Most Silver Endeavor Passengers Will be Happy But ….

[Manfromcasablanca]

I am currently scheduled on a December 2022 sailing of the Silver Explorer which seems will be replaced by the Silver Endeavor.  Yes the common area spaces are a gigantic step up.  Going from a 32 year old ship to a 2 year old ship that has only been in service for 6 months will afford the passengers a wonderful experience.  But there might be 2 categories of rooms on the old Silver Explorer that do not transition very well over to the new ship.

 

Grand Suite and Medallion Suite guests will be downgraded significantly.  It seems to me that the Grand Suite will transfer to the Penthouse Suite with a reduction in square feet from 618 to 457.  The Medallion Suite seems to transfer to the S7 with a reduction in square feet from 400 to 304.  I would hope the Silverseas comes forth with partial refunds for such effected passengers.

 

Unfortunately I am in one of these two categories.

[Gourmet Gal]

Have you enquired about a refund?  If it is significant I wouldn’t just wait for SS to “come forth”.  

[Catlover54]

What will happen with the Explorer?  

[Mr Luxury]

There is talk that Silversea might add some more suites to the Endeavour 

[labrasett]

47 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

There is talk that Silversea might add some more suites to the Endeavour 

Hopefully not unless they limit the number of guests in the South Atlantic as some of the destinations  have strict restrictions as to numbers of guests who can land.   But, if they are not going to have a helicopter (please not IMHO its a step too far for visiting the pristine parts of the world) then there is hangar space which can be converted into something useful.

[labrasett]

2 hours ago, dlcrowley said:

I am currently scheduled on a December 2022 sailing of the Silver Explorer which seems will be replaced by the Silver Endeavor.  Yes the common area spaces are a gigantic step up.  Going from a 32 year old ship to a 2 year old ship that has only been in service for 6 months will afford the passengers a wonderful experience.  But there might be 2 categories of rooms on the old Silver Explorer that do not transition very well over to the new ship.

 

Grand Suite and Medallion Suite guests will be downgraded significantly.  It seems to me that the Grand Suite will transfer to the Penthouse Suite with a reduction in square feet from 618 to 457.  The Medallion Suite seems to transfer to the S7 with a reduction in square feet from 400 to 304.  I would hope the Silverseas comes forth with partial refunds for such effected passengers.

 

Unfortunately I am in one of these two categories.

These suites may be smaller but I suspect much much more luxurious than those on our dear old Explorer.   

[Catlover54]

29 minutes ago, labrasett said:

These suites may be smaller but I suspect much much more luxurious than those on our dear old Explorer.   

 

For some (within certain limits, that is not me), having more space *is* the real luxury.

 

To be fair, DiCrowley therefore appropriately should be offered either a partial refund or right to cancel without penalty.

 

I would be more concerned if there were material  itinerary changes and F&B downgrades. 

 

However, the contracts generally favor the cruise lines (which de facto reserve the right to significantly change so many things -- embarkation and disembarkation ports, itinerary, ships, etc).   It is often only good will/customer relations , i.e., fear you won't come back, that prevent them from asserting their rights.

 

It is a gamble, (especially today).  We too often have to either assume the risk of major changes, (and keep our fingers crossed) or don't sail.

 

 

[AndieSF]

I am with you. We are scheduled to go to the Explorer in late November.  I think it will be an upgrade for vast majority of people, which is a great news.  But since we paid more for a veranda, I feel like I should call them to downgrade us to the lowest room possible and get some refund 😞

[taxatty]

The casino might also be converted to one or more staterooms or another amenity. 

 

It wouldn't be shocking to see SS start to ask significantly more $ for new Endeavour bookings where it's replacing the Explorer, so SS may not be eager to issue partial refunds for existing bookings, even for a suite size downgrade. 

[TLCOhio]

7 minutes ago, AndieSF said:

I think it will be an upgrade for vast majority of people, which is a great news.  But since we paid more for a veranda, I feel like I should call them to downgrade us to the lowest room possible and get some refund 😞

 

What is the size of the most common, basic room/suite on this nearly/kind of "new" Silver Endeavour?  How do these accommodations compare in size and features to what the Silver Muse, etc., type of ships offer?

