The first rays of sun light up the pool deck aboard Silver Spirit.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Our last full day aboard Silversea’s beautiful Silver Spirit has sadly arrived. I was up bright and early at 5:30 am to photograph the ship as the sun rose east above the horizon on our last full day aboard her. With her nicely terraced forward and aft decks, the ship lends itself well to excellent photographic opportunities. The only area I’m not personally a fan of is the sharp drop from Decks 11 and 10 where the forward superstructure ends and meets the pool deck.
An early-riser makes use of the jogging track, Deck 10.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
With so much of the ship so nicely terraced with open deck space, it’s a shame Deck 11 didn’t terminate with its own little veranda. But let’s not split hairs: Silver Spirit is easily one of the most classically beautiful ships I have ever set foot on.
The bridge team, led by Captain A.A. Corsaro,
brings Silver Spirit alongside the pier in Key West.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Disembarking Silver Spirit at the Mallory Square Dock
in Key West, Florida on Sunday, December 19, 2010.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Today, we are docked at Mallory Square in Key West, Florida. Located at the tip of the Florida Keys, Key West is actually closer to Havana, Cuba than it is to Miami. Because of that, Key West sports a distinctly Cuban atmosphere in its cuisine and many historic buildings – after all, it wasn’t always illegal for American citizens to travel to Cuba. During the 1930’s, cruises from the United States to Cuba were tremendously popular, thanks to stringent Prohibition laws on land. Once in international waters, the spirits and champagne flowed freely and the term ‘booze-cruise’ was coined.
Palm Trees & Spirits.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
In 2010, Key West serves as an idyllic destination for holiday makers and cruise ship passengers alike. Initially, there was some opposition to the proposed plan for a cruise ship pier just off of Mallory Square. Locals were afraid their picture-perfect sunsets would be obscured by the giant liners. In the end, the plan went ahead – with the understanding that cruise ships must leave the pier before sunset. This arrangement benefited both the people of Key West and cruise ship passengers tremendously, as they both got to enjoy the world-famous sunset.
The shipwreck museum in Key West's oldest district.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Having been to Key West roughly two years ago, we ambled into town with no real set plan. Key West is highly walkable, and if you have the time, you can easily travel from the cruise pier to the famous Southernmost Point landmark on foot. Of course, every visitor to Key West is destined for this classic landmark, too. Be prepared to wait for a photograph with “the marker.”
Another visitor to the self-proclaimed "Conch Republic."
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
I was surprised to see how many shops and businesses were closed down, papered up and listed as “For Lease.” The Key West I saw in January 2009 was a bustling town thriving with business. Today, it seems the recession has hit particularly hard in the intervening years. Still, there are plenty of shops, restaurants and bars – not to mention an abundance of everything “Key Lime” – to keep most travellers happy. For the maritime buff, the Mel Fischer Maritime Museum boasts an impressive collection of artifacts recovered from the sunken Spanish galleon, Atocha.
Trendy shops, like the Hard Rock Cafe, line Duvall Street.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
The most surprising thing about Key West? An abundance of wild roosters and chickens roam the island.
Back on the rooster-free Silver Spirit, the passengers seem to be making every attempt to enjoy themselves for one last full day. Like us, many passengers were onboard well in advance of the posted 4:30pm ‘all aboard’ time. This evening has been like a parting amongst friends, as passengers exchange business cards and email addresses with each other, and the crew. I’ve heard so many passengers come up to crew members of all stations, shake their hands, and tell them personally what a difference they have made in their vacation. I can’t agree more.
A "French Martini" in the Panorama Lounge.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Over the last eight days, I’ve asked one question of everyone I’ve met: Is this your first Silversea cruise? For some it is, but for many, Silver Spirit Voyage 5041 marks their second, third, and even tenth voyage with the line. I’ve met people who have sailed every ship in the fleet, so naturally I am curious as to how they’re enjoying being on the largest (and newest) Silversea vessel.
They love it.
A unique view of The Bar on Deck 5, showcasing
the unique Art Deco styling.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Many are quick to point out how much they love the line’s smaller vessels (Prince Albert II and Silver Cloud are mentioned quite a bit), but almost everyone has said the 540-passenger Silver Spirit hasn’t been the negative jump they thought it would be.
Coming from numerous mainstream cruises, I’ve been blown away these few past days. And it’s more than just the fantastic staterooms or the excellent cuisine – it’s the atmosphere onboard. The amenities are incredible, but it is the tremendous efforts of each and every crew member that have made this voyage one I will remember forever.
Time for one last trip to my favorite hangout:
the Observation Lounge, forward on Deck 11.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
So this evening, there’s time for one last meal, one last drink, one last song. I have a short-list of crew members and passengers – all friends now – that I have to personally thank and exchange information with. I want to soak in as much of my last evening aboard Silver Spirit as possible. But I’ve already packed the 2011 Cruise Atlas in my suitcase, and while this particular journey may be drawing to a close, I know it will not be my last.
Be sure to tune in tomorrow for our arrival in Fort Lauderdale and a recap of our nine-day voyage aboard Silversea’s Silver Spirit – only at From the Deck Chair.
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