First X Cruise:SILHOUETTE JAN 17 2016

[landj999]

I Saw your Club Med ll comment. Haha Any plans to ty Windstar?

We've done 2 and loved them both.

[OhioDogLover]

Norris,

 

Thank you for another great review. I'm looking forward to the rest of it.

 

DH and I are mostly X and Princess cruisers. I have read almost all of your reviews and have enjoyed them. (I will get to the rest.) We haven't been on Silhouette yet, but will be in 2017. We loved Equinox and Solstice. Our favorite Princess ship is Ruby, but we have enjoyed all of our Princess cruises. We are trying Regal for our winter escape in 2017.

 

Ohiodoglover

[Bimmer09]

Here's video IV of the Segway tour

 

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

I Saw your Club Med ll comment. Haha Any plans to ty Windstar?

We've done 2 and loved them both.

 

No plans. I personally like big ships, around the 3,000 pax size for the variety of decks and rooms. We also have to have balconies and I didn't see those on Club Med II.

 

I also enjoyed the Ocean Princess which carries 680 pax but that was on a port-intensive Med cruise with only 1 sea day. I might have gotten restless if there had been more. The cruise fare was about $3,000 over that of a big Princess ship so small ships can be costly and give you less options. Of course the pax count is less-but we don't find ships like the Silhouette to be crowded. The only crowded area was the shops on deck 4 at night with people coming from the show, people in the casino and those shopping, plus the shop staff standing like car salesman hoping to entice you in. That was just one deck of many and the others were sparsely populated.

 

Those sailing vessels are eye candy though...

 

Thanks for asking!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Norris,

 

Thank you for another great review. I'm looking forward to the rest of it.

 

DH and I are mostly X and Princess cruisers. I have read almost all of your reviews and have enjoyed them. (I will get to the rest.) We haven't been on Silhouette yet, but will be in 2017. We loved Equinox and Solstice. Our favorite Princess ship is Ruby, but we have enjoyed all of our Princess cruises. We are trying Regal for our winter escape in 2017.

 

Ohiodoglover

 

Welcome and thanks for complimenting the review!

 

The Ruby is the only PCL ship we have sailed twice to date. Best food I have tasted on the line (MDR) and she always looks immaculate.

 

I think X hit a home run when they put the Lawn Club Grill on the Silhouette rather than repeat the Hot Glass Show.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Here's another video. This one will bring us to the gates of El Morro.

 

I left in a couple of frames where we stop and I quickly have to get the camera out-just to prove this was a "Working Trip" for me!

 

We only had about 25 minutes inside as they were getting ready to close. Photos to follow, so we can get caught up before the ride back downtown at dusk.

 

The Segways have a headlight (needed later).

 

Here's video clip # 5.

 

 

Norris

[deladane]

Wow, Norris! This has been such an incredible review so far and you are just getting started! I can't wait to read the rest!! And these Segway videos are amazing... I feel like I'm riding with you on the tour! Keep up the great work :)

[Bimmer09]

While we were stopped at the little square with the statuary I took some more pics.

 

 

 

An iconic watchtower

 

 

The highlight of the tour was to visit El Morro without having to take a taxi, tour bus or (gulp!) walk. We were just a quick ride away and soon stopped to gaze at it from afar.

 

 

We were soon racing up that long pathway and arrived at the fort not the slightest out of breath.

 

 

We parked and passed through the archway

 

 

More to follow...

[flyingv4me]

Interesting screen name-do you own a Gibson guitar?

 

If you were on this cruise you may see yourself in a photo at some point.

 

I'm glad you are enjoying the review as it goes along -today will have a couple of highlights-the Segway tour and dinner at the Lawn Club Grill.

 

Thanks for the compliments!

 

Norris

 

Yes, I've played for about 40 years (damn, I'm old! LOL!). I have two Gibson Flying V's, a 25th anniversary in korina wood and a '67 reissue in dark cherry. Started out on Fenders, but have been a Gibson man for the past 30+ years.

 

I'm loving your review and will take a look at your others on the Princess board!

[Bimmer09]

Wow, Norris! This has been such an incredible review so far and you are just getting started! I can't wait to read the rest!! And these Segway videos are amazing... I feel like I'm riding with you on the tour! Keep up the great work :)

 

Thank you! So glad you are still reading along.

