Spirit-venice to athens review

Arrived in Athens yesterday after my first Silversea cruise.

Check in was easy.

Stateroom: veranda suite on deck 5 was nice-very spacious. The curtains were really good at blocking out sunlight. There are 2 sets of curtains-one at the veranda and one diving the sleeping area from the living room. Cabin was well designed except for the outlet situation and the sink. There were 2 outlets only and they were positioned close to a shelf so my surge protector/multi outlet didn't fit. But it was not a problem.

As previously mentioned, the faucet for the sink tends to splash if you are not careful and the sink was wider than necessary.

The beds were really comfortable, as were the pillows (9 choices, I think). As is common in hotels, the comforter was too warm. So we had to set the thermostat very cool.

Butler. Our butler Udit was very good.

Food. The food was very good. My husband prefers a vegan diet and we informed the staff, but there was no effort made by staff. On the first night, the waiter told my husband he would bring him a big salad every night, but it never materialized. On the last night, for the vegetarian dinner option, there were 3 tiny appetizer sized items own the plate. Not enough for a dinner.

I will write more later

So far, so good. Tell us more. Glad you enjoyed it. Sorry for your husband's diet experience I do hope you talked to the maitre'd.

Thanks for checking in Mameypeak. I look forward to the rest of your review! We're doing the reverse trip next summer (Athens to Venice) and it'll be our first on board the Spirit.

Stumblefoot, Venice is my fav city in the world. If you are staying and are looking for an apt, we have been in good ones!

Stumblefoot, Venice is my fav city in the world. If you are staying and are looking for an apt, we have been in good ones!

We're excited that for our second visit to the Queen of the Adriatic, we get to overnight on the Spirit herself. Upon disembarkation, we're going to head up to Milan for some culture and shopping before heading on to the lakes region.

Thanks again for your willingness to share about your favorite city.

A very disappointing review of the food and waiter service so far.

I hope it improves.

 

Food. The food was very good. My husband prefers a vegan diet and we informed the staff, but there was no effort made by staff. On the first night, the waiter told my husband he would bring him a big salad every night, but it never materialized. On the last night, for the vegetarian dinner option, there were 3 tiny appetizer sized items own the plate. Not enough for a dinner.

 

I will write more later

It was a great trip. I did not have to torture my husband. Staff did it for me.

We were also on this trip which was our fourth on Spirit but some things were quite different.

The biggest difference we noted was the bar in the evening which was very quite. Each evening only about a quarter full at most between 7 and 8 as opposed to the 80 or 90 percent occupancy on previous cruises. My theory is that the pianist/singer had seen most people off. Although he was pretty good the volume needed to be about a quarter of that used.

Food was O.K. but not outstanding although we were fortunate to make Terrazza 3 nights which were each much better than MDR. The pool deck menu has been the same for some years now and some variety would be welcome. I do enjoy a hot dessert and most days those in Terrazza are very good but why oh why are they not on in MDR in the evening.

We often recall some of the memorable food we had on the old Cunard ship Vistafjord some 30 years ago when we started cruising but remember very few on SS. So why do we carry on sailing with SS? Well one reason is the space and lack of queues which make things more peaceful. When in Corfu we sat on the aft deck in the morning for an hour and a half and were passed by 1 passenger and 3 crew.

Despite some poor weather at the start still a very pleasant way of extending the U.K. summer.

Back to the food:

I didn't like having to make reservations for the restaurants.

Seishin-we only had the first course since I became ill (not from the food). I wasn't impressed

Hot rocks-despite all the previous good reviews, I was sorry that we spent an evening there. We had chicken, fish and steak and vegetable skewer. I'm sorry, but sitting in the fading light and having to cook your own food didn't cut it. The wait staff was less experienced than in the restaurant.

The Restaurant-excellent service, good food

La Terrazza-we couldn't get a reservation there one night. We didn't try again

Back to the food:

I didn't like having to make reservations for the restaurants.

Seishin-we only had the first course since I became ill (not from the food). I wasn't impressed

Hot rocks-despite all the previous good reviews, I was sorry that we spent an evening there. We had chicken, fish and steak and vegetable skewer. I'm sorry, but sitting in the fading light and having to cook your own food didn't cut it. The wait staff was less experienced than in the restaurant.

