Live from Silver Muse 6/30/22 Seward to Vancouver

[gcornell]

Got a few good tips before this trip from the board and figured I could help out others with upcoming trips.  Family for 4 with 2 children, 11 & 13.  We did the Denali pre cruise excursion. It was great just a lot of traveling. I figure we spent 7 hours on trains and 15+ on buses.   A few random notes and feel free to ask any questions. 
 

Since we did the pre tour SS arranged our Covid testing in Anchorage

Cruise train with majority of guests arrived 5:30pm

 

Check in was done on train so we were in cabins by 5:45 and bags were waiting

 

At least 10-15 families on board plus there is a kids program 

 

2 people from our tour tested positive and couldn’t continue 

 

Mask were not required anywhere, including buses and train, so far except the muster drill.  Interesting that this is our first trip since Covid started that no one is talking about it much anymore. Staff or guests.  Relaxing environment and enjoyable conversation. 

Ship appears fully staffed, spotless and as expected for silversea. 

Edited July 1, 2022 by gcornell

[TLCOhio]

4 minutes ago, gcornell said:

Mask were not required anywhere, including buses and train, so far except the muster drill.  Interesting that this is our first trip since Covid started that no one is talking about it much anymore. Staff or guests.  Relaxing environment and enjoyable conversation. Ship appears fully staffed, spotless and as expected for silversea. 

 

Good luck on your sailing and look forward to hearing details about your various, upcoming port stops, the Silver Muse food, etc.  

 

Will you be spending added time at the end of your cruise in wonderful and charming Vancouver?  As detailed below, we super enjoyed this exciting part of the world before the Covid shut-downs.  Keep us posted with lots of details.  Pictures to share??

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Many visuals and details from our first in these scenic areas!  Live/blog: 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

[gcornell]

Thank you TLC.  Yes, we plan to drive up to Whistler for the day then  fly home as we did Denali first.

 

Another FYI… There are no formal nights. Only formal optional nights on the Alaska cruise. Pants and collared shirt is fine for men. 

[Raptordash]

As we will be on the August 25 cruise, I am looking forward to your views on the ship, staff, food, and entertainment.

Marc

[gcornell]

My wife and I used the fitness center at 6:30am today. Just a few others using it. Techno gym machines which are high quality and lots of treadmills, bikes, a stair master and elliptical. 
 

Breakfast buffet was excellent. The highlight being a vast variety of fresh fruit including figs which I rarely find. Most was self serve but a little odd that the hot food was being served to us behind glass and the omelette and pancakes were ordered through the waiter even though they had omelette stations. Not an issue just a little odd and took a minute to figure out.  
 

Most guess just hanging in the lounges on sea days as it’s too cold outside on deck. 
 

The highlight today is the Hubbard Glacier at about 2pm

[gcornell]

Hubbard Glacier today.  Best viewed from the bow deck. Dress warm. Captain spent about an hour circling round so plenty of time for everyone to get as many pictures as you wanted.  No rush.  Afternoon sun was warm so several adults in hot tub and some kids in pool although air temp never got above 60. 

[gcornell]

Also, on this cruise there are no daily temperature checks and like yesterday there is no one talking about Covid so very, very relaxing.  First time in 2+ years we are having normal conversations. 

[gcornell]

Today we are in Juneau along with 2 Carnival ships and a Regent ship.  5 min shuttle to downtown where there are at least a dozen jewelry shops (found that odd) and a bunch of souvenir shops.  Did the Mendenhall Glacier Walkabout ($439pp) in the afternoon and family loved every minute of it.  They provide all the equipment - boots, jacket, crampons, gloves.  We got the heli to ourselves, just lucky, and had fantastic weather and guides.  Super friendly pilot and staff. Well worth it.  Spent about an hour walking around the glacier, filled up and drank Glacier water and were allowed to grab a few Glacier rocks to bring home. 
 

Last night was formal optional. No formal required on Alaska cruises. Saw one tux, a few suits, maybe 40% in sport jackets and the majority in dress shirts and slacks. 

Edited July 3, 2022 by gcornell

[saminina]

1 hour ago, gcornell said:

Last night was formal optional. No formal required on Alaska cruises. Saw one tux, a few suits, maybe 40% in sport jackets and the majority in dress shirts and slacks. 

 

Perhaps the most valuable piece of information ever printed on here.

[Gadgetguy333]

I will second the appreciation for the comment on the dress code and what is common.

 

I could pepper you with questions since there has been very little information posted, but any comments you have on staffing levels,  any cancellations,  menus or restaurant hours would also be much appreciated.

 

Thanks

[gcornell]

Thank you. Staffing and service appears to be normal. Haven’t experienced any issues at all.  I think, based on what I read and expected, that there are fewer lunch options.  Only the main dining room and La Terezza are open for lunch and the variety at La Terezza is just okay.  Could be better. 
 

I’d be happy to answer any other questions. 

[gcornell]

Pics from The Grill where you cook on a hot rock. It’s a lot of fun cooking your own food and steaks are very tender. 
 

