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
China and South Korea aboard Silver Shadow
We spend Eleven glorious nights aboard Silver Shadow sailing from Shanghai, China to Incheon, South Korea.
Silversea Cruises does not need me to tell the world that it is a great luxury cruise line. Nevertheless, running the risk of stating the obvious, that is exactly what I intend to do. I can't think of another cruise line that has racked up more awards and accolades from industry magazines and organizations. Back when CruiseReport.com com was doling out annual Editor's Choice awards, Silversea received top honors in the luxury cruise category 5 out of 6 years!
Silversea Silver Shadow
“Silversea is unquestionably one of the few great cruise lines in the world.”
Needless to say, when we were presented with the opportunity to sail on Silver Shadow from Shanghai, China, to Tokyo, Japan, we quickly began re-arranging our other assignments and making plans to join the ship. Sadly, the tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan forced Silversea to modify the itinerary and eliminate port calls in Hiroshima and Tokyo for safety's sake. Like a lot of other Silversea guests, we were disappointed that we would not get to visit Japan, but we knew that whatever Silversea put together as a replacement would be great.
PRE-CRUISE IN SHANGHAI, CHINA
We have always been big proponents of pre-/post-cruise packages. Why travel halfway around the world to some of the most exotic cities, only to get off an airplane and drag your jet-lagged self to the ship? There is a 13-hour time difference between Dallas and Shanghai, so jet-lag is a given. Even though we should have scheduled at least three days in Shanghai, our schedule would only allow for two. Since our flight arrived into Shanghai at around 8pm, the first day/night consisted of nothing more than getting to the hotel and going to bed.
For our stay in Shanghai, we chose the Fairmont Peace Hotel, located right on the Bund, the most famous waterfront property in Asia. A cruise aboard a luxury cruise line like Silversea demands a pre-/post-cruise stay at an equally luxurious hotel/resort. The Fairmont Peace Hotel did not disappoint in this regard. This beautiful vintage property has been lovingly restored to become one of the nicest properties we have ever visited, and we have been fortunate to visit quite a few. If you are planning a cruise into or out of Shanghai, please read our review of Fairmont Peace Hotel.
Silversea Silver ShadowAfter a night of full, deep "jet-lag" sleep, we arose the next morning and readied ourselves for our 9am city tour with SAT tours. We booked a full-day Shanghai city tour with Min Min, owner of SAT tours, via email a couple of weeks before our departure. We had read good things about SAT on other websites and decided to give them a try. As it turns out, this was an excellent choice. Our driver and guide showed up promptly at 9am to pick us up for the tour. We spend the entire day experiencing a variety of amazing sights and activities. To read our full review of SAT Tours, click here.
On our third day in Shanghai, the day of embarkation, we spent the morning walking up and down the famous Nanjing Road, the longest pedestrian shopping street in Asia. The location of the Peace Hotel is perfect for getting out and walking around town on your own. However, remember that few people here speak English.
Shanghai is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities we have ever visited. The modern skyscrapers are amazing. There are excellent restaurants, luxurious hotels and unlimited shopping opportunities. This is definitely one city that deserves at least three days to explore before or after a cruise.
EMBARKATION
After spending the morning walking up and down Nanjing Road in Shanghai, we returned to the Peace Hotel and requested a taxi from the hotel's concierge, which they gladly called for us. The concierge even wrote out the pier destination in Chinese for the taxi driver. Remember, most taxi drivers in China do not speak English. Less than 10 minutes and 12 Yuan (about $2.00) later, we arrived at the pier and were dropped off right next to Silver Shadow. In true Silversea fashion, a steward opened our taxi doors, grabbed our hand luggage and took our larger bags from the trunk. We were escorted to a table where Chinese Customs checked our passports and visas before we were issued our room keys and walked up the gangway to the ship. Once on board, the security officer collected our passports and informed us that they would provide us with a photocopy to use while in China later that day. When we finally walked into the interior of Silver Shadow on Deck 5, it felt like coming home. Stewardesses greeted us with a chilled glass of sparkling wine and escorted us to Reception where they took our photo for security purposes. We were informed that our suite was ready and within minutes of exiting the taxi, we were being introduced to our Grand Suite #802 located on Deck 8 forward.
Our excellent butler, Roland
We had not even had time to explore the suite when our luggage arrived and was placed in our bedroom. Soon after, our butler, Roland, arrived and gave us a walk through of all of the features in our Grand Suite. Silversea has embarkation down to an art. The entire process is as painless and efficient as it could possibly be.
ACCOMMODATIONS
With the exception of the two Owner's Suites, the Grand Suite is the largest guest accommodation offered on Silver Shadow (and sister ship, Silver Whisper). The Grand Suite can be configured as a one bedroom or two bedroom floorplan (by combining an adjoining Verandah Suite).
The wet bar in our Grand Suite
Silversea Silver ShadowWhen we first walked into our Grand Suite, we were awe-struck by the sheer openness of the space. The entry foyer leads into the living room with it's full-size sofa, two large and comfy chairs and coffee table. A dining room table large enough for four people to enjoy a meal together sits next to an impressive bar with three bar stools. The bar is equipped with a mini-bar/fridge and a Cappuccino/Coffee machine. A nice-sized desk spans one wall of the living room with more than enough space for a laptop and any electronic gadgets you may be traveling with. There is enough seating in the Grand Suite to host 13 people comfortably.
The 103-116 sq. ft. verandah is accessible via a sliding glass door and features one large wicker seat with footrest, two wicker chairs and two small tables. Due to its location under the wing bridge, the balcony is covered by a sizable overhang that blocks much of the direct sun from the balcony.
A door separates the living room from the forward-facing bedroom. The queen-sized bed is nothing short of luxurious with a brand new mattress that rivals any at sea. Guests can select from a menu of eight pillow choices to suit their personal requirements. A dressing table with 3-sided mirror will be every lady's dream come true. A magnifying makeup mirror is on the dressing table. The walk-in closet is huge with an 8-drawer dresser and personal safe. Two long rods with wooden hangers can hold enough clothes for a world cruise.
