LIVE Review from Silhouette 4/4 - 4 nights

[go.without.you]

So I booked this cruise thru the Blue Chip offer at a steal not knowing it was also a Tampa Bay Bucs fan cruise. I live in the Tampa area but I'm not a sports fan so I didn't even know this was a thing. Hey, we'll roll with it. I had booked this for my friend's birthday but she decided to go to Ghana instead. Hmmm.....Africa or Nassau....can't say I blame her. So anywho, my friend Gwen is taking her place. She and I sailed on the Constellation last Christmas and it was one of the best cruises I've taken out of 32 and counting. The Silhouette is my favorite ship of all time - I love the S class ships the best.

 

Tomorrow we leave for Ft Lauderdale on Amtrak and we're spending the night in Los Olas. Friends of mine recommended a local Italian place named Luigi's and we will dine there then board on Thursday.

[Stem to Stern]

Looking forward to following along with you on your live report.  DH and I are excited be on board with you for this one.  We also learned about the Bucs fans after the fact, but I am led to believe it is not a HUGE group.

 

We will drive over from the Gulf Coast on embarkation morning.  We have been on Silhouette previously also and had amazing cruises.  We loved our couple cruises on Constellation also.  Safe travels tomorrow.  Enjoy Luigi's.  I think it is a landmark on Los Olas.

Edited April 2 by Stem to Stern

[Provence55always]

Where are you staying? We are coming off a cruise in November in Ft Lauderdale  and are researching places to stay for around 4 nights in Los Olas. Wishing you a great cruise.

[lola2013]

My friend and I along with four others will be sailing with you.  We arrived early yesterday morning…heading out now to take the water taxi to Las Olas for dinner at Noodles Panini.  We tried it last year and can’t wait to go back.

See you on board.

Susan 😎

[go.without.you]

1 hour ago, Provence55always said:

Where are you staying? We are coming off a cruise in November in Ft Lauderdale  and are researching places to stay for around 4 nights in Los Olas. Wishing you a great cruise.

I used hotels.com and was able to get a decent rate at the Fairfield in Los Olas. I kept checking and 2 weeks ago the price dropped by $10. It's not much but I'll take it. They also had a few apartments listed and I trust the ratings so check it out.

[Provence55always]

Thank you. Will check it out.

[go.without.you]

We leave today! I had to come to work for a few hours but then we are headed to the Tampa train station for our journey to the "other side" (of Florida). My dog was NOT happy when I pulled out the luggage last night.

[ruag8tr2]

My wife and I are also on this cruise celebrating our 35th anniversary.  Cant wait to board tomorrow and follow along with your review.  

[hcat]

8 minutes ago, ruag8tr2 said:

My wife and I are also on this cruise celebrating our 35th anniversary.  Cant wait to board tomorrow and follow along with your review.  

Congrats! 

And Bon Voyage to All!

Edited April 3 by hcat

[go.without.you]

Well after a long and bumpy train ride we made it to Ft Lauderdale. 

 

We're staying at the Fairfield in Las Olas and I would definitely recommend. The hotel is updated and clean and close to all the restaurants. 

 

A friend recommend Luigis and we had an amazing al fresco meal there. The calamari and truffle pizza was very good. 

[Stem to Stern]

All checked in at Terminal 25 and ready to board at 10:20am.  Yay!!!😁 

[go.without.you]

Arrived at the terminal at 10:10, one of the 1st ones here. We're chilling in the Retreat Lounge.

 

There are several people wearing t-shirts that say, "Bucs cruise crew" or something like that. I haven't seen anyone that looks like a Baller yet, not that I would recognize them but I figure if I see a really big and tall young man he's one of them.

[lola2013]

We made it 🎉🎉🎉

[go.without.you]

So far everything is amazing!!! I've seen some crew that were here when I sailed Christmas 22 and they remember me. Is that good or bad??? Anywho...

 

Lunch in luminae was wonderful. We had dinner at Lawn Club. Filet mignon and lamb chops were perfect. The service was on point. 

 

We went to the show which was an Aretha Franklin thing. Can't remember her name but she was awesome. 

 

We crashed the Bucs Fan party and I met Dexter Jackson and he let me wear his MVP ring. 

 

The house band was rocking it with music there and the foyer later. I still have Proud Mary stuck in my head. We've seen several Ballers but I have no clue who they are since I don't follow sports. 

 

I watched the sunrise over Key West and am now at breakfast. It's good to be a rock star.

[go.without.you]

So today was pretty chill. We did breakfast at Luminae then walked around Key West just long enough to say we were there. We were at the pool by 1030.

 

The weather was gorgeous so we hung out there all day so we had quick access to the pool. Tomorrow we will do the Retreat deck because I'm sure it will be packed. Bar service and pool service was very good!! We had burgers from Mast Grill which were very good but the buns fall apart halfway thru. 1st world problems, I know. 

 

I got a massage today and she beat me up a little bit but I probably deserved it. 

 

Tonight we are meeting the officers in the Retreat Lounge then dining in Murano.

[go.without.you]

Ok, this live review took a detour because I've been having way too much fun. People were dancing in the glass elevators in the foyer. By "people" I mean me and a bunch of strangers I fell in love with. 

 

The officers stood us up in the Retreat lounge (captain emergency?) for whatever reason but I did meet the captain yesterday on the Retreat deck.

 

We had dinner at Murano Friday night. Probably one of the best dinners I have ever had. Monsur from Turkey was our waiter and he's my future ex husband. He brought us a cheese selection that was amazing and when we said we didn't want dessert he brought us a sampler. 

 

We did lunch at Murano yesterday and it was the 2nd best lobster I've ever had. 

 

The staff and the service all around the ship has been above and beyond. We booked an 8 nt for NYE 2025 on this ship doing the ABC Islands.

 

We were in Nassau today so we hung out at the pool until it got "too peopley" then went to Retreat deck. The common complaint was slow service at the pool bar. Retreat deck service is on point!!!

 

Dinner at Luminae last night was wonderful. This is our last night so tomorrow I will be doing my impersonation of a cat being lowered into a tub full of water. 

 

Pics from Murano dinner. 

[go.without.you]

Murano lunch

[go.without.you]

Luminae dinner

That chocolate pill is amazing!!!

[cruisetonowhere10]

I love the pictures…makes me jealous looking at the food and dressing up…

[hcat]

Very nice dressy outfits!  Perfect for Chic nite or a fancy night out!

 

What was  bumpy about the train?  Are you returning via train as well.?

[TommyD3]

5 hours ago, go.without.you said:

Luminae dinner

That chocolate pill is amazing!!!

 

 

 

Is that filet mignon? I don't think I have ever seen a piece that big - anywhere !!!

[go.without.you]

13 hours ago, hcat said:

Very nice dressy outfits!  Perfect for Chic nite or a fancy night out!

 

What was  bumpy about the train?  Are you returning via train as well.?

The train is very bumpy. Not a smooth ride at all, but for $72 what the hey. We are returning on the train today but I upgraded us to a roommette.

[lola2013]

Great review.  We sailed with you and are at Tuscan now waiting for instructions to proceed with B2B.  Ten more days in paradise 😎

[MartinsCruise]

21 minutes ago, lola2013 said:

Great review.  We sailed with you and are at Tuscan now waiting for instructions to proceed with B2B.  Ten more days in paradise 😎

We'll be joining you soon!  😎

[go.without.you]

So I'm back at work with a tan and residual effects of alcohol poisoning. Today was also the day they decided to test the fire system by setting off the alarms. The piper is being paid today. 

 

All in all it was a great cruise! The ship, service, food... all of it was amazing. I only wish it could have been longer.