Silversea Cruises
Fodor’s Expert Review
In 2018 Royal Caribbean International purchased a large stake in Silversea Cruises, adding a new luxury option to their portfolio. Intimate ships with spacious suites, exclusive amenities, and unparalleled hospitality are the hallmarks of the line. Every suite is assigned a butler, so you can expect even the most unusual requests to be fulfilled. In addition, your all-inclusive air-and-sea fares can be customized to include not just round-trip airfare but all transfers, porterage, and deluxe pre-cruise accommodations as well.Read More
Personalization is a Silversea maxim. Their ships offer more activities than other comparably sized luxury vessels. Take part in those that interest you, or opt instead for a good book and any number of quiet spots to read or snooze in the shade.
Silversea’s third generation of ships introduced even more luxurious features when the 36,000-ton Silver Spirit launched late in 2010 and the 40,700-ton Silver Muse entered service in 2017. Silversea’s fleet of exploration ships are the top choice for luxurious soft adventure expedition cruising, includingSilver Galapagos that sails exclusively in the Galápagos Islands.
Top Reasons to Cruise
Is This Line Right for You?
What to Expect on Board
Dishes from the galleys of Silversea’s master chefs are complemented by those of La Collection du Monde, created by Silversea’s culinary partner, the world-class chefs of Relais & Châteaux.
Menus include hot and cold appetizers, at least four entrée selections, a vegetarian alternative, and Cruiselite cuisine (low in cholesterol, sodium, and fat). Special off-menu orders are prepared whenever possible, provided that the ingredients are available onboard. In the event that they aren’t, you may find after a day in port that a trip to the market was made in order to fulfill your request.
At La Terrazza (by day, a casual buffet) the menu showcases the finest in Italian cooking, from classic favorites to Tuscan fare. The restaurant carries no surcharge. Seating is limited, so reservations are a must to ensure a table—it’s one reservation you’ll be glad you took the time to book. Or dine beneath the stars at The Grill, where you can prepare your own fish, vegetables, and meat at your table on volcanic rocks heated to 400 degrees.
Guest lecturers are featured on nearly every cruise; language, dance, and culinary lessons and excellent wine-appreciation sessions are always on the schedule of events.
Silversea also schedules culinary arts cruises and a series of wine-focused voyages that feature award-winning authors, international wine experts, winemakers, and acclaimed chefs from the world’s top restaurants. During afternoon tea the ranks of highly competitive trivia teams increase every successive day.
After dark, Dolce Vita is a predinner gathering spot and the late-night place for dancing to a live band. A multitiered show lounge is the setting for talented singers and musicians, classical concerts, magic shows, big-screen movies, and folkloric entertainers from ashore. A small casino offers slot machines and gaming tables.
The rather small gyms are equipped with cardiovascular and weight-training equipment, and fitness classes on Silver Whisper and Silver Shadow are held in the mirror-lined, but somewhat confining, exercise room.
Silver Spirit and Silver Muse introduced more expansive spas and more spacious fitness centers.
South Pacific–inspired Zagara Spa offers numerous treatments including exotic-sounding massages, facials, and body wraps. Hair and nail services are available in the busy salon. A plus is that appointments for spa and beauty salon treatments can be made online from 60 days until 48 hours prior to sailing.
Golfers can sign up with the pro onboard for individual lessons utilizing a high-tech swing analyzer and attend complimentary golf clinics or participate in a putting contest.
Key cruising tips
Your Shipmates
Silversea Cruises appeal to sophisticated, affluent couples who enjoy the country club–like atmosphere, exquisite cuisine, and polished service onboard, not to mention the exotic ports and unique experiences ashore.
Dress Code
One formal night is standard on cruises of up to nine nights and two to three nights, depending on the itinerary, on longer sailings. Men are required to wear tuxedos or dark suits after 6 pm. All other evenings are either informal, when a jacket is called for (a tie is optional, but most men wear them), or casual, when slacks with a jacket over an open-collar shirt for men and sporty dresses or skirts or pants with a sweater or blouse for women are suggested.
Junior Cruisers
Silversea Cruises is adult-oriented, does not accommodate children less than six months of age, and the cruise line limits the number of children under the age of three onboard. The availability of suites for a third passenger is capacity controlled. A youth program staffed by counselors is available on holiday and select sailings. No dedicated children’s facilities are available, so parents are responsible for the behavior and entertainment of their children.
Service
Personalized service is exacting and hospitable yet discreet. The staff strives for perfection and often achieves it. The attitude is decidedly European and begins with a welcome-aboard flute of champagne, then continues throughout as personal preferences are remembered and satisfied. The word no doesn’t seem to be in the staff vocabulary in any language. Guests in all suites are pampered by butlers.
Tipping
Tipping is neither required nor expected.
Past Passengers
Membership in the Venetian Society is automatic on completion of one Silversea cruise, and members begin accruing benefits: Venetian Society cruise days and eligibility for discounts on select voyages, onboard recognition and private parties, milestone rewards, exclusive gifts, the Venetian Society Newsletter, ship visitation privileges, and complimentary early embarkation or late debarkation at certain milestones. After reaching the 500-day milestone, the Venetian Society member will receive a complimentary seven-day voyage for each additional 150 days sailed.