Sub-Antarctic Adventure on Silversea Expeditions' Silver Discoverer
We enjoy a 15-night adventure aboard Silversea Expeditions Silver Discoverer exploring the Sub-Antarctic Islands.
Itinerary: Dunedin, The Snares, Enderby Island, At Sea, Macquarie Island, At Sea, Campbell Island, At Sea, The Antipodes, Bounty Islands, Pitt Island, Chatham Islands, At Sea, Napier, Wellington
Just days after announcing Silversea Expeditions' Silver Explorer as our pick for BEST Expedition Cruise Ship in 2014, we embark on her sister, Silver Discoverer. This time, it is a 15-night expedition to the rarely visited subantarctic islands off the coast of New Zealand.
Silver Discoverer is the newest ship in the Silver Expeditions fleet, and she just happens to also be the smallest, catering to only 120 guests with a crew of 96. The ship was most recently refurbished in 2014. We boarded the ship using the gangway up to Deck 4 where you will find the Reception Desk and the Explorer Lounge. The Explorer Lounge is the hub of activity on Discoverer, serving as both the ship's lecture center and only indoor bar. Deck 3 is where you will find The Restaurant which is reminiscent of other Silversea ships and is the venue for evening meals. Deck 5 is where you will find the Discoverer Lounge, which is actually not a "lounge" at all but the ship's Lido buffet where all breakfast and lunch meals are served.
Comfortable seating in Explorer Lounge
Aft of Discoverer Lounge is the Pool Bar and The Grill (outside). This space is open for lunch each day serving burgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, chicken sandwiches, etc. In the evening, this space is used for Silversea's signature "Hot Rock" dining. Staterooms, or as Silversea prefers, "suites", are located on decks 3, 4, 5 and 6. On Deck 7 is the ship's small fitness center and salon/spa. There is a lot of open deck space on Deck 7 which is good for whale-watching or bird spotting. This is also where the ship stores the Zodiacs used for exploring and for shuttling guests to shore.
Silver Discoverer is the smallest ship in the Silver Expeditions fleet
There is an elevator across from Reception that takes you from Deck 3 all the way to Deck 7. There is only one indoor staircase located amidships. It is very easy to find your way around Silver Discoverer. Below the pool deck aft is where guests access the Zodiacs, the small, rubber expedition boats that are the workhorses of any expedition ship. A retractable "marina" platform makes embarking and disembarking the Zodiacs an easy process
ACCOMMODATIONS
Our Veranda Suite on Deck 6 (604) was a comfortable 284 sq. ft (including a 30 sq. ft. balcony). The comfortable queen bed is two twin beds pushed together and topped with the highest quality linens you will find on any cruise ship. A selection of pillows is available to add to the perfect night's sleep.
On the wall across from the bed is a long desk/dresser/vanity with a mirror above and drawers for storage. Next to the bed is another desk that I was able to use for my laptop workstation. There is a small mini-fridge under the desk, stocked daily with your beverages of choice. On top of the desk is a plastic holder for glasses in an attempt to make this sort of an in-suite bar. There are two small closets side-by-side with adequate hanging space for a 15-night cruise. At the bottom of the closet there was one long, shallow drawer and one small drawer. There is also a large drawer under the bed on each side.
Elegant accommodations for an expedition ship
What you won't find are shelves in the room for things like camera gear, etc. We soon learned why this is the case on an expedition ship. In rough seas, you don't want your $3,000 Canon flying across the room! There is a nice sofa, marble coffee table and two chairs. The coffee table can easily be converted into a dining table for en suite dining (there is a square table top hidden behind the sofa that can be placed on the coffee table to make it larger.)
The large flat screen television is mounted on the wall across from the bed, just above the sofa. Silver Discoverer has a different television system than we experienced on Silver Explorer last year, and not one we are crazy about. In fact, the only real problem we had with the suite was with the television. First, the remote control would only work from within about three feet of the television, so to change channels, volume, etc, you had to get out of bed and walk over to the TV. That sort of defeats the purpose of a remote. Also, the television would routinely "crash" or hang, which meant a "reboot" of sorts was required. Our butler showed me how, by removing the HDMI cable on the side of the unit and re-inserting it, the system would reset itself. This was required at least once a day to keep the TV working. On the plus side, the programming choices offered are excellent. There are current movie choices, several news channels including FOX News, Sky News, BBC, etc. And, all of the TV programs can also be accessed over the ship's Wi-Fi using your laptop or portable device. Pretty cool.
