Crystal Symphony - 9 Night Mediterranean
We spend 9 nights on Crystal Symphony sailing from Barcelona to Rome.
By Chris Dikmen and Rickee Richardson
Tarragona | Palma de Mallorca | Porto Mahon | At Sea | La Spezia | Livorno | Porto Santo Stefano | Civitavecchia (Rome) | Civitavecchia (Rome)Since our 2023 review of sister ship, Crystal Serenity, there have been some additional changes on Crystal’s ships. Both ships have received a new casino and a new Beefbar specialty dining venue. Therefore, we thought it would be good to update our review of Crystal with a sailing aboard the slightly smaller, and a little older, Crystal Symphony.
THE SHIP
Crystal Symphony docked in Porto Mahon, Menorca
“This was our 148th cruise and our fifth on Crystal...”
Crystal Symphony is the smaller of the two Crystal ocean ships with a guest capacity of 602. What is interesting is, that when Crystal re-emerged under new ownership in 2022, they actually re-designed the ships to hold FEWER guests! When this ship was first launched, she held more than 900 guests. Crystal reduced the number of suites onboard both ships and introduced new, larger suites in several categories. The result is a very high space-to-guest ratio.
Crystal Symphony has retained much of the original charm of the luxury brand while updating and refreshing many areas.
Waterfall fountain that spans two decks in Crystal Plaza
We saw what appeared to be new carpeting throughout the ship. The Crystal Plaza is the main lobby area and it appears to be untouched and original, yet still elegant and classy.
There are three banks of elevators and stairways. There are three midship elevators, three forward elevators and two aft elevators. We never had to wait long for an elevator; however, on our sailing, the ship was only at about 60% capacity. The layout of the ship is very logical and it is easy to find your way around. All public spaces are on Decks 5, 6, 11 and 12. Deck 4 is primarily used for tender operations or to disembark/embark.
WiFi/Internet
Whether we like it or not, we are all tied to technology and a ship’s WiFi is a subject for review. Every guest receives a complimentary “Standard” unlimited WiFi package. After just a couple of days struggling to get some websites to load, I decided to pay the $100 to upgrade to the Premium WiFi package. I think it may have been a $10 per day charge, and since this was a 10-day cruise, the cost was $100.
With the Premium WiFi package, you can have up to four devices connected simultaneously, which was enough for my iPhone, my laptop and Rickee’s iPhone and iPad. Speeds and connectivity varied throughout the cruise, which is typical, but overall, the Premium WiFi was about three times faster than the Standard.
Basic WiFi
Premium WiFi
ACCOMMODATIONS
One of the best features of Crystal ships is the spacious suites. And yes, every stateroom is considered a suite, with amenities that you would expect on a luxury cruise line. Our Sapphire Veranda Suite had a large bathroom with a massive rain-shower-head shower. Luxury shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bar soap, and body lotion are provided. There are dual sinks, and plenty of storage space.
Excellent bathroom amenities
The suite has a separate living room and bedroom, separated by a heavy curtain. The bedroom has a king-sized bed, two nightstands and a large flat screen TV. The living room is furnished with a large sofa, a coffee table, a chair, an end table with storage, a small dining table with seating for two, and a large marble desk.
There are USB (USB-A and USB-C) charging ports at the desk and at each nightstand. US-Style 110v outlets and European 220v outlets were also available at the desk, at nightstands and next to the sofa.
One of our critiques of our Sapphire Veranda Suite on Crystal Serenity was the lack of a full length mirror. Crystal has solved this problem by placing a full length mirror on the back of the suite door. Simple, yet effective.
Our balcony was long, but a little narrow. However, there were large, cushioned chairs on the balcony with padded ottomans. This is probably the most comfortable balcony furniture of any ship on which we have sailed. There are two heavy sliding glass doors leading to the balcony: one in the bedroom and the other in the living room.
Dining table for two
Marble Desk with refrigerated drawer
The suite furnishings looked fresh and new with no visible signs of wear. After all, the ship was refurbished in 2023. The walk-in closet has plenty of storage for a 30+ day cruise and is equipped with wooden hangers, a complimentary umbrella, a shoe horn, a hair dryer and a large electronic safe. All of the drawers throughout the suite, including the 4-drawers in the closet, are soft close, as is the toilet seat and lid. The closet is located off of the living room instead of the bedroom, which is a little odd, but the layout works.
Balcony
The bed is really comfortable and all of the linens and bedding are very high quality. The pillows were a little too soft for us but we were able to request firmer pillows which were more to our liking.
Our Sapphire Veranda on Symphony was noticeably smaller than the one we had on Crystal Serenity. I would estimate the suite to have been about 2 feet shorter overall, and a bit narrower. Perhaps this could be the case because the suite’s location on the ship is forward where the hull narrows.
All Crystal suites come with butler service and our butler on this cruise, Milind, was nothing short of amazing. Every special request was handled quickly and efficiently. Milind has been with Crystal for 21 years. And, we met several crew members who said they, too, have been with Crystal for 20+ years.
Milind has been with Crystal for 21 years
Crystal butlers can assist with a variety of things during your cruise. They can help with shore excursion tickets, restaurant reservations, picking up and delivering clothing items to be pressed or laundered, shoe shine services, and much more. Each day between 3:30pm and 4:30pm, Milind would show up at our suite with the most delicious canapés.
Canapés delivered to our suite each afternoon
Several luxury cruise lines do offer canapés delivered each day, but Crystal has the best we have experienced on any cruise line so far. Milind also asked if we wanted any spirits or wine in our suite. We requested Prosecco (for Rickee) and a bottle of Canadian Club (for me). The pull-out refrigerator drawer located under the desk is a genius design and can be stocked with your favorite beverages, all complimentary.
Prosecco was placed in our pull-out refrigerator drawer
Overall, we would rate the Sapphire Veranda Suite a 9 out of 10.
FOOD AND DINING
Crystal Symphony offers guests a variety of dining choices. Crystal food quality remains at the highest levels of luxury cruise line dining.
The Marketplace Buffet
The Marketplace Buffet is open every day for breakfast and lunch. However, there is no dinner service at this venue. Marketplace is one of our favorite buffet restaurants at sea because of the food quality and variety, great table service and excellent seating options. The only nit we have to pick with Marketplace is that it is self-serve. We would much prefer that the crew be the only ones handling the utensils. We feel it is just more sanitary. To Crystal’s credit, there was a crew member stationed at the hand sanitizer machine at the entrance to Marketplace to be sure every guest sanitized their hands before entering.
Highlights of the buffet are the fresh boiled shrimp and the crab claws served every day with a delicious and spicy cocktail sauce.
Shrimp and crab claws with cocktail sauce
The food selection and quality is well above average for a cruise ship buffet with mostly hits and very few misses. One day they offered an Asian-themed buffet and it was the best Asian buffet I have ever experienced on a cruise ship. Servers are on hand at Marketplace to take drink orders and, of course, cocktails, wine, spirits and soft drinks are all included on Crystal.
Guests can dine indoors on the port or starboard side at Marketplace and there are serving lines on both sides of the ship. On port days, with many guests off the ship at lunchtime, they may only open the starboard-side serving lines. There are plenty of two-top tables, many with window views and there is seating aft for those who prefer to dine al fresco.
Sushi and sashimi on the Asian-themed buffet
Waterside Restaurant
Waterside is Crystal’s main dining room (or MDR). The restaurant is located on Deck 5 midship, across from Reception. This restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day with lunch and dinner menus that change each day. We only dined here once at breakfast and once for dinner and the food and service were very good. They offer an extensive breakfast menu, which includes steak and eggs (one of my favorites). There is no charge to dine at Waterside.
Umi Uma
Umi Uma (formerly Silk Road) is Crystal’s Japanese/Sushi restaurant by Nobu Matsuhisa. It is recommended that guests make reservations to dine here as it is a very popular dining spot. Or, guests can simply show up and sit at the sushi bar, space permitting. Every guest receives one complimentary meal at Umi Uma during the cruise. Additional visits will come with a $50 per person cover charge.
