misc questions

[imcpa]

My wife & I sailed the Cloud in 2010. Since, we have sailed on Regent, Paul Gauguin and Crystal. We are finally returning to Silversea by sailing the Spirit in July. I expect the Spirit will be my favorite as the Cloud was a little too small for us.

 

Since we have not been on Silversea since 2010, I have some random questions as the trip approaches...

1. Do they still serve the 3 bowl snacks at the bars/lounges (chips, nuts and Chex Mix type snack mix)?

2. Do they still use the cloth coasters for drinks in the bars/lounges (I always liked that touch)?

3. Can anyone use the steam room/sauna or do you have to purchase a spa service?

4. Do the Spirit suites have DVD players or have they gotten rid of them with movies on demand service?

5. Do they serve drinks to people gambling in the casino?

6. On some days (our lounge days), it is possible, or unreasonable, to request during breakfast that they setup an ice bucket at our table for our own champagne bottle? When we dine at nice restaurants and purchase a bottle, I like the way some put the ice bucket right next to our table. If this is bad taste or considered bad on SS, we don't do it.

 

Thanks for the help.

[jpalbny]

My wife & I sailed the Cloud in 2010. Since, we have sailed on Regent, Paul Gauguin and Crystal. We are finally returning to Silversea by sailing the Spirit in July. I expect the Spirit will be my favorite as the Cloud was a little too small for us.

 

Since we have not been on Silversea since 2010, I have some random questions as the trip approaches...

1. Do they still serve the 3 bowl snacks at the bars/lounges (chips, nuts and Chex Mix type snack mix)?

2. Do they still use the cloth coasters for drinks in the bars/lounges (I always liked that touch)?

3. Can anyone use the steam room/sauna or do you have to purchase a spa service?

4. Do the Spirit suites have DVD players or have they gotten rid of them with movies on demand service?

5. Do they serve drinks to people gambling in the casino?

6. On some days (our lounge days), it is possible, or unreasonable, to request during breakfast that they setup an ice bucket at our table for our own champagne bottle? When we dine at nice restaurants and purchase a bottle, I like the way some put the ice bucket right next to our table. If this is bad taste or considered bad on SS, we don't do it.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

1. Yes

 

2. No (I miss that too).

 

3, 4 - IDK as we don't use the spa and haven't been on Spirit.

 

5. I hope so! Otherwise what is the incentive to stay there and keep gambling? ;)

 

6. They might, but we have never asked. Are you asking if they'd set up a special ice bucket for a bottle of house Champagne, and only serve you from that bottle? Or are you asking if they'd set up an ice bucket for a bottle of your own Champagne that you have purchased for yourself? I assume yes to the second one, but not sure about the first one. Won't hurt to ask...

[WesW]

ImCpa, we have over 50 days sailing on the Spirit. Will try to answer a few of your Spirit ?

 

1. In the lounges they put on your table a white bottle filled with nuts. My wife enjoys

chips and has them delivered when ever we have drinks in the panorama lounge. Don't recall about the chex mix. Also, the waiters will bring hot horse dervies for you to have with your evening cocktails.

2. Have recently heard they discontinued the cloth coasters in the lounges--am sure someone who has sailed recently will soon chime in with first hand info.

3. On the Spirit you have two options for a sauna/steam--use (complementary) the unisex sauna or steam room (Silversea provides you with paper swim trunks they ask you to wear) when using these. Many Europeans still use the unisex suana/steam room au naturale. You can pay (believe it is $25 a day) for the use of the : http://www.silversea.com/ships/silver-spirit/the-spa

The niggles I have with the Spirit spa/sauna are they are unisex vs separate men's/woman's on the Cloud, Shadow, Wind, Shadow. Further, if you're a man their is no men's shower (only the unisex shower collocated with sauna, steamroom). On the other hand women have two private showers to use if they use the unisex sauna/steamroom.

