carolekv

About to book a Veranda Suite - Deluxe.  Which is better, deck 7 or 8?   Any specific suite locations that are best?  There is decent availability right now.  

18 hours ago, Rothko1 said:

I did a transatlantic on Cunard (QM2) three years ago.  Stayed in a Queens Grill Suite, it was lovely and well-appointed.  Larger than the Princess Grill suites.  The Princess Grill suites that you've stayed on seem very similar to a Veranda suite of Silversea.  And those do have balconies. 

 

As mentioned, butlers are included in all suites on Silversea.

 

As far as loudspeaker games, I've never seen anything like that on Silversea.  The closest thing I saw to that was a putting game that they did on the 5th deck one day.  But you won't hear loudspeakers, or hourly announcements, or anything like that.

 

As far as crowds, the last Silversea cruise I did was nearly completely booked, and all I could think as I was on the ship was "Where is everybody?  Is there something going on I'm not aware of?"  There are people onboard, of course, but there's almost never a crowd.  The main dining room was half full (the specialty restaurants that require reservations were all booked up), the bars and lounges were 1/3 full or even sometimes almost empty, and there was never a line or crowd for anything.

 

Heck, when I went on the Silver Origin in the Galapagos last September (66% of passenger capacity), it felt like I was on a private yacht.

 

You will have opportunities to meet people, but you will certainly never feel overcrowded.

 

If you are looking for a transatlantic, have you considered the Queen Mary 2?  It's much larger, but being in the Grills class has its advantages, and it's a much larger ship (with lots of venues and activities) to be on for 5 days without seeing land.

 

 

Yes, I am also open to other luxury lines with TA options.  Queen Mary also would be a choice I’d highly consider.  I just happened to find a TA for next year that interested me.  I don’t want to be gone for more than 14 days because we have a little old doggy at home and I won’t board her that long.  

Thank you both so much.  This does answer my questions. I am really excited to give this cruise line a try! I love suite class on other ships, but don't need a huge suite.  We tend to stay clear of the bigger ship venues or crowds, occasionally disembark to walk around, but love the finer bars and pubs and dining options on a ship.  We use the gym daily, pool and hot tubs as weather permits but not when crowded, and spa usually once.  Just like the quieter more upscale experience and it sounds as if this is it!  

Hi!  I am new to Silver Seas, but looking for a transatlantic option early next year and see one on Silver Seas.  I need help figuring out which suite type is most like the Sky Suites on Celebrity or Princess on Cunard, which are my experience up to now.  I love the premium dining and beverages as well as good suite service, although not sure I need a butler.  Don't need a huge suite but something equivalent to Sky Suite.  It would be for me and my husband, 60+.  Definitely need a balcony.  I did also like the fact that Edge had suite access only to the pool and pool bar - I just don't like large groups or loudspeaker games and such.  I do love people though and always enjoy chatting with others out and about.  Don't need to bond forever, but do like socializing.  Thanks for any tips!!! 

Trying to decide which is best and what the differences are between the Sky suites on Apex.  Size of room and size of deck, I presume.  But what else in terms of amenities or best views or anything else?  
 

Also do the beds in each split into two beds?  
 

Thanks!

For visits on an upcoming cruise to Messina, Sicily, Arogostoli, Greece, Kotor, Montenegro, and Zadar, Croatia, what are your favorite excursions/points to visit of all of them?  And why?  

We are a mother and adult son on a cruise, both fit (my son more than I, but then he is 35 years younger) - interested in sights of interest, movie sets, beautiful scenery, cooking, beautiful waterways, caves or grottos, people, etc.  I also love the ship so don't want to go out for more than say 5-6 hours at a time.  

What are your favorites?  

Thanks!! 

On Celebrity Infinity in August around Italy and there are some non-cruise excursions I am interested in.  (My adult son will be with me and is a big fan of Game of Thrones so I'd love to take him on a tour of the film locations in Malta, and I don't think Celebrity has this tour.)  I've always been afraid of trusting that a non-cruise excursion will get me back to the ship on time, and I have this horrible fear of being stuck ashore because of traffic or an irresponsible driver in a foreign country with no luggage.  Any guidance on this?  I know, where is my sense of adventure?  I do have one, but cruises for me are to relax first and foremost, so I avoid most risk.  

Cruising in August from Rome around Italy ending in Venice - so hoping this virus gets contained.  This is an important cruise and I'd hate to have to cancel.  I did get insurance but would still lose $ on the downpayment, air travel and one of the hotels which I booked nonrefundable before I realized this was impacting Italy.  Sigh.  

Will be first time in Greece with my grown son in August - one day off the Infinity, docking in Argostoli.  What are the 'must see' places?  I'm trying to select an excursion, but frankly I often just stay put in the port area itself if I've never been there before.  Depends on if the port itself is a worthwhile venue or just a stopping point.  Need recommendations for this one as I have no idea.  I do some amazing blue water excursions that look amazing!  

Will be first time in Sicily with my grown son in August - one day off the Infinity, docking in Messina.  What are the 'must see' places?  I'm trying to select an excursion, but frankly I often just stay put in the port area itself if I've never been there before.  Depends on if the port itself is a worthwhile venue or just a stopping point.  Need recommendations for this one as I have no idea. 

