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30th Aug 2027 | 15 nights | Silversea | Silver Shadow
Why do we love this cruise holiday? Three nights in New York give you time to experience the city before setting off on an autumn journey through Canada and New England. As the leaves turn shades of gold, red and amber, sail along rugged coastlines dotted with lighthouses and charming harbour towns. It’s the season to cosy up with a lovely slice of pumpkin pie and a good cup of hot coffee, simply relax and enjoy the view from your ship as it unfolds throughout your voyage. Once you set off from the Big Apple, the scenery changes as you sail from Newport and Cape Cod to Boston and Portland. Further north, discover Halifax and Charlottetown before the coast becomes even more dramatic around Saguenay, with historic Quebec City offering a taste of its French influence. Montreal then adds another layer of charm, with its cobbled streets, grand architecture and inviting cafés to explore. Days at sea provide time to switch off completely in refined surroundings on board, while the changing landscapes outside create a beautiful backdrop throughout. Simply slow down, unwind and enjoy the season at its most romantic.
What's included?
Expedition Cruises Also Include
Cruise Circle Collection packages adhere to our 6 point charter:
Fly across the pond to enjoy this lovely cruise.
A lovely central hotel awaits you for 3 nights.
There's so much to discover, where to start!?
Another day in the Big Apple before your cruise.
A city of endless possibilities, high energy and great diversity, New York has always been the benchmark for first-rate dining, unparalleled shopping and cultural activity. For visitors, it's an exciting city and, at times, is more than a little intimidating. New York natives always seem to be in a hurry, but with midtown traffic often at a complete standstill, it may be faster for them to walk across town than to take a bus. When you hear a foreign language, it could be international tourists -- flocking to the city in droves because of the weak dollar -- or it could be a New Yorker. It's love at first sight when the Empire State Building comes into view, and the Statue of Liberty awes even the most blase tourist. Broadway shows will wow you; browsing Bloomingdale's will amaze you. It's always possible to stumble upon an unforgettable meal -- an oven-fresh slice of the perfect pizza, Chinese food in Chinatown or a haute-cuisine dinner by candlelight. The views from the Staten Island Ferry are a knockout, and downtown nightlife will keep you busy in the city that never sleeps. You'll find Central Park smack dab in the middle of New York with many of the city's best museums on either side. Check out the Upper East Side -- particularly Madison Avenue, between 50th and 99th streets -- for high fashion. On the Upper West Side, you'll find Time-Warner Center's luxurious shops and restaurants at Columbus Circle; operas, concerts, dance and theatre at Lincoln Center; and bustling neighbourhood street life along Broadway, including Columbia University. Surrounding Manhattan are Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. Many Brooklyn neighbourhoods have become as popular and chic as Manhattan's. Smart shops and trendy restaurants have spread like wildfire, drawing Manhattanites across the river for fashionable dining and serious shopping. Five Brooklyn communities that are definitely worth a look are Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Park Slope -- down from Prospect Park -- Williamsburg and Brighton Beach. The Bronx has experienced some gentrification, creating attractions beyond the Bronx Zoo, such as the New York Botanical Garden, Yankee Stadium, City Island -- which has the feel of a New England village -- and Woodlawn Cemetery -- the final resting place of Duke Ellington, George M. Cohan, Miles Davis, F. W. Woolworth, J.C. Penney and R.H. Macy. Meanwhile, Queens offers the Queens Museum of Art, memorabilia from two Worlds Fairs, a fabulous panoramic model of New York City, contemporary art at Public School No. 1 and vibrant ethnic neighbourhoods like Asian Flushing, Greek Astoria and Indian Jackson Heights. Beyond the ferry terminal, Staten Island has a cultural centre at Snug Harbor, its own zoo and a Tibetan art museum. Richmondtown also features a collection of New York City buildings, some as old as 300 years.
A stop at Newport makes for a great day ashore. There are simply so many dimensions to enjoy, from the well-known Gilded Age mansions to a Historic District that is one of the best-preserved Colonial neighbourhoods in the United States, boasting more than 200 structures that predate the American Revolution.
Fine early churches like the 1726 Trinity Episcopal Church, the oldest synagogue in North America, historical centres dedicated to tennis and yachting, the nation's oldest library and the largest coastal military fortifications in the U.S. make Newport a fine destination for any history buff. Newport's also an exceptional destination for its famous 3.5-mile Cliff Walk winding between the mansions and the sea, the super-scenic Ocean Drive and Bellevue Avenue, plus several accessible beaches, a magnificent harbour and myriad shops and seafood restaurants along the wharves off Thames Street.
Newport, Rhode Island, has enjoyed a long and complex history. Unlike puritanical Boston, it was a haven for religious freedom, welcoming Quakers and Jews whose meeting house and synagogue are among the historic buildings surviving today. By the 1760s, Newport was one of the five largest ports in Colonial America and was a major exporter, as well as part of the infamous slave trade. Many fine Colonial homes went up during this period, and Newport-made furniture was among the finest in the colonies. The first American Navy was established there in 1775, but this prosperous period ended when the British burned the harbour and fleet, once during the Revolutionary War and again during the War of 1812.
