Will The Muse have specialty restaurants only,and no MDR?

Sounds a bit like Marmite

I can see merits and disadvantages......I think removing the MDR will discourage bookings but wont be offset by people wanting not to have it.

in honesty I dont think it would influence if I booked or didnt, but my preference would be to retain the MDR

Les,

I think you are quite correct and I am inclined to agree with you - and I love your analogy!!

However I ADORE Marmite!!

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Les,

 

I think you are quite correct and I am inclined to agree with you - and I love your analogy!!

 

However I ADORE Marmite!!

Well the friends I mentioned who were seriously thinking about cancelling haven't, though they have said their TA isn't happy dealing with SS at the moment. Funnily at first he suggested it was misinformation about the MDR and produced a link to the website dining page as proof. What he failed to realised was the page referred to any and all dining locations on all the ships. He failed to notice the MDR was on all ships bar the Muse too! He has suggested they are renaming or changing 2 of the locations. I find that hard to believe and wondering if he is thinking on the plans from a year ago and saving face.

PS twiglets are nice but marmite is ... perhaps I best not say!

I wonder if it's possible to run a poll on the site to Gauge people's views on the MDR situation?

Please don't be too quick to judge the dining format on the Muse. Wait until you have either sailed on the Muse or heard comments from other passengers before being so vociferous. I am looking forward to dining in different restaurants on my next cruise. I have made my dining bookings for most nights and I an sure there will be option to change bookings once on board.An MDR can be noisy and anything but a calm experience for diners.

SS will want to get things right and I am sure that a lot of thought will have gone into the Muse offering. There are other ships to choose in the SS fleet and many other cruise lines if an MDR is seen as essential.

For those who posted on this thread re their discomfort pre-booking dining options before excursion details and prices were "announced," happy to report that most of that information is now available on My Silversea (a few days on itinerary remain grayed out and details unavailable).

Appears one can't actually still book excursions until 90 days out, but at least we've been graced by a bit of knowledge with which to make decisions.

Thankful for these small blessings.

Nervously waiting to be informed that the Muse has been leased to 500 Russian Oligarchs for the entire month of May, but will be loyally grateful for the $50 on board credit applicable for future booking if they should thus turn our lives upside down. :rolleyes:

For those who posted on this thread re their discomfort pre-booking dining options before excursion details and prices were "announced," happy to report that most of that information is now available on My Silversea (a few days on itinerary remain grayed out and details unavailable).

 

Appears one can't actually still book excursions until 90 days out, but at least we've been graced by a bit of knowledge with which to make decisions.

Thankful for these small blessings.

 

Nervously waiting to be informed that the Muse has been leased to 500 Russian Oligarchs for the entire month of May, but will be loyally grateful for the $50 on board credit applicable for future booking if they should thus turn our lives upside down. :rolleyes:

And that $50 onboard credit will be eaten up by the absurd charity charge they add to your account unless you know enough to have it removed.

He has (TA) suggested they are renaming or changing 2 of the locations. I find that hard to believe

Well it would appear their TA was correct.

The Japanese is now called "Kaiseki" (Not "Kabuki") and the Pizza is now called "Spaccanapoli" (Not "Regina Margherita")

Well it would appear their TA was correct.

 

 

 

The Japanese is now called "Kaiseki" (Not "Kabuki") and the Pizza is now called "Spaccanapoli" (Not "Regina Margherita")

Very interesting as Spaccanapoli is the straight and narrow main street that traverses the old, historic center of the city of Naples, while Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner that is analogous to Western haute cuisine.

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Very interesting as Spaccanapoli is the straight and narrow main street that traverses the old, historic center of the city of Naples, while Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner that is analogous to Western haute cuisine.

The Silversea website still hasnt caught up with those changes either!

The Silversea website still hasnt caught up with those changes either!

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Haha! Considering SS technology, my guess is it'll be lucky if it's updated by the launch date.

Well they have now updated the restaurants on the website.... but not inside "my.silversea"

Spot the difference:

Spaccanapoli

Reflecting Silversea’s Italian heritage, this emblematic street in Naples divides the city in two and is renowned for its pizzerias. No visit to the city is complete without a journey to Spaccanapoli. Therefor it is unsurprising that Spaccanapoli aboard Silver Muse reflects the true Italian way of life: the freshest ingredients, authentic dough and a perfect sense of the fabled Italian lust for life. The simplicity of la dolce vita is reflected in the relaxed dining style of the restaurant.

on my.silversea:

Reflecting Silversea’s Italian heritage, this enormously popular queen captured the hearts and minds of Italians during the late 19th century and is the proud name-bearer of the most “Italian” of pizzas. The simplicity of la Margherita is reflected in the relaxed dining style of the restaurant. Open all-day, Regina Margherita offers an extensive pizza menu baked in a custom built traditional oven. With its long opening hours (from morning to late-evening), the pool side open-air restaurant will be the go-to choice for families as well as those preferring to dine in casual atmosphere.