5. Yes, you are served drinks in the Casino

6. Have not done this or observed this practice but am confident if you let your water know you would like an ice bucket he/she will provide or you can ask for Champagne (they will bring you endless glasses, but make sure you ask for Champagne or they may serve you Prosecco)

 

Hope this helps

[Wellseasoned]

We finished a Spirit cruise a few days ago.

1. Plenty of the usual snacks available. If you want something specific, just ask.

 

2. The coasters now are disposable, a paper that feels like cloth. This was also the case on the Whisper and Shadow cruises we did last year. There are still cloth coasters at the in-suite bars.

 

4. There are no DVD players on the Spirit. Several hundred movies are available free on the TVs in your suite.

 

6. They prefer to place the ice buckets near their serving stations since there is not much room for them at the tables, where they might interfere with service or be knocked over. And they like to do the pouring. (And they are always careful with our bottle of AMEX Dom.) But they will probably do as you wish if you feel strongly about this.

 

I think you will enjoy the Spirit. It is in excellent shape, and the crew and service were terrific on the cruise just ended.

[RachelG]

I will be on the Spirit in 2 weeks, and will report live. Wes's comments regarding the sauna and steamroom are correct. My husband wears a robe.

[imcpa]

Thanks to all of you for the responses.

 

The ice bucket is not that big of a deal. When we have stayed at other all-inclusives since 2010 it has happened for us and I liked it. I actually prefer pouring my own, although I assume it is not considered as high class, and it makes it easier on the staff.

 

JPAlbny, I really enjoy your travel posts.

 

I will be posting more questions as July approaches.

[Emtbsam]

The cocktail napkins have disappeared and been replaced by a thinner, possibly synthetic material coaster which appears to come in large sheets and the appropriate size is then cut or torn off. They are not as elegant, but certainly suffice.

 

A few years ago, a cruise director told us that the most frequently stolen item on the ships was the cocktail napkin! That might be why they have stopped using them. We did have the old kind in our suite this past trip.

[Tothesunset]

Thanks to all of you for the responses.

 

The ice bucket is not that big of a deal. When we have stayed at other all-inclusives since 2010 it has happened for us and I liked it. I actually prefer pouring my own, although I assume it is not considered as high class, and it makes it easier on the staff.

 

It's Silversea. If you want an ice bucket and to pour your own just tell the Maitre d' and it should happen. It's up to the staff to meet your wishes, not you to meet theirs!

[Travelcat2]

I will be on the Spirit in 2 weeks, and will report live. Wes's comments regarding the sauna and steamroom are correct. My husband wears a robe.

 

Really looking forward to your comments regarding the Spirit. Have you sailed on her previously?

[imcpa]

Tothesunset, that sounds great. In theory, that should be true and the advertisements certainly imply it is (not just Silversea, but Regent, Seabourn and Crystal as well), but my experience is sometimes it just doesn't happen.

 

I would like to hear your opinion on whether I would be frowned upon. I would hope it can happen quick and easy, but I don't want to create a hassle or appear to be rude, low-class or demanding.

[Tothesunset]

Tothesunset, that sounds great. In theory, that should be true and the advertisements certainly imply it is (not just Silversea, but Regent, Seabourn and Crystal as well), but my experience is sometimes it just doesn't happen.

 

I would like to hear your opinion on whether I would be frowned upon. I would hope it can happen quick and easy, but I don't want to create a hassle or appear to be rude, low-class or demanding.

I see no reason why you should be frowned upon. If you prefer your champagne in an ice bucket and to pour it yourself that, in my opinion, is entirely your business. And if Silversea seek, as they do, to cater to the individual's requirements I really don't see that there should be a problem acceding to your very simple request.

 

As for appearing rude, low-class or demanding I would say a. Not rude at all, b. if drinking chilled champagne with dinner is low-class then I'm all for that, c. You should be demanding as long as those demands are not totally outrageous.

[spinnaker2]

I can't imagine having an ice bucket by your table would be an issue.

