The long wait was over, we are in a car heading for the port of San Pedro to join Silversea's, "Silver Shadow" for a 26 day cruise to French Polynesia and Hawaii. The anticipation and long thread on CC attested to the many questions we and other floaters had about this "all inclusive" luxury voyage. The embarkation time on our documents showed 3PM but it was Super Bowl Sunday! Would they let us board early so I could enjoy the game? We arrived at 1:30PM, our luggage was taken as soon as the trunk was opened and as the walk to the security and check-in area was rather long, a wheel chair was offered and gratefully accepted, as the male member of this pair does have a mobility problem. Slam, bam thank you mam and we were deposited on the gangway to be greeted by a smiling CD, Susan Wood who, in a beautiful North of England accent welcomed us aboard. I immediately recognized the accent as being from Newcastle on Tyne, the home town that I had departed 60 years previously. What a great way to commence this journey. We were escorted to our suite; a mid-ship veranda on deck 8, by a charming young lady who, with a wide smile, took our carry-on's and led the way. Her smile was to be seen on the faces of all the crew for the entire Silversea experience. We were directed to the Terrace restaurant where we were greeted by the head waiter who led us to our table and the sumptuous buffet, which again, the quality of which was to be equaled every day of the voyage. The quality and range of the offerings was the equal of what we have experienced on other luxury cruise lines. There was always a waiter to carry your plate from the buffet back to your table. (An excellent service as, carrying your plate as the vessel bounced over large swells during the cruise was a great challenge even to the most agile.) By the time lunch was completed we returned to our suite where our luggage had been deposited. Our butler, Kumar, a native of Madras, India, introduced himself and assisted us in unpacking , hanging our clothes,supplying the pants hangers that were not in the closet and stowing our suitcases under the bed. Our suite was just as advertised and described in many CC reviews. The Super Bowl was broadcast on the ample flat panel TV, interrupted by us setting up our living space. We found the bed and its furnishings very comfortable. The refrigerator was stocked as ordered, the live white orchid lasted throughout the cruise! An internet connection was quickly established and the quality and speed were very satisfactory - we Used Skype throughout the voyage with great results.

Our first impression of the ship was that it was in good condition but the furnishings, carpets etc., were in need of replacement. The passengers were in the majority, mature and, as we later found out, from many parts of the world. They were just as described in SS brochures, "well traveled and sophisticated."

Our first dinner aboard was with a couple who we met by accident some time before the cruise. The meal was excellent but we observed that the menu was not as extensive as we had been accustomed to on the other lines upon which we had sailed. It was not until a few days later that we learned that, providing it was ordered from the HW or MD, with 24 hours notice, the kitchen could deliver almost any item desired, eg, Dover Sole, Escargot, rib steak etc. We ate on most nights in the MDR with fellow passengers we had met and invited to dine with us. Our dining companions on many nights were the guest lecturers who provided us with many hours of enjoyment and great conversation,we also ate with some CC members we had met on the thread. Service was very good on the majority of nights with the dining room staff very cognoscente of each diner's preferences. Unfortunately our dinner companions of the first night received tragic family news the first night out and in their case, they were most impressed with the services delivered to them by a compassionate SS crew. They had to fly back to Los Angeles from a very remote island in the Marquesas, all the arrangements were made for them by the shore excursions team. In our estimations this was a giant plus for the SS team. Coincidentally, some friends of long standing were aboard and we enjoyed several dinners with them. It's a small cruising world!!! Read more