Kaiseki

The fine art of Kaiseki lies in its meticulous preparation and beautiful presentation. Dishes reflect a passion for tradition and performance and our reinterpretation of these values is clear. Balanced menus have been inspired by the five elements of Japanese nutritional cuisine and respect the equilibrium of yin and yang. With teppanyaki available exclusively for evening diners, daytime menus feature a varied and balanced menu of sushi, sashimi and other raw Asian-inspired dishes.

or my.silversea

One of the most immediately recognisable characteristics of Japanese culture by its stunning costumes and elaborate make-up, the ancient art of kabuki theatre reflects a passion for tradition and performance. Our reinterpretation of these values is clear. Guests at Kabuki are treated to a theatrical production of flavours, tastes and senses. Balanced menus have been inspired by the five elements of Japanese nutritional cuisine and respect the equilibrium of yin and yang. With teppanyaki available exclusively for evening diners, daytime menus feature a varied and balanced menu of sushi, sashimi and other raw Asian-inspired dishes.

Obviously not a big deal........ but I'm sure the info posted will help to get it corrected for guests.

I was just ready to book a cruise as I am completely done with the extra charges and cutbacks of the main cruise lines. Then I saw the extra charges of $60 here. I guess no matter what you pay up front your going to still be nickeled and dimed anyway on SS. There has got to be an all inclusive line out there.

I was just ready to book a cruise as I am completely done with the extra charges and cutbacks of the main cruise lines. Then I saw the extra charges of $60 here. I guess no matter what you pay up front your going to still be nickeled and dimed anyway on SS. There has got to be an all inclusive line out there.

On Regent, you do not pay extra for specialty restaurants or shore excursions.

Nor on Seabourn. It's a Silversea thing, like adding a daily charge to your account for the owner's wife's charity without telling you upfront.

Nor on Seabourn. It's a Silversea thing, like adding a daily charge to your account for the owner's wife's charity without telling you upfront.

I agree that this is a curious practice. However, I have always received material in my suite about the charity, notice of the charge that will appear if I do nothing, and a form I can use to opt out. A charge has never appeared on my bill. I deliver the opt-out form to reception, and at the same time opt in for a nice contribution to the Crew Welfare Fund.

It's perfectly simple to opt out of the for fee venues, just don't go. On the existing fleet, I have tried La Champagne a couple of times and think it's grossly overrated, you're not missing anything. There's six non fee venues on the Muse, it's not like the mainstream lines where you really do need to pay the fee to get a decent meal.

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Hi, there's great discussion and so many excellent questions. I can't speak to pre-booking reservations but am onboard now, and can answer any questions you have about the restaurants and the foods. Just started a "live from Silver Muse" thread, hope you'll wander over there. Link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=52771180#post52771180

Quickly, the food's been terrific (we're on part two of a shakedown series of cruises). Really love the range of great quality casual restaurants, like Straccanapoli, great pizza. La Terrazza is massive and has great atmosphere (also alfresco seating and it's a bit nippy). Two action stations for food, and lots of stations dedicated each to, say salads, fruits, desserts. Easy to eat healthy and yet you can splurge too.

We dined at La Terrazza last night -- at night it's a white tablecloth Italian restaurant. It was the first night of the Owners' Cruise and the fact that he hosted a table in the same casual venue says something! It was marvelous.

Atlantide and Indochine do have the largest capacity next to the buffet venue and they're side by side. The two fee-extra places (Japanese and La Dame, which was definitely a date night restaurant) are across. Never have had a problem getting a table at Atlantide and the food's really good (it's open for lunch too, at least on sea days). Haven't tried Indochine.

Running out of time but haven't also tried the hot rocks, the grill (there are so many excellent choices for lunch) and the Japanese/sushi place.

Anyway, happy to answer questions.

Carolyn

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

Thanks so much for readily sharing your Muse on board experiences Carolyn. Your characterization of dining in Le Dame as a Date Nite restaurant is spot-on.

Silversea's Culinary Director said below in a recent Cruise News article that the $60 fee is a way Silversea controls demand for their fee speciality restaurants:

That resulted in a variety of choices but no 'main dining room.' The top restaurant, La Dame by Relais & Châteaux, serves classic French dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients like foie gras and Limousine beef and paired with elegant wines. (The $60 cover charge here doesn't begin to cover the cost, Scholdis said, but is a way of controlling demand for what's a very intimate experience.)

The other formal restaurant, a grill, is Atlantide, serving steaks and seafood.

Kaseiki offers Japanese cuisine in an casual, convivial atmosphere, with sushi and sashimi featured by day. At night, the focus shifts to the teppanyaki grill where diners have front-row seats as the chef cooks.

