Aboard Silversea's New Silver Spirit: Discordant Design Ahoy

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed)
Apr 27th 2010 at 7:01AM

Staircase aboard Silversea's Cruise Ship Silver Spirit

When Silversea's new boat, Silver Spirit, stopped into New York harbor en route to Europe by way of Boston and Nova Scotia, I couldn't wait to get on board and take a peek. I've become a fan of smaller cruise ships of late, and this boat accommodates 540 guests. I also love Art Deco, which was meant to be the ship's design inspiration. So it was with high hopes that I confidently strode across the gangway for a media tour and luncheon this past Friday.

The Silver Spirit has a lot going for it, but as I reflect on my tour of the boat, I almost wonder whether there were two design philosophies battling for dominance during its planning phases, as I found the ship's feel puzzlingly discordant.

The interior, public areas of the boat have a dark and stuffy feeling that frankly seemed dated -- sort of amazing in a ship that was built in 2009. The plush seating in the reception area actually reminded me of the Holiday Inn, which can hardly be on the inspiration board for a ship designed with these sorts of fares had in mind. (Example: the lowest published fare for a ten day cruise Papeete to Auckland next year: $10,895.) The sitting are of the third-highest highest room category, the spacious Silver Suite, reminded me of a very nicely renovated Motel 6. (See gallery below.)

On the lighter side, literally: the Owner's Suite is a brighter, modern and airy take informed by deco. It's also huge, at 1,292 square feet, including 190 square foot veranda. The less-expensive "Midship Veranda" rooms are small but also aesthetically in line with the Owner's Suite.

Gallery: Aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit Cruise Ship

The spa is expansive at more than 8,000 square feet, and well-outfitted (including medi-spa services like Botox). I really appreciated the thoughtfulness behind the outside relaxation area with a spa-dedicated soaking tub. The pool area also has a modern feel, supplied with teak chaise lounges that very cleverly were constructed with taller legs, eliminating the need for any unattractive squatting upon hoist or descent.

I'm flipping through the lavishly illustrated brochure for Silver Spirit's World Cruise 2011 tour, and I'm not entirely surprised to see that photos of the ship are de minimis, while photos of the destinations are emphasized. When I entered the surprisingly small theater on deck five, a woman from the sales staff defensively explained that many guests choose to spend time off the ship while in port. It's a pattern that I can imagine will continue, since it's hard to imagine wanting to spend an evening in the ship's small theater with its dark vintage-gone-wrong feel -- even though the chairs are double-wide and 2011 lecture guests include presentations by the likes of Dan Rather.

Tags: art deco, cruises, CruiseShip, silversea, silversea silver spirit

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Elliot Burns Apr 27th 2010 9:46AM

"The interior, public areas of the boat have a dark and stuffy feeling that frankly seemed dated -- sort of amazing in a ship that was built in 2009."

Perhaps you meant to say, "1979". If not, was there a great design upheaval between December 31, 2009 and April 27, 2010 -that went from stuffy, dark and cheap to clean, sleek and contemporary?

jeff d Apr 28th 2010 10:11AM

OOOPS! I totally misread your post. Sorry :)

Rachel Davis Apr 28th 2010 10:01AM

I completely disagree with Ms. Wellner's description of Silver Spirit. I too recently toured Silver Spirit in New York and thought it was one of the most beautiful ships I've ever seen. The ship's interiors were elegant, warm, inviting, intimate and gave off a wonderful vibe. I have been on over 100 ships in my lifetime and this vessel clearly ranks as one of my favorites. I could see myself sailing on this lovely ship for weeks and never wanting to get off. Also, anyone looking as Ms. Wellner's own photos can clearly see how spectacular the ship actually is.

Alison Wellner Apr 28th 2010 10:22AM

Hi Eliot -- I said that it was surprising that some aspects of the design seemed dated, considering that the boat was built last year. Although it is fun to imagine that a major design revolution occured over the past year, I can't say I've seen that!

And thanks for your comments, Rachel. As I said, I did appreciate some aspects of the ship's design, so I wouldn't characterize your disagreement with me as "complete". But that's a side matter, these things are subjective, which is why I included many photos in the gallery. One person's spectacular is another person's stuffy!

Cheers,
Alison

L Edmon Apr 28th 2010 10:52AM

I fully agree with Rachel's comments. I sailed on Silver Spirt last month and thought the decor was beautiful. It looked very much like a Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton hotel. It was very refined and upscale. Are you sure you were on Silver Spirit??

BB Apr 28th 2010 3:42PM

I never cease to be amazed at how many people are always looking for the negative; seldom the positives. No one has written on the quality of the food, the service, the entertainment, the shore exsurions here. I have sailed on the Silver Shadow twice, once fantastic, once not so great, hence we just got off Seabuorn's new Odyssey 2 days ago. It was a beautiful ship with so many pluses I won't elaborate...and of course I "could" find fault with a few things, but overall I would sail with them again. That said, I am willing to try Silversea again and like the idea of the larger "Spirit". I rather expect both of these lines (Silversea & Seabourn) to be exceptional for they are very pricey. Can anyone comment on the servie, food, etc? Thanks.