WONDERFUL WORLD ADVENTURES

Lourae has continued to travel since Randy passed away in July 2014. Check the 2015 World Cruise aboard the Silver Whisper. Then, here are some hints about finding our blogs. Our first trip was in 2011 aboard the Silver Spirit; check November 2011 archives. Our next trip was in 2012 aboard the Silver Explorer; check June 2012 archives. Our third trip was in 2013 aboard the Seabourn Sojourn; check July 2013 archives. Have fun!

Silver Spirit Ship Tour

Hello, all!

It's lots of work going through all of our photos - looking at them all, deciding which ones to keep or delete, editing to make them look better, making movies or slide shows, etc.  Lots of work but also fun as we re-live our adventures.

To start, we thought you would like to hear (and see) more about our cruise ship.  So, we are giving you a tour.  Enjoy!   If you just want a video tour, go to the bottom.

SILVER SPIRIT  is the newest and largest of the 6-ship fleet owned and operated by Silversea.  These elite and intimate ships are specifically designed for fewer guests, featuring more space and the highest levels of personalized service. Silversea is in the 'luxury cruise ship' category providing cruises to over 700 ports in more than 100 countries around the world.  The cruises are 'all-inclusive', meaning that everything is included from all meals, all beverages, 24-hour room service, a personal butler and house keeper, and laundry.  Silver Spirit was built in 2009, with an overall length of 642' and an 86' beam, she holds 540 passengers with approximately 390 crew (approximately 2/3 from the Philippines, the other 1/3 from eastern Europe or elsewhere - more than 24 nationalities).  Passengers receive 'personalized' service everywhere aboard the ship; even name recognition by all crew (the crew are continually tested so they would know every passenger's name).  Almost all of the suites have private verandas

Our home for our 4-month World Cruise was Veranda Suite #912 located on the Pool Deck (forward of the pool); 376 sq feet (roughly 10' by 37').  The suite's cabin space had a curtain divider between sleeping and living space; private veranda with two lounge chairs with ottomans and small table; full bath with separate shower and tub (never used the tub) and vacuum flush toilet (make sure you are not sitting on the toilet when you flush it); walkin closet with small dresser and personal safe.  The space was comfortable, tight in some areas (between foot of bed & vanity and the closet was tight and you should see the contortions the butler made carrying in a large tray for room service); 2 flat-screen TVs built behind the mirrows; in-suite bar and refrigerator stocked with beverages of our choice; Queen bed with selection of 9 pillow types and fresh linens daily; living area with sofa, tables, and desk space; wireless internet access (in our suite and all around the ship); lots of cabinets and shelves; excellent lighting; air conditioning or heat; alarm clock with iPod station, fresh fruit and flowers; luxury accommodations.

SHIP LAYOUT
Deck 3 - access ports for boat tenders, crew quarters
Deck 4 - The Restaurant, Seshin Restaurant, Le Champagne Restaurant
Deck 5 - Reception, The Bar, Shore Concierge, The Theatre (Show Lounge)
Deck 6 - The Spa, The Fitness Center
Deck 7 - The Library, Stars Super Club, La Terraza Restaurant (buffet for breakfast and lunch)
Deck 8 - Boutiques, Casino, Connoisseur Cigar Lounge
Deck 9 - Pool, Pool Grill, Card/Game Room, Panorama Lounge
Deck 10 - Hot Rocks restaurant, jogging track, Bridge and crew quarters
Deck 11 - Observation Lounge


