In the first days of March, the ship that had been the flagship of the Silversea fleet until the arrival of the Silver Muse, entered the shipyards.
Article from CruisesNews magazine
The ambitious refit plans included adding a section and features from the Silver Muse to the Silver Spirit. The company was thus beginning a fleet modernization process that would alter the Silver Spirit's character, making it resemble its younger sister ship.
The luxury cruise industry has grown exponentially in recent years, both in the number of ships and their tonnage.
While mainstream cruise lines boast Herculean dimensions, the luxury sector has felt the need to optimize resources, offering passengers more options, such as increasing revenue with larger ships ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 tons. Previously, Crystal Cruises was the only cruise line openly committed to larger ships, but companies like Oceania Cruises, Viking, and Regent have embraced the "bigger is better" approach.
The Silver Spirit is the perfect marriage between tradition and decorative avant-garde.
Silversea launched the first of its new series, the Silver Muse, in 2017. For the first time, a ship from the company would have a tonnage of 40,700, a length of 212.78 meters, and a capacity for 596 passengers. There was some concern about the reaction of loyal passengers to the increased size, and especially because the company was going to coin a new term: "simple luxury." The success was so resounding that not only would the Silver Spirit have to closely resemble the Muse, but all future ships would also share the same size and characteristics. Although the hull of the Silver Muse, part of the Spirit's hull (which entered service in 2009), is longer, expanding the Silver Spirit was not going to be an easy task due to the construction challenges involved.
In front of the press and various key figures in the industry, the lengthening event was unveiled in a spectacular ceremony at the Palermo shipyards, where the ship was undergoing modifications on March 10 and 11, 2018. A 15-meter segment was added to the 36,009-ton vessel. For several weeks, 500 workers labored intensively, handling 846 tons, 110,000 meters of cabling, and splicing 8,000 meters of new piping. In addition to the 34 new suites, including the luxurious Balsorano Owner's Suite, which houses objects of great sentimental value to Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, some significant changes were made to the restaurant layout. In addition to existing restaurants like Seishin, La Dame, La Terrazza or The Grill, others have been added such as Le Atlantide, Indochine, Silver Note (above the Stars Supper Club), or Pizzeria Spaccanopoli.
Although the Silver Spirit is larger, it remains intimate and personal.
Objects were removed from the ship and replaced with 4,652 new decorative items, the old ones being donated to various institutions. In other words, something in the image and likeness of the Silver Muse. I visited this latest ship and had a series of mixed feelings. If Silversea ships exuded a delightful air of Italian classicism, dominated by timeless and serene decorations, the Silver Muse was going to be a gateway to something different. With light woods, earth tones, ochres, pastels, and a new monochromatic palette, the new Silversea wanted to embody a new era in the Silver Muse. Goodbye to traditional luxury, hello to modern and understated luxury.
It's a clear nod to the passenger, combining versatility and more options.
Simple, clean lines and minimalist decor in its lounges catered to a more vibrant, youthful, and avant-garde clientele. The Silver Muse was unlike anything the Italian company had shown us before. Brighter, more airy lounges with touches of the classic Silversea. Much more urban, attractive, and cutting-edge, it nevertheless left some uneasy for those who shy away from unnecessary and stark minimalism. I found the Silver Muse a different, refreshing, and modern option, though with nods to long-time passengers, but also somewhat cold at times.
Walking Through the Silver Spirit
But let's return to the Silver Spirit. The passenger decks run from 4 to 11. I had been told that the sophisticated Silver Spirit would follow the same path as the Silver Muse. The Art Deco ship, with its dark tones, could have been sacrificed, and yet I went aboard. The lobby is located on deck 5, where the grand Dolce Vita lounge has grown in size and sophistication. With the new section added, the lobby and Dolce Vita Bar are much larger and completely different. It's true that the delightful green Art Deco sofas are gone, but a certain traditional air remains. For the grand lounge, which exudes a beautiful serenity, pale colors have been used, but when mixed, they create incredible aesthetic depth. Clean,
smooth lines and a clever combination of mosses, cinnamon, chocolate, ochre, and brown tones were used throughout the spacious area.