Also, I keep thinking of tips randomly, there are free washers and dryers mid ship on each deck. Detergent included.  Also, irons and boards. However, there is only one washer and dryer. We got our laundry done but it’s keeps fairly busy. 
 

Tonight was casual. Saw someone in a suit but otherwise slacks and colored shirt (even a tshirt) is totally fine.  I’m told there are only 300 guests (596 capacity?) which is surprising considering 2 years of cancellations.  Nothing is crowded.  Meals and lounges are at 25%, max 50% capacity. 

[TLCOhio]

8 hours ago, gcornell said:

Staffing and service appears to be normal. Haven’t experienced any issues at all.  I think, based on what I read and expected, that there are fewer lunch options.  Only the main dining room and La Terezza are open for lunch and the variety at La Terezza is just okay.  Could be better. 

 

Appreciate your excellent visuals, ship details, comments and follow-ups.  Keep it coming!!  Enjoying much as you bring back our 2019 memories, including from Hubbard Glacier.  

 

Yes, glad to hear that Silversea is keeping the dress code loose and flexible.  Encouraging!!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[Stumblefoot]

11 hours ago, saminina said:

Perhaps the most valuable piece of information ever printed on here.

😆😆😆 The information about formal optional in Alaska (and elsewhere, by the way) has been readily available on SS’s website and reported here for years by many passengers. Definitely not “new” news.

[saminina]

Thanks for letting me know.  Someday I might reside on this forum and post 5,000+ times.

 

In the meantime, any chance of getting an estimate of passenger count on next segment?

[Raptordash]

Hi gcornell,

I just wanted to verify what you posted about lunch options.  You stated that only La Terraza and Main Dining Room are open for lunch.  Is not the Pool Grill, the pizza parlor and the Japanese restaurant open for lunch at all?  

Thanks,

Marc

[gcornell]

Sorry. Yes, the Grill is open as well as pizza. I asked about the Japanese restaurant being open for lunch and was told they added a sushi station in La Terezza so it’s not open for lunch. Seems most dine at La Terezza for lunch. It’s okay. I’ve had better and I’m not a foodie. Sushi is definitely not made by a sushi trained chef. Sashimi is good. Desserts are most dry and tasteless.  Tried the chocolate cake, chocolate cupcakes and cookies today. One bit and decided it’s not worth the calories. 
 

Update on service in the restaurants…. There are plenty of staff and they try their hardest and very friendly.  However, ordering is a slow process as they seem fairly new and English isn’t their first language. Just go slow, point at the menu and it goes smoothly. 

[gcornell]

Today we are in Skagway. Wow, what a beautiful port.  We did the Grizzly Falls Ziplining.  The ziplining was okay.  Compared to say Costa Rica it’s pretty basic.  The drive and guides were amazing. All of our tour guides have been incredible without exception.  They all have such knowledge and passion for Alaska and we learn something with each one. All are comedians too.  After ziplining we walked through town and words don’t do it justice. Charming, clean, interesting, historical and right out of a movie set.  There is even a sign for an old radio shack and the biggest old school hardware/general store I have seen in 20 years. 
 

Again, I want to add how relaxing and refreshing this trip is. No one is talking about Covid. Anywhere!  On tours, in town, on the ship.  I haven’t heard the word Covid since I boarded.  Also, guests are very relaxed and easy going. No one is doing the Covid dance when we pass in the tight hallways. 

[Raptordash]

Thanks for the quick reply.

One other question for you as you enjoy the cruise.  The entertainment.  Is there music during the day at the pool area?  How about entertainment before and after dinner?

 

Thanks,

Marc

 

[gcornell]

The only music at the pool during the day is coming from the Carnival ship across the harbor. 😜  It’s very peaceful and quiet all over the ship.  In fact, they play 60-70s lounge music in the fitness center. That’s a first. Before dinner there are generally 2 lounges with some low key music.  It’s so soft you may not even realize it’s live music.  
 

There are great cabanas on deck 10 aft with another hot tub. Here is live picture.  This is the spot for an outdoor nap. Just the winds and birds and course the view.  

[gcornell]

For those interested, I remembered to take a picture of the daily schedule for Skagway and Sitka.  

[gcornell]

Also the schedule for dining. Pretty sure the only thing that changes is the breakfast start time depending on the port. For example, today in Skagway, breakfast started at 6:30am instead of 7:30 for the early tours.  As I mentioned, lunch options seem very limited to me. Not sure if it’s because we are at a little over half capacity. 

[highplanesdrifters]

Thanks for taking us along. Skagway looks like a ghost town!

[Gadgetguy333]

Thanks for the daily programs and other information.

 

How have dinners been?    Would love to hear how those are including any specialty places (La Dame, Kaiseki, Silver Note).

 

We appreciate all this, hope the rest of your cruise is good.

 

Thanks

[Gadgetguy333]

One more thing,  is Atlantide actually not open for lunch?

Thats rather odd, meaning no real table service for lunch?

I can certainly understand not having Kaiseki open, but this seems unfortunate.