9stilton

10 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

Earlier, I promised to post updated and detailed counts for the passenger and staff nationalities.  Got it yesterday from the CD.  Here are the specifics:

 

Total passenger count of 418 from 45 different nationalities. Leading the way, maybe a slight surprise, is the UK with 241 on-board.  Second is the USA at 148.  Victory by a wide margin to the UK!!  Germany is third with 29, Australia at 27, Belgium 15, Switzerland and Netherlands each at nine, Canada eight, Austria and Spain five, France four, Ireland three, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Mexico and Russia all at two, plus one each from India, Luxembourg, Ukraine and South Africa at one each.  Interesting passenger mix??

 

The crew totals 400 from 45 nationalities.  As expected, Philippines leads with 155, India is second with 88.  Next are Indonesia at 33, Italy 14, South Africa 12, Ukraine nine, Zimbabwe eight, Brazil and Bulgaria both at five, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, Tunisia and the UK all at four.  At three each are Argentina,  Morocco and Nepal; at two each are Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Thailand, Uganda and USA.  At one each are seventeen different countries, including that single crew member from Belgium, Canada, China, France, Serbia and Sri Lanka.  Lots of folks with varied and interesting backgrounds/history.  We enjoy chatting with the staff and passengers. 

 

Yesterday morning I chat with the sub-Captain, number two in charge for the whole ship.  Both he and the Captain are from Bulgaria.  Interesting to have both from the same country.  He explained that the ship, after the fuel fill-up in Malta sailed on just that one tank full to Cape Town.  As someone who followed the daily Africa circumnavigation closely, I asked about the stop along the western coast in Dakar.  He said that was not for fuel, but for medical reasons to let off an ill staff member.  That staffer departing there was OK, flew to Cape Town and rejoined the Silver Moon at that South Africa location.  The bottom line is this ship can sail at least sixteen days on one complete re-fueling.  Therefore, no fuel challenges for the Silver Moon going non-stop from Cape Town to Mumbai. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio 

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 250,332 views.
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

 

Below are some visuals from our Cochin boat tour around their busy harbor, including for seeing their famed fishing nets that go long back in their history of this region.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Terry 

I don't like to pick flies but I'm sure you'll agree that detail is important!!!  The total passenger count is 518 - not 418 as you stated.   Must be too much champagne!   If you add your nationality breakdown up then it "squares the circle".

Regards

4 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Do you work at some Comedy Club?  You must be joking!!  Of course not to your questions.  Everything is pretty besic. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Hi Terry 

If it any consolation then rest assured you would have been no better off in the Trident Hotel.   Lots of people are grumbling about what is on offer and Silversea have done themselves no favours in promising a 5 star service but delivering something well short of that.  Basic is an apt description.  Yes, we won't starve but equally it is well short of what we have all paid for.

Many have complained to the local silversea reps but I took the liberty of writing to the hotels general manager.  As of yet no reply has been received!!

On 2/3/2024 at 6:46 PM, bitob said:

SS is just silent.  My TA has called every high level person he knows.  I called SS and emailed Barbara Muckerman.  No answer

 

From the staff at SS we get the same old "we are evaluating the situation."  

 

WHAT IS THERE TO EVALUATE?

Ships are being attacked.  The US is bombing targets.  The Somali pirates are allegedly back in business.  

There is no way this cruise is a go.  The delay in announcing the cancellation is incredibly selfish.  Most of us have to cancel hotels, air, tours and make alternate arrangements.

 

Every other cruise line has cancelled Red Sea cruises.

My suggestion would be for you to chose another SS cruise and ask your TA to approach SS and request a change.

My understanding is that SS are prepared to be flexible on the matter, given what is happening.  

I spoke with my TA today and amongst the many things that we discussed she indicated to me that if I wanted to cancel the cruise then SS would likely be flexible about it.   I have no idea if that would be in the form of a refund or a FCC, but I feel sure those who want to withdraw would be pushing at an open door -- if they so desired.

Secondly, at the risk of upseting people, I have to say that I am surpised at all the negativity being aimed at SS at present.   I do believe that given the current circumstances we should cut them a 'bit of slack' to finalise matters!    It seems to me that most 'posters' are eating and breathing this situation and no doubt checking emails & the SS website every hour!!   We all know that we are booked into a decent hotel for a few nights & that other arrangements are in hand and with 2 weeks still to go we should be assured that we will have the remaining info shortly.  

I have been critical of SS in the past, particularly about the potential high risk of transiting the Red Sea, but in this case I suggest we should let events unfold & wait patiently until we have completed our travels until we finally get the guns out!

