Our first visit to Southeast Asia was back in 2008, and we loved it! So, when we were presented with the opportunity to do a cruise on Silversea's Silver Shadow in Southeast Asia, well, you can imagine our excitement. The last time we were on Silver Shadow was also in China and Korea, back in 2011.

PRE-CRUISE IN SINGAPORE

Most guests on this cruise took advantage of Silversea's pre-cruise hotel stay in Singapore at the luxurious Shangri-La Singapore. We had actually booked two nights to give ourselves some extra time to shed jet lag and still be able to explore the hotel and the city. Unfortunately, due to a missed connection in Hong Kong, we had an additional seven-hour layover that cost us one night at Shangri-La. The travel agency booked our flight with only a one-hour connection window in Hong Kong. Lesson learned. Check your flight itinerary and do not accept one that has less than two hours on any segment.

We did not arrive in at the Shangri-La until 6:30am, and after going for more than 35 hours without sleep, all we could do was head straight to bed. However, we did have a chance to experience some of the hotels facilities, including restaurants and the spa. For more information, you can read our review of Shangri-La Singapore.

EMBARKATION

Silversea's local ground operator in Singapore had a hospitality desk set up in the Shangri-La hotel and they had advised us to meet at 12pm in the hotel lobby for the transfer to the cruise ship. We had the porter take our checked luggage to the lobby as instructed, and it was whisked away for transfer to the ship. Along with about 50 other guests, we were escorted to motor coaches for the drive to the port.

Guests board motor coaches for the drive to the port

Singapore's port serves more than 1,000 ships every day, making it one of the busiest shipping ports in the world. Even though the cruise traffic is not huge here, at least by Miami standards, they probably have one of the nicest cruise terminals anywhere. Embarkation here is quick and efficient, especially when boarding a ship with a total capacity of 385 guests. Less than 15 minutes after arriving at the cruise terminal, we were walking down the long hallway to board Silver Shadow.

Once on board, we were greeted with a glass of Silversea's traditional 'welcome aboard' champagne and invited to complete our check-in at the Reception desk on (Deck 5). This basically involves handing over our passports and having a security photo taken. We were told that the suites were not quite ready to be occupied and that we could enjoy lunch on Deck 8 (Pool Grill or La Terrazza) until an announcement was made. We skipped lunch, but instead enjoyed a soft drink in the quiet and nearly empty Panorama Lounge on Deck 8 aft. The Panorama furnishings have been recovered in new red and white fabrics since our last sailing.

Overall, the embarkation process was about as smooth and painless as can be. Of course, embarking a small vessel is always much easier than one of the bigger ships, and is one more reason why we love small ship cruising.

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).

For the first time in our cruising career, we actually were assigned the exact same suite that we occupied back in 2011 when we sailed on Silver Shadow from Shanghai to Incheon. Therefore, much of our assessment from that cruise still applies to this day. Even by hotel standards, our Grand Suite (802) is massive. The entry foyer leads into the living room with its full-sized 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 two bar stools (formerly three). The bar is equipped with a mini-bar/fridge and an espresso 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 have brought with you. However, more electrical outlets would be a welcome addition in this day and age. 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. Therefore, if you plan to sit on your balcony and soak up some sun, you may want to consider a Grand Suite on Deck 6 (601) or 7 (701). Note: All four Grand Suites (601, 701, 801 and 802) are located all the way forward on their respective decks. The same is true for the two slightly smaller Royal Suites (602 & 702). Therefore, if you are prone to motion sickness, you may wish to consider a Silver, Medallion or Owner's suite, all of which are positioned closer midships. On this 14-night sailing, the seas were ultra-smooth, making this a non-issue.

A door separates the living room from the forward-facing bedroom. Guests can select from a menu of eight pillow choices to suit their personal requirements. A dressing table with three-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 and houses an eight-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.

The completely separate bedroom allows Rickee to continue to sleep uninterrupted while I do my morning work. I can enjoy my Fox News in the morning on the large, flat-screen LCD TV in the living room while working on my blog and enjoying my coffee ritual. However, the door between the living room and bedroom was in need of adjustment. It was very hard to open and close, like it was not centered properly. We lived with it, but did report it on our Cruise Questionnaire.

