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Cruise Reviews

Silversea

Silver Cloud

Happiness Is Silversea !

Happiness is Silversea !

Reviewed By: Ballantyne, Crieff on 27th Apr 2009
Cruise Line: Silversea	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Silver Cloud	Sailed: April, 2009
Destination: Caribbean	Age: 56-65
Cabin: Suite

We were greeted by name as we arrived at the poolside and asked where we would like out sun loungers placed and having selected our spot they were covered with fresh fluffy towels and then we were asked if we would like a Pina Colada. Such bliss, but lets go back to the beginning. Within five minutes of arriving at the pier in San Juan our baggage was taken from us by a smiling porter and we were escorted to the Silver Cloud where we were welcomed on board by a lovely lady, Judie Abbott, the cruise director, offered a glass of French Champagne and taken to the lounge to be given our security cards in a nice leather wallet. Canapes and more Champagne were offered whilst we chatted to our fellow travellers. When we were ready we were escorted to our suite on deck 7 and introduced to our attendants who has already placed our luggage ready for unpacking. They then offered us the choice of Aqua di Parma or Bulgari toiletries, a nice touch that my wife appreciated along with the correct size of bathrobes and slippers. Unpacking did not take long...........it never does whilst you are sharing a bottle of Champagne ! There was plenty of hanging space in the walk in wardrobe with lots of hangers provided. Drawer space was also excellent and a free to use wall safe was provided. The bathroom was a joy with real Italian marble floor and walls, full sized bath and plenty of mirrored cupboard space. Dinner that evening in 'The Restaurant' (as Silversea calls it) was as superb and elegant as one would expect a 5 star restaurant to be with an excellent selection of wines to accompany each course beautifully served on china plates. La Terrazza where we usually had breakfast and lunch, if possible on the open terrace, was transform in the evenings to an informal dining alternative which served different Italian regional dishes, again accompanied by an excellent selection of wines although if you had a favourite you only had to ask for it. Although there was no additional charge you had to made a reservation for La Terrazza. If you felt inclined to have a quiet dinner in your suite that was always available with your table perfectly set with linen tablecloth and napkins, bone china plates, nice silverwear and crystal glasses. Each course would be served when you wanted it and some chilled Champagne was always available. It would be fair to say that Silversea do not place their main emphasis on entertainment but we had an excellent cabaret singer and the resident band provided the right mixture of music that seemed to suit everyone. In fact, on the evening that we had a great barbecue round the pool the singer, who's name I'm afraid I've forgotten, made it a night to remember. My wife enjoyed the gym facilities and whilst I didn't sample any of the 'treatments' it was very pleasant relaxing on the teak terrace after a sauna whilst watching the sun sink into the deep blue Caribbean sea. The guests were from Canada, Spain, Mexico, Great Britain, Germany, Hong Kong,Switzerland, Italy, France, Denmark, Australia and St Lucia and were addressed by their names by the staff. How they managed this after being on board for only an hour was very impressive ! All 280 of us mixed very well and, believe it or not, I never heard one word of complaint during the whole cruise from anyone. It was indeed a sad moment when we left the ship in Barbados but it was a great pleasure not to have a bar bill pushed under your door on your last night. If you wanted a cup of tea a 1am it was brought to your suite in a teapot, poured into a china cup with milk and sugar added from silver jugs and, of course, real tea spoons. If you wanted something that was not on the menu or something cooked in a special way this was done with a smile. If you wanted a bottle of French Champagne in a silver ice bucket at the poolside, it was brought to you. All this for under £170 a day............you would be mad to think of anything else !
Quality of Food

Entertainment

Shore Excursions	n/a

Staff
It would be wrong to single out any member of a great team who worked superbly well to ensure that you had the best possible holiday experience.
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities

Cabins

Overall Rating

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Question by Appleyard, Chilcompton (21 Sep 09 19:41) about this REVIEW

It is going to be our first cruise and we are going on the Silver Cloud in March 2010. I have read somewhere that the Silver Cloud has has a refit which was on Silversea website, but have not read any reviews about it except yours. It sounds a wonderful time you had and we are looking forward to our cruise next March. If anyone else has been on the Silver Cloud would love to hear what they think. Thanks

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Answer by Ballantyne, Crieff (22 Sep 09 13:43) to a QUESTION by Appleyard (21 Sep 09 19:41)

The refit didn't happen ! Silver Wind had one and there were a few aspects that they were not happy with so the Silver Cloud's was put on hold with just a few minor things done. I'm certain that you will have a wonderful experience..............just wish it was me !!!

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Opinion: Agree Comment by Dixon, Harborne, Birmingham (15 Aug 09 19:25) about this REVIEW

Have just got back from a fantastic break on Silver Wind and just written a review. I agree how pleasant it is that the staff greet you by name. I asked one of the crew how they know our names so quickly - apparently after everyone is checked in and the photos are taken for the ID cards, the photos go up in the staff quarters and they can then put a name to a face!! Then they have to memorise 298 names!!

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Question by Gibbs, Colchester (16 Jun 09 13:27) about this REVIEW

This review sounds utterly wonderful - the bottle of Champagne by the pool sounding like my sort of thing! I also would like to know if the flights were included in this price and also who did you book through? That sounds like a seriously good price to me. My email address is ##################### Thanks

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Question by Limbach, Dorchester (08 May 09 14:42) about this REVIEW

What a fantastic review of a great cruise. My wife and I are considering Silversea. How did you book this cruise and who did you book it with? Was air travel included? Thanks Tim

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Answer by Ballantyne, Crieff (10 May 09 11:52) to a QUESTION by Limbach (08 May 09 14:42)

If you would care to supply an e-mail address I would be happy to explain everything. Regards. F Ballantyne.

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Comment by Macro, Reading (28 Apr 09 08:37) about this REVIEW

Your experience has mirrored mine on Seabourn which i returned from on 26th. For me the big pluses also were - no art auctions, no photographers, leaving your drink unfinished because you wanted to go to another area and knowing that you could get another one there, as all was included. No receipts to sign and NO TIPS. Utter bliss.

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Comment by Paul, Kent (27 Apr 09 17:20) about this REVIEW

This is the sort of cruise many of us would love to aspire to. All the passengers on an equal par. Unfortunately you get the other cruise lines, especially Cunard, segregating. The ones who have paid the most having exclusive facillities, looking down their noses at the lower classes? With Silverseas and others of their ilk, all are equal. Thats how it should be. I cant afford such luxury, but you enjoy it. You obviously worked hard enough to do it.

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