The closet is large enough to get dressed in. There is also a built-in storage unit across from the bed that occupies the entire wall. There are three large, and I mean LARGE drawers, six regular-size drawers and lots of storage cabinets behind doors. Two large windows look out over the front of the ship. There is a full-length mirror on the wall as you enter the bedroom and also one on the wall of the bathroom opposite the shower.
Excellent bathroom amenities
The completely separate bedroom allows Rickee to continue to sleep uninterrupted while I do my morning work. The large, flat-screen LCD TV in the living room allows me to watch my Fox News in the morning while working on my blog and enjoying my coffee ritual.
One of the two bathrooms is right off the bedroom and is equally lavish. Slathered in Italian marble, the bathroom features a full-sized bathtub, vanity with two sinks, separate marble shower stall and sequestered water closet with toilet, bidet and sink. The master bathroom is stocked with your choice of Bvlgari, Neutrogena or Ferragamo soap, shampoo, lotion and conditioner. Cotton balls and cotton swabs are provided, too. There is also a powder room off the entryway accessible from the living room. In total, our suite had four sinks, two toilets and one bidet!
Living room with sitting area; two-bedroom has additional sitting area
But, Grand Suite guests don't only benefit from space; there are other amenities as well. Each suite on Silversea enjoys butler service. Your butler is always available to make restaurant reservations, secure shore excursion tickets, provide evening en-suite dining, pick up and deliver laundry, and virtually anything else you may require during your stay. Large suite guests also enjoy complimentary laundry, dry cleaning and pressing from the ship's laundry. Complimentary bottles of liquor are provided to stock the bar as well as your choice of soft drinks, mixers and bottled water. Your choice of daily newspaper is also available for delivery to your suite.
It should be noted that Silver Shadow has recently undergone a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. All suites have been updated with new mattresses and bedding, new upholstery and carpeting. Large suites have been updated to include a high-end Bang & Olufsen CD player. Our Grand Suite looked as fresh as the day the ship was launched. The new mattress and pillows were the most comfortable we have found on any ship.
Even the smallest suites on Silversea are spacious and well appointed. But, for those who insist on nothing but the biggest and the best, regardless of cost, the Grand Suite offers over-the-top luxury and spaciousness. Needless to say, we have been spoiled! As an example, on more than one occasion, we found our leather shoes had been removed from the closet, cleaned and polished and wrapped in tissue paper and put back into the closet. And, upon our return from the overnight in Beijing, we found that our butler, Roland, had drawn a bubble bath for Rickee. Not that's being spoiled!
Halfway through the cruise we received a guest comment card in our suite. Other than praise for our butler and stateroom attendant, our only comment was how we missed a specific white wine we had enjoyed a year earlier while sailing on Silver Spirit. The first day of the cruise, we asked one of the wine stewards for the brand, but were told it was no longer available. However, within hours after submitting our comment card our butler, Roland, showed up at our suite with a bottle of our favorite wine in hand! He said the Head Sommelier read our comment and, after doing some digging in the wine storage, located a few bottles of our favorite white. We were informed that a bottle of our favorite wine would be available in all of the ship's bars and restaurants. Now THAT is the kind of excellent service you only get with a 6-star cruise line!
FOOD AND DINING
The Restaurant
The Restaurant located on Deck 4 is the ship's main "traditional" dining room. The Restaurant looks to have been completely re-decorated as part of the recent refurbishment with new carpeting, upholstery and trimmings. The atmosphere here is elegant and luxurious. Service is crisp and efficient, as it is throughout the ship. Breakfast is served here each morning from a set menu. Lunch and dinner menus change daily and offer a nice variety of choices. Breakfast and lunch in The Restaurant makes a nice, calm alternative to the sometimes busy La Terrazza buffet (lido buffet). A table for two is almost always available at breakfast or lunch. In the evening, The Restaurant comes alive with activity as the ship's primary dining venue. The menu choices show off the galley's culinary expertise with a variety of continental-style preparations. Dining in The Restaurant is open-seating, so you may dine whenever and with whomever you wish. The dress code follows the ship's daily recommended dress code for the day.
On our sailing, Executive Chef Jerome treated us to a gala Galley Dinner in lieu of the traditional Pool Deck BBQ. The weather simply would not allow for a BBQ. Instead, the main galley was converted into an elaborate buffet serving line with every imaginable culinary delight and beautiful ice sculptures for decoration.
La Terrazza
Buffet by day, elegant Italian bistro by night. La Terrazza is probably the most popular dining venue on Silver Shadow (or any Silversea ship for that matter). Sumptuous breakfast buffet service is complemented by made-to-order egg dishes, pancakes and waffles. Lunch buffet choices change daily and usually offer items from The Restaurant's menu in addition to a carving station, fresh sushi daily and a wide variety of salads and desserts. A large al fresco dining area is located aft of La Terrazza where you can enjoy the ocean breeze as you dine.
La Terrazza Lunch Buffet
Slow Food is a concept that began at a grass roots level in reaction to “Fast Food” and is dedicated to proper land stewardship while preserving cultural food traditions. For example, La Terrazza uses buffalo mozzarella from Naples, organic balsamic vinegar and olive oil from Umbria, and air-dried ham out of Parma. The Emilia-Romagna region also produces Silversea's 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano, while the pasta is made daily right on board.
Each evening, La Terrazza is transformed into a romantic, dimly lit Italian bistro. The evening dress code here is listed as casual, but a jacket would be a wise choice if you want to fit in. Even though the main courses offered in the evening are excellent, we have a hard time making it past the pasta course before crying "uncle". The pasta is made fresh daily and is to die for. Make sure to try the Ravioli...amazing! Reservations are required for La Terrazza.
