Luxury Cruising Down Under
by David Rottenberg

Ultimate luxury has always been one of my fantasies. I don’t mean the kind where someone peels my grapes. I’ve just always wanted to feel well taken care of, pampered. Then I took an 11-day cruise on the Silver Shadow, an ultra-luxury vessel operated by Silversea Cruises.

This small, exclusive line is privately owned by the Lefebvre family of Rome, former owners of Sitmar Cruises. They foster a high standard of service and hospitality. Founded in 1994, the line is now celebrating its tenth anniversary with special cruise programs featuring many of the world’s best chefs and winemakers.

I’m an experienced traveler. I’ve been on many cruise ships and have visited five-star properties all over the world. Yet I’ve never had as satisfying an experience as I’ve enjoyed on this trip.

It began in Auckland, New Zealand. I arrived the week before to tour parts of this beautiful country, experience the hospitality of its friendly people, and learn about Maori culture. “You’re going to enjoy your fellow passengers,” a woman in front said, as we waited for embarkation. “This is my fifth cruise with Silversea and it gets better every time. We’ve made some wonderful friends on past trips,” she added confidently. We were going to travel the Bay of Islands in northern New Zealand, then cross the Tasman Sea to Sydney, Australia, then north to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, making select stops along the way.

The Silver Shadow was berthed at the dock, a long, white, gleaming floating world. With room for only 325 passengers, the vessel is large enough for comfort and small enough for personal service. Embarkation processing was amazingly fast and I was soon led, champagne glass in hand, to my accommodations — the loveliest cabin I’ve ever had on board a ship.

The Silver Shadow is an all-suites vessel. Even the smallest cabin is large and comfortably appointed, with lots of room for living as well as sleeping. My cabin, in the silver series, was over 700 square feet. It had a living room, separate dining room, and a desk work area with reference books already lining the shelves. The bedroom held a huge, king size bed. The bath was marble, stocked with expensive Bvlgari soaps and shampoos, and had both a stall shower and a Jacuzzi tub. A huge walk-in closet was there for my clothing and a combination safe for all my valuables. After looking around, I didn’t think I’d ever want to leave.

A veranda outside two large sliding glass doors that ran the entire length of the room was an ideal place for private sunning and relaxation. Two TVs played movies and programming throughout the day. A stereo and CD player were mounted on the wall in the dining room, along with a book of 10 CDs of relaxing music. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, an attendant entered carrying a bottle of champagne and a tray full of canapés.

Of course, in addition to luxury and relaxation, cruising is also all about dining — the sea air really stimulates the appetite. Meals are available at a large buffet or by menu in The Restaurant, a beautifully ornate room with a stunning view of the ocean off the bow of the vessel. Hamburgers and salads are served poolside in the afternoons. Should one somehow manage to grow hungry, room service is available 24 hours a day. Well-stocked bars dispense wonderfully mixed drinks at most day and early evening hours.

There is also a special dining room, by reservation only, where meals are prepared to the recipes of well-known Michelin 2-star chefs. I ate there twice, enjoying different flavors and cuisines each time, paired with outstanding wine selections. Dress is usually casual except at formal nights or special dinners during the cruise.

A Silversea cruise program is different from other cruise lines in several very important ways. First, the cruise is all inclusive — there are no hidden charges. Even unlimited top quality vintage wines and liquor are included in the price.

Second, there is no tipping. Gian Carlo Rossi, the hotel manager in charge of all guest services on board, says, “We train our staff to provide outstanding service without having to negotiate for a tip at the end of the stay. We pay them well enough without it.” The policy works. Most crew members I contacted made an effort to remember my name. My cabin was kept meticulously clean and well stocked every day with fresh fruit, drinks, and canapés.

Third, there was only one seating for dinner and it was open seating — there are no assigned tables or seats. Emanuel Vitale, the maitre d’ who seemed to know everyone by name, told me, “We want our guests to enjoy their vacation. We don’t want them to have to be anywhere at a certain time or to sit where they don’t enjoy it.”

Fourth, guests can create their own custom cruises. Silversea vessels don’t shuttle back and forth between two points, like the Los Angeles-Mexican Riviera run. Rather, they meander all over the globe, seeking out interesting ports of call. Since they are smaller ships, they can often dock where larger ships cannot enter. Guests can hop on board and disembark where they wish along the ship’s stops, paying only a reasonable per-diem charge for their trip.

Our cruise was spectacular. The Bay of Islands were gorgeous, small green islands dotting the sea serviced by fleets of small sailing vessels. Sydney was urbane and cosmopolitan, moving aggressively into the 21st century. Newcastle was a bustling industrial city and enthralling gateway to the Hunter Valley wine country and gardens. Snorkeling in the middle of the ocean on the Great Barrier Reef was an eye-opening adventure that underscored humanity’s need to preserve our environment. Hayman Island was a tempting playground of the rich and famous. Thomasville and Cairns felt like pioneering towns in stages of growth and development.
Throughout the trip, I enjoyed beautiful accommodations, wonderful cuisine, and amazing personal service and pampering. I can hardly wait to do it again.

For further information about special 10th anniversary sailings or future cruises, call 800/722-9955 or visit www.silverseacruises.com.