My husband and I have just returned from our March 7 - 15th Galapagos Islands Cruise and we cannot wipe the smile off our faces. Our hundreds of photos are a beautiful reminder of what we experienced and learned. Silver Seas has mastered the Art of cruising, in making their guests feel like no one is more important than them. The staff is not only helpful but always pleasant and most resourceful! The naturalists are phenomenal...always taking good care in all circumstances..including getting on and off and "up and Down" the Zodiacs..:) and providing the best information to us. Our cabin person Leo could not have been more available to our needs and the dining room staff...headed by Christian, made every meal a dining experience.....under the most creative Chef...and pardon me...but I am lost to come up with her name.....but she was exemplary in her food prep, creativity, presentation and offerings of local foods..including a very fine fish selection. Tom and I met people from all over the world amongst the 90 guests and hopefully we will connect with them down the road. One observation, I would make is to not take along or purchase the Keen open water sandles, as they do allow sand and stones to get in upon a wet landing. The ship sells excellent closed nylon/rubber water shoes and while pricey, you are able to use any Cruise Credit to purchase them along with the excellent toggled hats to protect from the sun. I would redo this trip in a heartbeat..but taking in the western islands this time. Thanks to the Silver Seas staff and organization for an unforgettable week with you. Wendy Hickey & Tom Gallagher Read Less

Overrated., oversold..dated ship.. staff unprofessional... unorganized.. not a luxury ship at all. From the moment we boarded the ship( had to carry our carryon ourselves) we sensed something was not right. Although the weather stopped us from going to most of our ports, the crew certainly did not make up for what was lost. Finally got us to Dominican Republic( not planned) and they planned excursion only for 40 people ( ship held (295). So many of us wanted to finally get off the ship as we could not because if the weather. We asked the director to help us find another excursion and they simply would not help us. We had to find our own and transportation too Excuse was they could not get connect with any hotels or taxi service. In a manner of minutes we set everything up! It was bizarre. They just did not care. It just lacked in luxury as was advertised and sold. Compared to other ship lines we have been on Silverseas is really not top notch at all. The food was average. Service in the restaurants was very poor and communication with the staff was difficult. We had one server out of all, Jerry who was a professional and we tried to find him throughout the ship when we dined.. A wine tasting was planned one day at 11:15am? Why? Makes no sense. We even paid extra for La Dame restaurant which is highly overrated. No future trips will be planned with Silverseas. Read Less

We like the cruise it was small ship i was shock about the jogging track it didn't look like the picture . Emergency drill was get but when the crew did there they barge in room 422 that where they keep the crew life jacket . . They block with rope between 429-431 & 433-435 other than that it was fine so you step over to get to the main dinner restaurant and elevator . For people confusion there was no 430 or 434 . The newspaper was a day behind unfortunately the sad part it was on the tv & in your itinerary . Free movie, free tv show episode , menu , live tv with 20 channel. The fitness centre was great so there were 2 separate and new machine call scale runner for kid to understand it like the the dog walker treadmill in Jetson . There no elevator to deck 9 . You can tour other sliver sea ship and eat for a day but be back on your original boat by 6pm. Not lot of kids around 6 with 2 babies what hear about the sliver spirt there was about 6-8 on that boat. Show room and card room was master so was the library and panorama lounge. Read Less