CREW
   Captain Angelo Corsaro has been with Silversea since 1993 and, as the most senior master, he has commanded every ship in the fleet.  He was part of the team for the final construction of Silver Spirit and was honored to be the Silver Spirit's Master for her maiden voyage in 2010 and for our World Cruise 2011.  Angelo is Italian, has a great personality, and knows how to work hise crew and please the passengers.  The Silver Spirit was always 'on time' when under his command.  Captain Corsaro commanded Silver Spirit from Los Angeles to Auckland then again from Dubai to Southampton.
  Captain Marco Sangiacomo joined Silversea in 2000 as Second Officer and has worked his way through numerous positions until appointed Captain in 2004 and has served as Master aboard all of the vessels in the fleet.  A nice Italian man, friendly, played lots of jokes with Fernando (the Cruise Director), and had lots of stories to tell.  Captain Sangiacomo commanded the Silver Spirit from Auckland to Dubai.
  Fernando de Oliveira (Portugese) is Silversea's Senior Cruise Director; has been with Silversea since 1994 with 20 years experience prior to that with other cruise lines; he has been aboard all of the vessels of the fleet.  This man was everywhere and involved in everything; he kept the passengers entertained with his laughter and humor; he made announcements all day long with the latest activities; played the part of King Neptune for Equator Crossing parties; is a wonderful man who knew every passenger's name.
  Soraira de Sant'anna is an International Hostess who has been with Silversea since 2007.  She is Brazilian and speaks seven languages; so, she is great with passengers from all around the world.  A very pretty lady who is pleasant and socialable.  A great salsa dancer.
  Carla de Almeida is an International Hostess who has worked in the cruise industry since 2003.  Also from Brazil, she speaks seven languages, she greets every passenger with her friendly voice and a hug.
  Norman Rafelson was our Hotel Director who was in charge of all Guest Services (meaning he was the leader of all crew, other than navigation staff).  An American from New Jersey, he worked around the world in the hotel industry before joining Silversea.  He was the person to talk to to arrange events or make comments about the crew.

RESTAURANTS
The wine selection was great.  Many wines from around the world.  The head sommilier selected complimentary wines each day but you could always select something else if you preferred.  Or, the Connoisseur's List had a large selection of wines for purchase.

The Restaurant   Sparkling with silver, crystal and candlelight, The Restaurant encircles its guests with sophisticated elegance and impeccable service.  Contemporary, international cuisine is created by talented chefs, and daily menus feature a series of signature dishes created exclusively for Silversea by Relais & Châteaux.  When a 'guest chef' is aboard, the menu offers tastes for that particular region.  This is the main dining room seating 400 passengers which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with new menus everyday; or you can order anything that you want; open seating; no reservations necessary.
  The Restaurant is next to the galley.  At times, they offer a "galley lunch" where the buffet is set up inside the galley; you walk through filling your plate; a waiter then takes your plate and guides you to your table; interesting concept.
  We had breakfast here several times and the place was nearly empty.
  The lunch menu changed daily.  There was always a recommended menu but you could also select a la carte items; here are a few samples:
       Appetizers - Candied Cherry Tomato Timbale, Gratinated Mussels, Voi-au-Vent
       Intermezzo - Chilled Argula Cream, Tagliatelle al Pomodoro, Farmhouse Salad, Rosemary Focaccia
      Entrees - Basted Tom Turkey, Pan-fried Fresh Perch, Shepherd's Pie
  Dinners were delicious.  There was a recommended menu but you could also select a la carte
      Appetizers - Stuffed Artichoke, Caviar and Blinis, Tiger Prawns
      Intermezzo - Mushroom Consomme, Spinach & Strawberry Salad, Herb Parmesan Cannelloni
      Entrees - Lobster Vermicelli, Filet Mignon, Highland Venison, Polenta with Mushrooms

La Terrazza    A divine selection of Italy’s best cuisine is served à la carte in La Terrazza.  Authentic recipes and the freshest ingredients come together with flair and passion — a flavourful expression of Silversea’s distinctive Italian heritage that embraces the principals of Slow Food — fresh, sustainable and locally grown.  Slow Food is an eco-gastronomic concept that began at a grass roots level in reaction to “Fast Food” and is dedicated to proper land stewardship while preserving cultural food traditions.  For example, La Terrazza uses buffalo mozzarella from Naples, organic balsamic vinegar and olive oil from Umbria, and air-dried ham out of Parma.  The Emilia-Romagna region also produces Silversea's 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano, while the pasta is made daily right on board.  La Terrazza is open for casual, buffet-style breakfast and lunch with indoor or al fresco dining on the outdoor terrace.  During the evening, La Terrazza transforms into an à la carte traditional Italian restaurant.  The wait staff is always friendly, efficient, and gracious.  Seating is limited to 100 passengers for dinner so reservations are recommended.
  Breakfast buffet offered anything you wanted from cereal, fresh fruit, hot dishes, smoked salmon, pastries
  Lunch buffet was a selection of salad makings, deli meats & chesses, hot dishes, sushi, breads, desserts
  Dinner menus changed daily were a la carte Italian specialties.

