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Long time no sail SS


mitz18
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Hi all - has been a while since we sailed SS (2006 S.Wind) and just curious how things are now. As I remember, everyone dressed nicely during the day - as some recent threads say "country club casual". Night however was more formal. On non-formal nights most men wore suits and on formal nights tuxes. In fact as I remember, if you did not have a jacket, you were not allowed in the dining room on any night. It was "open bar" and they served Pommery Champagne if not mistaken. I'd say 50/50 mix European/Americans - most quiet and to themselves, but many would mingle if invited. Just curious if there are any long term SS cruisers that can comment regarding changes since '06 - good or bad.

 

Thanks in advance

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Love Duct Tape's take and for this reason I urge you to read the ships' member reviews on the Reviews section of this site. As always with reviews, you need to discern polarization. For example, a mobile challenged person gave a very poor review to his cruise due to the ship's inability to cater to his needs. This, of course, is very relevant to mobility challenged persons; however, if you read the review, the rest is really positive. I would suggest that you read the SS board on a frequent basis as many details emerge from frequent sailors' comments which could be helpful in your decision making process.

Edited by Ithaca
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Mostly bad from ten years ago. Just priced a couple cruises that can be had for about half the rate Seabourn demands. With that spread, it is a close call. Booked Seabourn, but might do one on SS just because I skipped them during 2016.

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My suggestion is to read ALL reviews with a big grain of salt, and to remember that you will always read more troubling reviews than rave reviews. It's just human nature to focus on the negatives when deciding whether or not to take the time and trouble to post opinions.

After quite a few years of participating with Cruise Critic I have learned which posters to take seriously. I know who the generally negative people are and who are fair and credible. And I know who the cheerleaders are..me for one.

I am generally sunny when it comes to SS, and have been very happy with my experiences on board all the ships except the Expedition ships on which I have never cruised.

Cruise Critic is a wonderful, informative resource...just don't believe the info is always gospel ...pass the salt!

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Hi all - has been a while since we sailed SS (2006 S.Wind) and just curious how things are now. As I remember, everyone dressed nicely during the day - as some recent threads say "country club casual". Night however was more formal. On non-formal nights most men wore suits and on formal nights tuxes. In fact as I remember, if you did not have a jacket, you were not allowed in the dining room on any night. It was "open bar" and they served Pommery Champagne if not mistaken. I'd say 50/50 mix European/Americans - most quiet and to themselves, but many would mingle if invited. Just curious if there are any long term SS cruisers that can comment regarding changes since '06 - good or bad.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Most of the above is still true, but it depends on the cruise, on our recent crossing we never had anyone dressed inappropriately, this next cruise is a completely different mix and the dress code on the first formal night will be challenging in the extreme.

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I disembarked Silver Whisper just about a month ago (NYC-Barbados) after a ten year absence. Earlier SS cruises were a T/A in 2005 and Alaska in 2006.

 

Silversea is still enjoyable...but there were noticeable changes. I felt the lack of being greeted by name (is this really that important? Prob not, but it does set 'a tone'); I recalled the food on our first two SS voyages as really outstanding. Not this time..it was mostly 'fine,' with a couple standout exceptions (mainly in first courses). I recall the dessert menu also being pretty much to-die-for 10 years ago...and not really anything near that now.

 

Because of prior experience, I noticed cutbacks in little ways - no fresh fruit or champagne waiting in the room; no escort to the cabin upon check-in; much smaller bedtime chocolates (you asked!); Coke or water available during lectures (no coffee at 10 am). Small stuff...but diminishments, nonetheless.

 

I wonder how 'wowed' I'd have been about this recent trip if I didnt have the early ones, and two more on SB in 07 and 09, for comparison. I do like sailing on a smaller ship with fewer than 400 pax. And SS gained me as a return customer because of advantageous pricing for solo travellers.

 

I like the line. I enjoyed my trip. But I can't say I was 'bowled over' as we were back in 2005.

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Almost forgot...re 'dress' - formal nites were indeed that. Lots of white dinner jackets as we sailed towards warmer. climes. Lots of glitz and glamor, which I happen to be a fan of. Other nites, I found it quite interesting - mostly it did not matter what the 'code of the day' was, it seemed that the women wanted to dress up/dress nice...and they did. Also, in the main dining room one evening, a gentleman was reminded that he needed to be in coat-and-tie and he excused himself to make the change. No problem.

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Yes Itsally, you have noticed what has happened to SS. It's still a good line and enjoyable and their staff are the jewell in their crown, but all those shavings here and there have made it noticeably less of a product. From what I can gather from reading CC and the experience of friends on SS and other comparable lines the same thing has happened across the board. I'm afraid the accountants are in the ascendancy. It needs someone with love to be in charge. We still use SS and are looking forward to trying the Muse in May.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

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Yes Itsally, you have noticed what has happened to SS. It's still a good line and enjoyable and their staff are the jewell in their crown, but all those shavings here and there have made it noticeably less of a product. From what I can gather from reading CC and the experience of friends on SS and other comparable lines the same thing has happened across the board. I'm afraid the accountants are in the ascendancy. It needs someone with love to be in charge. We still use SS and are looking forward to trying the Muse in May.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Thanks again for the comments. Guess it generally across the board to cut corners, cut back where possible (and even where not possible)...not only cruise lines but everywhere. Give the customer less and if once they accept it, then cut a little more. Sad.

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Yes Itsally, you have noticed what has happened to SS. It's still a good line and enjoyable and their staff are the jewell in their crown, but all those shavings here and there have made it noticeably less of a product. From what I can gather from reading CC and the experience of friends on SS and other comparable lines the same thing has happened across the board. I'm afraid the accountants are in the ascendancy. It needs someone with love to be in charge. We still use SS and are looking forward to trying the Muse in May.

 

Appreciate this very good summary above. From our three most recent cruises with Silversea in the past 23 months, there have been some "changes". You can read and see much more on the details about the food, ship activities, etc., from my two most recent live/blogs provided at the bottom.

 

Nothing dire that we have observed compared to our first sailing along the Norway coast with Silversea in July 2010 . . . or . . . our very first cruising experience in June 2006 with Seabourn. Overall, the experiences has been good and we are planning an upcoming Silver Spirit sailing in mid June from Lisbon to Rouen. For us, it is mostly about the itinerary . . . AND . . . the overall pricing "value". We can blame the accountants, but it is also customers who want things to be very nice, but who do want to pay or spend too much. It's a highly competitive consumer world where each company must offer reasonable pricing. Customers compare and choose carefully!! Agree that you will read questions and complaints regarding many different cruise lines. Some will post worries that things are not always as great as they remember them being from past years.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 46,169 views for these postings.

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from my latest live/blog at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 23,801 views for this reporting and visual sharing that includes Cape Town, all along the South Africa coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

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