Indochine serves contemporary pan-Asian dishes inspired by the spices and cooking styles of countries like India, Thailand and Vietnam. Steve Bloss, owner and vp sales, Worldwide Travel and Cruise Associates, deemed Indochine 'excellent. This is the real deal, not cruise food,' he said. Bloss particularly enjoyed the spicy Thai beef.

Also new is Spaccanapoli, high on Deck 11 overlooking the pool one deck below and featuring genuine Italian-style pizza.

These venues join Silversea familiars like Hot Rocks, where diners select their own meat, fish and vegetables to cook on their tabletop 400 degrees C. lava stone and La Terrazza for fine Italian cuisine and indoor/outdoor seating. Interactive stations include an olive oil cellar, a mozzarella bar, a seafood station and a salumeria.

Not counted among the restaurants but also serving light dishes, which change depending on the time of day, is the Arts Café, where Scholdis created an illy coffee bar with 'pick and go' snacks like cheese plates, fresh fruit cups and smoothies. In the evenings, the music goes up and the lights go down, and canapés are served.

At night in Tor's Observation Library—named after Lefebrve's pal and fellow shipowner, Torstein Hagen of Viking Cruises, who dubbed the Italian restaurant on his ocean ships 'Manfredi's'—Scholdis presents a cheese bar.

Altogether, there are 26 dining concepts, he said. Though there's not a main dining room, La Terrazza is open for buffet-style breakfast and lunch, and diners who want a traditional, sit-down, order-from-a-menu breakfast can go to Atlantide.

Copied below is from our live report from the Muse - see Our Muse-ings from Monte Carlo roundtrip and hope it may be of some help:-

GENERAL LAYOUT OF THE MUSE

The layout of the ship is broadly the same as Silver Spirit. Cabins are at the front and middle, whilst public areas are generally towards the rear. There are four restaurants on Deck 4, with La Terrazza and Silver Note on Deck 7. The main bar, now called Dolce Vita, is mid-ships on Deck 5 in front of the Reception and Shore Concierge desks and the Panorama Lounge is on Deck 9. The Observation Lounge, called Tor’s Observation Library, is right forward on Deck 11. Thus the ship’s layout largely follows the Spirit template.

You may wish to see images of the ship, which were taken during Voyage 6701; see the link below:

http://www.fromthedeckchair.com/2017/04/04/introducing-silver-muse-day-1/

Those onboard since the ship sailed from Genoa on April 2, have reported on dining arrangements, some of which has been conflicting.

I therefore took the opportunity to discuss this with Paolo when we embarked. If he doesn't know, then nobody does!

The first and last night's on each voyage will be casual attire in the evening irrespective of in which restaurant you dine. The remaining nights will not have any ship-wide dress code, but this will be determined by the restaurant which you choose. - (see below).

What follows is a description of the dining venues and dress codes.

RESTAURANTS ON THE MUSE

La Dame

Muse’s equivalent to Le Champagne is called La Dame, and features a bespoke menu by top chefs from the Relais & Châteaux team. Dress here is formal and the cover charge is $60 per person.

Kaiseki

In Japanese the word “Kaiseki”, “is a highly ritual Japanese meal characterised by small portions, subtle flavours, artful presentation, and an emphasis on fresh seasonal ingredients”.

Silversea say that the menus have been inspired by the five elements of Japanese nutritional cuisine and respects the equilibrium of yin and yang. Daytime menus feature sushi, sashimi and other raw Asian-inspired dishes, whilst in the evenings Teppanyaki is available. The latter translates literally to “grilling on an iron plate”, and is derived from “teppan” meaning iron plate and “yaki” which means grilled, broiled, or pan-fried.

The meal is cooked on a hot plate in front of the customer, and can consist of meat, fish and vegetables. Historically, only the best and freshest ingredients are used for these meals and as Teppanyaki is cooked at 400C, all the ingredients’ natural flavours are seared in. There is definitely an art to the culinary skills of the chefs and part of the enjoyment is watching them prepare these dishes. When Sir and Madame went to a Teppanyaki restaurant, the chefs flung their oh-so-sharp knives up in the air, juggling with various pieces of cutlery, before cutting the ingredients into exact sizes. One hopes that, should the Muse chefs have any such idea, the ship isn’t moving!!

Like La Dame, there is a $60 cover charge per head. Dress code is informal

Atlantide

Situated on Deck 4 adjacent to Indochine, and forward of La Dame and Kaiseki, Atlantide was named for the “Atlantides” who were the seven nymph daughters of Atlas. Creative muses, known for their wisdom and beauty, the sisters were granted immortality in the form of stars and can still be seen today in the constellation of Taurus. This restaurant with a bar area, appears similar to that of Hot Rocks, in the fact that high quality steak and fish will be served. However they promise “designer” dishes, from Royal Crab to Verbena infused Snapper served in a salt crust.

