silversea

Silversea's New Gourmet Cruises

Silversea Cruises has four luxury ships prowling the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Baltic Seas on tours of seven to 12 days to 60 different ports. To offer cruise-goers a little more to do on shore, Silversea has assembled international culinary excursions that include learning how to make pesto at Zeffirino's in Portofino whip up tapas in Barcelona and croissants in Cannes, and learning the delicate secrets of olive oil and winemaking in Portoferraio and Elba Island. And those are only a few of the bewildering array of shore excursions at the 300 ports that Silversea serves. If you can't choose one, perhaps opt for Silvesea's 119-day Spirit of Discovery world cruise instead and do them all...

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Tags: adriatic sea, baltic sea, black sea, cruise, euripe, europe, mediterranean, silversea, silversea cruises

Aboard Silversea's New Silver Spirit: Discordant Design Ahoy

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

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

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

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Readers' Choice Award Nominees for Best in Winter Travel

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Best Caribbean Cruises
Each of finalists for the Readers' Choice for the Best Caribbean Cruse offers the ultimate in luxury. One features a ship that cost $800 million to build, measures 1,132 feet in length and is outfitted with the latest and most modern amenities, including a pool with a retractable dome. Another offers all-suite, all-balcony ships and the must inclusive ultra-luxury experience with everything included in the fare, including air, gratuities and unlimited shore excursions. The third nominee is perfect for anyone seeking an exclusive experience on a smaller ship while the fourth nominee bills itself as the world's best upper premium cruise line. Finally, there's a nominee known for the feng shui-inspired elegance of its ships as well as the rich cultural activities for its passengers.

Crystal Cruises
Cunard Cruise Lines
Oceania
Regent
Silversea

Best City Hotels
Nominees for Readers' Choice for Best City Hotel include one considered to be the most glamorous in all of London that has been the destination of choice by Kings and Queens alike, not to mention a smattering of Hollywood stars. Another, designed by world-renowned architect, I.M. Pei, rises high above Manhattan offering stunning views. The third nominee is a historic hotel that is only a few short steps away from the Champs-Elysées in Paris. Another nominee, also in Paris, is a breathtakingly beautiful property that was originally a palace commissioned by Louis XV. The final nominee is a tranquil, lush getaway amid gorgeous manicured gardens in Venice, accessible only by boat.

Claridge's, London
Four Seasons, New York
Four Seasons George V, Paris
Hotel Cipriani
Hôtel de Crillon, Paris

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The Top Five Caribbean Cruise Lines

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The best Caribbean cruise lines have several qualities in common, including exceptional service, luxurious accommodations, gorgeous facilities and impressive itineraries. The top five Caribbean cruise lines, according to Luxist's readers include:

Crystal Cruises
With ships that accommodate some 1,000 guests, Crystal Cruises' vessels are a bit larger than those of its competitors. But style isn't sacrificed aboard Crystal Symphony or Crystal Serenity; rather, it's abundant, earning Crystal a nomination for a Luxist award in the Best Caribbean Cruises category.

Crystal is known not only for the elegance of its ships but also for the rich cultural activities available to passengers. The company's Wine & Food Festival at Sea debuted in 1996, allowing guests to mingle with celebrity chefs such as Suzanne Goin, Danny Meyer and André Soltner as well as wine experts from across the world. In the wake of the festival's success, Crystal built a Vintage room in each of its ships; here, dinners pair rare wines with complementary cuisine. In 2009, the company debuted a series of themed cruises, each with a focus on a topic such as photography, jazz, golf and ballroom dance.

Owned by Japanese firm Nippon Uesen Kaisha, Crystal's spacious cabins all have design features based on feng shui, the Eastern art of interior design to create positive energy. Caribbean itineraries for two of its ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, offer ports of call including Turks & Caicos, Antigua, Curacao, St. Lucia and St. Maarten; trips range from 7-14 days and originate in Miami, New York and Costa Rica.

Cunard Cruise Lines
Arguably the grandest, most magnificent ocean liner ever built, Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 is a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Caribbean Cruise. Queen Mary 2 is the flagship of Cunard, whose history dates back to 1839 when Her Majesty Queen Victoria awarded Sir Samuel Cunard of Halifax, Nova Scotia, the first ever license to deliver mail across the Atlantic Ocean.