I chose to do two back to back cruises to cover as much of the islands as possible. This was the best decision I could have made. I will not go into the wonders of these Islands, just my shipboard experience. Embarkation after the flight over to the Galapagos was excellent and well organised from the wharf to registering on the ship. My balcony cabin was spotlessly clean and well appointed and the balcony well worth the extra cost even with the solo supplement. My butler and cabin cleaner were very good and helpful whenever necessary. Dining was a joy with Chef Carlo Bermudez catering to all diets with plenty of variety and his Yucca Bread was absolutely delicious. He did a tasting menu for the few doing the two cruises one night, oh my, how good was that as were the wines and how lucky were we. The Hot Rocks Restaurant was the usual Silverseas high standard and much fun was had at this venue whilst enjoying the great food. Lunch on the deck was very popular but as other people have commented, not enough room, however hopefully the new ship will have an extended area. The Chef was cooking local food here every day and was so good to be able to sample these foods. Service was exemplary, the occasional language difficulty in the restaurant but nothing that could not be solved easily. The Expedition Team were experienced and very knowledgeable, looking after us on land and sea and we were so lucky to have these people guiding us through this wonderland. The treks and snorkelling in particular, were fantastic. Another highlight was watching approximately 200 Galapagos Sharks hanging around the ship one night in the light, one of the most awesome sights I have seen anywhere in the world. Captain Karin Chacon was very obvious by his presence, interacting with the guests and such a lovely gentleman. I was lucky enough to spend some time with him and enjoy his wealth of knowledge of the area. All in all, much more than I expected with a crew that really tries to make sure you have the very best of experiences, and succeeded. Thanks to you all Read Less

We wanted to try the Silver Muse after hearing all about it when on the Silver Spirit. It’s amazing. I can’t actually think of anything that needs to change. The suites are lovely. We were on the eighth floor so it was quiet and the suite so spacious. We didn’t see much of our butler but given the demands of the more elderly American passengers I think their work was cut out ! We tried every restaurant and loved them all. What makes Silverseas so different is just the friendliness of all the staff. They are definitely getting it right in terms of engaged staff. The pool area is lovely and never gets too busy apart from perhaps days at sea. They have some double sunbeds which I haven’t seen before but they are great. The entertainment was ok. The highlight was the ballet dances. A couple from the Bolshoi who were amazing. The other singers were okay but never felt very authentic to me. Now that we have experienced two cruises on Silverseas I think we have landed our choice and are looking forward to the next fabulous experience aboard the Muse. Read Less

The Butler service is amazing! The Food is fabulous! And such variety!! They had food from the areas that we were visiting at the restaurants. My 22 year old daughter was with me, and if she did not want the food from one particular restaurant, they were only too willing to get what she wanted from another restaurant on board! All the drinks you can possibly want at any time of the day very good quality liquor. The staff was always checking to see if you were hydrated, or would like a drink! The excursions are absolutely wonderful - but you will have to take some time to figure out which one you want to do. There are many to choose from - but every one we did was educational, well planned, thrilling, historical, artistic and DOABLE... whether or not physical agility was required. You will LEARN about the WORLD! They make you feel very special - wonderful entertainment - great dancers and singers. Everyone of the staff knows your name! Read Less

If you're looking for the lounging around cruise where you're just laying out by the pool and stuffing your face with quantity and not quality...this is not the cruise! This one is definitely an Expedition Type where there are several hiking and nature walks around several islands. At times, you feel as though you're seeing the same stuff...."You've seen one booby...you've seen them all"! However, overall the educational experience as well as seeing animals SO CLOSE in the nature is simply amazing! Like the animals are not even afraid of humans - Definitely like you're visiting THEIR home. Although rather expensive, SilverSea does an excellent job for the value. Food quality was very good with all the premium liquor on board too - nice touch! Transportation and shuttles both arriving and departing were excellent and well organized. Great experience for our 10yr old that I'm sure he will never forget! Great personalized service and excellent cruise staff members. Read Less

We flew from Cleveland to Oslo, Norway where we met up with most of the other passengers. Hotel was booked downtown to let us enjoy a bit of Oslo before catching an early charter flight the next morning to Longyearbyen where we would meet the Silver Cloud. We love Level 6 on the Cloud because it is close to the Expedition Desk, the reception desk and on the same level as the auditorium where presentations and briefings are held. The Cloud originally held about 300 passengers but now takes about 200 as it was retrofitted for Expeditions which require zodiacs and kayaks.Our cabin was roomy and had a large screen TV. Unfortunately, the satellite signal in the arctic wasn't strong so often you couldn't get live TV. You could still watch movies. Everything is included on Silversea. We ate in four different restaurants and also had room service. Alcohol is free whether it be hard liquor, wine or beer.Top shelf brands. The expeditions were well planned and offered a variety of options. Most involved zodiacs with both wet and dry landings. Silversea provided personal parka, backpacks and water bottles which you take home with you at the end of the cruise. Butler and maid service are outstanding. They are always there but not under your feet.Food is high quality with choices at every meal. You can always ask for something special and if they can make it you will get it.Our Expedition Team was outstanding. Very knowledgeable, informative and approachable. You are urged to invite them to dinner. Captain Taillard was refreshing. He is outgoing and personable. He worked hard to find ice and bear for us. We ended up having g dinner with him the night that the Silver Cloud went the farthest North that any Silversea ship has gone. We have already booked our next Silversea Cruise. In all we have sailed on four of their ships. All have had high quality of service and staff. Read Less