The scenic beauty of the town and its beaches began to attract summer residents. By the late 19th century, Newport had become a mecca for the wealthy. Families like the Vanderbilts and Astors put up opulent palaces by the sea, which they called "cottages," to be used for a feverish six-week summer season that was America's most elaborate social scene. Though wealthy residents remain, that legendary Gilded Age died out with changing times. The mansions, saved and restored by the Preservation Society of Newport County, serve as major tourist attractions drawing millions of visitors each year.
The Navy kept its ties to Newport over the years, and the U.S. Naval War College and Naval Undersea Warfare Center still are headquartered here, but the naval base that had helped support the local economy was closed in 1973. It was after the naval destroyers moved out that the yachts began to move in. The city fathers turned their attention to tourism, the waterfront wharves were restored, shops and restaurants bloomed, and visitors flocked.
With its many assets, Newport has emerged as one of New England's most popular resorts and a major stop for cruise ships, especially during the fall foliage season.
There are many pretty sights to be enjoyed during a transit of the Cape Cod Canal. You'll glide past pretty parks and lush wooded areas, plus pass under a number of impressive bridges.
The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) promotes itself as the "Gentle Island," but it's popular claim to fame lies in its ties to the famous fictional character of the 1908 children's classic, "Anne of Green Gables." One hundred years ago, PEI author Lucy Maud Montgomery drew inspiration for the setting of her classic novel from the island where she grew up during the late Victorian Era. The story has been translated into 15 languages and adapted for film, stage and television. When venturing around the island, you can easily see where her inspiration came from: quiet agricultural communities, lush green landscapes, fishing villages, lighthouses that dot the coastline, red sandstone cliffs and, of course, green-gabled houses. Prince Edward Island is located north of the province of Nova Scotia and is connected to the province of New Brunswick on the west by the 13-kilometer (9-mile) Confederation Bridge. The island's largest urban area, with 35,000 residents, is Charlottetown, situated centrally on PEI's southern shore and on the Northumberland Strait. On the north side of the island is PEI's National Park and the Cavendish area, which is home to many Anne-related attractions. Before PEI was all about Anne, the island province hosted the Charlottetown Conference in 1864 -- the first meeting in the creation of Canada, which resulted in the Confederation of Canada in 1867. As for the economy, agriculture is still the number-one industry in PEI, with 30 percent of the nation's potatoes grown on the island in the unique red-hued earth. (There's even a Potato Museum on the island.) Tourism comes in second on PEI, and it's continually growing. Upon arriving in Charlottetown by cruise ship, passengers are met by sounds of fiddling and Islanders (a nickname collectively referring to the residents) dressed in Celtic costumes performing traditional step dancing. These performances are a reflection of the ethnic makeup of the island, as more than 60 percent of the residents are of Scottish or Irish descent. From the terminal building, a winding boardwalk wraps around the harbour adjacent to many of the shops and restaurants on Peake's Wharf. The self-guided Historic Walk, mapped out by PEI Tourism, highlights 19th-century architecture, and the stroll takes you from the Wharf, up Great George Street, by Victoria Row on Richmond Street, and then up West Street to end by the foot of Victoria Park at Kent Street. Of course, no visit to PEI would be complete without a sampling of the fares of the land and sea. Dining musts include PEI's potatoes and local seafood like Malpeque Bay oysters, PEI lobsters or cultured blue mussels, all served fresh.
Come September, when many ships dock or anchor at La Baie on fall foliage cruises, the village charm instantly unfolds portside. Immediate visuals include cheerily painted houses and crimson- and gold-hued trees in lush hills beyond. This neat-as-a-pin village is easily walked on a delightful stroll. Saguenay (Sag-uh-NAY), founded as a French colonial trading post, is a city with three boroughs, including La Baie. It's linked with nearby Lac Saint-Jean as a tourism region and playground for Quebecois, drawing folks from more urban areas like Quebec City, about 130 miles to the south. The downtown and cultural districts are in nearby Chicoutimi, about a 20-minute drive from the cruise terminal. Most passengers book tours showcasing the area's unspoiled natural beauty. The Saguenay River Fjord, one of the 10 longest in the world, and the southernmost navigable fjord in North America, ranks as the primo lure. Sculpted by ancient glaciers, the 60-mile-long, 1-mile-wide fjord is lined with towering cliffs up to 1,150 feet tall, and plunges to depths of up to 900 feet. You might spot whales, falcons and other wildlife on tours, so bring a camera. Explore this majestic waterway by land, boat or even helicopter and seaplane -- each transport guarantees thrills. Another port option is to take in the 30-year-running iconic musical revue called "La Fabuleuse." The show stars about 100 enthusiastic volunteer actors and showcases the region's dramatic history (including a great fire, landslide and flood). This revue offers everything from fireworks and vintage cars to cannon blasts. Or, board a hop-on, hop-off bus for an easy-peasy visit through La Baie and other boroughs. Local artisan tours are another fun way to pass the day. One foodie tour showcases Saguenay's indigenous products; you might visit a cheese factory and try blueberry sparkling wine at a nearby farm, while another tour includes stops at a family-owned goat farm and a glassblowing workshop.
Sidewalk cafes by the dozen, baguettes in bicycle baskets, the classic French shoulder shrug, charming pedestrian-friendly plazas and squares, and residents with a special Gallic grace and beauty. Am I in Avignon? Lyon? St. Tropez? Non, mon ami, just a bit north of the U.S.
