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Note - this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: Kathy
Email: gedkkd9443@aol.com
Age: 55
Occupation: attorney
NumberOfCruises: 26
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Silversea-SilverWind
SailingDate: September 12, 2000
Itinerary: Dublin to Boston
Cabin: 522
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 98
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 98
CruiseStaff: 98
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 100
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 100
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 85
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 100
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 100
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 100
EntertShowLounge: 100
OverallPortsofCall:
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 80
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 05 Oct 2000
Time: 23:37:03
Remote Name: spider-wf054.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:
Comments
At 16,800 tons, the ship is small, but she handled the Atlantic crossing amazingly well. She has all the
amenities of the big ships--a multi-tiered show lounge, casino, library, shops, etc., but dispenses with
some of the annoying characteristics of her larger brethren: there is no bingo, no midnight buffet, no loud
announcements, and no photographers. All the decks with passenger cabins with the exception of the
lowest (deck four) have verandas. We were located on deck five amidships, which is a very stable
location. However, sometimes the salt spray reached our location; the next time we would opt for the
same cabin one deck up, on six deck. We found the cuisine to be the best on any ship on which we have
traveled, and this includes the Grill Class on the Queen Elizabeth 2. We did not rate the cuisine 100%
only because we found the breakfast meats, such as bacon and sausage, to be overly salty. If one did
not choose any of the listings on the menu, one was advised by a paragraph at the bottom of the first
page to the effect that one could have a steak or chicken breast prepared to their liking. My husband
prefers his filets medium rare, and not once did he have any trouble with that.
The next days's menu is
published in the daily newsletter that is distributed the evening before in the cabin. This way, one can
decide to eat in the alternative restaurant which is by day the Terrace Cafe, and by evening is
transformed by use of candles and soft lighting into an Italian or French or Asian alternative restaurant.
On another line we had difficulty in obtaining a table for two even though open seating was advertised. No
problem here; the Maitre d'Hotel, Enzo Mazzali, was a magician, and placed everyone to whom we talked
exactly where they would prefer to be seated. He also came around to each table during the dinner
asking if everything was to our liking, as did the Head Sommelier. The red and white wine selections by
this gentleman for both lunch and dinner were outstanding, and we felt no need to order additional wines.
In addition to the dining room, where I sipped my favorite, Moet et Chandon, which happens to be the
'house' champagne of Silverseas, in a Waterford crystal flute, and where one eats with Christophle silver,
one could dine in one's suite, course-by-course during regular meal hours, and off of a special menu at
other times. The Terrace Cafe was also a venue for breakfast and lunch. No paper napkins and plastic
cutlery that one finds on the Lido of some of the megaships, but linens, Waterford crystal, and
Christophle silver.
Each day there is a freshly carved roast and a fresh pasta with two sauces, etc., in
addition to the myriad choices of salads, main courses, vegetables, soups, desserts, cheeses, and fruits.
Hot appetizers are also served each evening before dinner in the two bars. The Veranda Suites are 295
sq ft each, including the small balcony which has two lounge chairs and a table. The beige pastels of the
suites on one side of the ship make a pleasant contrast to the light blue colors of the opposite side of the
ship. The bathroom is small, but compact, with a medicine cabinet and two shelves. The Bulgari amenities
are a treat. The walk-in closet has a pair of bathrobes and slippers, plus an easily operated safe, an
umbrella, clothes brush, sewing kit, hair dryer, extra blankets and pillows, and shoe polisher. I found the
space more than adequate for an eleven night cruise. Each single bed (They can be made into
Queen-size beds.)has its own reading light plus two drawer nightstand. There is also a mirrored vanity
with stool in the bedroom with one drawer.
The sleeping area is separated from the living area with a
curtain. The living area is composed of one couch, a table, two chairs, a refrigerator that is stocked with
your favorite beverages (I always had a bottle of Moet et Chandon, and the excellent stewardess,
Angelina, from England, made sure that my husband had his Dewars!), a t.v. and V.C.R., a desk, two
three-shelved cabinets with glasses, stirsticks, and napkins. A fruit bowl and ice bucket are replenished
daily. The t.v. has the usual channel with a view from the bridge, plus an a channel devoted solely to
National Geographic specials, one to movies (a listing is provided in the cabin), one that replays any
lectures offered aboard the ship, and several music channels. The only amenity that I feel is lacking is a
clock. If I had not brought my travel alarm clock, we would have had to check our watches during the
night. Also, the insulation between cabins is fair--we could hear our neighbors in casual conversation.
