Silver Spirit: Getting Away From It All

Sometimes you just want to be alone, even if it’s only for a little while. I seldom leave home without my iPod and a book and often search for an out of the way spot to curl up and read. I found just the spot aboard Silver Spirit. I felt like an explorer as I looked for the Observation Lounge—through a passageway of suites and all the way forward on deck 11 (pictured here).

To my delight, I also found a telescope there, as well as refreshments—coffee, tea, water, and soft drinks are available all day long.

I only hope that if I nod off while reading, that someone will eventually notice I’m there and wake me up.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Silver Spirit: Social Spots

At our first dinner in Silver Spirit’s Restaurant we were fortunate to be seated next to a lovely couple—World Cruisers from the southern United States. Although we were each seated at tables for two, we chatted throughout dinner and look forward to seeing them again during this segment of the cruise. In fact, had they not been so friendly I wouldn’t have discovered a dessert I plan to order again—dates and nuts (in this case, pecans) with a glass of port wine.

We weren’t the only passengers to embark in Barcelona, but we were somewhat concerned that many others already on board would have forged friendships and we would be outsiders. That hasn’t turned out to be the case at all. Aside from the Restaurant, one of the most social spots aboard Silver Spirit is the Panorama Lounge where the seating is as comfortable as it looks in the photo here. It’s where the coffee corner is available for early risers in the morning, team trivia is played in the afternoon, canapés are served before dinner, and where we’ve danced away the night.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Silver Spirit at Sea

Sea days stretch before us every other day on this segment of Silver Spirit’s World Cruise. The itinerary is perfect for relaxation between days touring ashore, but what is there to do on board? Actually, there’s a lot on tap—fitness classes and seminars, games and competitions, dance and language lessons, and my favorite, enrichment lectures.

When I saw the lecture title “Buckingham Palace”—a guided tour of the most famous address in the world, I expected insights into the palace and how its public rooms are used. Happily, journalist and author Brian Hoey offered that and so much more in his presentation. For instance, he shared that the Queen does not like to see men in formal wear with a clip-on bow tie. Gentlemen invited to a formal occasion at Buckingham Palace should learn to tie a bow tie properly.

Hoey has enjoyed many interactions with the British royal family over the years and was once invited to present one of his books to Her Majesty. Before entering her apartment he was instructed that he should give a little bow and take a seat when the Queen offered it. But how would he know when it was time to leave? Easy. The Queen would have her handbag on the arm of her chair and when she picked it up it was time to go.

If I should happen to get busy with some other activity and miss one of the lectures I’m interested in, they are taped and shown later on the television in our suites. I love the idea of being in “two places at once” and not missing anything.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Silver Spirit Amenities

With security concerns at airports these days, packing for any trip that includes air travel can be fraught with frustration. Toiletry items in containers of over a mere three ounces must be packed in checked suitcases. Luggage weights are strictly adhered to and as little as a pound over the limit can result in a hefty charge. That must have been something of a problem for the world cruisers currently aboard Silver Spirit’s 119-day World Cruise voyage. I’m only aboard for the last segment and found the luggage security regulations annoying.

Silversea Cruises has at least a partial solution—an array of bath amenities you don’t have to worry about packing. And they aren’t just the generic kind. Aboard Silver Spirit are old favorites by Bvlgari and Neutrogena, as well as Salvatore Ferragamo, which is new to me. Each collection includes shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and shower gel, as well as soaps. While I lean toward the Bvlgari line up, I’m also giving the Ferragamo “Tuscan Soul” products a try.

A couple items I’ve been known to overlook while packing are Q-tips and cotton balls. Happily, those are supplied in my bathroom aboard Silver Spirit as well.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

The Royal Treatment Aboard Silver Spirit

At nearly 1,000 square feet, Silver Spirit’s Royal and Grand Suites are indeed fit for princes and princesses. While the Royal Suites’ teak verandahs don’t wrap around the bow as the Grand Suites’ verandahs do, all six of these exquisite accommodations have a living room with convertible sofa to sleep an additional guest, a dining table that can easily seat four to six, a separate bedroom with queen-size bed and comfy chair, and a walk-in closet as large as those in many homes. The dressing area features a vanity table with makeup mirror and more drawers and shelves than I could fill.