8 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Welcome to The Dog Fosterer.  Don't be shy with any and all questions, comments, etc.  The only "dumb" question is the one you do not ask.  Keep it coming!!

 

As shown below from Google Maps, the Trident and Oberoi hotels are right next to each other and are across the street from "Sunset Point".  If these two hotels are used by Silversea, it does make the logistics easier and allows the cruise's local staff to be closer together, better coordinated, etc.  

 

Look forward to learning more details and specifics, especially for what "meals" means and how well are the quality and sizes of groups on a bus for the offered tours.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture.  Now at 62,019 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

Hi Terry

Just to let you know that we were originally booked into The Oberoi for 1 night pre cruise but according to My Silversea we have now been moved into the Trident for 4 nights.   In this instance we had fortunately booked 'door to door' for this cruise with Silversea

14 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

My realistic views are continuing to be optimistic and hopeful for a Silver Moon docking in Mumbai around Feb. 11-12.  Below is the chart for the current Silver Moon position off of the coast of Morocco.  Progress is being made and the ship is heading in the right direction.  

 

Yes, I worry about the negative-twisted "Bean Counters" within Silversea, but there's lots of money to be made from this Mumbai-scheduled sailing that is sold-out for all of the top-end suites, etc., plus much added cash to be banked from the pre-cruise and mid-voyage special excursions, etc.  That positive cash yield from the Feb. 11-29 schedule helps cover much of the added fuel costs for cranking the sailing speed up above the 17 knot rate in order to make the planned timing schedule work.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

From www.cruisemapper.com, here is the current Silver Moon position off of the coast of northern Africa.: 

Hi Terry 

I'm with you all the way on this.  Just reversing what you have said I believe that SS have a lot to lose, should this cruise not take place.  Just completing back of the hand calculations, it would seem to me that the cost of NOT doing it could be much higher than £10m!!  If you took 600 passengers each paying an average of £8k pp (perhaps understated) should it not happen, then refunds would cost SS £5m alone.   That takes no account of ongoing running costs, crew pay etc plus loss of special excursions, compensation to be paid etc.  

So an extra £20k or so on fuel is indeed small fry!!

2 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

That is what I would have expected.  It should relate to what you already paid, as that was the source of the perk.

Interesting!   It must either be a British thing or I simply got hold of the wrong end of the stick.    Whatever, in my mind I had a 15% FCC owing me and not a fixed amount of credit from a previous cruise.

There was one other point that I wanted to draw everyones attention to.   Only the other day I used a FCC on a new booking with Silversea & fully expected to get my 15% off the cost of that future cruise.  Much to my surprise it seems it does not work like that with Silversea.  The 15% that I received was based on the cost of the cruise that it was awarded / given against.    In my case it worked out for the better as the original cruise cost was more than the new booking -- so I received more than I expected off the new booking.   However if I had been given a FCC against a relatively cheap booking then I would no doubt be either surprised or maybe a little disappointed.  In other words there are no big discounts to be expected on new bookings to the Antartica / Arctic!   

I read an interesting article (attached) the other day & suspect that many of us simply don't read the t&c attached to the cruises that we book to fully understand the risk(s) we are taking

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/articles/my-dream-60th-birthday-cruise-has-become-a-war-zone-why-ca/

I do not want to upset anyone, but it looks to me  that the bottom line is that cruise lines in many situations do not have to pay compensation!

Regarding all the speculation about where & when Silver Moon will arrive & depart from, it occured to me that one of the events that has not been factored into these discussions are the Mid Voyage Land Adventures departing from both Goa & Colombo.   Yes, I agree that these can be cancelled and or perhaps re scheduled, but firstly I suspect Silversea make a healthy profit (or loss!!) on them and secondly they clearly all have to be completed before the ships departure from Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

Finally regarding the current speed I would be prepared to wager a bet that the Captain has been told the day & time that he has to arrive in Cape Town & he has set the ship up to achieve that.    I agree that the more interesting point is what happens after that.   Interesting times!!

2 minutes ago, gypsyjennifer1 said:

I am have been trying to give you helpful information ahead of what Silversea is advising you.

 

Thank you for your information and willingness to share.   I hope you can make the most of the sorry situation that you are in.

Needless to say Silversea have not handled matters at all well and no doubt many will bear that in mind in the future. 

1 hour ago, TLCOhio said:

 

YES, this is a fascinating "mystery"!!!  Below is from the Silversea website this afternoon being clear that on Jan. 16, the Silver Moon will be Muscat, Oman.  What will really happen, how, when and why?

