Committed to elegance, luxury and gracious hospitality, Silversea Cruises is the "Ultra Plus" in the elite cruise domain. Their promise is to always go above and beyond. Their passion is to exceed your expectations. Their reward is achieving excellence in your eyes. "Faultless"!

Silversea offers flexible "Personalized Voyages" where guests choose the length of their voyage and ports of embarkation and disembarkation. Prices are based on a simple daily rate. For as little as US$100 per person, guests on all ships may embark earlier than the standard 3PM and disembark as late as 5PM.

Atmosphere:

Genuinely hospitable, and sociable with the emphasis on excellence. Each and every special touch is introduced with such style and finesse you'll quickly feel like a preferred member of the world's most intimate country club. A ceremonious white gloves greeting and flute of chilled champagne welcomes you. Available in your suite is Bvlgari toiletries and plush robes. Placed on your pillow, Godiva chocolates.

Service:

Silversea's mission is to deliver guest comfort and benefits at a level unparalleled in the hospitality industry. Which is why the crew to guest ratio is (1.34:1). Expect to be treated with loving care with your space and privacy respected (there is no ship photographer to insist upon a pose). Dining staff is handpicked from the very best hotels and restaurants. Gratuities are not required.

Accommodations:

All accommodation is in ocean-view suites (80% with private teak verandas). Beautifully appointed with a rare degree of finesse and refinement, every suite features a marbled bath with a full-size tub (double sinks on Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper). There are seven different types of suites ranging in size from 240 square feet (Vista Suite) up to 1400 square feet (Grand Suites).

All suites include Bvlgari soaps and lotions, continuously restocked cocktail cabinets, direct dial phones, TV/VCR, personalized stationery, private safe, refrigerator, sitting area with desk, terry cloth robes, walk-in closet. Larger suites have living areas, and some offer two bedrooms and two bathrooms with jacuzzis, and even two or three verandas. The sky is the limit! For families and friends, there is the opportunity to travel in separate suites yet share a semi-private deck area.

The emphasis on excellence is shown to impressive effect in the sumptuous furnishings and fine appointments in majestic suites like no other. Spacious, classic sanctuaries, over 80% have teak verandas. Selection ranges from the 240 square foot Vista Suite through to the pinnacle of good living - the Royal, Grand and Owner's Suites. The latter three suite styles were designed for those whose standards for luxury are higher than most. Guests enjoy such perquisites as afternoon canap?s, valet service, complimentary laundry, and dinner at the Officer's Table (on Silver Shadow? and Silver Whisper?, a plasma TV and Bang & Olufsen sound system join two other TV/VCR combinations). Fresh flowers and a bottle of prestigious, award-winning Philipponnat champagne await all suite arrivals.

Dining:

Accompanied by an extensive selection of fine wines certain to amuse the palate of the most discriminating connoisseur, dining is a wondrously engaging affair with an open seating policy where guests dine with companions of their choice at the time they prefer. In the intimate Le Champagne (Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper) and Saletta (Silver Cloud and Silver Wind) guests will relish an incomparable gastronomic experience under the culinary eye of Joachim Koerper, chef-owner of Spain's Relais & Chateaux - Relais Gourmands Michelin Two-Star Restaurant Girasol. Oenophiles and gourmands might wish to arrange a private dinner in Saletta or Le Champagne where a personalized menu is crafted by Silversea's Executive Chef and Head Sommelier (an additional charge will apply).

Entertainment:

In The Bar, music is live and the dance floor beckons as it does in The Panorama Lounge where favorite songs of yesterday and today invite you onto the spacious floor (select voyages feature gentlemen dance hosts). The Show Lounge presents a full spectrum of colorful shows, and the stylish casino, alive with energy, is reminiscent of the Riviera.

On Silver Whisper and Silver Shadow the "fine art of the smoke" can be practiced in The Humidor where the finest cigars and cognacs may be enjoyed (created by Davidoff it has a dedicated ventilation system). The elegant, refined Champagne Room is the perfect venue for a glass of bubbly. On many itineraries a complimentary shoreside excursion is featured for your interest - "The Silversea Experience."

