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Page 3 of 12 |
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Page 3 of 12 |
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On many cruises, embarkation day can be somewhat of a
nightmare. Overwhelmed and
over-tired after a long flight, the sight of a large shed with
hundreds of people queuing up in front of dozens of check-in
desks is not the most appealing start of a vacation. Once on
board, there are people everywhere. Over-enthusiastic waiters
try selling
you bright pink souvenir drinks, table reservations for the dining
room have to be made and there is
always the vague fear that your luggage will not show up in
the cabin. And with the Cruise Staff anxiously trying to get the
guests to join a conga line on the Pool Deck, you might wonder if
this is anything like the brochure promised you... |
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Enter Silver
Wind! On Monday we
say "ciao" to the kind reception staff at our hotel and take the train to
the port city of Civitavecchia, a
45-minute ride that sets us back a mere 9 Euros per person.
From the railway station in Civitavecchia it is only a few
minutes by taxi to the port, where Silver Wind is
waiting for us. As we are welcomed by
uniformed ground staff, I get the distinct feeling we are the
only guests as the dock is completely deserted. Our bags
are taken away from us and our passports are checked. Then we
climb the gangway and are welcomed on board by
air-conditioning and a glass of champagne. There is no
waiting and no stress as we check in on board. And right after
our security photo is taken, we are escorted to our suite. |
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Suite? Yes! Forget all about inside cabins
or bunk beds on the 296 guest Silver Wind. Each suite
on board measures at least 22 sq m (240 sq ft) and comes equipped with all the comforts you
can think of. Our suite 722 is a Midships Veranda Suite and features a
nicely sized teak balcony with two chairs and a table. Inside, there is
champagne waiting... |
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...and Adèle, our South African suite
stewardess. She introduces herself and asks if she can do
anything for us. When I
mention that we like Diet Coke and champagne, we never have to
ask again for any of the two during our entire voyage; Adèle
makes sure our in-suite bar is always stocked up completely. She also
changes the Frette bed linens every third day and makes sure
we never use the same 100% Egyptian cotton towels. Oh, and she
always rings the door bell before entering our suite! |
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As the champagne cork flies through
our suite, I
notice the fresh flowers with compliments of the Hotel Director, the set of
binoculars, the TV and DVD player, the walk in closet with built-in safe, the
umbrella, monogrammed bath robes and the marble-clad bathroom with full-sized bath tub and Bulgari toiletries. |
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Later
we sit
outside sipping champagne. Our luggage is delivered and our
watches reveal that it is time to head up to the Panorama
Lounge for the mandatory boat drill and a proper look at our
fellow passengers. That night at 10 pm, Silver Wind
quietly slips away from
the quay and in a star studded night, we venture west to the
island of Sardinia. Our adventure has now truly started. And
that bed looks awfully inviting...! |
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