The Grill
Rickee gets ready for the Hot Rock dining experience at The Grill
Come nighttime aboard Silver Shadow, the pool bar and grill is transformed into The Grill featuring "hot rock" dining under the stars. This fun, interactive cooking concept allows guests to grill their own seafood and prime meats directly at their table on a heated volcanic rock plate. The seating here is limited, so you need to make reservations early in the cruise to enjoy this experience. Guests can choose from steak, veal chop or salmon which arrives sizzling on a hot, and I mean HOT volcanic rock plate. The rock plate retains the heat long enough to completely cook the meat to your desired level of doneness. So, in effect, you are cooking your own meal! Side items like baked potatoes, salads and vegetable skewers are pre-prepared so you do not have to cook those, just the meat. The concept is innovative and one that everyone should experience at least once per cruise. On our cruise, it was very cool outside in the evening so we were provided with heavy blankets to help keep us warm while we dined. There are some radiant heaters installed over some of the tables, but more are needed. The dress code at The Grill is always casual.
Le Champagne
Silversea Silver ShadowThe only Wine Restaurant by Relais & Châteaux at sea can be found aboard the ships of Silversea. Guests can indulge in an evening where fine wines are complemented by a set tasting menu of regionally inspired dishes in an intimate, elegant setting. The six-course experience celebrates some of the world’s most distinguished wine regions. Reservations are required and there is a per guest reservation fee.
Room Service
This often overlooked and underrated dining option is taken to a new level on Silversea. We routinely enjoy dining in our suite, especially after a long day of touring an exotic destination. The dining table in our Grand Suite was transformed into an elegantly-set romantic venue with Frette linens and fine silverware, just like you would find in The Restaurant. Our butler, Roland, carefully prepared the table then served our dinner (or lunch) choices expertly. The food was delivered quickly and was fresh and hot. Breakfast is the most popular room service meal, but we rarely eat breakfast, so we reserve the special treat for lunch or dinner.
A substantial 24-hour room service menu is complemented by the daily lunch and dinner choices served in The Restaurant (during normal lunch and dinner hours). The lunch and dinner menu for the following day is provided each evening in the Silversea Chronicles that is delivered to your suite. But here's a little secret about Silversea. If you want something, just ask for it and odds are Silversea will find a way to make it happen, as long as it is within reason. For example, one day we stayed in our suite to watch a movie and we asked for some popcorn. No problem!
Sundowners (at the pool)
I am going to take credit for this one. For years we have been asking Silversea to keep the Pool Bar open after 6pm. Why, you ask? Previously, there was nowhere on the ship where we could go enjoy a drink without having to get dressed up. So, let's say we were planning to have dinner in our stateroom or Dinner Under The Stars, both of which are casual. On a formal or semi-formal night, the ship's dress code after 6pm would prevent us from enjoying a drink in Panorama or The Bar before dinner. Now the Pool Bar is open until 7pm which is PERFECT! Kudos to Silversea. In addition, they have added what they refer to as "Sundowners" service which is basically a bowl of tortilla chips, guacamole and what Rickee considers to be the best salsa she has ever tasted! So, Silversea took my idea of keeping the Pool Bar open later and made it even better.
Pool Grill
One of my favorite spots for lunch is the Pool Grill. There is something about sitting outside on a beautiful day at sea and enjoying a simple burger, fries and onion rings. Silversea's Pool Grill is a noticeable step above other cruise lines with full table service and a pretty extensive menu of made-to-order burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, salads and other treats. A new ice cream sundae bar has been added to satisfy your sweet tooth. As with all Silversea dining venues, you dine here with Frette linen napkins and silverware. No plastic or paper in sight. Even a burger and fries feels elegant on Silversea!
Afternoon Tea
The British tradition of Afternoon Tea has been kept alive on Silversea with an elegant tea service held each day in The Panorama Lounge. A variety of teas are accompanied by traditional finger sandwiches, scones and other sweet treats served by white-gloved wait staff. Afternoon tea is a perfect way to stave off any hunger that might try to sneak in before dinner.
ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES
Entertainment has been steadily improving on Silversea over the past several years. This Silver Shadow cruise was no exception. Each evening the Athenian Lounge showcases a movie or a different production show or guest entertainer at 10:00pm. The four production shows were performed by the Silver Shadow Singers and Dancers and backed up by the Silver Shadow Quartet. Evening shows typically last 30 to 45 minutes, and while we wish they started a little earlier in the evening, you can usually be back in your suite by 10:45pm if you are not a night owl. Music and dancing continues in the Panorama Lounge long after the show has ended for those who like to take a spin around the floor. The featured entertainer onboard was award-winning pianist, Van-Anh-Nguyen, from Australia.
Before and after-dinner musical entertainment was provided by Manny on the piano; the RL Duo; and the Silver Shadow Quartet. One evening, there was a late-night Disco complete with DJ taking place in The Bar.
“If you want something, just ask for it and odds are Silversea will find a way to make it happen...”
During the day, Silver Shadow offers guests a variety of onboard activities. Your day might begin with a 7am "Power Walk" with Personal Trainer Jovanka, or an 8am stretching session with one and the same. International hostesses conduct Italian and French lessons and there seems to always be a group of bridge players on board. The most popular daytime activity is Team Trivia held each afternoon which can get very competitive and lively followed by golf putting. There are table tennis and shuffleboard competitions and dance classes taught by a ballroom dance couple. Bingo was offered on several occasions. If you wanted to tour the galley or the navigational bridge, that was available, too.
The well-stocked library also has a huge selection of movies on DVD for guests to check-out and view in their suites. This is the place to pick up the daily Silver Quiz, sudoku and crossword puzzles. If a board game is in your daily plan, you will find a selection of them in the library.
Silversea has a reputation for providing excellent enrichment lectures. Destination Consultant, Ian Denton, conducted a series of lectures on the various ports we visited on this itinerary and Guest Celebrity, Li Cunxin, fascinated everyone with his life story as an acclaimed Chinese ballet dancer and the subject of the book and movie "Mao's Last Dancer." This voyage had an Art Curator, Michael Judge, who lectured on the Silversea art collection and conducted "art walks" around the ship. The H. Stern jewelry representatives on board gave several talks about gemstones and jewelry. Several fitness seminars were presented by fitness instructor, Jovanka. If you happen to miss a lecture, don't worry. The lectures are replayed on TV at regular intervals.
Guest Celebrity, Li Cunxin
Speaking of fitness, there is a well-equipped fitness center on Deck 10 open daily from 6:30am until 8:00pm. Several classes were offered each day and you could even hire a personal trainer.
