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Silver Shadow and her sister, Silver Whisper, will be slightly larger than Silversea's two existing ships, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind. Silver Shadow is 28,258 gross registered tons (Cloud and Wind are each 16,800) and accommodate 388 guests based on double occupancy (Cloud and Wind accommodate 296). she is a small ship and with a space ratio of an astounding 72.8 she feels more like a private yacht. All of the public areas (with the exception of the Observation Lounge) are located in the rear of the ship leaving the forward portion for the suites. This works well as there are no suites that adjoin public areas guaranteeing privacy and a peaceful environment. Additional features on newer ships include a computer center, conference center, including a gorgeous Davidoff Cigar Lounge and Moet Champagne Bar. The newer ships have more Silver and Veranda Suites, larger marble bathrooms, with double vanity and a separate water closet.Larger walk-in closets and expanded The pool, Spa and Fitness Centers and were heavily used during days at sea. One of the best features of Silversea's ships is that the fare, however steep, includes tipping and all beverages. Single, open-seating dining - permitting you to dine when and with whom you please - is the true hallmark of a luxury ship. Her small size allows her to access many ports not readily available to larger ships and this also works in her favor as she offers unique itineraries to out-of-the-way ports not usually visited on most mass-market line itineraries.
Entertainment:
The Athenian Lounge is the main showroom on the Silver Shadow and offers the evening’s production shows and other entertainment on the cruise. Silversea has upgraded the quality of entertainment on its two bigger ships. Lavish floorshows, created by Jean Ann Ryan, are scheduled during each cruise. There's usually one or two small production shows, a magician, comedian and occasionally some local entertainers. It is a smaller theater as ships go but offers a very intimate experience with the entertainers. By sitting in the front rows you feel almost a part of the act and the interaction is wonderful. The Silver Shadow offers a very compact casino with limited slot machines and gaming tables. However, it was heavily used and people seemed to be winning.
The Silver Shadow offers an elaborate library and Internet Café. First, there are a good number of books to choose from that may be taken out at will and there is also an extensive library of video tapes for those that want to watch them in their cabin (all cabins have a VCR) One simply selects the book or tape they would like to enjoy and takes it on the honor system. The cruise line also features a Silver Links golf program that includes onboard lessons from a pro and all arrangements (greens fees, cart, caddie, transfers from the ship) at some of the best courses in the world (from Australia to the Mediterranean).
Public Areas:
Entering the ship you are normally in the Reception Foyer on Deck 5. A crystal chandelier casts a soft glow on the foyer's warm honey-spiced woods and chestnut, umber and ebony hued marbles. The area features groupings of snug and comfortable wing-backed chairs. This is the hub of the ships activity containing the Reception and Shore Excursion desks.
The small casino highlighted by crimson drapes, offers 22 slots, two blackjack tables, and roulette. Just outside sits the cozy Lampadena Bar, named after an Italian drink, and the very pricey Bvlgari Shop and a well-stocked Boutique. The Bar provides a handsome watering hole adorned with velvet garnet and emerald curtains, deep chairs, barstools, and barkeeps who call you by name, and know your drink preferences after one visit.
The Humidor, a cigar lounge; and the adjacent Champagne Bar, both elegant yet homey with wood paneling and brown leather sofas and chairs. The Champagne Bar is a serious wine tasting venue, with bottles of bubbly and vintage wines lining the room. Drop dead gorgeous is the Observation Lounge, with 180 degrees of windows overlooking the sea. The multi-tiered Athenian Show Lounge offers a comfortable venue for lectures, movies and shows. The Restaurant sits alone on Deck 4 nestled under three grand chandeliers. Dramatic glass work, high-back cherry wood chairs and tables set with Frette tablecloths, Christofle silverware and Schott Zweisel crystal provide the perfect showcase for the talented galley chefs. The indoor/outdoor Terrace Cafe, on Deck 7 serves as a spot for buffet breakfasts and lunches, as well as an alternative theme restaurant. The elegant Champagne Bar houses an extensive glassed-in wine cellar and formal mahogany dining tables where complimentary wines and hors d'oeuvres are offered before and after lunch and dinner. The Library is well stocked with magazines, videos and books. Deck 8.
The Computer Center, which seats 5, offers four computer stations and one laptop station with Internet access available to guests anytime day or night, surfing the web for 0.75 cents a minute. The rear of the deck contains the Panorama Lounge, a signature feature on the Silverseas ships. Seating from 162-170 guests the room is designed to reflect the curves of an elegant nautilus shell. The Lounge features a sweeping curved wall of glass that looks out to the sea. In this room guests may enjoy a light continental breakfast by dawn's early light. Afternoon tea is served here with tempting pastries and piano accompaniment. By night the Panorama Lounge becomes a nightclub….the perfect venue for that after-dinner drink and dancing to piano renderings. During our cruise on the Cloud last year we spent at least two hours each evening in this pleasant piano bar.
The Observation Lounge on Shadow is a vast improvement from the Cloud/Wind. On the smaller ships the Observation lounge can only be reached by climbing a flight of steps and walking a good portion of the ship's length outside to reach the room. Shadow has an elevator to the deck and the route to the lounge is all inside climate controlled area.The crowning glory of Deck 10 is a completely redesigned Observation Lounge, perched on the deck above thebridge, this charming room seats 55. With a commanding view of the world, the room looks forward over the bow. Equipped with a radar screen, astronomical maps, binoculars and reference books, old salts and would-be-mariners can monitor the ships course and progress. During the day, a self-service water and juice bar provides refreshments to guests. At night, a full service bar makes this room a popular spot for private functions and cocktail parties. Deck 9 featuring the ship's jogging track overlooking the pool area. The aft section of deck 9 features a delightful small deck area for relaxation, with lounge chairs and tables. Deck 8 features the new Poolside Grille and Bar. The full service bar was featured on the Cloud and Wind. New to the Shadow is the Grille provides barbecue facilities for poolside lunch under the shade of the deck above. The Poolside Grille is sure to be a hub of activity during days at sea. At least once during each cruise Silverseas plans to offer a poolside dinner barbecue featuring Lobster, Swordfish and Steak. The area also features a teak deck for dancing to the band perched on a "stage" on deck above. This area is forward of the large (for a ship of this size) pool and dual whirlpools and twin showers, the entire pool area is surrounded by teak decking. Aft on this deck passengers will find the Library, a quiet enclave where guests may borrow from a wide variety of videos to watch in their suites, hundreds of books, from classics to bestsellers. A complete collection of National Geographic magazines is also available on CD-ROM.
Cuisine:
The ship offers two alternate dining venues: La Champagne and The Terrace Café. Both require reservations, but there is no supplemental charge to dine in either restaurant. However, no wines in La Champagne are complimentary; they must be purchased from the premium wine list. La Champagne offers a menu with few choices -- not quite a set menu, but given that it's a very small room the options are limited. The menu changes every two or three days in La Champagne. The ambiance was that of an intimate restaurant. The food was very, very good. The Terrace Café is adjacent to La Champagne but is a much larger room. The Terrace Café offers the same classic Silversea dining experience as the Restaurant but in a more casual setting. This venue offers different themes each night Italian, French and Asian specialties diligently served by friendly waiters. luncheon buffet in the Terrace Café was only average. The newly created poolside Grill serves hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken breasts, salads and specials of the day. There is also a popular, bustling deck bar. however, room service was always perfectly prepared and tasty.
Service:
The friendly European service crew is highly personalized, attentive, and eager to accommodate virtually any personal request. Service in the restaurants, lounges, suites and throughout the ship is superb - welcoming and highly competent. The staff anticipates your needs and there is extraordinary attention to detail.
Accomodations:
This all-suite ship offers rooms that are slightly larger than her sisters, the minimum-category Vista suite (no balcony) measure 287 sq. ft. From the minimum grade cabin to the very top categories, these staterooms are large, comfortable and very well-equipped. Roughly 80% have private verandas, with glass instead of metal partitions. Welcome additions include twin sinks in the Italian marble bathroom and a separate shower and bathtub. All suites have twin beds that convert to queen, walk-in closets, sitting area with desk, dressing table, hair dryer, a fully stocked mini-fridge, entertainment center with a satellite TV, videocassette player, and extras such as fluffy Frette bathrobes and linens, slippers, Bvlgari toiletries, and personalized stationary. The standard balcony staterooms, Veranda, are 345 sq. ft. The mid-sized Medallion and Silver Suites are perhaps the most popular accommodations. Measuring 521 and 701 square feet respectively, Medallion Suites are slightly smaller versions of the Silver Suite, each suite is fashioned similarly to the Veranda Suite, but offers larger separate living rooms for entertaining friends and more spacious verandas. Designed in part by input from guests, the Medallion Suite fills the niche between the Veranda and Silver Suites giving guests more mid-sized accommodations to enjoy. The largest and most stately accommodations, the Owner's, Grand and Royal Suites range from 1,208 to well over 1,435 square feet. Each of these suites can be reserved in a one or two-bedroom configuration, sleeping up to six quite comfortably. All top suites have Jacuzzi tubs, marble foyer, 51" a plasma-screen TV and a private bar, dining area and huge balcony. Each of these suites can be reserved in a one- or two-bedroom configuration, sleeping up to six quite comfortably.
Spa/Fitness:
The sizable Health Club and Spa wholly occupy Deck 10. The spa features an extensive menu of restorative body therapies combining exotic Balinese traditions with classic techniques. The Mandara spa feature numerous treatment rooms and a fully trained staff. Also on this deck is the Beauty Salon and Fitness center. The Salon features, by appointment, coiffeurs, manicures and pedicures. The Fitness center is the place for fitness enthusiasts. Equipped with circuit weights, state-of-the-art treadmills, stair climbers and stationery bicycles as well as men's/women's steam rooms and dry saunas. Additionally, the changing facilities also feature steam rooms and dry saunas. Located forward of The Spa. There are two whirlpools, a jogging track (9 laps per mile), shuffleboard and a golf cage.
Gratuities:
Silversea covers virtually every little detail, such as your gratuities and port charges. Beverages including wines, champagnes and spirits are served complimentary. The Silversea even treat you to a complimentary shoreside event on many sailings.
Children's Program:
There are no special arrangements for children although they are welcome. aboard baby sitting help can be provided and if requested in advance, diapers, formula, etc. Silversea is unable to accommodate children under one year of age.
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