Port Power

4 hours ago, Gourmet Gal said:

Lois, I know you often use SS pre-hotels.  Do the transfers from the hotels arrive at the ports close to 2:00 or earlier?  If they arrive at 2:00 I’m just wondering if there’s lunch still available onboard?  We’re using an SS hotel and transfer for the first time on our upcoming cruise in May starting in Rome.

The Grill will still be open.

52 minutes ago, JPS2 said:

Hello! 

My extended family and I will be aboard the Silver Nova in August to Alaska.  This is our first time experiencing Silver Nova.  

 

We are staying in two adjoining Veranda Suites and my elderly parents have a handicapped premium veranda suite.  Can anyone tell me if it is possible to open or remove the divider on the balconies of the adjoining suites?  Also, does anyone have photos or videos they can post of what the handicap veranda suite and balcony look like? 
 

I also would appreciate your opinions for the restaurants.  We are booked for one night at La Dame, but I have read mixed reviews.  Three of us are also interested in the chefs table dinner, is it worth it? 
 

Just to share to everyone, the reservations for dinner opened up for me prior to 120 days.  I was able to book at 8pm EST 121 days before my departure.  

Our embarkation time is 2pm.  What time should we arrive to the boat?  Do they allow passengers aboard prior to that time?  2pm is the earliest embarkation time for the ship.  
 

Lastly, I don’t see an option to book a couples massage.  Is this something that can be booked onboard? 

 

I would appreciate any other advise and or tips.  
 

Thanks so much!

Couples massages definitely can be booked once on the ship.

Balcony dividers are able to be opened, but I have yet to read when this was allowed.  No good reason not to open when both suites want that, but unlikely to happen.

Drop luggage from 12pm and you might be able to board earlier after protocols.

La Dame is NOT worth the new, excessive price.  Most reviews agree with this.  Atlantide in a smaller setting!  Chef’s table (I’ve not done it) by all reports is worth the charge, but ask about the menu before booking.

Enjoy your family cruise.

37 minutes ago, DavyWavey70 said:

 

https://quote.silversea.com/v3/EV250106015?guests=A1-K0&airfare=DoorToDoorV2-flights--Business&gateway=DoorToDoorV2-flights--ABZ&fare=DoorToDoorV2-flights
 

Where is the “wow!” or “I am stunned” buttons!  “Like” and “thanks” aren’t enough.  😳 

13 minutes ago, Gourmet Gal said:

 

Is this a policy that has been announced that there is no provisioning during cruises at all?  

No, this is just my observation, and reports of lack of fruit and veggies posted on Cruise Critic.  I have experienced shortages myself on cruises along major routes.  I have also hung over the ship’s rail in ports and not seen the usual loading of F&V.

3 hours ago, turtlemichael said:

Now, I'm interested to know what are the intentions of the many people here with significant adverse comments. Is it to move to another line, keep sailing with Silversea or cut back sailing overall? Is it so bad now, for the price, that you don't want to sail with Silversea any more? I'm particularly interested in the views of those who have done many trips on Silversea rather than just one, or even none. 

I have been on 7 Silversea cruises, all extended voyages and most at least 14 days each.  I have another this year and two booked in 2026.  My Antarctica cruise was booked 18 months in advance, which is why there was only a 25% solo supplement added.  As are the 2026 cruises.
 

I definitely will not book a SS cruise at the double occupancy rate. Looking at the new price schedules, I doubt that I will book SS again.  There is a limit to what I can afford, as well as a price limit on what I consider value.  
 

Running out of fresh food on a long Antartica cruise is not unusual.  There are no ports to reprovision!  However, I was surprised and not impressed that ships were not taking on fresh produce in larger ports along the way as they used to do.  I just cannot think why that practice has stopped.  Bad move!  Bad decision.
 

So I won’t say “never again”.  I’ll keep my eye on fares and will see what happens.  However I might now be taking cruises more locally (saving on expensive, long haul international flights) on NCL or Celebrity instead.  More entertainment as well as good food, but without the expectation of excellent food.

6 hours ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

I swear I'm just curious, but what is the difference between body lotion and hand cream? I've always used the "body lotion" on my hands. Back in the day, it was called hand lotion but you could use it on legs, arms, etc.

I find the body lotion rather light: perfect for arms and legs after a shower, but not rich enough for dry hands.  All right in a pinch, but  I like to travel with a richer hand cream.  Personal choice, of course.

5 hours ago, phil1107 said:

Just curious if body lotion or cream is provided in the suites.

Bulgari bathroom products and body lotion across all ships.  Take your own hand cream though.

21 hours ago, Gourmet Gal said:

 

Take a screenshot or print your activities page right after booking to at least try to plead your case once onboard if anything changes.