Pool Grill   Casual and convenient, meals and cocktails are served with soft ocean breezes.  Poolside menu options feature healthy CruiseLite selections at breakfast, with light fare for lunch including grilled meats and fresh-from-the-oven pizza; on some occasions, special buffet lunches are offered.   As the stars begin to peek out from a darkening sky, the top deck of the Pool Bar & Grill is transformed into The Grill – an intimate al fresco eatery featuring a fun, interactive Black Rock Grill experience -- a preheated volcanic rock is brought to your table, allowing you to cook such delicacies as steak, veal, pork, lamb, salmon, fish or prawns or lobster exactly to your liking right at your own table.  And what a table it is.  A white linen tablecloth laden with delectable morsels, and every seat with an unmatched ocean view.  The Fix Duo played live music for listening or dancing (although a little too loud).  A popular spot for dinner with seating for 40 passengers, so reservations are necessary.
  We enjoyed dinner at The Grill many times, particularly on 'formal' nights when we didn't want to dress up as the dress code for The Grill was always 'casual'.  When the weather was cold, there were heaters.  If it was raining, the tables were under cover.  When the weather was perfect, the fresh air was refreshing.

Stars Supper Club   The warm and inviting Art Deco-inspired decor of this dining venue elegantly recalls the supper clubs of the 1930s.  Trendsetting menus offer a modern twist, showcasing regional and seasonal delicacies to be enjoyed in a succession of small courses, tapa style.  Arrive early for cocktails and stay late as the mood is transformed by live music, dancing and nightclub-style entertainment. Reservations are required as there is seating for 40 passengers.
  A great place for a late dinner and good live music.  The tapa style dishes were tasty.

Le Champagne  The only Wine Restaurant by Relais & Châteaux at sea can be found aboard the ships of Silversea.  Indulge in an evening where fine wines are complemented by a set tasting menu of regionally inspired dishes in an intimate, elegant setting for only 24 passengers.  An extraordinary six-course delectable gourmet experience (changes nightly) celebrating the world’s most distinguished wine regions. $200 per guest fee with exclusive wines; $30 per guest fee with no wines.
  We never tried this place.  It appeared to be almost empty most nights.

Seishin   is the Japanese word for 'spirit'.  Innovative Asian fusion cuisine, Kobe beef and spider lobster vie for the attention of your tastebuds in this cosy, stylish venue. Seishin features a large, round chef's table as its centerpiece for 12 passengers.  Settle in to the surrounding tables for another 12 passengers and watch the chef at work sculpting fresh sushi and sashimi. The varied menu ranges from exquisite a la carte specialities to a nine-course degustation dinner. $200 per guest fee with exclusive wines; $80 per guest fee with saki wines; $30 per guest fee with no wines.
  We never tried Seishin as we do not care for sushi.


THE BARS
The Bar is located in the Reception lobby area and invites guests to socialize throughout the day over specialty coffees, tapas, and complimentary cocktails with pre-dinner dancing music and light music throughout the evening.  We enjoyed Eric O'Bach who played many old standards and had a good voice.  We requested a few songs early on and always played those requested songs whenever he saw us in The Bar.
Observation Lounge and Bar is the ideal place for scenic days at sea; this vantage point far forward and high atop the ship is perfect for that “king of the world” feeling.  There is a coffee bar in the early morning, Friends of Bill W gatherings,  and canapes & drinks for sunset.  We spent almost every early evening with our friends here - sunsets, port departures, or meet before dinner.
Panorama Lounge  is specially designed to provide an uninterrupted view of the day’s destination from the comfort of the ship’s interior. This is an ideal place to unwind, enjoy afternoon tea, listen to the pianist and watch the setting sun. The drinks are complimentary; the music live and inviting; enjoy dancing to a range of musical styles for every taste from standards to the latest club mixes.   Outside, the open-air patio with comfortable seating and sun beds for two are covered by a retractable awning.  We loved the sunbeds!
Pool Bar is open all day providing waiter or self service throughout the pool deck.
Connoisseur’s Corner offers exceptional cognacs along with a premium selection of cigars for purchase.

DRESS ATTIRE
Formal
   Ladies - evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or dress pantsuits
   Men - tuxedo, dinner jackets, or dark suits with tie
Informal
   Ladies - dresses or pantsuits
   Men - jackets (tie optional)
Casual
   Ladies - dresses or pants and blouses
   Men - sport shirts and slacks

ENTERTAINMENT
Enjoy a broad spectrum of entertainment — from full-scale production shows and classical soloists, to cultural entertainment, and feature films.  A variety of live music is played throughout the day and throughout the ship.  Request your favorite songs in The Bar or dance the night away in the Panorama Lounge where the music varies from classic tunes to today’s popular hits.
   The production shows were "cute", not necessarily Broadway quality, but OK (once).  The dancers were young, good at what they do, having fun; they also performed small shows on the pool deck for special occasions.  The 'permanent' performers, Silver Spirit Trio (3 musicians from Romania), The Fix Duo (Asian couple with electric piano and songs sung using a computer the give the lady the lyrics), Eric O'Bach (Philippino singer pianist), Amadeus (Polish pianist).

