Treasure Found: Silver on the Sea
3/27/2006 12:12:31 PM by Kelly Braden
style (stil) n. A comfortable and elegant mode of existence: living in style. A mode of living: the style of the very rich.
If ol’ Danny Webster were alive today, he’d most certainly add a number three to his definition of style: Silversea. Silversea cruise ships represent an epiphany of comfort, elegance, luxury and, well, style.
In 1994, a luxurious, all-suite ship made its debut in the Mediterranean. It was the 296-passenger Silver Cloud, the first of four Silversea Cruises vessels. Many in the cruise industry wondered if a niche company with the unique slogan of an “Uncompromising Commitment to Service” could survive very long in the cruise market. They’re not wondering now.
Within seven years, three more ships followed. All share the distinguishing Silversea commitment to service and luxury.
One thing sets Silversea apart from the ultra-luxury cruise market. Silversea’s distinctive all-inclusive pricing offers its guests value you’d expect for the premium cost. While some of the other luxury lines include soft drinks or free wine at dinner, Silversea is the only one to offer unlimited complimentary alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages at any time and place. The ships have a list of more than 60 different pouring wines that are complimentary to guests while onboard.
Recognizing that beverage choices are ultra personal, Silversea ensures that every guest’s in-suite refrigerator is stocked with personal preferences – free of charge. Gratuities and port charges are also folded into the cost of the cruise. The company even provides one complimentary shore excursion on many of its voyages. That outing is called the Silversea Experience and it invariably features something other than the typical tour ashore. On one such excursion during a recent Norwegian fjords cruise, the Silversea Experience included a visit to an ancient castle where a fair was in progress. The mayor of the town was even on hand to greet Silversea passengers, and that’s sure not a typical city tour by anyone’s standards.
Something else that sets this spectacular cruise line apart: A unique way of cruising called a Personalized Voyage. Simply put, a Personalized Voyage allows passengers to choose their own embarkation and disembarkation ports, regardless of the cruise lengths and itineraries shown in the brochure. The same option exists at the start of the cruise. The aim, as the name of the program implies, is maximum flexibility for guests.
This year, Silversea offers several enrichment voyages. The Wine Series Voyages have passengers embark on an exploration of the world’s great wines, enjoy enlightening lectures and tastings of vintage blends and also offer optional guided excursions to renowned wineries and cellars. Culinary Arts Voyages join passengers with the world’s leading chefs for entertaining demonstrations, lectures and a grand
gourmet dinner. Silver Links 365 Golf Voyages are also available on the Silver Shadow or Silver Whisper where golfers and would-be golfers can perfect their swings with a spectacular ocean backdrop or, escorted by the ships’ golf pros, add a round at the world’s most challenging and revered greens. All the details are handled and all the arrangements are made. Passengers need only relax and concentrate on perfecting their game.
The four Silversea ships (Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper) sail the world. They are in Asia, the South Pacific, South America, the Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, the North Cape, Africa and just about every other place ever visited by a cruise ship, but they travel to places that most mass-market ships are simply too large to venture. The line’s commitment is to offer past passengers – known as The Venetian Society – as much variety as possible, and new itineraries are developed year after year.
In fact, very few cruise itineraries are repeated, which makes its Personalized Voyages program even more attractive since guests do not need to visit ports more than one time on their extended cruises.
Silversea passengers are from around the world, with about half from the United States, one-fourth from other English-speaking countries and one-fourth from other countries. Most of the passengers are well-traveled, interesting and outgoing, and many are repeat Silversea cruisers.
The Silversea cruise ships are small, ultra-luxurious and elegant. The Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper are the most spacious ships in the world with a space ratio of 74.0; that equates to 7,400 cubic feet of space per guest.
All of the cabins on the Silversea cruise ships are suites with an Italian-marble bathroom and a telephone, full bathtub, separate shower and double-basin vanity, walk-in closet, sofa, sitting area with writing desk, dressing table with hair dryer, refrigerator and cocktail bar, entertainment center with remote-controlled satellite television and videocassette player, direct dial telephone, in-suite safe, fresh fruit and flowers, individual climate control and 110/220 electric current. Unlike many cruise ships, the bathrooms are as ornate and spacious as those found in opulent hotels ashore. Take all of these amenities, add 24-hour room service, and it is almost understandable that some passengers never even leave their suites!
The Silversea Silver Shadow’s accommodations should meet any passenger’s expectations for a 6-star cruise ship. Even its smallest suites have 287 square feet and are outside cabins. If you really want elbow room, you can take the 1,435-square-foot cabins that are bigger than most apartments. More than 80 percent of the suites feature private teak balconies and nine Vista suites share a common veranda. This design gives passengers the opportunity to have a balcony in one of the lower cost suites. The Silver Shadow and her twin sister the Silver Whisper feature larger specialty suites than the Silver Cloud and Silver Wind.
Although spending the entire cruise in your suite might be tempting, the lure of the ports of call, the onboard activities, socializing with others, and the interesting cuisine should lure you away from your cabin.
Dining experiences on a Silversea cruise ship tend to be memorable. The ships have one main restaurant and two alternative dining venues. Since the ships are small (less than 400 passengers), the restaurant often feels like an elegant, yet comfortable club. The varied menus and excellent wines included in the meals give the sensation of a private dinner party. All meals are open-seating, all the time. There are no rigid meal times, no assigned tables. Guests dine when, where and with whom they desire.
The small Silversea ships have many of the same activities as the mega-ships such as computer classes, afternoon tea and wine tastings. The ships often have expert speakers onboard. Evenings are low-key compared to larger ships, with one show each evening in the main lounge featuring either the six-member show troupe or a guest soloist or musician. The small orchestra plays after dinner dance music in one of the bars and a pianist or duo performs in the other. There is a well-stocked library, a swimming pool and a fitness center, and an incredible Mandara Spa with pages and pages of spa treatments to choose from.
The name “Mandara” comes from an ancient Sanskrit legend about the Gods’ quest for the elixir of youth and eternal life. The Mandara Spas originated in Bali, and the company has developed many interesting and exotic spa treatments that might not bring you eternal youth or immortality, but will bring you restoration, relaxation, and rejuvenation. The “Ultimate Indulgence” massage lives up to its name. Two therapists work on you simultaneously. The feeling of four hands kneading out those knots in your muscles is twice as good as two hands. This treatment will spoil you for the rest of your cruise and have you coming back for more. Also available are several other types of more traditional massages.
If “style” on the high seas is something that lights your fire, a Silverseas cruise will not disappoint. Pick a ship, choose an itinerary, and enjoy how fine life can be at sea.
|
quicksplash For More Information
Silversea Cruises
|