Silver Cloud Review

4.0 / 5.0
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Luxury Cruise Falls Short w/ limited Excursions in Iceland

Review for the British Isles & Western Europe Cruise on Silver Cloud
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trippinMajorTom
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Aug 2014

Traveled from Reykjavik to Southhampton in late August departing ship on September 1. Airport transfer in Reykjavik was confusing. Guide left people stranded at airport and we had to return back to airport - there were only about 20 people on the transfer so it is strange that these minor logistics could not be better handled. The Grand Hotel is anything but Grand. Hotel is located in an office park a good distance from the core of town and there really was very few services, etc., walkable nearby. Registration at the hotel was not smooth. Hotel personnel seemed confused and overwhelmed by the bus load of folks coming and going. The hotel is a former Holiday Inn and being the largest in Iceland it really acts like a convention hotel, not the type of hotel that a luxury line should place their guests. Food quality was poor. The ebarkation from the hotel to ship stayed on the same subpar level. Sat on a coach for almost 1 hour waiting for the loading of luggage - again this is reflective of the type of hotel and personnel. Had hoped to use our own bathing suits to vist Blue Lagoon trip arranged through Silverseas but were rushed off before we could even get settled. Rented suits at the Lagon and the guide was excetional and helpful. Difficult to understand how this was so rushed when the ship was scehduled to depart at 10 pm. Other excursions: Vestmannaeyjar on Heimaey Island tour was very good. The guide grew up on the island and talked about this personal experiences with the 1973 volcano eruption. This was the cheapest tour offerred by the excursion office and I think one of the best of the tour. Unfortunately, there were only two tours offerred in Djupivogur and many were sold out months in advance. When asked if other tours could be added, the excusion office said no. Very limited options on your own with such a small location. Was most disappointed because this is why we choose the itinerary. Full day tour of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis was again rushed. We spent a whopping 20 minutes at the Callanish Stones. Lunch at hotel in Tarbert was good - but the itinerary promised a viewing of Harris Tweed manufacturing. Instead we were dumped at the store. Not what was promised. A taxi tour of Belfast could have easily been arranged on our own. The shipped charged $169 per person for a 3-4 hour tour and then put four people in the taxi. Riding backwards on a tour (for two people) is not something that one would expect from a luxury cruise line. This is gouging - $676 for a taxi tour - unbelievable. I know the economy is not doing that well in Ireland but come on Silverseas, it this your idea of luxury? Dublin Heritage Tour was better only because we had an excpetional young lady as a guide - very personable, informative and entertaining. A tour of Waterford and the crystal factory was awful - like sheep herded through a town. Most of the guests on this tour were elderly and using chairs and sticks. The guide kept saying that there were three cruise ships in town and our ship was late. She pretty much left us behind. A Silversea's staff person was with us and even she was dumfounded. The tour consisted of a very brisk walk through town, a pub visit and tour of the factory and then walk back to the bus through the guide's perferred tourist trap shop, a very poor reflection on Silverseas in my opinion. I know that a number of guests mentioned their dissatisfaction with the "tour".

The speaker on the cruise, Peter Crimes was informative but after 20 minutes, it was like listening to finger nails on a chalkboard.

Cabin Review

Cabin VES

Good location mid-ship level. Close to everything. Nice accommodations. Good bed and linens. Have traveled numerous times with all the luxury carriers. This was our first female butler and she was exceptional! Best part of the cruise. Myrina was very accommodating and truly what one expects from a luxury line. Only visted the main dining room three times. Maitre de Damien was indifferent. We left after appitizers on formal night after being sat next to an exit door and the service station. Service as rushed and plates were being grabed before completing the course. Had the best dinners and service in LaTerrazza. Paul David was an exceptional host, friendly to all, observant and accommodating. He should be running both the restaurants.

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