Quebec City offers a savory taste of Europe right here in North America. Think of it as France without the attitude. Friendly locals convey that sense of romance and Old World charm found across the Atlantic, making Quebec City a wonderfully distinctive port of call on Canada/New England cruises.
The city is located within the St. Lawrence River Valley, framed to the north by the majestic Laurentian Mountains and to the south by the Appalachian foothills and mountains leading to New England. The St. Lawrence River, flowing beneath the cliffs of Upper Town (dominated by the regal Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, one of the world's great hotels) swirls into the Atlantic and explains the colonization of this part of the world.
Settlement occurred in four phases: Native Amerindians, the French, the British and finally, the Canadian Confederation in 1867. Chosen as a site for a permanent trading post in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Quebec's name comes from an Algonquin word for "where the river narrows." The year 1608 marked the beginning of a continual French presence in the area. In the 17th and 18th centuries, several historic battles were fought there among the French, British, Americans and native peoples. Rusted cannon balls still can be seen lodged in trees and buildings in the Old City. It remains the only walled city in the U.S. and Canada.
Quebec City is delightful for fall foliage and impressive with its boughs of green and remarkable light in spring and summer -- all seasons that find cruise ships in town. Summer temperatures average in the 70s, but on spring and autumn cruises, a jacket will be a necessity.
Canada might stamp your passport when you arrive in Montreal, but with your first glimpse of the city's cobblestone streets, sunny sidewalk cafes and wrought-iron balcony railings, you'll feel as though you've been whisked off to Europe. With French street signs, upscale boutiques and joyful elan of its people, Montreal feels more like Paris than a major North American metropolis. Canada's second-largest city is home not only to a French-speaking majority but also to native English speakers and immigrants from all over the world. Montreal balances opposing forces gracefully, maintaining its historic old town area just across the St. Lawrence River from the innovative geometric architecture of Habitat 67, a modern housing development. The towering office buildings in Montreal's downtown core reach for the sky alongside Mount Royal, the gentle mountain whose acres of parkland provide quiet respite just a few blocks from the city's energetic commercial district. Political and cultural differences between the French province of Quebec and the rest of English-speaking Canada have caused tension over the years. Montreal was founded by French Catholic settlers in 1642 as Ville-Marie and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The small colony survived years of harsh winter weather and bloody skirmishes with Iroquois tribes only to be taken over, along with the rest of French Canada, by the British following the French and Indian War. Despite the British occupation, the present-day province of Quebec has staunchly maintained its French language and culture, leading to 20th-century efforts to make the province a sovereign nation. The city's influences -- French, English and many others -- are evident in the variety of languages spoken on the street and in the architectural marvels that include everything from old-world to modern structures in traditional to avant-garde styles. You'll find a mix of European chic, cutting-edge culture and a cool urban vibe.
Silver Shadow delivers a fine balance of onboard service and outstanding shore experiences. The 382-passenger ship is just big enough to provide multiple lounge, dining and entertainment options, and small enough for crew to quickly learn passengers' names and preferences.
Built in 2000 with its last major refurbishment in 2011, this well-maintained ship has beautiful bones. Rich teak and shiny brass accents abound. In late 2016, Silver Shadow underwent a much-needed refreshment. Upholstery and carpeting in public areas and in the bigger suites were redone. (The swirl-patterned carpeting in passenger hallways and some public corridors adds needed pizzazz.) Parquet floors throughout the ship were refinished and gleam like new. All accommodations are suites, chock-full of amenities like Pratesi linens and Bulgari toiletries. Colours tend toward subdued shades of beige, brown, blue and burgundy -- staid and classic.
Silver Shadow excels at shore excursions with enthusiastic expert guides and as comfortable transportation (air-conditioned coaches, minivans, and private cars with drivers and guides) as a port allows. When we were on a mid-voyage land adventure in Bagan, Myanmar, Silversea chartered a plane last minute after our commercial flight returning to Yangon was delayed. Now that is luxury.
Silver Shadow offers a wide selection of shore excursions that are priced similarly to outings offered by other luxury lines. Extremely physical outings are rare; such excursions are saved for the Silversea expedition fleet. The level of physicality needed for each excursion is clarified and ranges from coach rides with photo stops to extensive walking tours with many hills and steps.
Silver Shadow runs a complimentary shuttle to a town or city centre when possible. The shore excursion desk provides maps and tips for independent exploration. The ship sometimes offers "Good Citizen" excursions, where passengers explore philanthropic opportunities onshore, such as donating school supplies or preserving wildlife.
Many activities are scheduled throughout the day, particularly on sea days. Count on shuffleboard, table tennis tournaments, bingo, pool volleyball, golf putting challenges, and trivia games. Most passengers participate in activities, with bridge and trivia ever-popular.
Night-time entertainment is varied. Singers called Voices of Silversea entertain most evenings in the Athenian Lounge, a multi-level showroom decorated in burgundy and beige with chairs, couches, and cocktail rounds, on Deck 6. They generally perform together, although some evenings, members perform solo shows, varying the musical content from country to opera. They perform one show, either at 6:30 or 10 p.m., and it's popular.
A singer croons in The Bar on Deck 5 pre-and-post dinner. After dinner, many passengers head to the Panorama Lounge on Deck 8 where the Silver Shadow Quartet plays and passengers dance or just sip nightcaps. A DJ takes over when the quartet retires and spins late-night tunes. By 10 or 11 p.m., the ship is quiet.
