Just Back From Whisper

[ORV]

Just to be clear, we didn't request any champagne and had all we really cared about on the occasions that it was offered(embarkation, captain's reception etc)

 

I always made it a point to be polite to the service staff, please & thank you and all of that. It amazed me that many fellow travelers that we ate with never once uttered a thank you. Almost like service was expected from the servant class without any acknowledgement.

 

Pat, my wife and I pooled our coupons and got her a visor. I really didn't care one way or the other about the prizes but do enjoy trivia.

 

Oddly enough I did notice that while I was on solid ground and after the cruise I never experienced the "swaying" that I generally do after a cruise. First time that's not happened.

[Floridamom]

We'll be on the Whisper for the first time in March. Would love to hear more about your dining experiences in the terrace. Was the dress code the same as in the Restaurant? I read about the Italian night dinner. What else did you experinece there? It sounds like you enjoyed it more than The Restaurant. Were the views nicer? Thanks.

[slgjhg]

Hello All,

 

I must admit I have some concerns. After reading this thread, my husband and I will be sailing on the Whisper on Feb.24th for seven days and have sort-of booked this cruise as a test. By that I simply mean that we wanted to experience the "SS Way", and explore the differences. With the comments that have been made here, I must admit I am concerned.

 

Has anyone returned recently? I think the ship is very full as we had signigficant problems with our suite. It all started back in October when the original cruise was cancelled (we were in the middle of the Indian Ocean) and we were supposed to make a decision about what to do. We said "later", "you , can't be serious", etc. ultimately we went and booked their new itinerary. However, I am concerned, as I mentioned. As I think I mentioned, this will be our first experience with SS and I want it to be all I have heard and read. This thread causes me more than a little anxiety.

 

Can anyone out there help to put my emotions to rest?

 

Regards,

 

Shannon

[simonv]

Is it possible some people have unrealistically high expectations, especially the ones who are trying out a 'luxuary cruise' for the first time? Reading the reviews I can't help wondering if they expected something that doesn't exist in this day and age, or if even knew a good service when they saw one. Service on Silversea is reserved and low key. There's nothing flushy about the ship. Maybe that's the problem? I haven't been on Silversea since last spring, so I can't say.

[slgjhg]

Hi All,

 

I guess our cruise will be what it is. We tend to not be negative and try to always put a positive spin on things. I just was surprised to see these comments as most SS cruisers are so overwhelmingly exuburant about their praise of the experience.

 

Anyway, I will let you all know about our trip.

 

Regards,

 

Shannon

[meow!]

From the Silversea website, your voyage will embark as late as 11pm. You'll have more than enough time to embark at your own leisure. It should be a very pleasant cruise. The cabins are great, and the food is refined. One thing we all should have learnt from recent discussion on this board is not to be afraid of pre-ordering the day before food that you like even if it is not on the menu (within reason, of course). Also, have your fill of free sevruga caviar and foie gras, they are really generous on those. So, have a nice trip, and tell us all your story after you come back!

[simonv]

Silversea has very good dining room. Food is one of the best at sea. But the key word is 'at sea'. I live in San Francisco, the gourmet capital of US, so naturally I have a very high standard. It's not fair to compare the Silversea dining room to best restaurants at home which serve only organic picked-today produce and fish that were swiming just a few hours ago. If it were in San Franciscans, the Silversea dining room would be considered good but not exceptional. But for a restaurant that crunk out 300 meals relying on frozen and one to two weeks old produce procurred in mass, they are doing a remarkable job. One also can't compare Silversea to a $2,000 a night land based resort. For $500 a night sometimes even less, all inclusive, even the transportation, they are doing a remarkable job.

[Acrusa]

I live in New York City and I think it's the gourmet capitol of the world,LOL.But thanks for the input on this board.My wife and I are leaving for Cape Town SA this Saturday.Then we embark the Silver Wind for 11 days.This will be our first time on SS.And this will be our 14th cruise .So looking foward to a great expierience.

[simonv]

I thought New Yorkers might complain. Have a good trip.

[Acrusa]

Thank You

[blackbird71]

I just got off the RSSC Mariner. Most guests I talked to like SS over RSSC. I talked to a couple of the staff and they were unhappy about the pay. This could be part of the problem on SS. The European staff are paid in US dollars and everytime the dollar falls against the Euro they loss money.

[uk1]

I live in New York City and I think it's the gourmet capitol of the world,LOL.But thanks for the input on this board.My wife and I are leaving for Cape Town SA this Saturday.Then we embark the Silver Wind for 11 days.This will be our first time on SS.And this will be our 14th cruise .So looking foward to a great expierience.

 

If you conclude that the food on SS is first class then that will prove beyond all doubt that NY is not the gourmet capital of the world.

 

Jeff

[lord of the seas]

Hi ,Did you really mean

to DIE for!!

 

John

[CruiseForever]

Actually the food in NYC and SF rank near the top of the ladder, but NYC is a tad better and we visit SF ever month on business. We believe that the best cusine in the USA now resides in LAS VEGAS. Every top chef and restaurant in the country now has a new stop or two in town.

 

Ron

[bldsld]

Ron,

 

Unfortunately, you have to GO to Vegas to eat there....

 

;-)

 

Regards,

Denyse

[avalon1025]

I live in SF and I have to say NYC wins hands down for food and new restarants. I'd even say LA has some of my favorites as well

[bldsld]

Avalon 1025,

 

We dine out alot here in SF. Have you found over the past few years that service is at an all-time low, and noise is at an all-time high?

 

Denyse

[CruiseForever]

Denyse.....Sorry that you don't like Vegas......but it is arguably the most exciting city in the country with NYC second.

 

Ron

[bldsld]

Ron,

 

I can't handle the endless smoke! There's really no place to escape it.

 

Denyse

[CruiseForever]

Denyse....

 

Ok you make a valid point, but that isn't true outdoors or for the most part in the better dining rooms, and certainly not in many of the show venues.

 

 

 

Ron

[gr8twocruz]

Denyse is correct about the smoke in Vegas. That being said the vast majority of the great restaurants in Vegas are all non-smoking. I will not patronize a restaurant that has both smoking and second-hand smoking sections. I live in Vegas and enjoy so many of the restaurants. (I keep away from smoke-filled casinos.) If you happen to be coming here, see the new Cirque du Soleil show "KA."

 

Richard

Specialty Cruise

[bldsld]

Richard,

 

The smoke is everywhere, in the casinos, lobbies, etc. Getting to the restaurants, when you are a hotel guest, is always through a maze of smoke. We did, however, stay at a hotel last year called THEHotel at Mandalay Bay, lovely suites and casino-free. Once you walked out of that area, however, the neon lights, noise, smoke and overstimulation are like an assault, which definitely influences the dining experience.

 

While I am sure that LV has wonderful restaurants, and we have personally experienced some good meals there, it's a bit too much like Disneyland for my tastes.

 

Regards,

Denyse