Embarkation. I was told very clearly that I could embark on the Silver Wind, in Istanbul, at 3PM, but that I could drop off luggage at 11AM. I asked about this very particularly, and that was the answer. When I arrived at the ship at noon to drop off luggage, I was ushered into the ship and told that "of course" I could embark. That was disconcerting but ok, although I might have changed my plans if I had been told that in advance. The Restaurant was closed, so I went up to the buffet, which was pretty much the way it was later on in the cruise, and had a nice lunch.

Dining. Both in the dining room and in the Terrazza buffet the choices were more limited than on the ships I have sailed in the past. The quality of the food was generally ok, although the special ordered steak was tough and occasionally the food was overcooked. I ordered a pasta appetizer, as did the ladies to my left. When it came, all of to stuck together and one of the ladies said to the other that it was obviously microwaved; I agreed silently. In no way would I consider the food up to the quality of a superior restaurant in a major city. One time, though, bears special (egregious) mention.

My wife was served some fish that was so salty it was inedible. She sent it back and they brought another serving of the same fish; again it was far too salty. The waiter returned to the table, and seeing our distress, he explained that all of that fish was too salty, and that they knew it in the kitchen. I can not understand why they would have served it, knowing that it was bad, and why on earth they would have served a second portion, again knowing that the first had been rejected. It makes no sense; was noone paying attention? Read more