Living room w/sofa and chairs
The bathroom in the Veranda Suite is a nice size with decent storage. In keeping with Silversea's unmatched style, the bathroom is clad in elegant marble and amenitized (yes, I just made up that word) with high-quality Bvlgari products.
The most important feature of any Silversea suite is the butler, and we had a great one. Soon after we were in our suite, Jomit showed up to introduce himself and explain all about the suite. He and his assistant, Ronaldo, did an excellent job of keeping the suite in perfect condition during the cruise.
THE CREW
We have always found Silversea crew to be warm, friendly and welcoming. This was certainly the case on Silver Discoverer. Our butler, Jomit, seemed to know what we wanted even before we did. When he and his capable assistant, Ronaldo, decorated the suite for my birthday, the festive décor even included a light show! A Silversea butler will unpack your bags, make dining and/or spa reservations, arrange en suite dining, and provide just about anything else you might require. Both Jomit and Ronaldo went out of their way to always greet us by name and wish us a wonderful day. This level of friendly, efficient service pervaded the entire ship.
Shieba readies Rickee's Prosecco
In the Explorer Lounge, Welma tended bar and always knew that Rickee liked Stellina prosecco and I liked Dewars on the rocks. When she found out we liked potato chips, she included them each day as one of our cocktail "snacks". Shieba knew we had a special wine and always made sure to have it available for us at lunch and dinner. After our first onboard dining experience, where Rolondo provided excellent service, he always brought butter and bottled water for us at lunch without our having to ask. In the Restaurant, we seemed to always occupy the same table for two where we were in the capable hands of Jesse. When he learned that Rickee liked smaller portions of food, he made sure that she always received a beautiful plate of food, just with smaller portions. These are just a few examples of the kind of excellent personalized service that each Silversea guest receives. It always amazes us that the crew can address each guest by name on the first day of the cruise!
FOOD AND DINING
Silversea always does a good job of providing a quality dining experience. That is no easy task on an expedition ship that can go 15 days without re-provisioning. Even though tomatoes and a few other fresh vegetable items become scarce by the end of the sailing, the executive chef and his brigade did an admirable job of delivering Silversea quality under challenging conditions. The breakfast buffet in Discoverer Lounge each morning had everything you would find on a much larger ship, including eggs made to order.
A substantial lunch buffet was served each day in Discoverer Lounge with a variety of salads, sandwiches, soups, main courses and desserts. We found a small table for two on the first day that was positioned right in the middle of the dining room (between port and starboard). The location in the middle minimizes the effect of any rolling motion of the ship. And, in the subantarctic region, the seas can be formidable. Since we always arrived for lunch early, this table became ours for the entire cruise. Even though Silversea offers a choice of red and white wines that change each day, we asked Shieba if they had any Riesling or Moscato on board. She presented us with a Bin 90 Moscato that was perfect for our tastes and from that day forward, we never had to ask. Shieba would bring us Bin 90 at lunch or dinner. That is typical of Silversea service and attention to detail.
Discoverer Lounge is the spot for breakfast and lunch each day
Another option at lunch is The Grill located aft on Deck 5. While we did not dine outside on this sailing due to the wind and cold, I did order a cheeseburger at lunch a couple of times from our waiter in Discoverer Lounge. The Grill offers burgers, fries, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, etc.
A choice of delicious salads and sandwiches/wraps is available each day
An Afternoon Tea is served each day at 4pm, typically in Discoverer Lounge. On sea days, the Tea was moved to Explorer Lounge and combined with Team Trivia. Afternoon Tea offers guests a selection of teas along with scones, cookies, finger sandwiches and other goodies.
