Running/walking track on the new ships?

[mcshane]

We recently disembarked the Moon and we did not care for the layout and consequent atmosphere. We saw many positives in our experience, however, and would consider one of the new ships (Nova/Ray). The deck plans don’t seem to allow for a running track, however, and I’m wondering if anyone has any further information? This would be a deal-breaker for me.

 

Perhaps someone has seen a presentation that clarified the situation. I also note that the deck plans do not identify a fitness centre, which I’m sure will be there, but I need to run outdoors, and can’t see where it might even be planned, given the unorthodox design of the upper decks. Any help welcome! 

[Gourmet Gal]

Interested to hear what were the problems with the layout and atmosphere?  I’ll be boarding The Moon next month.

 

Did you post a review of your experience?

[mcshane]

Not yet - I’ve been a bit apprehensive about the potential vitriol from those who don’t like to hear anything critical! 

 

Briefly, and with the usual disclaimer of it being our opinion, we found that the layout didn’t flow. The individual spaces were lovely, but there was no wandering about he ship, happening on live music, or an atmospheric lounge etc. You very much had to head with intent to your destination. We found many spaces to be very empty and lacking atmosphere, but the contrast to that was a ship that had 30ish children who were allowed to run riot (taking over the dancefloor in Panorama Lounge at midnight with giant plush toys; wearing pyjamas at trivia in the afternoon, with feet on the tables in Dolce Vita; dive-bombing into hot tubs; wandering barefoot through the ship...), so perhaps it was just the passenger mix. I understand that this is luck of the draw. We were on a summer sailing, so I expected perhaps a handful of well-behaved children, but this was outrageous. We were told that there was little that Silversea could do if they were with their parents. Clearly it’s not a situation they encounter frequently and so have few protocols (even family-orientated lines like Disney have rules against children in lounges after 9pm), but it definitely changed the atmosphere of the ship and significantly detracted from our enjoyment.

 

On the plus side, the service was largely very good, the fitness centre was excellent, the shows were absolutely fantastic and the suites are beautiful. I will say that the decor is very subtle and not lavish, so that is down to personal taste. I think that you will most likely have a wonderful time, and the energy on every cruise is obviously different! 

[Observer]

16 minutes ago, mcshane said:

We were on a summer sailing, so I expected perhaps a handful of well-behaved children, but this was outrageous. We were told that there was little that Silversea could do if they were with their parents.

 

They could follow the example of Viking Ocean and forbid children under a certain age.  18 (the Viking age minimum) may be too severe.  But 12 might be reasonable.  

[cruiseej]

1 minute ago, Observer said:

They could follow the example of Viking Ocean and forbid children under a certain age.

Of course, they could. But they don't have agree restrictions. They could also make certain areas off limits to children after a certain hour, but they don't. So everyone is subject to luck of the draw with the specific passengers aboard. It's usually not a problem, but when it is, its a shame that the parents with children don't respect their fellow passengers enough to prevent the situations @mcshane described.

[Gourmet Gal]

Poorly supervised children is one reason I rarely travel during school breaks.

[Gourmet Gal]

36 minutes ago, mcshane said:

Not yet - I’ve been a bit apprehensive about the potential vitriol from those who don’t like to hear anything critical! 

 

Briefly, and with the usual disclaimer of it being our opinion, we found that the layout didn’t flow. The individual spaces were lovely, but there was no wandering about he ship, happening on live music, or an atmospheric lounge etc. You very much had to head with intent to your destination. We found many spaces to be very empty and lacking atmosphere, but the contrast to that was a ship that had 30ish children who were allowed to run riot (taking over the dancefloor in Panorama Lounge at midnight with giant plush toys; wearing pyjamas at trivia in the afternoon, with feet on the tables in Dolce Vita; dive-bombing into hot tubs; wandering barefoot through the ship...), so perhaps it was just the passenger mix. I understand that this is luck of the draw. We were on a summer sailing, so I expected perhaps a handful of well-behaved children, but this was outrageous. We were told that there was little that Silversea could do if they were with their parents. Clearly it’s not a situation they encounter frequently and so have few protocols (even family-orientated lines like Disney have rules against children in lounges after 9pm), but it definitely changed the atmosphere of the ship and significantly detracted from our enjoyment.

 

On the plus side, the service was largely very good, the fitness centre was excellent, the shows were absolutely fantastic and the suites are beautiful. I will say that the decor is very subtle and not lavish, so that is down to personal taste. I think that you will most likely have a wonderful time, and the energy on every cruise is obviously different! 

I think your comments will be useful for someone considering sailing on SS. Just wondering what kind of ships you’re used to sailing?  SS ships are small with few entertainment options so there’s really not much wandering you could do.  Not meaning to be critical of your observation.  I’ve sailed SS before so this won’t be a surprise when I board next month.  

[mcshane]

We don’t have children and so never sail during those times, deliberately - but lesson learned! We would totally agree re restrictions. Perhaps as time goes on and the world changes, they will have sufficient numbers to have to implement rules (I feel sorry for the passengers who have to be the guinea pigs on the meantime!). Nonetheless, we are reverting to longer itineraries outside of school holidays! 

[mcshane]

1 minute ago, Gourmet Gal said:

I think your comments will be useful for someone considering sailing on SS. Just wondering what kind of ships you’re used to sailing?  SS ships are small with few entertainment options so there’s really not much wandering you could do.  Not meaning to be critical of your observation.  I’ve sailed SS before so this won’t be a surprise when I board next month.  

Totally reasonable to ask - I meant to include our background. Our favourite lines would be Crystal (soon to be resurrected, we hope!) and Regent. We have also sailed with Celebrity and Disney and would view them as different, so would not compare either, meaningfully, to Silversea or the others.

