I have been looking at the great Silversea fares for 2004. If they repeat these specials in 2005, I will really consider trying the line. I was checking out catagorys and I can't figure out what ships have the shared verandas and what catagory do you book?

Looks like Shadow and Whisper have the shared verandahs. They are Vista Category. Although I do not know if they charge for different levels of Vista.

I think you are right, Todd. The other two ships don't seem to have the shared veranda. Good question about the different priced Vista suites!

They charge extra for a mid ship VERANDAH location. I should get Linda or Susan to answer this for you. Will email them to respond.

I see those vista cabins priced the same as other vista cabins. I saw them on the Shadow, and really took notice of them, since this question has come up before. That "shared balcony" is not accessible to the other passengers...I even went there to find out. It has a doorway at the beginning, just outside one of the lounges from the inside, but you cannot open the door. I peered around the corner, and nothing was going on. No furniture outside or anything. From the tender boat, I saw it also. In these cabins, there is a glass "door" and a slim vertical window next to that. No "picture window" like on the other non-balcony suites. Probably the same amount of glass, just in a different way. It was not the same as a balcony cabin (privacy), but outside your door there is open air!

These green vista suites on deck 5 are the ones we are talking about.

The Deck 5 Vista staterooms on the Shadow and Whisper are fabulous! Priced at the normal Vista fare, staterooms 521 to 533 are located in a wonderful midship location. Instead of a large picture window, these staterooms offer a windowed door which leads out onto a veranda walkway that seem only be able to be accessed from these staterooms. Same Vista floorplan. Ron and I had one of these staterooms when we sailed to the Seychelles and it was great. Ron loved being able to walk directly out onto the veranda walkway for photo opportunities, watching the ship dock, and for observing beautiful scenery. The room stewards are quick to inform you that this is a public walkway and chairs and tables are not allowed onto the veranda; but it still felt very private. As you can imagine, these deck 5 Vista staterooms are usually the first to book on any sailing. A great bargain, really.
FYI, Vista staterooms 535 and 537 are designated as handicap suites, but offer a great midship location, and the shared veranda.

We met a couple staying in the handicap suite on the Shadow and they really enjoyed it. They did mention that the room steward informed them that they could not take furniture out there and leave it, but they had room service each morning and just took a chair out there to sit while they ate. It is a common balcony but only 9 rooms share it. It is blocked at both ends so other passengers cannot access it. I do know the passengers enjoyed being able to access the outdoors from their suite. On my 10 days cruise, I never saw many people use the balcony so I don't think you would be bumping in to many others. It is a beautiful ship though, so if you haven't tried it, I would recommend you do.
Susan

It seems to me that if a group got together with enuf people to book the entire segment of rooms that a fun party, well by SS standards, of course, could ensue...Karen, we could even book our own smoking section!

R (still dreaming...I guess...)

robert - now THAT'S an idea!

Masaki

Linda,
Ooooooh the Seychelles! I have longed to go there but the airfare is so outrageous! I see the Silversea Seychelles sailing is a real bargain this year, if not for the air!

Thanks for clearing up the Vista shared veranda thing for me. Will SS be offering some exceptional 50% savings next year as they did for 2004?