Silversea to Increase Muse’s Capacity During Drydock

Posted on 14 May, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Silversea is planning a substantial increase in guest capacity for the Silver Muse during an upcoming dry dock.

According to the ship’s new deck plans, its double occupancy will grow by approximately seven per cent, reaching 632 guests from just under 600.

After entering service in 2017, the Silver Muse is scheduled to undergo a routine shipyard stay in Europe in November 2025.

The updated deck plans show that the capacity increase will be achieved through smaller staterooms.

Plans call for several larger Silver Suites on decks 9, 10 and 11 to replace smaller Medallion and Classic Veranda suites.

On Deck 9, six Silver Suites are being replaced with 12 new, smaller staterooms of different categories.

Cruise Industry News estimates that after the refit, the number of Silver Suites will decrease from 34 to eight.

According to a message shared with guests by Silversea, the Silver Muse will undergo a “redefining revitalisation” during its dry dock.

The 40,700-ton vessel will see the addition of “timeless beauty and elegance,” the company continued, as well as an “extension of the choice of suite options” onboard.

Other new features coming to the ship include S.A.L.T., which is described by Silversea as a “pioneering culinary experience.”

The speciality restaurant that features changing menus inspired by destinations being visited by the vessel will be added to Deck 4.

Taking the space previously occupied by the ship’s Asian speciality venue, Indochine, S.A.L.T. will also feature a bar for regionally inspired drinks and wines.

As part of the drydock, the ship’s La Dolce Vita main dining room is also set to be reduced for the creation of new technical spaces.

Currently offering summer cruises in Europe, the Silver Muse will debut its new enhancements in early December ahead of a winter season in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands.

Norwegian Epic to Debut Enhancements Ahead of European Season

Posted on 3 May, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

The Norwegian Epic will debut noticeable enhancements ahead of its upcoming summer season in Europe, Norwegian Cruise Line said in a press release.

According to the company, the 2010-built ship is currently undergoing a three-week dry dock, which is set to end on May 8, 2025.

Renovations include eight new cabins, a new hot tub on Deck 18, in addition to a refreshed Kids’ Aqua Park that replaces Splashgolf.

The new space provides more fun-in-the-sun activities for adults and children alike, the company said.

The ship’s Vibe Beach Club is being expanded to offer an additional hot tub, as well as more lounge chairs. Replacing the Posh Beach Club, the adults-only outdoor deck will also offer new private cabanas.

The drydock plans also include the addition of eight new staterooms – a combination of balcony and ocean-view cabins.

“Delivering the best vacation experience for our guests, where they have the freedom and flexibility to do more of what they love, is, and will always continue to be our goal,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“By listening to guests’ feedback, we are excited to provide them with MORE to do on board starting this summer as Norwegian Epic sets sail for Europe,” he added.

After completing its drydock, the Norwegian Epic launches a series of cruises to the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles.

The ten- and 11-night cruises sail from Civitavecchia, the port of Italy’s capital city, Rome, and visit a wide range of destinations, including Mykonos and Santorini.

According to Norwegian, the itineraries also sail to historic cities such as Naples, Catania, and Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy.

After its summer deployment in Europe, the Norwegian Epic sets sail to the Caribbean for cruises departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Southern Caribbean itineraries include visits to Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. John’s, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Video- Reindeer Sledge Ride with the Sami.

Posted on 14 April, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

On a recent voyage on the Ambassador Ambission, we had an Amazing time visiting the Sami Tribe in
Øvre Alta, its about 1 hour ride to thier campsite/village where we meet the local familys in the tribe and got a warm greating, kids were sledging down hill and with it being a Sunday the other members of the tribe went to a prity church just acrosss the road from where we were dropped off,

We were split into 3 groups because the reindeer were set up to pull 6 sleighs at a time, so we went into the traditional Lavvu tent with a large, warm fire with coffee pots heating up. Reindeer hides covered the floor to sit on, and benches were along the sides. After having been given some coffee/tea and a slice of homemade cake, we sampled Reindeer meat and got a brief culture talk about how the Sami Tribe roam the area with their herds and about the clothes they wear to keep themselves warm in the freezing cold, and it was cold on this day, minus 6 degrees with a windfactor dropping it even further.

Dawn and I getting photobombed by a Reindeer

After the visit to the Lavvu, it was our turn for the Reindeer Sledge ride. We climbed onto the sledge and had fabulous blankets covering our legs and chest, and the mandatory photo taken in the sledge, and getting photobombed by a cute Reindeer. The sledge ride started, and we were glad of the blanket as we went through the snow around the camp and the area adjacent. The lead Reindeer had a bell around its neck, and this made all the others follow that reindeer. It was quite a smooth ride with the odd bump and slide in the snow, but it was worth it to create this lifelong memory, and I loved every minute.

After that Amazing

sledge ride, we were invited to try our luck doing a laso on some Reindeer antlers, and after the demo, it looked quite easy, but with everything, there’s a technique for throwing the laso. After a few attempts, some of which we will never mention, we got the hang of the throw and distance, and we could laso the antlers quite consistently.
There are other facities avaiable such as a shop that sell hand made goods by the local Sami including bracelets, necklets and even Anter knifes. There are Toilets available
The Sami are a wonderful tribe, and their outfits make any photo opportunity look a lot better. Add a reindeer, and it’s a perfect Kodak moment.
I have done a quick video of the ride, which shows the reindeer and the photobomber doing the same on the video,