Public Rooms and Facilities:

Silver Cloud and Silver Wind: The Restaurant, The Terrace Cafe, Saletta, The Panorama Lounge, The Bar, The Show Lounge, Mandara Spa, Fitness Centre, Beauty Salon, pool, pool bar, Internet Point, boutique, jewelry boutique, casino and card room, library, launderette. Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper also have a Davidoff Humidor, poolside grille, Le Champagne, Observation Lounge, and Bvlgari Gallery.

A Specialty Cruise For Everyone! Experience Cultural Feasts, Fine Wines, And Pro Golf Excursions With Class

Culinary Cruises:

Choose a Silversea culinary cruise and experience a cultural feast of the lands visited. Each of these selected itineraries features the Epicurean artistry of acclaimed chefs of Relais & Ch?teaux-Relais Gourmands. These rising stars of the culinary world will offer entertaining and educational cooking demonstrations and prepare a lavish five-course gourmet meal.

Wine Series Cruises:

On select voyages, explore the world's fine wines. Enjoy excursions to vineyards, lectures and tasting guided by top experts and wine makers. Guests will taste exceptional wines on board and ashore.

Silver Links? 365 Golf Series:

On every voyage on Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper, hone your game with personal lessons from a PGA-classed pro utilizing the latest V1 video-computer technology. Also, join our pro for escorted excursions to play in most ports.

The Silversea Experience?:

On many itineraries Silversea features a complimentary shoreside excursion designed to increase your understanding and enjoyment of the people and places visited.

Personalized Voyages:

Silversea's Personalized Voyages now aboard all ships gives guests the flexibility and convenience of creating their own luxury cruise vacation. Guests choose the length of their voyage, port of embarkation and disembarkation.

Silversea Reassurance Program:

Guests who cancel their cruise for any reason up to the last minute will receive 100% cruise credit on a future cruise.

Past Guest Benefits Silversea Venetian Society?:

From the moment you complete your first Silversea cruise, you become part of a special family of friends - the Venetian Society - an extraordinary assembly of travellers who enjoy seeing the world in luxurious fashion while receiving exclusive members-only benefits and privileges.

Additional Benefits and Complimentary Cruises for Members:

To thank you for returning to Silversea (again and again!) they offer guests who have sailed 100 days or more an additional 5% savings on any future cruise. For 250 days, guests receive 10% savings. Reach the prestigious 350-day milestone and Silversea will reward you with a complimentary 7-day cruise. At the 500-day milestone, a complimentary 14-day cruise is yours to enjoy! After the 500-day milestone, earn a 7-day cruise for every additional 150 days sailed. Benefits are subject to change, so be sure to read the Silversea's member updates.

The Silversea Fleet:

Sleek and exquisitely appointed Silver Whisper, Silver Shadow (28,000 tons), Silver Cloud and Silver Wind (17,000 tons), narrow the gap between ocean-liner and small ship cruising. Offering all-inclusive convenience, the very personal pleasures and ultra-luxurious elegance of a private yacht, the amenities of a country club and the sumptuous furnishings, fine appointments and service of a premier hotel. Smaller, they are able to venture into a wider range of ports including cozy harbours and remote hideaways never accessible by the mega-ships, yet they still provide ample comfort and stability for a cruise on the seven seas. All ships proudly execute Silversea's mission to deliver guest comforts and benefits unrivalled in the cruise industry. (Silver Cloud and Silver Wind were refurbished in 2003/2004).

About the author: William Lezubski (Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC), and Certified Travel Counsellor(CTC) - William is a professional in the Travel Industry and is the owner and author of "Discount Caribbean Vacations Web Site" available at http://www.discount-caribbean-vacations.com A great source for Cruise information, and top Cruise Suppliers offering Discounted Caribbean Cruises, and Caribbean cruise specials all in one convenient location!