The wood paneling in the public spaces was retained, as was the classical art that adorned the space before the renovation. While the Venetian Lounge theater in the Silver Muse was a modern fantasy in ivory and aquamarine tones, the Silver Spirit's design was only minimally altered.
New gastronomic trends demanded more specialized restaurants.
Its dark wood, complemented by the burgundy tones of the seating, makes it perfect. The Panorama Lounge is modern, but without being overly minimalist, which makes it both elegant and refined. The ship has gained entirely new spaces, such as Tor's Observation Library, which serves as a bar, intimate reception room, library, or perfect vantage point for contemplating the sea. The new Zagara Spa has become one of the largest thermal offerings on board a ship of this size. It features more than nine treatment rooms, acupuncture, a generously sized relaxation area, saunas, and a large outdoor jacuzzi. It's worth mentioning that the pool is incredibly long, stretching from 30 to 40 meters.
The
suites have also gained brightness, thanks to a lighter color palette. While the refined chocolate-colored marble panels in the bathrooms remain, everything is more attractive and contemporary, from the hallway panels and carpeting to other decorative elements in each suite.
The suites are fairly linear and uniform in their layout. The most numerous are the Veranda suites (classic, superior, and deluxe), depending on their location on the ship; the Vista suites are similar in size except for having a panoramic window, and the Panorama suites have a floor-to-ceiling window. Their dimensions are very generous, ranging from 29 to 35 square meters (the latter being the size of the Veranda suites due to the presence of a balcony). Each and every one features refined and understated wooden furniture, upholstery with textured fabrics and a neutral color palette, and all the amenities expected of a luxury cruise ship. Some of the services include: butler service, Pratesi linens, premium mattresses, down comforters, a pillow menu, Bulgari bath products (and other premium brands), amenities such as Etro slippers and bathrobes, enormous walk-in closets, a customizable minibar and fine crystal glasses and stemware, a lounge, customizable stationery, an interactive library, and more.
The new Silver Spirit, in addition to being brighter, is more modern and cosmopolitan.
The most luxurious suites range from 69 to 175 square meters and are divided into Silver, Grand, Owner-Balsorano, and Panorama categories. They feature different layouts, including bedroom, living, and bathroom areas. In addition to the standard amenities offered in all accommodations, the company provides its most premium suites with, among other things, complimentary laundry, gourmet chocolates, daily canapés, dinners at the captain's table, luxury coffee machines, and complimentary telephone calls during the cruise.
Restaurants:
The Silver Spirit's transformation has brought about significant changes in its dining options. Previously, impeccable cuisine was the norm in a couple of restaurants, such as the main dining room, where a star chef created the finest dishes. Now, a wider range of choices is available. The main restaurant has been divided in two. Atlantide, with its classic and refined style, remains the primary dining space, while next door, a cutting-edge, vibrant space with bold combinations, called Indochine, showcases the most exciting creations of Asian fusion cuisine.
Japanese cuisine is making a big splash, and on the same deck, Seishin, in addition to its sushi bar, offers a world of oriental subtlety. The traditional Le Champagne has given way to Le Dame, the best and most refined signature bistro with a French flair. Although there's a nominal reservation fee, its cuisine is truly remarkable, on par with any trendy restaurant in a major French city.
On deck 8, the former Stars Super Club dinner and show venue is now the sophisticated Silver Notes, offering creative tasting menus. Where I've noticed a major change is in the impressive buffet on deck 7. Admittedly, at night it's still the famous Italian restaurant La Terrazza. Before, it felt somewhat heavy, too traditional, but now it's modern and minimalist, like any trendy land-based gastropub. More island space results in a much more inviting atmosphere. An eclectic Arts Café has also been created, serving as a spot for light bites, with top brands of tea and coffee.
Finally, the Pool Grill, where the famous meat or fish is served on hot rocks at night, has grown and added more tables, as has a new signature pizzeria, Spaccanapoli.
Its outer deck is so spacious that it allows enough room for all its passengers. And that each one always has a hammock.
