Silversea

Line: Silversea
Established: 1994
Vessels: 5
Star rating: Ultra luxury
Tonnage: 17,400 - 36,000
Passengers: 298 - 540

What's included in the price:

• Accommodation
• All meals
• Open-seating dining
• 24-hour room service
• Complimentary beverages
• In-suite beverage cabinet
• Twice daily suite service
• Entertainment
• Fitness classes
• Cooking classes
• Shore side event
• Port taxes
• Gratuities
• Government fees

What's new?

Silversea are an Italian owned company operating cruise ship in the ultra-luxury segment of the market. Passengers tend to be wealthy professionals who are near or over retirement age. All accommodation on the ships is in suites and each one has a butler service. In 2008 the line introduced “Personalised voyages” where passengers can choose where they will join a ship and for how long they will stay on it. For example, a passenger may wish to join the ship for a ten day cruise from Monte Carlo to Rome, then stay on for part of the cruise to Venice. The extra time on board is charged at a daily room rate which varies depending on ports visited.
The line has ships spread around the globe visiting all sorts of locations. The line has a very loyal passenger base who like to be able to visit various parts of the world. Silversea meet that demand and many industry commentators put that down to the line’s undoubted success.

Accommodation on any of the line’s ships can only be described as outstanding. All cabins have queen sized beds that can be divided into singles. They have deep carpets and top of the range bed linen. All have luxurious marble fitted bathrooms with shower and separate tub. Every cabin has flat screen TV with a large range of satellite channels to choose from. There is wireless internet connection throughout the ship and each cabin has an iPod docking station. Cabins have an alarm clock, umbrella, binoculars and a well-stocked mini-bar. There are both 220 and 110 volt sockets in every cabin. The butler assigned to every suite will do as much or as little as asked. They can make dinner reservations as well as fetch food and drink.

Dining on Silversea ships is a delight. Each ship has a choice of venues but whichever one is chosen, the food is special and always immaculately presented. Dining in the main dining rooms is “Open” which means that passengers can dine when they like and with whom they like. There is always a wide choice on the menu with vegetarian and healthy eating options available. Breakfast is a feast in the main dining room with many options available. Lunch is several courses, all stunningly appetising. For example a starter may be a tower of marinated crab accented with a quail egg, avocado, and American caviar. The main course is from the menu or the carving trolley and there is a wide range of desserts.

There are the usual cruise ship activities available during the day but something unusual are the golf putting lessons and competitions. Sometimes there will be interesting lectures on various topics from world acclaimed experts. There are occasionally big movies shown in the cinema during the afternoon but most of the entertainment is reserved for the evenings. These will see Broadway revue style shows, big star tributes or other variety shows, usually featuring a famous celebrity. There are always highly talented musicians on board playing jazz or classical music.

Silversea ships all have plenty of space in their public rooms.  There is always plenty of room to sit and relax by the pool or in a lounge or library. Most ships have bars of various sizes and types and the inevitable casino of slots or “Pokies.”

Silversea Line is aimed at the top end of the market. Passengers are usually of the older generation who have “Made it” in life. They are usually well educated, well-heeled and well-travelled. The line has a large base of loyal repeat cruisers who appreciate the top of the line service that they receive.