One of the two bathrooms is found one step up from the bedroom and is equally lavish. Slathered in Italian marble, the bathroom features a full-sized jetted 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 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! The shower door in our bathroom would not close completely, and therefore, would not latch. It appeared as though the hinge mechanism had been worked on extensively as there was visible caulk and screw heads extending from the surrounding marble. With any motion, the door would swing open, a situation that could be dangerous if one entered into a dark bathroom at night and walked into an open shower door. The only other issue was with the sliding door leading to the balcony. It was nearly impossible to open, almost like it needed grease, or an adjustment. We mentioned this to Reception on the second day of the cruise and when we returned to the suite that night, it had been fixed.

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. Guests occupying large suites also enjoy complimentary laundry, dry cleaning and pressing from the ship's laundry, another huge benefit. And a new perk since our last sailing on Silver Shadow allows guests occupying a large suite to enjoy unlimited Internet/WiFi access during the cruise. A chilled bottle of champagne is waiting in each suite upon arrival. Complimentary bottles of liquor are no longer offered automatically but, if you ask your butler, a bottle of your favorite wine or spirit will be delivered to your suite. They have also replaced the plastic bottles of water with glass bottles of "tap" water, an obvious nod to the environmental movement. Sorry, but I much prefer the plastic bottles of water. Your choice of daily newspaper is also available for delivery to your suite.

A bottle of your favorite wine or spirit will be delivered to your suite

On our last cruise aboard Silver Shadow in 2011, the ship had recently undergone a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. All suites had been updated with new mattresses and bedding, new upholstery and carpeting. Large suites had been updated to include a high-end Bang & Olufsen CD player. After five years, however, it is probably time for the mattresses to be replaced again. Large sunken dips in the mattresses are an indication that they have reached the end of their life cycle. The carpeting in our suite was still acceptable and the fabrics on the chairs and sofa looked to be in good condition.

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. Larger suite guests are also treated to two hours of complimentary international ship-to-shore telephone service and dinner at an officer's table once per cruise.

FOOD AND DINING

The Restaurant

The Restaurant located on Deck 4 is the ship's main "traditional" dining room. As we mentioned in 2011, The Restaurant looks like it did the day the ship launched (in 2000). 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). Complimentary wine selections change each day (one red and one white), but if the wines offered are not to your liking, every attempt will be made to find a suitable alternative.

A table for two is almost always available at breakfast or lunch. And, unlike on larger cruise ships, guests always have the option of dining privately at breakfast and lunch. In the evening, The Restaurant comes alive with activity as the ship's primary dining venue. The menus have been updated since our last sailing, although they continue to lean toward Continental cuisine. I suspect this may be an attempt to cater to the largely European clientele. Dining in The Restaurant is open seating, so you may dine whenever and with whomever you wish. The dress code follows the ship's recommended dress code for the day.

Sadly, the signature Galley Brunch and Pool BBQ are no more. They will be (and were) missed.

La Terrazza

La Terrazza is the most popular dining venue on Silver Shadow (or any Silversea ship for that matter). 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 and a 'pasta-of-the-day' 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. The outdoor dining furniture appears to be new since our last cruise, and is very nice. An awning has also been added since our last sailing on Shadow which provides shade on sunny days.

La Terrazza has embraced the Slow Food 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's chef 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 the highlight. The Ravioli is still amazing. Reservations are required for La Terrazza in the evenings.

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 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. The dress code at The Grill is always casual.

Le Champagne

The 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.

We celebrated my birthday with dinner at Le Champagne. We felt like the biggest selling point at Le Champagne was the intimate atmosphere and the attentive service. The dishes offered through the multi-course menu are sophisticated, perhaps too much so for our Texas tastes. Other than the presentation, we did not feel that the food served here was any better than what The Restaurant offers. Perhaps that should be considered high praise for The Restaurant. Reservations are required for Le Champagne, and there is a $40pp cover charge, which includes wines from the ship's daily wine selection. There is an optional wine-pairing menu available for an additional cost featuring some higher end wines. Guests occupying larger suites are invited to dine in Le Champagne once per sailing on a complimentary basis.

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. Even in the Veranda Suites, the coffee table is converted into an elegant dining table. Our butler, Amiel, carefully prepared the table then served our dinner (or breakfast) choices expertly. The food was delivered quickly and was fresh and hot. Breakfast is the most popular room service meal, and on this cruise, we had breakfast delivered several times.

A substantial 24-hour room service menu also includes 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 included 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!