 

Hard for both CruiseDig and the SS website to be correct at the same time.  Great updating and sharing.  Good luck and safe travels.  Especially when you need to do "it" for the next few days without the "benefit" of alcohol.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

It is indeed hard for CruiseDig and SS to be correct at the same time!!

Well, I have just opened up CruiseDig for Muscat and guess what?   There is no arrival or departure shown for Silver Moon in Muscat in January.

Also CruiseDig does not show Silver Moon in Dubai either in Jan or Feb but does show it in Mumbai on 11th Feb 24.

It could be that the site is not updated or perhaps like others are thinking SS know something that the rest of us don't!

7 hours ago, Charli001 said:

I think is is very dangerous for Silvermoon to sail the Red Sea, it would appear Silverseas is still going ahead with the 6 Jan cruise, no other cruise lines are taking this course. I don't think we can expect war ships to guide Silvermoon through the Red Sea for a cruise. Missiles are targeting ships 300 miles from India. Would like to hear thoughts on this.

 

Charlie001 from Sydney

To me SS are taking an enormous risk in continuing with this sailing.  IMHO the risks are immense -- should some terrorist group seek to get in the headlines!!

I don't understand why SS don't acknowledge that the events which have occured have created a quantum change in their clients feelings and approach and therefore they should allow ANYONE to withdraw from the cruise without financial penalty.    There is no doubt from these boards that fear exists and to effectively force people to continue with their holiday, where commercial decisions seem to dictate, is simply not right.    It is clear that many are questioning the approach being taken!

Yes, SS may look toward the t&c / small print but my own view is that any responsible company should look to the future and do the honourable thing, given the prevailing situation.

I suspect it may be that decisions shortly make themselves in this respect.   Even without any further escalation it would seem likely that to take cruise ships through the Red Sea now would be putting both passengers and crew at risk.  Surely that is something that no reputable cruise line could even contemplate, irrespective of the cost.

Silverseas, after many weeks of prevarication, finally communicated to all that Egyptian ports of call in the coming months were cancelled and now have even an bigger call to consider.

I just hope going forward the decisions that they make along with communication are handled much better than in the recent past, where different people were clearly told different stories.   

Like some others, we are not booked on this cruise but have been watching events unfold with interest.  It seems to me that Silversea are putting their own interests first, irrespective of the impact that has on their guests.  

We are actually booked on the return trip on Silver Moon up the Red Sea in May / June and have just noticed that Safaga has been been pulled from our itinarary -- & did Silversea go to the trouble of informing us?   CERTAINLY NOT.    The other major port of call on that cruise is is Aqaba for Petra and yes I'm fully expecting that to be pulled -- but it seems that may happen only when it best suits Silversea!!    Finally from other postings on this site Silversea now appear to have taken the decsion to sail ships through the Red Sea in Autumn 2024 EMPTY.   

This is a bit like death by a thousand cuts --- Silversea are happy to put some sailings at risk yet go risk averse when it suits them!

The other point that stands out to me is that Silversea are adopting double standards with regard to changes being allowed.     On this cruise it seems that those who have paid "big bucks" or are "regular cruisers" with Silverseas are being treated differently to those who do not travel as frequently with them.   Unless someone has another explanation then why would there be a disparity on the stories being told where some are being allowed to change & others are not?   It certainly leaves a sour taste!!

IMHO Silverseas need to get their act together and do the honourable thing TO EVERONE on ALL AFFECTED THE CRUISES otherwise like me many will undoubtably be looking elsewhere for future cruises.

Regards

I like Terry in Ohio have booked to go on the Silverseas Mumbai to Singapore cruise in February 2024.   As Terry states this cruise was markedly changed some time ago, with the 3 days in Myanmar replaced due to the unrest in that country.   What wasn't stated was that Silverseas offered all passengers on that cruise a number of options because of the significant change.   From memory there was an option to allow cancellation with a full refund given and those who chose to remain on the cruise were offered  $500obc along with a 15% future cruise reduction.   

In this case the change of itinerary was made well ahead of the D2D 151 days cancellation clause and clearly Silverseas took the decision to make options available to prevent mass cancellation.

It will be interesting to see in this case if Silverseas make measured decisions on ALL future itineraries, with options offered well in advance, in order to bring clarity to the situation.    Otherwise I fear that they will create much bad feeling through continuing to dilute ports of call along with little or no compensation being paid to their clientele. 

Regards 

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

😄  I know exactly what you mean.  We are on the Cloud in Feb/March 24.  What was I thinking!

