Just back from Silver Whisper Adriatic cruise

We just returned from 19 days in Europe with a 7-day stint on the Whisper...

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Ours was a private charter originating in Venice. We either anchored or docked at a differnet location each day starting with Korcula, Croatia. On to Dubrovnik, Corfu, Itea (Delphi), Santorini and, finally, Athens.

I must say that all my worrying about being in Athens just prior to opening day of the Olympics was unnecessary. As we pulled into the port of Piraues (Athens) the army/navy war boats were very visible, anchored in equal increments surrounding the opening of the port. We were escorted by smaller boats carrying automatic weapons (big ones) and I found out later that we had been escorted by a submarine for most of the cruise.

Visibly, many officers of the Greek law were present on land, also toting ouzies.

The Whisper will be docked for the next 3 weeks as a floating hotel - chartered by a company called "Jet Sports"> for the Olympics.

The ship was everything I expected except for maybe one thing. I was not necessarily impressed with the decor of the ship. It was almost a let down upon our embarcation. The lobbies are sparsely decorated and the public areas are not necessarily beautiful. Yes, I know we are supposed to appreciate the "understated elegance", but, frankly, cruises we have taken on Celebrity ships were more impressive in this area. What can I say, maybe I am a barbarian after all.

The suite, the service, the food, the wine - all fabulous. The destinations - beyond belief. The tours offered to us - phenomenal. I took advantage of the spa services - very lovely. The casino - not my friend.

We spent 6 days prior to the cruise in Tuscany, Florence and Venice and then 4 days after the cruise in Rome. Let's say I am definitely on art-overload.

We had a driver/service in Rome that was excellent - they have been mentioned many times on these boards (that's how I found them) - Bob's Limousine service in Rome.. Ask for Fabio. The best.

Will never fly Alitalia again... We flew Air France home - stupendously better.

Any questions I will gladly try to answer.

This is certainly about which honest people can honestly disagree. One cannot quarrel about taste. But it is precisely the understated elegance of such lines as Silversea, Seabourn, and RSSC which attract me to their ships. When I look at photos of the interiors of mass market ships, I cannot imagine myself spending much time in the gaudy atmosphere of those ships. But, then too: My preferred furnishings are of sparse Scandinavian design.

Hi cruzy-s!

It's genuinely great to see you had a great time. I was waiting to see what response you might get - but it so far hasn't materialised. So you're stuck with me.

You sought bags of help on various issues and concerns before you went - and people tried to assist - but you haven't posted any feedback on those issues that were on your mind. I think you said that you would?

It helps others if people know whether the advice offered was kosher in a catholic way - or in a jewish way (joke honest) or whether it didn't work for either of you at all. People from your side of the pond struggle to find non-standard and personalised help and therefroe your specific feedback I think helps them. I don't know because I only need help when I go to somewhere I don't know. It helps both those that genuinely tried to help and those that are trying to differentiate how to choose what advice to accept. In other words it helps everyone. Does this lack of feedback mean that the advice was crap? For example - I offered fairly contradictory advice and it either worked or didn't and you are the only people that can decide! Spill the beans suzy - or ask no more!?

Ve al vait for your response.

Hurray!! UK1 - I've been waiting to hear from you.

I feel that the answers that I received on these boards were very helpful, and (as I stated) particularly, with regard to the Olympics in Athens.

Information I received about Bob's Limos proved to be quite helpful, as they picked us up and transferred from airport to hotel and vice versa. We opted to do a 5 hour guided tour with our driver. Without Fabio (even with all the insight I received from you) I don't feel that we would have given Rome a fighting chance without that guided tour. I feel we saw all I wanted to see. We had been on art/culture overload by the time we got to Rome (15 days) - and, unfortunately did not get to Ostia... Just plain pooped out.

As far as Silver Whisper goes.... It was all that I expected. As I stated, we were on a private charter, so possibly things were set up differently than a "normal" cruise. However, one of the poolside parties featured Dom Perignon as the ever-flowing libation - so there were no holds barred. However, fixed menus practically every night - the food was good. I tried to see if I cound discern fresh from frozen - not a chance from this American.

No, we loved the cruise, etc. But, honestly, I think the fares normally charged on Silversea are a bit exorbitant for what you get. (Oh, God, now I'm gonna hear it.)

The locations we visited were fabulous (my first trip to Europe). The cabin was great, and I think I said all of that in my previous post. Well, then I guess that's it, any questions?