My wife and I are retired hoteliers/ restaurateurs from the UK so are not always the easiest to please as we tend to have too many opinions regarding hospitality! But having read some other very negative reviews from earlier recent cruisers on Silver Wind we were concerned that we could be embarking on a nightmare experience. However having cruised the same ship previously a few years ago in South Africa we couldn’t readily equate these to our own positive memories . So we feel obliged to try to convey our own feelings regarding our voyage which bore little resemblance to some of these previously negative rantings.
Yes that previous cruise was a warm weather one four years ago, but in a notoriously rough Indian Ocean (even in Summer) and this was to be mainly in November in northern Canada and the North Atlantic so we always knew it was going to be a cold and potentially rough trip, but you know that before you book and we couldn’t really understand how others had clearly failed to factor that into their own planning and were then blaming Silversea and expressing surprise at rough seas and missing ports. Surely these were always situations likely to happen so please don’t moan about the elements and blame the cruise line as there is clearly nothing that Silversea or indeed any other cruise lines can do about the weather!
On boarding in Montreal all went as smoothly and seamlessly as normal with Silversea, and of course, no queues. We were pleased to be greeted in reception by a number of familiar personnel including Bar Manager, Newton, who we had met on previous cruises. Also Cruise Director, Colin Brown, who as someone else stated should be cloned, as he really is one of the best that we have encountered and this was our third cruise with him in charge. He looks after all the entertainment and enrichment programmes. These included two enrichment lecturers and a superb group of Voices of Silversea who were basically six professional singers, two operatic and four more general but all with their own individual talents. Additionally there was an onboard pianist and a Silversea trio who provided background entertainment throughout the ship. Two guest entertainers, a magician and a guitarist also came on board for a few days at different times to bolster the offering as this was a 16 day cruise. We felt they were both a bit underwhelming but that is probably because the Voices on this voyage were so good. Additionally Colin, who is a classically trained concert pianist, arranged a number of piano concerts in conjunction with the two opera singers and also performed some amazing classical duets with the onboard pianist, Olga, who was also outstanding.
The suite bedrooms (or at least our one) actually seemed in pretty decent shape decor wise despite previous critical comments made on other CC Silver Wind reviews, though the TV system could certainly do with an update which is apparently happening with a more modern system being installed. For some reason it appears the update will not include the bathrooms which doesn’t make a lot of sense as the bathrooms are probably the weakest thing on Wind being rather on the small side with a rather small in length bath (not great if you are reasonably tall). However it does have an excellent power shower in addition to a hand shower, but it is one that you have to climb into the bath to use so not the easiest perhaps for some less mobile guests.
Interesting old town, plenty of historic buildings and museums etc. The park around Mont Real is worth a visit on a nice day for the views. Plenty of shopping in the “underground city”
Outstanding old town near the cruise terminal. Lots to see and do. Quite hilly to get around.
The town itself is small and not that much to do. Nice place to wander around. The cruise up the Saguenay River to get there is the high point. Very Fjord like.
Baie Comeau itself is rather dominated by the paper mill created by the Chicago Tribune founder but do visit the English Marie-Amelie where there are some wonderful frescos by Guido Nincheri that were funded by the newspapaers magnate who dedicated it to his wife Amelie. Now deconsecrated and owned by the city. Charming waterfront walk (20 mins)from the ship into town around the Bay.
Interesting old town with a musical and wartime connection (many Atlantic convoys sailed from here during WW2)
Another interesting city with lovely old town near the cruise dock and plenty of shoppoing
The sail in is outstanding on a nice day. The ship docked in Brooklyn (normally in downtown Manhattan) which wasn’t ideal but only a 15 minute Uber ride to 9/11 memorial which is a must see if you haven’t been before.
Beautiful colonial town, worthy of a full day just wandering around. Very big market almost opposite cruise terminal
Lead to believe very interesting but awful weather meant we got soaked walking the “longest boardwalk”
Long but interesting walk into the city and of course much to see there. The Freedom Trail and Boston Common probably. THe highlights.