While she is described as "timeless elegance", Queen Mary 2, which debuted in 2004, offers the latest luxury amenities, from the pampering services of the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub® at sea to a pool with a retractable roof, allowing it to be enjoyed in inclement weather. Queen Mary 2 also offers an award-winning intellectual and entertainment enrichment program led by prestigious experts in a variety of fields, including literature, the arts, politics, the sciences, culture, maritime history and academia.

The ship, which cost an estimated $800 million to build, is 1,132 feet long--113 feet longer than her predecessor Queen Mary, with space for 2,592 guests in lower berths and 3,056 total guest capacity, when including third and fourth berths. Her crew numbers 1,253.

Queen Mary 2 has more than 10 different restaurant and other dining venues, including the first eponymously named restaurant at sea by celebrity chef, Todd English. She also boasts the only planetarium at sea (also serving as a movie theater and lecture hall) and a casino with 12 gaming tables and 115 slot machines. There are a total of six swimming pools on the ship, including one designed especially for children. There's an authentic English pub, complete with darts, ale and traditional pub fare including cottage pie and fish and chips. Guests can dance the night away in the elegant Queens Room, the largest ballroom at sea. The Royal Court Theatre, which can accommodate 977 guests, features lavish theatrical productions and guest entertainers. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy two golf simulators, paddle tennis, basketball and shuffleboard. The Zone/The Play Zone children's programs provide age group-specific activities and entertainment and even certified British nannies for the youngest guests.

Oceania
This is the world's only upper premium cruise line. Its ship, Regatta, which is the flagship of the Oceania Cruises fleet, handles the company's Caribbean traffic. Built in 1998, the ship's decks are resplendent in the finest teak, custom stone and tile work while her lounges, suites and staterooms boast luxurious, neo-classical furnishings. The Regatta offers every luxury one might expect with four unique, open seating restaurants, eight lounges and bars, a world class fitness center and spa, a casino and 342 suites and staterooms, nearly 70% of which have private verandas. The ship's staff of 400 pampers up to 684 guests on every voyage; itineraries range from 10-24 days. The Regatta's Caribbean Pearls' itinerary includes stops in bustling St. John's, scenic Tortola, and the posh port of Gustavia in St. Bart. The Canyon Ranch SpaClub on board Oceania's ships offer a full range of spa treatments from body wraps and acupuncture to ayuryeda, massage and skin care.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent is the world's only cruise line that includes award-winning service, acclaimed cuisine, premium spirits and fine wine, gratuities and sightseeing excursions in every port for the ultimate "ultra-luxury" vacation. Its fleet includes the Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, both of which are all-suite, all-balcony ships accommodating 700 guests. Regent's Seven Seas Navigator, is all-suite with 90% having balconies.

What really makes the Regent experience different from the other cruise lines, is that it provides the most inclusive ultra-luxury cruise experience with an incomparable array of complimentary features and services. Regent Seven Seas Cruise fares include economy class air fare, unlimited shore excursions, all fine dining options, fitness programs, complimentary beverages (including fine wines and premium spirits, beer, etc. served throughout the ships), and all shipboard gratuities. The only out-of-pocket expenses guests incur on board are for shopping or spa treatments.

Regent has partnered with world famous Canyon Ranch, the leading operator of destination health resorts, to operate state-of-the-art spa, wellness and fitness facilities on-board all three of its ships.

Silversea
For seafarers who cherish the intimacy of small ships, it's hard to top Silversea. With five of its six ships made to accommodate fewer than 400 guests apiece – and boasting elegance to spare – Silversea has been nominated for a Luxist award in the Best Caribbean Cruises category.

For those who don't have the stomach for Arctic expeditions on Silversea's 132-guest Prince Albert II, the Italian-owned company's Silver Shadow, Silver Cloud, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit convey Caribbean cruisers to a host of delectable destinations. Silverseas offers wine-focused and gourmet food-focused cruises with visiting chefs from top restaurants around the world. Enjoy in-room butler service on all ships from the moment you arrive to find a bottle of chilled champagne waiting in your suite. Your butler will also take care of dinner reservations, laundry and fridge replenishment.