Room as not huge but very serviceable. The balcony held two and made ample use of it for sleeping and reading. The fridge was stocked with water, beers and sodas. If I had wanted wine, they would have supplied. The closet was ample for two people, with drawers and hangers. The bathroom contained both a tub and shower and we could choose among several options which soaps and shampoos they would stock. My wife was impressed with the room and its amenities. The room included a vanity and mirror so she would apply make up if was using the shower, etc. We were on a wellness cruise so I used the fitness center which included weight machines, free weights, several elliptical and bikes. There were also saunas and steam rooms and changing rooms, as well as a pool and outside hot tub. The food was fantastic. We had in room breakfast every day and used their buffet lunches with dinners with our group at The Restaurant. The food and service was excellent. The staff was very well trained and apparently this ship is very well managed. Exceeded our expectations. Read Less

Enjoy all inclusive smaller ships. Spirit going in for a face lift and expansion so will be even nicer ship when completed. Cabins are larger than most... dining experience at lunch is excellent... dinner choices are less appealing. Excellent entertainment. Overall service is outstanding. The ports on this itinerary were very disappointing...but sea days were excellent. Fitness center is very small and poorly laid out... equipment faces the wall...and the TV's and audio were not working. Not really a family cruise...mostly senior adults.. romantic atmosphere. Venetian Society has a couple advantages, discounts, cocktail reception... but given the fact liquor is included for the cruise ...cocktail reception isn't really a perk. As with other cruise lines, if you book another cruise while on board, there's an additional discount... which we wanted to take advantage of but we waited until the last day and the consultant on board was busy with other guests so we missed the opportunity for a 10% discount. Read Less

This is a great way to see the Galapagos. As I said to the Silversea rep from whom I bought the cruise, "Where else can you act like you are in your 20's during the day's activities and go back to being 70+ when back at the ship?". Caution, however: You do have to be willing to be physically taxed. Getting on to and off the ship is not for disabled, crippled or otherwise challenged individuals, because the very nature of having to get into and out of Zodiacs, which are small bobbly vessels. Staff make doing this as safe and easy as possible, but they are what they are. We were well taken care of, mostly personally, and always well from the time we got out of baggage claim in Guayaquil until the moment we passed through security on our way home. Silversea reps were all uniformly friendly, helpful and efficient. The ship's crew and hotel staff, and the guiding staff as well, were all highly professional and certainly more than willing to go the extra step to making everyone welcome, cared for, happy - and safe - the whole time. The itinerary and daily expedition parts of the cruise were extremely well planned and executed. There was something interesting and new at virtually every stop and several of the guides (Martin, Ernesto, Marco) are absolutely first class. They are intelligent, impart information without fluff or padding, know their stuff thoroughly and guide extremely well. (They also have a pretty good handle on herding cats without letting frustrations show.) On stops, passengers are broken down into Zodiac/guide groups of 14-14 and we always tried to make sure we were with one of these three. (Our experience with one or two of the other guides was indifferent, suggesting they have a bit to learn yet.) Food and drink service was uniformly good, often superior to excellent. Staff get to know you quickly, what you drink and how you like to be treated. And they do so with warmth and aplomb. A few are clearly still learning their trade and sometimes a bit hesitant or flustered, but all are willing and rapidly becoming able. Food also was very good. The breakfast spread is varied, plenteous and more than enough to satisfy anyone's tastes and appetite. Ditto for lunch on the patio and dinner in the dining room, with menus changing daily. You also have the option of reserving a place in The Grill for dinner in the evening, where the menu is a bit more limited, but beautifully served in a great outdoor atmosphere. Roberto, our waiter there was super: Knowledgeable, efficient, always friendly and extremely personable. What else can I say? If I had know that there were two different itineraries, I would have booked for two cruises back to back (i.e., two weeks). It is that good an experience. This is the best way to see the Galapagos for people who like to do things and are also old enough to want to enjoy the experience without hardship or dealing with third-world "adventure" when the day is done. Age doesn't necessarily matter: It is, however, for people who are reasonably fit and adventuresome. If you are relatively young and really fit, you will have a tremendous time snorkelling and kayaking. [One night I had a bit of a stomach upset, and this was mentioned on other days by one or two other people we met. I don't know whether this was just my older body reacting to the desalinated water supply aboard. But it was nowhere near enough to slow me down the next day.] Read Less

