New to Silversea and Luxury Cruising - Information Please

My DW and I have just booked a cruise departing Venice on 9/8/17 for 12 days to Monte Carlo on the Muse. We are experienced cruisers but not on the luxury lines. We have primarily sailed on HAL and Princess previously. I realize it is very early for specific information particularly on the Muse, but there are some general things we would appreciate learning about.

Laundry - We have previously booked full suites on Hal and Princess. This included complementary unlimited laundry and cleaning. It does not appear this is the case on Silversea. What should we expect for the cost of laundry and cleaning services per day?

Tipping - I understand that supposedly all tips onboard are included. I suspect, however that it may still be customary to provide additional tips to individuals who provide exceptional service or facilitate difficult arrangements. Is that correct and, if so, what are the normal rates?

Smoking - I understand that smoking is not allowed in staterooms or on balconies with designated smoking areas minimally available. It appears that the casino (wherever it may be) may not be one of those areas. Is that correct? That would be great!

Formal nights - This will be a 12 night cruise. Does anyone know if there will be 2 or 3 formal nights.

Dining - I understand there will not be a MDR on the Muse and there will be 8 specialty restaurants. This is probably fine with us as we have primarily used the specialty restaurants on our previous cruises. I guess my only question at this point is how do we know which restaurants are open during which hours?

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm sure we will have many more questions as time goes by.

Ernie.

Welcome to Silversea CC site. Most of your questions will be answered when you receive your paper work but will try to answer some below in red:

My DW and I have just booked a cruise departing Venice on 9/8/17 for 12 days to Monte Carlo on the Muse. We are experienced cruisers but not on the luxury lines. We have primarily sailed on HAL and Princess previously. I realize it is very early for specific information particularly on the Muse, but there are some general things we would appreciate learning about.

Laundry - We have previously booked full suites on Hal and Princess. This included complementary unlimited laundry and cleaning. It does not appear this is the case on Silversea. What should we expect for the cost of laundry and cleaning services per day? Laundry will be no different than hotel prices but this new ship should have laundry rooms on every deck. That way you could do some or all of your laundry yourself

Tipping - I understand that supposedly all tips onboard are included. I suspect, however that it may still be customary to provide additional tips to individuals who provide exceptional service or facilitate difficult arrangements. Is that correct and, if so, what are the normal rates? This questions comes up a lot and all I can say is; if you don't tip anyone on the ship, that would be just fine. Although tipping is expected for tour guides and Spa treatments

Smoking - I understand that smoking is not allowed in staterooms or on balconies with designated smoking areas minimally available. It appears that the casino (wherever it may be) may not be one of those areas. Is that correct? That would be great! Smoking is allowed in one room on the ship and that room will be clearly marked on the ships floorplan

Formal nights - This will be a 12 night cruise. Does anyone know if there will be 2 or 3 formal nights. You might have three but when 120 day prior to sailing, you can check online under "My Silversea" to find out what days will be formal. At this point nobody knows if there will be any more Formal on this new ship. Will have to wait till we get some feedback when it starts sailing

Dining - I understand there will not be a MDR on the Muse and there will be 8 specialty restaurants. This is probably fine with us as we have primarily used the specialty restaurants on our previous cruises. I guess my only question at this point is how do we know which restaurants are open during which hours?

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm sure we will have many more questions as time goes by. Like I implied above, we will just have to wait till it starts sailing and guests start giving some feed back. We will be on her, late next year for 30 days and hopefully all the kinks will be worked out by then

 

Ernie.

Spa gratuities are now included.

You ask about gratuities and the level that one might choose if a member of staff gives exceptional service. Bearing in mind that tipping is neither expected nor required we generally give $20 or $30 to 3 or 4 crew members usually the sommelier, our waiter, the Humidor attendant and sometimes the butler and room attendant if they have proved worthy. There is also the option to contribute to the crew fund if you feel that you would also like to recognise the crew that you don't see.

Of far more importance to the ''front of house staff'' is any comment you may wish to make in the cruise appraisal form that comes near the end of the voyage. A specific mention carries a LOT of weight and we are careful only to praise those that truly exceed our expectations while at the same time we would never single out a disappointing crew member (not that we come across any!) - there may be mitigating factors of which we are unaware.

However the bottom line is that you are not required to tip if you don't want to and plenty of people don't.

May I add a question to this thread.

As a fond fan of good quality stationary, do Silversea still offer personalised stationary for guests?

The second question is if a guest list is still published on SS voyages.

Thank you, we are looking forward to our first SS voyage on the Spirit in January.

May I add a question to this thread.

 

As a fond fan of good quality stationary, do Silversea still offer personalised stationary for guests?

 

The second question is if a guest list is still published on SS voyages.

 

Thank you, we are looking forward to our first SS voyage on the Spirit in January.

While I'd not necessarily call it quality stationary Silversea still does the personalized stationary.