We get on the Cloud on Sunday coming!

I don't know what to think -- although thankfully we are not in a Silver Suite!

Like so many others we feel for Spins and the others onboard who have been so poorly treated by Silversea

1 hour ago, Keith1010 said:

You are very welcome.

 

I didn't realize you were in the UK when I responded.  Otherwise I wouldn't have said Amex is accepted.  I only assumed you were from the USA when you mentioned Amex as I and some other people I know initially had to figure out that Amex wanted each of us to verify this was a legitimate transaction.

 

I hadn't seen the information until your earlier post about the no protection.  May I ask where you found that. 

 

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Speaking for myself, we are looking forward to the itineraries, and additional details including cruise fare and deposit information and booking some of the cruises.  Again, this is a personal decision and I expect people to book, while others might book closer to startup or wait till people who are on the earlier voyages share their experience or decide not to book.

 

Keith

 

 

Hi Keith

The information about no financial protection is from Crystals own pdf confirmation sheet on page 2 - as attached.   From what you imply it does not seem to be the same deposit conditions in the States or they may be hidden in the small print.    Either way there is certainly an implied risk for UK past passengers

Regards

22 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

Yes I have made multiple open bookings. Many of our friends have done the same.

 

Your agent is wrong.  American Express could have been used.

 

However, initially for those booking American Express asked for the card holder to confirm this was a legitimate purchase since this was a new company for them.  Your agent could have contacted you so you could approve it with Amex as they were processing your deposit.  By the way, this has happened with at least one other new cruise company (even though their parent company is not new) with American Express.

 

Decision as to whether or not to do open booking(s) and ultimately convert them to a real booking.  I wouldn't tell anyone what to do.  Then again I wouldn't tell anyone what they should do when spending money.

 

Keith

Keith

Many thanks for the prompt reply.   I suppose my point was that we who have made open bookings are now taking a BIG chance that this venture will come off all as planned -- but with absolutely no guarantees or fallbacks at all.   

Given the issues from the previous debacle it seems a bit rich for A&K to ask previous guests to stump up the funds to support the venture & then openly state that there is no protection for past passengers who have allready lost a lot with 'old Crystal'!  

I certainly thought I was putting into a new British venture but am really surprised to find all funds being transferred to their US company where individuals could compound losses still further.

Regards

Regards

On 11/16/2022 at 5:13 AM, Keith1010 said:

I did verify this.  Using USA money the open booking deposit is $500.00 per suite, not per person so yes $500.00 is the amount regardless of the number of people in the suite.

 

Keith

Pardon me for coming into this discussion late but has anyone actually taken out an open booking deposit??

Having quickly scanned the last few pages of this discussion I have just taken out a couple & was astounded to read on the confirmation pdf:-

"The 400BPS open deposit (the “Deposit”) is being booked by and paid to Crystal Cruises USA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Consequently, the Deposit is not subject to any financial protection requirements and will not be covered by any means of financial security

Furthermore I did pay for the deposits by Amex but my agent rang back to tell me they only accepted Visa or Mastercard.

Having earlier been through the debacle of trying to recover monies from the old Crystal Inc (US Company why on earth would I want to repeat the situation.    Unless anyone can tell me I am missing something I am likely to be cancelling immediately & seeking a refund

Regards

I usually avoid ships photographers like the plague however traveling with the family and grandchildren I was "encouraged" to purchase a couple of shots! Before having photographs taken I asked for the price of digital images (as opposed to prints) & was told that they would be $39.95 each.

We duly had a sitting & when I came to buy I was then told that the digital image of the 4 grandchildren would be $39.95 as per the discussion we had, however the family group of 10 would be an extra $50 more ie:- $89.95. Their so called logic behind this cost for the digital image is that groups are charged at $5 extra per person / child!! HAL photographers could not explain what constitutes a group (4 didn't but 10 did) & neither could they explain why they were charging for ALL people that were photographed when 4 clearly carried no premium at all!!

Needless to say I felt very aggrieved at the situation as HAL do not advertise that digital images of groups would be a higher cost and they certainly appeared to pluck costs out of the air with no logic. Needless to all of the questions were channeled through the Westerdam manager, Vaughan who would not even discuss the matter with me.

JUST BEWARE OF THE SITUATION SHOULD YOU WANT A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH & BE PREPARED TO BE FLEECED!!! SUCH A PITY THAT A GRASPING APPROACH IS TAKEN THAT SIMPLY NULLIFIES ALL THE OTHER GOOD POINTS HAL HAVE TO OFFER.