All aspects of this cruise went very smoothly. We started in Baltra and ended the cruise in San Cristobal. Siversea's hotel and transfer arrangements prior to and after the cruise were first class. The guides were some of the very best we've encountered. Extremely knowledgeable and very enthusiastic. They were also readily available on the ship to answer questions, share stories or simply engage in pleasant conversation. Onboard the dining was excellent and all the staff were friendly and very helpful with any request large or small. Lunch served on the open 5th deck was especially pleasant with panoramic views of the nearby islands. The Galapagos is a challenging destination and the program was well designed to accommodate people of different ages and physical abilities. This was our first Silversea experience and we will certainly book with this line again. Our fellow passengers were a well traveled group from a wide range of backgrounds and countries. Read Less

Pluses: - Well organized and executed excursions which fortunately led to lifetime memories such as snorkeling in the midst of a penguin feeding frenzy, watching a dozen wild dolphins leap in unison several times ahead of the ship, swimming with sea lions and manta rays, standing inches from three foot long iguanas, and other priceless interactions with unafraid animals. - quality of meals was quite good, especially dinners which were five course meals with innovative and subtle takes on South American fusion and more conventional dishes. Lunch at the Grill, a beautiful outside terrace, featured grilled lobster and fresh fish and excellent salad bar, Ecuadorian soups and stews, and top quality desserts - naturalist guides and service generally, from the butlers to waiters to massage therapist and piano bar musician, were uniformly friendly and highly competent. Likeable and knowledgeable. Israel was an excellent expedition leader and a couple of the naturalists, Ernesto and Juan Carlos, each had decades of guide experience. Minuses: - our veranda suite was too cold, and it wasn’t until repeated tries and five days into the seven day cruise that the engineer was able to fix the air conditioning - the lunch ended at 130 but the dinner didn’t start until 730 pm. Very sparse food other than a bare bones room service menu was available until dinner, which meant many were tired and hungry at the end of long days. And the late dinner meant going to bed too soon (excursions began as early as 7 am) - given that water temperature was in the mid to high 60s F, the cruise should have provided full wetsuits, not shorty wetsuits, to all customers. We brought our own full wetsuits (3 mm and 5 mm thickness) and were so glad we did as the four snorkeling trips would have been miserable without that. Overall, my wife and I rated the cruise a solid A, with A plus for the animal sightings, A for the personnel, A for the food, and B plus for the accommodations and dinner time problems noted. Read Less

I selected this cruise due to itinerary and the flight purchase inclusion. I had never experienced 'all inclusive cruising' and was not disappointed. There was an issue that I've taken to corporate; feel it was an anomaly and am disappointed it hasn't been fully addressed to date. Barring that and ship repairs that interrupted the entire cruise on the pool deck, I would love to have an unblemished experience in the future. The staff is incredible and their attention to each person aboard is to be commended. My Butler Mae, our sommelier Marco and everyone in La Terrazzo , the fitness leader Katerina were above outstanding. Jeffrey in the Panorama Lounge was very entertaining and very accommodating. I dined in the dining room only a few times and they address me by name - appreciated! I enjoyed out Bridge instructors and the lessons. I am remiss at remembering all of the names of the staff I would like to commend. Silversea, please address the unpleasantness of the suite issue. I want to recommend this line to all! Read Less

