Hi from a grateful new member ~~~

“Hey! It’s the Silversea Lady!”

Kinda catchy?! I heard this last weekend as my husband and I attended our zillionth Open House here in San Diego. In our quest for a home, I’ve met just about every single Realtor in the County. Though I’ve longed for a cure, I have this disease which provokes me to sell a cruise to anyone who tries to sell something to me. (Seriously, … our insurance agents, car dealers, even telemarketers end up booking cruises with me.) It’s like an involuntary twitch of some sort. I say involuntary because I’ve been attempting to retire from the business. (It's a great business, no doubt...I'm just hoping to do something different as I'm teetering on the big five oh.)

Admittedly, I really don’t qualify as a Silversea expert, as I’ve only been on one Silversea cruise. Still, I am such an avid fan. My first Silversea cruise? Silver Whisper, May 2002. Cruise number 50. The cruise that took the joy out of cruising for me ~~~ On any other line, that is.

It was February, 2002, when I received the timely invitation to try Silversea. Feeling forlorn, I was perusing the increasing long list of social service agencies that had rejected my internship applications. I had just earned my Master’s degree in Psychology and was searching for someone to allow me to do my three years of servitude in order to get my license as a therapist. You see, I have this irksome flaw (in the Therapy World) ~ I’m happy. This was a drawback during my interviews. I guess I should have made something up when asked, “And where do you go for your therapy?” Responding with “the sea” didn’t land me any positions. Anyway. While in the midst of this funk, a fax streams in from Silversea for a fam in the Mediterranean. Light. Hope. Within minutes (and before even asking my husband about this adventure!) the cruise is booked. Yes, I felt guilty in booking a fam, knowing that I am leaving the cruise business. That guilt has been absolved, as I have since filled many a stateroom.

What a dream cruise. Silversea has it all. Sublime. It truly ruined me, though. We recently sailed in a very nice suite on a new, but very mass market cruise ship. I thought that by choosing a spacious suite we could make up for the fact that it wasn’t Silversea. But it wasn’t Silversea. It just wasn’t Silversea. This sentiment, by the way, nearly drove my dear husband mad. I am fortunate to be married to the Kindest Man in the World. Yet, after muttering, “This is okay, but it just isn’t Silversea” for the umpteenth time, he said, “If you say that one more time, I’ll throw you overboard.” Well, not really. He would never say anything like that, but I’m fairly sure the thought crossed his mind.

We have sailed Crystal a number of times. Class act, but that pesky and often times, hefty bar bill at the end of the cruise is a bit of a bummer. We’ve always been very impressed, though, with Crystal. We have not yet had the privilege of sailing Radisson or Seabourn, but I have a feeling that once we do, we will be fans of these fine lines also.

Other lines we've sailed: Royal Viking (Sun, Sky, and Sea), American Hawaiian Cruise Lines, (Independence, Constitution, and ... anyone remember this?? ss Liberte) NCL (ss Norway - very meaningful, as my Mom sailed her when she was just 12 -- when the ship was the ss France), RCCL (Sovereign, Viking Serenade, Serenade, Voyager, Empress of the Seas, and some others...I can't even remember), Celebrity (Zenith, Horizon, Summit, Infinity,) Crystal, (Harmony, Symphony)Princess (Grand, Golden, Sea, Dawn, Diamond, Royal, and Regal,) and Carnival (you name it. Fortunately I'm a good camper).

So that’s my story. Other passions ~ my wonderful family. In addition to being married to the Kindest Most Wonderful Man in the World, I have two awesome daughters. They’ve both flown the coup. Our “empty nest” (it’s hard to say that without smirking!) is filled with the Cutest but Stupidest Golden Retriever in the world, and two domineering but adorable cats. (With dogs, you’re an owner. With cats you’re an employee.) I hopped off (thrown off?) the therapist path, but am hoping to work in research once we’re finally settled in our new home. Or, who knows? I might still be selling cruises when I’m 121-years-old. Until then, I am volunteering with our local Alzheimer’s organization as a caregiver's support group facilitator. Highly rewarding. One way or another, cruising is always on my mind. “The sea’s in my veins.”

I feel fortunate in finding this superb message board. The reviews are well-written, the sentiments positive and uplifting. Thank you for my warm welcome and for your patience with my rather lengthy intro. I am looking forward to getting to know you all, and perhaps someday joining one of your group cruises.

Cheers!
Cindie