Port Power

I agree that views of a first time cruiser will be very interesting. Please do post. I really enjoyed my Alaskan ports on Muse last year. Look at the excursions to see what you might enjoy. There was a very good tour in Sitka to the Eagle sanctuary followed by the bear sanctuary. We did a fantastic included tour in Ketchikan out to a fishing lodge, including a lovely but short temperate rainforest walk on a boarded walkway. Highly recommend if it is still included. (I usually never get my hands messy, but I dig into this delicious lunch!)

@Fletcher, you need to go higher up the food chain for some recompense. Usually guest services can email reservations with a request for future OBC if they agree your cabin or cruise has been impacted. Better yet, have your TA write to SS.

In the heat of the tropics, no one on Silver Explorer ever wore a jacket. Zilch! Too hot. Wear slacks/cargo pants and a cotton collared shirt on Captain’s night rather than a polo top, and polos the rest of the time. For ladies, a simple cotton dress is fine, or pants and a cool top. My sleeveless cotton dresses were so cool, although not my usual restaurant standard. Passengers dressed for the weather.

I did a tour out of the Valencia last November. There were people walking out, but the shuttles were at the port. I agree that they were probably every 30 mins. I have a photo of the beautiful warehouses by the port where oranges used to be stored prior to shipping, but nothing else. Crew walked out to find food shops. I don't think the old town was within walking distance, but am not certain.

I have just received an email from SS prior to the Silver Wind Arctic cruise late next month. The dress code states no sports shoes after 6pm. When I was on Wind in the Antarctic, that was all that most passengers wore most of the time! With nice jeans or slacks, with polo shirts or button through shirts. The occasional leather lace-up or slip on was seen, or me in open sandals nearly all the time. Many of us wore smart casual pants and tops at dinner, but on the Captain's night and one other some ladies wore a dress they would wear to a nice restaurant, or slacks and a pretty top. Many still wore slacks and a jumper (pullover) though. Expedition cruises are casual (but not daggy).

I have sailed both Silversea and Azamara, and like them both. As a solo cruiser, I found that on Silversea it was easy to meet new people in the lounges as well as making up tables for dinner. As a solo, I also like that shore excursions are included. However, Silversea has now priced itself well outside my budget. I went to SS because I enjoyed the size of Azamara ships. Azamara still remains my favourite, even with smaller cabins and fewer lounge areas. I’ll just budget in shore excursions in future, although many private excursions are booked with the CC roll call group. I’ve always met people around the ship and at trivia, and enjoy the AZ ambience. I do like to dress up sometimes, and feel quite comfortable wearing a cocktail dress some evenings on AZ. I’m never the only one, either!

I compared my Silver Ray 2026 bookings with the current promotion. I had booked under a suite upgrade promo in any case. The price hikes from March were massive! The 10 day Caribbean cruise is now $4,000 dearer and the 14 day transatlantic is $5,350 more expensive for the same cabin category. I won't be changing or cancelling my cruises.

Oh, dear! My apologies for giving the wrong impression. I was not blaming the victim, but wondering why these issues could not be addressed earlier.

Did you speak to the Maitre d' about the missed meal? I would not have wait near so long before heading over to the desk to ask where the meal is! When you arrived back to your cabin that last evening and presumably brushed your teeth, didn't you notice bath towels were missing? It has happened to me a couple of times, so I just ring reception or housekeeping and towels are delivered immediately. Even on the last morning you could have called for towels. I am really sorry that you ended on sour notes, but there were options.

I was on Crystal Serenity two weeks ago. Gorgeous! 6 stars. Some (relatively) smaller cabins, but many large ones. Beautiful decor that screamed Manfredi! Completely refurbished. Some cabins have kept their traditional decor, but have still been refurbished. LOTS of outdoor and entertainment spaces. Fabulous food. Wonderful, attentive staff. I was impressed. Evidently most of the crew were returned staff.

Your flight was at an awkward time. You need to be at the airport 3 hours prior. The bus also takes guests who probably have 12pm and 1pm flights. There are usually transfers for flights before xxx and after xxx. The ship also needs to be ready for incoming guests. I think your flight time was just in between everything else. So your choice was take the included transfer or arrange your own as @drron29 did. His flight seems to have been later the. 3:30pm though.

Being dropped at FCO was after the cruise and not related to Blacklane. Both comments being in one sentence I realise is confusing. The OP is unhappy with SS dropping them off so early. Perhaps they hoped for individual transfers rather than a group transfer that would have to serve many flight times?

There was discussion on another thread not long ago about delayed arrival into port. I usually fly home in the afternoon of the day the ship docks. Voyager’s dilemma is another warning to book a hotel for disembarkation day and fly home the following day. Never hurts to have a day’s buffer.

There is no email to passengers of the post cruise survey. It has to be done on the ship.

I also enjoyed Muse last year, and Dawn and Wind to follow. Yes, there were a few issues with meals, but not enough to ruin the cruises. Any disappointments were made up by mostly wonderful crew and other excellent experiences. (Particularly Drew in SALT Lab.) I felt special on many occasions as Maître d’s and waiters called my by name and knew my preferences. Your comments as a solo passenger align with mine. Based on my experiences during 114 days of SS cruising last year, I’ll be back. I have a booking on Wind in June and on Silver Ray in 2026. However, it is the price that will stop me rebooking. Fares are just too high now, especially as a solo. We have to book 18-24 months in advance usually to find 25% solo supplements.