When out to sea, the small casino on Deck 5 is open for slot machines from 10 a.m. until all passengers leave. Roulette, poker, and blackjack tables are open from 2:30 until 6 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. until the last passengers depart. This casino is lively when a group of passengers come in together to play poker or blackjack.
Many of Silversea's daytime activities fall under the enrichment tag, such as language and dance classes, fitness seminars, art lectures, and bridge lessons.
Guest speakers, such as an eloquent physician from University of Miami discussing health care disparities, or an impassioned former diplomat on United States and Chinese relations, deliver enrichment lectures relating to visited ports. Lectures we've attended keep passengers' interests and provoke back-and-forth dialogue. A destination lecturer, usually jovial and outgoing, provides port information briefings with slideshows.
Teatime and post-dinner cocktails in the Panorama Lounge and pre-dinner drinks at The Bar are the most popular pastimes. If shore excursions begin early morning, few passengers stay late in bars and lounges.
The Bar (Deck 5): The Bar is particularly popular pre-dinner for pairing off with dinner companions while a vocalist sings. (She also sings after dinner, but crowds are smaller then.) There are several cosy seating areas with leather couches and patterned upholstered chairs plus a handsome wood bar with leather stools. Servers circulate with nightly tapas such as mini-quiches. Hours are 6 p.m. until the last passenger leaves.
Connoisseurs Club (Deck 7): Passengers puff away on Davidoff cigars and sip fine brandies and other select spirits while relaxing in overstuffed leather chairs at this lounge. Asian rugs and glass-topped tables with ashtrays complete the clubby look. Bar hours are 9 p.m. until the last passenger leaves.
Panorama Lounge (Deck 8): Panorama Lounge is chock-full of cocktail rounds surrounded by velvety burgundy or cream-coloured chairs. Softly striped curtains frame floor-to-ceiling windows. The bar serves from 10 a.m. until the last passenger leaves. On select voyages, onboard Gentleman Hosts may arrange cocktail get-togethers for solo passengers at 7:30 p.m. The Silver Shadow Quartet entertains from 9:30 p.m. until midnight while passengers twirl around the good-size dance floor. This lounge is much more popular in the evenings than during the daytime.
The Grill Bar (Deck 8): Open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., this small corner alfresco bar is always busy. Passengers move between poolside lounge chairs and the few stools to socialise.
The Observation Lounge (Deck 10): This beige-hued lounge is a spacious quiet spot with jaw-dropping floor-to-ceiling window views –- it's all the way forward -- and 24-hour self-service coffee. Passengers come here to curl up with a book (wall cabinets are stocked with hard-covered tomes to borrow) or contemplate the sea on comfy chairs and couches. It's the most underused lounge onboard.
The seawater swimming pool on Deck 8 is heated in cold weather and chilled when it's hot. Up to six passengers can soak in one of the two beige-and-brown-tiled Jacuzzis at a time, and these hot tubs stay busy with passengers chatting and sipping cocktails. There are also two rinse-off glass-encircled showers. Lounge chairs with striped or brown cushions flank the pool and always-popular covered daybeds edge the teak deck.
On Deck 10, the jogging track encircles the upper pool deck. Joggers may have to manoeuvre past some passengers sunning on lounge chairs but only if it's midday. Many couples walk the track at sunrise, sunset, and after dinner.
There is a 24-hour staffed reception desk on Deck 5. The shore excursion desk is adjacent and posts its hours. The Medical Centre on Deck 3 is staffed with a doctor and a nurse and has clinic hours about two hours per day. Medical assistance is available 24 hours or by appointment.
The library and 24-hour Internet Café are on Deck 7, with eight computers spread between the two spaces. It's easy to hop on one any time; most passengers use their laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Internet charges are not listed; many passengers rely on complimentary Wi-Fi time. Come here to read newspapers and the latest magazines, and browse many hardcover books to borrow. The Internet Café is open 24 hours, with personal assistance available one hour a day, usually from 5 to 6 p.m.
The spacious upscale boutique on Deck 5 sells designer clothes, expensive watches, and fine jewellery. Friendly salespeople are low-key and happy to chat even if you're just browsing. Items like aspirin are tucked away in a closet. (Each suite has a list of toiletries and other essentials that your butler can procure.)
The Card Room on Deck 7 has wood tables with leather chairs, burgundy and cream-swirled carpeting, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Cabinets are stocked with puzzles and board games like Scrabble. This venue is nearly always filled with enthusiastic bridge players; some games go on for hours.
Three complimentary self-service launderettes with Miele washers and dryers and ironing facilities are on decks 4, 6, and 8. Each has a flat-screen television, chair, and laundry baskets to make laundry day a breeze.
The Spa on Deck 10 is tiny; expect a small reception area with leather chairs and a coffee table decorated with an orchid. The desk is hosted by amiable, helpful receptionists. There are a few small treatment rooms with flowery names like Iris and Lily.
Despite its diminutive size, the spa offers an impressive number of services. Skilled therapists use posh skincare products, such as Elemis, for wraps, masks, and massages. More unusual massages include a warm bamboo shoot and essential oil treatment, and Thai herbal poultice.
