Silver Whisper dry dock

[BRUGUY]

On 6/26/2024 at 1:09 AM, MJfromCA said:

 

Sure, happy to. Overall, Silver Whisper is a nice ship.

 

The new Whisper public areas like the Arts Cafe/Atrium and card room etc look great. The Arts Cafe is a very nice space in which to talk with others and enjoy espressos and the bakery items and little sandwiches and snacks/chocolates that vary throughout the day.

 

We're not big gamblers but do usually enjoy playing blackjack a few nights each cruise. Unfortunately, the new casino area is tiny on Deck 8 and the one blackjack table is almost unusable because it is so cramped next to the slot machines. Being my first Silversea cruise, I'm not sure how large it used to be before. I just got Crystal's email promoting their new Casino de Monte-Carlo, so thought I'd mention this.

 

There are scratches and dents in elevators, suites, etc that were not addressed in dry dock - it looks like they concentrated only on the reconfiguration of the new public areas, so these other older areas can seem a little bit worn. We spoke to a woman on the post-cruise whose shower head apparatus had fallen off the wall on this cruise, spraying water all over (she showed me the picture). Hopefully they will refurb the suites/older areas in the next dry dock. They are not awful, just not what you might expect after a dry dock.

 

Some other-than-dry-dock impressions:

The food and service were good, but both were kind of hit or miss. The staff were all very nice, but if you had a special request of any sort, they might or might not be able to make it happen. On our Seabourn cruise, it always happened. Our waiter Simon in La Terrazza was great, so we kept asking for him. The entertainment was good - the dancers were fantastic, most singers were good, we avoided the guitarist, but this is all subjective and personal. The special lecturer was great - we think he should do one of the Great Courses.

 

Hope you enjoy your cruise!

Many thanks for this outline!

[Annie1972-ret]

Hi all,

 

Hoping for some more positive feedback.  My aunt and uncle and I were on a 2026 NZ SS cruise that was cancelled.  We were offered a 15% discount for a future cruise which I was thankful for.  We selected that 2026 30 day cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso sailing on 2/14/2026.  This will be my first ocean cruise.  It will be my aunt and uncle’s first SS cruise after traveling on a viking British Isles ocean cruise and Queen Mary transatlantic cruise with a theater theme which they were very happy with.  We have both completed river cruises.    
 

I have been reading the Silver Whisper reviews and am wondering if my aunt and uncle will notice a difference and be potentially unhappy with the Whisper.  There was a negative review from right after dry dock and several mentions of “shabbiness, scuffs, town shades and dents” in the rooms.  
 

We are both in deluxe verandas on deck 9.  Would love to hear any positive feedback on cruises after dry dock.  Also, since we are not leaving until 2/2026 will there be any other upkeep/maintenance that may address the dings and dents.

 

This board has been super helpful for me in the past and I am just looking for additional positive information so I don't have to worry (which will do me no good). I should not have read the reviews. I have a travel agent and he says SS is a luxury line.  
 

Also, I am traveling solo and hear from other posts that SS treats solo travelers well with opportunities to meet others.  Is this the case on the smaller ships like Whisper?  I know i may need to post this last question elsewhere.  
 

As always, thank you for your thoughts, wisdom, and guidance.  
 

Jollyjones - if you read this thank-you for your guidance a year ago!  It helped me! 

Stacy

[Downunder55]

1 hour ago, Annie1972-ret said:

Hi all,

 

Hoping for some more positive feedback.  My aunt and uncle and I were on a 2026 NZ SS cruise that was cancelled.  We were offered a 15% discount for a future cruise which I was thankful for.  We selected that 2026 30 day cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso sailing on 2/14/2026.  This will be my first ocean cruise.  It will be my aunt and uncle’s first SS cruise after traveling on a viking British Isles ocean cruise and Queen Mary transatlantic cruise with a theater theme which they were very happy with.  We have both completed river cruises.    
 

I have been reading the Silver Whisper reviews and am wondering if my aunt and uncle will notice a difference and be potentially unhappy with the Whisper.  There was a negative review from right after dry dock and several mentions of “shabbiness, scuffs, town shades and dents” in the rooms.  
 

We are both in deluxe verandas on deck 9.  Would love to hear any positive feedback on cruises after dry dock.  Also, since we are not leaving until 2/2026 will there be any other upkeep/maintenance that may address the dings and dents.

 

This board has been super helpful for me in the past and I am just looking for additional positive information so I don't have to worry (which will do me no good). I should not have read the reviews. I have a travel agent and he says SS is a luxury line.  
 

