Silversea Silver Spirit Food & Wine Review with Slideshow

Whenever friends get together to talk about recent vacations, the conversation inevitably ends up revolving around food and wine. For us, dining experiences often define a voyage and if the food and wine don't make the cut, we won't sail with that cruise line again. I'm happy to say that we thoroughly enjoyed all of the restaurants we sampled aboard Silversea Silver Spirit. (See our Silversea Silver Spirit food and wine photo gallery here.)

There are six distinct dining spots on the ship:

1. The Restaurant
   the main restaurant, no reservations required, indoor on Deck 4
   
   
2. La Terrazza
   reservations required, buffet breakfast and lunch, afternoon tea, and an a la carte Italian dinner, indoor/outdoor on Deck 7
   
   
3. Hot Rocks at the Pool Grill
   reservations required, dinner only, outdoor on Deck 10
   
   
4. Le Champagne
   reservations required, specialty restaurant with an additional pp charge,
   indoor on Deck 4
   
   
5. Seishin
   reservations required, specialty restaurant with an additional pp charge,
   indoor on Deck 4
   
   
6. Stars
   "foodatainment", a supper club with a tapas menu, indoor on Deck 7

Our cruise was just about sold out so it was important to book dining reservations the moment we boarded. We did so with the maitre d' at La Terrazza. We were able to secure reservations for La Terrazza, Seishin, Le Champagne, and two nights at Hot Rocks. We spoke with a few travelers who didn't book right away and weren't able to get into either of the specialty restaurants.


The Restaurant

This spacious main dining room on Deck 4 is beautiful and the menus, designed exclusively for Silversea by Relais & Chateaux, will make your mouth water. Here's an example:

Marbled Foie Gras and Leek Terrine with Perigord Truffle Vinaigrette

Spiced Lobster Medallion with Mango, Pear, and Sun-Dried Tomato, Jamaican Pepper Oil, and Orange Confit

Baby Chicken with Spinach and Foie Gras Stuffing

Reservations are not required and it was just as easy to get a table for two as it was to dine with others at dinner. This is the most formal dining area on the ship and it seemed quite popular on both formal nights (there were two during our seven-night Adriatic itinerary). We dined at The Restaurant twice and were pleased with the food. The Restaurant also serves a la carte breakfast and lunch.

Restaurant Manager: Hedi Karoui
Executive Chef: Jerome Foussier
Head Sommelier: Marjan Tasevski

Breakfast (a la carte) is served 8:00–9:30 a.m.; lunch (a la carte) is served 12:30–2:00 p.m.; dinner (a la carte) is served 7:00–9:30 p.m.


La Terrazza

Most people I spoke with during our cruise loved the atmosphere and food at La Terrazza. I have to agree. This restaurant, located aft on Deck 7, offers both indoor and outdoor seating. We lingered over several lunches and dinners on the outdoor deck of La Terrazza. The waiters are excellent at this spot and were very helpful in explaining the specials and the particulars of what was in each sauce, etc.

You'll find extensive buffets at both breakfast and lunch. Breakfast was the weakest meal of the day for me because most of the dishes featured eggs and meat—neither of which are items I usually indulge in for breakfast. The pastry selection was good but a bit too sugary for so early in the morning. A nice selection of breads, cereals, yogurt, fruit, and nuts was always available.

Lunch always featured a variety of salads, sushi, sandwiches, and pastas along with a carving station and an "Oriental' specialty of the day:

Carving Station Selections at Lunch

Kansas strip

salmon

guinea fowl

leg of lamb

leg of venison


"Oriental" Specialty of the Day

Chili Beef and Basil Stir-Fry with Jasmine Rice

Thai Seafood and Vegetable Stir-Fry with Coriander, Lime, and Lemongrass Sauce

Indian Chicken Korma Curry with Basmati Rice

Shrimp Adobo with Coconut Sauce and Basmati Rice

Chicken Chow Mein

Teriyaki Chicken with Soba Noodles

The dessert buffet at La Terrazza is something to behold. You'll find dozens of assorted cakes, pies, pastries, and cookies in addition to a cheese cart, fruit, and ice cream. Definitely save room because there's bound to be something on display that will tempt you!