Prices are comparable to fees charged by other luxury lines; a 60-minute massage can run £170. On busy shore excursion days, the spa often offers reduced-price treatments. And if you book two or three treatments at once, you get discounts up to 30 percent. Men and women have separate changing areas with lockers, showers, sauna, and steam room. Don't be surprised to receive a handwritten thank-you note delivered to your suite after a treatment.
The beauty salon offers everything from Fire & Ice manicures (first a cooling gel and then hot stones are massaged into hands) and pedicures to haircuts and styling -- even teeth whitening. It's most busy on sea and formal days and usually open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The well-equipped fitness centre is by The Spa on Deck 10. It's open from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Elliptical machines, treadmills, stationary bicycles, free weights, and upper and lower-body weight machines such as leg presses make a full workout easy. Some treadmills have televisions. Headsets, towels, and chilled bottle waters are provided. A wall of windows provides ocean views.
You can hire the fitness instructor for personalised training, but there are many complimentary classes, such as yoga, Pilates, sunrise walks, and fitness seminars. Classes are led in a mirrored room by the weight and treadmill area. When classes aren't in session, come here to stretch, do mat work, or use medicine balls, rollers, and the barre. Extra dumbbells are stacked in racks.
Recently, Silversea switched from relying on frozen ingredients to utilizing fresh locally sourced foodstuff whenever possible. This dramatic change positively impacts the overall dining scene; chefs are happier, the food tastes better and servers are more enthusiastic. The new healthier emphasis includes ingredients like chia and flax seeds and flavoured olive oils on the luncheon buffet, and olive oil on tables throughout the ship, even the Pool Grill. Dinner in the Italian La Terrazza and in Le Champagne are cruise highlights. Service is excellent in all dining venues, although it is at a slower pace at The Pool Grill at lunchtime.
The Restaurant (Deck 4): This dining room smacks of timeless elegance. Crystal chandeliers shimmer. Softly striped formal curtains, lined with sheer panels, tie back to reveal ocean views from windows lining both sides of the room. (Window tables for two are highly coveted.) Recently sanded and re-polished parquet floors gleam. Tables are set with overlay cloths in creamy tones.
The Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and reservations are never needed. Dine as you wish, with fellow passengers or at tables for two. Tables for four are often converted to two, per passenger request. While the maître d' always asks if you'd like to sit with others, he never makes you feel pressured. State upfront if you want a table for two nightly.
Breakfast is served between 8 and 9:30 a.m. and is ordered from a menu. Expect choices like pancakes, waffles, egg dishes, Danish and other freshly baked pastries. English breakfast devotees adore scrambled eggs served with baked beans and grilled tomato.
Lunch is served between noon and 1:30 p.m. The menu is substantial -- order up to three courses plus dessert. Dishes like crab and cherry tomato confit timbale, penne carbonara and whole-roasted Asian-style crusted pork loin are typical. You can find a sandwich, like grilled ham and cheese with French fries and greens. If the only salad available is appetizer-size, ask the chef to add chicken, seafood or beef for a main-course meal. A leisurely lunch here is most popular on sea days. When the weather's nice or passengers are busy with activities, most prefer dining more informally outdoors, at The Pool Grill or La Terrazza.
Dinner is served between 7 and 9:30 p.m. The Restaurant feels far fancier come nightfall. Lights are dimmed, curtains are closed. Tables are set with dressier china and more delicate stemware. On formal nights, musicians play classic songs. The expansive menu always features crudo (raw marinated, usually seafood), like scallops or beef carpaccio, soup such as frothy cauliflower, salad, pasta like fusilli mascarpone with mushrooms, seafood such as crayfish-stuffed baby squid, and premium meats. Two gourmet hamburgers, including hickory-infused with taleggio cheese and polenta fries, are new-ish staples. Most passengers order three or four courses plus dessert. Europeans often finish with a cheese course; the menu features 10 selections, many from France. Vegetarians can choose between two sophisticated entrees. Menu staples, like grilled salmon, chicken and steak, are always available. With advance notice, the chef will prepare any dish you like if the ingredients are available.
Knowledgeable sommeliers bring complimentary red and white wines to each table and readily refill glasses. These wines gallop the globe, and include fine labels as Chateau Les Tuileries Bordeaux. If you don't like the evening selections, ask for another complimentary choice. Wines are good enough to avoid spending extra on the Connoisseurs List, unless your budget is limitless or you're celebrating a special occasion.
The dessert menu accentuates gelato -- don't miss the Sicilian pistachio or Italian almond. Italian frozen yoghurt marbled with whole fruit (bitter orange delights), stands out, too, and the froufrou pastries are as chic as any in a Manhattan bistro.
La Terrazza (Deck 7): La Terrazza's indoor-outdoor design showcases gorgeous sea views with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides of the room. Inside, fine linens top tables, and columns with brass accents and teak rails subtly divide the space into more intimate alcoves. A stunning oval-shaped stained glass light fixture shines overhead. Outdoors on the patio, a cream-coloured awning shades teak tables of varying sizes. On beautiful days, these tables are packed. The breakfast and lunch buffets are presented in a separate annex, so dining feels unhurried and uncrowded. Reservations are only necessary at dinner.
A breakfast buffet is served between 7:30 and 10 a.m., with egg dishes requested from your server and cooked to order. The buffet is well presented, with neatly arranged food on attractive platters kept immaculate by watchful cooks. Help yourself to fresh fruit, yoghurt, cheeses and primo cold cuts, and sides like hash browns and grilled tomatoes. Freshly baked breads, croissants and Danish abound. Servers insist on carrying plates to your table, even if you're only holding a small fruit bowl. They refill water and coffee, clear plates and happily retrieve an extra Danish from the buffet. La Terrazza is the most popular morning dining venue, particularly on shore excursion days.