The Restaurant-excellent service, good food

La Terrazza-we couldn't get a reservation there one night. We didn't try again

Caving to Modric Cave, Zadar, Croatia

This excursion is rarely done because they need 12 participants. Luckily there was one group with 8 people (plus 4 additional). This is a cave about 45 minutes from the port. We shared the bus with the hiking excursion (the cave is the first stop). We had some problems. The cave is in its natural state-no cement floors, no lights. One of the women was wearing flat shoes. Luckily the female guide had an extra pair of hiking boots. We had to wear overalls and helmets with lights (either flashlight or gaslight). Silversea did not make it clear how correct footwear was absolutely necessary. In addition, you had to be somewhat physically fit-or at least agile. We had to fit through some really tight spots. A great day for a contortionist. Here is a link to a review of the cave on tripadvisor. Check out the pictures (this is from trip advisor, not my excursion):

<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/LocationPhotos-g1190819-d1549389-Modric_Cave_Modric_Spilja-Zadar_County_Dalmatia.html"><img alt="Photos of Modric Cave (Modric Spilja), Zadar County" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/db/9c/f9/modric-cave-modric-spilja.jpg"/></a><br/>This photo of <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1190819-d1549389-Reviews-Modric_Cave_Modric_Spilja-Zadar_County_Dalmatia.html">Modric Cave (Modric Spilja)</a> is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The cave was amazing! We did have some other issues. I was told by Silversea that lunch was included. After the cave, we had to wait for an hour at the restaurant (where we had been dropped off) for the hikers to come pick us up. Silversea refunded 15% of the cost.

2) Dubrovnik walking tour

Dubrovnik was lovely-very very crowded. The guide was only fair-neither pleasant nor particularly informative. I would hire my own guide next time (if at all). In the afternoon (the boat doesn't leave till 11 pm), we went bar hopping and ended up at a bar on the rocks (Busa)-wonderful.

What I liked best about Silversea is the space. 490 passengers, 50% were European, 25% American and 25% Australian. There was just so much space, no lines for anything.

I would certainly cruise Silversea again, but I'm not sure it's worth the premium price.

Back to the food:

 

I didn't like having to make reservations for the restaurants.

 

Seishin-we only had the first course since I became ill (not from the food). I wasn't impressed

 

Hot rocks-despite all the previous good reviews, I was sorry that we spent an evening there. We had chicken, fish and steak and vegetable skewer. I'm sorry, but sitting in the fading light and having to cook your own food didn't cut it. The wait staff was less experienced than in the restaurant.

 

The Restaurant-excellent service, good food

 

La Terrazza-we couldn't get a reservation there one night. We didn't try again

If you do not fancy cooking your own food at the Hot Rocks you can always ask for it to be cooked and plated, although IMHO that takes away most of the fun.

If you do not fancy cooking your own food at the Hot Rocks you can always ask for it to be cooked and plated, although IMHO that takes away most of the fun.

And hopefully it takes away getting splashed with fat.:rolleyes:

Hi are you on the August Athens to Venice

Hi are you on the August Athens to Venice

I am :) This will be our 4th Silversea trip, the previous ones all being Caribbean.

I am :) This will be our 4th Silversea trip, the previous ones all being Caribbean.

yes we are on Silver Spirit Athens to Venice in August. This is our first Silverseas Cruise . We have done two cruises on Oceania one in the Mediterranean and one in the Baltic. Looking forward to trying a different line. Was trying to start a roll call without much luck

yes we are on Silver Spirit Athens to Venice in August. This is our first Silverseas Cruise . We have done two cruises on Oceania one in the Mediterranean and one in the Baltic. Looking forward to trying a different line. Was trying to start a roll call without much luck

we have cruised with Cunard, and I notice that roll calls don't seem to be as popular on this board as they are on Cunard. Perhaps just start a new thread regarding the actual cruise and other travellers may join that. Looking forward to our trip. We were supposed to do a Dalmation coast cruise a couple of years ago on Seabourn but had to cancel on day of trip unfortunately.

The Athens to Venice cruise is one of the best you can take .... particularly the arrival into Venice in the morning. So, so magical. I do so hope you both have a perfect cruise and are able to take full advantage of some time both Athens and Venice at both ends of the cruise.