For dinner, guests can choose from three venues. First, The Restaurant on Deck 3 is a formal dining room with full menu service. I should qualify that "formal" pertains only to the decor of the dining room, and the dress code of the staff. There are no "formal" nights on Silversea Expeditions (see Experience below for more information on dress codes). Another option is to dine al fresco on Deck 5 at The Grill featuring "hot rock" dining under the stars. Guests choose their seafood or prime meats and grill them at their table on a heated volcanic rock plate. We have enjoyed Hot Rocks on other Silversea ships, but did not dine there on Silver Discoverer. It was a bit cold and windy outside on this sailing, and The Restaurant was so comfortable we found ourselves dining there each night. Another option is room service. In the evening, any item on The Restaurant menu is available for delivery to your suite.
ENTERTAINMENT/ACTIVITIES
Each Silversea Expeditions ship is staffed with a knowledgeable and capable Expedition Team consisting of subject matter experts in various scientific fields pertinent to the area in which you are sailing. On our Sub-Antarctic Islands voyage, we had the pleasure of again sailing with Expedition Leader, Juan Restrepo, with whom we had sailed last year onboard Silver Explorer in the Chilean Fjords. Juan and his team of nine were always available to answer questions or provide additional information about what we had seen on our excursions.
Juan Restrepo, Expedition Leader
As with most expedition voyages, this trip was all about the destination and the amazing wildlife and birds that populate this remote area. The ship does not have a casino or production shows in the evening. There are no guest entertainers, although each evening Mervin played the piano for our listening pleasure in the Explorer Lounge. We were entertained by the incredible scenery and plants and birds and seals and whales we saw each day, either from a trip to shore in the Zodiac or a Zodiac "cruise" around that day's island when local regulations did not allow us to go ashore. Expedition Team members were utilized as Zodiac drivers and pointed out wildlife, geological formations, birds and plant life as we motored to or around an island. The fleet of Zodiacs that the ship carries make it possible to get to places where there are no piers and to islands surrounded by shallow waters. These rigid rubber boats are specifically designed for nature exploration and are rugged and very safe, sturdy and durable. The marina platform at the aft end of Silver Discoverer made getting into and out of the Zodiacs a lot easier.
Zodiacs are the workhorses of a Silversea Expeditions adventure
On our few days at sea, or mornings and afternoons en route to our next island, members of the Expedition Team gave lectures on subjects in their fields of expertise which, among our Expedition Team, included botany, zoology (especially ornithology), marine biology, geology, and history of exploration. Documentary videos pertinent to the area we were visiting were shown in Explorer Lounge. Afternoon Tea Team Trivia was conducted by different members of the Expedition Team and the questions were usually based on his or her latest lecture. On some days, weather-permitting, deck time with the Expedition Team was scheduled where guests would join the team on deck to look for sea birds or other wildlife.
Each evening during Recap and Briefing, everyone looked forward to Juan's description of what we would see and do the next day. His detailed charts on predicted weather and sea conditions were spot on! In addition, Expedition Team members would take turns giving short presentations "recapping" and elaborating on what we had seen that day. During this time each evening, canapes were offered by waiters.
Another activity we enjoyed was a "martini tasting" where we got to taste four different martinis and see how each is made. We sat around the bar in Explorer Lounge and watched Welma make the martinis while Bar Manager, Elbert, talked about the ingredients and how each recipe originated. It was great fun and we all received a copy of the martini "recipes" to take with us.
To let you know what to expect for the next day, activities and meal times were noted in the Chronicles which was delivered to your stateroom each evening. The Chronicles also presented information about the history of the island we would visit next and what we should expect to see there in the way of flora and fauna. It was a nice introduction to things to come.
There is a small gym on Deck 7 and a spa offering services such as massage, manicures and pedicures.
THE DESTINATION
Expedition cruises are ALL about the destination and this one was no exception. The subantarctic islands are a remote group of islands south of New Zealand which, in recognition of their rare and special nature, were designated a World Natural Heritage Area in 1998. Because these islands, uninhabited by humans, are so remote and logistically difficult to get to, they are visited by only about 500 tourists per year. Silver Discoverer visited all five island groups - The Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell Islands - each of which exhibit a character all its own. Their geographical isolation from the mainland and each other has shaped these islands' remarkable biodiversity and made them epicenters of evolution. We also visited Macquarie Island, Australia, where they had recently successfully completed a seven-year project to eradicate rats, rabbits and mice from the island.