If space is a problem, then ask for an out of the way table. I would think SS would bend over backward to accommodate your wishes.

Emtbsam is right, the cocktail napkins have been replaced by a disposable version. They come on a roll and are premeasured and incised so that they may be torn off as needed. Same with the coaster size napkins. Not nearly as nice as the linens one came to expect. I thought they were a cost saving measure and asked, was told they are more expensive than the prior napkins. Not sure how that equates, because the fabric napkins had to be washed and ironed and folded, which seems costlier than the throw away ones.

Maybe it's as Emtbsam suggests and the cost really is in the loss of the fabric napkins to pilferage and general wear and tear.

[RachelG]

Really looking forward to your comments regarding the Spirit. Have you sailed on her previously?

 

We were on Spirit for the spring TA 2 years ago. Of course, this trip will be way more port intensive. Auckland to Melbourne.

 

As far as the champagne in a bucket, I have seen this on some cruise ship, just can't remember which one. I think they would be fine with it as long as there is room between the tables. I do seem to remember that in the main dining room, some of the tables are pretty close together on Spirit.

[WesW]

Rachel and George were with us on a spring Spirit crossing a few years ago, pix:

 

 

[Observer]

3. On the Spirit you have two options for a sauna/steam--use (complementary) the unisex sauna or steam room (Silversea provides you with paper swim trunks they ask you to wear) when using these. Many Europeans still use the unisex suana/steam room au naturale. You can pay (believe it is $25 a day) for the use of the : http://www.silversea.com/ships/silver-spirit/the-spa

The niggles I have with the Spirit spa/sauna are they are unisex vs separate men's/woman's on the Cloud, Shadow, Wind, Shadow. Further, if you're a man their is no men's shower (only the unisex shower collocated with sauna, steamroom). On the other hand women have two private showers to use if they use the unisex sauna/steamroom.

 

As I recall from my most recent Spirit cruise, there was only one steam room -- co-ed, next to the heated tile lounge chairs, and available free with a treatment or by payment of a daily fee. Has this changed?

[Emtbsam]

Wes - Thanks for posting the photo of the meet & mingle. There are so many familiar faces!

[WesW]

Observer,

 

The Spirit since the maiden voyage has had two steam rooms (one in the pay as you go Spa that you mention) and the other in the unisex area (sauna and steam room, with unisex shower). This men's/women's sauna is adjacent the sauna (pix #45 below):

 

http://mediagallery.usatoday.com/Silversea+Cruises

 

Emtbsam/Victoria; you're very welcome. Silversea (like Crystal) deserves kudos for partnering with Cruise Critic for formal meet & mingles. This is just one reason we book Silversea over Regent (or Seabourn).

Edited January 27, 2015 by WesW

[Travelcat2]

Wes - thank you for posting that lovely picture. I don't think this is the right place to give the reasons why we don't like the Spirit :p Perhaps it is best to just say that we love the Whisper and Shadow and would love to sail on either ship in the future.

[mjnvoyager]

We have travelled on all the 5ships over the last 10years and to begin with the Spirit was our least favourite and we favoured the Whisper and Shadow followed by Cloud and Wind. However we have now been on the Spirit three times and she has certainly grown on us. We still don't like the theatre or the bar configuration but enjoy the multiple restaurants and the generous seating. In all the ships we find the service is always excellent and the crew are attentive and caring. Yes there have been changes and we regret the erosion of some of the things we loved but the overall experience is worth it. We have met some wonderful fun people and we exchange visits with many of them. We feel privileged to be able to do this in retirement. I read many of the posts in CC and never cease to be amazed at the complaints. If you don't like it don't go.

 

 

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[Tothesunset]

When reading threads such as this we begin to feel a bit marginalised in that we prefer the Spirit to the Whisper/Shadow! Now, I couldn't list or rationalise the reasons - it's just a feeling. However, having said that, if anyone wants to treat us to a voyage on any of the SS ships we would gladly accept.

