Supplement to Travel Trade
October 2001

The Silver Wind

Sophisticated Elegance

Like most cruise-a-holics, I have a wish list of what I look for on a "dream ship."

It goes something like this: spacious suites; sophisticated dining so I can eat what I prefer when and where I choose; exotic itineraries; a staff offering superb personal service that's friendly (but not overly familiar); relaxed, yet refined atmosphere; a choice of entertainment from knowledgeable lecturers to more lavish evening performances; fellow passengers who don't necessarily show up in black tie every night, but are dressed appropriately for the evening; and an overall shipboard environment that is soft and easy to live with, but with all of the amenities and conveniences available in today's world.

And of course, at a price that represents real, not perceived value.

In my more than 25 years of ship reporting, a few vessels have come close, but none closer to filling my wish list than both of the Silversea vessels, the Silver Cloud and the Silver Wind.

For a company founded just four years ago and with ships introduced just a couple of years ago, Silversea is well on its way to the top in the ultra-luxury market, which came as no surprise to me on a recent Silver Wind cruise.

At 16,500 tons, with just 296 passengers and a crew of 196, both the vessels are like intimate Italian villas that float to exotic world-wide destinations.

Launched in early 1995, Silver Wind's all-suite elegant design, great food and service and elegant public rooms have made this new entry into a highly-competitive sector of the market a popular choice with high-end cruisers.

She competes head-on with boutique vessels like the Seabourns, Cunard's Sea Goddesses and Radisson's Song of Flower, but she's different and it is those differences that are attracting sophisticated travelers.

Everything about Silversea's operation is impressive.

It starts with documentation that arrives in beautiful leather, zippered passport cases that include everything a passenger should or might wonder about: itineraries, port information, contact sheets, transfer details and airline tickets, all nicely packaged. Details covering insurance are in layman's language.

Even the airport meeting is personalized and transfers are usually by private car. Silversea has also given new meaning to "all inclusive." A passenger need never reach for his or her credit card from the time they arrive at either the airport or the pier for embarkation. At time of booking, the choices are limited to ultra-ultra deluxe suites, or a suite with or without a verandah. The only optional charge is trip insurance and after those decisions are made, the rest is up to Silversea for arrangements.

On-board charges are limited to spa and hair dressing, some shore excursions (although transfers between downtown areas and ports are complimentary) and special wines.

The real jewel is the ship itself. Like her sister Silver Cloud, granite, marble, rich woods and brass are used to their best advantage by Italian craftsmen, although she was designed by Peter Yran and Bjorn Storbraaten, Oslo-based architects whose credits include designs of competing vessels.

If there is an underlying theme on the Silver Wind, it might best be described as European elegance, with definite Mediterranean influences.

Subdued colors are enhanced by brass, marble, etched glass, huge picture windows and original artwork.

There's a continuity of colors and design that run through both vessels. Textured fabrics, fine glove leathers and traditionally styled furniture add to the ambience.

Artwork reflects the Italian ownership of the company and the beautiful murals are reminiscent of the works made famous in the Naples Basilica.

The four-elevator lobby is flanked by dual, winding staircases providing easy access between decks.

There are two elevators to whisk guests who prefer to ride topside to the Observation Lounge, a solarium-type lounge surrounded by windows. It's a quiet room with a spectacular view for reading or viewing.

Down one deck is the Panorama Lounge with 180-degree views of the seas.

Peach colors are picked up in tapestry and leathers and even in marble used extensively in the room.

Seating is in small, but flexible groupings. A quiet room during daylight hours, it livens up with pre-dinner dance music and disco in later hours.

Also on this teak-covered deck is a surprisingly larger-than-expected swimming pool, two Jacuzzis, lots of sunning space on very comfortably padded lounges and a well-tended bar.

But let's take my wish list point-by-point starting with value.

All-in-one pricing includes the suite and pre-cruise deluxe hotel accommodations, Business Class air and economy air with some sailings' transfers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, port fees and gratuities.

In a price comparison chart prepared by Silversea, all-inclusive pricing is about 25% on average lower than its closest competitor.

And, there are extras and surprises. Called the Silversea Experience, it is a unique event that takes place during each cruise and is hosted for all passengers on board, none of whom know what it will be until all are on board. And, it always turns out to be a "happening" long remembered after the cruise ends.

Depending on itinerary, based on Silversea experiences, it has been a private ballet performance in St. Petersburg; a wedding in Turkey; a reenactment of a Civil War battle in Savannah, GA, at a fort outside the city; private wine tasting events in the Bordeaux region of France; and a special caviar and vodka black-tie event in the Hermitage.

On my previous cruise on Silver Cloud, it is was a Greek festival in Olympus.

There are no cabins, only suites decorated in shades of turquoise, peach and blue, accented with grained wood.

Vista suites at 240-square feet, Verandah suites at 295-square feet and Grand Suites at 1,314-square feet sell first.

Although there is a marked resemblance to Seabourn, configuration of the suites differ. The entrance to Silver Wind and Cloud suites is through a foyer which leads off to the bathroom and the well-sized walk-in closet.

Lighting is excellent, and I'm happy to report that switches are all in the right places.

Bathrooms are generously proportioned and are accented with marble, have whirlpool tubs, stall showers and good lighting. High-quality bathroom amenities, hair dryers and plush robes.

