CruzinFeraBruzin

Yes, I agree. A full day bus tour with little opportunity to get out to see the sites is one we will pass on. We much prefer one of the shorter excursions in the morning with an opportunity to walk thru Warnemunde on our own in the afternoon.

Thanks so much JP. Enjoy your expedition cruise on the Wind - it looks awesome. My adventurous DH would love it but my first attempt at boarding a zodiac would result in an unintended swim in the Baltic...

Whatever feedback those wishing to provide to me regarding their cruise experience in the Baltic visiting these ports would be helpful. This will be the first time visiting this part of the world for both of us. With the exception of Germany, we have never visited any of the countries on this itinerary. For those who have sailed in the Baltic and visited these ports, did you find them enjoyable and for what reasons? I know this particular itinerary originally included St. Petersburg which was the highlight for many, but did you also enjoy visiting the other ports?

We are currently booked on the Dawn Sept 22 - Oct 6 for an autumn cruise in Norway and are considering adding the previous voyage that has a 14 day itinerary in the Baltic Sea. Last year Silversea cancelled all their Baltic itineraries on the Dawn for 2023 except this one which visits Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Looking for feedback from those who have sailed to the ports on this itinerary. Thanks.

Not sure what the qualifications were to receive one. As of today, we have not received it. I seem to recall there was a hardcover book in our suite on the Moon in the same location as the voyage catalogs (in the open compartment of the nightstand next to the bed) and I wondered whether it was the same book many are now receiving in the mail. I thought the book was about the Galapagos but now I can't remember.

Silversea finally posted the 2023 VS Reunion Cruise on their website - Sept 22 - Oct 6 Copenhagen-Copenhagen aboard the Dawn. We put a tentative hold on a suite thru our Silversea CC who sent us a suite plan showing the available suites for this cruise. So far, it appears only about 25% of the suites have sold. Once again, Norman will be aboard.

This is a great video, but the music is more in line with a 1960's era Sean Connery helping me onto a zodiac floating in a calm Mediterranean sea as I grip a martini glass...

I think its a great idea that they hold on to passports, simply for safekeeping. I wouldn't want to be in a position of losing my passport in a foreign country while on an excursion - especially on cruises where you are in a different country every day. There are certain ports that require you to show the actual passport or a copy as you go thru immigration after you exit and before you re-board the ship, but for the most part, the ship hangs on to them for the entire voyage. About 20 years ago, I was on a land based tour in Europe and the hotels also required us to submit our passports to them, but this hasn't happened to us recently during independent travel.

I have also come to an agreement this week with the Air Department and agreed to pay an upcharge to get the return flights we want with a manageable 3 1/2 hour layover. Our CC is trying to get us a small credit to offset the upcharge but is making no promises. Does this leave us irritated? Yes. Will we continue to sail with Silversea? Yes.

Sadly, you are both probably right. Despite our recent issues with the Air Department, we will continue to sail with Silversea again.

My Silversea CC told me they've recently hired three more warm bodies to work in Guest Relations. Hopefully they'll get this sorted out soon.

Cruise Critic just named Silversea as best luxury cruise line for 2022. They obviously aren't reading this thread...

I thought it was someone's sick sense of humor. Don't like our flights? Well, we'll fix that and put you on a cruise that doesn't require you to fly to the point of embarkation. On top of that, they pick the Ray's inaugural cruise which will probably be delayed. Thankfully they've reinstated your original booking and hopefully they will do the right thing and find a place for you on the waitlisted excursions and get your flights straightened out.

I agree. On our last cruise with Silversea this past spring, we got the flights we requested and they were changed with no deviation fees. The connection times on those flights were tight, but it was at the beginning of the travel season before everyone decided it was safe to travel and the airports were not at full capacity. We were satisfied with our experience and I commented about our satisfaction on this forum. Fast forward several months into a post pandemic world and this time around, our outbound flight request was honored, but our return flight has turned into a disaster. My goal is for a positive outcome, but it's sure taking a long time to get there.

The same office just a few doors away? Well, at least we know they are all singing from the same song sheet. I've also been told that "management" (translated to the man behind the curtain) will get involved to escalate, yet here I am still waiting... They offered me an alternative flight going thru an airport closer to home with a 2 hour layover at a lower deviation fee than the one they tried to gouge us for before, but I reminded them I requested a 3 hour minimum layover. Back to the waiting game.

les37b, I spoke with my Silversea CC. He confirmed Silversea's Air Department is based in the Miami office and they handle all air requests for guests worldwide, not just in the US. Their department also handles requests coming in from Travel Agents who's clients choose to have Silversea arrange the flights. My CC lamented once again of his inability to just pick up the phone and talk to them. Apparently TA's can call them directly, but the Silversea CC's are limited to email only. He did tell me they will not be working this Thursday or Friday in observance of the US Thanksgiving holiday.

Not sure. I will ask my CC the next time I'm successful in getting him to return my phone call.

Our Miami Florida based Silversea CC indicated they are "down the hall from him", however he cannot talk to them face to face, nor can he call them on the phone. All flight requests need to be typed out on their system for tracking purposes. I'm not sure if TA's can actually talk to a live person in Silversea's Air Dept. or if they also have to send all communication to them via email.

Thanks nowornever. I have seen this section on the website, along with the BCN-LIS cruise which sailed the beginning of November. I think they had another one scheduled earlier this year somewhere in Asia which was cancelled. I just thought it strange they aren't marketing these reunion cruises for 2023 and wondered whether they are phasing them out.

Has anyone received an email announcement regarding upcoming Venetian Society Reunion cruises for 2023 and beyond? Apparently Silversea communicates these special voyages via email, however I'm not sure if there are any other qualifications other than being a Venetian Society Member. They just had one on the Dawn, but I do not see any mention of future reunion voyages for 2023.

Indeed it won't. I looked at the overnight excursion you are referring to and it's not just another city tour. It's beyond spectacular.

We did this one time and were told the bus was full and they couldn't take us. We showed up at the last minute because the tour we were originally on got cancelled the day before due to lack of interest. The excursions desk told us it was the tour operator that cancelled the tour because they required a certain number of guests to operate it and apparently too many dropped out.

I'm frustrated at the lack of excursions in Muscat, Oman for our cruise. We will be in Oman for two days and the first day is already waitlisted on the 3 excursions which are offered. After being on the ship for 4 1/2 days, we were hoping they would have enough tours lined up. This is in early March 2024 and already waitlisted. I hope for your sake they will be able to accommodate you.

It means it is included in the price of the voyage so you do not have to pay extra. We had laundry done about every third or fourth day during our Grand Voyage and no additional charges were incurred. Its a great benefit to taking a Grand Voyage.

I got a gel manicure while we were on the Moon in April. Elizabeth did a fabulous job, although I'm sure it will be a completely different staff for your cruise. I'm afraid I didn't keep the list of options available at the spa.