Not exactly sure when Silversea dropped the guest list but the last one we got was on the Wind in 2012. We skipped 2013 but have had five subsequent cruises on the Wind and Spirit with no guest list.

I have very few quibbles with SS, but discontinuing the very helpful guest list is certainly one. I've yet to hear an acceptable reason why this decision was made...privacy concerns? That's silly..one could be allowed to opt out..bet almost no one would.

Bring back the Guest List! (Please)

On my recently completed Guest Information Form, I've been given the yes-no option to "Appear in Voyage List." I chose yes.

Apparently someone used the guest list to compile a commercial mailing list so I was told by a crew member and there were quite rightly objections. Mind you the information on the list is fairly generic. Jane

"Laundry will be no different than hotel prices but this new ship should have laundry rooms on every deck. That way you could do some or all of your laundry yourself"

My review of the deck plans indicates there are laundry rooms on every deck. However, I am not paying the extra dollars for this cruise for either me or my DW to spend a substantial amount of our time doing laundry. I am used to the service being complementary and unlimited. Is there not at least some package we can purchase?

"Laundry will be no different than hotel prices but this new ship should have laundry rooms on every deck. That way you could do some or all of your laundry yourself"

 

My review of the deck plans indicates there are laundry rooms on every deck. However, I am not paying the extra dollars for this cruise for either me or my DW to spend a substantial amount of our time doing laundry. I am used to the service being complementary and unlimited. Is there not at least some package we can purchase?

I dont believe so, but its maybe something that could be negotiated by your TA?

Some of the suites ( I think Silver and above) do include free laundry. Otherwise you have to reach 100 days to achieve this.

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"Laundry will be no different than hotel prices but this new ship should have laundry rooms on every deck. That way you could do some or all of your laundry yourself"

 

My review of the deck plans indicates there are laundry rooms on every deck. However, I am not paying the extra dollars for this cruise for either me or my DW to spend a substantial amount of our time doing laundry. I am used to the service being complementary and unlimited. Is there not at least some package we can purchase?

You can sail on Silversea for 100 days and then laundry is complimentary.

Because I am a very mean, tightwad I always do a totting up of what the free laundry would cost us if we had to pay (bearing in mind, of course, that we probably have a bit more laundry done 'cos it's free than if we did it ourselves).

I reckon we would be spending around $20-$30 a day (more in hot areas where we would have more frequent changes of clothes) - a very rough estimate but my best guess guide to the cost of using the laundry.

Thank you. Would that also include dry cleaning and pressing?

I also appreciate Les' suggestion to see if our TA could arrange some sort of package. I'll do that.

Thank you. Would that also include dry cleaning and pressing?

I also appreciate Les' suggestion to see if our TA could arrange some sort of package. I'll do that.

It did in the grand suite last year on the cloud.....though that might have been the TA

Ernie, if your TA, American Express (if you paid for your cruise with the Amx platinum or centurion card) or Silversea has provided you with a Shipboard credit for your booking you could use some of this to pay for laundry/dry cleaning or pressing charges. We agree with Tothesunset--we would pay between $30-$40 daily if we paid for our laundry (we exercise twice daily while aboard). Therefore our Silver Wind fall crossing @17 days would cost us between ($500-$610) if we paid for our laundry.

Silversea's free laundry benefit after 100 days sailing is wonderful and a generous frequent floater benefit. For example on Regent it takes 200 days sailing to earn this free laundry bennie.

Per SS website, if you book a Silver Suite (laundry is included) or above (Grand, Royal, Owners includes Laundry, dry cleaning and pressing).

Wes, when we cruise we do use shipboard credit. Heck, we don't do laundry at home our housekeeper takes care of that twice a week and we are certainly not doing it on a luxury cruise. I have done my share of laundry over the years. If you can spend the money on a luxury cruise you can afford to have it sent out if it is not complimentary.

Our thoughts exactly.

Thank you. Would that also include dry cleaning and pressing?

No - we are far too poor to need dry cleaning and pressing.

Although I do change my underwear every week whether it needs it or not.

You wear underwear???

suite travels/miles, good for y'all...was going to say that's what spouses are for--but would get rightly chastised--however @ home we both (more Ida than me) do laundry.

ok y'all (Tothesunset, Candy/Spinnaker2), me thinks tmi (too much information) :)

Sorry.

I couldn't resist...

Just begged for that question.

I will behave if I only knew who have was.

Thank you for your replies to my stationary question- another quick question- do the restaurants take special orders, and to what degree, from your experience, is 'anticipation' practiced aboard SS ships?

We where upgraded to a silver suite from a ocean view and we did have free laundry. The difference was amazing. That might never happen again :( Ordered lamb curry for lunch and it even cam with naan bread. To our surprise someone ordered raw oysters in advance at our table and they had enough for two nights