Sushi bar at Umi Uma
The sushi and sashimi at Umi Uma are next level and are clearly the best we have had on any cruise ship, or land restaurant for that matter. Rickee continues to order the Miso Glazed Cod, an Umi Uma signature dish. And, in my opinion, the Grilled Australian “WAYGU” Beef Filet is the best cut of meat on the ship.
Nobu-Style Black Cod
Grilled Australian “Waygu” Beef Filet
Osteria d’ Ovidio
Osteria (formerly Prego) is Crystal’s Italian restaurant. As is the case with Umi Uma, guests receive one complimentary meal here and there is a $50/pp cover charge for subsequent visits. This is the second time we have dined at Osteria, the first being on Crystal Serenity. We were underwhelmed with our meal and the service at the Osteria on Symphony and felt like the experience on Serenity was better. My lamb chops were a little overcooked, and lacked seasoning. They would have benefitted from a heavily-seasoned breadcrumb crust to add flavor and texture. Rickee’s duck breast looked more like a dessert than a main course. The flavors of both dishes were okay, but nothing special.
Duck Breast
Lamb Chops
Even though we were dining with a group of eight, we felt the service was extremely slow. The waiters were very pleasant, but food was taking a long time to get to the table. We were seated at 7:00pm and we barely made it out in time for the 9:30 show.
We are not exactly sure how the menu at Osteria reflects what Americans think of as “Italian fare”. If not for the selection of pasta dishes, you would think you were dining in a continental cuisine restaurant. And, no Tiramisu on the dessert menu. Seriously?
We long for the good old days of Prego with the delicious Cream of Mushroom soup served in a bread bowl, the Beef Carpaccio drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze and the wonderful seasoned-breadcrumb lamb chops. There, I said it.
Beefbar
Beefbar dining room
Beefbar is the newest specialty dining restaurant on Crystal ships replacing Tastes, which was one of our favorite dining venues on any cruise ship. Beefbar originated in Monte Carlo and the brand has expanded with restaurants all over the world. But, if you want to experience Beefbar at sea, it is only available on Crystal ships.
Beefbar is open for lunch and dinner with reservations highly recommended for dinner. The restaurant is located on Deck 11 and has a very open and spacious feel with unrestricted views of the ocean port side. The atmosphere here is much more casual and relaxed than Umi Uma, Osteria d’ Ovidio, or even Waterside.
As a confirmed carnivore, I was not surprised that we dined at Beefbar four times for dinner.
While the menu can be a bit confusing, it is, nonetheless, packed with a lot of delicious offerings. It is hard to tell the main courses from the starters. We found ourselves just ordering a few dishes and figuring it out once they arrived.
Filet Steak Frites
In our four visits, we had the opportunity to try most of the offerings there. Our favorites were the Super Kale salad, Angus Beef tacos, Bao Buns, Tuna Ceviche, Mashed Potatoes and the Beef Filet. I tried all three steak offerings, and the filet is the way to go. The Avocado Hummus and Rib Eye Ham were our least favorites.
Rib Eye Ham (sort of like carpaccio)
Avocado Hummus
Super Kale salad
Bao Buns are a definite “must-try”
If your wallet is overstuffed with winnings from the casino, you may wish to order one of the optional Waygu steaks on offer here. That massive bone-in Tomahawk will set you back $540. Even the humble 8oz Rib Cap is $90. The Waygu on display definitely looked like an upgrade in marbling over the standard steak offerings at Beefbar, but they did not look like A5 Japanese Waygu to me. They looked more like Australian or USA Waygu, but with the Japanese A5 price tag.
Upgrade your steak to Waygu at Beefbar
Service at Beefbar was excellent (as it is all over the ship) and the time between courses was not as long as we experienced at the other restaurants on board. Food delivery was very crisp.
We did not try the lunch menu at Beefbar, but it looked very appealing. We just could not wrench ourselves away from Marketplace which opened at noon compared to Beefbar which opened at 1:00.
There was a bit of confusion about dining at Beefbar. We were initially led to believe that, as with Umi Uma and Osteria, guests could only dine once at Beefbar on a complimentary basis with a $50/pp cover charge for subsequent visits. Oh, contraire! We discovered that there are no additional charges to dine at Beefbar multiple times! Hence, our four visits to Beefbar for dinner.
Hands down, Beefbar is our favorite dining venue on Crystal and will be the first place we visit when we return.
The Bistro
The Bistro is a small cafe located midship on Deck 6 overlooking the Crystal Cove. This is the best place to get morning coffee. I would visit The Bistro every morning with my laptop to do my daily blog and enjoy my Cappucino or Americano.
My window seat at The Bistro
The Bistro offers take-away coffee service from 6:00am to 9:00am. They have a few pastries that guests can grab and go. From 9am to 11:30am, they offer a very nice buffet of fresh fruit, pastries, cereals, yogurt, etc. for what they call a “late-risers” breakfast. The highlight, in my opinion, of The Bistro are the Portugese Custard Tarts. They are deadly delicious and I have never seen these on any other cruise ship. Rickee really liked the large muffins in various flavors.
Room Service
Crystal offers guests 24-hour complimentary room service. There is a room service menu with a nice selection of salads, soups, sandwiches, main courses and desserts. For breakfast, there is an expanded room service menu that offers just about everything offered for breakfast at Waterside restaurant. And, for dinner, you can also order from the Waterside dinner menu from 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
We decided to try room service one evening at dinner time. We placed a call to our butler, Milind, who took our order and arrived about 30 minutes later with our meal. A linen tablecloth and napkins, along with silverware and every other table setup you would find if dining at Waterside, is delivered to your suite.
Room service is very special on Crystal
Best of all, the food was all delivered hot and was delicious. We love enjoying dinner in our suite on Crystal. When our meal was over, we called Milind who returned to our suite and removed the dishes.
Afternoon Tea
Many cruise lines, even some luxury cruise lines, have done away with Afternoon Tea. Some cruises still offer it, but at an additional cost. Crystal offers one of the nicest Afternoon Tea services at sea every day from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in Palm Court (Deck 11 forward). Several tables are set with elegant china cups, saucers and plates.
Afternoon tea served on fine china
A tea menu offers a wide selection of teas from around the world. My favorite is Earl Gray. Rickee prefers Forest Symphony.
Delicious sweets, scones and finger sandwiches
Gone is the Mozart Tea Service that Crystal was famous for but, on one day of our cruise, they did offer a special Chocolate Tea Service with an extravagant selection of chocolate cakes, tarts, cookies, etc. Each afternoon, along with our tea and treats, we were entertained by music performed by either a violinist or piano player.
Of the cruise lines that still offer Afternoon Tea, Crystal offers one of the best, in our opinion.
Trident Grill/Scoops Ice Cream
Trident Grill is Crystal’s casual grill where you can grab a burger, a sandwich or even a pizza. Trident is open for late riser’s breakfast from 10am to 11am, lunch from 11:30am to 6:00pm. Below is a snapshot of Trident Grill’s menu:
CHICKEN CAESAR WRAP • GRILLED HAMBURGER' GRILLED CHEESEBURGER' • GRILLED GARDEN BURGER GRILLED SALMON BURGER' • GRILLED CHICKEN BURGER • "IMPOSSIBLE" VEGAN BURGER • CHINOIS CHICKEN SALAD • GRILLED HAM & CHEESE SANDWICH • GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH • GRILLED REUBEN SANDWICH • GRILLEO MINUTE STEAK SANDWICH • GRILLED TUNA MELT • HOT DOG • CHILI CON CARNE SOUP OF THE DAY • FRESHLY BAKED PIZZA MARGHERITA
FRENCH FRIES • SWEET POTATO FRIES - CRISPY FRIED ONION RINGS
Trident Grill is located on Deck 11 port side, just forward of Beefbar. There is seating on both port and starboard sides of the ship and most of the tables are positioned next to large windows with great ocean views.
Of course, I had to give Trident Grill my cheeseburger evaluation, and overall, it was quite good. The meat patty was thick, flavorful and nicely cooked Medium Well. The bun was fresh and soft and the burger comes with tomato, pickle, onion and lettuce. I would say the burger itself is better than I have had on other luxury cruise lines. I actually had the cheeseburger twice on this cruise. A small tray of condiments is placed on each table with ketchup, Dijon mustard and mayonnaise..