Silver Sea serves up another faultless cruise. And this one, an Expedition Cruise, if far more difficult to make work than their more conventional offerings. The Galapagos Islands are one of the worlds most magical places. Silver Sea sails it with their expedition ship, the Silver Galapagos, which has a maximum capacity of 100 guests. This gives guests the best of both worlds. Its staterooms, food, service, everything is up the to the high standards Silver Sea sets. And yet the ship is is configured for outdoor adventure. The ship is an older ship that was completely overhauled in 2013-14 so it’s age is not a factor, it is nearly as good as new. This trip is all about nature. Do not expect broadway shows at night. But do expect standing on the aft deck looking at the millions of stars that seem to light up the night sky. Every day there are 2-3 field trips, usually one hike and one snorkel. The Galapagos are virgin and pristine. It is like stepping back into prehistoric times. The Ecuadorian government deserves great credit in keeping it so. The number of visitors is strictly limited, the Silver Galapagos is right at the limit of 100 set for passenger ships. Nearly every island is deserted. These are not lush, green and flowered, think more of the desert in Arizona. Each island shows the remnants of volcanic activity, there are dormant volcano cones nearly everywhere. And it seems each island has its own species of wild life. There are of course the giant Galapagos tortoises, colonies of thousands of marine iguanas, more elusive land iguanas and thousands of sally light foot crabs. And birds everywhere, the famed blue footed boobies, red footed boobies, flightless cormorants, penguins, and giant red throated frigate birds that will gather by the hundreds in feeding frenzies. But, for me, the real action is in the water, snorkeling, just atop mild swells. There the giant green turtles leave the beach to mate, it is hard to maneuver your way through them there are so many that are otherwise occupied. There are sea lion rookeries, with so many of these mammals sensitized to humans that they come out to play with you, diving under you, over you, and somehow never colliding. Then there are the coral reef fish, thousands, like the Caribbean used to be a couple of decades ago before reef death started to take over. Brightly colored coral teeming with thousands of fish everywhere you look. Now for the most helpful tips I can offer up. The rear of deck 3 is the snorkeling center. Silver Sea, provides all the gear you need, mask, fins snorkels, and half wetsuits. You will need a wet suit. Even though the Galapagos sits right on the equator the water is not as warm as you would imagine because of the convergence of three Atlantic currents in its vicinity including the Humboldt. I brought all my gear and found I could have left my wet suit and fins at home. I would bring or invest in a really good mask for your personal use. With one exception all snorkeling expeditions are made from a zodiac. Zodiacs will be your primary source of transportation on this trip. The ship’s staff are extremely skillful in getting clients in and out of these small boats (capacity about 16). Just carefully follow their instructions and you will be fine, you grip forearm to forearm and then step in. I did not see one accident while on the cruise. Do not be put off by these logistics. The majority of those on my cruise were 60+ and they were game for just about anything. To their credit, they proved a much more seaworthy group than I would have first thought. The crew are pros and take extraordinary care of you. You will absolutely need to invest in a pair of closed toe water shows. Manufacturers like Keen and Merrell make them and they cost about $100 a pair. These are necessary because you will be making both wet and dry landings form the zodiacs. And in a over the top Silver Sea service, your butler will dry your shoes when you return from you your day’s activities and leave them on a tray in your room all ready for the next adventure. Really. I would also bring a sturdy pair of broken in hiking shoes and one pair of loafers for the evening. You will absolutely need one of those jungle hats with the wide brims to keep the sun off. Make sure you buy one with a chin strap that can be tightened or it will blow away in the zodiacs winds. Bring layers of lightweight clothes, for both warm and cold. There is no predicting what the weather is going to be. I made a mistake, reading that the islands are on the equator, and I opted for almost all warm weather clothes and this proved a mistake, for it was chilly outside start gazing on some nights and I wish I had some warmer gear. Do not bring jeans, they will get wet and heavy. Again, visit your local REI store and invest in some technical lightweight pants, shorts and tops. Unlike other Silver Sea cruises, this is not a fashion show, and because of the weight limits imposed by South American airlines you should travel as light as possible. Sports jackets for men are not required or needed. Save the packing space. One of the best things about this trip was the quality of the expedition team leaders. Each is responsible for bringing ashore, or into the water, the passengers of one of the zodiacs. I should name them all but since they vary I will save the space and believe they are all as good as the ones we had. These men and women all possess degrees in botany, biology, naturalism, undersea biology, ornithology, in short they really know their stuff. In addition through years of experience, they all possess great sets of eyes, able to pick out carefully camouflaged birds, animals and sea life. The guides too, treat the islands with the utmost reverence and respect. If any sort of stray object appears on a trail, even a Kleenex they will pick it up and dispose of it later. Lastly, this trip may seem daunting or intimating to older travels. But do not let this dissuade you. There were a number of people in their mid 70’s with walking sticks and canes who came through with flying colors and for whom I have a lot of respect. One final tip, and let this be a Cruise Critic insider. When you get through snorkeling you come aboard on deck 3 aft. You will be chilly. Quickly peel off your wet suit, just drop it and pick it up later, and hurry your way up to the whirlpool on deck 6 (there is only one with a capacity of 6) and sit there in very warm water while the rest of your fellow snorkelers shiver their way to their showers. This is Silver Sea, and it is expensive. But it is worth every penny. Get there and do this before El Nino, Global Warming, or man ruins it. You may never get a another chance to visit deserted prehistoric islands again. Carpe Diem Read Less

