Disappointed with Silver Origin

[Crcketfan]

Just back home from Silver Origin followed by Machu Pichu tour.

Last leg first,the Peru trip was excellent with great guides,great hotels ( Belmond )and reps present at every point to help.It could not have been organised better.

The precruise experience in Quito was also very good.All the South Americans including the ship gave really good and helpful/friendly service.

So what was disappointing!

 

Excursions.Avian flu is present on some islands and landings were not allowed.The itinerary was changed.Net result for us was a lack of activity with 2 nature walks and 2 short beach walks plus the giant tortoises which was a drawn out affair that was far too long taken up by coffee tasting.Not what we went to see.Be warned,if you are not big on snorkelling & kayaking this cruise gets boring.Several younger people thought it great but several “older” folks felt as us.

 

Food and Wine.For us the food was poor with meat and chicken distinctly below par often overcooked and/or tough.Fish was sometimes overcooked.Most food seemed over salted.

Wine was uninspiring,the Ecuadorean being not very good for us.Even the pay for list was narrow in choice and again uninspiring.

 

Ship Motion.We know the Origin is not a big ship so may be more prone to motion.For us the degree of rolling was too much,it was as if there were no stabilisers.In fact we were told that the stabilisers had never worked properly.The fact that the ship does not anchor and uses technology to maintain position seemed to make things worse.At night there was some really bad motion and the seas/swell was definitely not bad.

 

We were given notice by Silversea a few days before departure about a change of itinerary but with no mention of the Flu issue.Its likely this will be around for a while so forthcoming cruises are also going to be affected

[drron29]

With Avian flu present this is not going to change any time soon. maybe a Galapagos cruise is not a great idea for the next 1 - 2 years unless you do like snorkelling which is excellent there.

[twangster]

Origin does anchor at times, when it can.  Saves fuel.  It was at anchor when we boarded her and was at anchor at certain stops on our itinerary.

 

Ship motion is largely a function of the very small ship size (6,365 GT)  but also the currents that run through the Galapagos Islands.  With three major currents that vary at times it can lead to unpredictable motion.  It never got to me but I certainly was aware of it at certain times along the itinerary.  Some of it is luck depending how the currents are running any particular day/week/month.  It doesn't take visible large waves to create motion when strong currents are encountered.  Some folks are more susceptible to it.  

 

The avian flu is very unfortunate but that is what they have to deal with.  The Galapagos Park decides if they can land on any given island.  Regardless it is very sad and hopefully won't last very long but no one knows how long it will take to run its course.  

[labrasett]

Very sad post, how anyone could not be blown away by Galapagos I cannot imagine.   Personally I wasnt keen on the food as we are not great fish lovers but we never went hungry.  We thought the ship was amazing and the crew delightful.  The expedition team were amazing providing really informative lectures without being long winded or indeed too lengthy.   It would have been disappointing not to go ashore in some places but most of what you see can be seen from the ship or the zodiacs.  The avian flu epidemic is a tragedy which as "adventure" travellers we all accept may affect our trips and future plans.   As for ship motion, well its a relatively small ship so it is to be expected.   "Boring" personally I am never bored and even though I found the snorkelling a little challenging I participated in all the zodiac trips out and mainly stayed on the zodiac shadowing the snorkellers.   I had a fabulous trip and I am sorry if other peoples expectations are not being met, horses for courses.    

[jjs217]

All expedition cruise ships in the Galapagos have to be 100% manned and operated by Ecuadoreans.  That includes the chefs.  We took Silversea Galapagos many years ago and found that what the crew may have lacked in some areas of sophistication, they more than made up for in trying to make it a fun, informative, and educational cruise (and it was.)  For example:  the first evening at sail-away my husband ordered a scotch, neat.  It came with a big fat straw and an umbrella.  Instead of getting our panties in a wad, we found it hilarious, and still laugh about it today.  We find some of the stuff people complain about to be absurd.

[cool cruiser 14107]

does anyone know if the gift shop on the silver origin has just a few high end things (and tiny) or can you get clothes and sundries? thanks

[Emtbsam]

On 5/5/2024 at 1:14 PM, cool cruiser 14107 said:

does anyone know if the gift shop on the silver origin has just a few high end things (and tiny) or can you get clothes and sundries? thanks

You can get some clothes at fairly high prices and a few pieces of jewelry at fairly reasonable prices.

 

We loved our time on the Silver Origin and had the best suite and butler of any cruise in over 700 days!.. If you go and have the good fortune to have Joāo as your Butler, you are in for a treat.  I so wish the ship were in the Mediterranean - I would take it in a heartbeat!

[cool cruiser 14107]

thanks sooo much!!

can you also get things like OTC pain remedies; tylenol, etc. and sunscreen? etc?

and inexpensive trinkets?

[drron29]

1 hour ago, cool cruiser 14107 said:

thanks sooo much!!

can you also get things like OTC pain remedies; tylenol, etc. and sunscreen? etc?

and inexpensive trinkets?

I think a ll the ships have a limited range of OTC stuff. It certainly was that way on the old Silver Explorer.

But again very expensive. A shampoo I use was $US15 on the Muse last month. When in Bangkok I bought 2 50% larger bottles for just under $US6.

Edited Tuesday at 12:57 AM by drron29

[cool cruiser 14107]

I thought all ships did too; but I heard that the Sliver Origin (being the smallest, and in the Galapagos) might not have things like OTC, sunscreen, etc....?

thanks; yes; all very expensive I'm sure

[Emtbsam]

There was sunscreen in our Royal suite and I assume it was in all the suites.  I forget the brand, but it was fine.

[cool cruiser 14107]

oh wow; so I didn't even have to/don't have to buy any ahead of time?! or maybe you only get that with the Royal Suite? We'll be in a regular room. thanks

[gnome12]

3 hours ago, cool cruiser 14107 said:

oh wow; so I didn't even have to/don't have to buy any ahead of time?! or maybe you only get that with the Royal Suite? We'll be in a regular room. thanks

I can't imagine using a brand/formulation that I didn't select myself to my own preferences. I will always bring my own.

[cool cruiser 14107]

that's a good point🙄