sheltiegirl

Although I agree that the art and the pushing of whichever jewelry and clothing designer intrusive and a bit sad, that is not what I was complaining about. I am paid to spend ~60 hours a week on construction sites listening to incessant pounding and grinding and VERY much look forward to peace and quiet while on vacation, particularly on a vacation I am paying for. We often do renovations in occupied buildings where we are expected to complete the work within extremely aggressive schedules while also being expected to stop work when occupants paid to be within earshot find it to be noisy, increasing our time to 16 hour days and six day weeks to make up for lost time. I did not get the impression that the pool deck replacement was at the direction of the crew onboard, who were doing their level best to mitigate its effects upon the guests onboard. but rather it seemed clear that direction was coming straight from Corporate, and as a loyal customer, I felt I had the right to let them know exactly how I felt about it. As to what I was hoping to achieve besides conveying my feelings, I would have appreciated an apology and some assurance that this isn't something I can expect to be the new "norm" on Silversea vessels. It's stunning that a bunch of general contractors and tradesmen have a level of customer service superlative to a luxury cruise line.

 

Did I enjoy the cruise? Absolutely. But would I have booked it knowing what was ahead? Hell no!

 

My apologies if you feel me to be unreasonable.

 

Bechi

Bechi,

I completely agree with you. My level of expectation was much higher for a "luxury" cruise line. The decking was also ripping up when we were on board. I felt like we were on a ship that needed to be dry docked and needed a complete overhaul.

Again, it is a money and expectation thing...

The company charges a lot of money for a luxury experience...but they do not deliver on their sales pitch. Even worse, is that it appears they don't care.

Our experience was ok...but would I book with them again? Not a chance. Even though our itinerary changed due to weather, it was how it was handled and the lack of any communication to those of us that said how disappointed we were. This was unusual set of ports...that's why the choice was made. Perhaps in the end, I realize we are not suited to this vacation style. We go for the ports and history..I do not go for the social aspect. I realize how people love the social aspect, trivia, bridge games, etc. Maybe that is the cruising life style...and just not for us.

Again...I am not looking for a "free' anything...just completely disappointed on how any company has a complete lack of concern for their guests and their experience. Airlines seem to care more than Silverseas...and that's not saying much these days.

We booked directly with the cruise line because I was sold on how nice the agent was and thought it was the right was to go. The agent also convinced me it was better to go through him, and he would always be available with any questions I may have. Guess I was sold a line and he actually did not care once the voyage was booked. I did send an email to him when we returned and the reply was..."I will send it on to head office". Heard nothing since and no follow up phone calls.

I wish I had used a travel agent, they seem to be able to get some sort of result.

I am not looking for anything "free", just merely an explanation and wish your first experience was better. Perhaps my expectations are too high?

Can you be more specific? The only thing you mention is "The itinerary was changed drastically due to weather...". That's a chance you take on any cruise with any line.

How was the handling of the situation "horrible"?

What started to be a 12 day cruise with 9 ports ended up a 10 1/2 cruise with 6 ports. The itinerary changed several times...from waiting until storm passed to choosing to wait a day then sailed into it.( that was an interesting experience) Then when the entire part of Newfoundland was cancelled ( we were supposed to be in 4 different ports there...the actual reason we chose this ship and this cruise). Then the ship literally revolted and a port was put back on in Newfoundland...the other ports that were added were just like any other cruise line. The flipping and flopping back and forth of the trip at that point were not weather related but what they could scrounge up to make something work. And, the two final ports which were on the original cruise ended up docking in an industrial area....which we had to be bused from ship to the center of town because it was too dangerous to walk. It was ugly and felt like they didn't man up and pay the higher port fees ( I don't know this...but it was disappointing) And ugly...

When you pay $30,000 for 12 days...I have pretty high expectations.

Besides the ports...the room was rough...several cabinets didn't even close properly and were swinging open the entire time. Again...no big deal on a "Holiday Inn" ship. Big deal on a "Pierre" ship.

Any thoughts?

