We are about to pay a non-refundable deposit to Silversea for a "luxury" cruise in September. We love the itinerary: 12-night London-Lisbon. Having been in one of the stops twice, that being Bordeaux, we plan to go off on our own here, as well as some of the small villages. We have just been informed that unless you book the excursions through Silversea, NO TRANSPORT to any village, city, is provided. What precedes a thorough listing of each excursion incl duration, cost, etc., is a 'dreamy' lengthy description of the wonderful things offered at each destination -- which suggests that yes, you are in the town. But the detail of getting there on your own is omitted! I find this deceptive. Would appreciate any feedback from this trusted forum on this issue.

I'm no cruise expert, but I thought that was the rule with all cruises. Either take their excursion, or go on your own, in which case you have to plan all transport from the dock and back...maybe I did not understand your question.

So if you wanted to go to Arcachon from the Bordeaux pier, you would take a taxi, hire a driver, or figure out public transportation. And if you are late getting back, your ship has sailed and you'd have to catch up with it at the next port of call....

That line has a great reputation; if I ever took a cruise outside the Caribbean, I'd certainly look at their offers. But you already know that!

I think you may have a slight misunderstanding of the the tour descriptions and pricing, etc. The one’s provided to you by Silversea are for the tours they offer for their guests. They do give you great insight into what is available at each Port of Call. You are under no obligation to take any of the tours provided by the cruise line and are always free to go to any of the same places on your own.

If you choose to go it alone you have to make your own arrangements and pay for your own transportation - either taxi, private car & guide, public transportation, or even taking one of the group tours offered by independent operators you’ll find hawking their wares just outside the port complex where your ship docks. Silversea (as well as just about every other cruise line) is not being “deceptive” by not providing cost info for tours you do on your own. As they have no idea wheee you wish to go and what you want to see. Suffice to say, at just about every Port of Call you’ll find taxi driver/guides and independent tour operators that will take you to most of the same places offered by the cruise line or can take you to wherever you want to go.

As the previous responder mentioned if you go off on your own you assume full responsibility of getting back to your ship at the posted “All Aboard Time” as the ship is under no obligation to wait for you if you are late.

Thank you, yes I understand that we are under no obligation to purchase the tour package nor any individual tours. But after speaking with a few of our world-travelling friends who use other lines, they said that their carriers do provide shuttles or transfers to 'center city.' We decided against the package. In Bordeaux, ship docks at Chartrons pier, which is north end of the city, and will take the monorail down to the train station where for $8 we can get over to St Emilion for the day. Been to Bordeaux couple times. Bilbao has a shuttle bus back and forth to the Guggenheim which is about $15. Yes, there will be taxis at every pier. What is most irritating is that in asking this of Silversea personnel in three separate calls, we have yet to get the answer. First respondent transferred me to "port" department, second one transferred us to "destinations" department, who now referred me to "Concierge" dept. What do these Silversea employees actually do?? Lots of folks in Cruise Critic board will not travel with them since they no longer have any refund window for their deposits. New President of less than two years has enforced lots of cutbacks. this.is.not.luxury.service.

Good to know because I've always had that line on my list for the day I take a luxury cruise to some interesting destinations..I thought that Seabourn, Silversea and Windstar was the way to go for luxury..

What are the other luxury lines I should keep in mind..do you know?

I am on Princess as I write this! But just a week-long Caribbean mass-market-type cruise to satisfy my partner.

I'm having fun, though..an evironment I never thought I'd every find myself in..

I am happy to report that we received an email today from Silversea "Shore Concierge" that as I had expected, "There will be a shuttle bus" at the far-away ports that are on this cruise which include Oporto and Bilbao. I don't understand while their customer service staff cannot direct inquiries to the proper department, as the answer took 3 days. We have two friends (couples) who swear by Oceania, but their excursions we found outrageously priced, far higher than Silversea frankly -- although Silversea "private tours" section is very highly priced. We're walking at most ports, as we still can, thank God.