My 6* Luxury Silverseas Experience

Last week I was lucky to have been chosen to fly to Dubai for 2 nights and then to sample 6* luxury on board the Silverseas Silver Spirit for 3 nights. Our flights from Edinburgh were with Turkish Airlines and we were very lucky to have half of us upgraded to Business Class on the way out, and the other half on the way back.

We were late leaving Heathrow which meant we technically should have missed our connection but luckily the flight was held and after a mad dash to the plane (typically the gate was the other side of the airport) we made it.  I was in the group that got to experience in Business Class on the way out. At Edinburgh we did have all access to the lounge and the fast track in the airport. Our flight from Istanbul to Dubai had the lie flat beds which meant I was able to get about 3 hours sleep on that flight, there was also a sky chef in the Business class section who would explain what was going to be served.

In Dubai we transferred to the One and Only Royal Mirage – Palace Hotel, which was a fantastic low rise hotel on the beach, with beautiful big rooms. Whilst in Dubai we did get to experience the Jeep Dune Safari, a city tour to see the Dubai Museuem and the spice souk, and a surpise we were given was to go to the top of the Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world (but I will tell you all about that another time)

Check-in at Dubai was seamless for the Silver Spirit, and upon arrival on to the ship we were greeted with Champagne whilst we had our photos taken for the sea pass. Our Suite 849 was a midship Verandah and our butler for duration of our trip was Roy – who asked what drinks we would like in our mini bar and if we were happy to have Bvlgari products in the bathroom. Our suite had a lounge area which could be seperated by a curtain, 2 tv’s, big vanity mirrors and the beds could be made into twin or double bed, there was also a walk-in wardrobe. The bathroom had a seperate shower and bath. The Silver Spirit can currently hold 540 passengers but is having a refurbishment early next year where more suites will be added.

The Ship has 6 restaurants on board – a main dining room (we ate in on formal night), La Terrazza which for breakfast and lunch is buffet dining and in the evening is an Italian (we ate here the 3rd night for dinner), La Dame, Seishin which is the Asian/Sushi restaurant, Stars Supper club which is a Tapas meal whilst listening to Jazz, and the pool grill during the day is open for dinner in the evening with hot rocks plates to cook your own steak or fish – sadly the hot rocks plates were not available due to a power cut in the kitchen so the chef had to cook our steaks instead.

The ship does also have a swimming pool, a gym which also holds classes such as pilates, there was a spa with wide choice of treatments, a casino, shops, library and an observation lounge.

In the evening there was shows on in the show lounge such as their own singers and dancers doing a 60’s show and also whilst on board there was a hypnotist show. During the day when not rehearsing the singers/dancers would be escorting excursions or chatting to us around the pool area in their own free time.

My overall perception before boarding was that Silverseas was stuffy, upmarket, expensive and that I might be bored on board especially as I am used to sailing on the larger all singing all dancing ships. Havng now sailed with them I can say they are not stuffy and some guests were up with us until 2.30am, inital glance at the prices might seem expensive but it does include your drinks and there is a choice of 120 wines on board to choice from (although there was no Rose at all on the first night). I found all the other guests were really friendly and not at all high brow and all wanted to share their experiences with you.

Have you cruised on Silverseas and did your perceptions change once on board?

Have a great couple of weeks and would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Kerry

xx