A diversified lunch buffet is served between noon and 2 p.m. More passengers enjoy dining here rather than The Restaurant; it's less formal plus it's faster on shore excursion days. Staff stands behind counters to assist and serve. The spread is prettily laid-out, at varying heights, on attractive platters and with signage. An array of sophisticated salads, from duck to vegetarian, plus sandwiches are always displayed. Many ingredients, such as artichoke hearts, capers, pumpkin and pine nuts, and seeds like chia and flax, may inspire your own leafy creation. Splash one of eight flavoured extra-virgin olive oils, such as lemongrass-infused, on your greens. Sushi and sashimi, such as salmon or vegetable rolls, are fashioned daily, too. A quiche of the day and two freshly baked thin-crust pizzas, like seafood or mushroom, also await -- or order a personalized pie from the tableside menu of 10 choices. The pizzas are uniformly good.
At the carving station, a cook slices moist roast turkey, pork loin or juicy beef to order. Other hot dishes vary from dim sum and Indian biryani, to fish and vegetable gratins. These dishes, made in small batches, possess finesse. The cheese display excels, often including a fine French blue or English Stilton. Expect a wide array of gluten-free and sugar-free desserts, plus ice cream, pastries such as opera cake, and biscuits like oatmeal raisin and chocolate chunk.
An Italian sit-down dinner is served between 7 and 9:30 p.m. The setting is far lovelier at night. The buffet annex is closed, lights are dimmed and passengers are only seated by or near the windows, or on the outdoor patio. Dinner is by candlelight and served on more elegant dinnerware than at lunch. The restaurant is booked only until it's half-full, so make reservations ahead. The evening menu changes every three days and homemade pasta -- particularly a signature duck ragout -- is always a knockout. The exemplary breadbasket tempts with bulbs of roasted garlic and freshly baked herb-scented focaccia. The noteworthy antipasti plate includes arancini (rice balls), anchovies and robust Parmesan. Lamb chops with deep-fried leeks and sliced striploin of beef with port wine sauce are terrific. Complimentary Italian wines, like Luccarelli Puglia Primitivo, are always good and servers are quick to refill glasses or open another complimentary bottle if you're not satisfied. Tiramisu and panna cotta are dessert standouts.
Le Champagne (Deck 7): Le Champagne is the most romantic dining room onboard, and Silver Shadow's only extra-fee restaurant. This is a couples' haunt, with just seven candlelit tables for duos who come to whisper and hold hands. Fine art celebrating food and drink hang on walls; sleek glass cases display haute wine bottles. Two picture windows provide ocean views. Chairs sport plush royal blue upholstery. Posh chargers, rimmed with black and gold, rest on creamy linen tablecloths. The delicious menu showcases fancy French multicourse meals with wine pairings and is served between 7 and 9 p.m.
Luxury ingredients -- like caviar with buckwheat blinis, foie gras mousse in cones or terrines and lobster as in a spectacular bisque or Thermidor -- take centre stage. Edible gold leaf risotto is decadently good. Lovely complimentary wines include Champagne Monopole Heidsieck Brut and Tenuta Sant'Antonio Sponsà. Meander through five courses or so and relish on-point servers rushing airy Grand Marnier souffles to your table. Even though dinner costs extra, it's extremely popular, so make reservations as soon as you book your cruise.
The Pool Grill (Deck 8): The poolside alfresco grill is open for lunch between noon and 3:30 p.m. and dinner between 7 and 10 p.m. This isn't your basic greasy burger counter. Grab a seat at one of the Formica-topped tables with rattan-style powder-coated aluminium chairs lining the deck. Even the napkins are fancy -- fine linen rather than paper. There's no waiting in line; servers take all orders. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar cruets, plus a dual grinder of Himalayan pink salt and black peppercorns, grace each table. One side of The Pool Grill is reserved for smokers.
At lunchtime, choices include fresh grilled fish of the day, salads like caramelised fig and goat cheese and the ever-popular Black Angus burgers and sliders. Homemade Ronnefeldt-flavoured iced teas and cocktails are poured.
Come dinnertime, the eatery is simply called The Grill and serves Americana classics with hot rock dining. Servers deliver tortilla chips, guacamole and salsa while you decide between entrees like steaks, veal chops and giant Madagascar prawns. (The prawns are divine.) Entrees arrive sizzling on a heated volcanic stone and you take over the cooking. (If you don't want to, the chef can do it. But know that they cook entrees on a flattop rather than hot rocks, which impacts the flavour.) Sides are aubergine, tomato and zucchini skewers, and a surprisingly good baked potato with all the trimmings. Dessert includes apple pie with vanilla ice cream. It's divine to dine under the stars with that gentle ocean breeze. Plus, there's no dressing up.
Panorama Lounge (Deck 8): This all-purpose lounge offers Early Risers coffee and pastries from 6:30 to 10 a.m., and bouillon from 11 a.m. until noon. Tea service is offered daily -- between 4 and 5 p.m. -- and it's impressive. Select from about 20 Ronnefeldt teas, from black and green tea to wild cherry organic. Loose leaves brew in pots while servers present assorted freshly baked scones, tea sandwiches and tiny pastries. It's all quite proper and very fun.
