can go any time during that hour

Is that how it is if you book on board?

[mpfund]

ME -- I am really enjoying your reports -- almost feel as if I am there, they are that evocative.

 

Could you give us some idea of items on the menus -- especially for the included dining venues.

 

TIA!

[Kate-AHF]

Many thanks to Master Echo for taking us along on your Muse journey. I am new to this forum, as we just booked our first Silversea cruise next year on the Muse. We are beyond excited to sail on this supremely elegant ship. I must say however, that nothing in my CC experience has prepared me for the next-level angst regarding dress code and jackets.

 

I would love to hear more about the functionality of the cabin, and the hits and misses on the menus.

 

Cheers,

Kate

[Master Echo]

I apologise UK Jeff if it was not you who had been told that there would be no casino, when others had said there would. This issue was a "live" thread when we were on the Whisper in the Amazon in autumn 2015

 

We have now seen some Fincanteri technicians onboard. Frankly, this comes as no surprise, as any major engineering project will always have bedding issues.

 

Concerning the timing of pre-cruise dinner reservations, these are" 7.00-8.00" when booking online. However the invitation reminder sent to your cabin seems to state "7.00 pm". Should you want a later time, then any of the restaurants can amend your booking.

 

Whilst Spaccanapoli has overhead heaters, none have been provided for Hot Rocks. Perhaps this might turn into a "work in progress" issue.

 

Easter treats. Today being Easter Saturday, we have been given an Easter basket containing the normal night time chocolates, together with miniature eggs, and a little chocolate Easter bunny wrapped in cellophane. A nice little touch.

 

Cinnamon Hot cross buns were available in La Terrazza for breakfast on the first morning. Today - Easter Saturday, we breakfasted in Atlantide, and Madame enquired if there were any hot cross buns. What followed was a farce worthy of the British TV comedy Faulty Towers! We understand of course that these items are of a religious nature, and many people would not have heard of them. The head waiter brought two of them to our table, asking if we wanted them butterflied cut and toasted to which we agreed.

 

Some time later our waiter turned up with two objects, each resembling a jacket ( baked) potato, cut in four at the top, and merely warm! After gales of laughter from Sir and Madame, he was despatched once again with specific instructions on how they should be retuned to us. Finally, the plate arrived with said hot cross buns, unfortunately a little too heavily toasted! Good job we were not intending to go on an early morning tour, otherwise we would have been hot cross bun less!

 

Whilst on the subject of breakfast in Atlantide, the breakfast and room service menus are identical to the other classic ships.

 

The dinner menu in Hot Rocks has the same main courses, but the starters and desserts are different.

 

As well as not being able to order across other restaurant menus, it appears that in the different venues all the waiters remain in the restaurant to which they were originally assigned, thereby emphasising the individuality of each restaurant, and ensuring that they become familiar with all the dishes on their menu.

 

Well that's all the little bits and pieces for now.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[les37b]

I'm sure our Wind restaurant booking times a couple of weeks ago weren't what we'd actually booked and were as you say a time rather than a between time, so maybe its normal now - I cant honestly remember from previous bookings. I do remember being frustrated that all the bookings made (restaurants and trips) were no longer visible in my.silversea, so no way of viewing what you've booked. Something that SS IT should rectify as it is a bit silly not giving access to something that is very much needed on board. (Yes you can go to concierge, but the online presence info on trips is also missing as is the trip itself from the main silversea site. Obviously a bit on an oversight rather than anything mischievous. Hopefully SS can look into letting this info be visible for the future? (Please...)

 

Interesting, my June sailing only has one restaurant showing as "wait listed" and unsurprisingly that's in La Dame. And that includes Monaco, when La Terrazza AND Atlantide have been locked out from bookings. (I'm guessing this is because Manfredi is doing exactly what happened last March on the Wind when La Champagne was out of bounds.) I think Pizza will be on the menu for quite a few people on this night. (I have to say that removing the two biggest restaurants for the night is a bit much!!!)

 

Ditto the posters above request for some menu samples if possible?

 

Carry on enjoying and again many thanks for posting.

[wripro]

I'm sure our Wind restaurant booking times a couple of weeks ago weren't what we'd actually booked and were as you say a time rather than a between time, so maybe its normal now - I cant honestly remember from previous bookings. I do remember being frustrated that all the bookings made (restaurants and trips) were no longer visible in my.silversea, so no way of viewing what you've booked. Something that SS IT should rectify as it is a bit silly not giving access to something that is very much needed on board. (Yes you can go to concierge, but the online presence info on trips is also missing as is the trip itself from the main silversea site. Obviously a bit on an oversight rather than anything mischievous. Hopefully SS can look into letting this info be visible for the future? (Please...)