The French Fries were served hot and crispy and kudos to Crystal for offering onion rings. I LOVE onion rings and, while these were just so-so, I appreciate the effort since most cruise lines don’t offer them at all. Actually, I don’t think I have ever had a memorable onion ring on any cruise.
Unfortunately, the burger is where our praise for Trident Grill ends. Rickee found the hot dog to be very tough and hard to cut with a knife, but even the hot dog was better than the pizza. I am an admitted pizza snob and I have to say that the Margherita Pizza offered at Trident, while cooked to order, lacked flavor and resembled a frozen pizza. I ate only two slices and left the rest on the plate.
Adjacent to Trident Grill is Scoops Ice Cream bar where you can get soft-serve ice cream or a selection of Badiani gelato flavors. We did not try the soft-serve, but did try the gelato and we thought it was good. Honestly, once you have had gelato in Rome or Venice, nothing really compares. Scoops is open from noon to 6pm daily.
The Vintage Room
The Vintage Room offers guided pairings and dinners highlighting the vast selection of wines in the ship’s onboard cellar. This intimate, innovative concept offers guests an education in fine wine and cuisine, allowing them to gain privileged insights into the art of enology. In addition to daytime tastings and discussions, guests may enjoy a variety of private wine-themed lunches and dinners by special arrangement with the Head Sommelier. Events enjoyed in the Vintage Room come with an additional charge.
You can think of The Vintage Room sort of like a Chef’s Table experience on other cruise lines. We did not have the opportunity to experience The Vintage Room on this cruise.
ENTERTAINMENT & ACTIVITIES
Entertainment
Crystal offers a variety of entertainment on Symphony. On our sailing, there was a show every evening at 9:30pm. Admittedly, we did not attend every show. However, we did attend two “production” shows featuring the two main vocalists and six dancers. There was also a live band backing up some recorded tracks, which always adds impact to production shows. We felt like the band, the vocalists and the dancers were all very good. And, while there is a fairly large stage for this venue, the Galaxy Lounge is, as the name suggests, a large “show lounge” and not a theater like you find on larger ships.
Show in Galaxy Lounge
The Galaxy Lounge suffers from average acoustics and we felt, at times, like the mixing of vocals was way off. There were times we could barely hear the singers over the blaring loud music. I am not sure if it is was an issue with the acoustics of the lounge, or with whomever was running the mixing panel. It also seemed like the sound levels were clipping. Again, the performers were great, but the venue sound system needs some attention.
We also attended a show in the smaller Starlite Club (below), and experienced the same issues with audio quality. That said, the seating is very comfortable with good sight lines in both lounges. And, honestly, the entertainment is better than you would expect on a ship with a 602 guest capacity.
Show in Starlite Lounge
In addition to the ship’s singers and dancers, there were additional featured headliners including musicians, singers and a comedian.
A highlight of our cruise was Crystal’s 35th Anniversary White Party, hosted by Cruise Director, Vicki Van Tassel, and held in Crystal Plaza, Deck 5 Midship. For this special event, guests dressed in all white and were served cocktails and canapés and treated to performances by most of the ship’s entertainers. Guests danced until late and an amazing time was had by all.
As for lounge entertainment, we enjoyed piano music by Dan Davies in Avenue Saloon. However, once again, the sound levels were too high to enjoy conversation while the music was playing. There was entertainment in Crystal Cove (Deck 5), Palm Court, and Starlite Club. I should point out that entertainment will vary from one cruise to the next depending on the itinerary and/or the number of guests on board.
As for daytime entertainment, each day begins with the 6am Symphony Today show on your in-suite TV hosted by Cruise Director, Vicki Van Tassel. These shows are provided on demand if you prefer to watch later in the day. Guests can also find replays of any Enrichment Lectures they may have missed during the cruise. The onboard Enrichment lectures and lecturers were excellent
Vicki Van Tassel interviews former Crystal Captains and Cruise Director, Paul McFarland for Crystal’s 35th Anniversary
Crystal Symphony guests can visit the Hollywood Theater on Deck 6 to enjoy a movie complete with popcorn. The seating in the Hollywood Theater is stadium-style, just like the movie theaters on land, and is a great place to catch a recent release or a classic.
You can also visit the newly added Le Casino de Monte Carlo. For us, this certainly fits under the heading of entertainment because that was all we gained while we were there! The casino is small but does have a Blackjack table, roulette wheel and several slot machines. On our voyage, the casino was rarely open due to regulations about having to be a certain number of miles out into open ocean.
Activities
Guests had plenty of activities to keep them busy. Daily offerings included:
Many types of exercise classes
Arts and Crafts
Computer classes
Bridge lessons
Pickleball
Golf clinics conducted by resident pro golfer Andy Thuney
A golf net complete with clubs and golf balls
Crystal’s Library complete with Librarian on site
Dance classes with Dance Duo Mark and Bernadett
Bingo
Wellness presentations
Shuffleboard
Walking around the teak Promenade Deck that completely circles the ship
Trivia (sea days only)
Visiting the Aurora Spa and Salon
Relaxing by the pool or in the hot tub
Working out in the Fitness Center/Gym
It is safe to say that you will never be bored on a Crystal sailing.
Cruise Director
All entertainment and activities on board are under the direction of the Cruise Director. Our Cruise Director on this sailing was Vicki Van Tassel. We sailed with Vicki on a different cruise line a few years ago and were so impressed by her energy and sense of humor that, when we learned she had moved to Crystal, we specifically looked for a sailing where she would be on board.
We wanted to include Vicki in our new “Interview” series on our YouTube channel and she graciously agreed to sit down with us for an interview where we learned about her history in the cruise business. After 148 cruises, we have only had a handful of cruise directors make a lasting impression on us, and Vicki is at the top of our list.
ITINERARY
We have been to the Mediterranean more times than I can count. What was intriguing about this particular itinerary is that we got to visit several ports that we have never been to before. In all, we visited four new ports (in bold below).
Tarragona | Palma de Mallorca | Porto Mahon | At Sea | La Spezia | Livorno | Porto Santo Stefano | Civitavecchia (Rome) | Civitavecchia (Rome)
We collect refrigerator magnets from all around the world. So, whenever we visit a new port, we like to do some exploring on our own and hunt down a magnet to add to our collection. We also have an extensive collection of Christmas ornaments from around the world. Our Christmas tree each year serves as a reminder of all the amazing places we have visited. While some call this magnet thing a hobby, I think it may be more of an obsession!
Currently, over 275 magnets in our collection
We often will skip cruise ship shore excursions to explore on our own. On this cruise, we only did two ship’s excursions. The first was a visit to Sarzana, Italy, ($130pp) for what we thought would be an olive oil tasting. As with most excursions, which we refer to as ABC tours (Another Beautiful Church), we visit the church below as part of the tour. We also visited a fort and then walked down the main street of Sarzana.
What we thought would be an olive oil tasting turned out to be a complimentary coffee and pastry at a local pasticceria. We are not sure if they changed the tasting because we were visiting on a Sunday, but one other couple also thought it was supposed to be an olive oil tasting. Nevertheless, it got us off the ship for a few hours and we had plenty of time on our own after the coffee and pastry to explore the town. As it was Sunday, most of the shops were closed.
The most interesting part of the excursion was getting a chance to try Italian hot chocolate, which is nothing like American hot chocolate. This is like a cup of melted dark chocolate that is bitter and eaten with a spoon. Throw in a packet of sugar, and you have a delicious cup of chocolate soup.
Coffee and pastries in a local pasticceria
Italian hot chocolate
Our second excursion was “Rome On Your Own” ($70 pp) which was basically a motor coach ride from the port of Civitavecchia to central Rome. The cost for a private car/taxi to Rome is about $200 each way, so it was a good value at $70 for the 90-minute drive. We had a few hours to explore Rome on foot, but you really need more than a few hours to see everything Rome has to offer. We have been to Rome a few times and the best way to see Rome is to spend three or four days at the beginning or end of a cruise. Nevertheless, we had a chance to see a few sights that brought back memories of past visits. But, it was extremely hot on our visit and, after walking for three hours, the heat and the crowds really wore us out.