The marble bathroom with double sinks has a tub with whirlpool jets, a shower with rain shower and hand held shower heads, as well as a separate water closet with bidet. Oh yes, there is a fully stocked wet bar with mini-fridge and a guest bathroom for the parties world cruisers will surely host.

To round out the electronics there is a stereo with CD player, an iPod docking station with alarm clock, and two flat screen televisions with DVD players—in the living room and bedroom.

With a butler to handle just about anything, why would I want to go home?

Pictured here is Royal Suite 701

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Solid Sterling Experience: Silver Spirit

There was a time not so long ago when cruise passengers looked forward to “document day”—that’s when their travel agents called to tell them their cruise documents had arrived. These days, most cruise lines offer online check-in and passengers can print their own documents, including boarding passes and even luggage tags. Some traditionalists don’t really care for the new process—especially those paper luggage tags—but it does mean that there are no worries about delayed documents. If you don’t have the ability to print out your own documents, your travel agent can usually do that for you and some routinely do, not only as a service to their clients, but to make sure all the paperwork is in order.

While some premium lines formerly delivered documents in bound booklet form or in fold-over pouches of varying quality, luxury cruise lines have always presented documents in holders worthy of the experience their guests could expect on board their ships. Additionally, the document holders usually contain extensive information about the voyage and ports of call.

Silversea Cruises’ current zip-around document holders are burgundy leather (pictured here) with the Silversea name embroidered in silver. In the pockets inside are individual folders with air and cruise tickets and a booklet with general voyage information. Also included in the silver box in which the documents and holder arrived was a leave-behind itinerary and a detailed shore excursion booklet. Luggage tags for the ship, in this case Silver Spirit, were preprinted with my name and suite number. All I had to do was attach them before boarding. Little touches like that mean a lot to busy people and Silversea routinely takes care of the details.

Cruising: Hello, Silver Spirit

It's difficult to call this a back-to-back cruise because Cruise Diva is switching ships in Barcelona today.

After leaving Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Magic and a short taxi ride from one pier to another, I'll be boarding Silversea Cruises' still new Silver Spirit for a segment of her first World Cruise.

Stay tuned.

Carnival Magic Critters

Cabin stewards on all Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships are masters in the art of crafting towel animals and our steward aboard Carnival Magic has proven to not only be an expert at folding towels, but he is also sensitive to his guests’ feelings.

He must have overheard how much Cruise Diva is missing her cats and this cute kitty greeted me last night. Just the sight of it made me feel better.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Carnival Magic: I Love The Nightlife

Wow! There’s music everywhere aboard Carnival Magic. Every evening at 5 pm the RedFrog Pub (pictured here) is the place to be for a sunset party and the guitarist playing Caribbean sounds that continue through the night. For listening and dancing, the combo in Ocean Plaza has a diverse playlist and they’ve had the dance floor full at all hours of the afternoon and night. The piano bar is so popular that I have yet to find a seat inside, but there is seating nearby. Across the promenade, the dance club Vibe really gets rocking with the DJ spinning everything from 60s Motown to up-to-date hits. In the atrium, where the bandstand is elevated above the bar, the music carries throughout several decks.

For parents who want a night out, there’s the usual babysitting and something new—Camp Carnival NightOwls. The NightOwls program starts at 10 pm, carries a fee, and offers supervised activities in three age group ranges. Children 2-11 may participate until midnight and the fee is $13 per child. Children age 6-8 can stay up a bit later and are accommodated until 1 am for a $20 per child fee. For parents of older children in the age 9-11 range, the program ends at 3 am when the children are escorted to their staterooms and the fee is $33 per child. A 15% gratuity is also added to the fee.

