Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	413
Accommodation	200	177
Food	400	333
Service	400	335
Entertainment	100	74
Cruise	400	337

How this score is created

Silver Wind has a quite handsome profile, with a sloping stern reminiscent of an “Airstream” trailer. The size is just about ideal for highly personalized cruising in an elegant environment. The vertical cake-layer stacking of public rooms aft and the location of accommodation units forward ensures quiet cabins. There is a synthetic turf-covered wrap-around promenade deck outdoors (this should be upgraded to teak or Bolidt), and a fairly spacious swimming pool and sunbathing deck, with teak/aluminum deck furniture (little “Silversea” touches such as cold towels, water sprays and fresh fruit provide poolside pampering on hot days).

Although the ship underwent a multi-million dollar makeover in 2003, some parts show signs of ageing (the spa and shore tenders need replacing). The spacious interior is well-planned, with elegant decor and fine-quality soft furnishings throughout, accented by brass fittings (some of which is of sub-standard quality and shows blotchy patches in several places), fine woods and creative ceilings.

There is an excellent amount of space per passenger and there is no hint of a line anywhere in this unhurried environment. Before your cruise, good documentation is provided in a high-quality document wallet and presentation box. There is a useful internet center, a 24-hour library with hardback books, CD-ROMs and DVDs, and a cigar lounge.

An elegant, announcement-free onboard ambiance prevails, and there is no pressure, no hype, and an enthusiastic staff to pamper you, with a high ratio of Europeans. Insurance costs extra (it was included when Silversea Cruises first started). All drinks, gratuities and port taxes are included, and no further tipping anywhere on board is necessary (though it is not prohibited). This ship is ideal for those who enjoy spacious surroundings, excellent food, and some entertainment. It would be difficult not to have good cruise holiday aboard this ship, albeit at a fairly high price. Silversea Cruises has come a long way since its inception in 1994, and continues to refine its product. The company’s many international passengers like the ambiance, food, service and the staff, most of whom go out of their way to please.

Silversea Cruises has “all-inclusive” fares, including gratuities (they do not, however, include vintage wines, or massage, or other personal services), but they do include many things that are at extra cost compared aboard the ships of many other cruise lines. The passenger mix includes many nationalities, which makes for a more interesting experience, although most passengers are North American (children are sometimes seen aboard, although they are not really welcomed by most passengers). The onboard currency is the US dollar.

After 10 years, Silversea Cruises re-invented itself, with a more defined and refined product and an Italian Heritage theme. The past few years saw the delivery of a tarnished Silver(sea) service; however, I am pleased that this has been recognized and that Silversea Cruises is now polishing the silver again). Few ships make it to a five-star Berlitz rating today, but, although the ship is showing signs of wear, Silver­sea Cruises has earned an enviable reputation for high quality, particularly when it comes to cuisine. Shuttle buses are provided in most ports of call, and all the little extras that passengers receive aboard this ship makes it an extremely pleasant cruise experience, in surroundings that are very comfortable and contemporary without being extravagant, with open seating dining and drinks included, cold canapés and hot hors d’oeuvres served in the bars in the pre-dinner cocktail hour, a captain’s welcome aboard and farewell cocktail party and other niceties.

In 2002, Silversea Cruises introduced “Personalized Voyages” whereby you choose the port of embarkation and disembarkation and the length of cruise you want (minimum is five days). While this is a flexible feature, the onboard programming is already set, so you may be joining and leaving in the middle of a “normal” cruise.

Passenger niggles include the fact that some vibration is evident when bow thrusters or the anchors are used, particularly in the forward-most suites. The self-service launderette is poor and not large enough for longer cruises, when passengers like to wash their own small items.

Crew facilities are minimal, and so keeping consistency is difficult, because the crew turnover is quite high.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008