The itineraries for this cruise line include some of the most enticing destinations in the Caribbean with a full roster of activities to boot. Visit 17th century plantations on St. Kitts or bustling seaside marketplaces in Guadeloupe; whale-watch off the coast of Dominica or kayak a tropical lagoon in Antigua; catamaran in the waters off Grenada or go cycling in St. Lucia. Cruises depart from a host of cities in the U.S. including New York, San Diego and Miami, or from the likes of Barbados and Rio abroad.

Tags: awards-main, best caribbean cruise lines, BestCaribbeanCruiseLines, caribbean cruises, CaribbeanCruises, crystal cruises, CrystalCruises, cunard, luxist-awards, oceania, queen mary 2, QueenMary2, Regent, Silversea, winter-travel-main

Silversea: Exotic, Exclusive and Intimate Voyages on the Caribbean

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

For seafarers who cherish the intimacy of small ships, it's hard to top Silversea. With five of its six ships made to accommodate fewer than 400 guests apiece – and boasting elegance to spare – Silversea has been nominated for a Luxist award in the Best Caribbean Cruises category.

For those who don't have the stomach for Arctic expeditions on Silversea's 132-guest Prince Albert II, the Italian-owned company's Silver Shadow, Silver Cloud, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit convey Caribbean cruisers to a host of delectable destinations. Silverseas offers wine-focused and gourmet food-focused cruises with visiting chefs from top restaurants around the world. Enjoy in-room butler service on all ships from the moment you arrive to find a bottle of chilled champagne waiting in your suite. Your butler will also take care of dinner reservations, laundry and fridge replenishment.

Silversea itineraries include some of the most enticing destinations in the Caribbean with a full roster of activities to boot. Visit 17th century plantations on St. Kitts or bustling seaside marketplaces in Guadeloupe; whale-watch off the coast of Dominica or kayak a tropical lagoon in Antigua; catamaran in the waters off Grenada or go cycling in St. Lucia. Cruises depart from a host of cities in the U.S. including New York, San Diego and Miami, or from the likes of Barbados and Rio abroad.

Caribbean cruises range in length from 7-17 days. Suite-only rates start north of $3,500 for a 10-day cruise and can range as high as $30,000 for an owner's suite during peak season, though free airfare and other discounts can bring down the sticker price.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Gallery: More from Silversea Cruises

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Introducing Silversea's New Boat: Silver Spirit

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

I've been known to rant a bit about the experience of traveling on a large cruise ship -- basically, they strike me as floating shopping malls/theme parks, neither of which I'd ever choose to spend time on.

Even if I'm surrounded by open ocean, which I happen to adore.

But I put smaller ships in a different category, more like a communal yacht, so I was pleased to learn that Silversea, the small ship cruise ship line, plans to launch a new vessel on December 23rd. I was even more pleased when I found out that the new ship, the Silver Spirit, sports a fabulous Art Deco design, and, among its six restaurants, includes one that offers a slow food concept. Check out the gallery for some interior views.

The boat is all-suite, the suites are larger than any the line has offered to date, including two flatscreen televisions, a pillow menu, Carrera marble bathrooms, and a butler assigned to each suite. The maiden crossing from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale is sold out, but consider signing on for the 91-day inaugural cruise around the Americas departing January 21, 2010, which includes the Christening party and VIP tickets to Rio's Carnival.

Gallery: Silversea's New Boat: Silver Spirit

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Silversea Silver Spirit's South American Adventure

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

Silversea Cruises is already seeking passengers for their newest ship, the Silver Spirit which will launch in December. The luxury cruise company is offering a 91-day voyage around South America that starts in Fort Lauderdale, stops in to Rio de Janiero and Buenos Aires and then goes up past Lima and slips through the Panama Canal. The adventure begins on January 21, 2010 and costs $39,187 per person, double occupancy. Before that voyage the ship will offer an inaugural cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon followed by the maiden Atlantic crossing from Lisbon to the Caribbean. The ship includes a 8,300 square-foot spa, a fitness center, pool deck, library, internet cafe, boutiques, and a full schedule of enrichment programs.

[via USA Today]

Gallery: Silversea Silver Spirit