Silver Spirit Day 1 - Embarkation in Bridgetown

 Early morning at Toronto Pearson Airport - December 11, 2010.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

 Arrival at Bridgetown's Grantley Adams International Airport.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

Update December 12, 6:00PM AST  - Yesterday I incorrectly identified our suite as a Vista Suite, when it is in fact a Silver Suite.  The Vista Suites aboard Silver Spirit are located on Deck 4, and feature an ocean-view window.  I guess the jet-lag, time change, and those martini's kicked in at the same time!

After having begun in Vancouver, British Columbia just twenty-four hours ago, my journey to Silversea’s  Silver Spirit is now complete.  After spending the morning in Toronto’s Pearson airport we flew direct to Bridgetown, and after collecting our luggage and hopping into our taxi found ourselves face-to-face with the beautiful Silver Spirit.

 The moment has arrived: Silver Spirit docked at the Port of Bridgetown, Barbados.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

I knew the Silversea experience was a special one; my brief tour aboard the Silver Shadow in June told me that.  But I was wholly unprepared for the reality of the actual thing.   

 Our spacious Silver Suite aboard Silver Spirit.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

To start with, we were upgraded at the pier.  Now, obviously this doesn’t happen every day, but nevertheless  we found ourselves trading in our midship veranda suite for a very-well appointed Silver Suite on Deck 11.  And what a stateroom it is.

 Silver Suite Master bedroom.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

Measuring 742 square feet, including 118 square feet of balcony space, Silver Suites aboard Silver Spirit are located on decks 10 and 11 – the two uppermost decks on the ship.  Boasting all the amenities of a midship veranda suite, the Silver suites build on that by offering a separate sleeping area.  They also feature dual-vanity sinks, a full-size whirlpool tub, a separate shower and separate toilet and sink arrangement. 

The room is impressive to say the least – there’s no other way to put it.

 Sunset on your own veranda: worth any price.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

The little touches present throughout are absolutely astounding, and include personalised stationary, dual interactive flat-panel TV’s, an umbrella, robes with slippers, fresh flowers, champagne, a fully-stocked mini-bar, a podded coffee machine, a full walk-in closet…the list just goes on. 

The amenities are truly overwhelming. Best of all - there's still over six hundred feet of ship remaining to be explored.

 The perfect spot to unwind; I predict a lot of reading will take place here.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

Equally impressive is the butler service.  Our butler, Karthik, helped us eliminate a variety of small issues, like a non-functioning keycard and luggage that was misplaced due to the stateroom upgrade.  On other lines, I would have had to sweat it out down at the Purser’s desk for 40 minutes to get those issues resolved.  Karthik managed to help us solve these issues in mere minutes, like it was effortless.  He also presented us with a multitude of alternate bath and shower products, explained how to work the podded coffee-maker, and walked us through the ins and outs of the two TV’s.

With all this excellent help, “stress” doesn’t have to factor into your vacation plans at all.

 One Very Happy Blogger.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

After a long day of travel, we were happy to be aboard but very, very jet-lagged.  Instead of dining in one of Silver Spirit’s often-talked about restaurants, we opted for a different route: room service.  Because Silversea lets guests order off “The Restaurant” menu during operating hours, I was able to sample the delicacies of tonight’s menu without leaving the privacy and comfort of my own stateroom - something I truly appreciated in my jet-lagged, semi-comatose state.  Karthik personally delivered everything himself, and even offered us the option to bring each meal out course-by-course. 

 The main part of the two-part Silver Suite bathroom.

This shows the dual vanity sinks and adjacent shower.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

 Silver Spirit's pool deck as we near sailaway.

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

After a beautiful sailaway from Bridgetown, I ambled up to the Observation Lounge all the way forward on Deck 11.  Not only does this public room offer expansive, 180-degree views, it is also one of the unique hidden gems aboard Silver Spirit thanks to its elegant ambiance and somewhat removed location.  So shhhh!  Don't tell anyone!

 A view of the Deck 11 Observation Lounge from outside...

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

Around the ship, passengers are welcoming and talkative.  The crew, who always do a remarkable job on almost every line, are friendly and approachable.  That sense of camaraderie is there.  Capable of holding roughly 540 lucky passengers, chances are you ‘ll see some familiar faces. 

 ...and in. 

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

Around the ship, passengers are welcoming and talkative.  The crew, who always do a remarkable job on almost every line, are friendly and approachable.  That sense of camaraderie is there.  Capable of holding roughly 540 lucky passengers, chances are you ‘ll see some familiar faces. 

Tomorrow, we’re docked in the port of St. Georges, Grenada.   We will set off on an exciting adventure to experience the Seven Sister’s Waterfall by hiking to its base.  On the Silver Spirit, tomorrow is also an exciting evening as it’s the day we’ll try the line’s hugely successful “Black Rock Dining.” 

 Stay tuned – there’s lots more to come!!