 

The Segway ride was Carol's idea when we were looking at Excursions and it paid off in spades. It also spurred me to get a GoPro finally as you need two hands to steer it. To test it before the cruise I hung it by our bird feeders in the rain in our Michigan garden and let it run. So much fun to see the birds up close!

 

I have an app on my phone to operate it remotely and let me see what the GoPro is seeing.

 

A dizzying amount of stuff still to come as this is just our first of 3 ports. Hundreds of photos of the ship waiting in Lightroom too.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Yes, I've played for about 40 years (damn, I'm old! LOL!). I have two Gibson Flying V's, a 25th anniversary in korina wood and a '67 reissue in dark cherry. Started out on Fenders, but have been a Gibson man for the past 30+ years.

 

I'm loving your review and will take a look at your others on the Princess board!

 

Serious guitars! I hope you had a Fender Stratocaster at some point. Hendrix Lives!

 

Thanks for getting back to me.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

In the central courtyard of the fort. The floors in this courtyard are sloped so that rainwater can drain into a giant cistern below. It could hold 1 million gallons in case of a siege.That's even more than the 7-11 Big Gulp!

 

 

The chapel where the troops could pray-"no more sieges, por favor!"

 

 

Some Princess cruisers complain that the beds are too firm...this is what the soldiers slept on...wooden platforms! Quit yer whining!

 

 



 

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

 

The fort is closing so we make our way back outside the walls

 

 

 

Time to saddle up!

 

Norris

[TheCount]

Hi and thanks for the comments-informative...I try to be, along the way. I don't plan on being encyclopedic and dry but can answer questions and enjoy doing so. Feel free to ask as we go along.

 

You are a serious cruiser to have 225+ nights on RCCL!! I need to catch up!

 

You will love this ship.

 

Glad to have you along for a nice long ride to some wonderful places.

 

Norris

 

SO, we are trying to figure out if we should pre-book the 4 or 5 night dining package before departing or just do it on ship? In the packages, it seems like you get one night in Murano/Tuscan/Qsine/LawnClub. We likely would prefer 2 Murano and 2 Tuscan and hoped of either swapping out, or change? Thoughts?

 

We also have access to BLU for breakfast and meals, from what I have read, it is a mixed bag and luv it or hate it type sentiment.

 

Keeping up with this "Bimmer09's Excellent Adventure" ! :cool: :D

Edited February 2, 2016 by TheCount

[Out on the Mira]

This is my first time posting on CC. My husband and I are going on the Silhouette on February 7 and I'm enjoying reading your review. Unfortunately you won't be finished before we head out, but I'll keep reading until then.

[LzyCruiser_NWA]

Norris,

Thanks for bringing back the memories, we were @ the forts last spring.

So they let you take the segway into the forts and up the ramparts?

 

We were beat by the time we were done with El Morro and the other fort that was on the other end of the island.

 

I'm guessing you didn't go down the cannon path that was in the middle of the steps to go down to the main firing range right? :)

 

Did you manage to catch all the kite flyers @ sunset? It was a beautiful sight.

 

Oh btw, not sure if you noticed but a lot of pics are missing from your flicker from the venice to rome trip, I was trying to day dream of Rome.

[Nashna]

I totally enjoyed your Segway tour. The Go Pro worked beautifully. I was all ready to book the tour for our March 27th Sihouette Cruise when you mentioned the accident. We were on Princess years ago when my husband and another fellow were racing down the stairs to beat the ladies to lunch. My husband fell and dislocated his ankle. Princess went overboard in providing both of us with amazing care. Go ahead and call me a "fraidy cat". I don't ever want to have another great cruise cut short!

 

I don't know why, but I missed the 3rd and 4th Segway videos. I'm going to go back and see what I did wrong. I don't want to miss a thing!

Edited February 2, 2016 by Nashna

[steve3857]

Loving this review. We are on on 2/21. Western Caribbean itinerary but your review has given me a lot to think about. How will I survive with only one small cyber shot camera ? !! We are Aqua but will be finitely be trying murano and await further info before deciding where else.

[vadell]

Thank you for such a brilliant review, the photographs and your humour make for very enjoyable reading.

 

I have also looked back at your recent review on Princess as we are doing the West Med from Rome to Barcelona in the summer, although we have been to both before the photographs are making me look forward to them even more.

