Hi Everyone:

I'm at a point where I must decide in the next day or so between Silversea or Radisson Navigator. Both are sailings to the Caribbean at the end of the year and for roughly the same price.

I've read the plusses and minuses of the Navigator and was wondering if the SS option is a better way to go. Since I have not cruised before I want to make sure that the first time is a great experience and that I am getting value for my money. I don't drink much so the all inclusive option is not a big deal maker. I care about nice food, nice amenities, great entertainment, nice mattress, and not getting seasick.

Also, is SS more formal...in other words, is a tux or suit required and are you locked in your room (like Crystal) if you do not wear a suit or would a sportcoat suffice?

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Hi Kim,
Well, it is a bit formal, but really no different in my opinion than Radisson, not the PG by the Voyager for sure. If you can get the same cruise with an itinerary that you like, I guess I would go with Silverseas. That is a hard thing to say as I love Radisson, but even if you don't drink much, a margaritta by the pool with NOTHING TO SIGN makes a nice difference in a trip. Their linens are wonderful... Hope this helps.

What a great dilema!!!!
Cindy

Think we will likely do Radisson. Mostly from reading other posts today.

Lots of great info on this board. What a nice community.

I agree with Cindy, if all things are equal, Silversea wins hands down.

Is a coat and tie always required in the main dining room in the Silver Whisper? Or do they have also "casual" nights? Thanks

Don, I would love to try SS sometime. Actually, the day the money tree grows I will be calling B & K to book a particular cruise to Vietnam. They stop at a port that RSSC doesn't. Problem #1 for me - SS charges a 100% single supplement, which for me isn't an equal. Problem #2 - I am so spoiled (rotten, I'm sure) that I can't imagine cruising without a balcony & to get this on SS I have to move up in category, thus extra $$, thus more single supplement. I also noticed that on this particular Vietnam cruise, they are charging more for a balcony if you want a mid-ship cabin. I know my situation is fairly unique to this board, since most are sailing as a couple, but unfortunately, SS just isn't the line for me right now. And I am very content with Radisson.
Then again - when that money tree thing................. Many times things really can't be equal.

cruiseluv, I know on my Mariner cruise they did away with ties on informal nights. :app:

IMHO, I wish ALL cruiselines would do away with informal nights. I like Country Club Casual with a few formal nights. :)

Dress codes on Silversea are just like RSSC. Formal, informal and casual.

But between my docs and I got onboard in Feb 2005 the docs called for suite and tie on informal nights and the dress code onboard ties were optional.

Y'know, I think you're on to something! I actually enjoy the formal nights -- I know not everyone does, but I just don't get that many opportunities in my life to dress to the nines, so I love it. But I really would prefer to have CCC the other nights, as that would sure make packing a whole lot simpler. I don't mind packing the couple of formal dresses, but I really don't like having to drag those additional dresses or dressy pants suits along for all the informal nights. There's that whole "middle tier" of clothing that I have to bring for informal nights that I can't wear anywhere else -- too dressy for going on shore, certainly! Most of the other clothes that I pack are appropriate for all other times -- shore, sea days, and CCC dinners. It would be so nice to not have to bring those middle tier dresses.

LeeAnne,

I agree! I find myself buying things for those informal nights which then I don't use back at home. I guess I don't go out that much. That's why I like to cruise! :D

I agree. It isn't equal when it comes to singles. SS does have some sailings at 150% fare, but most are either 174% for verandahs or a full 200%, while RSSC cruises (for the most part) are 130-135% for singles. Is that right?

Yes, that is what I usually pay on RSSC. In 2004 I really lucked out - RSSC ran a "special" - 7 day, Voyager to Norway. $99 single supplement. I booked as soon as I saw it.