While Camp Carnival NightOwls is presently available only on Carnival Magic, the program will roll out fleetwide in June.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Carnival Magic: Food For All Tastes

One of the best reasons to go on a Carnival Magic cruise is the dining experience. There are more cuisine choices than ever and everyone should find dishes to satisfy their taste, not to mention the opportunity to try something new. For me, that would be the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake, a favorite that’s offered every night in the dining room, and a new presentation of escargot in the Prime Steakhouse.

The cruise line’s latest specialty restaurant, that debuted here aboard Carnival Magic, honors Carnival’s Italian heritage—their captains are all Italian and most of their ships, including Carnival Magic, are built in Italy. Cucina del Capitano is an option for lunch (complimentary) and dinner (which carries a $10 cover charge). At lunch the hostess gives you a listing of pasta types, sauces, and add-ins to select from when you arrive. After designing your own pasta dish, it’s prepared and served to your table. At dinner, the menu features made-to-order Italian favorites developed by the company’s executive chef and four chefs de cuisine who spent three weeks in Italy on a research trip where they trained and ate with some of Italy’s finest chefs. Many of the Italian specialties were selected by Carnival’s captains and are served in a relaxed family-style setting where framed photos of the captains, their families, and the line’s ships are displayed on the walls.

Carnival Magic’s 24-hour pizzeria deserves special mention and ranks with Cruise Diva as the best pizza at sea. A short (ten minute) wait delivers a fresh out of the oven personal pan pizza with your selection of toppings. In the Marketplace buffet restaurant you'll find everything from the Mongolian Wok to a huge salad bar to the deli where excellent paninnis are prepared on the spot.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Carnival’s Magic In All Sizes

Found on Carnival Magic’s sports deck, the signature winged funnel has a mini-me funnel on the two-deck miniature golf course.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Carnival Magic Has Watery Fun For All

It’s true. There’s fun for kids of all ages aboard Carnival Magic and the centerpiece of the fun is the incredible WaterWorks pictured here. The most mesmerizing feature is the Power Drencher—a “dump bucket” that fills with 300 gallons of water and dumps it into the area below every minute. There are water sprays, water jets, and a 312 foot long twister slide that looks like a lot of fun. No age groups get left out—twin racing slides are sized for younger cruisers. On the periphery, moms and dads can watch their children from the shade of seating areas, or they can join in.

Here in the Mediterranean the weather is a bit cool right now, but I can envision the WaterWorks on a hot day in the Caribbean when lines to take a watery plunge are sure to form.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Aboard Carnival Magic: Stromboli & Beer

No, Stromboli isn’t an Italian pub snack. However, I dined on coconut chicken (pictured here) in the RedFrog Pub early last night because I didn’t want to be at late seating dinner in the dining room when Carnival Magic sailed past the volcanic island of Stromboli.

We had quite a treat—although it was too dark to get a photo, Stromboli's volcanic glow suddenly erupted into an orange ball of flame that shot skyward. It was certainly a sight to remember forever.

Onboard Carnival Magic, the supply of ThirstyFrog Red beer has been replenished and it was well worth the wait.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Thirsty Aboard Carnival Magic

Inspired by the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Caribbean, Carnival Magic is home to RedFrog Pub, the first-ever pub in Carnival Cruise Lines’ fleet. The ambiance is decidedly British-West-Indies-meets-Key-West with a touch of nautical mixed in—wood details are accented with portholes and ships-at-sea artwork. It’s really the perfect spot to kick back with a piña colada, local island brews, and top-shelf Caribbean rums. The laidback island vibe of the pub’s décor is a nod to Carnival Magic’s Caribbean itineraries, which will begin when sailings from Galveston commence in November. Pub snacks, for which there is a charge, are Caribbean favorites, such as Bahamian conch salad, grouper fingers, and firecracker Jamaican chicken wings.