Exploring caves at The Snares
Silversea works closely with the Department of Conservation of New Zealand, and by implementing strict bio-security protocols, ensures that no invasive species are introduced on to these pristine islands or transferred from one island to another by Silversea guests. Before boarding the Zodiac to go ashore, Silver Discoverer guests were required to thoroughly examine all outerwear for any foreign material, such as grass burrs or seeds, that could be inadvertently taken ashore. A handheld vacuum cleaner was available to remove any debris. Before our first landing, each guest took their items to the Explorer Lounge where they were further checked by an Expedition Team member. Walking sticks had to be sanitized as did tri-pods. A boot cleaning station consisting of a plastic pan of sanitizing solution was placed at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Zodiac area and guests were required to clean their rubber boots before going ashore. This same process was repeated upon return from an island: boots were dipped and rinsed before the guest headed up to the Pool Deck.
Boots get cleaned before going ashore
Spanning six degrees of latitude, from 47 to 52 degrees south, the five island groups occupy the stormy latitudes of the "Roaring Forties" and "Furious Fifties". While we did experience rolling seas on a regular basis, only on one night did the area truly live up to its nickname with huge waves and high winds. The weather was mostly windy, cloudy and overcast, with frequent drizzle and cool temperatures. The few days when the sun did shine were magnificent.
The SubAntarctic region can produce some rough seas
At least 11 percent of all the world's seabirds breed in the subantarctic region of New Zealand and over 120 species have been observed at the islands or in the surrounding ocean, which makes these islands a birder's paradise. One of the rarest members of the seal family is found at Auckland and Campbell Islands: the New Zealand sea lion. Some of the islands have endemic life forms, meaning these life forms are found nowhere else in the world. There are no fewer than 15 species of land birds that are endemic to the subantarctic islands.The plant life of the subantarctic region is no less unusual. The World Conservation Union has designated the region a "world center of floristic diversity".
Elephant Seal pup on Macquarie Island, Australia
People visit these islands for commercial and scientific reasons and recently, for tourism. They want to experience the awesome wildlife in a remote and physically challenging setting. With more information becoming available about this area through documentaries and magazine articles and reviews such as this one, the curiosity about these remote islands increases. There is no better way to explore this incredible destination than on a Silversea Expeditions voyage.
THE EXPERIENCE
The typical expedition cruise guest is 40 to 60 years old, well-traveled and may or may not be an enthusiast of "traditional" cruising. Expedition cruises tend to attract those more interested in 'exploring' than 'cruising'. Many people are on the ship simply because it is the only way to get to the islands they are interested in visiting. Many of the guests on our cruise were hard-core "birders". Several different nationalities were represented, with only 11 guests from the United States. However, English was the official language spoken on the ship.
The SubAntarctic Islands are a birder's paradise
Every morning when an island visit or Zodiac tour was scheduled, Juan, the Expedition Leader, would gently wake us with an announcement over the PA one hour before departure. He told us the ship's location (longitude and latitude), what the weather conditions were and the outside temperature. If you did not want to hear this announcement, you could turn off the audio system in your suite.
Every Silversea Expedition features complimentary excursions led by the Expedition Team. Activities vary daily and are designed for most levels of interest and physical ability. Zodiacs are used to explore and as transportation to shore. Silversea provides a waterproof parka, a backpack and a stainless steel water bottle for each guest, all of which you can take home with you. As the Southern Ocean can sometimes be a bit rough, it is essential that you bring water-resistant pants and rubber boots to wear in the Zodiac to protect against the waves that inevitably splash over and into the boat. The rubber boots are necessary for getting out of the Zodiac to the shore which sometimes means stepping in shallow water. Boots can be necessary for walks on shore where conditions are sometimes muddy or there are streams to cross. Dressing in layers is crucial.