Room Service: Complimentary in-suite dining is available 24 hours a day. Breakfast can be ordered the night before by 2 a.m. Although breakfast is served between 6 and 10 a.m., with advance notice, butlers bring what you want whenever you want.
All 191 accommodations are posh ocean-view suites. There are eight suite categories. The smallest have large picture windows; the biggest have oversized verandas. Suites are comfortable, elegant, and timeless in design—like a wealthy mature couple's Upper East Side Manhattan apartment. Think classic styling, with richly grained light wood, plush upholstery and carpeting, and mostly burgundy, beige, blue, and brown soft hues. Twenty suites connect, and two are designed to be wheelchair accessible.
All suites possess much in common. They're all well-designed; curtains separate sleeping and sitting areas, and the television swivels between the bed and sitting area. (Except in the largest suites; their separate bedrooms have second televisions.) All closets are walk-in, featuring cloth and wood hangers. Lighting, both overhead and lamp, is good for reading.
Beds convert between queen and twin. Dorelan mattresses from an Italian luxury firm—new to Silver Shadow—feature silken Pratesi linens and fluffy down duvets. Passengers select from a pillow menu with nine choices. Sleep comes easily on these beds.
Amenities include personalised stationery, safes, minibars stocked with passengers' preferences and water bottles, hairdryers (no diffuser attachments), Etro robes and slippers. A sewing kit, shoeshine bag, binoculars, lint brush, and a Silversea keychain with a built-in flashlight are also provided. The alarm clock has a built-in iPod docking station.
The flat-screen Phillips televisions (sizes vary by suite category) offer on-demand movies, music, and channels such as CNN, Fox News, ESPN, and BBC. All suites are Wi-Fi accessible. Passengers can download complimentary interactive mobile content, including movies, via a Silversea app to their smartphone or tablet. Electrical outlets are both 110 and 220-volt.
All suites—even the smallest—have similar bathrooms; a granite stall shower, full-size tub with a clothesline, blue granite counters with double sinks, and marble flooring. Shelves are plentiful, lining both sides of a large mirror and underneath sinks. A makeup mirror is located outside the bathroom on a well-lit vanity table that doubles as a desk.
Choose between Bulgari, Salvatore Ferragamo, and hypoallergenic toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, and soap. (Ask your butler for more than one brand, and your request will be graciously received, especially if booked in a high-level suite.) In the largest suites, passengers can choose the more exclusive white tea-perfumed Bulgari toiletries versus green tea. Scented reed diffusers by high-end Italian perfumer Laura Tonatto, in fragrances like Shanghai, top all bathroom counters. Basic toiletries, like cotton puffs and swabs, are on counters and replenished as needed.
Passengers receive Italian chocolate squares as nightly turn-downs. Some evenings, such as formal nights, turn-down is elevated to a four-piece gift box of exquisite chocolates from star Belgian confectioner Pierre Marcolini in intense flavours like caramel passion and almond praline. Passengers in the biggest suites receive a 16-piece box of Pierre Marcolini chocolates on arrival. All passengers are welcomed to their suites with a bottle of chilled Champagne.
All suites get white-gloved butler service, Silver Shadow's big drawing card. Butlers do everything, from wrapping loose eyeglasses in lint cloths to greeting passengers shipside with welcome signs after an overnight journey. They pour drinks, replace soap, and deliver folded laundry in tissue paper. They unpack and pack for you, and when departure time approaches, they clean suitcases and wrap them in ribbons and bows. Getting attached to your butler is easy; saying goodbye is hard.
Vista Suites: The 26 Vista Suites measure 287 square feet and are located on Deck 4. Along with the Terrace Suites, they're the smallest. They're still comfortable, with a seating area with a couch, table, and chair, a large picture window, and marble baths with double vanities, a separate shower, and full-sized bathtub. Passengers receive one hour of complimentary Wi-Fi per passenger per day.
Terrace Suites: The nine Terrace Suites on Deck 5 are identical to Vista Suites, except they have floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a shared teak veranda. The veranda is used by all the Terrace Suites and lacks furniture. Passengers also receive one hour of complimentary Wi-Fi per passenger per day. Two of these suites are equipped for wheelchair access and are conveniently located by the reception and shore concierge desks, boutiques, and bar.
Veranda Suites: The 128 Veranda Suites measure 345 square feet, including 60-square-foot private balconies, and are located on decks 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Veranda Suites' biggest differences from Vista and Terrace Suites are the larger couches with two chairs inside and, of course, the veranda with two rattan-style powder-coated aluminium chairs and a low table. Some Veranda Suites accommodate three passengers with pull-out couches. Amenities are the same as in Vista and Terrace Suites, including complimentary Wi-Fi as stated above.
Medallion Suites: The two Medallion Suites on Deck 7 measure 521 square feet, including an 81-square-foot veranda with a dining table, two rattan-style powder-coated aluminium chairs, and a matching chaise lounge. They are the most forward of the suites on this deck and the entry-level for the poshest suites with the best perks. The living room has a dining area with a richly grained inlaid wood table and four upholstered dining chairs. The seating area includes a couch and two upholstered chairs. A glass partition separates the bedroom from the living and dining area. The bathroom has a separate water closet for the toilet and a sink. Whirlpool tubs, unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi, and complimentary butler-served afternoon canapes from a posh Gourmet Bites menu—starring caviar and blinis, and foie gras terrine with brioche—begin in this suite category.