That recommendation was posted by someone at least a year ago, and is definitely still worth following.  Especially since SS decided to allow shore excursions to be reserved immediately upon booking a cruise.  I’ve already booked excursions for 2026 and printed the confirmation list.  On recent cruises where my booked excursions moved to the select list, there was no charges.

Of all the tales I have heard from friends or people I know, including my own safaris in Namibia and South Africa, you have seen more animals, and more people variety of animals, than us all.  Obviously you chose the correct safari park!  Thank you so much for sharing.

6 hours ago, jpalbny said:

We will be there in June, and I'll report back.

The announcement was awhile ago, but IIRC it was going to take quite a while to phase out.  Perhaps a year, or the end of this year?  I don’t remember exactly.

12 hours ago, DavyWavey70 said:

Apologies for once again pecking at the hive mind of our wonderful coolers. I’m currently looking at putting the RTW trip on hold until Jan 26 and bringing forward South Africa to Jan 25.  I’m onto a really amazing SA (door to door) tour including an Azamara cruise and can deviate flights to enable an extra week around the Vic falls area. Current plans for those 7 nights would be 2 nights Mbano manor, 2 nights Zambezi Queen, 2 nights Ichingo Chobe River Lodge and 1 night in a star bed at Zambezi falls river lodge before joining the tour. The tour is then 2 nights  Victoria falls Safari lodge, 3 nights Safari Plains onto Cape Town and then 12 nights on Azamara Quest. Could I plan it better?

Can I come, too, please?  I have many, many cruise on Azamara Quest, and those destinations you refer to are also on my bucket list.  Sounds like a great itinerary.  You do very well with your planning.

There have been two accidents over the years with the jet boats that have a contract at Horizontal Falls.  In the first gap there is a very large spur of rock jutting out at a right angle.  This is often under water, hence boat crews needing to be trained and licenced.  Nevertheless, the whirlpools can throw a boat with even the most capable driver off course.  Literally “throw”!  It’s a bumpy ride, especially when a full moon.  
 

@Joc123, the reason for closing is not because of the previous accident tipping some passengers into the water, even though it potentially could have been worse. It is because of indigenous reasons.

I hope expeditions still go for a close look.  So beautiful.

Giraffes are my favourite African animal.  I love watching them.  I totally agree, @lincslady, they do look elegant.

Interesting that this story has made international news, but probably because it is such a spectacular place and one of the highlights of Kimberley Expeditions. There had never been mention in the past about the area being a sacred site.  I’ve been through on a zodiac several times with Coral Expeditions, who are (or were!) licenced to transit.  Even just floating around outside the gap is great fun, and interesting.  It is so sad this natural wonder is no longer going to be appreciated in full.

On 3/28/2024 at 1:13 AM, Emtbsam said:

We are also taking a look at Crystal.

 

I believe we will see you on the second half of your cruise on the Wind!

I’m on just one cruise, Reykjavik to Longyearbyen in June.  Are you on the same expedition cruise?  I hope we manage to meet up.  There will be a lot of Australians aboard!

The daily recap was always before dinner.  Entertainment after dinner was usually low key, such as a “game show” in the Panorama Lounge. As you mention, we were mostly too tired for really late nights. A drink in one of one bars listening to the musicians finished the night.  There was a fantastic crew show one night, starting about 9:00pm IIRC.  Also the Captain’s farewell in the theatre.  There are no “shows” as such in the theatre as there isn’t an entertainment team.  Only the cruise host (not cruise Director as he is the only member of that team) who runs trivia in the afternoon and arranges solo gatherings, etc.

I had the pleasure of touring Crystal Serenity in Fremantle yesterday.  I was impressed!  It is a beautiful ship, with lots of open public spaces and lounges.  The cabins have been elegantly upgraded.  The restaurants and menus were impressive. I have cruised Silversea quite often, but had never considered Crystal, for no real reason.  I am now seriously considering booking Crystal’s 2026 world cruise.

Just now, Sketty1616 said:

Eagle Rare would be good. One of my favorites. Were you able to request that for your room?

Indeed I did!

11 hours ago, BBGrace273 said:

I will be on the Nova for the Vancouver to Tokyo Sept 12th, 2024 cruise and I am wondering if there is anywhere I can find info on actual hours of operation for the various bars and restos. I can only seem to find things like, "open for lunch and dinner," "all day," or "open late". I could have sworn I saw the restaurant info somewhere, but I can't for the life of me find it anymore.

 

Also, since this is my first ever cruise, I was wondering about reservations at S.A.L.T. Lab, and the S.A.L.T. Chef's Table. All the info online says to reserve as soon as you board. I don't really have any idea what boarding is really like. Is it like a cattle call wave on board? One group at a time? Since I'm not VIP at all, and just in a veranda, will there even be any shot at getting a spot at either? And speaking of the Lab, is it like a meal, or a cooking class for a particular dish? Does it occur at lunchtime? Dinner? Some other time during the day? 