You can’t miss RedFrog Pub on Promenade Deck. In fact you may hear the Jimmy Buffett style music as you approach the tables on the promenade “patio.” It seems that some beer aficionados on board grew very fond of the private-label draught beer, Thirsty Frog Red, that’s brewed especially for Carnival Magic. It was thought there was enough Thirsty Frog Red brought on board Carnival Magic for the entire maiden cruise, but it ran out the very first night! That’s why I don’t have a photo of it. I hope the “slider” from the pub snack menu pictured here will suffice until more beer is air freighted to our next port.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Serene Relaxation Onboard Carnival Magic

The entire Serenity area on Carnival Magic is designed for just that—serene relaxation for adults only. There are hammocks for two, padded loungers, a bar for refreshments, hot tubs, and the really cool cabanas pictured here to chill out in shaded comfort. It’s the ideal location to relax.

The only quibble I could come up with is the location. Yes, it offers seclusion from the pool area, but it’s only one deck above the Waterworks where there’s a lot of noise on a sunny sea day. Get there early for a spot near the front of the deck (closest to the bow) where it’s quieter.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

News: Carnival Breeze, from Europe to Miami Itineraries

Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Breeze, will enter service in June 2012 debuting with a summer schedule of 12-day Mediterranean voyages before repositioning to Miami in November for year-round 6- and 8-day Caribbean departures.

As Carnival’s newest “Fun Ship,” Carnival Breeze will offer a host of exciting innovations, including expansive top-deck areas such as WaterWorks, an aqua park with exhilarating water slides and other attractions; SportSquare, an open-air recreation complex with a ropes course, mini-golf, and outdoor fitness area; The Lanai, a wraparound promenade with whirlpools extending over the ship’s sides, and a 270-square-foot poolside LED screen displaying movies, and other programming. In a nod to its upcoming Caribbean deployment, Carnival Breeze will also feature the RedFrog Pub, a lively spot for tasty island-inspired snacks and drinks, including its own private label beer. Other dining highlights will include Cucina del Capitano, a family-style Italian restaurant that brings the heritage of Carnival’s captains to the table, along with a casual two-level poolside eatery, and a classic American-style steakhouse. Dedicated play areas for children, ’tweens and teens, as well as a two-level health and wellness center, and a wide variety of accommodation options will be available, as well.

Carnival Breeze will also introduce colorful Caribbean-inspired interiors that take their cue from the region’s cool island breezes and warm tropical sunsets. Created by Germany-based Partner Ship Design, this striking new tropical design theme will be carried out in the ship’s public spaces, as well as staterooms which will offer a combination of bright colors and soothing pastel hues, with iconic images of palm trees and other island-inspired elements adorning hallway corridors.

“Not only will Carnival Breeze introduce exciting new features and a highly creative island-inspired interior design that pays homage to the world’s most popular cruising region, we’ve put together itineraries that provide our guests with the opportunity to visit a huge array of stunning ports of call throughout the Caribbean and Mediterranean,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Exciting 12-Day Mediterranean Cruises

Carnival Breeze will kick off its inaugural 2012 season with a special 12-day maiden voyage that will depart Venice on June 3, and arrive in Barcelona June 15, 2012. Ports of call on this one-time voyage include Dubrovnik, Croatia; Athens, Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Messina (Sicily), Olbia (Sardinia), Rome (Civitavecchia), and Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy; Monaco, Monte Carlo; and Marseilles, France. Carnival Breeze will then commence a summer schedule of 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona, one of Europe’s most stunning and historic cities. The program will run from June 15 through Oct 25, 2012 (with the exception of the Aug 26, 2012, voyage which will sail from Venice). The 12-day Mediterranean cruises include stops at Marseilles or Monaco; Livorno; Naples; Dubrovnik; Venice; Civitavecchia (Rome), and Messina (the June 15 and Sept 7 departures add a stop in Palma de Mallorca, Spain; while the Aug 14 and 26 voyages also visit Olbia (Sardinia), Italy. Select voyages also overnight in Venice or Rome (Civitavecchia). Each of these ports offer a diverse array of sightseeing experiences, from world-class museums, shops and restaurants to famous historical landmarks, unique architecture and cultural opportunities not found anywhere else in the world.