Silversea provides a waterproof and warm parka that is yours to keep
The excursions on our Sub-Antarctic Islands voyage included several hikes, some of which involved a boardwalk and some that did not. Sometimes there was a choice of excursions, with one usually designed for only the fittest guests and involving long hikes over challenging terrain. During one Zodiac cruise of the Antipodes, we sailed around a huge rock formation and were greeted by a Zodiac full of crew offering us champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries! Each time we returned from a Zodiac trip, we were greeted with a hot hand towel and a smiling Shanna Kay who offered us welcome-back beverages on the Pool Deck.
Several excellent guided hikes were offered on the islands
The dress code aboard Silver Discoverer is definitely casual during both daytime and evening. A few jackets and ties were visible at the Captain's Welcome Dinner and Farewell Dinner, but not many. Officially, the dress code, as indicated in the Chronicles, is "casual" on most nights with a few evenings designated as "casually elegant". Don't wear shorts, jeans or t-shirts to dinner and you will be fine. There is no need to bring a lot of clothes on this trip as laundry service is available for a fee.
There is a doctor on board, should you need medical attention. If you tend to get seasick, bring medication as the seas in this area are known to be rough. Silver Discoverer has logo items available for purchase from Reception. There is a display case of available items outside the Discoverer Lounge on Deck 5. There were few places on this trip to purchase souvenirs, since the subantarctic islands are uninhabited.
The fact that you can visit these remote islands in such luxury and style on a Silversea Expedition cruise makes the journey that much better!
SUMMARY
In many respects, an expedition cruise is about as far from what we have come to know as "the Silversea Experience" as you can get. When you think of Silversea, you think of elegance, fine dining, champagne, over-the-top service and personal attention. You don't think of it involving tromping through the mud on some uninhabited island, or sitting in the middle of 100,000 odiferous penguins. For this reason, Silversea has wisely established a separate brand, "Silversea Expeditions", so as to avoid any confusion. We have been on many expedition cruises and I can honestly say that none do a better job of the expedition side of the equation. The Expedition Team on Silver Discoverer (and on Silver Explorer in 2014) are excellent. What makes Silversea Expeditions unique is, at the "end of the day", (literally) after removing the parka and the muddy boots, guests get to enjoy the "Silversea Experience". It is this blending of "Silversea" and "Expedition" that makes this product truly one-of-a-kind. Trust me, the champagne tastes even better after a day of hiking and bird-watching.
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PHOTO GALLERY
Exploring Chilean Fjords on Silversea Silver Explorer
We spend 11 nights aboard Silversea Expeditions Silver Explorer. Our first Silversea Expeditions cruise!
Itinerary: Buenos Aires (pre-cruise hotel), Ushuaia, Garabaldi Glacier, Punta Arenas, Chilean Fjord Cruising, Pio XI Glacier, Caleta Tortel, At Sea, Castro, Niebla, Puerto Montt, At Sea, Valparaiso
When we arrived in Buenos Aires for a two night pre-cruise hotel stay, I was still trying to get my head around the idea of Silversea being in the expedition/adventure cruise segment. After all, Silversea is all about 5-star luxury. We have been on plenty of luxury cruises, and quite a few expedition sailings, so I was prepared for Silversea Expeditions to be a watered-down version of each. I was wrong. Silversea has managed to build a new brand around the idea of luxury expeditions. So, now you can spend your days getting sprayed by salt water coming off the bow of a zodiac and return to a 5-star luxury ship, with all the pampering that entails, in the afternoon.
Silver Explorer
Of course, there are a few trade-offs for those of you who are used to Silversea's "larger" vessels. Silver Explorer is much smaller. But, what you lose in public spaces and amenities, you more than make up for by having a vessel that can to navigate into smaller, more interesting locations. She carries a maximum of 132 guests and 117 crew members. On our sailing, there were only 71 guests, so the crew-to-guest ratio was high. With a tonnage of 6,072, she is less than half the size of Silversea's next largest ship (Silver Cloud/Wind) which has a tonnage rating of 16,800. Silver Explorer has guest accommodations on decks 3, 4, 5 and 7.
