I know we've got some Siverseas veterans out there. What all do they have in the casino? Also, do they have a piano bar? We are considering a Caribbean cruise next April - Dad is turning 76 and we though trying Silverseas might be a good way to celebrate. Anything else we should know?

Hello Sue -

The Whisper's casino has a few blackjack tables and several slot machines, if I remember correctly. It also has its own cozy little bar.

There isn't a piano bar per se, but there is a piano in the main bar, and a piano player came in every evening and sang & played. (He wasn't very good, but oh well, we don't cruise SS for that!) ;)

My wife just reminded me that there was a roulette table in the casino too...

Thanks so much for the response. We were hoping for craps but as you said that's not the main reason we cruise. What's the evening activity level like?

Sue, as I remember, it is mostly chit-chat in The Bar with the other passengers after the show. Silversea does promotions in different areas of the world to bring on clientele in one part that may not be like another. Ours in Asia was very diverse, as it was attracting people from the opposite hemisphere from us. I loved that. Is your Dad going to be onboard for PARTY??

For you that have cruised on them, what do you consider their best ship and why?
Thanks.

I like the Silver Whisper. The Shadow and Whisper are VERY similiar the Whisper is just newer and some of the decor I like a little better. Either is great.

The Cloud and Wind have some avid fans but I am not one of them. Not that I would say no to sailing on one if I liked the itinerary. I just find the ceilings lower and the ships a little more confining and prefer the Whisper and Shadow. This from a Song of Flower lover sounds really ridiculous. Talk about low ceilings etc.

I think a lot of why we develop love for a particular ship is our memories of our experiences on these ships and the crew aboard.

Funny, I thought you would like the smaller ships (Cloud and Wind), Ngaire, as you were such a Song of Flower person. I've only been on the Shadow, and it was GREAT. I felt like I was on the Navigator, with the cabins. Not so many alternate restaurants as the bigger ships, but other bonuses.

As I remember, the Cloud and Wind have cabins about the same size as the Diamond. Those smaller couches, and a little less room in the bath?

On my only cruise with Silversea Shadow, it took me a few days to stop noticing what I thought was better on Radisson. I soon stopped noticing chipped paint (I had to look for it), slightly less comfortable balcony furniture (okay it was mesh rather than cushions), less color in the Restaurant, and all the rest. I was being way to defensive to my line of choice to now. In the end, I would cruise on either, given price and itinerary considerations. It is hard to find a great deal on Silversea unless you are willing to wait til a few months before the cruise. They just do things differently than RSSC but they are very expensive in their initial offerings for cruises.

We've been on the Wind and the Whisper and liked the Whisper better. It's my understanding that they built the Whisper and Shadow with much input from their prior Wind & Cloud guests. The Whisper & Shadow's suites have separate bathtub and shower, and also a double vanity, unlike the Wind & Cloud which have a tub/shower combo and one sink.

I also like the fact that the door out to the balcony on the Whisper is a slider, vs. a swing-out door on the Wind. The slider definitely makes better sense and better use of the balcony space.

The commons areas were improved on the two newer ships, as well. The only thing that was not improved was the fitness center - the Wind's was much, much better than the Whisper's. Not that we spent a whole lot of time exercising!

We looked and looked at RSSC's Caribbean itineraries for next spring, and they didn't quite fit. And with the recent changes eliminating in some cases the past pax discount and other unknowns, we though this would be an ideal time to try Silversea. Olivia - you are right on their pricing - we're booking and hoping it gets discounted, but if it doesn't we'll still have a great time. Any other thoughts please chime in!

like the separate tub shower ..
not that I would use the tub ( something about cruise ship tub thing even with Owner suites and the ship tantalizing us with you get a jacuzzi tub too.. I don't know.. just bugs me..
but like/ LOVe a separate stall shower..
oh the things we like ( so nuts).. but hey?

I like the Vista Suites on the starboard side on Deck 5 on the Silver Whisper and Shadow. These few cabins are priced as Vistas, but have non-private verandahs. The last two cruises on the Whisper we have had these and they are great. Nobody other than us was ever out there (well, hardly anybody). While it is true that there are no deck chairs out there, because it is the escape route to one of the lifeboats, we were able to carry our two chairs from in the room and just sit out there and enjoy looking out over the ocean. Also without having those dividers, you had a much more panoramic view while sitting down.

We also really liked the spa services onboard. No tipping policy continued here as well. Also, there was no upselling of products. If you wanted them they were available, but they were no pushed down your throats, like on other lines.

BTW, I can't tell you much about the casino other than it is on deck 5 and just forward of mid-ship on the way to our cabin. We just don't gamble, but for our friends that did, they loved it. Much more intimate than on other ships.

Loved the ships layout. Very easy to get around. Elevators right next to the cabins as well as the main ones that were a little aft of mid ship.

We are going again in November from Barbados to FLL on the Whisper again in fact and really looking forward to it. Let us know if you have any other questions. We would love to help.

Don, we will just miss you! We're on the Whisper, FLL to Barbados, just prior to your cruise. We'll try not to drink all the champagne so you get some! :)

Bummer!!! Wish we could have hooked up.

Yes, we would really not be happy if all of the Philliponat was gone. Just would not do!!!