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 has stepped up its hamburger game considerably. There are two new "gourmet" burgers now offered at the Pool Grill (and on The Restaurant menu at night). I had the Jalapeno burger on two occasions and the burger was excellent each time. The fries were served hot and fresh; however, the onion rings still could use some improvement.

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. On most days, a poolside buffet was set up with a variety of salads, hot dishes, fruit and desserts. An cream sundae bar has been added to satisfy your sweet tooth. As with all Silversea dining venues, you dine here with 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. You can also enjoy Afternoon Tea delivered to your suite.

ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES

Entertainment has been steadily improving on Silversea over the past several years. This Silver Shadow cruise was no exception. Each evening at 10pm, the Athenian Lounge showcases a movie or a different production show or guest entertainer. The four production shows were performed by the The Voices of Silversea. 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 two Gentlemen Hosts onboard were available as dance partners.

The Voices of Silversea are featured in lively production shows

Before and after-dinner musical entertainment was provided by the Musiclink Duo in the Bar and the Silver Shadow Quartet in the Panorama Lounge. On a few evenings, guests were entertained by Australian virtuoso concert violinist, Ian Cooper, in the Athenian Lounge. On one occasion, we were treated to the vocal stylings of Cruise Director, Kirk T. Detweiler, a talented and energetic entertainer.

Kirk Detweiler puts on an energetic show

IF YOU WANT SOMETHING EXTRA, JUST ASK FOR IT

During the day, Silver Shadow offers guests a variety of onboard activities. Your day might begin with a 7:30am "Sunrise Walk" or 8am stretching session with Personal Trainer, Ales, who also presented several seminars on fitness topics. International hostesses offered language classes. Bridge lessons were scheduled and Bridge sessions conducted. The most popular daytime activity seemed to be Team Trivia held each afternoon, which can get very competitive and lively. Trivia is followed by golf putting. There were table tennis and shuffleboard competitions. Various dance classes were led by the multi-talented Cruise Director, Kirk T. Detweiler. If you wanted to tour the galley, that was offered, too. Art lovers were treated to several presentations by onboard Art Curator, Rami Ron. A cooking demonstration was presented by Executive Chef Jerome, and the Bar Staff had several cocktail demonstrations and tastings.

On our voyage, there were two guest lecturers, Evelyn Evans and Roger Condon, each speaking on topics pertaining to our destination.

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. Rickee dominated the Silver Quiz, winning the contest (and the prize points that can be redeemed at the end of the cruise for Silversea trinkets) on several days.

Rickee racking up some Silversea points with her Silver Quiz victories

If keeping fit is in your plans, 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. The fitness center has a variety of carido machines, free weights, LifeFitness™ circuit machines and more.

For those who like games of chance, the Casino accepts donations whenever the ship is sailing. There are 18 slot machines, a blackjack table, roulette and craps. We had some fun with the slots and, fortunately, we broke even for the 14-day cruise. The Casino Staff conducted gaming lessons from time to time and there were Blackjack and slot tournaments. A tiny Lampadina Bar adjoins the Casino for those who would like to take a break and enjoy a cocktail.

A small, but well-equipped Internet Cafe is located next to The Library with a few desktop computers available for use. Silversea has completely revamped its Internet/WiFi program, and it is one of the most generous in the cruise industry.

Unlimited Internet access for guests in Medallion, Silver, Royal, Grand, and Owner's Suite
One hour of Internet access per guest/per day for guests in Vista, Terrace, and Veranda Suites

In addition to the above, several other options are available:

Plan 1: Internet Service 1 Day: $30
Plan 2: Internet Service 2 Days: $50
Plan 3: Internet Service Cruise 3 Nights: $60
Plan 4: Internet Service Cruise 7 Nights: $140
Plan 5: Internet Service Cruise 8+Days: $16 per day
Plan 6: Time Plan (1,000 minutes): $250 ($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. Of course, this will depend on your suite's proximity to a WiFi repeater. If I was willing to leave our suite door open, the WiFi signal improved dramatically.

One of the most popular spots on Silver Shadow, especially in warm weather, is the pool on Deck 8. Cushioned pool lounge chairs surround the pool on Deck 8, and more are available on Deck 9. There are some loungers shaded from the sun and a few wicker "cocoon" loungers.

The Boutiques of Silversea, found on Deck 5, offer an extensive range of merchandise including jewelry, designer clothing, perfumes and skincare products. Silversea logo items are available. On this voyage, women could purchase a custom-made pair of Preludio Capri Sandals which were fitted and made on the spot, sewn by hand without the use of glue. You choose color, heel height, shape, and all the added "bling."

