Silver Muse Review

Silver Muse modifies itinerary to deal with unseasonable weather conditions and comes out a winner!

Review for Australia & New Zealand Cruise on Silver Muse
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553Makai
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Jan 2023
Wombat at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Tasmania
Kangaroo at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Tasmania
Tasmanian Devil at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Tasmania
WOODCRAFT SHOP, Bridge Street, Richmond, Tasmania,  This is a fascinating shop.
Silver Muse Grand Suite
Silver Muse Grand Suite Bedroom
The Hot Rocks Grill on the 10th deck of the Silver Muse for alfresco dining in both good weather and inclement weather conditions.  Great steaks, shrimp, and lamb!!!

We have waited over three years for this vacation to New Zealand and Australia. Our expectations were not as high as in the past due to global post pandemic supply chain issues, global personnel shortages, the restart of the Silver Muse only one month earlier. We also had suffered through three cancellations of this trip due to the pandemic and the closing of New Zealand and Australia. While our expectations were a bit lower for this trip, Silversea came through in extraordinary fashion with superlative service, outstanding accommodations, and excellent meals. Our only disappointment was missing Bay of Islands and Wellington due to sea conditions that did not allow access to either port.

Atlantide, Indochine, the Hot Rocks Grill and La Dame were outstanding places to dine for our evening meals and each offered a unique style or flavor that satisfied both our palate and senses. The Hot Rocks Grill alfresco dining was the big surprise as it was terrific in inclement weather as well as good weather. Grilling steak, shrimp, and lamb to meet our own taste on the heated volcanic rock was quite a treat. We enjoyed breakfast most days in Atlantide or if we had an early tour, we would have breakfast in the Arts Cafe. My only disappointment was that meats and fish were served a bit too well done for my liking. By the third day we learned we had to say "Rare" when we would normally be satisfied with "Medium rare."

Two of our tours were outstanding. The first was the "Bay of Plenty Foodie Tour." This tour took us to a pie bakery, an ice cream shop, Good Food Market in Mount Maunganui, an avocado orchard, and ended with great fish and chips as well as terrific seafood chowder at Maketu Beachside Cafe and Restaurant. At all locations we tasted the local flavors including locally produced chutney, Manukora honey, avocados, and a number of specialty foods. The other tour that must be mentioned is the "Tassie Devils and Richmond" in Hobart, Tasmania. The camera-ready morning starts with a tour of the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary where you will get up close and personal with a Tasmanian Devil, juvenile wombat and socialize with the resident kangaroo population. The historic town of Richmond was like stepping back in time with its architecture and its shops. Check out the Woodcraft Shop on Bridge Street or head into Sweets and Treats for an absolutely delicious ice cream cone. Be sure to take your camera, as Richmond and its shops are photogenic.

Cabin Review

We selected the cabin based on our preferences from previous cruise ship vacations. By all means, this suite was exceptional and was the best we have ever had on any cruise line. As a hobbyist photographer, the forward looking outside deck gave me plenty of opportunities to get shots that would not be available from the typical side facing veranda as we entered natural harbors such as Akaroa Harbour, Otago Harbour, and Tauranga Harbour. This suite definitely spoiled us!

Port Reviews

Akaroa

We took the long bus ride to Christchurch, but others stayed in Akaroa and enjoyed the marine life in the harbor.

Hobart

Hobart has been a bucket list city to visit for many years and it is an exceptional city with lots to see in easy walking distance. We were in Hobart on a Saturday and the local market "Farmers' market" stretched for several blocks including local fare from wines, beer, fish and chips, ice cream and many crafts. Gin tasting was also taking place across the street.

Tauranga

Despite the rain, we had a wonderful day touring the Bay of Plenty on the "Bay of Plenty Foodie Tour."

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