The Silversea Experience

A Champagne Lifestyle

When Silver Cloud (1994) and Silver Wind (1995) arrived on a jaded cruising scene they were immediately rated five-star-plus but, in 1996, the prestigious Fielding's Guide to Worldwide Cruises had to create a brand new category to fit them: a first-ever SIX-star rating.

This unprecedented accolade was underlined later the same year. Conde Nast's top-selling Traveler magazine readers' voted Silversea not only the 'World's Best Small Cruise Line' but its two ships as the 'World's Best Vacation Destination'.

In 1998, it not only retained its title of 'World's Best Small Cruise Line' for the third year in a row but the two ships were once again voted 'World's Best Vacation Destination', beating top hotels and luxury resorts as well as every other cruise ship in the world.

Today, with two slightly larger but equally luxurious ships, Silver Whisper and Silver Shadow, making up the fleet, there is even more six-star sailing at sea.

So what is so special about the Silversea ships that they can't stop winning awards?

Well, it helps to forget everything you've ever heard or seen about cruising and cruise ships. These are on a different plane.

Staying is Believing

• There are no cabins, only suites - and most of them have their own private verandah as well.
• There is a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne waiting in every suite along with fruit and flowers and a set of personalised stationery. The complimentary mini-bar is fully-stocked and there is a cabinet full of crystal glasses.
• Each suite also has a huge bed, separate sitting area with a writing desk and coffee table, colour TV with satellite and video channels and a spacious walk-in wardrobe with concealed personal safe and lots of hanging and drawer space.
• Each Italian marble bathroom has a bath, power shower and an array of Bulgari toiletries.
• The standard Vista and Verandah suites are identical apart from the private teak-floored verandah that is a feature of the Verandah and the higher grade Silver, Owners, Royal and Grand Suites. In fact, three-quarters of the suites on board have that much-prized private verandah.
• Royal Suites have two private verandahs and Grand Suites have three. Other extra amenities include superb quality Bang & Olufsen CD systems which can be activated by a wave of the hand. Along with the Owners suite, they are offered either in one or two-bedroom configurations.
• All the suites are looked after by charming European stewardesses who stay out of the suites until the guests have left, ensuring that they return to find it immaculate again as if by magic.
• As with all the staff on board, they are trained to give five-star-plus service. Tipping is not expected by any of them.

Food for Thought

• Dinner is always an event in the superb restaurants on board.
• There is no question of set times and tables for meals as guests are encouraged to treat eating on board as they would going to a five star restaurant ashore.
• The food and wine is of the same high quality and they can eat when and with whom they like every night. Consistently delectable and endlessly inventive, Silversea's extraordinary cuisine is held in the highest regard due, in part, to our exclusive partnership with the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy.
• For breakfast and lunch, there is also a superb Terrace Cafe with tables inside as well as outside for al fresco eating. On selected evenings alternative dining options ranging from Italian specialtiies to Oriental delights are available on the Terrace Cafe.
• Couples who want to eat a deux can indulge themselves every evening and, if they want even more intimacy or just a break from dressing for dinner, they can order from the same extensive menu and be served - on the same fine china - course by course in their suite.
• Meals, of course, are included in the cruise fare, but on Silversea so are all drinks (bar the most expensive vintages) in the suites, bars and restaurants.

Night and Day / Day and Night

• Although they have the feel of private yachts, the Silversea ships are much larger than most other six star cruise ships, but there still fewer than 300 guests on board.
• The size of the ships means more amenities including a stylish two-tier theatre with the latest sound and lighting effects to back up some sophisticated cabaret.
• There's also a discreet casino, book and video library, card room, an on-deck pool and whirlpools, lavishly-appointed health, fitness and beauty spa.