:)

The Athens to Venice cruise is one of the best you can take .... particularly the arrival into Venice in the morning. So, so magical. I do so hope you both have a perfect cruise and are able to take full advantage of some time both Athens and Venice at both ends of the cruise.

 

:)

yes we are. A friend who worked on P&O was telling us about the amazing sail into Venice, also Kotor - 2 early mornings for us then :)

yes we are. A friend who worked on P&O was telling us about the amazing sail into Venice, also Kotor - 2 early mornings for us then :)

It's sometimes misty in the morning ... pure magic. Hopefully - if you object to the tannoy as I do - you will have a tannoy-free entry into the lagoon and will be able to soak up the atmosphere rather than a commentary.

If this is your first visit to Venice happy to try and answer any questions and provide some tips if it would help. Just ask.

Very envious. You cannot visit Venice toooooooooooo often. :)

It's sometimes misty in the morning ... pure magic. Hopefully - if you object to the tannoy as I do - you will have a tannoy-free entry into the lagoon and will be able to soak up the atmosphere rather than a commentary.

 

If this is your first visit to Venice happy to try and answer any questions and provide some tips if it would help. Just ask.

 

Very envious. You cannot visit Venice toooooooooooo often. :)

Thank you - any tips gladly received. Our first visit to Venice and my birthday when there too.

Thank you - any tips gladly received. Our first visit to Venice and my birthday when there too.

I am so envious of anyone's first visit to Venice!! How long do you have there?

Some generalities which I hope will give you a starter.

Venice is all about walking and the vaporetti - for which you can get cheap tickets for your visit. Walking always entails getting lost so get a good pocket map. Venice is also lovely on a rainy night. Venice is so magical and mysterious at night. Very atmospheric if you still have the romantic gene in you!

If you are interested the first European Jewish ghetto was in Venice which was one of the few places in Europe tolerant to Jews (actually they wanted their international banking talents .... ) and it is still a really interesting and original area to visit. Still has it's lockable night gates and is still the Jewish quarter.

You could if so inclined and want to be a bit local, make some of your eating plans around "picnics" and you'll get some nice bread and cheese and cold meats in many of the small markets and stores including the main one spanning the Rialto bridge. If you eat in a restaurant steer clear of the tourist areas and walk some distance out and eat where locals eat. A gentle warning. Venice is the restaurant and cafe overcharging capial of Europe. But if you follow this advice you'll be fine. Be aware that many restaurants and bars apply a two tier (I suspect three or infinite tier - a price for family, another for Venetians, another for Italians, another for the police, another for foreigners, and then the sliding sale ....... ) pricing which basically means they overcharge all visitors. This has been a scandal over the years and bars and restaurants must display prices by law. This means that when you are eating in any establishment in a prime tourist area you are going to pay a high starting price even based on advertised prices, and then pay some more when stuff is inflated or added. So do not take your coffee on the tables and chairs on any of the piazzas and ALWAYS make sure you've seen the price list before you sit down and order anything. I consider myself fairly canny but I managed to be stiffed with a 20 euro expresso on my last trip. As long as you get a menu with prices, and check the bill you should be fine.

If you want to ride on a gondola, ask and neogiate first. It is very expensive. A very cheap cheeky alternaitve is that you'll see ferries going across the Grand Canal that are gondolas. The gondola expeience for a few cents!

This would be my top tip for the Grand Canal tour! The secret of taking a vaporetti ride on the Grand Canal is to go "the wrong way" ie make your way to one of the stops at the top of the canal or say from Chiesa dei Gesuati and then go down the canal arriving at rather than starting from any of the stops near San Marco. Everyone starts at the St Marco end which is a great shame and seems to me to be the wrong and less scenic way. My way will also be less crowded and if you get on at the stop I suggest you may be able to get a seat at the front or work your way there.

Is this of any help? Ask anything more ......

Thank you for the advice - much appreciated. Eagerly anticipating my trip now.

Agree with all the good advice above. And yes, it is easy to get lost (esp. at night, and a tad spooky if you remember the movie "Don't Look Now" ;) ), so get a map. Two other suggestions: (1) walk or take a water taxi (vaporetto) to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection on the Grand Canal - it is great; and (2) if the weather is decent, take a vaporetto to the island of Lido and stroll around and go to a cafe - lovely to see how people live there.