 

Barcelona we visited fairly recently but we have not been to Rome for fifteen years so really looking forward to our few days pre-cruise.

[Tony UK]

Hi

We are having a wonderful holiday sailing along with you each day whilst reading you posts. Fantastic job and great photos. I'll have to get one of those things to attach my camera to the verandah.

By the way did you use Michaels much. I'd like to know what they do as regards drinks, snacks and entertainment.

 

Looking forward to the next instalment

Tony and Angie

[Bimmer09]

Here is another video that uploaded while I was at the gym with a trainer that has mistakenly assumed I am training for a title fight in Las Vegas. It feels good when I stop.

 

 

Norris

[Jasperdo]

Really enjoyed your segway tour of Old San Juan. We wandered around the old city before the start of our only Celebrity cruise, on the Meridian, which left from San Juan. I regret that we didn't have time to see El Morro. Your photos inside the walls are terrific. I need to go back someday and explore this National Historic Site.

[Bimmer09]

SO, we are trying to figure out if we should pre-book the 4 or 5 night dining package before departing or just do it on ship? In the packages, it seems like you get one night in Murano/Tuscan/Qsine/LawnClub. We likely would prefer 2 Murano and 2 Tuscan and hoped of either swapping out, or change? Thoughts?

 

We also have access to BLU for breakfast and meals, from what I have read, it is a mixed bag and luv it or hate it type sentiment.

 

Keeping up with this "Bimmer09's Excellent Adventure" ! :cool: :D

 

Me personally? I wouldn't miss out on the Lawn Club which you'll see later today if I ever get off this Segway. It's fun, well lit so you can enjoy the colors of the food. It's a blazing oasis of light on a deck where there are few other people and the warm Caribbean air can come in and remind you you are on a ship not in a land restaurant such as Murano. The funnel is a bit of a giveaway too.

The food is meat-centric and obviously basic, not finessed like Murano.

 

I'll save my words on Tuscan until we are eating there which I think is on Thursday night after St Maarten.

 

Again personally I would try the 4 different ones on offer-you'll never know which is your favorite without trying them all. I know Qsine is a bit gimmicky and theatrical and some times you just want a quiet, predictable meal. But I sure want to try it !

 

We never went back to Luminae for breakfast, preferring the food in Blu-but it is noisy in comparison. Can't comment on Blu for lunch as nothing could tear me away from the buffet. We looked at the menu for dinner on the last night and nothing leapt out at us-maybe 4 entrees listed, as is the case in Luminae when the sun goes down.

 

The Specialties did a good business each evening. You can save money buying the package or wait until on the ship as each day there is a waiter at the entrance to the buffet with a table set up to showcase the Specialties and I heard him tell someone that Qsine was 30% off that night (we had other plans) as I walked past. I think if bookings are slow you can get a discount.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

This is my first time posting on CC. My husband and I are going on the Silhouette on February 7 and I'm enjoying reading your review. Unfortunately you won't be finished before we head out, but I'll keep reading until then.

 

Hi and welcome to CC!! Lurk no more! Hooray!

 

You will be very happy on this stunning ship. No question about that.

 

You can read the end of this when you come home with a tan.

 

Bon Voyage!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Norris,

Thanks for bringing back the memories, we were @ the forts last spring.

So they let you take the segway into the forts and up the ramparts?

 

We were beat by the time we were done with El Morro and the other fort that was on the other end of the island.

 

I'm guessing you didn't go down the cannon path that was in the middle of the steps to go down to the main firing range right? :)

 

Did you manage to catch all the kite flyers @ sunset? It was a beautiful sight.

 

Oh btw, not sure if you noticed but a lot of pics are missing from your flicker from the venice to rome trip, I was trying to day dream of Rome.

 

We had to park the Segways outside the city walls.

 

We had very limited time in the Fort as they were closing in 25 minutes so no cannon paths this time.

 

In those Ocean Princess situations where it says "photo not available"- it is-just click on the big X and it takes you to the photo on Flickr. You can toggle back and forth between the CC screen and the Flickr one. I wrote to CC and they had no fix. Flickr has so many bugs they need to put up some screens on the doors.

 

I didn't notice any kites but would have loved to photograph them.

 

Hope this helps! Some nice photos on that Venice visit- I loved the ones I took between 5 am and 7 am.

 

Norris