Rickee checks out the Preludio sandal options

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. The spa also has separate dressing rooms with lockers for men and ladies. Each dressing room has shower, sauna and steam room, available for guest use on a complimentary basis.

La Thérapie products featured in the spa

PORTS-OF-CALL

Silversea's complimentary shuttle service is a huge value to guests that often goes unnoticed...

Singapore - One of the nicest cities in Asia. Singapore is spotlessly clean and safe. If your cruise embarks or disembarks here, plan on spending a few extra days.

Bintulu - On our cruise we did the Highlights of Bintulu excursion, which is probably a good choice here. The butterfly farm was a bust, but visits to the Chinese temple and local food market were interesting.

Brunei - We stayed on board Silver Shadow in Brunei. We had heard that there was not much to see here, and talking to other guests confirmed that. A good change to have the ship to ourselves and enjoy the pool deck!

Kota Kinabalu - We were stood up for our scheduled river rafting excursion here, which we booked ourselves online. A good reason to use the ship's excursions here.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - Ho Chi Minh City is definitely worth exploring. Smaller ships, like Silver Shadow, can sail up river and dock right in the middle of the city. Larger ships will have to dock two hours away, not good.

Bangkok, Thailand - This was our favorite port on this cruise. As with Ho Chi Minh City, Silver Shadow is able to sail up the river and dock at Klong Toei, right in the middle of town. Larger ships will dock at Laem Chabang, two hours or more from the city center.

Ko Samui, Thailand - This island was another highlight of the cruise. Don't miss a visit to the elephant park.

SILVERSEA GUESTS

As you might expect on a 14-night sailing aboard a luxury ship, the clientele tends to be older. We did see a few 40-somethings roaming around, but most guests were in the 55+ range. We only saw one child on board, and quite frankly, there is not much for kids to do on these ships. But, we live in an age were some people take their kids with them everywhere, so I guess we just have to accept that reality. On this sailing, about 60% were British, approximately 25% were Americans and the rest were from everywhere imaginable. There were less than 20 Australians on board, but they are always easy to spot. They are the noisiest group and having more fun than anyone else!

Silversea has a published dress code with "formal" nights where a tuxedo or dinner jacket is the order of the day for men and cocktail dress or evening gown is worn by the ladies. On "informal" nights, men must wear a jacket but tie is optional. On "casual" nights, men don't have to wear a jacket, but a collared shirt is required and jeans or shorts are never appropriate after 6pm in any indoor venue.

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.

All-Inclusive Value

Silversea has always been a great value in the luxury cruise segment, and now even more so. Of course, Silversea's cruise fares include all beverages (wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, etc.) consumed during the cruise. And, gratuities for the ship's staff are also included in your cruise fare. The addition of included shore excursions is a huge value for guests. Complimentary shuttle service in each port (at least on this cruise) was also a huge benefit, something you don't find on most other cruise lines. All of the shuttles we used were air conditioned, clean and efficient. The shuttle buses usually drop you off in town, near shopping or other local landmarks and run to and from the ship every hour or half-hour.

Another huge value, at least for someone like me, is the new complimentary WiFi (see above). Even with an hour per day per person, you can get your basic email duties accomplished. Additional WiFi plans are also reasonably priced.

What We Loved

Friendly staff, impeccable service
Gratuities included in cruise fare
New, included shore excursions
New, complimentary WiFi
New, gourmet burgers
All beer, wine, champagne, cocktails and soft drinks included
Big, roomy suites, most with balconies
Butler service in every suite
Excellent room service for en suite dining
Bottled water (complimentary) available as you disembark ship in port
Quality shore excursions with ship's tour guide present
Pool bar now open late

What We Would Like To See

6:30pm dinner times (instead of 7pm)
9:30 show time (instead of 10pm)
Mattresses (at least in our suite) need to be replaced
A casual, no-reservation-required, á la minute dining option at The Grill
Bring back the bottled water in suites

SUMMARY

Silversea remains one of the best cruise lines in the world. The all-inclusive value and over-the-top luxury are a tough combination to compete with. We always know what to expect on Silversea, excellence.

CruiseReport is a consumer website for adult couples who love to cruise.

Jan 18 Silversea Cruises - Silver Shadow - Southeast Asia

PRE-CRUISE IN SINGAPORE

EMBARKATION

ACCOMMODATIONS