 

Want to do Antarctica in the future!!  But, am concerned how things will be priced and what we will get for our money.  Know Antarctica will be costly, but how much more?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 244,665 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[Catlover54]

16 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

 

What is the size of the most common, basic room/suite on this nearly/kind of "new" Silver Endeavour?  How do these accommodations compare in size and features to what the Silver Muse, etc., type of ships offer?

 

Want to do Antarctica in the future!!  But, am concerned how things will be priced and what we will get for our money.  Know Antarctica will be costly, but how much more?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 244,665 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

The  base cabins when they were Crystal Endeavor were:

 

Max passengers:2

Staterooms number:90

Cabin size:305 ft2 / 28 m2

Balcony size:50 ft2 / 5 m2

Location (on decks):5, 6, 7, 8

Type (categories):(S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7) Deluxe Suites / balcony staterooms

Cabin amenities include:

living-dining area (2-seat sofa, large smart HDTV, height-adjustable table with chair)

sleeping area with convertible to twins King bed (upholstered headboard, integrated reading lights), large pillows, premium bedding (top-quality Egyptian cotton linens), bedside cabinets with power (220V) and USB outlets

writing desk with chair, minibar (refrigerator), electronic safe box (in the closet)

wardrobe, outside located closet for storing expedition gear (in the hallway/corridor)

55-inch LG Ultra-thin OLED TV, Nespresso coffee machine

full-length mirror, blackout drapery, sheers, “Do Not Disturb” electronic doorbell

en-suite bathroom (double-sink vanity, back-lit mirrors, glass-enclosed shower with rain head (overhead) plus handheld showerhead, ETRO-brand bathrobes, slippers, premium bath amenities

separate WC (wash basin)

24-hour personal butler service

 

I was on for Iceland last year -- very nice ship , general layout  was comparable to SS, SB base cabins and then some.  The bathroom (with an elaborate, large shower, no tub) was better.

 

It was significantly more expensive than other lines going around Iceland, but had fantastic F&B.  It is unclear what the new de novo SS pricing and F&B will be for Endeavour   but I doubt it will be lower than Cloud or Wind expedition.

 

There were some logistical teething issues. 

Edited July 19, 2022 by Catlover54
Typo

[Manfromcasablanca]

According to the deck plan for the Crystal Endeavor, about 75% of cabins are in the S1 and S2 category.  These are the entry level rooms having 300 square feet and are all veranda cabins.  All suites on the Crystal ship have outdoor space.  The Silverseas explorer have a significant number of cabins at 200 square feet with no veranda.

 

AndieSF has a great point.

[Stumblefoot]

8 hours ago, Catlover54 said:

What will happen with the Explorer?  

Sold in 2021 to new line, Exploris. The line is backed by original investors of Ponant.

[Port Power]

On 7/20/2022 at 1:21 AM, Catlover54 said:

 

For some (within certain limits, that is not me), having more space *is* the real luxury.

 

To be fair, DiCrowley therefore appropriately should be offered either a partial refund or right to cancel without penalty.

 

I would be more concerned if there were material  itinerary changes and F&B downgrades. 

 

However, the contracts generally favor the cruise lines (which de facto reserve the right to significantly change so many things -- embarkation and disembarkation ports, itinerary, ships, etc).   It is often only good will/customer relations , i.e., fear you won't come back, that prevent them from asserting their rights.

 

It is a gamble, (especially today).  We too often have to either assume the risk of major changes, (and keep our fingers crossed) or don't sail.

 

 

SS is swapping ships from Explorer to Endeavour, not changing the itinerary.

 

When further suites are installed, some of the cabins will probably be closed to booking so that passenger numbers are preserved.  However, there are so many solo travelers now, that extra suites do not means extra guest numbers on board.

 

As to your earlier questions, SS Explorer's lease expires in November, when it will be handed over to its new owners.  There is some conjecture that it might do some more South Pacific and Australian itineraries now that it is not going to Antarctica.  Kimberley cruises are extremely popular and all current ships are sold out.

