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Silver Wind is one of the cosiest and most intimate ships afloat, with beautifully designed suites and inviting cabins and public rooms.
Silver Wind is a small ship -- it took about five minutes to work out where everything was! For me, that was one of its big selling points, as it offered a very friendly atmosphere. The all-inclusive drinks policy also does a lot to promote that friendliness, especially if you are cruising alone.
If you like to do more than sunbathe, read books or eat -- and if your perfect holiday includes a huge casino, schedules packed tight with enrichment activities, and silly pool games -- this is not the cruise for you.
Silversea has a mixture of formal, informal and smart-casual dress codes. For formal nights, women should wear cocktail dresses, evening gowns or trouser suits, men should have tuxedos or dark suits. Informal means dresses or trouser suits for the ladies, jackets for the men (ties optional).
There were many enjoyable aspects of this cruise experience that stood out. While cruise ship shows may not appeal to everyone, the talent showcased can still be appreciated even if it isn't quite to one's taste.
Each evening, performances took place in the Parisian Lounge, a cosy and intimate theatre. While most of the shows didn't resonate with everyone, there was one standout performance that truly impressed.
The Silversea singers put on a nightly show, and though the small stage limited their choreography, their enthusiasm was evident. The sound and lighting could have enhanced their performance, but it was still a spirited effort.
The entertainment variety also included a male vocalist performing songs from popular shows, and a delightful song-and-chat show by the cruise director, David Lawton. The highlight for many was violinist Beverley Davison, whose exceptional talent and humour made her performance unforgettable. Her rendition of a train was particularly amazing.
During the day, enriching lectures by Alan Nazareth, a former Indian ambassador, were available. His well-attended talks covered fascinating topics about India, including Mahatma Gandhi, the Moghuls, and Indian religion and politics.
One of the most notable updates on Silver Wind is the relocated spa, now on Deck 9. Although it's small with just four treatment rooms, it offers a full range of therapies, from massages to detox programmes. Despite the high prices, the massages were reported to be excellent and well worth it.
The gym, adjacent to the spa, is compact yet functional, equipped with treadmills, cycles, cross-trainers, and weights. The complimentary water in the fridge was appreciated, and the area was adequately used without feeling crowded. There's also a daily fitness schedule offering free yoga and Pilates classes.
The pool area was a popular daytime spot, while The Bar became the evening hub. It was lively before and after dinner, although it did quieten down by 11:30 p.m., just as karaoke was starting. The Panorama Lounge offered comfortable seating with scenic views, and the intimate observation lounge at the front of the ship was perfect for quiet reflection, even if the telescopes seemed more decorative.
The library provided a cosy retreat with a good selection of books, newspapers, and DVDs for a quiet night in. The small Internet café was convenient, and Wi-Fi access throughout the ship made staying connected easy. The pricing options for internet use were reasonable, especially with package deals.
There was also a small, rarely used casino and a couple of high-end boutiques offering designer goods. On Deck 6, the card room and various service desks, including reception, concierge, and tour desks, were conveniently located.
Overall, despite a few elements that might not suit everyone's taste, there were many aspects of the cruise that were thoroughly enjoyable.
The food on Silver Wind was, almost without exception, very good—tasty (although the curries were a little mild) and served hot, which is a big plus. Even the burgers and hot dogs served on deck were a bit tastier than expected.
There is one dining room on Silver Wind, rather unimaginatively called The Restaurant, open for breakfast (8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.), lunch (12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.), and dinner (7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.).
Meals, including dinner, are all open-seating, allowing diners to eat when they want and sit with whom they want. Ladies are escorted to their tables by waiters or the maître d', which adds a nice touch.
Other options for breakfast include an early-risers buffet from 6:30 a.m. in the Panorama Lounge and coffee from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Observation Lounge. A continental breakfast is served at the pool grill from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
A breakfast buffet is available in La Terrazza between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., and lunch is served there between noon and 2 p.m. There's indoor and outdoor seating, with an awning over the outdoor area, making it pleasant to breakfast outside on sunny mornings.