Also, I am traveling solo and hear from other posts that SS treats solo travelers well with opportunities to meet others.  Is this the case on the smaller ships like Whisper?  I know i may need to post this last question elsewhere.  
 

As always, thank you for your thoughts, wisdom, and guidance.  
 

Jollyjones - if you read this thank-you for your guidance a year ago!  It helped me! 

Stacy

We board the Whisper in around 4 weeks, will provide some feedback then 🙂

[gymfreak]

17 minutes ago, Downunder55 said:

We board the Whisper in around 4 weeks, will provide some feedback then 🙂

Thank you, looking forward to your feedback.

[jollyjones]

17 hours ago, Annie1972-ret said:

 

Jollyjones - if you read this thank-you for your guidance a year ago!  It helped me! 

Stacy

 

Hi Stacy,

I am reading this but I've gotta confess I don't recall what I did, but no matter, I'm glad you're coming back to SS.

 

I don't think you need to worry about being on the Whisper - although I generally cruise the Muse class now, or even the Nova, I am on the Shadow for 24 days in August and am very much looking forward to it. I have cruised both the Whisper and Shadow plenty in the past.

 

I've just done a QM2 transatlantic and didn't particularly enjoy it, SS is so much better than Cunard I doubt your Aunt and Uncle will be disappointed.

 

 

[Annie1972-ret]

13 minutes ago, jollyjones said:

 

Hi Stacy,

I am reading this but I've gotta confess I don't recall what I did, but no matter, I'm glad you're coming back to SS.

 

I don't think you need to worry about being on the Whisper - although I generally cruise the Muse class now, or even the Nova, I am on the Shadow for 24 days in August and am very much looking forward to it. I have cruised both the Whisper and Shadow plenty in the past.

 

I've just done a QM2 transatlantic and didn't particularly enjoy it, SS is so much better than Cunard I doubt your Aunt and Uncle will be disappointed.

 

 

Thanks Jollyjones. That is very helpful. Thanks for responding.  
 

Btw, you made some good points not to take an almost 60 day cruise as my first ocean cruise😊. I took your advice! 

[Annie1972-ret]

15 hours ago, gymfreak said:

Thank you, looking forward to your feedback.

I am also looking forward to your feedback. Have a wonderful trip! 

[gymfreak]

2 minutes ago, Annie1972-ret said:

am also looking forward to your feedback. Have a wonderful trip! 

Hi Annie1972

We don’t sail until Feb2025 , so at the moment reliant on feedback from Downunder 55 and others who sail before.

[Annie1972-ret]

16 hours ago, Downunder55 said:

We board the Whisper in around 4 weeks, will provide some feedback then 🙂

Thank-you.  Have a wonderful trip.  

[Downunder55]

On 7/1/2024 at 10:33 PM, Downunder55 said:

We board the Whisper in around 4 weeks, will provide some feedback then 🙂

2 sleeps 😀

[Annie1972-ret]

5 hours ago, Downunder55 said:

2 sleeps 😀

Have an amazing time.  

[Downunder55]

Ok, she is not a Muse class ship, a lady with a few more years under her belt, but …

 

You would have to be a very hard marker to say she is tired, in the public areas all the carpets are typical SS the furniture upholstery, curtains look as new.

 

On deck all the steelwork is freshly painted and timber in great condition.

 

In the cabins is likely where you will notice the biggest difference with the more extensive use of timber work, but in ours is all in great condition, as with the rest of the furnishings. The Tv is a little smaller and you have access to the hdmi ports, and works consistently unlike the Muse !

 

with fewer guests, she feels more intimate and not crowded, the Arts cafe is on deck 5, would not likely have survived without my morning Espresso.

 

too early to pass comment on restaurants….. will update later.

 

I must have stirred the airconditioning gods in a previous post, as on arrival to the suite our aircond was not working well at all, they quickly found us a fan and it was resolved during the night …. now nice and chilly.

 

As usual the staff are great.

 

so far so good …..

 

 

 

[gymfreak]

1 hour ago, Downunder55 said:

so far so good …

Have a great cruise. Looking forward to more reports when you have time

[Annie1972-ret]

Good news, my mind is at rest. Thanks to Dowunder55 for taking time out to update us. Have a wonderful time!  

[Downunder55]

A few more notes on the Whisper ....

In the bathroom it has double sinks, the shower is a little bigger than the Muse/Moon..... now to get petty ... the soap dish is a little small and there is no rain shower, but lovely water pressure.