[gojirra]

On 7/19/2022 at 10:22 AM, AndieSF said:

I am with you. We are scheduled to go to the Explorer in late November.  I think it will be an upgrade for vast majority of people, which is a great news.  But since we paid more for a veranda, I feel like I should call them to downgrade us to the lowest room possible and get some refund 😞

I think all of the Endeavour rooms have a veranda, including the lowest priced ones,  when it was the Crystal Endeavor, so unless Silversea somehow add a few new ones without veranda before it makes the Silversea debut this November …

[gojirra]

On 7/19/2022 at 9:42 AM, labrasett said:

Hopefully not unless they limit the number of guests in the South Atlantic as some of the destinations  have strict restrictions as to numbers of guests who can land.   But, if they are not going to have a helicopter (please not IMHO its a step too far for visiting the pristine parts of the world) then there is hangar space which can be converted into something useful.

Bad idea to rid of the helicopter IMO, why downgrade the features available for what is the most luxurious and expensive expedition ship ever made to date, you don’t want the Silver Endeavour to be a downgrade from the Crystal Endeavor from switching ownership.

[Herman The Cat]

Agreed, but wonder if for some reason the helicopter or submarine were sold off. 

 

It will be difficult to “map” each cabin category on Explorer to the Endeavour, especially the suites. One would think there would be some sort of rate adjustment where there are significant differences...up or down.  New deck plan is scheduled for mid to late August so we’ll just have to wait a few weeks. 

[cruiseej]

17 hours ago, gojirra said:

Bad idea to rid of the helicopter IMO, why downgrade the features available for what is the most luxurious and expensive expedition ship ever made to date

 

But how many people will pay the astronomical price they would need to charge for helicopter excursions? Seabourn's new excursion ship has the 6-passenger submarines, and they've already charged the rate from $500 to $1,000 per person for an excursion. It looks super-cool, but $2,000 for us to take a single submarine excursion?! I'm sure some people will pay it, but that's above my price point. I suspect the helicopter aboard the Endeavor would be something similar.

[highplanesdrifters]

Last I read, submarine stays, helicopter gone.

[Manfromcasablanca]

This attached article on Silversea’s website indicates that the helicopter and submarines will not be a part of the Silversea offering.  However the remote operated vehicle (ROV) will be used by Silverseas.

 

The article quotes the CEO.

 

https://discover.silversea.com/ships/silversea-to-acquire-luxury-expedition-ship-endeavor/?cid_email=em_USA_EM2205104621_PROSPECT_OTHER_CON_DEM_LINK&IndividualId=26442115&utm_campaign=USA_EM2205104621_PROSPECT&utm_source=USA&utm_medium=Email&cid=108958&mid=274570703

 

[AndieSF]

FYI - I just found out that we went from Veranda on Silver Explore (paid a lot more for the balcony) to deck 6 (mid range) in Silver Endeavour.  There is no compensation - as expected, vast majority got the upgrade, we  paid more to get the same.

 

 

[gojirra]

4 minutes ago, AndieSF said:

FYI - I just found out that we went from Veranda on Silver Explore (paid a lot more for the balcony) to deck 6 (mid range) in Silver Endeavour.  There is no compensation - as expected, vast majority got the upgrade, we  paid more to get the same.

 

 

I have originally booked on the Crystal Endeavor for September this year, so I have looked at all their rooms, they are all verandah rooms, they charge different depending on the location of the room.

Edited August 12, 2022 by gojirra

[Port Power]

1 hour ago, gojirra said:

I have originally booked on the Crystal Endeavor for September this year, so I have looked at all their rooms, they are all verandah rooms, they charge different depending on the location of the room.

On Silver Explorer there are also window view suites as well as verandah suites.  With the change to Silver Endeavour, guests who paid for a window only suite will now be located in a verandah suite at no extra cost.  That is like a free upgrade.  @AndieSF is saying they are in basically exactly the same cabin as those guests, but she paid much more for that same cabin.  Andie is feeling a bit peeved, understandably so, but such is the roller coaster of life.

Edited August 12, 2022 by Port Power
Not so predictable text

[gojirra]

Yes, but they all get an upgrade from a 30+ year old expedition ship to the most expensive/berth, most luxurious and the most technologically advanced expedition ship built to date, at no extra costs, no?

[gojirra]

Btw, even on the Crystal Endeavor, the most expensive verandah room (not counting the ultra expensive big suites), can cost a lot more than the cheapest room of exactly the same size and design, so it may not be worth it to go for the most expensive regular verandah room, unless the cheaper ones are all sold.

Edited August 12, 2022 by gojirra