I did not like paying for all my excursions off the ship. Being charged additional for 2 of the 4 restaurants on board was very petty. I felt after saying all food was included was a lie. The food was excellent and so was the service. The pool was closed 2 days do to filter issues and the excersiize facility was too small. Two of the 4 machines were out of order! Not very appealing for a choice for a second cruise! I felt I was overcharged and underdelivered on my cruise package!!! I am a Colonel in a Bourbon Society in SC and the 2 Bourbon selection Jim Beam and Makers Mark were very poor A 2 star Bourbon for a 5 star cruise! You need Blantons and Woodford Reserve at a minimum! Wake up and smell the roses....we did meet 2 nice couples on board and the Artwork was excellent. You did not offer photos as a souvenir or an art show or auction.. Read Less

We went to celebrate our wedding anniversary on the Silver Muse, our expectations were exceded, what an intelligent selection we made. The organisation, logistic, attention and service provided are amazing, you can feel the intentions of the personnel to make your stay confortable, enjoyable and well taken care off. The SHIP... Oooohhh THE SHIP what a MUSE, well named! clean, neat, peaceful, happy, confortable, we enjoyed everything. Must of all the system of the different restaurant and the flexibility to make reservations at different hours, I coordinated the times according to the ports departures to have the most time at land, the wine list SUPERB! the meals exquisite high-end cuisine.The entertainment on board made us meet new friends and enjoy each show and bar with them, My Butler OSCAR FERRER a must at silver, made our anniversary night amazing! Memories we made at MUSE are a keepsake in our hearts! Read Less

I have always liked the Whisper but will never take a segment of a world cruise again. In this segment, the majority of the passengers had been on this cruise since January and had established little groups to dine, drink and socialize thus the new passengers had to find other new passengers in order to have a good time. This segment from Dubai to Athens had fewer new passengers due to the possible danger passing Yemen and other countries in the news but the tours to Luxor, Petra and Gisa were very worthwhile and Silversea takes precautions and has never had a threatening incident. The familiar crew on the Whisper helped make the trip more enjoyable. On the next segment from Athens to Monte Carlo, it was reported that 160 new passengers would board so I'm sure they outnumbered the tired world cruisers but we have cruised the Mediterranean many times and had seen many portsand we departed the Whisper in Athens. The food was wonderful in all dining venues and tasted better than I had remembered. The evening entertainment was professional and entertaining, Day lectures were educational and worthwhile and included a travel professional who highlighted the upcoming tours with a visual presentation describing history and cultural advice and additional sights. On days at sea, two speakers entertained passengers, one on British spies during World War 1 and two The other speaker told us his fascinating experience in Africa with camels. He actually rode by camel across the Gobi desert. Also on the British experience in Africa. The swimming pool was active with sun worshippers throughout the day as well as the hot tubs. Underwater exercises took place at 2 pm followed by water volleyball at 3. Read Less