We visit Piazza Navona in Rome
Crystal offers a complimentary shuttle service from the port into most of the cities/towns we visited, making it easy to go into town and explore on your own. On many cruise lines, you would have to pay for a taxi or a bus to get from the port into town. This is a great service that is often overlooked.
Complimentary shuttle service
Demographics
On this particular voyage, there were more young people (late 30s and 40s) than we have seen on our previous Crystal cruises. There were even a few children onboard. Perhaps this was a result of generational travel wherein grandparents bring their children and grandchildren along on the voyage. Of course there were many older people (60s and 70+) who cruised often and were experienced travelers, many of whom were loyal Crystal cruisers. We also talked to several people who wanted to experience a luxury cruise product for the first time and had chosen Crystal.
HITS AND MISSES
As with any cruise, cruise line or cruise ship, there are things that we really like and some areas where we see room for improvement.
Hits
Polished and professional service from a friendly crew
Vicki Van Tassel is our favorite Cruise Director
Resort casual dress code with formal nights only on sea days
Very smooth sailing. We never felt any motion
Umi Uma is the best Japanese restaurant we have experienced at sea
Beefbar restaurant
Marketplace buffet is our favorite of any luxury cruise line
Best canapés at sea
Complimentary shuttle service in port
A true Promenade Deck
Misses
No phone app
Pizza needs improvement
Osteria Italian Restaurant
Confusion over specialty dining
Standard WiFi is very slow
Final Assessment
Crystal Symphony’s sister ship, Serenity, was recently added to our list of our Five Favorite Cruise ships of all time. After this sailing aboard Crystal Symphony, it is safe to say that it shares all of the things we loved about Crystal Serenity. Since our first sailing aboard Crystal Symphony in 2011, the company has had three different owners. In spite of that, Crystal has been able to retain all of its original charm and appeal for those who seek a true luxury experience. There are rumors of some new hardware being added to the Crystal fleet. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this amazing cruise line.
Our first sailing on Crystal Symphony was in 2011
Caviar for Breakfast. A Regent Ultra-Luxury Cruise.
By John and Sandra Nowlan
Seven Seas Splendor docked in Cozumel
As much Atlantic Canadian lobster as you want. Prime filet mignon on the menu each night. Unlimited caviar at Sunday brunch. Just three of the culinary indulgences on a cruise line with the motto, “Luxury Refined”.
Regent holds a unique place in the world of cruising. The high end brand of parent Norwegian Cruise Line, its five ships are in the rarified ultra-luxury category but Regent stands out by offering a complete all-inclusive package. Included in the price are a spacious suite with balcony, all meals (including specialty restaurants), drinks (including beer, wine, spirits and cocktails), tours (with a wide variety of choices in each port), gratuities, airport and hotel transfers, even laundry and pressing. In some categories first class flights and pre-cruise hotels are included.
Janice Davidson. Regent’s VP for Creative and Brand Management, told us her greatest marketing challenge is price. “We’re trying to educate people about what comes with all inclusive,” she said. “With our single up front cost, guests could actually pay less than on other lines.”
The “Welcome Aboard” Champagne
As soon as we boarded Seven Seas Splendor, Regent’s newest ship, for a week long Caribbean cruise from Miami the luxury and service stood out. Walking around with welcome champagne in hand, the 46,000 square feet of fine Italian marble on walls and floors and more than 500 stunning chandeliers created an ambience unlike any we’ve experienced in 25 years of cruising. The ship, launched in 2020, has a capacity of just 750 guests, all in balcony suites ranging from an impressive 307 to more than 4000 square feet. The crew of 550 provides the best staff to guest ratio at sea. Their friendliness, training and attention to guest needs were evident all week.
Italian marble throughput the ship. The entrance to the main restaurant
We were in one of the smaller suites but were impressed with the layout and generous storage spaces including a walk-in closet. The long couch and convenient work desk were separated from the bed area by privacy blackout curtains while the balcony with its generous table and two cushioned wicker chairs was one of the largest we’ve ever seen. The bed itself was extremely comfortable with high thread count sheets and excellent adjustable reading lights. There were several convenient USB and power outlets. The thermostat was controlled by up and down – warmer and cooler – arrows rather than an actual temperature setting. The small fridge could be filled with whatever complimentary drinks we wanted. The marble lined bathroom had just one smallish sink but a large shower area with both a regular shower head and a rainforest-style shower.
Our suite was near the back of the ship so we could occasionally hear engine rumble, especially when getting underway or docking. But we think the general room soundproofing is excellent since the ship was full and we didn’t hear a sound from any of our neighbors.
Rooms are cleaned and refreshed twice a day with newspaper summaries (from the USA, Canada, Britain and other countries) put on the bed each evening along with tomorrow’s schedule (the spacious library includes a daily, full edition of the New York Times). The large, high resolution TV had many free movies available but broadcast channel choices were very limited.
One negative aspect of not just the suites but throughout the ship was the poor internet service. Regular, free but slow internet is available for all guests. We booked the premium, extra cost package but it was only marginally better. Email and YouTube worked fairly well but posting photos on Facebook was not possible. The technical head on the ship told us that satellite improvements are coming.
Regent continues to excel in its culinary program. The Hotel General Manager, Anatoli Makaev, told us that food costs, per person, are the highest at sea. Regent, he said, is spending three times more for food than before the pandemic. Unlike other lines, there have been no cutbacks in quality or quantity. Chefs continued to get paid during the Covid years and their commitment to guest satisfaction is evident.
Decadent desserts in the buffet
For a ship with fewer than 800 passengers, the restaurant and menu choices were remarkable. Every evening in the main dining room, Compass Rose, guests could choose from an “Always Available” menu (from Alaska Crab to New Zealand lamb) or the daily specials including the Executive Chef’s six course “Gourmet Tasting Menu”. A healthy Spa menu was also available. Good quality red, white, rosé or sparkling wines were offered without extra cost each day, even non-alcoholic wines if you wished. Three uniquely decorated specialty restaurants offer French cuisine (Chartreuse), Asian fare (Pan Pacific) or Steaks and Seafood (Prime 7).
Alaska crab appetizer in the main Compass Rose dining room
The Chartreuse French specialty restaurant
The large buffet restaurant on Deck 11, La Veranda, has an excellent selection of breakfast and lunch items. White tablecloths are standard throughout the area (most unusual for a cruise ship buffet) and are a classy touch in the evening when much of La Veranda becomes a fine Italian restaurant, Sette Mari. Coffee quality in the buffet was only fair but outstanding brews were always available at the 5th deck Coffee Connection.
The uncrowded buffet restaurant
Seven Seas Splendor has a well equipped fitness center and a Spa at the stern of the ship. We discovered the uncrowded Infinity Swimming Pool as part of the Spa and preferred it to the large, main pool on Deck 11.
The Infinity Pool at the stern of the ship
The well equipped gym
Splendor’s entertainment was, as expected, of a high caliber with a dozen talented singers and dancers, accompanied by the ship band, putting on several complex main stage productions in the evening. The Regent Signature Orchestra, the Cocktail pianist and a DJ also played music for listening or dancing each evening in several lounges throughout the ship. On our final evening a few band members and singers put on a lively Beatles music night, with dancing encouraged, in the Atrium. We were disappointed that the ship’s entertainment did not include a string quartet or even a solo cello or harp. Classical music would have been a lovely touch in the pre-dinner period.
Curtain call after an imaginative main stage production
There was no shortage of games and puzzles throughout the ship. Trivia, Bingo, darts, shuffle golf and beanbag toss were among several ways guests competed for coveted Regent points and prizes at the end of the cruise. We were also pleased to see and hear a retired history professor give illustrated lectures about subjects ranging from Mayan civilization to the Caribbean connection in World War II. Another special treat was seeing actor John O’Hurley (best known as J. Peterman on Seinfeld) perform his brilliant one man show – music and musings – called “A Man With Standards”.
Excellent history lectures in the main theatre
The ship itself was clearly the star of our week-long cruise from Miami but the itinerary was fascinating too. We docked in Roatan, Honduras, for an island tour and swim, then stopped the next day in nearby Belize, the only English speaking country in Central America. Sandra joined a tour to a spice farm where the two chefs from the Culinary Arts Kitchen collected spices to be used in a hands-on cooking class back on the ship. Guests prepared prawn biryani with garam masala and white pepper crepes with cardamom ice cream. In the meantime John visited a typical Mayan village off the grid where a chocolate maker showed how cacao beans were harvested and turned into the popular sweet treats.
