Spoiled Rotten by Silver Seas

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Spoiled Rotten on the Fabulous Silver Wind
Cruise Report

September 2011 on the Silver Sea's SILVER WIND with Donna & Jim
 

Owners Donna Daniels & Jim Bailey of Fox Travel hosted an American Express Mariner Club September voyage on Silver Sea’s elegant 5 star vessel, the Silver Wind.   This award-winning ship carries 290 passengers and a crew of 220, one of the absolute best passenger to crew ratios in the cruise ship industry.  This wonderful experienced benefited from a great itinerary of going from Athens to Venice and from perfect weather during the day coupled with balmy evenings.      

Even though we are both avid cruisers, we had not previously experienced a Silver Sea voyage so this was a real treat for us.  We found out upon arrival that it was also a first for many of our group as well since none of them had been on a cruise before.  We all quickly learned that the group certainly started at the top of the list.   We have experienced other premium cruise lines but we were very impressed with the all-suite accommodations, the inclusive program, and the personal service we enjoyed from the officers and the crew including our own butler.

Our trip started off with the inevitable Greek transportation strike in Athens which greeted us as we left the airport.  The strike caused some passengers to stretch an otherwise 45 minute airport transfer into 2 hours or more.  Thank goodness we had pre-arranged a private transfer in advance coupled with a pre-cruise stay at the Athens Ledra Marriott.  The Ledra Marriott is not far from the famous Acropolis and Olympic stadium.  When you go, you must carve out a night to dine on the roof top of this hotel with its spectacular view of the city.  This experience is definitely something to write in your "life journal."

The next day, it was on to our beautiful cruise ship.  The boarding experience with Silver Sea is relaxing and stress free.  Then, your personal butler takes over to assist you with every whim.  This allowed us to view the ship's departure from Athens and to explore our ship.  Before too long, it was time to get dressed for the private reception given so the Mariner Club members can mingle with the ships officers and staff.  If you have attended one of these, you know how informative and entertaining they can be.  They set the tone for the rest of the cruise.  

In addition to Athens, we sailed to the famous old Greek fortress town of Monemvasia (which reminded us a lot of Gibralter), the party island of Mykonos as well as Katakolon and Corfu (the most popular Greek island for tourism).  Corfu was the site of our group’s shore excursion and luncheon at the Corfu Yacht Club which was compliments of the American Express Mariner Club.   

Corfu has lots of small mountain villages with one lane roads that are quite narrow in some places.  During our shore excursion, the luxury motor coach met head on a car full of Greek Orthodox nuns on a one lane street.  We thought ……..“OH, NO, WE’RE STUCK.”    This was not so….we had forgotten we were in Greece.  From around the corner came a Greek Orthodox Bishop in full religious attire no less.  He jumped in the middle of the street to guide the "nun-mobile" off to one side so our bus could pass.  This was such a kind gesture that we awarded both the Bishop and our driver with thankful applause.   

At the end of this fabulous cruise experience we arrived at the crème de la crème of the ports of call – the enchanting Venice.  We revisited some of our favorite haunts, restaurants and shops from past trips.   Thankfully, the crowds weren’t as heavy as summer high season.  We had to stop at one of our favorite restaurants, Madonna, which is located around the corner from the famous Rialto Bridge.  It's in the first alleyway along the Grand Canal west of the bridge.  It did not disappoint.  Great fresh food, fish, pasta, veggies, wonderful desserts and wines all at a reasonable price.

Departing was difficult after only a week on board.  We were convinced we could have sailed all around the Mediterranean through the rest of the fall.

Talk about spoiled rotten….Silver Sea will do it.

Trip tips:

As a general rule, we would rather visit the Mediterranean area and, Europe in general in either May or September due to the milder weather and fewer tourists.  In addition, Silver Sea helped our aversion to crowds by limiting the size of each shore excursion compared to larger ships.
 

SilverSeaCruises offers guests the option to spend the night while the vessel is in port.   Several couples came on board overnight instead of staying in a hotel room.  This is an elegant, fun way to enjoy a taste of luxury

A great benefit of Silver Sea is the truly “all inclusive” plan where everything is included in your suite rate:  all meals on board, entertainment and theme nights, wine, bar drinks, liqueurs, port charges, taxes, tips, service fees and that all important butler service.

You can enjoy Silver Sea Cruise Line’s six ships on cruises world wide starting at around $2900 per person per week and on some itineraries, 2 or 3 nights are offered as a sampler for less.  Many of their specials allow free air out of US cities or 2 for 1 cruise rates.

Contact Travel Counselors Julia or Alma to plan your next adventure at 281-363-0808 or stop by the office at 25701 I-45 N., Ste 3A in The Woodlands/Spring to visit with us about this special ship board experience.