Don, have you taken your first cruise on Radisson yet? If not, I hope after you do you might have a different opinion on "all things being equal", it would be Silversea "hands down". Of course, all things are not equal in all ways, we just have to find the line that gives the best value for the itinerary we want at a particular time. I notice that you and Diana seem to like Caribbean cruises so far, as you are divers. Other itineraries are more to my liking. The thing I like about RSSC, especially here on this board, is that we are able to get together and meet so many onboard the various ships. So far, it seems RSSC is the line of preference for these self-organized "group cruises". In the more distant past, I never cared who was on my cruises, I always had one or more of my adult children with me. Now, I find that THEY (young enough to be the children of most of us here) enjoy my lct friends who are aboard as much as I do! And when I travel alone, it would not be on Silversea because of those horrendous Single Supplements. While I loved the Shadow on my one cruise with my daughter, it would not be worth a 100% single supplement to do it again. You are a great "gatherer" of information for all of us here for Silversea, and I hope you keep sharing. Looking forward to seeing you again on MUSH!

Well, i think Don and I were thinking about the all inclusive feature solely, (sorry Don, should not speak for you), which for ME was probaly short sighted. Of course if friends were on board...all bets would be off, we would buy each other drinks...
I don't travel alone, so really don't think about the single supplement issue, but sure understand how that could be just huge. I mean 100% is obviously disturbing. I cannot wait until my Radisson cruise in a few days, but I sure did love the SS as well!!
I'll be in touch from the "new" PG!!!!!!
Cindy

Cindy, I cannot wait for your cruise, either! It would be great if you would post Seamail if you get a chance! Many of us out here waiting with bated breath on the changes on PG. But above all, have a WONDERFUL time!!!

Cindy, I hope you will enjoy the PG as well. For RSSC, that is my least favorite "ship" for some reason, even though the itinerary cannot be matched! Those staterooms are more like the Diamond, nothing like the current RSSC ships! Going from all inclusive on SS (I loved that on the Shadow) is somewhat a letdown, just like moving from RSSC to SS it is an extra. I hope you will enjoy your cruise, and we hope to hear from you if the satellite allows! Sorry if I seemed to run on about the "friends aboard" thing! Having had so many cruises with others here has lifted me to a whole different bent on cruising, especially if I am going where I have been before. Sooner or later, the people take over, and it is not about the ports. When I want to go somewhere new and no "lct" cruise, I really want to be aboard with one of them, just in case they'll want to come back when the rest of them do!

Olivia, Cindy is right. I was referring to that actual "deal" itself. If everything else was the same (realising that it often times is not) then SS being all inclusive (at least for me) would make the SS a better perceived value, than the RSSC cruise. I was not making a comparison of the two lines themselves, and can't as you said, until I have actually been on both.

You made some very good points. Cruises are very rarely equal. It depends often times who you are sailing with, being able to get a group together, the actual ports, the actual ship, single supplements, and a whole host of other factors. I made my comment only from the information at hand though. Based on the time, the location, and the pricing being the same, I thought that the SS cruise proved to be a better value.

I also did not intend for my post to come off sounding like that SS was far superior to RSSC, because I don't believe that it is, based on your own reviews as well of others that I have read. I am very much looking forward to the same good service and food that I have enjoyed on both SS and SB, and of course the fine company of all of my friends here at LCT when we sail on MUSH together. I am looking forward to sailing with all our friends and experiencing RSSC firsthand. Then I will have three great cruise lines to choose from.

Cindy, we hope you have a great cruise and am anxious to hear all about it when you get back.

Ciao for now!

Olivia we really enjoyed spending time with you on PARTY. The PARTY cruise made me feel that I would always like to go on group cruises.The extra get togethers were fun.It was also nice to feel that even if Marty wanted to go to bed earlier than I did I could go into a lounge and find people to hang out with.I really blew it on New Years Eve however. I was going to only rest for a few minutes and didn't wake up until 7AM. I still had my clothes on. From the pictures of the deck party it looks like I missed a good time.

Bette, I missed it as well for the New Years Eve countdown. That "black and white" corset top/thing I brought to wear for what I thought was a formal night, hey it was just too tight! I went back to my cabin, turned on the TV, got into my jammies, and watched the ball drop with the rest of America! Loved watching the photos of the rest of them on deck dancing away! We loved it when you finally enjoyed us "downstairs" in the VL in that blue sparkel dress on a later formal night!

Betty, you waking up in your clothes at 7am is very funny!!