 

Interesting, my June sailing only has one restaurant showing as "wait listed" and unsurprisingly that's in La Dame. And that includes Monaco, when La Terrazza AND Atlantide have been locked out from bookings. (I'm guessing this is because Manfredi is doing exactly what happened last March on the Wind when La Champagne was out of bounds.) I think Pizza will be on the menu for quite a few people on this night. (I have to say that removing the two biggest restaurants for the night is a bit much!!!)

 

Ditto the posters above request for some menu samples if possible?

 

Carry on enjoying and again many thanks for posting.

 

All of this is the antithesis of luxury to me. Who wants all this stress and worry about reservations? Deciding months in advance where you will want to eat on any given night. Making reservations. Reservations not shown up. Reservations times different from time booked. Different dress codes in different restaurants. The whole thing sounds like management picked slips of paper out of a hat with rules and whatever came up they implemented.

[les37b]

All of this is the antithesis of luxury to me. Who wants all this stress and worry about reservations? Deciding months in advance where you will want to eat on any given night. Making reservations. Reservations not shown up. Reservations times different from time booked. Different dress codes in different restaurants. The whole thing sounds like management picked slips of paper out of a hat with rules and whatever came up they implemented.

 

Well I wasn't saying it was good or bad, just simply that people clearly ARENT booking up in advance if mine is anything to go by.

 

We are only 6 days into a maiden voyage. Maybe just a little to early to write off the new concept just yet. I'm sure if it turns out as unpopular or difficult to manage as you anticipate, the model will be amended to what we all know. I'm pretty sure SS are monitoring peoples views and how its going on board.

 

I agree it does seem a little convoluted, but until I see complaints that its not working, it kinda suggests its going okay! Its never been guaranteed you can get into any restaurant (MDR aside), so having to book isn't new. I do have reservations (no pun intended) on how its going to pan out, but happy to go with the flow in the meantime.

 

When in La Terrazza, I always like to get a seat on the terrace. Mostly I'm lucky, sometimes not. There simply isnt enough seats to guarantee it and its all down to the limited number of seats available I just see each restaurant in a similar limited space that needs to be managed. The fact no one yet (AFAICS) has said theyve not got in to where they wanted suggests the concerns might be unfounded.

 

Time will tell and if I dont get into a particular restaurant one night, I'll just remind myself, I couldnt always get what I wanted on the old system and not let it bother me.

[Master Echo]

Life onboard is a bit hectic at present. The 17th is our last day and will involve packing as well as all the usual activities.

 

We will continue to provide information on the 18th which will include a full description of the cabin, how onboard dining has worked for us and others, and our overall views on our first Muse Experience. Please stay tuned.

 

Posted at thirty minutes past midnight!!

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[Emtbsam]

Safe travels home and thanks for taking us along.

[Stevanb]

All of this is the antithesis of luxury to me. Who wants all this stress and worry about reservations? Deciding months in advance where you will want to eat on any given night. Making reservations. Reservations not shown up. Reservations times different from time booked. Different dress codes in different restaurants. The whole thing sounds like management picked slips of paper out of a hat with rules and whatever came up they implemented.

 

A little off the subject BUT just off Crystal and you have to make reservations for all their restaurants . Really had no problems with it only one night we could not get what we wanted as we booked 2 weeks before sail date We have been on SS two times before like the just walk in . Also only had one black tie night out of 10 BUT no tie needed only a jacket

[friendlyfifer]

In response to the post that says dress code is not set by passengers - you clearly have nor read this thread properly. I thought I was writing in English - clearly not for some of you.

 

Whilst I might be just a passenger - I am currently on the. Muse, , have eaten in Atlantide and have seen that whilst some male diners there are dressed in Tuxedos, others are wearing ordinary jackets with ties which is PERFECTLY acceptable. If there are any of you who have sailed with SS before, you will know that provided you have a jacket and tie, although they will lend you both if you have neither, you are not barred from the MDR on On a formal night

 

I have read this thread properly and I understand English perfectly well. My point however still stands. The dress code, set by the cruise line, for Atlantide is formal. Some passengers adhere to this and, as you stated, some wear a jacket and tie. The latter, hopefully you will agree, are informally dressed. SS is choosing to accept this and perhaps should either enforce the formal code or downgrade the code to informal.