Our planned stop in Costa Maya, Mexico, was cancelled because seas were too rough to dock but Cozumel was more tranquil and we relived our youth by boarding a two-person mini speedboat and racing through choppy water with other boats before stopping for a snorkel in warm, pristine waters filled with tropical fish.
Seven Seas Splendor has been called, “the most luxurious cruise ship in the world”. In many ways it’s true. But later in 2023, Regent is launching Seven Seas Grandeur, a sister ship to Splendor. With subtle improvements, Grandeur is now likely to claim the “most luxurious” title. It will be fun to find out.
John and Sandra Nowlan are travel and food writers based in Halifax.
Photos by John and Sandra Nowlan
Viking Cruises' Viking Orion
I spend seven nights aboard Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion in Bermuda.
Silversea Silver Moon Review
We spend ten nights aboard Silversea Cruises brand new Silver Moon.
Regent Seven Seas Explorer: The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built?
Our cruise review of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Explorer
Itinerary: Miami, At Sea, At Sea, Bermuda, Bermuda, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Horta (Azores), Ponta Delgada (Azores), At Sea, Funchal, At Sea, Lisbon (Disembark).
April 28, 2019 - It's a bold claim, for sure. Regent Seven Seas Cruises declares quite vehemently that Seven Seas Explorer is "The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built." But, is it? It's a claim we decided to put to the test during our 14-night transatlantic sailing from Miami to Lisbon.
The Ship
We embark on Deck 5, just above the grand staircase. One glance at this lobby and you immediately get a sense of style and elegance.
Visually, there is no question that Seven Seas Explorer's designers hit all the right marks when it comes to creating a luxurious environment. The ship is one of the most beautiful and tastefully decorated on which we have had the privilege to sail.
The public spaces are filled with beautiful works of art and clad in expensive marble, leather and coordinated fabrics. Function follows form throughout the ship, making it one of the easiest to find your way around. The Constellation Theater (Deck 4/5 forward) is spacious, has good sight lines and excellent acoustics
Constellation Theater
Deck 11 is the Lido Deck with a large pool flanked by two large hot tubs, the Pool Bar and the Pool Grill. Aft on 11 is La Veranda, the ship's Lido Buffet.
Deck 12 features the ship's jogging track, a very nice mini-golf course, a golf driving net, pickle ball court, Bocce court, and of course, shuffleboard.
Top quality wicker loungers surround the pool on Deck 11. Each is covered with terry cloth, and plush towels are provided.
Accommodations
A chilled bottle of champagne and two glasses have been placed in each suite to greet guests when they arrive.
Our Superior Suite was 332 sq. ft. with an additional 115 sq. ft. of balcony. The king-sized bed faces the balcony, and is one of the most comfortable beds you will find on a cruise ship. Each night stand has USB ports, electrical outlets and there is a clock on one of the nightstands.
Next to the bed is a long desk/dresser with a marble top. The desk has electrical outlets and is a comfortable workstation if you travel with a laptop. The desk becomes a vanity with a lighted makeup mirror (something that every cruise line should provide) and drawers to hold all of the potions and lotions that women require.
The bathroom is huge and is one of the nicest we have seen in a suite/stateroom this size on any ship. There is a full-sized bathtub with its own shower head and a separate shower stall,too. This makes it very easy for two people to shower at the same time.
The large vanity has two sinks and lots of storage in the form of shelves and drawers. Top-quality L'Occitane amenities are provided and replenished as needed. Large, plush towels are as nice as you will find in any five-star hotel. And, the toilet flush is very quiet for a cruise ship toilet.
The walk-in closet is not only large, but houses another dresser with tons of drawer storage. One of our favorite features of the closet are the hooks provided for hanging jackets, caps, pajamas, or whatever you desire.
The balcony is wide and deep with two padded lounge chairs that can recline to become mini-loungers.
The large wicker and glass table is perfect for al fresco dining. We enjoyed a beautiful room-service breakfast on the balcony on the morning we arrived in Bermuda.
The large flat-screen television is mounted in the sitting room, but is hinged so that it can swing into view of the bedroom. There is excellent programming with a variety of news channels, closed-circuit programming and movie channels. There is also a nice selection of movies on demand (complimentary).
The sitting room has a small sofa and glass coffee table on one end and the mini-fridge/bar, television and even more storage drawers at the opposite end of the room. The space can be segregated somewhat from the bedroom by pulling the curtain provided between the spaces.
It should be noted that our suite was whisper quiet throughout the entire 14-night cruise. We never heard our neighbors. As far as comfort goes, we would rate the Superior Suite a 5 out of 5. It is simply one of the very best stateroom/suites we have had the pleasure of occupying.
Food and Dining
Seven Seas Explorer offers guests a wide variety of dining options. La Veranda is the ship's lido buffet on Deck 11 aft. La Veranda is open for breakfast and lunch, offering a variety of choices. Seating is very elegant for a buffet with linen tablecloths, napkins and nice table settings. Waiters are on hand for drink orders and a selection of complimentary wines is offered at lunch.
One of our favorite features of La Veranda is the endless supply of fresh boiled shrimp each day. And, the spicy cocktail sauce is quite good.
The Pool Grill is located just forward of La Veranda on Deck 11. A smaller buffet is offered here and is the perfect lunch spot for those lounging poolside. On the port side, there is a covered dining space with great ocean views and table service. The Pool Grill menu offers a choice of sandwiches, hot dogs, panini, and burgers.
The burgers served at the Pool Grill are quite good, as are the French fries (when served hot). We were served cold fries a couple of times and had to ask the waiter to bring a fresh batch, which they always were happy to do.
Cheeseburger and Fries at the Pool Grill
Our only disappointment at the Pool Grill was with the pizza. It sort of tasted like a frozen pizza and was not up to the standard of Regent's other food offerings.
Pizza at Pool Grill
Extensive Room Service Breakfast Menu
Room Service was excellent on our sailing. We had breakfast in our suite three different times and, each time, the food arrived on time and warm. A Room Service breakfast menu is placed on the bed each evening. The menu is extensive. Just fill out the menu before going to bed, hang it outside on your doorknob, and the food arrives the next morning at the requested time.
Eggs Benedict
When the food arrives, the server prepares the coffee table (or balcony table, if you choose to dine al fresco) with a linen tablecloth, napkins and every other amenity you would expect if you were dining in Compass Rose. It is five-star room service, for sure. Our Eggs Benedict arrived warm, with perfectly poached eggs and topped with delicious Hollandaise.
The 24-hour room service menu is quite extensive and, during dinner hours, you can order from the Compass Rose menu.
Compass Rose is the ship's main restaurant (Deck 4 midship).
Compass Rose
Compass Rose is open for breakfast and dinner each day. This the place to come if you want full service with a menu that changes each evening. Compass Rose has the most elegant charger plates and table settings we have seen to date.
Compass Rose also has the largest "always available" menu selection we have ever seen on a cruise ship. The entire left side of the menu (and, it is a very large menu) lists items that are always available.
Lobster Bisque at Compass Rose
Prime 7 (Deck 10 aft) is Regent's steak house and it quickly became one of our favorites on board Seven Seas Explorer. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and reservations are required for dinner. There is also a small bar at Prime 7 where you can enjoy a cocktail while waiting for your table.
Prime 7 is deceptively large. If you arrive early for lunch, you should be able to find a nice table for two with an ocean view. Rickee enjoyed the BBQ pulled pork sliders on more than one occasion.
BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
The best part of lunch at Prime 7 is the dessert carousel containing six different delicious treats that are the perfect size for two to share.
Dessert Carousel at Prime 7
Dinner at Prime 7 is very elegant and service is top notch. The menu features many prime beef offerings, but there are other options for those who enjoy seafood. Rickee's Filet Mignon was perfectly cooked, tender and delicious, as was my Rib Eye.
Chartreuse is the ship's French-themed restaurant, also located on Deck 10 aft (port side). Like Prime 7, Chartreuse is open for lunch and dinner each day. We had lunch and dinner here only once. The restaurant is beautiful, however, we felt like the service was slower here than any of the other restaurants.