For those who like games of chance, the Casino accepts donations whenever the ship is sailing. There are lots of slot machines, poker machines, blackjack tables, roulette and craps. We had some fun with the slots and, fortunately, we broke even for the 10- day cruise! The Casino Staff conducted gaming lessons from time to time and there were Blackjack and slot tournaments.
A small, but well-equipped Internet Cafe is located next to The Library with a few desktop computers available for use. Internet rates are some of the most reasonable in the industry with pay-as-you-go or prepaid package plans. Purchase 1000 minutes and your per minute rate drops to only $0.25 per minute. Internet connectivity is available through the ship's WiFi network from virtually any location. I got the best connectivity in the public areas. WiFi was accessible in our suite, but not as reliable. If I was willing to leave our suite door open, the WiFi signal improved dramatically.
The Boutiques of Silversea, found on Deck 5, offer an extensive range of merchandise including designer clothing, perfumes and skincare products. Silversea logo items are available and there is an H.Stern jewelry boutique, too. Toiletries and other essential items are available for purchase upon request
Guest Chef Kurt Grasing entertained everyone with a special Korean BBQ short rib demonstration one afternoon as did Executive Chef Jerome who treated us to a special creme brulee demo. There was also a "competition" involving two of the Silver Shadow chefs (one French and one Italian) and a "mystery basket" of ingredients. It was fun to see what dishes they could create given the surprise ingredients and only twenty minutes to complete the dishes.
The Spa at Silversea is a full-service facility offering massages and salon services and also teeth whitening. On our voyage, several specials were offered discounting the cost of certain spa services. Rickee made use of the hair salon services and was quite pleased with the results. She says it cost about the same as what she pays at home (and I always think she pays way too much for what she gets!)
BEIJING OVERLAND TOUR
A visit to The Great Wall of China
Silversea Silver ShadowSilversea treated guests on this sailing to a complimentary overnight land tour in Beijing that included an overnight stay at the beautiful Peninsula Hotel. Upon our arrival in Tianjin, China, (the port city for Beijng) we boarded motor coaches for a two-hour drive to Beijing on really good roads in an insane amount of traffic with our first stop being a roadside service station for a bathroom break. The toilets at this rest stop were Eastern style consisting of a porcelain fixture in a hole in the floor. I had been warned to carry tissue with me just in case, but this was not an issue at this particular stop. Next we stopped for lunch at a local restaurant. The Chinese food, which was tailored to Western tastes, was served on large lazy Susan in the center of the table for ten. The waitress kept bringing platters filled with chicken, pork, beef, rice, vegetables and soup. Nobody left hungry and the food was delicious. After lunch, we were bused to The Forbidden City where we enjoyed a guided tour of this amazing and historic structure. Afterward, we made a brief stop at Tiananmen Square with just enough time for photos. By 5pm we were exiting the bus at the Peninsula Hotel where we were also invited to enjoy a complimentary dinner at one of two restaurants: a Western-style buffet or a Chinese restaurant. Even though we had already enjoyed a huge Chinese meal for lunch, we felt that we had to try Huang Ting, the Chinese restaurant located in The Peninsula. We were treated to an eight-course menu that was spectacular. Truly, this was some of the best Chinese food we have ever enjoyed. And, the service and atmosphere were excellent as well.
Day two of the overnight tour had us boarding our bus at 8am after enjoying a lavish breakfast buffet at The Peninsula. Our first stop was at the Olympic Park were we were able to take photos at the famous Bird's Nest and Water Cube. The wind was so strong we could hardly stand up without being blown over and the temperatures were in the 40s. Another hour on the bus in yet more insane traffic and we pulled up to the Badaling section of The Great Wall. The high winds prevented the cable car from operating, so visitors to the Wall were forced to walk up the steps. We had visited the Badaling section back in 2005, so everything looked pretty familiar. There are lots of souvenir shops in this area and we were able to get some shopping done.
After spending about two hours at the Great Wall, we were taken to a nearby jade factory for lunch. The food here was not quite up to the standards of the first day's restaurant, but good nonetheless. I suspect this is a government-run operation designed to feed Western tourists in hopes of getting them to purchase jade jewelry in the massive shop located on the first floor of the building. After lunch, and jade shopping, we made our way back to the buses for the 2.5 hour ride back to Tianjin where we re-boarded Silver Shadow.
Silver Shadow Crew greet guests returning from Beijing Overnight Tour
The overland Beijing tour was extremely well planned and executed. Our guide spoke excellent English and the sights were ones that are not to be missed when sailing to Tianjin. The traffic in Beijing is insane but the bus driver had it all under control! It is a credit to Silversea that they were able to rearrange the transportation, hotel, meals and sightseeing to a day later since our arrival in Beijing was delayed by a day. Everything went off without a hitch.
PORTS-OF-CALL
Shanghai - Since the ship was scheduled to overnight in Shanghai, we were able to take an excursion to have dinner and see the world-famous Chinese acrobats. The ride to the JW Mandarin Hotel where the buffet dinner was held seemed even longer due to the intense traffic in Shanghai. At the buffet, we had a choice of both Eastern and Western food and a beverage. After dinner, we got back on the bus and headed to the venue where the Chinese acrobats were performing. Our seats were on the second row and were fantastic! The show was great and the acrobats did some unbelievable things sometimes bending in such ways it appeared like they didn't have a spine! The finale of the show was seven men riding motorcycles in a small mesh sphere all at the same time. Incredible! The Shanghai troupe of acrobats are rightly considered China's finest at this ancient craft. We highly recommend that you see the Chinese acrobats if you ever get the opportunity.