 

We enjoy musical theatre and popular music revue shows (brilliantly executed by Silversea) and live music around the ship, both in the daytime and before and after dinner, which was less of a strength for them. 

[Gourmet Gal]

I don’t recall music during the daytime on Crystal except for that silly afternoon tea.  

[mcshane]

On our sailings, the DJ would typically play a set around the pool in the afternoon, adding atmosphere. We loved the Crystal quartet, too, in the early afternoon. Avenue Saloon was also a big draw after dinner! 

[mcshane]

Just now, mcshane said:

On our sailings, the DJ would typically play a set around the pool in the afternoon, adding atmosphere. We loved the Crystal quartet, too, in the early afternoon. Avenue Saloon was also a big draw after dinner! 

Granted, the DJ is not live music, but it added atmosphere and ambience - and a presence.

[Balian65]

We were definitely on the same cruise and although I can confirm each and every of you observations is true we had a total different feeling about the atmosphere on this cruise.

 

Being Europeans in our fifties we found it very comfortable not to be the youngest and not being a small minority. I am with you if you say this was not the typical Silverseas audience and a lot of the  typical events like trivia or the evenings in the Panorama lounge had a very special atmosphere.

 

But all in all the younger crowd behaved pretty well - only very different from what you would expect from typical Silverseas cruise. Nevertheless we enjoyed that cruise a 100%.

[Gourmet Gal]

3 minutes ago, mcshane said:

Granted, the DJ is not live music, but it added atmosphere and ambience - and a presence.

I’ve never been on a warm enough sailing for there to be music by the pool but I agree that the Aveenue Saloon is super fun.

[A Tucson Guy]

1 hour ago, mcshane said:

Not yet - I’ve been a bit apprehensive about the potential vitriol from those who don’t like to hear anything critical! 

 

Briefly, and with the usual disclaimer of it being our opinion, we found that the layout didn’t flow. The individual spaces were lovely, but there was no wandering about he ship, happening on live music, or an atmospheric lounge etc. You very much had to head with intent to your destination. We found many spaces to be very empty and lacking atmosphere, but the contrast to that was a ship that had 30ish children who were allowed to run riot (taking over the dancefloor in Panorama Lounge at midnight with giant plush toys; wearing pyjamas at trivia in the afternoon, with feet on the tables in Dolce Vita; dive-bombing into hot tubs; wandering barefoot through the ship...), so perhaps it was just the passenger mix. I understand that this is luck of the draw. We were on a summer sailing, so I expected perhaps a handful of well-behaved children, but this was outrageous. We were told that there was little that Silversea could do if they were with their parents. Clearly it’s not a situation they encounter frequently and so have few protocols (even family-orientated lines like Disney have rules against children in lounges after 9pm), but it definitely changed the atmosphere of the ship and significantly detracted from our enjoyment.

 

On the plus side, the service was largely very good, the fitness centre was excellent, the shows were absolutely fantastic and the suites are beautiful. I will say that the decor is very subtle and not lavish, so that is down to personal taste. I think that you will most likely have a wonderful time, and the energy on every cruise is obviously different! 

Which Moon cruise were you on? We were 7-5 to 7-15-22 Copenhagen and did not witness anything like you witnessed. There were very few children and those few were well behaved. No kids in the Panorama Lounge late at night. You must have been on the cruise after us. I guess it is the luck of the draw. I always would expect children on Alaska cruises but you were in Europe.

[mcshane]

1 minute ago, A Tucson Guy said:

Which Moon cruise were you on? We were 7-5 to 7-15-22 Copenhagen and did not witness anything like you witnessed. There were very few children and those few were well behaved. No kids in the Panorama Lounge late at night. You must have been on the cruise after us. I guess it is the luck of the draw. I always would expect children on Alaska cruises but you were in Europe.

Yes, we were on the 7-19-22 sailing. It goes to show that it just depends! I am trying very hard not to let us be dissuaded from the many positives of Silversea as a result of that experience. I think it’s worth being aware of at this time of year, though - I would not choose the summer months again, just in case. 

[A Tucson Guy]

Just now, mcshane said:

Yes, we were on the 7-19-22 sailing. It goes to show that it just depends! I am trying very hard not to let us be dissuaded from the many positives of Silversea as a result of that experience. I think it’s worth being aware of at this time of year, though - I would not choose the summer months again, just in case. 

We got lucky on the prior cruise. If I had witnessed what you did, I would not have been a happy camper or sailor!

[mcshane]

8 minutes ago, Balian65 said:

We were definitely on the same cruise and although I can confirm each and every of you observations is true we had a total different feeling about the atmosphere on this cruise.

 

Being Europeans in our fifties we found it very comfortable not to be the youngest and not being a small minority. I am with you if you say this was not the typical Silverseas audience and a lot of the  typical events like trivia or the evenings in the Panorama lounge had a very special atmosphere.

 

But all in all the younger crowd behaved pretty well - only very different from what you would expect from typical Silverseas cruise. Nevertheless we enjoyed that cruise a 100%.

I totally accept that cultural differences can alter perception. We are in our 40s and prefer an adult-orientated experience. It was our first Silversea cruise, so we had no prior experience. Hopefully this thread may help to inform others with either worldview! 

[A Tucson Guy]

When we go on Regent, we never cruise on the sailings that offer discounted rates for children for just this reason. Been there, done that!!

[mcshane]

2 minutes ago, A Tucson Guy said:

When we go on Regent, we never cruise on the sailings that offer discounted rates for children for just this reason. Been there, done that!!

Transatlantics for the win! 😂