 

And last question, is there a difference in La Dame and Kaiseki on Nova that changes the upcharge from $60 to 160, and $40 to 80? Is it that it doesn't include the drink pairings on the other ships, but now on Nova it automatically does?

 

Thanks for any help! 

SALT Lab classes are mid morning and/or mid afternoon.  Sign up was actually at the Lab with the chef between certain hours.  Those times were in the daily program left in your cabin on arrival day.  I did a few, and really loved them.  You can sign up for two classes, but then wait list for two more.  If you still miss out, it is worth going down on the day in case someone doesn't turn up.  There are usually two people per station, sometimes just one.  When there was someone waiting in hope, I joined a fellow guest I knew so that he could join in.

Vista bar opens at 4:00pm and closes around midnight.  Panorama lounge opens at 9:00am as it is also a tea and coffee venue.  Closing time depends on how many people are still there, so perhaps midnight, 1:00am, etc.

On 3/26/2024 at 1:39 AM, Sketty1616 said:

We are sailing for the first time on Silversea in May on the Nova. I am a huge bourbon fan. I was curious as to what bourbons are offered on board.

Recently on both Silver Dawn and Silver Wind there were Makers Mark and Eagle Rare.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.  I hope you continue to find it a useful forum.

I went on a tour of Crystal Serenity today.  I must say that I was impressed. There are many lounges, bars and even theatre-type venues.  Also plenty of restaurants, including an al fresco area between the pool and the buffet dining area.  Lovely menus.  Our TA said the food is excellent.  Even cups and saucers were very pretty!

We were shown several cabin/suite levels.  Yes, the smallest cabins are only 20 sq m, but they are big enough for one passenger, and the shower is large.  Crystal designates the window view cabins as solo suites a permanent solo supplement of only 10%.  That is very enticing for a solo cruiser. There are some balcony cabins, same size, also designated solo.  The new double size suites were great.  Some cabins have been left with the older layout and more timber, as previous Crystal passengers like them.

I had never even considered Crystal, but today’s tour has certainly changed my mind.  All the posts about slipping food standards helped.  Of course, destination and price will still be a deciding factor.

Two visits to the speciality restaurants is included in an 11 day cruise, and $50 charged after that.

6 hours ago, Ovener said:

First world question, sorry, and given all the recent reviews about Silversea I probably know the answer 😞. But one of my favourite things about cruising is…congee for breakfast. It’s a real vacation treat for me. I got hooked when working in Hong Kong over two decades ago. A perfect savoury mix of carbs and protein to fix you up for the day ahead…without the fat of bacon and eggs. Seabourn do it reasonably well (particularly if the roasted garlic is available); Viking do it (not so well). I’m on Silver Dawn in a few weeks’ time, and will be a Silversea newbie. Are there any places that offer it at breakfast please?

Congee should be available in La Terrazza for breakfast.  It was when I was on both Silver Dawn and Silver Wind last December. 
 

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Walvis Bay, Namibia 

 

And now for something completely different. 

 

 

Always a shocker to roll into an industrial port.  And then.....immigration.   We were bussed to a small government building for a 45 minute wait in a crowded airless hallway. Ugh!

Don't worry,  it gets better.

 

 

We did not have to go into this room, whew

 

Our charming view. 

 

 

Now for the good fun.  Dorob National Park.

 

 

The dark part on the dunes is magnatite.

 

First snake.

Horned Viper - I think.

 

 

Our guide photographing him, yikes.

 

 

Action shot.

 

 

 

Check out this translucent Palmeto Gecko. He's a poser.

 

 

His tail will grow back in a few months.

 

 

Catch and release.

 

 

Our guide regularly jumped out of the truck searching for all these little critters. 

 

 

This time she found a water Beetle.

 

 

Stay tuned for Part 2.

 

 

Those are some of the “small five”.  Horned viper aka death adder; chameleon; gecko; skink.  So incredible how translucent the gecko is! Apart from immigration, I’m glad you enjoyed your tour.   Now enjoy some relaxation down time.

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

 

It's not over yet. Still on ship for one day in Walvis Bay.   

 

Who wants to go on a little safari with us?

I hope you see the “small five” at Walvis Bay.  Just don’t get too close to a death adder!

2 hours ago, tinaincc said:

I know this is copied from a friend but wow, the energy required to “track” what others are doing to that level of detail is astounding. It seems like that level of focus on something other than enjoying a vacation is worse than someone in a t-shirt.

1 hour ago, ak1004 said:

 

Completely agree. I could never understand why some people are so obsessed with what other people wear..

The person was observing for the particular reason of noting any change in dress standards. With all the comments for and against, it was worth the effort for concrete results.  I found his observations interesting.  
 

I’m sure he still enjoyed his holiday!