Rickee says goodbye to Shanghai as Silver Shadow sails away
We sailed out of Shanghai at 11am on the second day so we were able to take in the scenery on both sides of the Huangpu River. The skyscrapers on the Pudong side are incredible! The Huangpu River flows through Shanghai and empties into the Yangtze River past endless wharves, factories and tankers at anchor. The number of barges we passed loaded with all sorts of materials heading into Shanghai was astounding. The river traffic rivaled the vehicle traffic on the streets of Shanghai! This shouldn't be surprising since Shanghai is China's largest port and nearly half of China's trade with the outside world travels these waters. Apparently, there is a one-way channel that takes you from the Huangpu to the East China Sea and ships are scheduled to transit the channel at a certain time. We had quite a lengthy wait for our scheduled time and before our appointed time arrived, a heavy fog rolled in which delayed our passage even longer. We were delayed so long that we had to miss a scheduled port in order not to miss our time in Beijing. As it turned out, we skipped Dalian and arrived in Beijing a day late and had a extra day at sea. The fog stayed with us for several days during this voyage and temperatures were on the cool side with occasional drizzle.
Tianjin - This is the port for visiting Beijing which is about a 2.5 hour drive. Tianjin has a new, very modern terminal that is huge and EMPTY! Silversea provided a complimentary overnight excursion to Beijing (see description above ), but if you chose not to go, a shuttle service was provided from the pier to a mall in Tianjin. When we boarded Silver Shadow in Shanghai, we were given a photocopy of our passport which we had to carry with us at all times when we went ashore in China. The Chinese authorities would always check this photocopy whenever we would leave or board the ship. When we returned from Beijing, we surrendered the photocopy to the Chinese authorities at the pier since we were leaving China and would no longer need it.
Jeju - Jeju was our first stop in South Korea and is the capital city of the island of Jejudo, a popular vacation spot known for its majestic waterfalls and sandy beaches. It is interesting that, despite its proximity to Korea, Jujudo's people developed their own culture and language distinct from the mainland. We arrived about an hour later than originally scheduled because we had to make an unscheduled stop the day before so a passenger who had a heart attack could be transported to a hospital on shore.
We signed up for the Jeju City Highlights excursion and boarded the bus around 9:30am. The Korean buses were really decorated on the inside with embroidered curtains complete with ball fringe! The steering wheel of the bus and the gear shift lever were also decked out and sparkled. First stop was the Dragon Pond where legend has it that a dragon and a nymph played. Next stop was the Natural History Museum where we saw exhibits about how the Jejudo people lived in the past. Our last stop was a souvenir shop where we picked up a magnet and were able to pay for it using some of the Chinese money we had left. So many Chinese visit Jeju that the local vendors take Chinese money. Jeju is known for its lava stone and is home to Jejudo Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, a Natural World Heritage site. For those who chose not to take an excursion, a shuttle bus was provided from the pier to a duty free shop.
Busan - Busan (formerly Pusan) is South Korea's second largest city and its principal port. Lovely beaches, scenic cliffs, mountain panoramas and hot springs are all found within the city. We opted to take the complimentary shuttle from the pier into the city to explore on our own. The ride took about 20 minutes and the shuttle first went to a beautiful park with the final stop being the Phoenix Hotel. From here, we took the short walk to the International Market which is made up of small alleyways divided into different districts, each dealing with a distinct variety of goods. Even though we had been told that the shopkeepers would only take local money, we were able to use both American and Chinese money to make purchases. This market stretches out over many, many blocks and you could easily spend an entire day there checking out the goods. The food vendors were especially interesting.
A local mobile bank had come to the pier and we changed some American money into Korean money before we boarded the shuttle. When we returned, we were able to change the money back into American money (for a small fee, of course.) There were also some shopping opportunities on the pier where locals had set up some tables selling Korean souvenirs.
Incheon - Our voyage ended in Incheon, South Korea, the port for Seoul. The ship has to go through a lock to reach Incheon as there is a tidal variation of 33-feet. We had a great view of the whole lock procedure from our suite at the very front of the ship! Everyone was supposed to be out of their suites by 8:00am and waiting in a public area for the ship to be cleared by local authorities. Since our flight did not depart until 5:50pm, we opted to take a tour of the city that ended at the airport around 1pm.
Since we had arranged with Luggage Forward to ship our luggage home to Texas for us, we didn't have to worry about setting our luggage out on the last night of the cruise. Instead, on the morning of disembarkation, our butler took our luggage to Reception where the Luggage Forward representative would pick up the bags. How simple is that?! We left a copy of our passport with Reception and verified that they had the correct address and that was it. While others were wrestling with their large luggage through South Korean security and to and from the bus, we simply walked away. Nice! Our luggage was delivered to our home three days after we returned.
THE SILVERSEA EXPERIENCE
In a world of self-serve gas stations, and a 'do-it-yourself' mentality, it is nice that one company insists on delivering an alternative. In fact, modern society has changed us so much that one can almost become consumed with guilt when this level of pampering is experienced. A Silversea cruise is what a vacation is supposed to be: worry-free, relaxing, luxurious and fun. We have sailed on all but one Silversea ship over the past several years and the story never changes. It is always excellent service delivered in an unobtrusive manner. Silversea embodies the nature of good taste, quality and service. There are a lot of good cruise lines, a handful of great cruise lines. Silversea is unquestionably one of the few great cruise lines in the world. But more than that, Silversea is one of the few places left on Earth where everyone is made to feel special, welcome and valued.
What We Loved
Friendly staff, impeccable service
Gratuities included in cruise fare
All beer, wine, champagne, cocktails and bottled water included in cruise fare
Best mattresses and pillows at sea
Good TV programming w/movie selection
Big, roomy suites, most with balconies
Excellent room service for en suite dining
Quality shore excursions with ship's tour guide present
Pool bar now open until 7pm
What We Would Like To See
6:30pm dinner times (instead of 7pm)
9:30 show time (instead of 10pm)
A casual, no-reservation-required dining option
VIDEO
GALLERY
Silversea Silver Whisper 14-Night Caribbean (2002)
We spend 14 nights aboard Silver Whisper in the Caribbean. Our first sailing with Silversea Cruises!
Michael and Pat M., a couple from England, look far too young to have already accumulated 100 sailing days with Silversea. Yet, after they complete their next Silversea cruise of 34 days from Auckland to Acapulco, they will have accomplished that milestone. Jean and Peter A., also from England, are longtime Seabourn patrons enjoying their first Silversea cruise. Werner and Wilma S. are cruising with their daughter and son-in-law. The four of them flew from their home in Switzerland to join the Silver Whisper for the 14-day Caribbean cruise after which they will return home. In March 2003, Werner and Wilma fly from Switzerland to meet Silver Whisper in Acapulco for a Panama Canal cruise. What could possibly be so special about the Silversea experience to attract so many people from around the world? “The staff is always smiling and happy and each time we return we get to see the same folks we became friends with from our previous Silversea cruises,” says Pat M.