There is no self/silent close on the toilet seat, much to the alarm of the better half when I forgot and let it drop at 2am in the morning, she thought we were under attack .... won't make that mistake twice and live 🙂

The Aircond in the cabin going great

 

The food I will give a few more days for real comment, but seems to be the new RC standard.

There are a lot of younger people on the cruise, likely due to school holidays, and the Greek flavor of the moment trend.

The day at sea today was not like I have experienced on SS before, a table tennis comp and a group volley ball comp in the pool, with a DJ and playing disco tunes. 

On sea days, with the pool area is noticeably smaller as expected, it does get a little busy, especially with the younger crowd.

Overall still impressed with how nice the ship is considering her age, with nice public areas and bars.

 

Have had a couple of great tours, better than recent others on the Moon

[BRUGUY]

Thank you Dowunder55. Very helpful. I look forward reading about your food experience.

[Downunder55]

Interestingly a common topic of unprompted conversation has been about the general decline in food standards on SS generally, one pax recently off the Ray had nothing good to say.

Ok, so we have eaten in most restaurants twice now, it is fair to say it's a little hit & miss.

One instance, to channel an old Australian musician Slim Dusty lamenting standing in the bar of a pub with no beer, here it is ..... there's-a nothing so lonesome, morbid or drear than a Lobster Thermidor with no lobster.....  ☹️..... apparently more are arriving in the next few days.  

So in summary it's not that different to our recent experiance on the Moon.

The included wine selection is now average at best, not a Sangiovese in sight, but a pretty good 2017 Rioja when you can find it. Talking with the head sommelier, SS are changing their approach to included wines, reducing the number of suppliers and moving up a quality category …. this is a welcome work in progress but still in transition.

The evening shows are typical SS format, but this troupe are really strong, delivering quality shows, great vocals, and a couple excellent dancers.

All the staff are consistently excellent.

The tours have been a cut above normal, with excellent informative guides. 

Happy to be on board and a BBC around the pool is always welcome 🤪

[Tothesunset]

2 hours ago, Downunder55 said:

 ☹️a BBC around the pool is always welcome 🤪

Don't, whatever you do, Google "BBC at the pool"! 

[DavyWavey70]

12 minutes ago, Tothesunset said:

Don't, whatever you do, Google "BBC at the pool"! 

I Was about to suggest the same. 

[Downunder55]

20 minutes ago, Tothesunset said:

Don't, whatever you do, Google "BBC at the pool"! 

it’s not that kinda party ….. but just an innocent Bailey’s Banana & Cream, with a touch of Kahlua …. Just an icy calorie filled milkshake.

[Tothesunset]

4 minutes ago, Downunder55 said:

it’s not that kinda party ….. but just an innocent Bailey’s Banana & Cream, with a touch of Kahlua …. Just an icy calorie filled milkshake.

Phew! 

[DavyWavey70]

2 hours ago, Downunder55 said:

it’s not that kinda party ….. but just an innocent Bailey’s Banana & Cream, with a touch of Kahlua …. Just an icy calorie filled milkshake.

Thank goodness for that, Ive seen for too many pairs of speedos on my FB feed this past week.

[Annie1972-ret]

3 hours ago, Tothesunset said:

Phew! 

 

3 hours ago, Downunder55 said:

it’s not that kinda party ….. but just an innocent Bailey’s Banana & Cream, with a touch of Kahlua …. Just an icy calorie filled milkshake.

Your updates have been amazing! Thank-you. 

[Downunder55]

Our cruise finished yesterday back in Athens.

 

Happy to report that the lobster position did change for the better, with some nice plump 150mm tails arriving.

 

We def had some good meals, but also some v average ...again not dissimilar to a recent Moon adventure. All the Asian style offerings were excellent.

 

The smaller ship has a nice feel, The Bar is a good place to be as well as the Art's Cafe area.

 

On longer ventures the 3 restaurants could become a little restrictive, especially as the Grill around the pool area, like on other ships, serves wine in "plastic"..... understandable but almost a mortal sin !

 

As I have said before the crew were just excellent, they wanted to make your stay a happy one.

 

If the Whisper had an itinerary we were interested in, we would have no hesitation in booking her again.

 

Ciao

 

 

 

[gymfreak]

17 minutes ago, Downunder55 said:

If the Whisper had an itinerary we were interested in, we would have no hesitation in booking her again.

 

Really good to get your perspective on Whisper. We are now eagerly awaiting our 2025 cruise. Safe travels