French Onion Soup at Chartreuse
Lamb Chops
Our dinner here was somewhat disappointing. My lamb chops were well seasoned, but very tough. And again, service was slow. In their defense, the restaurant was full. But, Prime 7 was full when we dined there, and service was crisp.
Beautiful bread basket at Sette Mari
In the evenings, the port side of La Veranda becomes Sette Mari, an Italian-themed bistro. Sette Mari is sort of a hybrid between a buffet and table service restaurant, which is a little confusing at first. The menu is quite large, and changes every couple of days.
Soups and main courses are ordered from the menu while salads, antipasti and desserts are self-serve from the buffet area. However, several antipasti selections are also placed on the table by the waiter.
Bruschetta selections are brought to the table
Sette Mari quickly became another one of our favorite 'go-to' restaurants because reservations are not required here. The service was excellent from our three-time waiter, Armando. And, you can watch your meal being prepared in the open kitchen there.
Open Kitchen at Sette Mari
One of my personal favorite dining venues is Pacific Rim, the Asian-fusion restaurant on Deck 5 aft which is only open for dinner.
The menu here offers a variety of Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese-inpsired dishes. The Peking Duck Salad was one of our favorites.
Peking Duck Salad
Shu Mei dumplings
The atmosphere, service and food at Pacific Rim were among the best we found on Seven Seas Explorer. All restaurants on board are complimentary and complimentary wine is offered at lunch and dinner. The complimentary wine selection was as good as any we have found on any luxury ship, and better than most. Overall, food quality was very good and service was what you would expect from a five-star cruise line.
Entertainment
We were extremely pleased with the quality and variety of entertainment on board Seven Seas Explorer. The production shows (3 on our cruise) were as good as we have seen on any ship, of any size. We counted twelve singers and dancers, which is unheard of on a ship this size.
Seven Seas Explorer Production Cast
The vocalists were extremely talented, as were the dancers. Costumes, and lighting were also very well done. The Constellation Theater adds to the experience with excellent acoustics, a great sound system and good sight lines.
Janneke displays her amazing vocals
In addition to excellent production shows, the guest entertainers were the best we have ever seen on any cruise ship. (Remember, we have been on more than 135 cruises, so when we say they were that good, it should not be taken lightly). Jenene Caramiello was quite simply one of the best female vocalists we have ever seen in person.
Janene Caramiello
Juliette Primrose
We were equally impressed with violinist, Juliette Primrose. Between 2003 and 2011, Ms. Primrose toured the globe as lead fiddle-player for Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance.
There were other excellent entertainers throughout the cruise that we missed due to late dining. However, we heard nothing but praise from other guests for these acts, which included, among others, a magician, a comedian, a classical pianist, and vocalists. Veteran Cruise Director, Lorraine Weimerskirch, knows how to entertain guests and is quite a performer herself.
Cruise Director, Lorraine Weimerskirch
Rickee, knocking down bowling pins
Throughout our many cruises, there are only a handful of cruise directors that we remember and are anxious to meet again. Lorraine is now a member of that small group. On transatlantic cruises, Regent often puts on a County Fair on one of the sea days. Typically, the County Fair is held on the pool deck, but with the cool and windy weather we had, the activities were moved into the main lobby. Each department comes up with their own game for guests to play and raffle tickets are handed out for points scored. Nice prizes are raffled off at the end of the fair to those holding the winning tickets.
Everyone had a great time at the County Fair, and it is something unique to a Regent cruise. At one point, a huge group of guests broke into a Mama Mia flash mob.
Mama Mia Flash Mob at County Fair
There were also a whole host of games and other activities offered throughout the cruise. Team Trivia was held each afternoon and was so popular it had to be held in the Constellation Theater on sea days to accommodate everyone. Guests can earn Regent Reward points for playing trivia, or completing the daily Mensa Quiz, or with other activities around the ship.
Regent Rewards
The Regent Rewards can be redeemed on the last day of the cruise for some very nice logo items.
Some of the Regent Reward logo items
Another very popular activity is the Culinary Arts Kitchen (Deck 11 forward). This full-blown training kitchen allows guests to learn various cooking techniques and knife skills from a professional chef. Each guest has a cooking station with two induction cooktops, cookware, tools, knives, cutting boards, aprons and towels.
The chef introduces each course to be prepared and demonstrates the technique before students return to their stations to replicate what the chef has shown. In my class, we created a delicious roasted vegetable bruschetta, seared scallops, and a grilled flank steak.
Chef Celms demonstrates techniques for the class
The Culinary Arts Kitchen is one of the best activities I have enjoyed on any cruise. It is well worth the $89 per person fee. The classes fill up quickly, with many guests taking several during the cruise. The best part of the class is, at the end, you get to eat what you have prepared!
My grilled flank steak
If staying in shape is important to you, you are in luck. An outdoor jogging/walking track on Deck 12 is the perfect place for a few laps around the ship while enjoying a view of the ocean. A fully-equipped fitness center offers every conceivable cardio machine as well as TehnoGym weight machines.
TechnoGym weight machines
The Canyon Ranch Spa offers a wide variety of massages as well as full salon services, just in case your hair and nails require some attention. The Casino on Deck 4 midship has a variety of table games including Blackjack and Roulette and quite a few "one-arm bandits." You can also see a magic act here. Right before your eyes, the slot machines can turn a $20 bill into a 15-cent voucher!
And, of course, sea days were filled with a host of other activities, too many to list here. Enrichment lectures, an Iron Chef-style cooking competition, and Bingo are just a few of the many things going on around the ship.
Shore Excursions
Perhaps the greatest value of a Regent Seven Seas cruise is the unlimited free shore excursions. Of course, they are not really free (since you pay for them as part of your cruise), but they are included in the cruise fare, which is rather unique in the luxury cruise market. However, because the excursions are free, they can fill up very quickly. When we tried to pre-book excursions through the website more than 30 days in advance, many excursions were already fully booked and unavailable. Lesson learned: book your cruise well in advance, and book your excursions as soon as you receive your confirmation.
When you pre-book your excursions online, your excursion tickets will be waiting for you in your suite upon embarkation. If you wish to change an excursion to a different choice, you can request a change up to 48 hours before the date of the excursion. You can also request to be placed on a waiting list if an any spots open up on a fully-booked excursion in which you are interested. We found the folks at the Destination Services desk to be very nice and helpful, even though our one request to change an excursion did not materialize. If you wish to explore a port on your own, Regent often provides a complimentary shuttle service from the port into town. This is a very nice service, and a great benefit.
There were not many ports on our 14-day transatlantic sailing so we only ended up taking two excursions. Both excursions were very well managed, and they could easily cost $100 per person or more on any other cruise line. On a port-intensive sailing, the complimentary excursions would become a huge value proposition that any luxury cruise enthusiast should take into consideration.
Bars and Lounges
There are several bars/lounges on Seven Seas Explorer. The Pool Bar is obviously located on the Pool Deck, 11 midship. Explorer's Lounge (our second favorite) is on Deck 4 midship, just outside of Compass Rose. Meridian Lounge is on Deck 5 midship. Our favorite lounge was Observation Lounge on Deck 11 forward. There are also small bars at Prime 7 and Chartreuse. Cocktails are served in the Constellation Theater before shows. You could also get a drink at The Cafe on Deck 5 and in the Connoisseur Club on Deck 11.
Regardless of where you choose to quench your thirst, bar service is excellent and bartenders are generous with their pours. We frequented Observation Lounge enough that, by the third visit, our waiter knew my drink preference. All cocktails, beer and wine (except for some premium wines), bottled water and soft drinks are complimentary. At 6:00pm each evening in the bars and lounges, trays of canapés are offered.
The Coffee Connection on Deck 5 midship is a popular place to meet for a Cappuccino or Double Latte. A Barista is on hand starting at 6:30am to prepare your favorite coffee drink. In the mornings, an extensive continental breakfast buffet is available here including cold cuts, pastries, donuts, cookies, fruit, cereal and yogurt. There is also an automated coffee machine available which is available around the clock.
