Last Day Tidbits

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I fly home tomorrow, so here’s a grab-bag of tidbits.

Last night was the get-together of those passengers that have travelled on Silversea more than once. They call their loyalty program “The Venetian Society” – remember Silversea began with Italian ownership. Depending on how many days you’ve cruised with Silversea perks include:

  • 100 days – 5% savings on future cruises
  • 250 days – 10% savings on future cruises
  • 350 days (and every 150 days after that) – complimentary 7-day voyages

In addition, once you have 100 days laundry is free – it’s funny how big a thing that is. I passed 200 days on this cruise; a 2019 world cruise really adds to the sum. At the party we were told that the passenger on this segment with the most has 2225 days. That’s over six years of cruising on Silversea!

The combined total of days for the 400+ Venetian passengers on board was over 50,000 days.

One thing I forgot to mention at St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands – they drive on the left side of the road. This has been carried over from when they were transferred to the US in 1917. I think they are the only part of the US that does.

On the Water

After 2 1/2 months on the Silver Moon, I must compare and contrast to the Silver Whisper. However, keep this in mind:

  • On the Whisper, 80% of the passengers were on for the entire world cruise. You found the other passenger who shared your personality and interests.
  • On the Moon only 20% of the passengers were on for the entire grand voyage. So, there was a different vibe on the ship every segment as 400 new people joined.

On the Silver Whisper I like:

  • The intimacy – you quickly felt at home on this smaller ship
  • As a smaller ship, it could go upriver and dock downtown in many cities that large ships could not

On the Silver Moon I like:

  • The number of smaller, focused restaurants
  • The S.A.L.T. teaching kitchen

As an example, the Whisper had “afternoon tea” at the Panorama Lounge where you can come, drink tea and eat finger food. It was an event, documented on the daily schedule. The Moon has a cafe where you can get tea and snacks at any time, but it’s not an event that brings the passengers together. Some of this is probably due to the larger number of passengers on the Moon (600 vs 300). I understand that, but it’s still there as a difference.

I think both ships have advantages, and I would not use that as a deciding factor in planning a future cruise. However, future Silversea ships will hold over 750 passengers. That may be the limit how many passengers you can host and still maintain the “personal touch” that separates Silversea from the non-luxury cruise lines.

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