We are very lucky to have been able to travel on Regent for most of our cruises. Unfortunately, Regent is getting more expensive by including everything and going for longer days. I have heard mixed things about Silver Sea and was wondering what to expect on the Silver Spirit going from Buenos Aires to Rio. Will I encounter a lot of smokers, will the cabins be comparable and the ambiance. I usually take a number of friends and I don't want to be embarrased. Thanks.

You will be fine on Silversea and I am sure you will enjoy the new Silver Spirit. Nothing to worry about.

The rooms are lovely just a little narrow. There is a hidden TV in the mirror that is really neat and contemporary. However as I understand it that took more room behind the scenes than anticipated and therefore the cabin is narrower than initially intended. Plus there is a cabinet/dressing table with chair on the wall at the end of the bed so if someone is sitting there it is impossible to pass by. Other than that, nice bathrooms and a spacious cabin.

There may be more smokers as they do market a great deal to the European market who do smoke more than Americans. However, I do not think this will be a big problem. At least I have never experienced it as an issue and I am a non smoker.

The ambiance and decor of the ship is excellent a different layout entirely from the Regent ships some like it more some like it less.

I believe you will have a wonderful time and be happy with the ship it is very classy and tastefully decorated, you will certainly not be embarrased.

Would you have any idea if the shore excursions are comparable? We enjoyed Regent Shore excursions, not Crystal or Celebrity. It seemed shopping was a big activity. Thank you so much.

Each cruise line hires independent shore agents to handle the tours so it is what each local tour company promotes that is offered by the ships. Most of the cruise lines offer very similiar tours and use mostly the same local agents. The larger ships have more guests and often the tours can be a little different from the ships with fewer guests just the logistics of everything becomes a factor.

Sometimes the variance of excursions between lines may depend more on the ports and what is available than the cruise line you happen to be on at the time.