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I recently
had the opportunity to cruise on the Silver Cloud due to a client
cancellation, which was subsequently given away the ship to the American
Cancer Society in Puerto Rico. In this newsletter you can read a press
release from MPI that gives more details about the history of this
entire program. Needless to say this is one of the most “unique”
charters in the history of Worldwide so this ship review will be a bit
different as well.
To begin
with I am going to talk about the passenger’s reaction I experienced.
The passengers were made up of two automotive firms in Puerto Rico that
salvaged their cancelled incentive programs due to the charity nature of
this cruise, as well as donors who purchased cabins at an auction, as
well as ACS staff and friends. The vast majority of passengers had
never experienced a true luxury 5 Star cruise before but most had
cruised on other ships.
As I met
and spoke with passengers I could only help thinking that in many cases
these people were no different than many of the participants you and
Worldwide put out on our incentive programs. They have “won”, but in
this case purchased, a great prize but really don’t know what they have
gotten. Without exception I found that the people were totally
overwhelmed with every aspect of the ship starting with their suites,
the service, the food, the customized entertainment and the entire
onboard ambiance.
Having
been introduced at an award presentation I found that there wasn’t a
place to hide from receiving compliments about the event in general and
the ship in specific, from anyone that pasted by. The participants by
and large were Caribbean Auto Dealers and many professionals and
business owners from Puerto Rico, and no stranger to cruise ships.
These people were totally blown away by the Legendary Service of
Silversea’s and the accommodations. Needless to say unlimited open
bars, wines with meals and fantastic food was something most people had
never experienced on a cruise ship.
While
many of you who are reading this have experienced a 5 Star ship or
possibly a Silversea ship before, don’t forget to think about the
participants who will ultimately enjoy the reward you are creating. In
our industry too many of us tend to take for granted the 5 star
experiences we create or get to experience. In this case I got to see
first hand the reaction of hundreds of people as they experienced their
first 5 star cruise. It is something I will never forget and I know
that those passengers will never as well.
I have
not cruised with Silversea since Christian Sauleau has taken over ships
operations and most importantly responsibility for F&B. I have known
Christian professionally and personally for many years and regard him as
one of the finest hoteliers at sea and let me tell you he doesn’t
disappoint you. While Silversea has long been a 5 star cruise line,
personally I really was never that impressed with the food and menu
selections, while they have always been good they never were great. I
can now tell you they are great!
The
food, menus and service have all gone to the next level, if there is
such a thing in the rarified world of 5 star cruise ships. Trust me you
will never look at a menu or go to buffet and only see one entrée that
looks interesting or inviting. Each meal is more interesting than the
last one with the taste and presentation equal to description. Even a
deck BBQ takes on a whole new meaning on the Silver Cloud.
The
Silver Cloud might be one of Silversea’s original ships but she looks as
good as new. Carrying only 296 passengers you have plenty of space to
enjoy without crowds of people any where on the ship. The vast majority
of the suites have verandas that are of a very good size for lounging
the day away. All suites are well appointed with the upper level
suites having butler service, to be added to all suites in 2010.
Needless
to say the Cloud is a small intimate ship where the crew will quickly
remember your name and preferences. Ships of this size are great for
clients wanting there people to inter-react with other company employees
on a more casual level. The three bars and lounges are more than ample
for a ship of this size and two of them have a very “clubby” feeling in
the evening.
Dining
options consist of three different venues. The pool grill is the place
for swim suits and relaxing by the pool. The Restaurant is the main
dining room, that can hold the entire ship, serves breakfast, lunch and
dinner with an international menu selection. The La Terazza does double
duty as a buffet venue for breakfast and lunch and then as an up scale
Italian restaurant in the evening.
Relais &
Chateaux has been a long time partner with Silversea and contributes to
evening menu selections in both venues. On top of these three options
there is another surprise, at additional charge, the Saletta Restaurant
in which Relais & Chateaux has designed a special set tasting menu along
with a pairing of wines for a truly unforgettable experience. A great
place for that special evening of recognition on a private basis. Of
course 24 hour room service is also available.
On this
particular cruise the entertainment was customized for the Puerto Rican
market so I did not get to see the standard entertainment as normally
provided.
While
the price of a Silversea cruise is not exactly cheap the all inclusive
nature of the cruise should make you take another look when doing a
comparison to other cruises in mind. Your Silversea cruise includes;
Port
charges, taxes, crew gratuities, pre-selected fine wines with lunch and
dinner, open bar throughout the ship (except for some real top shelf
items and champagnes), French champagne is poured as house champagne in
the bars, welcome bottle of French champagne in all suites, stocked mini
bar and ability to order in suite bar beverages, ask for your favorite
wine selection from the “house list” and you get it at no charge,
personalized stationary, fresh fruit (replenished as required), fresh
flowers, complimentary shoe shines, in suite movies, three times daily
cabin service, no charge for alternative dining except for the over the
top Saletta, and never a feeling of being nickel and dimed to death on
these ships.
It is
with great confidence we say that a Silversea Cruise is one of the top
cruises in the market today and should be considered for both groups and
charters.
Report submitted by Steve Bloss -
Feb 2009. The view expressed in the report are solely those of the
author and do not necessarily represent those of WWTCA |