Silver Suites: The 13 Silver Suites on Deck 7 measure between 653 and 701 square feet, including verandas between 110 and 123 square feet. They're popular with passengers seeking a midship location with extra space. All Silver Suites accommodate three passengers, with convertible sofas. The separate bedroom is partitioned by wood doors with etched glass. The dining area features the same table and chairs as the Medallion Suite. The seating area includes a couch with upholstered chairs. The bathroom has a separate water closet for the toilet and a sink. Verandas are furnished similarly to Medallion Suites. Extra amenities beginning at the Silver Suite level include a Bang & Olufsen audio system and an Illy espresso maker.
Royal Suites: The two Royal Suites on decks 6 and 7 measure between 967 and 1,007 square feet, including a veranda of 110 to 116 square feet with a dining table and two chairs and a chaise lounge. Passengers who want the extra privacy of the all-the-way-forward location and an extra bathroom prefer these suites. They're available as a two-bedroom with an adjacent Veranda Suite. The master bathroom has a water closet with a third sink, toilet, and bidet. There's also a powder room (no shower or tub). Royal Suites offer the same amenities as Silver Suites.
Grand Suites: There are four one-bedroom Grand Suites, all the way forward on decks 6, 7, and 8, varying in size from 941 to 1,090 square feet, including a veranda of 103 to 116 square feet with a dining table, two chairs, and a chaise lounge. An adjacent Veranda Suite can be added for a two-bedroom configuration. They're much like Royal Suites in size and design, but those who prefer bigger verandas opt for the Grand Suites. Grand Suites feature a spacious separate bedroom and a roomy walk-in closet—big enough for two to move around in. This bedroom has so many drawers, it's hard to fill them all. The bathroom has a water closet with a toilet, bidet, and extra sink. A powder bath is located off the living room.
The large living room has a full-size couch and two overstuffed chairs. The corner bar has shelves stocked with glasses, granite counter with an Illy espresso maker, and two chairs. An upholstered chaise lounge beckons before a wall-mounted Philips television. Amenities are the same as for Silver Suites and above, plus more: two hours of satellite telephone calls worldwide per voyage, complimentary laundry and dry cleaning service, and complimentary dinner for two in Le Champagne per voyage.
Owner's Suites: Two Owner's Suites on Deck 7 are coveted favourites for their more midship location (compared with the forward-facing Grand and Royal Suites) and the largest verandas. They measure 919 square feet, including a 220-square-foot veranda with an outdoor dining table with two chairs and a chaise lounge. (Request a second, if you like; it will fit but makes the veranda slightly crowded.) Owner's Suites may be configured as a two-bedroom by adjoining with a Veranda Suite. The large living room features a granite bar with three high-backed upholstered chairs, polished wood dining table with four upholstered chairs, and a spacious seating area including a couch, two chairs, end tables, and a coffee table. The bedroom has a cosy sitting area with a couch, coffee table, and chair. The bathrooms and the amenities are the same as in Grand Suites.
Sophisticated international travellers who enjoy unusual destinations yet want a hint of traditional formality, complete with butler service
Young families and American-centric cruisers who like to be casual all the time
Silversea caters to Baby Boomers, affluent and often retired, with the leisure and the resources to make Silversea their cruise line of choice. Silversea Expeditions also appeals to that demographic, as well as younger professionals with a desire for active cruising that includes posh cabins and stellar service alongside Zodiac expeditions, snorkelling excursions and in-port hikes. Shorter classic voyages also tend to draw younger passengers. About 60 percent of passengers onboard come from the Americas, the rest from international markets.
Yes, if you are going on a classic cruise ship; no if you're sailing on a luxury expedition cruise. The classic ships divide evenings among casual resort wear, informal attire (for men, this means a jacket, tie optional, and women wear dresses or pantsuits) and formal nights when eveningwear for women is an evening gown or cocktail dress and men wear tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits, and a tie is required. The dress code is more casual on the expedition vessels, and there are no formal nights.
Silversea cruises are fairly inclusive, with the only extras being shore excursions (except on Silversea's expedition cruises on which they're included in the cruise price), shop purchases, spa and beauty treatments, and send-out laundry. Some speciality restaurants also cost extra (and caviar on the room service menu). Cruise fares include gratuities, unlimited beverages (soft and alcoholic), internet access and round trip transportation into town in most ports. Most itineraries also include transfers to/from the ship, and some even include complimentary round trip economy airfare.
Onboard, each Silversea cruise ship has a pool and hot tubs that see a lot of action, and the spa gets a lot of use, as well. Silversea cruisers also enjoy attending lectures on the culture and history of the destinations they visit, and like to spend time in the library. Evening shows, which range from opera-themed to swing-era classics, also draw a crowd. When in port, most Silversea cruisers opt for one of the line's many shore excursion offerings. Expedition cruises bring cruisers together with experts to lead hiking, Zodiac, snorkelling, diving and other small group excursions.
A quiet sanctuary. The sitting area of the Vista Suite has plenty of room to relax. Large picture windows frame panoramic ocean views. The perfect backdrop for breakfast in bed.
