First timers! Review of Silver Whisper - Tromso to Reykjavik, 8/10/22 - 8/25/22

[forgap]

I wanted to share some of my observations as this was our first SS cruise after many nights on Regent.  I plan to post here so I can answer any questions and in the review section for those who aren't regular readers of this forum.

 

We always choose cruises for the itinerary and this one was no exception as it took us to the far north then through the Norwegian fjords and then over to the Shetlands and the Faroe Islands and then on to Iceland.  Since we have sailed most of the Regent ships and only this Silversea ship, I plan to compare it to Navigator which is a similar size and age.  Before we left, a friend noted that he likes Regent for traditional cruising and Silversea for expedition cruising.  Frankly, we were underwhelmed with SS but very satisfied with our itinerary and the stunning countryside.   Whisper has diehard fans and, before we left fans here and on FaceBook reassured us and repeated the SS mantra : “Your wish is my command”.   I expected more than what we got.

 

Embarkation

SS handled our air and we had no issues once in the air after the initial non-communication gauntlet with SS air.   We usually handle our own air but since we were embarking in a rather remote region, we opted to go with the SS safety net.   We landed in Oslo for an overnight at the Raddison Blu before flying on to Tromso.  Check-in was not until 3pm and about 100 jet-lagged souls lolled around the hotel for hours after stashing our bags in a room. There was no hospitality room and no open cafe or bar.

 

Embarkation in Tromso was a disaster.  We were dumped at the Scandic Hotel which was next to the ship and told to wait in the lobby as the ballroom was packed with passengers checking in.  When I peeked in, there was a “hospitality” table with some drinks and the remains of what looked like cake.  Somehow, crumbs on the cloth and chunks on the floor did not scream luxury.  It was well after lunch and there was a small snack concession if you needed something, but no open bar or cafe.

 

Someone was going group to group taking our temperatures and marking our medical forms.  We waited about an hour until it seemed that they either added more check in personnel or they just figured out how to move us along faster.  Once on board we managed to get something to eat at the pool grill as Whisper does not have an abundance of public lounging spaces and La Terrazza was filled with waiting passengers.  Even though it was cold, rainy, and windy, the pool grill staff made an excellent impression, quickly getting us blankets, cranking up the heater, and placing wine and wonderful appetizers on the table.

 

Cabin

Our cabin on deck 6 was well appointed and convenient.  Our butler and room steward were charming and responsive but a few details were missing (no robes, no umbrellas, but that was fixed in short order).  The oddest thing, however, was that we requested room libations and we got one of our requested bottles and not the other and our friends never got their requested bottles at all.  Wine and champagne were plentiful but it seems booze was not well provisioned (no tequila, no Grand Marnier, no Hendricks, no Tito’s, no green chartreuse).

 

The cabin is very similar to Navigator.   I worried that the bed would be too small, but it was fine and very comfortable.  The vanity area is at the foot of the bed which creates a bottleneck just as we are getting ready and need full access to all parts of the cabin.  Outlets are in short supply although there are USB ports bedside.

 

My biggest disappointment was the deck furniture.  We had two chairs that were glorified beach chairs and a small coffee table (18” oval about a foot off the ground) that was chipped and peeling.  Our weather was cold for the most part, so this shouldn’t have bothered me, but Regent has these lovely “wicker” chairs that can almost lie flat topped with great cushions.  There is nothing better than bundling up with a blanket and a glass of champagne and watching the world go by.

 

Ship/Decor

The ship is not at all glitzy and, other than the bars and lounges,  there are few common places to sit and read.  The decor is dated with paintings that were so monochromatic they could be considered wallpaper.  Regent is the real winner in this area as the art is very interesting even when it does not speak to me.

 

Navigator and Whisper are about equal in sea worthiness.   Navigator has a terrible aft vibration but Whisper has the loudest stabilizers I have ever heard.  We had some very rough weather and the crash and boom sounds were alarming.   