All suites and staterooms feature butler service, refrigerator and bar setup stocked with your preferences, down duvets, fine bed linens, firm or soft mattresses, your choice of pillow, Italian marble bathroom with full-sized bath and European bath amenities, spa robes and slippers, personalized stationery, umbrella, flat-screen TVs with interactive video, on-demand movies, music and satellite news programming. WiFi Internet access is available in all suites and staterooms for a fee.
Our butler, Oki, opens our welcome-aboard champagne
On our sailing, Silversea provided a one-night stay at The Park Tower hotel in Buenos Aires. We decided to book an extra night on our own so that we would have a day without jet lag to explore the city. That was a smart decision. This is a great city and one that you do not want to miss. We booked a walking tour online with BuenosTours.com that gave us a great sample of all that Buenos Aires has to offer. A Silversea representative was available at Park Tower to answer any questions or arrange optional tours. On the morning of embarkation, Silversea guests were invited to enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before a bus ride to the domestic airport in Buenos Aires for the charter flight to Ushuaia.
The Park Tower Hotel
The LAN Airbus 320 chartered flight to Ushuaia was late, but we still arrived in Ushuaia around 1:30pm. By 2:00pm, we were walking up the gangway and onto Silver Explorer.
We were greeted on Deck 5 just outside of Panorama Lounge where we had our photos taken, surrendered our passports and received our room keys. The whole process only took a couple of minutes. And, in true Silversea tradition, after checking in, we were handed a glass of champagne and invited to enjoy snacks in the lounge. Ahhhh, now this is the way to rough it on an expedition cruise!
Embarking Silver Explorer in Ushuaia
It does not take long to move from one space to another aboard Silver Explorer. On Deck 3 you will find Reception, the Infirmary and the Zodiac boarding area. Deck 4 is where you will find the Fitness Center, The Boutique and The Restaurant. The Fitness Center is a small room with only a few cardio machines (treadmill, bicycle, elliptical) , a weight machine and some free weights. If you are serious about working out, you might find this a bit lacking compared to larger ships. The Boutique, however, is quite nice and well stocked for a ship this size. The Restaurant is located aft on Deck 4 and is a roomy, comfortable dining room where all meals are served. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is traditional full menu service. More about The Restaurant later.
Well-stocked Boutique
On Deck 5 aft you will find the Panorama Lounge, a bit of a misnomer since there really is no panoramic view. Nevertheless, it does have all of the comfortable seating and excellent bar service you expect from Silversea. This is the best, and perhaps only, place on Silver Explorer to enjoy a before or after dinner cocktail. We enjoyed dropping by Panorama each evening before dinner for a drink and to listen to the musical stylings of Lou or Mario. After the first day, the bar staff, Oscar and Chester, both knew my favorite drink and it was delivered to me without my even having to ask.
Chester, Bartender, Panorama Bar
Next to the Panorama on Deck 5 aft is the Internet Cafe and Library. There are three computer terminals located here for guest use. The ship is equipped with Wi-Fi which is accessible throughout the ship. We found the Internet connectivity to be spotty, primarily because we spent a fair amount of time in fjords which block the signal from the satellite. In open waters, however, connection was great and the speeds were as good as you will find on any ship. Internet pricing is also competitive. A 250-minute package is $85 and a 1000-minute package is only $250 (25 cents per minute).
Internet Cafe on Deck 5
Moving up to Deck 6 can be a little tricky. There are two elevator/staircases, one forward and one aft. The aft staircase will take you to The Spa and Outdoor Grill. The forward staircase/elevator will give you access to The Theater and the Observation Lounge. We did not have the opportunity to visit the Spa on this sailing, but they do offer massage treatments and have a steam room and sauna. There is also a small hair salon that offers hair styling and manicures and pedicures. In a departure from traditional cruise ships, Silver Explorer does not have a swimming pool. There are, however, two hot tubs aft on Deck 6. The Outdoor Grill is also located here. As with the Pool Grill on other Silversea ships, the Outdoor Grill offers a limited menu of burgers, salads and sandwiches from noon until 2pm, weather permitting. On our sailing, weather did not permit often. Part of the problem is that all seating is exposed to the elements. One day when the weather seemed agreeable, I tried the Outdoor Grill and my beautiful double-meat burger and onion rings arrived just as the cold rain began pelting me. I was forced to retreat to The Restaurant to finish lunch. An awning extending from Deck 7 to cover at least half of the tables would go a long way to make the Outdoor Grill a more usable space.