As expected Atlantide is the venue for breakfast and lunch. Dress is formal in the evening and there is no cover charge.

Indochine

On the port side of deck 4 and adjacent to Atlantide, this restaurant as its name implies, offers dishes from the Asian subcontinent, from India, Thailand and Vietnam with an emphasis on the subtleties of exotic spices. Dress here is informal and there is no cover charge.

All the above venues are on Deck 4.

La Terrazza

Situated on Deck 7 aft, as on the other ships, La Terrazza needs no introduction. As normal, the Muse has both inside and alfresco seating. There will be no cover charge. Dress is informal.

Silver Note

Silver Note tucked away behind the casino on the starboard side on Deck 7 before reaching La Terrazza, this restaurant is Muse’s answer to the Stars Supper Club on the Silver Spirit. Offering small plates of tapas-style dishes from an international cuisine, where one can listen and dance to a Jazz/Blues singer. There is no cover charge, and dress is informal.

Hot Rocks

Mirroring that on all the other ships, this very popular dining location at night, is for the cooking of meat and fish on hot lava stones. They will have a daytime rotisserie with a gourmet salad and burger bar which you can customise., Dress attire is casual.

Spaccanapoli

With a name that may be difficult to pronounce for some, it means “Naples splitter”, it is in fact the straight and narrow main street that traverses the old, historic centre of the city of Naples, in Italy, renowned for its pizzerias. So what better name for Silversea’s Italian restaurant, situated high up on Deck 11. The dress code is casual.

All restaurants are reservable. Approximately 60% of covers are available for booking on "My Silversea" in advance of embarking. The remainder is only bookable once on board.

The two paid for restaurants have a small capacity of around forty each. By contrast Indochine can seat 180, and Atlantide 140. These figures will be reduced if there is a high demand for tables for two.

I asked Paolo about the conundrum that has oft been raised on these boards concerning "turn up and go" dining. You are in Dolce Vita having a pre- dinner cocktail and strike up a conversation with another couple; where do you dine?? Ordinarily you would go to the MDR. Paolo' answer was that disregarding the paid for venues and assuming informal attire, the first place would be Indochine because of its capacity with La Terrazza as a fall back. Just how this will pan out, only time will tell.

Concerning dress code enforcement, Gilbert is the Maitre 'D and has a reputation for taking a hard line on enforcement.

More on dining as the days unfold.

I hope this has helped to clarify the situation once and for all.

Thank you, madam/sir. Still not reassuring for solo sailors. How do you know who will invite you to dine, and at what time and where?? No one wants to be either a wallflower or a pest....it seems all very insensitive. I'll be following this part of the "Muse Story" very closely!

Had dinner in Kaiseki last night. We were told our booking was for 8:00pm (long story). We arrived just before 7:50pm and joined three other guests at the teppinyaki table. However they were given their main course just after we arrived....very strange. The food and service were excellent...just strange to join a table who were halfway through their meal.

BTW every restaurant was casual yesterday evening. This was announced after the muster drill, 'as it was the first evening'. Turnip

That's a great question CruisinPashmina, plan to find you an answer!

Carolyn

Thank you, madam/sir. Still not reassuring for solo sailors. How do you know who will invite you to dine, and at what time and where?? No one wants to be either a wallflower or a pest....it seems all very insensitive. I'll be following this part of the "Muse Story" very closely!

Does anyone know how SS plans to accommodate single passengers in the dining venues? Will there be a few tables in the "free" restaurants set aside for singles? Will there be tables for people without advance reservations at which anyone who shows up can be seated? The idea of wandering around trying to find a place to eat, being turned away and winding up shivering alone at the Grill is truly terrifying. (Please see Master Echo's excellent thread on Cruise Critic.)

Why in the world would management not plan and welcome solo sailors?There have always been single sailors, and SS has the deserved reputation of being gracious and helpful. I wish I knew more about how this sensitive subject will be handled. It sadly feels intentional. SS apparently does not want solo customers...at least not on the Muse..at least for now.

If and when anyone has any info..good or bad, please jump in and let us all know. For anyone traveling alone...this is a HUGE issue.

CP,

this seems like such an important issue for solos, if I were in that position I don't think I'd be happy to leave it for CC forum feedback alone. Have you considered writing in to a name and asking? Then you'd have both the reassurance of an official answer and a printed record for a future cruise, and you would have forum feedback to see how things happen in practice.

An absence of a decent reply would be a cause to think twice.

Good luck

In the last SS cruise I enjoyed, the International Hostess was also responsible for solo cruisers. Now, I don't know if it's always that way. I made friends with the IH and I saw how she took care that solo cruisers were always either seated with each other, or with others at group tables, according to their wishes. I would recommend all solo cruisers to approach guest services the first day to ensure that their needs will be taken care of. DH and I have hosted solo cruisers in our table and we have had a wonderful time.