On 2/23/2020 at 9:14 AM, ghstudio said:

I'd suggest staying at the Piazalle Roma which is at the end of the people mover and convenient to both the airport busses and walking (or boating) around Venice.  We stayed at the AC Hotel Venezia which was excellent.  Many good places to eat nearby.

Selected this hotel because of its location and your recommendation and a few other reasons.  Now, is it easy to get from the ship to the hotel, then into Venice for the day, then back to the airport in the AM?  Any recommendations on how to do this best?  Also, I was wrong about how long we have in Venice - we disembark Sunday but then fly out on Monday AM.  So we only have Sunday day and night in Venice!  

Now, I am afraid to book any room in case the cruise changes to avoid the Coronavirus in Italy.  I hopefully am thinking it may be under control by August, or not in Italy but I do know another cruise that is occurring earlier that was just changed a good bit due to that reason and it did impact some of the cruisers plans a good bit.  

My adult son and I will be disembarking from the Celebrity Infinity in Venice in mid August this year.  We will have the day of arrival and one more day before heading back to the states.  My questions are:

• Recommendations on where to stay for those two nights?  Should we head into Venice even though for only two nights?  I was there last August, at Accademia Pensione and while it was fun, it was very crowded and hot.  I am interested in some options that might be less crazy yet still fun for my son who has never been to Italy before. 
• If we do head into Venice, we could stay at Accademia again but any other recommendations for moderate to moderate-high priced yet well located hotels?
• If we don't head to Venice, what would you recommend that is moderate to moderate-high, still a nice Italy experience for my son, yet not too far from the Venice airport.  I am pretty familiar with Padova, but any other ideas would be recommended.  (Love Padova and it just might be the perfect option, but a bit far for just two nights?)  
• Also best transport ideas to/from port to hotel? 

Thank you!! 

10 hours ago, Miaminice said:

As mentioned in recommendations by others, stay in Rome!

 

We are in Rome frequently and love a central location. We can recommend 

lh Suites Hotel www.lhroyalsuites.it and Hotel dei Barbieri www.hoteldeibarbieri.com for their unbeatable location.

You can reach all the interesting sites on foot and Trastevere for dinner is just around the corner - so is Campo dei Fiori.

 

Both hotels arrange a pick up from the airport and transfer to Civitavecchia. Otherwise we can highly recommend Bob´s Limos www.romelimousines.com.

 

 

There is a price difference - Barbieri is more expensive.  Is it worth the difference?  Thanks!

41 minutes ago, Dr. Pam said:

Yesssss, I know it is not cheap!  We used our Marriott (Now Bonvoy) points to have a suite connected to our kids' room.  It was wonderful. 🙂 We have had friends that stayed at the Westin Excelsior and they loved the hotel and its location.  Sorry, I cannot be more help.  Please no flames....we are kinda high end travellers.  

 

Check out TripAdvisor and make it your friend for research on hotels, restaurants, everything.  There is something for everyone and every budget. 

Yes, we have actually stayed there before and loved it.  The one right near the American Consulate, I believe.  But I will be a bit more frugal this time, as I am also taking my son on a cruise in a suite, so getting less fancy on the hotel side of things.  BUT I am also super picky about comfort and safety and usually am high end too.  Mostly for comfort and safety reasons - I hate little beds, too many stairs up, bad locations, no bar in the hotel or nearby, yucky bathrooms, all of those things that are risks that I would've gladly taken when younger. 😉 

Thank you - sounds like excellent advice!  So, I will take this one step further and ask - would you recommend a car service?  How about a hotel in Rome?  

We arrive in Rome early on July 31, and then board Infinity on August 2.  We are in Sky Suite, so will want to take advantage of early boarding.  Here is my question - we plan on staying in Rome for 1 or 2 nights then getting to the ship early in the AM.  I'd love to sightsee the day we arrive (a little) and then all day Saturday, so should we stay in Rome that Saturday night and make our way to the ship on Sunday or get on over to Civitavecchia on Sat night so we are already there?  My main goal is to avoid lines, traffic, travel panic.  My second goal is to be able to show my son about a day's worth of Rome - the Colosseum, Pantheon, and a fun dinner.  Guidance from experienced folks in this whole thing is much appreciated! Thanks!

Thank you all so much for the great advice! I actually love opportunities to dress up, so am quite happy to do so. Not sure I want to lug a long gown with me, plus I'd have to buy one, but I've got plenty of very nice evening suits and cocktail dresses. I did join the roll call as well - thank you for that recommendation!

Hello!

My husband and I will be joining my father and his partner on a cruise in the Norwegian Fjords on the Queen Elizabeth this July. We are first time cruisers. My dad is not. We will be in the Princess Grill suites. I have a few questions, please:

-Should we be prepared for swimming? Sunbathing? Just curious - either way is fine.

-How formal should we get? Tux or nice suit for my husband? Long gowns or cocktail dresses for me?

-Any tips on what to be sure to do on this ship, cruise, etc for someone who has NO idea? (I have never been on any cruise ever.)

Of course, my dad is providing tons of info, but I wanted to shout out to this group as well for what you all can share in terms of advice, tips, etc.

Thank you!