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Cruise Reviews

Silversea

Silver Whisper

Evading The Pirates

Evading the Pirates

Reviewed By: Blay, Great Missenden on 12th Nov 2009
Cruise Line: Silversea	Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: Silver Whisper	Sailed: October, 2009
Destination: Dubai	Age: 65+
Cabin: Balcony

Having last cruised with Silversea some 3 years ago we expected this cruise not to come up to expectations after receiving a genuine 50% reduction in fares and $1000US cabin credit. How wrong can one be. From the moment we stepped aboard until we disembarked 15 days later everything was excellent. Transit of the Suez canal was well supported with a Bridge lecture and that through the Gulf of Aden at full speed, under the surveillance of the coalition, entailed the outer decks being roped off in case the ship had to go into a zig-zag mode for avoidance purposes. We were later presented with signed certificates by the Captain (Ignazio Tatulli) to say that we had successfully avoided pirate attacks. The service was 5* quality and one of the amazing things was how the waiters etc. managed to remember your names after a couple of days on board with an open seating arrangement. Even after the first nights dinner the considered verdict was that if such a meal had been bought in the UK it would easily have cost upwards of £60. The cabin staff were exemplary, so was the cabin, and on the one occasion we had cabin service for an early breakfast it arrived right on time with all the trimmings.Wifi internet connection was available from the computer centre and cabins (for laptops) at a rate of $45 for 100 minutes Our sightseeing trips were virtually paid for out of the $1000 dollar credit we received and tended to be expensive. Free shuttle buses were run at most ports and the local tour guides were very good. All tour buses carried a free supply of bottled drinking water. The highlight of the cruise was the very high quality of the enrichment lectures based mainly on the politics, present and past history of the countries on the itinerary. Evening entertainment was typical 'cruise style' with the usual mix of guest singers and musicians. The ship's quartet deserves wide recognition especially the saxophonist.
Quality of Food
Breakfast
Entertainment
Local Egyptian show and ships big time shows
Shore Excursions
Wadi-Rum desert in Jordan
Staff
Colln - cruise director
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities

Cabins

Overall Rating

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Question by Catlow, Speen Lane (18 Jan 10 21:58) about this REVIEW

Approximately how much is the excursion to Petra and to Wadi-Rum? Did you consider it value of money. Is it possible to do this shore excursion independently by arranging it at the port?

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Answer by blay, great missenden (20 Jan 10 17:49) to a QUESTION by Catlow (18 Jan 10 21:58)

We only went on the Wadi Rum excursion which Silversea list as a morning trip of 4.5-5 hours for $89 per person. At the port of Aqaba there did not appear to be any independent means of buying excursions. One problem would appear to be that you travel as a group meaning that when you arrive at the visitors centre (not as bad as it sounds) you are given a 15/20 comprehensive film show and exhibition. After that you are given seats in rather antiquated 4 wheel drives that transport you through the desert, stopping off at a couple places and finishing at a tented Bedouin hotel for tea/coffee. Silversea also list a Wadi Rum at Sunset excursion for the same price and same length of time. The sunset may be beautiful but we were glad we saw it during dayight hours. We think this was good value for money. Petra we have no experience of but Silversea list it as a 8.5-9 hour excursion at $259 per person which we think is expensive but the travelling is 1.5 - 2 hours each way and there is quite strenuous walking when you arrive. Hope these comments are of help

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Comment by King, Stromness (14 Nov 09 10:26) about this REVIEW

Thank you - found it at the second attempt! The first headed review was of a different cruise. This is not the first time this has happened. Perhaps there should be a better checking procedure. All this said it was good to have a review of a luxury cruise - so called.

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