Good morning, and I want to start this to say I am not a complainer. I am one of those textbook Canadians that just say thank you and sorry. But to be honest, after spending a ton of money on a 12 day cruise in September 2017 which was not even half of what we were expecting or promised...I am angry and feel like Silverseas should reach out to customers and offer something....anything.

The itinerary was changed drastically due to weather and while I understand our safety is number one...how it was handled was horrible. To put this in perspective...if I book a Holiday Inn Express...I have certain expectations and they are generally pretty minimal. But if I book the Pierre Hotel in NYC...my expectations are much higher.

On this cruise ( which we are of the generation who are just starting to cruise and the future of this industry), my expectations were high. I am so disappointed...and it has taken me until February to actually reach out to the cruise community to ask...do cruise lines care about bad experiences?

Has anyone ever gotten a good response back about a bad experience on Silversea?

I am not looking for a free cruise ...just acknowledgement that it could have been handled better and please come back and try again because we want your business

Thoughts?

Hello fellow Rossea area Sheltiegirl!

Ask away, not a problem! We truly enjoy our time on SS, hope I can help [emoji4] we did Montreal to NY last year, so we probably did some of the same ports.

Michele

 

 

 

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Sorry for the delay...we took in a rescue dog and have been busy with getting her settled! Nothing like taking on an extra task before we leave on the cruise! ( but she is a sweet girl who needed a good home :))

My questions...

-We have tried to book dinner reservations for La Terrazza...and it seems filled up. Do things open up once we get sailing? I am assuming all the food is great...but Calgary has horrible Italian food and I was so pumped to get my fill!

-is the Grill outside? And is it warm enough to eat there at night?

-any of the excursions your would recommend? Quebec City? Cornerbrook? St. John's? I am renting a car in Halifax to explore the area because I lived there as a kid and feel brave enough to just go explore. Have you done that in other cities or just stuck to the ship's excursions?

-how strict is the dress code? I have been reading TOO much about the dress code..are jeans allowed on board for daytime? Can my husband wear good jeans and a blazer for dinner if we go casual dining? ( I am thinking warmth here.) Are leggings and boots ok for me? I should not get so uptight about what to wear...but it seems I keep getting this impression that things are pretty rigid.

Please excuse me if any of this sounds like I live in a vacuum. We are pretty virgin to this whole experience and want to enjoy and be a little smarter before we pack our bags.

Thanks so much......

After a rather busy and stressful month, we are finally waiting in the Lounge at Pearson for our flight to Gatwick. Our travelling companion is en route, so T and I are doing the reasonable thing, and testing all the different white wines on offer. Westjet is supposedly still on time, but we'll see....

 

Looking forward to a couple of days at the Waldorf in London, which is one of my favourite hotels, before we head to the Whisper in Southampton.

 

M

 

 

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We are sailing NYC to Montreal in two weeks on this ship. I have never been on a Silverseas ship...and our cruise experience is very limited...only been on Azamara once. Thank you for posting...and its been interesting reading. I will admit I have listening to what you are saying...because I think you "get it". My summers were spent on Rosseau...near Windemere. So...I figure if you like it...you get it...its has to be good. Would you mind if I asked you questions about the ship...tips? questions about excursions, etc. You seem to be very knowledgeable. Thank you in advance...and

I'm sorry but what does being rich have to do with anything? My first SS cruise was while I was still in my 30's and definitely was not wealthy then. However I enjoyed the formality of the 7 days and appreciated the fact that if you did not have on a coat and tie, you did not enter the main dining room. The maitre d was not checking your bank book, he was checking your attire. You know, a vacation/cruise is suppose to be an experience away from the daily routine. Why not step outside the box for 14 days and try something different - dress up; you might enjoy it. (& pls don't tell me you have no space for a coat & tie or nice dress in your bag). A 14 day cruise is somewhere around 0.05% of your life - go with it. But if you really don't want to dress up, great, good for you. But I wish people would stop complaining about those of us who actually like a bit of formality in our lives. You'll have your place(s) on the ship, so please leave us our place. Go, enjoy.