If you're too full for dessert after lunch, come back to La Terrazza for traditional afternoon tea later in the day.

Breakfast buffet is served 7:00–10:00 a.m., lunch buffet is served noon–2:15 p.m., afternoon tea is served 3:45–4:45 p.m., and an Italian a la carte dinner is served 7:00–9:00 p.m.


Hot Rocks at the Pool Grill

Located outdoors on Deck 10, directly above the Pool Grill, Hot Rocks is a special evening spent under the stars. We loved this intimate spot for dinner and ate here twice. We would have gone for a trifecta, but we couldn't get reservations for an additional night! Here you'll be able to watch the sun set while you enjoy tortillas and guacamole before moving on to the salad course.

The real fun starts though when your entree arrives. It will be sizzling on a hot stone imported from South Africa. The kitchen has only just seared the meat you ordered, so you'll continue to cook your entree on the stone until it reaches your desired level of done-ness. (Don't worry, your waiter will be on hand if you need assistance.) You'll then transfer your meat (or fish or shrimp) to a cutting board with a vegetable skewer and baked potato.

Hot Rocks serves Sterling Silver premium meats and the menu includes things like filet mignon, rib eye, pork chops, lamb chops, fish, and shrimp. (Your waiter will give you a bib to wear depending on what you ordered since some items splatter more than others while cooking on the hot rock.)

There are three desserts on the menu: white and dark chocolate mousse (delicious!), apple pie a la mode, and a selection of ice creams.

Many travelers we talked with missed this dining opportunity so be sure to make reservations as soon as you board. We met our favorite waiter, Andrew, here and all of the waiters were excellent.

Restaurant Manager: Antonio
Head Waiter: Robert

Dinner is served 7:00–9:00 p.m., weather permitting. Reservations are required. This restaurant can accommodate 60 guests per evening.


Le Champagne

Wine aficionados gravitate to Silver Spirit's specialty restaurant Le Champagne. This Relais & Chateaux experience pairs fine wines with a six-course meal. Guests may reserve dinner at this restaurant for $30 per person plus a $200 per person charge for the vintage wines. No complimentary wines are served at Le Champagne so if you wish to drink vino with your meal, you must purchase the $200 wine package.

The menus changed each day and always appealed to me. Here's a sample:

North American Delight Menu

New World Appetizers

Maple-Glazed New England Duck Salad with Crispy Green Beans and Corn Flake Toping

Fresh Main Lobster

Roasted Prime Rib of Kansas Beef with Idaho Potato and Onion Cake

New York-Style Cheesecake with Strawberry-Mint Sorbet

Mr. Thorel's Waters & Mr. Marcolini's Macaroons

Restaurant Manager: Hedi Karoui
Sommelier: Sylvain Acolas

Dinner served 7:30–9:00 p.m. Reservations required.


Seishin

Seishin is Silver Spirit’s specialty Asian restaurant, which offers three degustation menus. The surcharge is $30 per person. The menu changes nightly but many items, like the sashimi platter and spider crab roll, are served several times during a cruise.

I am not a fan of sushi but wanted to give it one more try at a restaurant that has received rave reviews. Well, I’m still not a sushi fan, but I could tell that the ingredients used at Seishin were of high quality. The spider crab roll and wagyu beef were my favorite courses.

The waitstaff is excellent and the intimate restaurant, which seats fewer than 30 guests, is lovely. Japanese beers and sake are also available.

Seishin Teaser I
Silversea Sashimi Platter with Traditional Condiments
Waterpaper Roll of Spider Crab
Tiger Prawn Tempura with Japanese Chili Sauce
Green Tea Sorbet


Seishin Teaser II

Silversea Sashimi Platter with Traditional Condiments
“Game Hen” with Teriyaki Sauce
Signature Tepan Grilled Wagyu Beef with Wasabi and Natural Flavors
Green Tea Sorbet


Nine-Course Seishin Menu

Seishin Signature Cavier Sorbet
Assorted Sushi with Traditional Condiments
Tuna Sashimi with Prune Jam
Marinated Clams
Petrossian Caviar with a Moist Green Asparagus Flan
Crispy Grilled Sea Bream with Pistachio Butter
Royal Crab with Mango Tartare
Signature Tepan Grilled Wagyu Beef with Wasabi and Natural Flavors
Seishin’s Signature Red Bean Sorbet

Dinner served 7:00–9:00 p.m. Reservations required.

