We have now had a few days on the ship as we cross the Pacific. I thought it might be a good time to give some indication of how we are living aboard and what happens on this ship on sea days, of which there will be many over the next four months.

Of course there are meals. The food is probably the best we have had on any ship we have been on. Variety of courses, selection of food, presentation are all top-notch. Bear in mind that the ship only carries about 370 people when full and we currently have only about 260 people aboard. I imagine that when we get to. Sydney, we will pick up a bunch more. The public spaces – bars, theatre, meeting rooms for card players, etc. are all spacious and another hundred people or so should not affect our perception of the ship. We love that there is no waiting in line for elevators, food, or any service.

We are finding that Silversea is all about service. The staff and crew are eager to assist and we believe they are sincere. This is a no-tipping cruise line and the staff seems very content as many of them have been with the line for a number of years. One of the junior officers told us that the turnover is very low for a cruise line. Apparently, they practice strict in-house training and promote from within. This is also an Italian-owned line and it shows in a lot of the smaller items. The European sensibility about what is really luxury versus what is the appearance of luxury is evident in everything from the flower arrangements – simple, but abundant – to the fact that there is no steam table at any food venue. Just about everything is cooked and plated a la minute.

For our bridge-playing friends: yes, we are playing bridge occasionally, but there is so much to do that we don’t want to miss some other opportunities. For example, I have been attending a series of lectures by an eminent scholar on world events concerning the issues in the Middle East. Today, I will be attending one about Putin and the rise of the new Russian hegemony. Yesterday, we did a galley tour and that is when we found out that they do not use steam tables and saw how they prep for 300 or so people and make every plate distinctive.

Of course, reading, napping, having a cocktail or a coke with new-made travel friends are also part of the day. The crossing of the Pacific is the lead-in to our upcoming adventures in Australia, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia. Typically, we sail back from Europe and use the Atlantic crossing to relax, refresh and re-compose after trekking around Europe. This time is seems that we, and many others, are using the Pacific crossing to gather strength for the upcoming stops.

Bonnie and I have also been very pleased that we do not have to pull out a key-card every time we want a coke or an adult beverage. There are no “ship’s photographers” bouncing around every time there is an event. There is no pressure to get the “drink of the day” or to line up for Jackpot Bingo. An all-inclusive fare is just that – all-inclusive. While the price might seem slightly higher than other cruise lines, when you factor in the constant out-of-pockets, which come up daily on those cruise lines, against the all-inclusive fare, there is only a slightly higher per day cost. That higher cost is more than made up for in the service and quality of everything aboard.

So much for that. Stay tuned for more when we start hitting our port stops. The first will be Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas, French Polynesia. Here is a preview map to give you an idea of where we will be stopping: