Silversea Cruises’ newest ultra-luxury ship, Silver Spirit, today welcomed guests aboard its maiden voyage, an 11-day “Holiday Spirit” cruise departing from Barcelona tomorrow and concluding in Lisbon after visiting Malaga, Gibraltar, Cadiz, Casablanca and Tangier.
At 36,000 tons, and accommodating just 540 guests, this intimate ship has the largest suites in the Silversea fleet — with 95% featuring a private veranda — and one of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea today. The onboard décor lends a sophisticated 1930s Art Deco ambiance to the public spaces, highlights of which include an indoor/outdoor spa measuring over 8,300 square feet (770 square metres), a resort-style pool, four whirlpools, and a choice of six dining venues including Seishin, showcasing Asian-fusion cuisine, and the innovative Stars Supper Club, offering trendsetting menus and all-night entertainment.
This week there were quite a few long stories -
Azamara, who really needed a direction gets a new name and a new attitude. Maybe this one will work?
Costa’s newest completes technical trials, and the Seabourn triplets are getting renovations.
A new villainous show is coming to Disney and so are some family friendly shore excursions.
Princess looses a ship when Royal Princess heads to P&O while Silversea takes delivery of their newest Silver Spirit.
Oceania’s massive owner’s suites on Marina will showcase Ralph Lauren.
Carnival Dream isn’t compatible with a pier in San Juan.
A few of Holland America’s ships are getting some really cool tech…
We got a request to talk about a few other things from our Westerdam trip and there’s some new video’s up for you to check out as well!
When Silversea’s elegant new Silver Spirit sets sail this month, guests will discover a spa experience that goes beyond the traditional pursuits of restoring inner peace and balance to offering the latest cutting-edge anti-ageing beauty therapies.
Guests entering The Spa will discover a welcoming retreat from the pressures of today’s hectic lifestyle. At 8,300 square feet (770 square metres), The Spa will be the largest in the Silversea fleet, featuring a beauty salon, fitness centre, nine spa treatment rooms, two sauna rooms and two steam rooms. Of special note is the debut of the ceramic-tiled Thermal Suite, an exclusive spa area furnished with heated lounge chairs. With its connecting private Hammam (Turkish bath) Chamber, it serves as the setting for the Private Hammam Experience, one of several new treatments to be rolled out aboard Silver Spirit. In addition, an outdoor relaxation area will be open to all guests at no charge and will offer bar service so guests can enjoy a complimentary fruit smoothie, champagne or cocktail while soaking in its expansive whirlpool.
New Medi-Spa Programme Among the new spa treatments and services that will be introduced aboard Silver Spirit is a selection of physician-administered facial treatments using such popular wrinkle-reducing agents as BOTOX® Cosmetic and the dermal fillers Restylane® and Perlane®. Guests can consult with the medi-spa physician on board to determine a personalised treatment plan. Medi-spa treatments are the perfect complement to traditional spa therapies, offering guests the added benefit of returning home looking as refreshed as they feel.
New Oriental Medicine Programme **Acupuncture Therapy — Experienced and fully accredited acupuncturists will offer programmes designed to aid weight loss, relieve stress, manage pain and benefit many other physical and psychological conditions. Acupuncture is recommended as an integrative therapy that can assist the healing process when combined with traditional medication and resources.
**Chinese Herbal Medicine Programme — Almost all acupuncture programmes utilise Chinese herbs. These herbs are termed “whole food” as they consist of dried bark, leaves and flowers of specific plant life that aid the body in its self-healing process. Under the brand name Jou, the Chinese herbs featured at The Spa are harvested in China and meet strict manufacturing standards.
Other spa highlights include the following ALL NEW treatments:
Private Hammam Experience One of the most innovative treatment additions is the Private Hammam Experience, where guests can indulge with an ancient Arabian body scrub ritual performed by a therapist in their private Hammam Chamber. The Hammam Experience offers a greater exfoliation, because the intense heat of the Thermal Suite will have softened and opened the pores, allowing for enhanced nourishment of dry skin and optimum absorption of oils. The Hammam Experience can be enjoyed as an individual treatment or as a prelude to a massage.
DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Scrub Bar Experience This fun and unique Scrub Bar Experience is a new spa feature that enables guests to choose their own exfoliating blend of scrub ingredients before they begin the DIY process with just a few easy steps that can soothe sore muscles, slough away dead skin, and reveal a smoother, more polished glow.
Silversea Facial Debuting aboard Silver Spirit, this signature Silversea Facial is designed to nourish, soothe and revitalise all skin types with its indulgent alchemy of expert touch, medicinal plants, rose quartz and a pure silver leaf mask.
Bamboo Massage The Spa aboard Silver Spirit also has the pleasure of introducing the Bamboo Massage, a warm, soothing massage that will awaken the senses. Imagine bamboo shoots of various sizes soaked in essential oil rolling, sliding and massaging the body’s muscles. Customised to each guest’s preference, the therapist will use deep tissue techniques or gentle strokes to relieve tension and soothe muscles.
Thai Herbal Poultice Massage This energising, rhythmic massage utilises scented herbal poultices that are heated and applied to the body at pressure points to relax the muscles and release tension. The spa therapist then follows with an array of Eastern and Western massage techniques and acupressure movements combined with essential oils to create a wonderfully relaxing experience.
The Happy Couple The Spa offers a relaxing and enjoyable opportunity for couples to reconnect in a stress-free environment. Whether it’s a couples massage or customised package for two, The Spa can cater to all couples who need an escape. For a more romantic retreat, couples services can be enhanced with a bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.
All organised group fitness classes and seminars are complimentary. Personalised, one-on-one training programmes, salon services, spa therapies, including medi-spa and Oriental Medicine programmes, are offered at an additional charge.
We start this week with an important safety reminder – NEVER ATTEMPT TO DISEMBARK THE SHIP FROM ANY LOCATION OTHER THAN THE GANGWAY AND ONLY DO SO WHEN THE SHIP IS IN PORT!!!! We can’t say this enough apparently because people keep falling/jumping over the side…. Two different ships in 24 hours had folks go over the side this past week…
Celebrity will start rolling out open seating dining options, and a master is named for Queen Elizabeth. QM2 delivers a precious masterpiece, and Princess is using shore power in Vancouver. Canyon Ranch spas are coming to all of Regent Seven Seas ships, and Carnival Dream is getting lasers.
We’ve found out about the dining options coming to Silver Spirit and Holland America will be sending a ship to Hawai’i next year.
In less than four months, on 23 December, the world’s newest ultra-luxury, all-suite ship, Silver Spirit, will take to the seas on her maiden “Holiday Spirit” voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon.
Construction of Silver Spirit is progressing according to schedule at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy. The 540-guest ship successfully completed a preliminary set of sea trials on Sunday and has repositioned to Trieste for a week in dry dock before undertaking a more rigorous set of sea trials starting on 5 September.
As the structural elements of Silver Spirit take shape, the plans and details for an expansive array of dining options are also emerging.
A MENU OF CULINARY ARTISTRY
In the exclusive world of small-ship cruising, Silversea’s newest ship raises the bar in fine dining experiences, offering an unmatched variety of creative culinary options designed to suit the most discerning palates. Guests will enjoy the uncommon luxury of open seating – dining when, where, and with whom they wish. Woven through this experience will be the promise of subtle service and an unspoken anticipation of the guest’s needs. The meal itself will be artfully prepared from the finest quality fresh ingredients by master chefs with a taste for innovation. With the convenience of complimentary wines, spirits and sodas and the comfort of an extensive stock of additional rare vintages, the perfect complement to the meal is always at hand.
THE RESTAURANT
Situated midship on Deck 4, The Restaurant features sumptuous culinary fare in an atmosphere of elegance. It is elegant but not at all stuffy – the perfect stage for a dining experience guests want to savour. Open most of the day, The Restaurant serves open-seating breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu features contemporary international cuisine, complemented by La Collection du Monde, signature dishes created by Relais & Châteaux in partnership with Silversea’s own master chefs.
LA TERRAZZA
The far aft location of La Terrazza on Deck 7 allows for 180-degree views of the horizon. It is open for casual, buffet-style breakfast and lunch with indoor/outdoor seating available. For dinner, La Terrazza offers an authentic a la carte experience with only the finest elements of Italian cooking, melding together fresh and flavourful ingredients — in the finest Slow Food tradition. Reservations are required for dinner.
LE CHAMPAGNE
Savour the delights of outstanding champagnes and wines paired to perfection with regional fares in the intimate atmosphere of Le Champagne, situated aft of The Restaurant on Deck 4. This innovative Wine Restaurant by Relais & Châteaux features some of the world’s rarest vintages, carefully chosen to highlight a most memorable and exclusive culinary experience. There is a fee to dine and reservations may be made on board.
SEISHIN
** NEW DINING VENUE: Taking its name from the Japanese word for “spirit,” this intimate restaurant specialising in Asian fusion cuisine is situated aft of The Restaurant on Deck 4. Seishin features a large, round chef’s table as its centrepiece. Guests at surrounding tables can watch the chef at work sculpting fresh sushi and sashimi. The varied menu ranges from exquisite bento (boxed meal) lunches and a la carte specialities of seafood salad, lobster and Kobe beef to a nine-course degustation dinner. There is a fee to dine and reservations may be made on board.
STARS SUPPER CLUB
** NEW DINING VENUE: The warm and inviting Art Deco-inspired decor of this dining venue elegantly recalls the supper clubs of the 1930s. Located just forward of La Terrazza on Deck 7, Stars Supper Club offers a modern twist with trendsetting menus showcasing regional and seasonal delicacies to be enjoyed in a succession of small courses. Guests can arrive early for cocktails and stay late as the mood is transformed by live music, dancing and nightclub-style entertainment. Reservations are required for dinner.
POOL GRILL
On Deck 9 adjacent to the pool area is the Pool Grill. In addition to a medley of salads, sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs offered for lunch in a casual outdoor setting, the Pool Grill on Silver Spirit will introduce a wellness breakfast designed to complement morning poolside fitness classes. Here guests can start the day energised with a menu of light and delicious fares — from nutrition-packed fresh fruit smoothies and organic cereals to egg-white omelettes and spinach and artichoke frittatas. Also set to debut at the Pool Grill is a unique cooking concept for dinner that lets guests cook healthy fare on their own heated volcanic rock plate.
24-HOUR IN-SUITE DINING
Complimentary 24-hour room service is available on all Silversea voyages. Selections from The Restaurant menu are served course by course during regular dining hours, utilising the same fine china, linens and accessories as enjoyed in The Restaurant.
Older Articles »
