Ship Review

Silver Spirit - That's the Spirit!

Silversea Cruises' newest luxury liner shows off its enhancements.

By Fran Golden

When Silversea Cruises announced it was building a larger new ship in Silver Spirit, I had one of those "Is bigger better?" moments.

Except when I saw the ship for the first time docked in Monte Carlo, about to embark on a preview sailing, the sparkling, Italian-built Silver Spirit didn't look all that big. And on board, the 540-passenger ship didn't feel all that big either (though it is spatially about 30 percent larger than the line's next-largest Silver Whisper and Silver Shadow). What the 36,009-ton Silver Spirit does feel is intimate, luxurious Silversea — and more.

The über-luxury line's first new ship in nearly nine years presents a larger variety of public rooms and more signature amenities and options than its other five ships, especially when it comes to food. Silver Spirit impressively has six restaurants including new Asian-fusion and outdoor grill venues and the Stars Supper Club, where food and music combine in entertaining ways. The food focus was based on demand from the line's upscale, international customer base, said Ken Watson, Silversea's chief operating officer. "People spend as much time in dining as in their bed," he said. "We wanted to create really outstanding dining in different venues."

Extra space also allowed Silversea to present its largest spa facility in the fleet (complete with indoor/outdoor Thermal Suite). Décor-wise, Silver Spirit goes more classic than the line’s other ships, which have tended toward a sleek, contemporary style. It might cause some long-time fans to do a double take as they walk into spaces done up in 1930s Art Deco–inspired splendor, such as The Bar, a lively social hub right off reception. The very comfortable room is resplendent in aqua blue geometric fabrics and Art Deco touches including etched glass and a sculpture of a nude woman with globe.

With its Art Deco outfitting, the fact that Silver Spirit embraces a nostalgic era of ocean travel is no coincidence. There's a message here: The ship's Grand Inaugural Voyage was a 91-day affair, and the new flagship of the Silversea fleet will do a World Cruise in 2011.

Nearly all of the spacious, all-suite accommodations have private verandas, and butler service is offered to all passengers. In addition, everyone is treated to little niceties such as Pommery Champagne on arrival (drinks and gratuities are included in the cruise fare).

This is surely luxury cruising at its nostalgic finest. In fact, Silver Spirit is proof that bigger doesn’t have to mean big, and to be appealing, new doesn’t have to mean ultra-modern either.

Behind Closed Doors

In a democratic move, everyone on board stays in a spacious, ocean-view suite, though some suites are bigger than others, and everyone is served by a butler, who will polish your shoes and even clean your luggage (a new service). The suites are Silversea's largest, and 95 percent have verandas. All have sitting areas (separated by a curtain in standard suites and by a wall in fancier suites), walk-in closets, and oversized bathrooms with bathtub and stall shower. Luxurious amenities include European linens, a pillow menu, and Bulgari toiletries (or less-scented soaps, if you prefer), a stocked minibar, personalized stationery, and fresh fruit and flowers — even the tissue box gets a fancy leather cover.

The suites also feature the clever new feature of flat-screen TVs hidden behind wall mirrors. Less successful are fancy new above-the-counter bowl sinks, which look nice but take up too much counter space and splash. Room services is not only offered but encouraged, especially for breakfast, with new hotplates keeping your eggs warm. A caviar menu offers selections priced from $50 to $500.

Destination Dining

Dining gets a beefing-up on Silver Spirit as well. Silversea's top-flight Le Champagne wine restaurant is expanded into its own 24-seat venue and serves dishes created with chefs from partner Relais & Chateaux. A similar space houses the new Seishin, serving an 11-course Asian-fusion menu. Both restaurants got high marks on the preview cruise, but come with an extra charge: $30 for dinner at Le Champagne, $200 with fine wine pairing; $40 for Seishin, $80 with sake pairing, $200 with wine pairing (all per person).

Also new is the casual Black Rock Grill, located outside a deck above the pool and under heaters. It features meats and seafood, seared and finished tableside on hot lava rocks. The ship’s must-do dining option is Stars Supper Club, where playful food is cleverly paired with music.

In the open-seating Restaurant, Silversea fans will recognize old favorites and new regional offerings (such as garlic prawns and paella in Spain) as well as featured dishes from Relais & Chateaux. In the more casual La Terrazza, there’s a new focus on “slow food” and more opportunity for outdoor dining.

Meet You There

The Bar is the ship's social hub where passengers gather for drinks, coffee, and high tea served by white-gloved waiters, while a piano player provides background music. The three hot tubs around the pool are convivial spots to schmooze outdoors. For a quiet chat, head to the Observation Lounge hidden on top of the ship, near the fanciest suites, and with breathtaking views. Don't miss the deck parties offered at select ports, which include local folk dancers coming on board and getting everyone up for a dance. For romantics, outside the Panorama Lounge there are ocean-facing, South Beach–style cabana chairs, designed for two. Lovers of cigars and cognacs can converse with peers at The Connoisseur's Corner.