 

Food/Dining Venues

Food was good but nothing to write home about and this was the biggest contrast with Regent.  Bread and pastries were not appealing which was probably a good thing.  Pastries were tiny and not very good.   We are accustomed to croissants that are about 4 inches long, 3 inches wide, buttery and flakey.  These were like mini croissants you would find on an airplane.  I am usually an early riser and I like to go get my own coffee and something to eat so as not to wake my husband.   There was no “grab and go” option on Whisper.   Navigator has the Coffee Connection with both a barista and a self serve machine with every coffee combo you could desire as well as a cold buffet with pastries, cereal, fruit, and yogurt.  In addition, there is the pool grill with the same options plus protein bars and a smoothie station.  I tried the Observation Lounge for early morning coffee but I was too early and they were setting up.  I tried the Panorama lounge which took 10 minutes to get a cup from the barista there.  I’m not at my best pre coffee, so this was a major annoyance.  I finally resorted to room service and told our butler to knock lightly rather than ring the bell.

 

Room service was very reliable and arrived quickly.  The caviar service was wonderful and I’m not a huge fan of caviar.  Whisper was a standout in this area.

 

We tried all the dining venues with the exception of La Dame which always seemed to be empty.  Breakfast and lunch at La Terrraza was, frankly, boring.   I liked the circular dining room but the circular buffet line off the dining room was crowded and reminded me a high school cafeteria line.  Breakfast was uninspired to the point that I preferred to order room service.  The lunch salads and sushi were interesting, but the hot items reminded me of leftovers.  La Terrazza for dinner, however, was great and was superior in every way to Navigator.

 

The pool grill for lunch was lovely until we went through the entire menu.  Same menu every day for two weeks.  They change the type of fish daily but not the preparation.  Navigator gets the prize in this venue with a changing buffet and a menu.   At night , the pool grill becomes Hot Rocks.  I was excited to try this as we and our friends with whom we were traveling are in the Big Green Egg cult of BBQ aficionados.   I think the idea is good, the execution, not so good.  Between us we got steak, fish, veal, and shrimp.  I think the seafood was the most successful but the steak was chewy and dry and each piece seemed to get bigger as you chewed.  I think SS tries to impress with huge cuts of meat when this concept might do better with smaller cuts - I’m thinking Korean beef, or Mexican fajitas, or Japanese yakitori.

 

The main dining room was fine but Regent gets higher marks for offering much more variety in the daily menu.  SS had items that were always available and a handful of specials.  SS does not seem to source any local provisions despite the fact that we were sailing in the mecca for salmon, mussels, and other seafood.  I remember a cruise in the South Pacific on Navigator.  The chef would showcase what he sourced when we were in port.  It was exciting and interesting and delicious!

 

Bars

The Bars on Whisper were great with very engaged and entertaining bar staff.  I think that SS excels in this area as they always use fresh fruit in their drinks rather than bottled sour mix.  Their big fail, however, was in provisioning.  I have never been on a cruise where basic brands were completely out  I can forgive not having Tito’s as other vodka was available.  But, they ran out of tequila on day two and did not source more when we arrived in Bergen which is a major city.  It was also baffling that there was no Grand Mariner (nor Hendricks gin) on board either.  I suspect that this was not a supply chain issue but human resources issue.   Someone did not order the basics or the corporate office is keeping the departments on a tight leash.

 

Entertainment/Lectures

Ugh, Ugh, Ugh.  The shows were just awful.  It was on the level of a good high school production.  The singing was OK, the choreography was horrible, the staging regrettable.  I gave them three chances and walked out of each performance.

 

The lectures were good. I went to several given by a geologist.   

 

Excursions

Our itinerary was very interesting and we chose great excursions for the most part.  Sure, there were some duds but that’s true in all situations.  We lucked out with the weather with only two rainy days in the two week voyage.  I have detailed them extensively in my other thread.

 

Staff

The training of the staff on Silversea is excellent and should be emulated by other cruise lines.   They are engaged, full of personality, and interactive while still keeping good boundaries.  This makes for excellent relationship building.  I also like that the bar and dining room staff use iPads so your name and picture (and allergies) are immediately known.

 

Conclusion

The ready excuse for many cruise lines now is “covid or supply chain issues made me do it”.  I don’t buy those excuses.  We were on Regent in January in the middle of the omicron surge and we were well fed, well lubricated, and well taken care of.

