In October my friend Leah and I traveled to Manhattan, New York to board the Silver Whisper, one of many beautiful ships from the luxury cruise line, Silversea. Aboard this all-inclusive cruise ship we had many delightful experiences during our 10-days travelling from New York to Barbados. Upon checking in we were greeted with a very friendly and personal welcome from the Hotel Director, Norman Rafelson and the Cruise Director, Don Fluke.
We recently sailed from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Athens on the Azamara Quest (30,000 tons with 694 guests and 407 crewmembers) in a Club Continent Suite. We enjoyed the service provided by our excellent Butler and Stateroom Attendant. I was asked what the butler does for you onboard – the welcome letter in our suite gave us some ideas: assistance with unpacking/packing, daily news delivery, in-suite breakfast, lunch and dinner service, evening hors d’oeuvres daily, afternoon tea service, shoe shine service, assistance with reservations for specialty dining, shore excursions, and spa appointments, etc. Our butler, Eyup, also assisted us when we encountered rough seas tendering in Sorrento and our clothes were soaked – off they went to be returned clean and dry the next day!
Our roving reporter, Ralph Grizzle, sails aboard Silversea Cruises ultra-luxury expedition ship. This video provides you with a detailed look at life aboard the Silver Explorer.
During our Atlantic crossing on Silver Cloud, I saw something I did not expect to see: an audience stand not only to applaud but also to participate in a powerful performance by six young and extremely gifted vocalists.
There will be more to come about my cruise on Silver Explorer, which ended Friday morning in Panama. For now, however, I am posting this brief “Summing Up” to answer questions that readers asked during my voyage and to give you a few of my impressions.
Before my voyage began I stayed for three nights at the Hotel Flora. Venice equals romantic – quaint – canals – gondoliers – carnival – palaces – glass – art – fashion – people! Venice is as wonderful today as it was 20 years ago, but it takes a little more work and a little more patience as the crowds today are significant. A pre or post cruise stay allows time to enjoy the city and such sights as an evening concert in St Mark’s Square without all the tumult present during the day. Venice is a city for pedestrians, it’s a city made for wandering – it’s hard to get lost and each turn exposes a charming balcony, a small plaza, a narrow canal.
In all, Silhouette offers six restaurants plus a buffet and several snack and light-meal options. The main restaurant is the Grand Cuvee Dining Room, designed as a dreamy crystal fantasy by celebrity designer Adam Tihany. Another Tihany design, the Tuscan Grille, is an upscale steak-and-pasta venue.
Built in Papenburg, Germany, Celebrity Silhouette traveled 42 kilometers backward along the river Ems navigating several narrow gaps for its official naming in Hamburg on July 21, 2011.
This past June I sailed from Lisbon to Barcelona aboard Silversea’s beautiful all-new Silver
Teresa in Lisbon
Spirit. We chose to fly in a day early for our Silversea cruise in order to have a little time to see Lisbon. The Hotel Marquês de Pombal on the Avenida da Liberdade provided great 4-star service with clean, comfortable and quiet accommodations and a full breakfast. It was easy walking distance to all the major points of interest and only a short ride from the pier.
Earlier this month Cruise Specialists staff attended a conference aboard the beautiful Crystal Symphony. We sailed from a sunny San Francisco, up the coast to Victoria and concluded our trip in Vancouver, BC. Trips such as these allow us to remain familiar with the cruise lines and experts in our field.