Great Escapes

Silver Spirit's expanded pool deck has a resort-like feel with a center pool (heated in colder climes) and three whirlpools surrounded by plenty of teak lounge chairs with nice padding. The space is made particularly elegant with decorative curtains on the side windbreaker panels.

The Steiner-operated spa is the largest in the fleet at 8,300 square feet, and features a Thermal Suite with steam and aromatic showers, a cushy sunning area, and open-air whirlpool, accessible only to those who buy a spa treatment. (In the whirlpool, smoothies, cocktails, or champagne are served while you relax.) The spa boasts the new and unusual shipboard feature of a hammam among other new offerings such as a Thai Poultice massage.

The spa's tiny locker room is co-ed and clearly not designed as a place to linger — there are no hairdryers or beauty amenities. The adjacent gym has four treadmills, three cross-trainers, weight equipment, and an aerobics studio as well as sauna and steam rooms that anyone can use without charge.

After Dark

The Show Lounge, with seating on banquettes for two and no bar service (bring your own from The Bar), features production shows with four singers and four dancers and visiting classical music soloists. On the preview cruise, a show involved a psychedelic set complete with painted VW van and colorfully costumed performers prancing around the stage to songs like "Aquarius" from Hair. The expanded casino offers roulette, blackjack, poker tables, and slot machines. In the Panorama Lounge there's live music for dancing with social hosts (double duty for the show performers) and a late-night disco. The top-of-ship Observation Lounge is a quiet retreat for cocktails and piano music. Sit in one of the leather-backed barstools and look out the floor-to-ceiling windows. On warmer nights, there may be folkloric performances or movies at the pool.

Got Kids?

Silversea is very much adult-oriented. On Silver Spirit, kids are welcome but are expected to be supervised by their parents. If there are a number of kids on board, such as during holiday times, some activities may be offered. But there is nothing regularly scheduled for kids.

Must See

Silver Spirit's stellar addition is Stars Supper Club, with classic décor inspired by the Rainbow Room in New York. Beginning at 9 p.m. each evening and going into the night, a creative menu of 15 little "tastes" is presented to the accompaniment of live music. The dishes — a perfect spoon-size bite of foie gras, a tiny frog's leg, creamy crème brûlée — are as entertaining as the excellent music (a jazz singer on the preview sailing). You can visit Stars for a post-dinner snack, but enjoying the whole shebang, in lieu of dinner, I was more than satiated and felt as lucky as a judge on Iron Chef. A fun signature drink list includes a classic martini dubbed "Mad Men" for the TV show. Stars is "foodertainment" like you've never seen before on the high seas.

At a Glance

Inaugural sailing: January 21, 2010
Tonnage: 36,009
Passengers: 540
Staterooms: 270 total, all suites, all with butler service, 258 with verandas; 26 Silver Suites; 6 Grand Suites (one- or two-bedroom), 2 Owner’s Suites (one- or two-bedroom)
Pools: Main pool with three whirlpools and additional private whirlpool at the spa
On-deck activities: Outdoor movies, dancing under the stars
Show venues: The Show Lounge for production shows and classical soloists
Onboard shopping: H.Stern jeweler and two shops featuring designer collections (Ralph Lauren clothing, Mary Frances handbags, Chanel and Dior perfume and cosmetics) and logo wear
Communications: Internet café in library, Wi-Fi in staterooms
Itineraries: Europe, Caribbean, Mexico, and Panama Canal; World Cruise in 2011

A Grand Goodbye Gala

While some embarking passengers wave goodbye during a classic on-deck sail-away party, others — such as Silver Spirit Grand Inaugural Voyage passengers — spend an entire evening bidding farewell to the first port of a 91-day journey.

On the evening of January 20, Silver Spirit hosted such an inaugural gala on board for media, VIPs, and passengers who would set sail the following day. A red carpet was strewn from curbside to ship, as guests boarded the ship in anticipation. Events began with a welcome VIP cocktail reception hosted by Amerigo Perasso, president and CEO; Ken Watson, chief operating officer; Christian Sauleau, executive vice president of fleet operations; and Captain Angelo Corsaro.

Following the mingling, guests headed to the Restaurant for a true culinary experience, as dinner consisted of samplings from the different dining venues on board such as Stars Supper Club and Seishin Restaurant.

Evening entertainment options were plentiful, but the real piece de resistance was a concert by five-time Grammy-nominated entertainer Michael Feinstein, who performed exclusively for inaugural gala guests.

The next morning, everyone made their way dockside for Silver Spirit's christening ceremony, which featured live music, executive speakers, and the official ribbon cutting and champagne bottle breaking.

"From a nautical point of view, it’s a piece of art," boasted Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, as he turned to look at the ship, resplendent in the South Florida sunlight. Perasso praised Silver Spirit's innovation, elegance, and space. The crowd then watched as godmother Silvia Lefebvre D'Ovidio signaled the release of the ceremonial champagne bottle, which crashed against the side of the line’s newest pride and joy.

After a final inaugural gala luncheon back on board, visitors disembarked, waving goodbye to the lucky passengers who were about to set sail on a trip of a lifetime.

—Jodi Ornstein