By Brandon Biss, Senior Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

My First Luxury Experience: Part 1

Onboard Ambiance:  The Peace of Mind of All-Inclusiveness
Many myths exist in the luxury cruising world:  very formal, stuffy, snobby, only the high-society of life books on them, etc.  This is not the case.  Dress aboard Silversea vessels is very similar to most cruise lines.  Attire ranges from country club casual to formal depending on the night.  I noticed that the average age of the guests was younger than my recent cruises on the larger lines.  Many were very friendly, well educated, and very well traveled.  I found that most people were intrigued and interested in my “story” as opposed to “snubbing” me because I was younger.  I received a guest manifest at disembarkation and noticed that only half were from North America.  This resulted in a diverse and enriching guest interaction experience.

The benefit of an all-inclusive, luxury cruise experience isn’t in the cost.  You will never drink enough alcohol, eat enough lobster, or save enough on gratuities to make up the price-difference over a contemporary cruise line.  The benefit is in the mindset.  I can’t remember a decision I had to make besides which entrée or drink to order.  There were no costs for a lobster or steak upgrade.  If you consume wine, the pairings were included and an important addition to the meal.  I indulge in a fine meal once or twice per month.  Aboard the Silver Cloud, it was a nightly occurrence. [Read more →]

By Brandon Biss, Senior Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

Wow…I’ve been with The Cruise Web six years!  During that time, I have traveled quite extensively.  Because of the opportunities The Cruise Web provides, I have cruised on most of the cruise lines that our company sells.  However, I have not traveled on any of the luxury lines (Silversea, Seabourn, or Regent) until this past cruise.  I selected this specific cruise for two main reasons:  The Cruise Web’s excellent relationship with Silversea and my wish to visit the Baltic capitals:

Cruise Line: Silversea
Cruise Ship: Silver Cloud Voyage 1914
Itinerary: Stockholm Roundtrip
Sail Date: June 25 – July 4,  2009
Stateroom: Midship Verandah Suite 540 [Read more →]

By Arthur Balin, Senior Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

Nowadays there are so many cruise options to choose from. There is a tremendous amount of pressure to make sure you choose the cruise that best fits your needs and wants – this does not always mean least expensive. People always ask me what is my favorite cruise, and even though I do have some favorites, what is right for me might not be right for you. So, how do you get the best value for your money while making sure that you and your family have the best possible cruise vacation? [Read more →]