My husband I had been looking for a Silversea cruise to South Africa or the Galapagos during the periods when I have a break from my work as a high school administrator. The Galapagos trip fit perfectly, and we booked it in the fall of 2016 for the April 1-8 cruise in 2017. Everything that Silversea handled was fabulous, in terms of logistics as well as the actual onboard experiences. The staff were so attentive, and the naturalist guides were top-notch. The ship was attractive and our suite was spacious and comfortable. The food was wonderful and the small size of the passengers made it easy to dine when and where - and with whom - we wanted. We made friends that I know we will stay in touch with and see again. The activities were excellent, especially the snorkeling and kayaking options. The Islands and waters are pristine and beautiful beyond belief. I would recommend this for anyone who has Galapagos on their "bucket list," and those who don't; it is a magical place for adults and children. Read Less

We chose this cruise as we had wanted to explore the Kimberley and this one offered great accommodation too - all around my birthday. The ship itself is rather tired and the water system needs a total overhaul as the water is an unpleasant yellow colour - rather off-putting but totally harmless! The only other hitch was the lack of outside seating on the shade - 106 passengers were competing for about 10 seats - the best ones being on the smoking deck - not good for the non-smokers. However, having said that the cruise was amazing - the staff were cheerful and extremely willing to grant one's every wish. The excursions/tours were amazing - every one was a unique experience for us both. The expedition staff were the most generous and knowledgeable people you could wish to meet. They made every trip out a feast of learning and an adventure. Malcolm Turner was always a highlight with his informative but humorous lecturers. The dining room was always willing to accommodate our preference for a table for two. The wait staff remembered us and our wine tastes avery evening, going out of their way to please us all. The Kimberley is a wild and exciting place with everything from Montgomery Reef and the Horizontal Falls to the Bungle Bungles and croc-infested rivers. We were lucky to be there when the tides had a variation of 10 metres - spectacular natural wonders of this area. Everywhere you looked there were birds, crocodile, jellyfish, dugongs - amazing rock formations, Aboriginal art - never short of something phenomenal to see - we would go again in a heartbeat! Read Less

We were a little worried about Silver Sea after having a bad time on a cruise about 5 years ago (poor dining room service several times too many). This cruise was just the opposite: everything just went as well as anyone could wish. My wife and I had a private dinner with the captain one night and 2 private dinners with the cruise director, Don Fluke. We found both to be very knowledgeable and enjoyable. (As often is the case, it helps to get to know someone before critiquing him/her).The food was good, the wine selections satisfactory (although my wife found and returned a bad bottle, the sommelier agreed), and I purchased a 3-bottle wine package for $303, which was fairly priced for the wines involved; the sommelier (Robin or Rose) made sure where we were eating each night so the wine could opened 1-2 hours prior to dinner.The room butler Dann was ever-present and every request was granted, and some we didn't even think about (like making sure our clothes were ready for formal night, and we had just a regular cabin).The internet was fairly priced: $85 for 250 minutes. We were charged $200 for 250 minutes on Oceania just the month before.My wife required a gluten-free menu. The gluten-free bread was a special recipe (which they gave us), her meals were thoughtful, and gluten-free vodka (yes, they are needed---wheat-free) was in our cabin and on the floors.We have signed up for the Prince Albert in Dec. We expect rough water for 2 days, but otherwise can only hope the over-all cruise is as good as this was. Read Less