“A happy crew makes for happy passengers,” says Cruise Director Ray Solaire. Ray, a 30-year cruise line veteran, spent 20 years with Cunard Line and has been with Silversea from its beginning. He demonstrates the energy of a man half his age and this energy seems to carry over to the entire crew of the Silver Whisper. This sort of attitude cannot help but contribute to a memorable cruise experience, as we were about to find out during our first Silversea experience.
Exceeding expectations becomes increasingly difficult when so much is expected to begin with. Like Rolls Royce in the auto industry, Silversea has established a brand synonymous in the cruise industry with the ultimate in luxury and is not bashful about charging the highest per diems for its product. Cruise fares on Silversea can range from $350 to over $1000 per day, per person (depending upon such factors as suite selection, cruise itinerary, early booking discounts, Venetian Society discounts, and seasonal rates.) Make no mistake, the Silversea Experience is designed from the ground up for those who expect the very best and are willing to pay to get it. But, is it really worth the high price? “Absolutely,” says Peter A., a first-time Silversea guest. “The level of service, the luxury of a smaller ship experience and the flexible dining options are well worth the price.” This sentiment is shared among many Silversea guests who return time and time again to this premium cruise line.
Senior Editor, Rickee Richardson, enjoys a tour of the bridge with Captain Angelo Carsaro
One thing you notice immediately when you book a Silversea cruise is the incredible attention to detail. Virtually nothing has been overlooked in the quest to provide the best of everything for the Silversea guest. This is evident as soon as your silver foil-stamped cruise documents arrive wrapped inside a real calfskin ticket jacket embossed with the distinctive Silversea “S” logo. That same attention to detail carries through to the onboard experience. Each suite is fully-stocked with quality Italian Bvlgari-brand bath products. Bathroom floors, walls and vanities are drenched in rich Italian marble, and beds are wrapped in the finest linens and topped with fluffy down pillows.
At 25,000 tons, the Silver Whisper is more than twice the size of the Seabourn Pride and carries as many as 388 guests with a crew complement of 300. This results in the highest space-to-guest-ratio in the industry. Launched in 2001, Silver Whisper is the newest of Silversea’s four ships. Her identical twin sister, Silver Shadow, was launched in 2000. Two smaller sister ships, the Silver Wind and Silver Cloud, each with a tonnage of just under 17,000, provide accommodations for 296 passengers. “We like the intimacy of the Silver Cloud,” says James M., a Venetian Society Member with over 115 days aboard Silversea, “but we prefer the roomier suites and the public space of the Silver Whisper and Silver Shadow.”
After checking in at Pier 29 in Ft. Lauderdale, a white-gloved Silversea staff member escorted us on board where we were immediately greeted by Cruise Director Ray Solaire. A welcoming line of sharply dressed, smiling staff members offered crystal flutes filled with chilled Moet & Chandon Brut Champagne which we graciously accepted. Another white-gloved stewardess then walked us to our suite where we were to see our home for the next 2 weeks. Our Verandah Suite (suite 502) is the forward-most suite on Deck 5. About 80% of the accommodations onboard Silver Whisper (and her sister Silver Shadow) are Verandah Suites. There are a few Vista Suites available which are the same size, but have a large picture window instead of a balcony.
The well-designed Verandah Suites measure 345 square feet, are nicely appointed and tastefully decorated. The interior of the suites reflect the same understated elegance that is found throughout Silver Whisper. The emphasis here is on quality materials, workmanship and creature comfort, not colorful, overwhelming decoration. Bathrooms are large by cruise ship standards and feature separate tub and shower stall and two sinks. The walk-in closet is large enough to hold plenty of clothes for any length voyage and still have room for an adult to get dressed with the door closed. This is a nice feature for early-risers who do not want to wake their traveling companion in the morning. The closet has intelligently been placed between the bathroom and the bedroom, serving as an effective sound barrier. The bedroom area consists of a queen-sized bed, 2 end tables and a small vanity at the foot of the bed with a well-lighted mirror. Finally, the living/dining room area features a large wall unit which has a desk, refrigerator, bar and entertainment center (Television/VCR combo). Opposite from the wall unit is a comfortable sofa, a chair and a coffee table that can be converted to a dining room table for room service. The back wall of the living room is actually a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door leading out to a teak balcony where you’ll find two lounge chairs with ottomans, and a small table just the right size for morning coffee and croissants.
Every suite has a beautiful fresh flower arrangement, fresh fruit is replenished daily or upon request, and a bottle of chilled Moet & Chandon champagne is waiting for you when you arrive. In fact, Moet & Chandon Champagne is poured throughout the ship and is included in your cruise fare, as are a nice selection of wines, all mixed drinks, soft drinks and bottled water, making the Silversea Experience an all-inclusive experience. Our suite was kept immaculate throughout the cruise by our Austrian stewardess, Martina.
“Is there something you want that’s not on the menu? Ask your waiter. I requested a Caesar salad, creamed spinach and/or green beans every evening.”
The ship itself is very well laid out with a reception area mid-ship on Deck 5 with the purser’s desk, tour desk, and the offices of the cruise consultant and hotel manager. Most of the public rooms aboard Silver Whisper are located aft on Decks 5, 6, 7 and 8 with the exception of the Mandara Spa and Observation Lounge found on Deck 10 forward. The Casino and boutiques are located mid-ship on Deck 5. This layout makes traversing the ship very quick and easy. Moving vertically is made possible by four stairways and four elevators located aft from Deck 3 thru Deck 8 and one staircase and elevator forward. The elevators are small and slow, but they get the job done. The stairs are so well-designed and easy to negotiate, we rarely saw anyone using the elevators unless required to do so because of a wheelchair. The ship is also very accommodating to wheelchairs with several ramps in front of doorways. There are even wheelchair-designated public restrooms in many areas of the ship.