ACTIVITIES
Fitness Centre is equipped with free weights, weight machines, state-of-the-art treadmills, elliptical trainers and recumbent and upright bicycles; classes in aerobics, yoga, Pilates and circuit training are led by the onboard fitness trainer and are always complimentary. Personal training, body composition analysis and specialty classes are available at an additional charge.  The area was tight; quickly got overheated when more than 6 people were in the area; was busy in the morning but empty the rest of the day.
  The Spa   Relax, rejuvenate and renew all your senses.  At 8,300 square feet, The Spa is a sanctuary of pure bliss, featuring floor-to ceiling windows, nine treatment rooms, indoor/outdoor relaxation areas, and an outdoor whirlpool.  Indulge in a wide range of invigorating therapies including facials, body wraps and massages. The ceramic-tiled Thermal Suite is an exclusive spa area furnished with heated lounge chairs.  With its connecting private Hammam (Turkish bath) Chamber, it serves as the setting for the Private Hammam Experience, one of several unique Silver Spirit treatments.  Appointments for chargeable services.  Men’s and women’s saunas and steam rooms are perfect for relaxing before your spa treatment or after your workout.  And an outdoor relaxation area offers bar service so you can enjoy a complimentary fruit smoothie, champagne or cocktail while soaking in the expansive spa whirlpool.
Beauty Salon provides a full range of salon services for both men and women including hairstyling, manicures and pedicures. Appointments for these chargeable services.
Boutiques featuring designer collections and duty-free shopping, the onboard Boutiques offer a selection of jewellery, fashions, perfumes and Silversea logo items.  Shops are closed while in port and on occasion due to local government regulations.  Toiletries and convenience items are also available for purchase.
Casino  Roulette, blackjack and slot machines are available in The Casino for guests 18 years or older.  If you are a novice, come to the champagne reception and learn all the games offered aboard.  Gaming lessons are offered.
Library has an extensive selection of hardcover books, magazines, reference materials and newspapers, as well as audio listening stations.  Passengers can participate in 'book exchange.  Full internet work stations are available for passengers to Email friends and family back home or surf the web for a nominal fee. CD burners, headphones, digital camera media readers, and complimentary black and white laser printing are also available.
Show Lounge   Applaud a broad spectrum of entertainment — from full-scale production shows and classical soloists, to cultural entertainment and feature films. Throughout your voyage, the Show Lounge also presents port talks, enrichment lectures and a variety of special events.
Other Options   An Ocean Of Options - Afternoon Tea; Bingo; Board Games; Bridge Tours; Card Games; Culinary Demonstrations; Dance Classes; Destination Seminars; Enrichment Lectures; Exercise Classes; Galley Tours; Golf Putting; Matinee Movies; Power Walks; Shuffleboard; Team Trivia; Towel Folding Lessons; Water Volleyball; Wine Tastings.  There was always something to do.


VIDEO --
Here is a link to Picasa for a video of our Ship Tour.  Just click on the link and it goes directly to Picasa and starts the video.  You may want to STOP the video, let it load some, move the cursor back to the start, click for FULL SCREEN (at the far right), then PLAY.
  We hope that you enjoy our tour.


https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111994370383291023211/album/AF1QipNjFFIWbmpWye2rJgJ6sZ_-Rdjx9R_A36cJaVP8/AF1QipNp0Vevkxy2KU6xoAKvHeoiiaQNpHAJd2AqX3-N?authKey=CKmHxZz19dCvnwE

If clicking on the link does not work, just copy and paste --- highlight the link data, RIGHT CLICK, select COPY, put your cursor in your internet search box, RIGHT CLICK, select PASTE and the video should start automatically.
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If you really want to see more stuff about the Silver Spirit, you can always go to  www.silversea.com

NOW, "Stay Tuned In"  as we will start posting more details, photos, videos shortly for each voyage of our cruise.


Best wishes to all,  Lourae and Randy

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