Breakfast condiments on the veranda of La Terrazza, Deck 7.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Our second full day at sea aboard Silver Spirit started much like the first: reluctantly dragging ourselves from our supremely comfortable bed and ambling down to La Terrazza on Deck 7 for breakfast outdoors on the terrace. We were lucky enough to have a table right by the stern railing, giving us an awesome view of our wake. In an age where cruise lines seem to be scaling back on open deck space, it’s refreshing to see this concept is available on every ship in the Silversea fleet.
Today’s activities were similar to yesterday’s in scope and breadth. I have yet to meet anyone who has said they were bored at any time during the voyage. Personally, I find there’s more to do here than on our recent Celebrity Summit voyage – even if it is as simple as pulling up a chair in the Panorama Lounge or the Observation Lounge.
The Executive Chef's "cook-off" in The Theatre, Deck 5.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Due to their popularity, yesterday’s Navigation Bridge tour and Galley Tour were repeated for those who wished to partake in them. There is also another cooking demonstration – a ‘cook-off’ in the Theatre at 11:30 am. I’m not much of a cooking show guy, but it was fascinating to watch the competing chefs battle to see who could create the best dish.
Unique View: the Silver Spirit as seen from Deck 12.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Poolside Volleyball, Deck 9.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
The Poolside Volleyball tournament is also on the menu again today, and attracted a large crowd of participants and onlookers. This is perhaps what I like best about Silversea: the idea that ‘elegant’ doesn’t mean ‘stuffy.’
The Stowaway.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Kim & "The Stowaway."
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
We also have an additional passenger today: our neighbours in the Silver Suite next to us have a rather large bird that has been perched on their balcony since about 3pm. It seems to be enjoying the Silversea experience as much as the rest of us: as of 10pm, the bird has finally moved from the balcony railing to our neighbour’s teak lounger. I kid you not – the bird is asleep on the lounger. No word yet on whether the bird dressed for formal night or not.
It is our second and last formal night here aboard Silver Spirit, and the ship and her passengers look fantastic. Many of the men have elected to wear tuxedos – more than any other ship I’ve sailed on.
La Terrazza in the evening.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
We had our second fantastic dinner in La Terrazza, which readers will know has now become our favourite for all our meals. In the evening, La Terrazza is transformed into a one-of-a-kind Italian restaurant. Reservations are required, but no per-guest surcharge is added. Instead, passengers are treated to a four-course meal featuring both long and short pasta’s, all made fresh and by hand aboard Silver Spirit. This difference in quality is immediately apparent, and it’s some of the best pasta I’ve had outside of Italy.
This evening, I am writing to you from The Bar on Deck 5, listening to pianist Eric O’Bach sing Michael Buble’s song, Home. And I am most definitely not ready to go home; tomorrow, we’re docked in beautiful Key West, Florida, and an entire day of enjoyment aboard the magnificent Silver Spirit awaits us.
One evening entertainment venue that is growing in popularity is Stars. A combination dinner, drink, and live jazz venue, Stars is rapidly growing in popularity amongst the passengers as word spreads as to how good these performers are. Like their Black Rock Dining concept, this is another area that is totally unique to Silversea, and one innovation I hope to see implemented on other ships in the fleet – it’s that good. I’ve had more than one passenger now tell me they prefer the smaller Silver Wind and Silver Cloud, but sail aboard Silver Spirit because of the superb entertainment in Stars.
Exceptional Bar Steward Bass serves up a martini
in the Observation Lounge.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
In fact, there’s almost too much to take in. After seven full days aboard Silver Spirit, there’s still plenty that I haven’t done yet - but there's still one more day!
Tune in tomorrow as we explore Key West, Florida and enjoy one more day aboard Silversea’s flagship, the beautiful Silver Spirit – here, only on From the Deck Chair.
2 comments:
Thank you so much for writing about your cruise! Your photos are wonderful. It's especially interesting reading your comments about the differences between Silversea and the "mainstream" cruise lines. My husband and I have taken several cruises on "mainstream" lines and are looking forward to our first cruise on Silversea in March. After reading your reports, we can't wait!
This looks like an amzing cruise, I love the 'executive chef cook off.' It must have been great to see the people behind the, undoubtedly awesome, food on the cruise all cooking against eachother. I'll be sure to make the appropriate restaurant bookings as soon as I get on board so i don't miss anything like this when I go for our cruise in January.
Post a Comment