The décor of the ship can best be described as understated elegance. There is a contemporary monochromatic feel to the interior spaces with walls virtually void of colorful artwork with the exception of The Bar and The Restaurant which do have a few splashes of red and orange. The furnishings throughout the public rooms are constructed of rich woods and fabrics and are very comfortable. In spite of this lack of color and panache, the ship radiates a beautiful elegance.
“Enjoy dinner in the Terrace Cafe for an intimate candlelit dinner. Reservations are limited to 50 people per evening.”
When the ship is in port, guests can walk leisurely off the ship without the hassle of long lines. Even tender operations are very efficient and smooth. Of course, you can also enjoy an organized excursion arranged through the ship's tour desk. Shore excursions are competitively priced with other cruise lines and we noticed at least one Silversea crew member accompanying every tour.
Enjoying a day at sea aboard silver whisper
Sea days aboard Silver Whisper can be enjoyed at the ship’s pool on Deck 8 where attendants will spoil you. On hot afternoons, you will be offered chilled face towels, fresh watermelon and pineapple. A cool drink is always available from the pool bar to be delivered to your lounge chair. And you can forget about having to dry your hands to sign for your drink because all of your drinks are complimentary on Silversea. If the pool is not your thing, you can relax in one of the many lounges on board to read a good book, converse with friends, or partake in one of the many activities offered by the Silver Whisper staff ranging from cooking demonstrations to trivia contests.
Silver Whisper guests who wish to connect to the Internet during their cruise may do so at the ship’s Internet café on Deck 8. Guests who have attempted to access the Internet from other cruise ships will immediately appreciate the way Silversea charges for access. Guests are charged $.75 cents per minute, but the charges are only accrued as files are being uploaded or downloaded from the net. The result is an affordable and fair way of paying for the service. “We view our Internet café as an extension of the service we offer to our guests,” says Communications and I.T. Officer Vassant Ramakrishna.
Silver Whisper Docked in Grenada
A cruise aboard a luxury ship like Silver Whisper would not be complete without a relaxing trip to the spa. All Silversea ships feature spas operated by Mandara Spa which originated in Bali. Mandara Spa offers a variety of salon treatments including facials, waxing hair and nail care. But what we were looking for was a relaxing massage, and we found it. While I was enjoying 80 minutes of “Balinese Bliss”, Rickee submitted herself to the “Massage Around the World” (see inset for descriptions). Both treatments were as good, if not better, than any we have received at sea or on land. At $160 each for 80 minutes, the treatments are a bargain. When you sail Silver Whisper, you simply owe it to yourself to indulge.
Room service is taken to a new level on Silversea
Evenings aboard Silver Whisper often begin with a visit to The Bar on Deck 5, or The Panorama Lounge on Deck 8, for pre-dinner drinks and conversation. Both venues feature canapés as well as a selection of hot hors d’oeuvres. Here you can meet and converse with some of the most interesting people in the world.
Dining aboard Silver Whisper is what you would expect from a 6-star luxury ship. Breakfast and lunch is delivered to your table in the Restaurant, while a beautiful buffet is served in the less formal Terrace Café on Deck 7. Evening meals can be enjoyed in the more formal atmosphere of the Restaurant on Deck 3, or the more casual and intimate Terrace Café which is transformed into a candlelit bistro-style restaurant on most evenings. With virtually no exceptions, everything that was delivered from the galley was prepared to order and of exceptional quality and presentation. For those times when you don’t feel like getting out, you can have room service in your suite. The living room table is converted into a dining table complete with linen tablecloth, china and silver service for a memorable “en suite” dining experience. The complete Restaurant menu is available for room service during normal dining hours and there is a 24-hour menu available for the non-dining hours.
Where Silver Whisper really shines is her staff and service. It would seem that everyone working on Silver Whisper enjoys their work and truly loves their job. We did not encounter a single employee during the 14 days who was anything less than accommodating, friendly and sincere. You cannot walk down any hallway on Silver Whisper without receiving one or more greetings from staff members.All, of course, delivered with a smile.
Making new friends is easy aboard a small ship
As we prepared to disembark Silver Whisper, we suddenly realized why so many people return time and time again. While we are sad to leave our new friends behind, we are excited at the prospect of returning in the near future. For as we leave Silver Whisper, we see a new group of passengers waiting to board. We envy them because we know they will enjoy, in the words of Ray Solaire, many “Glorious Days” aboard Silver Whisper.
The Thumbs report
👍🏻 - Master Angelo Carsaro. Here is yet another one of those attractive Italian ship captains that all men love to hate. But if you can overlook his good looks and charming accent, he is very gracious and quite accessible throughout the ship.
👍🏻 – Cruise Director Ray Solaire. An accomplished entertainer in his own right, Ray is full of energy and vigor. Not only was he with Cunard Line for 20 years, he has been with Silversea since its beginning. Make sure not to miss his show during your cruise!
👍🏻 - Enzo Mazzali, Maître d' Hôtel. Enzo seems to be in three places at once. He is always visible in the Restaurant and Terrace Café and visited our table every evening at dinner in The Restaurant. If you want something special, just ask Enzo and watch him work his magic!
👍🏻 - Wendy Mason, Bvlgari Boutique. It may seem strange to give special mention to the manager of the Bvlgari boutique, but Wendy is a centerpiece of attitude aboard Silver Whisper. In a word, she is simply radiant. She is gifted with beauty, elegance and a warm smile that helps define the Silversea Experience.
👍🏻 - Maintenance/Housekeeping. The Silver Whisper is, unquestionably, the cleanest and best-maintained ship we have sailed to date. Crewmen were seen painting the hull every day in port. Windows in the dining room and other public rooms were kept free from water spots. The ship literally sparkles it is so clean.
👍🏻 - The Terrace Cafe. This is an excellent venue for buffet breakfast and lunch and transforms itself into an intimate, candlelit bistro for casual dining most evenings. Panoramic views of the ocean and optional al fresco dining make this a beautiful dining area.