Summary
In order to be accurate in my assessment of the 'luxuriousness' of Seven Seas Explorer, I thought it appropriate to Google the definition of 'luxury', and here's what I found:
“A condition of abundance or great ease and comfort; sumptuous environment lived in luxury; something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary; an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease”
In trying to determine whether or not Seven Seas Explorer is, in fact, 'The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built', why not rely on Merriam Webster to make the call? Our experience on the ship was such that every word in italics in the definition above applies to Seven Seas Explorer. She could, indeed, be the most luxurious ship ever built.
Silversea Silver Spirit - Longer and Better Than Ever
A 49-foot section has been added to Silver Spirit to bring it up to Silver Muse standards. This remains one of our all-time favorite luxury vessels.
Itinerary: Port Everglades, At Sea, Grand Turk, San Juan, San Juan, St. Kitts, Roseau, St. John's, Gustavia, Road Town, Semana, At Sea, Key West, Port Everglades
Silversea is a cruise line with which we are very familiar, having sailed on nearly every ship in the fleet to many exotic parts of the world. In addition, Silver Spirit is a ship with which we are also very familiar. This was our third sailing aboard Silver Spirit. So one must wonder, what more could we possibly have to say about this cruise line and/or this particular ship?
A lot has changed since the last time we sailed on Silver Spirit. For one thing, she is now 49 feet longer after having been cut in half and a new section inserted. The objective for this stretch was to bring Silver Spirit closer in design and function to Silversea's newest ship, Silver Muse (and the next ship, Silver Moon). And, since our last Silversea cruise, Silversea has become part of the Royal Caribbean family of cruise lines (along with Azamara Club Cruises and Celebrity Cruises). So, we were very curious to see not only what has changed on Silver Spirit, but if we could detect any changes to the Silversea product under the auspices of big brother, Royal Caribbean.
I am pleased to report that, for all of you who have emailed me with concerns about the Royal Caribbean acquisition, you can rest easy. Silversea is still "Silversea." As a matter of fact, all indications are that Silversea will be even better (if that is possible) as a result of the Royal Caribbean deal. Big Brother has deep pockets and can fund things like new ship builds, many of which have already been announced. We could see a luxury segment war with the big players all trying to one-up each other by offering more amenities and services to attract the profitable luxury-seeking cruise enthusiast. Wouldn't that be cool?
So, this media assignment was to see what changes have taken place with Silver Spirit, one of our all-time favorite small luxury ships. In fact, we have already done thorough reviews of Silver Spirit, which you can read if you want all the detals:
14-Night South America Cruise (2010): Read Here
14-Night Transatlantic Cruise (2012): Read Here
So, rather than saying what has already been said, we want to focus on what's new and what's changed with Silver Spirit.
Restaurants and Lounges
The "Muse-ification" of Silver Spirit meant the addition of new dining spaces. Gone are the days of a single restaurant where everybody congregates at tables for four, six or eight people. Silver Spirit guests can now enjoy a wide variety of dining venues, menus and flavors. And, there is a greater emphasis on intimate dining with a large number of two-top tables in every venue.
The Arts Cafe
One of our favorite additions to Silver Spirit is Arts Cafe (Deck 8 aft). The quirky, colorful decor is sort of out of character for Silversea, which tends to lean more towards an understated elegance theme. We enjoyed Arts Cafe on Silver Muse in 2017 and we love that it has been added to Silver Spirit.
In addition to having a full-service bar, Arts Cafe features canapés, sandwiches and snacks throughout the day. In the mornings, you can find pastries here and, at lunchtime, there is a delicious selection of sandwiches (Rickee's favorite was the tomato, cheese and cucumber), and these cool little jars filled with all sorts of salads.
Jars contain creative salads
Glass mugs are used to serve a variety of hot soups. The Chicken Noodle was delicious.
A delicious jug of chicken noodle soup
At teatime, Arts Cafe offers a multi-tiered tray with a selection of sweet treats and finger sandwiches to enjoy with your choice of tea. And, you can enjoy your visit to Arts Cafe inside or out on the shaded terrace.
Spaccanapoli
Spaccanapoli (pronounced 'spack-uh-nop-oly'), located on Deck 10 midship (overlooking the pool deck) is Silversea's new pizza concept and it, too, is a winner in our opinion. It is open from 11am to 11pm every day and is always casual. Outdoor dining only here.
You would expect an Italian-based cruise line to have good pizza, and you won't be disappointed with the pies served here. If you like thin-crust Neopolitan-style pizza, you are going to make a few visits to Spaccanapoli.
The crust is crunchy, and chewy, with just enough burned bubbles around the edge to make it authentic. San Marzano tomatoes are used for a rich sauce along with excellent Italian cheeses.
The menu here has something for every pizza lover. They also have a Calzone which we did not try, but saw one being delivered to a nearby table. It was large enough for two people!
Indochine
Indochine is Silversea's Asian restaurant located on Deck 4 midship. Indochine occupies roughly one-third of the space from what used to be The Restaurant (my estimate, not Silversea's) with Atlantide occupying the other two-thirds. Indochine is open from 7:00pm until 9:30pm. The Indochine Bar is open at 6:00pm.
There are two different menus at Indochine, the second of which comes into play about half-way through the cruise. This gives guests an opportunity to make two visits, and have two different food experiences.
We dined here twice and I enjoyed both menus. I am more into spicy food than Rickee is, but she was able to find items that she could enjoy. The Egg Drop Noodle soup is one of the best you will find anywhere.
If you like spicy, then Indochine is your kind of place. Put your tolerance to the test with the Lamb Rogan Josh. It is the hottest, spiciest dish I have ever had on a cruise ship, and comparable to what you would find in an authentic Indian restaurant.
Lamb Rogan Josh
Read more about Indochine here.
Atlantide
Located next door to Indochine, Atlantide is the closest dining venue to what used to be The Restaurant (pre-renovation). Atlantide is open for dinner from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. The Atlantide Bar opens at 6:00pm.
Atlantide is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Lunch menus change daily, but breakfast and dinner menus are fixed.The dinner menu, however, is extensive enough that you could easily dine here several times and never eat the same thing twice.
We had dinner in Atlantide on our first night and it was very good. Rickee had a massive caviar starter and a Lemon Meringue Tart that she claimed was one of the best desserts she has ever eaten.
La Terrazza
While not a new restaurant, La Terrazza on Silver Spirit has been completely renovated. Everything here is brand new, and beautiful. At breakfast and lunch, La Terrazza is Silver Spirit's buffet restaurant. In the evenings, La Terrazza becomes a romantic Italian bistro. The restaurant serves breakfast each day from 00:30am to 00:30am, buffet lunch from 12:00 noon until 2:00pm. Dinner is served from 7:00pm until 9:30pm and reservations are recommended.
At breakfast and lunch, La Terrazza has one of the best buffets you will find on any ship.
Fresh sushi and cocktail shrimp appear on the buffet each day at lunch
The terrace behind La Terrazza is the nicest al fresco venue you will find anywhere.
We had lunch at La Terrazza several times, and were always pleased with the selection. I especially like the fresh pasta and Asian stir-fry station where dishes are prepared when you place your order
Dinner at La Terrazza is a special event with a beautiful multi-course Italian menu. The new decor really takes on a dressy, elegant feel in the evening when the lights go down and candles are placed on the tables. Reservations are recommended here, but if you show up without one, there is a good chance they will be able to find you a table.
The Caprese Salad was a softball-sized chunk of fresh mozzarella atop slices of juicy red tomatoes and drizzled with a fragrant pesto.
The pasta dishes all feature fresh, handmade pasta, and you can tell the difference. The pastas are as good as you will find in any Italian restaurant. They are good enough to be enjoyed as a main course, which I did on our second visit. The Bigoli al Cacio 'Podolico' e Pepe was my favorite. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente, and the simple cheese and pepper sauce was sublime.
Bigoli al Cacio 'Podolico' e Pepe
No meal at La Terrazza is complete without a traditional Limoncello to cap off the meal.
Read more about our experience at La Terrazza here.
Silver Note
Silver Note (formerly Stars Supper Club) is certainly the most unique dining concept on Silver Spirit. There is only one seating for dinner here each evening: 8:00pm.