Oh my...I did not mean to offend anyone. I just meant that country club lifestyle with the snobbery was my life as a child, and I generally do not like that type of atmosphere. I do dress up everyday to go to work, and sometimes it is nice to be comfortable and be able to dress smart casual and not having to slug a ton of luggage. There was no pointing fingers..if anything I meant that I did not want to offend anyone and dress appropriately and perhaps I booked the cruise on the itinerary and not the dress code of the ship. I had no idea that there was even an issue. I am not that person who wears their sleepy pants onto an airplane...and complete respect for dress codes. I am not complaining in the least, was just looking for information.

I'm currently on Silver Whisper. On the first leg of our multi-legged cruise we have had two nights listed as "formal/ informal optional". My guesstimate is that 20% of men have been in tuxedos or lounge suites. The rest have been in jackets or even no jackets. Women have been in dresses I'd expect to see in any upmarket restaurant. In a few cases they have dressed like they were heading for a big night at Applebees! :0 My overall impression is that it has all worked well. No one should be the least concerned about dress codes on Silversea.

Thank you so much for the reply and that helps a ton. I just had this image of my mothers country clubbers...and that is not what I am comfortable in. In fact the richest people I know drive old pickup trucks, wear Wrangler jeans and have their Gulf Stream jet on stand by....

Thank you so much...helps a ton!

Dear friends:

 

I find it quite acceptable to board in jeans in any port, and even board in shorts in the Caribbean or in the Mediterranean in the heat of August.

 

What about a woman wearing a bikini around the swimming pool. Is that also a no-no?

 

Do we really need to get bent out of shape if a man chooses not to wear a tie as long as he looks respectable as far as the rest of his clothes are concerned?

 

Remember, except for certain rules, such as no flip-flops, baseball caps, shorts, jeans in the dining room at night, the rest of the guidelines are mere SUGGESTIONS.

 

The other comment above about Silversea ships sailing full is misleading. Yes, the ships are sailing full -- with travel agents, Silversea employees, and last minute passengers paying the Venetian Value rates (the latter I admit includes myself on my last few cruises).

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

You seem to be very knowledgeable on Silversea and the expectations. My husband and I are younger ( early 50's) and have always dressed smart casual. We both worked in the oil and gas industry..with professional designations.

Jeans are a part of my wardrobe...along with leggings and boots. I am not the "ugly North American" who is 100 pounds overweight and we take care of ourselves. ( no offense to overweight people...but we have all seen the Walmart photos)

I do not own a gown...and any dresses I own are for weddings and funerals. ( which can be for formal night I assume?)

Will I feel out of place due to our ages and wearing dress pants and shirt ( husband). I will wear leggings and an appropriate top with boots. No cleavage...just trendy and not my mothers clothes.

Everything I see seems to focus on mens attire. I hate to over pack and because we are on a "colder" cruise to Newfoundland...layers and sweaters will be the bulk of our luggage.

I guess I am looking for how twisted people get...but maybe it depends on where the cruise is going? I want to enjoy the scenery, get some good hiking in, eats some fabulous food and just enjoy. I don't want to feel like the odd kid in the playground that everyone points at...this is a vacation and not the New York fashion police ( I hope!)

Thank you for any insight you can give me...would really appreciate it. I am fearing packing!

Yikes......dress code threads everywhere:eek:.......all the years I have been sailing on Celebrity there are always arguments

on that forum too......:(.....although I never participate in them anymore.

 

I don't own any long gowns and plan on wearing very dressy slacks with a dressy top on formal night. ( jewelry

and make up too;))

On casual evenings I have a couple of skirts and other slacks *with tops LOL.......I always try to look nice for evenings

on a cruise.......hopefully I won't run into the clothes police:confused:

Have you gone on your cruise? and if so, did you run into any awkward clothing issues? I don't own a gown, nor do I intend to buy one. I have a couple of dresses that are used for weddings and funerals. I dress well when I have to, but I don't like bringing tons of luggage and want to keep it to simple basics. Is that an issue based on your experience?