Not quite flying but drron will know..... Musing on Silver Muse over Christmas

[Pushka]

‘Scusi?
I have one in total on board.the wine is fine and they make a good sidecar!

A sea day today which is pleasant. Have had to visit maître d’ as our dinner prebookings have fallen off the system and so we may miss La Dame and Kaiseki dinners (waitlisted). They are investigating.
Indochine for dinner last night. I had lemongrass beef and MrLtL had black pepper lobster tail. We are really enjoying the availability of tables for two as not feeling like socialising over dinner. Just wanted to chill.

Expensive then hey? I agree about the tables for two and not having to make friends with anyone who is randomly placed near by. While some like to be very social, when one or both people are still working, then holidays for us anyway, are the time to reconnect without the usual day to day chores grinding you down.

 

[love_the_life]

Expensive then hey? I agree about the tables for two and not having to make friends with anyone who is randomly placed near by. While some like to be very social, when one or both people are still working, then holidays for us anyway, are the time to reconnect without the usual day to day chores grinding you down.

Included in the fare!

 

[love_the_life]

Something of a fail with dinner bookings. No one has managed to get back to us at all with information. Not a deal breaker but a bit annoying.
Also mixed messages about booking for Christmas lunch/dinner. The daily chronicle advises those who need large tables to make bookings tomorrow but then every man and his dog were lined up today. Things are not consistent.

 

[tgh]

make noise.. attention will follow...

 

[Pushka]

make noise.. attention will follow...

That’s a shame on a premium cruise line.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

See the hotel director and if it is Jimmy- tell him to fix it ! Have you got an original copy of what you booked ? I always take a print out out of what I originally booked at what ever days out to prove I booked it. Just in case of computer snafu !!

 

[love_the_life]

Maybe sorted - La Dame tomorrow night and Kaiseki possibly later. But, still the maître d’ or our butler have not managed to fix things.
We did go to the Grill tonight as they ‘ fitted us in’ - not full so sounds a furphy But it was excellent.
Such a shame they can’t quite get it right or follow through as it’s a wonderful ship otherwise.
Have some photos to post later but tend to forget to take the photo before eating! Food has been consistently excellent. Love the dining concept on this ship - no main restaurant but several smaller ones that are included in the fare.

 

[love_the_life]

That’s a shame on a premium cruise line.

Snaffus happen and if they had said sorry we can’t fit you in that’s fine - just tell us. A bit like Viking by the sound of it!

 

[Pushka]

Snaffus happen and if they had said sorry we can’t fit you in that’s fine - just tell us. A bit like Viking by the sound of it!

Ah. Yes. Don’t want to be the messenger thinking that guests don’t want to know.

 

[love_the_life]

You are correct Mrs.dr.ron, this is a lovely ship. Not withstanding the minor issues, I would look for more cruises on this ship! Cabin (Classic verandah) is fine by us - large and well appointed. $1k on board credit is good too!

 

[love_the_life]

Pleased to report all restaurant bookings were finally sorted. We ate at La Dame last night. This was not the best meal we’ve had on board. The entree and soup were delightful and my lamb was good but MrLtL’s duck was very tough and chewy. There was also a bit of a scene as a couple got up and left as one of their meals had been sent back. That of course puts people on edge. Chef came out to check how our meal had been (passed on the duck issue).
Tonight is a gala Christmas Eve dinner - same menu in the three restaurants and we had to book for it. Tomorrow night is also a special menu, so shall report on them later.
Meanwhile last night (sorry - half eaten)

 

[drron]

We loved our meal at La Dame on the Muse but mostly because the Maitre'D was Taifun.He is from Turkey and we have cruised with him before.He has a really impish nature which he has to keep under control as a Maitre'd.But then sometimes guests will push him just that little bit extra and there it is again.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

L-T-L when you went to La Dame was Taifun the Maitre 'D ?? We first met him back in 2012 on the SIlver WInd. And as Ron said a great fellow.

 

[Pushka]

Pleased to report all restaurant bookings were finally sorted. We ate at La Dame last night. This was not the best meal we’ve had on board. The entree and soup were delightful and my lamb was good but MrLtL’s duck was very tough and chewy. There was also a bit of a scene as a couple got up and left as one of their meals had been sent back. That of course puts people on edge. Chef came out to check how our meal had been (passed on the duck issue).
Tonight is a gala Christmas Eve dinner - same menu in the three restaurants and we had to book for it. Tomorrow night is also a special menu, so shall report on them later.
Meanwhile last night (sorry - half eaten)

So where do you eat if you haven’t booked? The buffet?

 

[love_the_life]

And have I mentioned that it’s freezing! Stiff winds have a real bite. We were in Christchurch today and are just sailing out from Lyttleton. A quick visit to Macpac and a puffer jacket and thermals.

 

[love_the_life]

So where do you eat if you haven’t booked? The buffet?

No idea - there is no buffet at night. That becomes La Terrazza which was one of the booked places. (Ponant has a similar set up). You don’t normally book for Indochine or Atlantide but this is a special menu.
The pizza place maybe? Or room service.? The Hot Rocks grill is a booked place but not having the gala menu. I had a quick squiz at it when booking and there was quite a bit of truffle and foie gras from what I saw.
I like the idea of no main restaurant as the other areas give a great variety and are much smaller in scale than the classic large barn.

 

[love_the_life]

L-T-L when you went to La Dame was Taifun the Maitre 'D ?? We first met him back in 2012 on the SIlver WInd. And as Ron said a great fellow.

No this was a different chap - young and French with a touch of attitude. He was the one who was supposed to get back to us re the bookings but never did and as it was, the young waiter in the a grill did it all in a matter of minutes.
it’s not to say we didn’t enjoy La Dame but probably wouldn’t bother booking again especially if it was our money not OBC.
Looking forward to Kaiseki in a couple of days. We had lunch there the other day and it was lovely.
I really liked the Indochine dishes and think that whole space is excellent. Also were lucky with the weather at the Grill - no wind and not really cold that night. My fillet was excellent and my offsider had the fresh fish which from my small taste was equally good.
MtLtL is quite taken with the ship so if I can find another itinerary he is not averse to sailing again (and that’s a big thing ).
the other thing we notice is how quiet the ship is in the water. Hardly any engine noise.

 

[Pushka]

MtLtL is quite taken with the ship so if I can find another itinerary he is not averse to sailing again (and that’s a big thing ).
the other thing we notice is how quiet the ship is in the water. Hardly any engine noise.

Well that’s a huge win then.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I really didn't want sail on the Muse as I thought it was too big a ship for us. We are use to the small expedition ship with a max of 120 so the Muse was going to be was waaaay to big for us. Silly us But since that cruise we are booked on the sister ship the Moon - doing a T - A.
Tell Mr L-t-L about the booking on board discount .

 

[love_the_life]

So a bit lax in posting. We ate at Kaiseki last night and it was wonderful. Tonight is The Grill again but it will be chilly I suspect.
It’s been windy and wet for most of the day so we have not been able to enter Doubtful or Milford Sounds. As we have done them before not such a big thing for us but many passengers who had this on their bucket list were very disappointed.
will discuss the ‘gala’ meals later but suffice to say that this was not SS strong point. Felt like being at a wedding reception in some respects. Better now that normal service has been resumed, as they say.