SilverShadow Alaska August - first time - please advise

Hi. Thank you for replying to this !

My parents will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and are going to be going to Alaska on the Silversea SilverShadow in August, leaving from Vancouver northbound. (all 5 of us kids chipped in to get them this :)

For this once-in-a-lifetime special treat (their first cruise ever,) we reserved on deck 7, in the owner's suite with 2 bedrooms, rooms 731 and 733. :)

There is a big rectangular white space with an "x" in it across from their suite.

My Mother is a VERY light sleeper, and they tend to get up early and go to bed early (around 8:30 p.m.) as well.

1) Do we need to be worried about noise coming from that white rectangular "x" area on Deck 7 ??? :eek: What goes on in that space ?

2) It looks like the suite is in the back two-thirds of the ship, will rocking/pitching/going up and down be a concern ???

They are planning on bringing motion sickeness pills just in case, but I didn't know whether on a ship this size/and given where it is traveling (in the gulf of Alaska with one day on the open sea) whether this is a concern or not...

3) They are also non-smokers. Is there any kind of lingering cigarette smell in the rooms that comes from the air-conditioning system, or is in the bedspread/drapes/furniture ?

Should they bring a scneted candle with them, or air freshener or something ???

Would love as much detailed advice and information as you can give about threse three things from anyone who has been on the Silver Shadow, it'll really help :D

Appreciatively,

Annie

You are really lucky to be in an owner's suite, we and most people haven't even seen one. In any case, that big white box you see on the deck plan is the bottom protrusion of the swimming pool on deck 8 above. So as long as nobody is using the adjoining whirlpools, it should be quiet.

Alaska sea condition can be variable. In the "Inside Passage" it should be alright, but around Sitka, it can be rough. So take your seasickness pills or whatever with you, and when you sense its becoming rough, take it before you get sick (otherwise you just vomit the medication back out!) Alternatively, the ship does carry some seasickness pills which they will give to passengers for free, but if you have your own preference, bring it.

As for smoking, it depends on who your fellow passengers happen to be. We have never smoked, and we were lucky that for the two voyages we had on the Shadow, it didn't bother us. Happy sailing.

We were fortunate enough to be in the owners suite on the Whisper a few years ago, identical to the Shadow. They are beautiful suites, in the perfect location on the ship. Very stable location amidship, quiet, huge balcony, lovely bedroom, spacious bath. should be perfect for your parents. There is no sound or problem with the lower part of the swimming pool wall across the hallway. Smoke should be no problem at all. I envy your parents for the great time they will have. Hmm... our 50th is still some years off, but maybe it's time to start hinting to the offspring!

We also stayed in that suite and all will be well for your parents. It never hurts to take air freshners, for multiple reasons. There are NO candles on ships...fire is a huge concern. Hope they have a terrific time!