Aboard Silversea's New Silver Spirit: Discordant Design Ahoy
Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

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.
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