 

We choose cruises for the itinerary more than the ship and this itinerary did not disappoint.   Norway and Iceland are among the most beautiful countries I have ever been to.  I was underwhelmed with Silversea but this may just be specific to this ship.  I suspect on a larger, newer ship, or an expedition ship, I might come away with a different impression.

Edited September 11, 2022 by forgap

[ging466]

Just read your travelogue of the cruise which was great. I really like your 'warts and all' review of your trip. I felt it was balanced, good with the not so good. Sorry you were underwhelmed though. Silversea is my go to cruiseline but I'm not a cheer leader. Every cruise I've been on is different, some excellent, a couple not so good.  Do you think you will give them another go or are you back with Regent?

 

Cheers

Jennifer

Edited September 12, 2022 by ging466
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[Furball83]

Thank you for your review. Friends of mine have cruised Regent several times and always had stellar cruises in every way. When they went on Silversea recently, they did their air, as they always do with Regent. No one showed up to meet them at the airport, and when they arrived, there were no baggage porters available in the airport, either. One took some of the luggage and procured a cab, while the wife sat with the remaining luggage. The husband returned, and they were able to get the rest of the baggage to the cab. No hospitality suite at the hotel for then either, and no Silversea personnel in sight. They also said embarkation day was a disaster, but their worst complaint was the food. There just weren’t a lot of choices. Portions were small, and when the husband remarked he would have liked a larger piece of fish, the waiter simply told him “That’s our portion size.” They said the ship sailed fine and the bed was comfortable, but they had the same complaints about the balcony furniture and the general decor of the ship that you did also. They said they would only use Regent in the future.

[cruiseej]

5 hours ago, Furball83 said:

they did their air, as they always do with Regent. No one showed up to meet them at the airport, and when they arrived, there were no baggage porters available in the airport, either.

 

So they booked their own air, and then were upset Silversea didn't meet them for transport to the hotel? Why would they have expected that? And they feel it's Silversea's fault for the lack of porters at the airport? 

 

I think all comments about food, service, entertainment, and staff aboard are valid and fair, as are comparisons with Regent. But complaints about inadequate airport staffing and transfers not included in the cruise just seem odd to hold against Silversea.

[WesW]

Hi Jennifer and Georges; thanks for you review.  We also prefer La Terraza for dinner over The Veranda on Regent.  And since Silversea's theme of luxury service includes no self service coffee machines (ala Regent), at 5am, have a standing order of two cappucchino's delivered by room service.  (just prior to 5am, I open the door lock, so they quietly come in and do the coffee set tup)

 

Since, most of our cruises now are Silversea expedition voyages, xcept for Auckland to Singapore on the Muse in January/February, we prefer room service for breakfast.  Allows for a relaxed breakfast with zodiac cruising coming up shortly.  Also, did room service exclusivly on the Dawn maiden voyage in April, and again\ loved the relaxed pace at breakfast (prior to excursions from a port intensive itinerary) and tasty, warm room service cuisine.

 

btw, just applied your Silversea referral to the Muse Auckland/Singapore voyage.

Edited September 13, 2022 by WesW

[etual324]

2 hours ago, WesW said:

Hi Jennifer and Georges; thanks for you review.  We also prefer La Terraza for dinner over The Veranda on Regent.  And since Silversea's theme of luxury service includes no self service coffee machines (ala Regent), at 5am, have a standing order of two cappucchino's delivered by room service.  (just prior to 5am, I open the door lock, so they quietly come in and do the coffee set tup)

 

Since, most of our cruises now are Silversea expedition voyages, xcept for Auckland to Singapore on the Muse in January/February, we prefer room service for breakfast.  Allows for a relaxed breakfast with zodiac cruising coming up shortly.  Also, did room service exclusivly on the Dawn maiden voyage in April, and again\ loved the relaxed pace at breakfast (prior to excursions from a port intensive itinerary) and tasty, warm room service cuisine.

 

btw, just applied your Silversea referral to the Muse Auckland/Singapore voyage.

Currently aboard the MOON and the food and service is the best it has ever been and WES we had the duck ragu last night and thought of you

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr Luxury]

9 minutes ago, etual324 said:

Currently aboard the MOON and the food and service is the best it has ever been and WES we had the duck ragu last night and thought of you

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quack 🦆

[bitob]

Our two cruises on the Moon were exceptional in every respect