Beds are pre-ordered by guests as either queen or twin. Rooms offer walk-in closets, lots of drawer space and a personal safe.

Arches divide the bedroom from the sitting areas which have picture windows, bar, refrigerator stocked and restocked with soft drinks, beer, choice of alcoholic beverages including Moet & Chandon champagne, VCR, television, radio and dressing table.

Teak decked verandahs have two chairs and a table.

Fresh flowers and fruit, chilled wine or champagne are standard.

The suite service is outstanding. Our stewardess even offered to unpack for us and to assist us with packing at the end of the voyage.

And, three suites on the Silver Wind are configured to accommodate handicapped passengers.

Passenger accommodations take up the fore sections of the remaining decks.

Deck Seven features a well-equipped fitness center and the Terrace Café, really a second restaurant.

Decor is not Lido-like. Instead, it is an elegantly casual, self-service restaurant with waiters in constant attendance to take the "self" out of the service. Tables have fine linens and silverware and there is always a pasta chef preparing made-to-order specialties.

The café is also used as a dining alternative several nights on every cruise when specialties of the cruising region are served.

For a ship this size, there are more public rooms than all of the passengers can fill. Take the Venetian Lounge, for example. This main showroom spans two decks and is one of the most interesting lounges on any vessel, small or large. The steep incline between seating levels allows for excellent viewing from every chair in the room and each seating area is separated by brass railings and glass.

Decor is theater-style with wall murals depicting an old Italian theater. Like the rest of the ship, lines are curved and like other lounges, there is built-in flexibility. Excellent light and sound systems are in place for mini-production shows, individual acts, ballroom dancing, meetings, presentations and lectures.

Deck Five is home to a very small boutique, a mini-casino with two blackjack tables, a roulette table and several dozen slot machines.

The Silversea management team was right on target when they devoted so little space to casinos. Play was very limited with the same three people at the tables every night, joined sporadically by one or two others who played for short periods.

The Bar, on the other hand, is the most popular room on board. Passengers on every voyage respond to the warm and inviting atmosphere. It's the pre-dinner gathering place for canapés and drinks, the post-dinner place for intimate dancing and conversation for passengers wishing to socialize.

The atmosphere is conducive to conversation and a rehash of the day's activities. During early evening, a trio plays mellow dinner music. The room changes into a lively '90s atmosphere at midnight.

The Terrace Cafe offers an alternative to lunch and breakfast in suites or in the dining room.

All public rooms have panoramic views and are spacious and beautifully furnished. Other features include a staffed fitness center, a library with a good stock of books and videos, beauty salon, outdoor heated pool, two whirlpools and an outdoor bar and laundry facilities.

Designers effectively used space and sunlight to create bright, flowing halls and rooms with plenty of space. There are numerous spots where passengers can be alone and even on a full ship, as on my sailing, there was never a problem finding seats or space in public rooms.

Dining is a daily special event. It is open seating with tables holding from two to eight people. The staff makes every effort to accommodate the requests of passengers. The Restaurant is welcoming, but not intimidating. Highly-polished parquet floors inlaid with geometric designs of contrasting woods set the tone. The center area is surrounded by plush carpeting. Narrow pillars divide the room for more intimacy and tables are outside of eavesdropping distances. Appointments are in keeping with the impeccable white-glove service.

Dinner is served between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Menus are so extensive that it was hard for me to think of special requests to test the routine. Caviar service became routine and desserts were hard to resist.

Fresh vegetables and fruits are reloaded in ports and there seemed to be someone fishing off the stern because I ordered fish almost every other night and it always tasted freshly caught.

Dining on board is refined, yet relaxed. Open-seating dining lets you take your meal when, where and with whom you choose.

The six-course productions are prepared to satisfy the connoisseur and the curious epicure. The menus are extensive with nearly unlimited special-ordering possibilities.

Included daily were specially-designed spa and vegetarian choices, as well as unlimited amounts of excellent wines served with lunch and dinner.

The selections are available in the main restaurant. For a more casual lunch and breakfast the Terrace Café is the next choice. Or, dine in your suite and the meal will be served course-by-course at your own pace.

When it comes to service, with a passenger-to-crew ratio of almost two to one and a mostly Italian crew, which is warm and accommodating, guests feel pampered and spoiled.

Silversea is setting very high standards in super-deluxe shipboard service.

Ring for breakfast in your suite, lunch or a snack and the waiter magically converts the coffee table to dining height and sets it in a style to which I would like to become accustomed.

There is no breakfast on a tray placed on a table that gives you a backache just reaching for the coffee.

On days at sea, there's more than enough to do. There is music and dancing, professional entertainers, wine tasting and gourmet guest chefs and lecturers who cover current topics and regional political and historical background.

With everything offered on board, Silversea does not have a couple of expected cruise ship features. There's no bingo, no announcements except for emergencies and no photographers in your face. That eliminates one sector of the cruise marketplace.

Who sails, or should sail, Silversea vessels? Everyone who shares my wish list and can afford Silversea value. And, apparently, there are lots of cruisers in that category

Silversea is enjoying a 25% repeat factor and recently formed a society of past passengers, the Venetian Society.

During 1997, about 50% of the voyages will be geared to Venetian Society members who will receive added-value amenities and special price incentives.

Itineraries for the remainder of 1996 and through 1997 include world-wide sailings to Africa, Mediterranean, Pacific Region, Trans-Panama and South America.