Outdoor Grill dining area
On Deck 6 forward you will find the Observation Lounge, a small venue with a view over the bow of the ship. There is no bar service here, other than what you will find in The Theater just forward of Observation. However, this bar is only open during limited times. So, Observation is basically a place to relax, read and enjoy the scenery. However, that view of the scenery will be blocked if other guests decide to congregate on the open deck in front of Observation. There is a large flat-screen television in the Observation Lounge and a small library of books. Only a few steps aft of Observation is The Theater, which serves as the main meeting point for lectures and briefings. Each evening, guests meet in The Theater before dinner for a daily briefing to recap the day's activities and prepare for the next day's adventures. In true Silversea style, guests are greeted when they enter The Theater and offered the cocktail-of-the-day.
Attending a daily briefing in The Theater
Staterooms and Suites on Silver Explorer far exceed what you will find on typical expedition vessels. The Veranda Suite on Silver Explorer is smaller than the same category on the non-expedition Silversea ships, but still quite roomy and nice at 206-216 sq. ft. A step-out balcony (French balcony) with a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door gives you a fresh air view of the surroundings. Our Owner's Suite (705) was a spacious 728 sq. ft. and had just about every creature comfort you could want. The separate living room and bedroom are divided by a hallway with a large walk-in closet on one side and a huge marble bathroom on the other. The bathroom had a separate shower and tub which was basically a full-sized tub in a huge shower stall. To take a shower, you stand next to the tub under a rain shower head. The setup looked strange at first, but really is pure genius. Also, the six suites on Deck 7 are the only ones with full-sized balconies. We could access our huge balcony through a sliding glass door in both the living area and the bedroom. All suites offer tons of storage and closet space. About the only thing missing from our Owner's Suite was hooks for hanging up the complimentary red parkas. Owner's suite guests also have the added benefit of two hours of complimentary telephone calls to anywhere and four hours of complimentary Internet. Laundry, dry cleaning and pressing services are also complimentary for Owner's Suite guests.
Owner's Suite
During our 11-night sailing, we took full advantage of our excellent butler, Oki. We used room service to enjoy dinner in our suite on more than a few evenings. Food was always delivered promptly and hot. One advantage of a Silversea cruise is that you can order from a 24-hour room service menu, or, during normal Restaurant hours, you can order from the evening's menu. As some of you who follow our blog may know, I do my blogging early in the morning, before Early Riser's. So, on Silver Explorer I was able to order coffee delivered to our suite at 5:30am in the morning and work in my pajamas from the comfort of our living room. Talk about spoiled!
My private blogging station
Housekeeping duties in our suite were flawlessly performed by Amol. No matter how late we left our suite in the morning, Amol was always nearby to bring it back to perfection. If we had a special request for different pillows, or more hangers, Amol wasted no time in making it happen. The team of Amol and Oki made this a typical Silversea experience. And "typical" on Silversea means excellent!
Amol kept our suite in perfect condition
One area that we honestly had low expectations for was food and dining. Before our cruise, we did some research and read a couple of reviews that had some negative comments about the food quality on Silver Explorer. You can imagine how pleasantly surprised we were to find that the food was as good or better than what we have had on other Silversea ships. It just goes to show you that you can't believe everything you read and that you should take any information on the Internet with a grain of salt. And, we are not alone. I talked with several guests who also said they were amazed at the quality and variety of food. With only a couple of small exceptions, everything I tried was very good. The link sausage on the breakfast buffet was a little odd, but I suspect that is a South American provisioning thing. Otherwise, the breakfast buffet offered everything you would find on a larger Silversea vessel. The fresh donuts and pastries are decadent and delicious. The lunch buffet choices in The Restaurant change each day. A wonderful salad bar is complemented with a variety of hot dishes. There is always a fish of the day, a soup of the day, an Asian dish and a carving station, in addition to other hot offerings. The Chicken Korma served one day was one of the best I have ever eaten...anywhere.
