Silversea Cruises

Silver Whisper

Fodor’s Expert Review

Ship Overview

Silversea Cruises
Cruise StyleLuxury
Ship SizeSmall

The second of Silversea Cruises’ ships in the new millennium, Silver Whisper debuted in 2001. Built with proportions slightly larger in size than her two earlier twin fleetmates, the fourth ship to enter the Silversea fleet, Silver Whisper is virtually identical to Silver Shadow and maintains the familiarity of Silversea’s all-suite luxury and trademark intimate ambience. Nine Terrace suites on deck 5 have doors to the outside that access a shared veranda. Even though the area is not furnished, it’s like having a balcony without paying a higher fare.Read More

The logical layout of these sister ships, with suites in the forward two-thirds of the ship and public rooms aft, makes orientation simple. The clean, modern decor that defines public areas and lounges might seem almost stark, but it places the main emphasis on large expanses of glass for sunshine and sea views as well as passenger comfort.

Silversea ships boast unbeatable libraries stocked with best sellers, travel books, classics, and movies for en suite viewing. Extremely wide passageways in public areas are lined with glass-front display cabinets full of interesting and unusual artifacts from the places the ships visit. The Connoisseur’s Corner is a clubby cigar-smoking room with overstuffed leather seating and a ventilation system that makes it possible for even nonsmokers to appreciate.

In 2018 Royal Caribbean International purchased a large stake in Silversea Cruises, adding a new luxury option to their portfolio. Intimate ships with spacious suites, exclusive amenities, and unparalleled hospitality are the hallmarks of the line. Every suite is assigned a butler, so you can expect even the most unusual requests to be fulfilled. In addition, your all-inclusive air-and-sea fares can be customized to include not just round-trip airfare but all transfers, porterage, and deluxe pre-cruise accommodations as well.

Personalization is a Silversea maxim. Their ships offer more activities than other comparably sized luxury vessels. Take part in those that interest you, or opt instead for a good book and any number of quiet spots to read or snooze in the shade.

Silversea’s third generation of ships introduced even more luxurious features when the 36,000-ton Silver Spirit launched late in 2010 and the 40,700-ton Silver Muse entered service in 2017. Silversea’s fleet of exploration ships are the top choice for luxurious soft adventure expedition cruising, includingSilver Galapagos that sails exclusively in the Galápagos Islands.

  • 7 passenger decks
  • 2 specialty restaurants, dining room, buffet
  • Wi-Fi, safe, refrigerator
  • pool
  • fitness classes, gym, hot tubs, sauna, spa, steam room
  • 3 bars, casino, dance club, library, showroom
  • dry cleaning, laundry facilities, laundry service
  • Internet terminal
  • no-smoking cabins

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Pros
Cons
Champagne flows freely throughout your cruise
Sailing on a Silversea ship is like spending time as a guest at a home in the Hamptons where everything is at your fingertips
Silversea is so all-inclusive that you’ll seldom use your room card for anything but opening your suite door
Lines can form to use a washing machine in the smallish (yet totally free) laundry rooms
In an odd contrast to the contents of display cases and lovely flower arrangements, artwork on the walls is fairly ho-hum
The spa’s complimentary saunas and steam rooms are quite small

What to expect on board

Staterooms & Cabins

Layout
Top Suites
Amenities
Accessibility

Every suite has an ocean view, and more than 80% have a private teak-floor balcony. Standard suites have a seating area that can be curtained off from the bed. Marble bathrooms have double sinks and a separate glass-enclosed shower as well as a tub. All suites have generous walk-in closets.

In addition to much more space, top-category suites have all the standard amenities plus dining areas and separate bedrooms. Silver suites and above have whirlpool tubs. The top three categories have espresso makers and separate powder rooms. All are served by butlers.

Standard suites have a TV, personalized stationery, cocktail cabinet, safe, and stocked refrigerator. A hair dryer is provided at a vanity table, and you can request a magnifying mirror. Beds are dressed with high-quality linens and your choice of synthetic or down pillows. Bathrooms have huge towels and terry robes for use during the cruise as well as designer shampoo, soaps, and lotion.

Two suites are designed for wheelchair accessibility.

Food & Drink

Food

The Restaurant offers open seating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Le Champagne (reservation, cover charge) offers a gourmet meal and wine pairings; La Terrazza serves Italian cuisine at dinner. For casual meals, La Terrazza has indoor and outdoor seating for buffet-style breakfast and lunch. The outdoor Grill offers a laid-back lunch option with poolside table service. The do-it-yourself Black Rock Grill allows you to cook meats and seafood to your liking on preheated volcanic stones table-side. Elaborate afternoon tea is served daily. An evening poolside barbecue is a weekly dinner event as a galley brunch. Room service is available anytime and arrives with crystal, china, and a linen tablecloth; if desired, service can be course by course.

Entertainment

The show lounge is the setting for singers and musicians, classical concerts, magic shows, big-screen movies, and folkloric entertainers from ashore. The Bar is the most popular predinner gathering spot and a late-night place for dancing to a live band. A pianist or other entertainers perform in the Panorama Lounge for listening and dancing. Concerts or movies are presented on deck, weather permitting.

Spa & Fitness

South Pacific–inspired Zagara Spa, a division of Steiner Leisure, offers treatments including exotic-sounding massages, facials, and body wraps, tooth whitening, acupuncture, and Medi-Spa Cosmetic treatments. There is no thermal suite, but complimentary saunas and steam rooms are in the men’s and ladies’ locker rooms.

Key cruising tips

QUICK FACTS

SHIP STATS
Entered Service
2001
Number of Cabins
191
Passenger Capacity
382
Crew Members
295
Passengers to Crew Ratio
1.29
Gross Tons
28258
Width
82 feet
Length
610 feet
CRUISE LINE INFO
954/522–2299 or 877/276–6816

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