On one sea day, there was a Galley Lunch, a common feature on Silversea ships. The galley was set up like a self-service area, with diners helping themselves and eating in The Restaurant. The galley was decorated in Italian colours, offering a feast of salads, cold meats, stir fries, sushi, curry, fish, and roast beef—brilliantly done.
The pool grill serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, fish dishes, and salads.
Afternoon tea, with dainty sandwiches, cookies, cakes, and an array of normal and spiced teas, is served in the Panorama Lounge from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
In The Restaurant, dinner favourites included chicken breast with spinach and foie gras stuffing, spicy grilled chicken, and bacon-wrapped pork medallions. Fellow diners reported favourably on other dishes, including fish, beef, and veal.
Favourite starters included foie gras with leek terrine and assiette de canard—a duck fest with smoked duck, duck pate, and foie gras terrine.
In the evenings, La Terrazza transforms into a speciality Italian restaurant. Booking a table is required to maintain an intimate ambience, but there is no extra charge. The menu features delicious dishes like penne pasta with artichokes, black olives and tomato; fusilli pasta with spicy tomato sauce; and hearty lamb stew and meatballs in tomato sauce, with plenty of fish, veal, steak, and lobster options.
For something really special, book a table at Le Champagne (formerly La Saletta). Though it comes at an additional cost, it offers extra-special food and personal service. The degustation menu includes food paired with a different glass of wine for each course, selected by the sommelier, making it a worthwhile experience.
There were five different degustation menus available: Spanish, North American, Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Italian. The Burgundy menu, for example, featured bite-size tasters, snails with herb butter and tomato fondue, roasted Bresse chicken, Burgundy cheese brioche, and a chocolate Eiffel Tower.
If a degustation menu isn't preferred, dining at Le Champagne is still an option, with the food included but wine at an additional cost.
Room service is free and available 24 hours. The room service menu includes sandwiches, burgers, and pasta, and diners can order from the main menu during restaurant hours.
After the refit, Silver Wind maintains 143 suites, a mix of oceanview, balcony, and "super" suites, with no inside cabins. These all-suite accommodations include spacious rooms with extra amenities.
Cabin sizes range from 240 square feet (22 square metres) for the oceanview Vista Suites to 587 square feet (89 square metres) for the two Owner's Suites. Verandah Suites are the same size as Vista Suites but feature 50-square-foot (4.5-square-metre) balconies. New Medallion Suites on Deck 8 measure 490 square feet (45 square metres), including 125-square-foot (12-square-metre) balconies, while the original Medallion Suite on Deck 7 is 667 square feet (62 square metres) without a balcony. Silver Suites are 541 square feet (50 square metres), including 92-square-foot (eight-square-metre) balconies.
Deck 6 houses two Royal Suites, each 736 square feet (69 square metres) with 126-square-foot (12-square-metre) balconies. Additionally, two Grand Suites are 1,019 square feet (95 square metres) and include 145-square-foot (14-square-metre) balconies.
All suites are equipped with fully stocked mini-bars (drinks included), flat-screen TVs, DVD players, hair dryers, marble bathrooms with showers and full-size baths, a choice of Bulgari or Acqua di Parma toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, personalised stationery, and a selection of pillows. A welcome bottle of Pommery Champagne, fresh fruit, and flowers greet passengers upon arrival.
Top suite passengers enjoy additional perks such as free butler service, complimentary laundry (excluding dry cleaning and press-only), an espresso machine, and a complimentary international newspaper delivered each morning. Canapés are served each evening around 5 p.m.
Top-level suites feature separate sitting and dining areas, second TVs, and bathrooms with separate baths and showers. Owner's Suites also include guest toilets.
The Grand and Royal Suites have connecting doors to neighbouring Verandah Suites for two-bedroom configurations. Owner's Suites connect to Vista Suites, providing two-bedroom options without balconies.
While the new Owner's Suite was superb overall, a few minor irritations were noted, such as a lack of towel hooks and insufficient electrical plugs in the sitting/dining room. Some passengers also mentioned the absence of a news channel on the TV.