Value-Packed 15-Day Trans-Atlantic Crossing

Following its European schedule, Carnival Breeze will sail on a 15-day trans-Atlantic crossing departing Barcelona Nov 6, arriving in Miami on November 21, 2012. Ports of call on this voyage will include Palma de Mallorca and Malaga, Spain; Las Palmas, Canary Islands; Antigua and St. Maarten. The combination of popular European and Caribbean ports with multiple sea days and a host of exciting and unique on-board events and activities will make this transatlantic crossing truly an unforgettable experience.

Convenient Six-Day Caribbean Schedule from Miami

As part of its innovative Miami-based cruise schedule, Carnival Breeze will offer a year-round three-port, 6-day cruise program operating Sundays-Saturdays beginning Dec 2, 2012. This schedule will be offered on alternating weeks and will feature visits to three popular ports of call: Grand Turk, B.W.I.; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Nassau, The Bahamas.

Port-Intensive Eight-Day Itineraries From Miami

Expanding upon its role as the leader in Caribbean cruising, Carnival Breeze will offer two distinctly different four-port, 8-day itineraries year-round from the Port of Miami operating Saturday-Sunday beginning Nov 24, 2012. Each of the Carnival Breeze’s 8-day cruises from Miami will provide guests with ample opportunities to sample the best that the Caribbean has to offer, from sunning and relaxing on gorgeous beaches to shopping for duty-free bargains and savoring delectable island cuisine.

The Saturday-to-Sunday rotation is particularly attractive as it maximizes consumers’ vacation time, with eight full days of cruising across two weekends. The schedule includes an 8-day southern Caribbean itinerary that will feature Grand Turk, La Romana (Dominican Republic), Curacao, and Aruba, along with an 8-day eastern Caribbean route visiting St. Thomas/St. John, Antigua, Tortola and Nassau.

Combined with its 6-day cruises, Carnival Breeze guests are offered unprecedented opportunities to visit a diversity of sunny, tropical Caribbean’s destinations, with nearly a dozen ports of call featured among the various itineraries.

Reservations for Carnival Breeze’s new European and Caribbean itineraries open today, May 4, while the ship’s many features and colorful new stateroom designs are highlighted at www.carnival.com/breeze.

Carnival’s Build A Ship Contest Winner Receives A Free Carnival Magic Cruise

You may recall that leading into the launch of Carnival Cruise Lines' new Carnival Magic, the line challenged fans to enter their Build a Ship contest as part of their “Make the Magic Yours” campaign. By using any materials on hand, participants were encouraged to show their creativity and in the process to help raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as Carnival donated $1 to St. Jude for each entry and vote, as well as for each Facebook fan who “liked” the contest.

In the end, Carrie Duwelius’ “Carnival Cardboard Cruiser” entry was judged the winner, earning the most online votes. Now that I'm on Carnival Magic, I can say that Carrie captured some of the popular on board features with the young folks appearing the the cut-out portholes, such as enjoying Chocolate Melting Cake and displaying a Build-A-Bear, with another on the top deck holding aloft a ship-on-a-stick trophy. Of course the signature Carnival waterslide and winged funnel are also represented. While her winning entry, fashioned from a huge six-foot-high piece of cardboard, is somewhat one-dimensional, the Naperville, Illinois, resident put a lot of thought into it and deserves the prize of a complimentary 7-day Caribbean cruise for four on the new Carnival Magic.

Where's Naperville you might wonder? It's a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County about 30 miles from the Windy City's Loop. I know it well because I lived there once. Congratulations, Carrie! I hope your cruise aboard Carnival Magic is as magical as mine is.

Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Magic: Home Away From Home

I’ve always felt that Carnival Cruise Lines ships have some of the most comfortable standard accommodations at sea. My ocean view stateroom with a balcony on Carnival Magic’s Deck Nine is no exception. Its features include light wood cabinetry, a soothing pastel decor, mirrored accents, small refrigerator, personal safe for valuables, a sitting area with sofa, chair and table, and a hairdryer in a vanity/desk drawer. A convenience is plenty of shelving for all the odds and ends I pack. Closet and drawer space, as well as bathroom shelves, are more than adequate. Terrycloth bathrobes are provided for use during the cruise in all Oceanview accommodations, so happily I didn’t have to pack one.

Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than a lumpy, bumpy bed with scratchy sheets and pancake thin pillow. To insure sweet dreams, the exclusive “Carnival Comfort Bed” systems are a delight. They start with plush mattresses and add soft and comfy duvets and upgraded pillows and linens for a good night’s sleep.

Bathroom amenities include shampoo and bath gel in shower mounted dispensers and an array of sample toiletries. The shower itself is roomy and has a pull-out clothesline for drying bathing suits or hand laundry. A real bonus is the two-sided (regular and magnifying) bathroom shaving/make up mirror.

With 1,845 staterooms, Carnival Magic offers a wide array of accommodation types, ranging from standard Interior and Oceanview staterooms to Oceanview staterooms with private balconies and Suites and Penthouse Suites with larger private balconies. More than 60% of all staterooms have an ocean view and, of those, more than a whopping 84% have balconies. Particularly appealing for families are accommodations with a two-bathroom, five-berth configuration, as well as staterooms with connecting doors. Cove balcony cabins are located closer to the water line and the no-smoking-allowed spa staterooms provide special spa access and benefits.

With my home on Carnival Magic conveniently located near the aft staircase, and just one deck down from the Lido Deck, I can pop up to the Marketplace buffet restaurant in a jiffy. A minor drawback with this location is that it can get noisy from up above at times. My only complaint? I couldn’t bring along Elvis and Priscilla, my tabbies who are at home being pampered by their cat sitters.

Photo © CruiseDiva.com

Do You Believe In Magic?

The naming of a cruise ship is a special event and everyone wants to get it right. Aboard Carnival Magic, a couple “glitches” cropped up during the naming ceremony as godmother Lindsey Wilkerson approached a replica of the ship’s “Fun Ship” funnel on stage in the Showtime Theater. Joined by Captain Giovanni Cutugno, as she readied to push the button and send a bottle of champagne smashing against the bow, it was noticed there was no bottle hanging on the apparatus! Oops. Fortunately, magician Jason Byrne was on hand to pull the lost bottle of bubbly out of a hat and make it reappear outside. Then the box containing the button was locked and no one had the key. Enter Jason to again conjure up the key.

All went well as the bottle dropped and broke with an impressive shower of champagne. With a huge smile Captain Cutugno proclaimed, “This is the place to be for magic.”

Almost as magical was our sailing from Venice—a city of magic—on a beautiful spring afternoon. Yes, I now believe in magic.

Photo of Lindsey Wilkerson & Captain Cutugno © CruiseDiva.com

Carnival Magic Fun Facts

At Cruise Diva we love ship Fun Facts and share many on our web site. Now that Carnival Cruise Lines has launched their newest “Fun Ship” and we’re on board, we’d like to share some Fun Facts that our hosts have revealed to us.

In the first year of service alone, aboard the 130,000-ton, 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, it is expected that:

• Carnival Magic’s photographers will snap more than 1.5 million digital images and portraits
• Passengers will devour 242,000 servings of Carnival’s signature dessert, the Chocolate Melting Cake, along with 346,000 pizzas and 145,200 cappuccinos
• Approximately 26,600 meals will be served in the Prime Steakhouse
• Chefs in the vessel’s galley will use roughly 22,000 pounds of flour
• Nearly 100 metric tons of pineapples will be consumed, mostly in frothy tropical drinks!
• Stateroom stewards will place more than 2 million individual pieces of chocolate on guests’ pillows and create more than 663,000 of Carnival’s popular “towel animals”
• Guests will indulge in 18,000-plus massages, nearly 9,000 facials, more than 6,000 slimming treatments, and some 2,000 personal fitness consultations in the Carnival Magic’s “Cloud 9 Spa”

Chocolate and pizza...we won’t even hazard a guess as to the average passenger’s weight gain during a typical Carnival Magic cruise. Nor will we divulge ours!

Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines