Master Echo's Silver Shadow Sojourn Summaries

[Master Echo]

The Lady Shadow’s Mediterranean season commenced in Venice on September 8th, and was also the start of the Mediterranean Grand Voyage.  Unsurprisingly, the GV has attracted a number of ‘big’ Venetians, some of whom regularly tread these boards.  For this reason I have delayed in filing a report in case others wished to start the ball rolling, but in the apparent absence of anything from others - here goes.

 

For two reasons I do not propose submitting regular updates, but will comment on aspects of particular relevance to this cruise.  First, WiFi connectivity has been haphazard so far,  confirmed by Reception staff.  Secondly regular reporting can become time consuming & distract from life on board, particularly in view of the quirkiness of Cruise Critic!

 

More anon

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

 

 

[Silver Spectre]

1 hour ago, Master Echo said:

The Lady Shadow’s Mediterranean season commenced in Venice on September 8th, and was also the start of the Mediterranean Grand Voyage.  Unsurprisingly, the GV has attracted a number of ‘big’ Venetians, some of whom regularly tread these boards.  For this reason I have delayed in filing a report in case others wished to start the ball rolling, but in the apparent absence of anything from others - here goes.

 

For two reasons I do not propose submitting regular updates, but will comment on aspects of particular relevance to this cruise.  First, WiFi connectivity has been haphazard so far,  confirmed by Reception staff.  Secondly regular reporting can become time consuming & distract from life on board, particularly in view of the quirkiness of Cruise Critic!

 

More anon

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

 

 

Good to hear from you ME.

[Lois R]

Good morning ME, my friend Eric is on board your Shadow sailing. He is the lecturer. Tell him hello from me please🙂.  Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

[Master Echo]

Thank you Silver Spectre - looking forward to seeing you both in Athens.   Lois will definitely pass on your message to Eric as and when I see him.

 

Some numbers.  There are currently 223 passengers of whom 61 are doing the Grand Voyage (GV), roughly 60% of capacity.

 

The next voyage sailing on September 20th, which of course should have been sailing to the Black Sea, was fully booked within weeks of its announcement some two plus years ago.  This itinerary was changed recently to an intensive cruise round Greece.  The manifest for this cruise has now been received on board and will comprise only 148 passengers ( roughly 40%) capacity of which 77 will be in transit (61 on the GV) and 71 embarking.  How times change!

 

More to follow

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[daddyo]

Thanks for the info.  This reminds me of our voyage during the Silver Explorer’s first  season in 2008. We were on Acapulco to Los Angles.  There were only 29 paying passengers on board.  If you missed the daily recap, they would come looking for you!  We are boarding on the 20th and can’t wait. 

[Silver Spectre]

1 hour ago, Master Echo said:

Thank you Silver Spectre - looking forward to seeing you both in Athens.   Lois will definitely pass on your message to Eric as and when I see him.

 

Some numbers.  There are currently 223 passengers of whom 61 are doing the Grand Voyage (GV), roughly 60% of capacity.

 

The next voyage sailing on September 20th, which of course should have been sailing to the Black Sea, was fully booked within weeks of its announcement some two plus years ago.  This itinerary was changed recently to an intensive cruise round Greece.  The manifest for this cruise has now been received on board and will comprise only 148 passengers ( roughly 40%) capacity of which 77 will be in transit (61 on the GV) and 71 embarking.  How times change!

 

More to follow

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

Thanks for the manifest update ME, looks like we may be rattling around.

[les37b]

Have a belated great cruise wish ME......

 

In case you wondered where you set off from! Herman the Cat has a Moon sailing coming up and asking where the berth was and how to get there. Would be interested also when you get a moment. I suspect its dependant on your hotel as it seems to be accessible by road (as well as water taxi!)

 

 

Edited September 14, 2021 by les37b

[Herman The Cat]

Thanks very much, Les37B. Appreciate the assist!

We will be arriving independently at the ship (Moon). Need to go to where embarkation will start (Marittima or San Basilio??) but there is no info in the cruise documents except “ship will be at Fusina Pier” and the contact info for the local agent. I assume we go elsewhere and will be shuttled overland to Fusina. 

Do you know anyone who arrived independently and where/when they got the embarkation info? 

[zqtchas]

We will be be 2 of those boarding.

[cruiseej]

The reports from the previous Fusina sailing were that everyone went to the cruise terminal at Marittima, checked luggage, got Covid tested, and checked in; then they were bused over the the ship at Fusina. From what I've read, they just don't have any sort of cruise terminal at Fusina to handle the boarding process. (Hopefully SS will send you explicit instructions to confirm this in the near future.)

 

EDIT to add a post from one of the passengers on last week's trip out of Fusina:

 

7 hours ago, nowornever said:

I can’t speak to the arrival at Marittima from hotels or airport but I can tell you a bit about check in.  We boarded last week & went by water taxis provided by Silversea from the island hotel [to Marittima].  I did see passengers arriving by van/car however.  The procedure was to get the antigen test after giving your identification, cabin # etc, proceeding to the waiting area after the swab for the 20’ish minutes for the results, then to the usual check-in, then sitting in another waiting area for the bus transfer to Furisma.  The ride was about 30 minutes through a dismal industrial area to the pier adjacent to the ferry loading pier.  Then there was a quick screening by Italian customs with hand baggage run through the X-ray & finally a 5minute walk to the ship…voila.  What a relief to finally be back.  

Edited September 14, 2021 by cruiseej
Added quoted post with additional information

[Master Echo]

Italian immigration

 

I thought it might be worth a few notes about Italy’s current prevailing Covid requirements for entry into Italy.

 

 

Apart  from the usual proof of vaccination, the pre-departure Covid test, prior to leaving home and of course the completed online Passenger Locator Form, the airline handed out two forms during the flight to be completed before arrival in Italy. One of these forms was collected on the plane, the other was to be given to immigration.  

 

Venice Marco Polo airport was quiet so there was no pressure on the immigration staff & the queue was minimal.  With a quick  ‘buonjourno’, a flick through the passport to stamp the page of his  choice - he waved us through!!  No examination of our covid documentation and no collection or even glance at the form filled on the plane!!

 

kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[Master Echo]

Fusina port embarkation

 

I received an email from Barbara Muckermann prior to leaving home that all passengers had to go to the Port Marittima for pre-embarkation.  

 

Taxis at Venice airport were plentiful and there was a set price of 45 Euros to the port of Marittima.  In the past this port would have been thronging with cruise ship passengers, with many ships tied alongside the various berths.  On Sept 8th it resembled a ghost town, there were no ships anywhere and the two berths we were adjacent to had an air of neglect and decay.

 

We were shepherded into Pier 107 for the usual embarkation checks, plus a rapid Covid test, waiting the requisite 25-30 minutes for the result.  Assuming your test result was negative you were taken in groups to the waiting coach for transfer to Fusina port, a journey of some 30 + minutes.  Luggage was taken separately.

 

Fusina Port currently serves ferries to other ports in Italy and further afield, as well as light cargo vessels as there is no heavy overhead cranage.  I was told that facilities were going to be built to cater for cruise ships and while we overnighted there, the dock was being constantly dredged.

 

Alighting from the coach I passed through a small temporary cabin, which was used for security scanning of my hand luggage and me.  Then out onto the quayside, walking a few yards to the waiting open arms of Silver Shadow - for those who didnt’t feel able to walk the last few yards, a shuttle bus was available.

 

The whole operation from arrival at Marittima to embarking the Lady Shadow went like clockwork but was lengthy, and seemingly this will be the regime for embarking passengers wishing to sail out of Venice in the future.  Lucky for those of us who will remember the sail past St Mark’s Square!!

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

 

[Master Echo]

Silver Shadow Refurbishment

 

I thought a few notes on the changes made during the 2019 refurbishment which might be appropriate in case readers have not been appraised of these on other threads.

 

The decor follows the style of Silver Muse.  The exception is the walk-in wardrobe in the verandah suites which still retain their rosewood panels.  Therefore the hanging space is compromised by firstly, the shoe rack, the depth of which narrows the length of the hanging rail. The half rail which has often been removed on past cruises was in situ on this one.  If garments are hung on this rail, it obscures items on the floor.  So it doesn’t work on both counts.  

 

However there is one change which has met universal favour to whomever it has been mentioned.  Namely the bathroom has a ‘’nighttime’ light which illuminates the room below the sink level thereby negating the necessity for turning on the light in the wee small hours and disturbing other occupants of the cabin.

 

Another improvement after many years of suggestions to Management is the disappearance of those ‘make up suite/do not disturb’ notices so reminiscent of hotels etc worldwide.

 

In 2018 someone on these boards, suggested electric visual panel in substitution for Silver Moon.  I passed this suggestion to Barbara Muckermann who passed it to the new build team.  Unfortunately it seems it came too late for the Moon, which retains the old card system.

 

However the Shadow now has a neat light switch you operate at the door before leaving your cabin, showing green for service or red should you wish to be left alone  - progress!

 

Of course for those who may not have travelled recently,  the swiping of cabin key cards is now a distant memory.  All one needs to do is touch the little pad attached to the desk at the entry to and exit from the ship - this of course is far more efficient and saves time.  One other point to mention - arrival to the ship whether from a tender or land, is always from Deck 3 saving the ghastly,  often steep walk,  from quayside to Deck 5.

 

 

Deck 5

 

The area between the main and the forward stairwells has changed completely.  This is now  open-plan, with four small offices (as previously), for the Hotel Director, Cruise Director, Finance Officer and the FCC.  In addition there is the main Guest Relations back office.  The casino has now moved to deck 8.

