jimdee3636

Thanks for all the info and suggestions. We've never had so much OBC to play with, so this should be fun!

I just received an e-mail offer from Silversea announcing a $2,500 per cabin onboard credit offer for certain 2017 cruises. The e-mail said that the credit could be used for private shore excursions, spa treatments, specialty wines and Le Champagne, but made no mention of the casino or the clothing boutiques or jewelry shops. Does anyone know if the casino, boutiques, and shops are normally included? I ask because I have $2,000 in onboard credit for the 7-night Bridgetown cruise on the Spirit beginning December 8 ($1,500 from SS and $500 from my travel agent), and was planning on spending most of it in the various shops. Thanks!

My experience with Silversea is somewhat limited (a 10-night cruise on the Cloud in 2015, a 17-night cruise on the Spirit in 2016). We're also booked for a 7-night Barbados-to-Barbados cruise this December on the Spirit.

But I think I've seen enough to say that the Silversea experience is fabulous, especially the dining. The Spirit is, for me, a better ship than the Cloud (which is definitely showing its age), but the dining on the Cloud was just as good.

On our Spirit cruise, we had dinner twice with a featured entertainer who spends over half the year on cruise ships---mostly luxury lines. For whatever it's worth, his two favorites are Regent and Silversea, which he felt were about equal in overall quality.

My only other luxury-line experience was with Seabourn, but that was years ago on the Pride (no longer in the fleet). It, too, was a great experience, but I think the food on Silversea is better.

If you want one more opinion, here's mine:

Over the past ten years, my wife and I have sailed only on HAL and Silversea (eight times on HAL, twice on Silversea, and we have a future booking on each line). We like both lines, although if we won the Powerball we'd probably sail exclusively with Silversea.

But, unfortunately, we haven't won Powerball yet, so price is a consideration, and in that regard HAL usually delivers a better value. But if you choose Silversea for non-holiday December sailings (as we have done every time), you can get a Silversea experience for roughly the same price (factoring in free alcohol, no tipping, 375 sq. ft. balcony cabins) as you'd pay for a suite on HAL.

And you'd get a more relaxed experience, with more polished service. I actually think the food on HAL is very good, both in the MDR and in the Pinnacle Grill, but Silversea is better. And it's nice not to have to reach into your pocket for your room or beverage card every time you want another glass of wine. On Silversea, the problem is you're always drinking more than you intended, because they're always topping you off when you're not looking!

But, in general, you can't go wrong with either line.

Thanks to all of you who replied! This is useful information. As blues fans, we're looking forward to the shows.

Although my wife and I have cruised on HAL nine or ten times, we've never been on a ship that had a B.B. King's Blues Club. But in 2017 we'll be sailing on the Zuiderdam, which has one. My question is: when is the Club normally open? Before dinner? After dinner? Late night? Every night, or just a few times each sailing? Any and all info would be appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks, JP and Chris. Your comments remind me that I've still got an unopened half bottle of d'Yquem '90 in my wine cooler. At my age, maybe still being alive is enough of a special occasion to open it! Thanks again.---Jim

These are helpful and creative suggestions. Thanks!

My wife and I have cruised twice with Silversea, and at lunch and dinner have always enjoyed the complimentary wines. But we're going to be have a substantial amount of onboard credit for our next SS cruise (on the Spirit in December), and we'd certainly consider using some of it on higher-end wines. But I can't seem to find the current "Connoisseur" list anywhere. I'd prefer knowing both the selections and the costs ahead of time. Does anyone have a copy of the current list, or at least a general sense of what things cost? Thanks.

I'm the guy who originally posted. These are all excellent suggestions! Thanks for taking the time and trouble to respond.

Jim

I'm about to go on my second Princess cruise (Ruby out of San Pedro---Sept.29-October 3). As I did on my previous Princess cruise, I'll be sailing alone and purchasing the "full" $49/day beverage package. I know that the package, along with all its other benefits, entitles you to a deeply-discounted price (40% off) on all bottles of wine in any of the restaurants. I'll probably be dining alone most nights, either in the MDR or Sabattini's, and I'm wondering what would happen if I were to order a full bottle of wine but didn't choose to finish it that night. On Holland America, they will always save it for you for the following night (or whenever you next eat at that dining venue), but does Princess do something similar? I realize that wines by the glass are included in the beverage package, but I'm sure that many wines on the "bottle" list are better, and would be a bargain at 40% off. Thanks in advance or any information you may have.

I normally cruise with my wife---we've been on nine cruises, mostly HAL but most recently Silversea---but I'm going "solo" on the Crown Princess for a four-night sailing out of L.A. on January 26, 2015 (my wife has no interest in large ships, and I'm eager to see what they're like).

I'm a pretty sociable guy and find it easy to strike up conversations with strangers in bars or at the gym. But I'm wondering if Princess schedules any onboard meet-and-greet events designed for singles and solos. It might make it easier to find compatible lunch and dinner companions without being the odd-man-out in a group of married couples, especially on a short (4 night) cruise.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Jim