[mjnvoyager]

Wonderful that you prefer the Spirit. Personal preferences are so important. We are all different and that's what makes people so interesting.SS ships offer different experiences tied together with good service and friendly crew. Not all our cruises are perfect but they must be doing something right as we keep coming back for more. Roll on Oct when we are on the Whisper b2b Montreal to Bridgetown.

 

 

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[CanadianKate]

When reading threads such as this we begin to feel a bit marginalised in that we prefer the Spirit to the Whisper/Shadow! Now, I couldn't list or rationalise the reasons - it's just a feeling.

 

I firmly believe spaces contain an energy that one responds to. Part of it is lingering energy from previous activity in a space (that's why people tend to congregate in kitchens as opposed to formal living spaces in large North American homes - the family spends their time in the kitchen/family room and so it contains an energy that the barely used living room does not.)

 

On the ships, I note the older the ships the more love people have for it despite obvious shortcomings and wonder how much that has to do with people responding to the energy. And in the case of the Spirit, her newness means she contains less energy especially for those of us who sailed her in the first couple of years. So, some of our negativity towards her may be due to our missing the energy that we felt on other ships and if we returned, we'd feel the new energy that she's built-up over the years.

 

I still say she has physical shortcomings compared to Shadow/Whisper (who physically feel perfect to me) but for someone with different expectations than me, she offers a SS alternative. Whichever ship we choose, we get the SS crew and service.

 

There were two physical highlights for the Spirit for me. First the back of deck 8. Second is being able to rent the spa area with those heated stone recliners and the private whirlpool.

[Emtbsam]

On longer voyages, we prefer the Spirit due to the variety of dining options and the fact that the MDR is quieter if you can get a table on the side near a wall which separates you from other guests. We also love the Observation Bar and larger buffet area in La Terrazza. That said, we will be happy no matter which Silversea ship we are on.

[WesW]

We enjoy the Shadow and Whisper as well as the Spirit, won't sail the Cloud again until refurb (relocate the gym from current space/replace with new Obsvn lounge, and better seal (or replace) the connoisseur corner's doors (still use old Le Champagne doors and in our opinion using these 20 year old doors when smokers are present in the connoisseur corner ruins the Cloud's first third of the Panorama lounge due to second hand smoke). Like Emtbsam we also enjoy the Observation Lounge and like to use the private space in Deck 8 for very early (no pax are up) morning runs--in fact a fav part of the Spirit for me is being able to use Deck 10, 9, 8, and outside La Terraza for early morning runs vs being limited to one or two decks (use the stairs to go up/down then around these decks). Also, like Victoria/Emtbsam mentions the Spirit's La Terraza inside (buffet) is larger and in warm climates it is delightful to enjoy breakfast/lunch on the outside deck of La Terraza.

Edited January 28, 2015 by WesW

[Silver Spectre]

We enjoy the Shadow and Whisper as well as the Spirit, won't sail the Cloud again until refurb (relocate the gym from current space/replace with new Obsvn lounge, and better seal (or replace) the connoisseur corner's doors (still use old Le Champagne doors and in our opinion using these 20 year old doors when smokers are present in the connoisseur corner ruins the Cloud's first third of the Panorama lounge due to second hand smoke). Like Emtbsam we also enjoy the Observation Lounge and like to use the private space in Deck 8 for very early (no pax are up) morning runs--in fact a fav part of the Spirit for me is being able to use Deck 10, 9, 8, and outside La Terraza for early morning runs vs being limited to one or two decks (use the stairs to go up/down then around these decks). Also, like Victoria/Emtbsam mentions the Spirit's La Terraza inside (buffet) is larger and in warm climates it is delightful to enjoy breakfast/lunch on the outside deck of La Terraza.

 

Agree with you Wes, and as we are 'bath' people I strongly dislike the fact that the only Vista and Veranda suites left with baths are those closest to the bows and therefore the noisiest and more prone to movement.