Lunch buffet offers a lot of variety
In the evenings, The Restaurant takes on a more traditional Silversea look and feel. Menus change each evening and offer a wide variety of choices throughout the cruise. The service in The Restaurant was impeccable, just like on any Silversea ship. Simona soon became our favorite waitress at our favorite table for two. A complimentary red and white wine are offered each day in The Restaurant; however, we enjoy a sweet white wine. We requested a German Riesling on day one. Even though no Riesling was on board, the wine steward found an excellent Moscato that served as our daily favorite. Of course, upon each visit to The Restaurant, our Moscato was chilled and waiting for us. There is also a list of premium "reserve" wines for purchase. Special requests are handled with a smile. So, if you have special dietary requirement, or would simply like to have something other than what is on the menu, just tell your butler or waiter a day or so in advance, and Chef Christian will make it happen. This is one of the reasons people come back to Silversea again and again.
Simona, our excellent waitress on Silver Explorer
Make no mistake, even though Silversea luxury is everywhere you look, a Silversea Expeditions sailing is much different that a Silversea cruise. There is no casino or evening production shows. The purpose of these ships is to explore, hence the term "expedition". Silver Explorer guests are pampered on board the ship, but once you step onto one of the Zodiacs from Deck 3, the adventure begins. A team of Expedition Leaders guide you through some of the harshest, most beautiful environments on the planet to experience wildlife and nature in its rawest form. An expedition is not about motor coach rides and cathedral tours. That's what you do on a cruise. A cruise is a trip of a lifetime, an expedition will change your life. Silver Explorer can take you to Antarctica to walk with penguins, or to the Arctic where you can be as close to a Polar Bear as any human on Earth. You can't do that from a motor coach, or a tender boat. On days when you are enroute to the next area to explore, the onboard naturalists enrich your experience with lectures complete with slideshows and videos. Team trivia is held on a few afternoons. And you can always select from a huge list of on-demand movies on your suite television. We really liked that the lectures are broadcast live on the suite television.
Zodiacs are used to explore nature and wildlife
Silver Explorer guests board small pontoon boats, called Zodiacs, to explore glaciers, icebergs, and to make wet and dry landings. A "wet" landing is one where you step off the Zodiac into ankle deep water. So, waterproof boots and waterproof pants are a must. There are rarely docks or jettys in nature, so wet landings are commonplace. Silversea Expeditions provides guests with complimentary red parkas and waterproof backpacks. The parkas are very comfortable, warm and they are yours to keep. The backpacks are large enough to hold a fair amount of gear along with the silver metal/glass water bottle that Silversea provides each guest. Preserving the environment they visit is very important to Silversea so plastic water bottles are not encouraged or provided.
Rickee tries on her new parka
Every guest is required to attend a Zodiac safety meeting where Expedition Leaders go over the procedures of safely getting into and out of the Zodiacs. Each Zodiac can hold up to 13 people and they are very stable and maneuverable. Each Zodiac is piloted by an Expedition Leader who will point out various wildlife and other points of interest during a typical outing. Guests are encouraged to bring cameras and binoculars on the Zodiac, but you should have some way of protecting your gear from rain and splashing water. I used a shower cap from our suite's bathroom to cover my DSLR camera and a Ziplok bag works great for pocket digital cameras.
Expedition cruises are a photographer's dream
Compared to other expedition cruises we have experienced, Silversea Expeditions is at the top of the segment. The Expedition Leaders and Assistants were all knowledgeable, friendly and willing to answer any questions. You can tell, they love what they do. In addition to their excursion duties, they also conduct a series of lectures on a variety of topics including wildlife, geology and nature. The lectures are both entertaining and educational. Daily excursions, lectures, meal times and destination information can be found in the Chronicles, the ship's daily newsletter which is placed in your suite each evening at turndown.
Daily Chronicles newsletter
Silversea has managed to combine the excitement of adventure travel with the luxury of a Silversea cruise. Silversea Expeditions represents the most civilized way possible to experience some of the harshest, yet most beautiful environments on Earth. We can sum up our feelings in five words. "When can we go again?"
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