The table can be expanded by an addition that is kept behind the curtains so that one can dine on a
full-size table. We found this to be an excellent 'ironing board' as well. (We always carry a portable steam
iron with an extension cord.)
We found this crew to be the friendliest with whom we have ever sailed, and
this began with the Captain. Usually, when one tours the bridge, the captain is never apparent, but
Captain Chiesa was there and happily posed for pictures, answered questions, and thanked us (Usually,
we are the ones thanking the Captain.)for coming to see his bridge. His welcome aboard cocktail party
address to the passengers seemed to be sincere, although he must have performed this duty hundreds
of times. The ship is small enough so that various personnel call you by name. We were amazed that the
Maitre D' and Head Waiter Donato called us by name, as well as the Cruise Director, Social Hostess, and
front desk staff. The crew seems very concerned that their passengers enjoy themselves--to the extent
that a 'How Are We Doing' survey is distributed mid-cruise (This was a first for us.)so that passengers can
have problems addressed then and there rather than at the end of a cruise. A fellow passenger said that
she wrote that her mattress seemed to slant to one side, and that very same day, a new mattress was
brought into the cabin. Even the excellent singing and dancing troupe of five were very friendly and
helpful to the passengers.
The passenger list, which for security reasons hasn't been published on the
Queen Elizabeth 2 for many years, is distributed here with the names and hometowns of the passengers,
which makes it very helpful to recall the names of that nice couple you met in the library or the new
friends you made at the Pool Bar. The library is open 24 hours a day and is on an honors system. The
non-fiction selections are excellent, as is the array of National Geographic magazines and videos. There
is an extensive video collection as well, but the titles did not seem to be as up to date as a video store at
home. There is only one computer in the library, and it neither sends nor receives E-mail. The Captain
said that this would be corrected at the next drydocking, but I still feel that one computer is not sufficient
for 276 passengers. Another passenger and I suggested to the front desk that a sign be placed on the
computer limiting usage to 30 minutes if someone else was waiting. It was rather frustrating to watch one
passenger play endless games of solitaire while there were others waiting who wished to use the word
processor or other software programs. The concierge said she would have a staff meeting about it, but
no action was taken. My husband and I love enrichment lectures, and there was an excellent National
Geographic lecturer and a female magistrate from London on board, as well as a Cordon Bleu guest
chef.
There are three treadmills and three or four bikes in the exercise room plus quite a number of
weights. My husband never found that he had to wait for a treadmill when he wanted to run. I did my
running on the top deck, where seven times around was equivalent to one mile. One can chart one's
mileage on a list by the Pool Bar, and prizes are awarded at the end of the cruise to those who have
accumulated a certain number of points: T-shirts, travel alarms, etc. There were three formal nights for
this 11 night cruise, and jackets and ties were required for gentlemen for the informal nights. Most men
wore a tuxedo on the formal nights. Because there are only two venues at night where one can obtain
cocktails (The Main Bar on deck 5) and the Panorama Lounge on Deck 8, both of these facilities can be
somewhat crowded and noisy, and passengers have to double up with each other in the chair groupings.
In the morning, one can gravitate to the Panorama for an early cup of coffee and pastries, but since this
was the only location for coffee other than the Terrace Cafe, one could not sit in a quiet spot and read
the newspaper, as this area was filled with people chatting. One side of it was smoking, too (All the
restaurants are now smoke free., which further limited the choice of seats. My husband and I like some
modicum of privacy and like to sit quietly and read at times, but this was not possible in the Panorama
Lounge or the library.
There is an observation lounge on the top deck with a pair of binoculars and a
screen with the course and heading of the ship, but a lot of times that was closed off for private parties.
When it wasn't, it is self-service, as there is no attendant there, although there are two fridges stocked
with beverages. Because it is a small ship and because there are only 276 passengers, one does have a
tendency to run into the same people all the time, whether one wants to or not. My husband and I did not
like to have to tiptoe around so as to avoid the inveterate yakker who, once he cornered you, proceeded
to tell you about his material possessions, or the overly inquisitive couple, or the pair of flamboyant
partners, etc. We would rate Silverseas a six star experience, but would prefer to take her 25,000 tons
ship, the Silver Shadow, which just made her debut. We feel that there would be more spaces in which to
read or chat quietly and more venues for evening cocktails. Also, we have heard that there are many
more computers. The overall atmosphere is of understated elegance in the setting of a private yacht.
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