Anyone that will be on the Barbados cruises before December 15th, the new Hilton is having a sale that might work pre and post cruise if you want to spend some extra time in Barbados, including air. Here's the link to the sale that ends 8/31:

http://www.cheapcaribbean.com/specialAvailability.jsp?pacID=614

Question for the pros, does Silversea ever offer last minute reductions on their Mediterranean cruises? Thanks in advance for your replies.

Welcome Karen!

I do not know the answer to your question, but as someone who has a cruise that originates in Barbados in 2006, I welcome your review of this hotel and any others that we might like to stay at precruise.

Also, welcome to LCT

Anthony

Anthony, based on what I read in Trip Advisor, the Hotel being new is putting it's best foot forward to generate good reviews in the hopes of generating demand. During high season, the prices are right up there with all the other first class hotels. Being that it has a lot of rooms, once the conventions start moving in on it, it probably won't be that great a place to stay.

Here's the link to the reviews....all are super so far:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...Hilton_Barbados-Bridgetown_Barbados.html

Thanks for the welcome. I have been trying to convince my DH to go on a cruise for a couple years. He was put off by the mob mentality in Cozumel as 3 ships herded people like cattle into the small town. It wasn't a pretty sight.

I have mixed emotions about that, thereby thinking a smaller ship would maybe would be less likely to be that way. The only problem is the smaller ships are so expensive that one needs to win the lottery to afford to book a cabin.

If you are sailing on either Radisoon or Silversea, you will not be disappointed. Our first adventure into the luxury market was last year.

We got fed up with the mega liners and have found our calling in Radisson. We are trying Silversea next year, but for us the smaller ships are GREAT!

Anthony

Karen, the current specials for Silversea you can find here: http://www.silversea.com/promotion.asp?PromotionID=13 I would suggest calling or e-mailing Linda Litteken to see if further discounts apply if booked with her.

jhp, thanks for the heads up about contacting Linda.

I have been trying to do a comparison between the Silversea website and vacationstogo.com, plus others, to see if there is any advantage to book directly with Silversea or go with a supposed discounter. I'm finding though that Silversea lists the categories as Vista and Veranda and vacationstogo.com lists them as balcony and suite. The brochure/published prices between these websites don't even match up. It's looking like they don't want you to figure it out.

By the way jhp, did I understand it right that you are connected with The Reefs in Bermuda? Sorry for my ignorance....I'm new here.

Karen, definitely don't book with Silversea directly or you will just get the brochure rate. I would just call Linda if you want to get a better price. I booked my Silversea cruise with her, and the service was fantastic.

No, I'm not connected with The Reefs, but I am going there for 5 nights in September, (knocking on wood for no hurricanes!) and really look forward to it.

Welcome to LCT, by the way. Fire away with any questions and you'll get lots of help.

Ahhh, ok, then I misunderstood jhp. I almost booked The Reefs special that is running thru Sept. 4th, but after dividing the price by 5 nights figured out it really wasn't a special or much of one, so better to have a greater choice of dates and go when we want. Question....have you ever been there when their rates drop in early November? Was wondering if the water is too cold then for swimming. Thanks!

Karen, I'm not the one who can answer this, as my very first trip to Bermuda will be at The Reefs in mid-September. However, there is always a reason why rates drop seasonally, and I think the water and air temperatures have a lot to do with it.

I have nothing to add to this topic, I just wanted to welcome antoher Karen to the board!

That Karen is probably gone by now, but if not, I will tell her it was a fun trip!

jhp, just saw your message. We didn't end up going to The Reefs although we have seen some really special offerings via email just recently. I can't seem to find airfare that isn't to the moon. USA3000 only flies Tuesday and Friday's which doesn't match up to any of the special dates. They are the only airline that makes any sense. I refuse to pay over $800/pp to fly to Bermuda from Phila. We could fly to Hong Kong for that. So we decided to hold off.

So please tell me what your impressions are of The Reefs. It's tempting to go there in oct. but would want to make sure the water temps were still warm.

Glad you had a great time.