👍🏻 – The Restaurant. This is Silver Whisper’s main dining venue offering open seating dining from 7:30pm to 9:30pm each evening. We are sold on the concept of single seating which allows you to dine whenever and with whomever you wish. Apparently, so are many of the guests with whom we had the pleasure of dining. Service, food and presentation are all excellent.
👍🏻 – Room Service. Even though dinners were not served course-by-course, all deliveries were timely and food was delivered hot and delicious. The coffee table is quickly converted to a large dining room table complete with linen tablecloth, china and silver flatware.
👍🏻 – Bar Service. Drinks are made to order and served in heavy crystal glassware with ice cubes. Moët & Chandon champagne flows freely throughout the ship. There is no skimping here on liquor. The only requested drink we could not get was a Mojito which requires fresh mint. Apparently, there was no fresh mint to be found on board.
👍🏻 – Entertainment. We found the entertainment to be better than what we expected aboard a “small” ship. The Jean Ann Ryan Production Company is a spirited troupe of singers and dancers that put on some very creative shows with excellent vocals. Paul Balfour, a featured entertainer, is an accomplished harpist and vocalist with two performances. Of course, Ray Solaire’s show was quite entertaining. The Armadillo String Quartet provided wonderful concerts, as well.
👍🏻 – Coffee. Coffee was consistently good throughout the ship. "Freshly-brewed with a smile," says Armani, Silver Whisper bar waiter.
👍🏻 – The Pool Bar and Grill. Pool Bar and Grill offers excellent drinks, good burgers, all-beef hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches and a variety of salads. Table service is a great concept, but we would also like to see the addition of a walk-up order area for food. During peak periods, the wait for an order can be considerable.
👍🏻 – The Casino. Even though it is small, it can be very lively. All that is missing is a no smoking policy. It is far too cramped a space for smoking to be allowed in this area.
👍🏻 – The Observation Lounge. Located on Deck 10-forward with a clear 180 degree view of the sea, this is the perfect venue for early morning coffee and pastries.
👍🏻 – The Mandara Spa. Located on Deck 10, the spa is small and lacks personality, but the massage treatments here are second to none.
👍🏻 – Verandah Suites. Verandah suites are large, well-designed, comfortable and quiet. Bathrooms are the largest we have seen on any ship.
👍🏻 – All-inclusive. Virtually everything is included in your cruise fare - champagne, wine, mixed drinks, soft drinks and bottled water. A bottle of liquor will also be delivered for consumption in your suite if you desire. All gratuities are also included.
👍🏻 – Single-seating dining. Perhaps the single biggest advantage Silversea and other luxury lines have over "mainstream" cruise lines is the option to dine whenever and with whomever you wish.
👍🏻 – Laundry/Dry Cleaning Service. This service is exceptional and competitively priced. Items we sent out by 9:30am were returned the same afternoon!
👍🏻 – The Internet Café. This is, hands down, the best Internet Cafe I have seen on any ship. There were plenty of terminals with bright LCD flat screens AND intelligent pricing. A simple card-swipe logon procedure was all that was necessary to access the system. Silversea charges 75 cents per minute, but only charges for actual download time (the time it takes to download a web page or email). In other words, you are not charged for the time it takes to read or write an email, only the time it takes to send or receive it. This is the ONLY fair way to charge guests for Internet access.
👍🏻 – Afternoon Tea. Tea aboard Silver Whisper occurs every afternoon at 4:00pm. An excellent selection of sandwiches, desserts, and scones with clotted cream make this one of the nicest teas at sea.
👍🏻 – The Viennese Lounge. This is a superb venue for a variety of production shows and entertainment acts. It is equipped with excellent sound and lighting systems and all the latest computerized effects. The lounge features great sight lines with very few obstructed views.
👍🏻 – Bvlgari Boutique. This is a beautiful, albeit pricey, boutique offering a selection of the popular Italian designer’s jewelry, watches, handbags, and clothing items.
👍🏻 – The Library. The library is well-stocked with books and video tapes and is open 24 hours per day. The honor system is employed here so you can drop by any time, grab a book or video and simply return it when you are finished.
👍🏻 – Hospitality. Silversea is very good about dealing with special requests. I ordered Caesar salad every evening, no problem. When we requested firmer pillows for the bed, they were brought immediately. Even though Eggs Benedict did not appear on the breakfast menu for room service, we wrote in the request and we had Eggs Benedict, delivered hot and delicious.
👎🏻 – The Fitness Center. The workout room is too small, cramped and under-equipped. The treadmills are excellent Life Stride models, but the ceiling is so low that when jogging on a 6% incline, Ihit my head on the ceiling (I am 6’ 1”). There were a few recumbent cycles and a spin cycle, but no elliptical trainers.
👎🏻 – Suite Doorbells. They sound like an inexpensive buzzer instead of a nice chime and make you jump every time someone buzzes at your door.
👎🏻 – Smoking policy in Viennese Lounge. The port side of this room is designated as a smoking section. This is one area of the ship that should be designated as a completely non-smoking venue.
👎🏻 – Chlorinated water. Like just about every cruise ship, Silver Whisper is not above serving you chlorinated water at mealtime. There is a solution, however. You can request bottled water with your meals.
👎🏻 – Boutique. The store is large enough, and the prices are fair, so why the thumbs down? An incredibly poor selection of logo-branded items is the cause for this rating! The few clothing items they did have bearing the Silver Whisper name were monogrammed in the same color thread as the garment making the name impossible to read. There were no items with the distinctive Silversea “S” logo. Many others we spoke with commented on their disappointment with the lack of available logo items. The one exception was a white Gear® Jacket with blue monogram.
👎🏻 – Photos. Unfortunately, there is no ship's photographer. While I appreciate Silversea's attempt to restrict solicitations of its guests, it would be nice to have a good quality boarding photo, a picture with the Captain or even a private portrait session.
👍🏻👍🏻 – Overall. This is a 6-Star luxury cruise line that could very well be the best cruise experience in the world today. If you will settle for nothing but the very best, and can afford it, Silversea is an incredible vacation.
If you have any questions about our Silver Whisper cruise, please feel free to email us at reviews@cruisereport.com and we will do our best to answer any questions.