 

There is a central bar with bar stools and a mini Arts Cafe, this facility is now called the Atrium Bar.    There is lounge seating making for a comfortable relaxation space.   

 

Forward of this is an open plan boutique, with merchandise behind lockable glass cabinets and this is the only facility mentioned on the deck plan.

 

Deck 8 

 

As a ‘sop’ to smokers, SS have now provided an enlarged indoor room with an adjoining outdoor space which has several seats and tables, cleverly designed with windbreaks and potted plants. Unfortunately smoking, including that of cigars is still permitted on deck 8 Pool Deck starboard side, which has proved extremely annoying on this trip, by a cigar smoker who seemed to be permanently ensconced on most days!  I feel that smoking should now be completely banned on this outside deck - unfortunately smoke is not able to distinguish between port and starboard!!

 

Kindest regards,

 

Master Echo

[Silver Spectre]

A quick ‘butt in’ ME, the new arrangement in the suites for the larger TV has meant that a significant amount of shelving space has disappeared, however the addition of two USB ports on either side of the bed is a godsend.

 

I will speak to you about the smoker.

[Master Echo]

 

Port calls 

 

I was told sometime prior to sail date that the call to Durres Albania had been cancelled at the behest of the Greek Authorities, otherwise Silver Shadow would not be permitted to cruise in Greek waters.

 

Whilst in Corfu Greece, I observed cars being loaded on one of the two daily ferries that link Greece with Albania, and I confirmed that I was not mistaken. 

 

For those on the Grand Voyage, both the Italian and the Portuguese authorities said that access ashore for cruise ship passengers would only be permitted as part of organised shore trips.

 

Both Italy and Portugal permit free movement for tourists arriving in these countries.

 

Despite Silver Shadow being ‘cleaner’ from Covid than any other mode of travel, why do the three countries referred to above show prejudice against cruise ship passengers.

 

 

 Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

 

[audobon_tx]

44 minutes ago, Master Echo said:

 

Port calls 

 

I was told sometime prior to sail date that the call to Durres Albania had been cancelled at the behest of the Greek Authorities, otherwise Silver Shadow would not be permitted to cruise in Greek waters.

 

Whilst in Corfu Greece, I observed cars being loaded on one of the two daily ferries that link Greece with Albania, and I confirmed that I was not mistaken. 

 

For those on the Grand Voyage, both the Italian and the Portuguese authorities said that access ashore for cruise ship passengers would only be permitted as part of organised shore trips.

 

Both Italy and Portugal permit free movement for tourists arriving in these countries.

 

Despite Silver Shadow being ‘cleaner’ from Covid than any other mode of travel, why do the three countries referred to above show prejudice against cruise ship passengers.

 

 

 Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

 

 

Optics, politics, what's in it for the bureaucracy?

[Silver Spectre]

Good morning ME, just a polite warning, apparently you are being hunted. No idea if a bounty is involved. 😻

[Master Echo]

Thank you Silver Spectre for your timely warning.

 

'They seek him here. They seek him there. Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in Heaven? Or is he in Hell? That damned, elusive, pimpernel'.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[Silver Spectre]

On 9/24/2021 at 3:01 PM, Master Echo said:

Thank you Silver Spectre for your timely warning.

 

'They seek him here. They seek him there. Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in Heaven? Or is he in Hell? That damned, elusive, pimpernel'.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

Aha, it’s time to switch tack and go after the French Canadians.

[Silver Spectre]

Could this be the elusive F1?

 

[Stumblefoot]

15 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

Could this be the elusive F1?

 

Is this how the old “Do Not Enter” signs have been rewritten? 😉

Edited September 28, 2021 by Stumblefoot

[Silver Spectre]

Hope you got home safely to your final destination ME.

[daddyo]

Even though we didn’t get to the Black Sea, this was a great itinerary. We very much enjoyed the voyage and we were impressed with the safety protocols.  Hopefully the passenger load will increase as Silversea can’t be making positive $$. 

[Master Echo]

Thank you Silver Spectre - yes I did, hope you did likewise.  Its  now back to reality with a bump🙁🙁!!

 

I heartily concur with Daddyo' s comments.  Despite knowing most of the ports visited,  I thoroughly enjoyed all those offered.

 

I also met some very interesting fellow passengers and enjoyed exemplary service from the staff at all levels.

 

As Daddyo has said, the safety protocols were efficient unobtrusive and effective.  Life onboard is far safer than on your local High Street!! The 'floating petrie dish' reference of life onboard a cruise ship can only be made by those who havent experienced a cruise with SS!!!!

 

Now all I have to do is to replace the four cancelled cruises of which we received notification whilst on our two Shadow cruises, not least the Black Sea and Australasia!!

 

Here's to a return to more normal cruising in 2022 and hope we all get to meet again as soon as possible.

 

Please all take care and keep safe.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[ronrick1943]

Nice reporting, as I haven’t cruise Silversea yet—but I am book.  So all these reports are great reading for me, Thanks.