There are a few tables for four or six, but the most common seating here is two-top tables all in a row. It is one of the only things we did not care for about Silver Note. There's only about 10 inches between tables, so even though you are technically at a table for two, it feels more like you are at one huge table for 18. We prefer the seating arrangement in Silver Note on Silver Muse.
The menu is quirky, as we remembered from our Silver Muse experience, maybe even a little over the top. Rickee's ceviche starter was a work of art, albeit a little difficult to negotiate when eating.
Ceviche appetizer at Silver Note
Guests enjoy live entertainment during dinner at Silver Note.
Reservations are required at Silver Note, and seating is very limited, so reserve early.
Panorama Lounge
We had never been huge fans of Panorama Lounge on Spirit, that is, until now. The lounge has been completely renovated with new colors, furnishings and surfaces. It is a little smaller than Panorama on Muse, and that is one of the things we like about it. And, it is more intimate than Dolce Vita (formerly The Bar) on Deck 5.
In the evenings, guests enjoy live music from the Silver Spirit Trio. The bar service in Panorama was the best we found on Silver Spirit. By the third visit, our waiter knew my drink of choice.
Silversea still has the best bar service of any cruise line. Even though all cocktails, wine and beer (except for some Premium wines) are complimentary, they are very generous with each pour. My Crown Royal pour on SIlversea would be considered a double on any other cruise line.
Crown Royal (left), Glenlivet on the rocks (right)
A snack tray is offered at each table with nuts, trail mix and potato chips. At 6:30pm, waiters begin offering plates of creative and delicious canapés.
Canapés at Panorama Lounge
Dolce Vita
Formerly The Bar, Dolce Vita, located on Deck 5 midship, is the largest bar/lounge on Silver Spirit.
New furnishings make this a more comfortable space than what The Bar was. The space is larger and more open than before. There is a small dance floor and piano for entertainment in the evenings. Of course, bar service here is virtually the same as in Panorama; however, because Dolce Vita is a much larger lounge, it may take a little longer to get your favorite beverage here. On our voyage, Dolce Vita guests were entertained in the evenings by resident vocal pianist, Snizhana, and vocal guitarist, Daniel.
Anywhere/Anytime Dining
Now on Silversea, you can order anything from the room service menu and have it delivered to you anywhere on the ship. I have used this in the mornings when working on my blog at Panorama Lounge. I call Room Service at 5am and order a pot of coffee, and they deliver it to me at Panorama!
Chris Dikmen in dolce vita lounge
Or, let's say you might enjoy a cheese plate delivered to Dolce Vita. No problem. The only suggestion we would make would be for the ship to have one of the room service menus available in each pubic space, maybe next to the phone.
New Suites
Twenty-six new Veranda suites have been added to Silver Spirit, along with six Silver Suites and two Panorama Suites. Every suite on Silver Spirit has been touched up with a new look and feel to match the design of the suites on Silver Muse. For the first two evenings on board, we stayed in a Superior Veranda (808) on deck 8 and it looked brand new.
Superior Veranda
All furnishings are new. The new color scheme is lighter and much more contemporary than before. If you did not know better, you would swear you were on Silver Muse. Big improvements have been made to the suite's technology. The interactive HD television has been moved from behind the mirror(s) so, now there is one large television mounted in the living room, but visible from the bed.
The suite now features more power outlets and (finally) USB charging ports! An alarm clock with charging plate on top is a welcome addition.
On day three of our sailing, we were moved into one of the new Silver Suites on Deck 10 (1015). There were two Silver Suites added to Deck 10, two on Deck 11 and two on Deck 8. The Deck 8 suites also have the option of converting to a two-bedroom suite by opening up to an adjoining Veranda Suite. The six new suites that were added to Silver Spirit reflect the same color scheme as those on Silver Muse, with the light grey color scheme giving these suites a more contemporary, fashion-forward look.
Suite 1015 Living Room
The new luxury mattress is very comfortable, and all bedding is top quality. The desk is large enough to hold a laptop (by relocating the books and folders) and now offers more than enough in the way of electrical and USB outlets.
A nicely equipped desk
Your favorite adult beverage delivered to your suite.
The bathroom is the crown jewel of the Silver Suite with a dual-sink vanity, tons of storage space and top quality Bvlgari amenities.
The shower stall is as good as you will find on any cruise ship, or hotel for that matter.
Excellent shower in Silver Suite 1015-Silver Spirit
Silver Suite guests also benefit from additional perks, such as complimentary laundry, wet cleaning and pressing throughout the cruise (a really nice benefit on a longer cruise). You also get bumped up to Premium Internet service when in a Silver Suite.
We did notice quite a bit of mechanical noise in suite 1015, likely due to its location. Just behind the bedroom wall of the suite is the Spaccanapoli kitchen, which is basically open to the pool deck. When there is a band playing at the pool, you will hear it clearly in 1015. We have stayed in other Silver Suites on Silver Spirit and never experienced any noise issues, so we are sure it has to do with this specific suite. Perhaps some additional soundproofing is in order?
The improvements to all of the suites on board Silver Spirit elevate the accommodations to the top of any in the industry. The Silver Suite remains our all time favorite cruise ship accommodation. If we were doing a world cruise on Silversea, we would choose the Silver Suite.
Pool Deck
The pool deck is larger after the lengthening with a much larger Grill dining area. There are three hot tubs at one end of the rather large pool. There are plenty of comfortable loungers on Decks 9 and 10.
Entertainment
Silversea appears to be putting an increased emphasis on quality entertainment. They recently announced six new theatrical performances in conjunction with Luna Ross Productions. On our sailing, we enjoyed some excellent vocal performances by the Voices of Silversea.
Aimee Lake performs on Silver Spirit
In addition to the troupe of resident performers, we were also treated to excellent guest performers, like Flemenco guitarist, Adam Westcott.
And of course, Silversea continues to provide some of the best enrichment lectures of any cruise line. On our cruise, all of this entertainment was being capably delivered under the auspices of veteran Cruise Director, Jimmy Kovel, and his excellent cruise staff.
Jimmy Kovel, Cruise Director
We sailed with Mr. Kovel on Silver Muse in 2017 and were pleased to see he still has his sharp wit in tact, most noticeable during Silversea's legendary Team Trivia sessions. One evening, the cruise staff invited everyone out on the pool deck for Death By Chocolate, a massive chocolate-lover's buffet complete with singing and dancing.
Guests dance the night away after enjoying Death by Chocolate
Silversea Shore Concierge
We booked four excursions for this cruise. Three were booked through the MySilversea website a few weeks prior to embarkation, and one was booked directly with the Silversea Shore Concierge desk (Deck 5 midship). When we arrived at our suite on the day of embarkation, all of the tickets for pre-booked excursions were waiting for us on the desk.
We enjoyed all of the excursions and felt like all were a good value. The Culinary Walking Tour of San Juan was one of the best we have ever enjoyed on a cruise. And, when we decided at the last minute to do a kayak excursion in Semana, Dominican Republic, the Shore Concierge Desk was more than willing to accommodate us.
Complimentary Internet
Since our last Silversea cruise, the company now offers guests in all suites complimentary unlimited "standard" WiFi Internet access. This is a very nice perk that we are starting to see on more and more luxury and premium cruise lines. Guests staying in Silver Suites and above benefit from complimentary Premium Internet, which claims to have higher speeds. We had the opportunity to try both standard and premium during our 13-night sailing. With Standard Internet, sites like YouTube, Vimeo or any sites that stream video are blocked. You can access YouTube and others with the Premium Internet, but the speeds are still too slow to really utilize them. The Premium Internet package was selling for $244 on our 13- night cruise, or $29/day. If you only want to check/send email and maybe look at your stock portfolio, standard Internet should work fine.
Summary
When you step aboard a Silversea ship, you feel like you have arrived. It's like riding in a Rolls-Royce, flying First Class on Singapore Airlines, or staying in a suite at The Peninsula Hong Kong. It's just a feeling, there's no other way to describe it. We have been sailing with Silversea since 2002, and have watched the company grow and continue to improve. We enjoy, and appreciate, quality and good service. When only the best will do, Silversea always delivers.
Rickee Richardson and Chris Dikmen are travel journalists from Dallas, Texas
Parting Shots