Stars
The final dinner option aboard Silver Spirit is Stars, on Deck 7 near La Terrazza. Alas, we did not make time to dine here so we can't tell you much about it. Here's how Silversea describes Stars:

Stars is neither a dining room nor a restaurant. Stars is "foodatainment—modern in presentation and taste. The bites go hand in hand with the entertainment. Funky food with jazzy music. The flavors of the dishes are inspired by the five corners of the world we sail and presented all on dish sensitive crockery, making every taste a new discovery.

Sounds interesting! We did talk with several couples who loved the supper club concept. This restaurant is limited to 26 guests, so you'll need to make reservations.

Dinner served from 8:30–11:00 p.m. Reservations required.


If you love food as much as we do, you'll probably be interested in our Silversea Silver Spirit food and wine photo gallery devoted to the meals we enjoyed aboard the ship. Also have a look at my June 15th post, Fine Wines Aboard Silver Spirit, which lists the complimentary and cellar wines that were served during our Venice to Athens cruise.

I'd love to hear about your favorite Silversea dining experiences. Click "comments" to share your thoughts.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Three Must-Have Travel Accessories for Your Next Trip

If you travel a lot, you probably have a few "can't live without" items permanently stowed in your luggage. Maybe it's a multicolored scarf that accents almost any outfit, a pair of polarized sunglasses, or set of electrical plug converters. For me, there a few travel accessories that I don't leave home without.

Don't Leave Home Without These Travel Accessories

See No Vino—I can't tell you how many times there's been a wine "incident" on an airplane or cruise ship. And, of course, the spill always seems to be red wine and not white! Magellan's sells a product called See No Vino that has saved several pieces of our clothing. This two-ounce bottle is filled with a biodegradable citrus spray that helps to dissolve stains while they're still wet. It's definitely worth it to have a bottle of this on hand!




Joby Gorillamobile Tripod—If you've got an iPhone or other mobile device, the Joby Gorillamobile tripod is a must. You'll use this on the airplane, in your hotel room, and on the road. We use it to hold our iPhone while we watch movies or set the phone to clock mode in our cruise cabin. The tripod will also accommodate a small camera, like my Canon PowerShot S800 (although Joby sells a variety of these tripods that are meant for cameras of all types). The tripod's legs are bendable, so you can set it up almost anywhere—even wrap it around a tree branch!


Chimes Ginger Chews—If my travel plans include a cruise, I also throw a bag of Chimes all-natural ginger chews. These bite-size candies are both spicy and sweet (they're covered in fine powdered sugar). These are a refreshing pick-me-up and the ginger settles the stomach when sea sickness comes calling. These Indonesian candies—which are available in the United States at stores like Whole Foods, Longs Drugs, and Walmart—come in a variety of other flavors too. Try peppermint, mango, orange, and peanut butter.

What are your can't-live-without travel accessories? Let me know!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of Magellan's, Joby, and Chimes.

Cocktail of the Day Aboard Silversea Silver Spirit

I'm a teetotaler and don't generally take advantage of the libations aboard all-inclusive cruise ships. However, Silversea Silver Spirit bartenders mix up some fine cocktails that tempt even me!

Silversea features a "cocktail of the day," which is usually described in the daily Chronicles newsletter that your butler leaves in your suite each evening.

Here are the drinks highlighted on our cruise from Venice to Athens last week:

Silver Spirit
St. Germaine, Gin Plymouth, Sauvignon Blanc, and Lime

Metropolitan
Kurrant Vodka, Triple Sec, Cranberry Juice, and Lime

Corsaro's
Campari and Martini Bianco

Silversea Caipirinha
Cachaca with Muddled Lime and Sugar

Bolero
Light Rum, Apple Pucker, and Sweet Vermouth

Bellini
Prosecco, Peach Liquer, Peach Nectar, and Champagne

If the cocktail of the day isn't up your alley, just talk with your bartender and he'll suggest something based on your personal preferences.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Fine Wines Aboard Silversea Silver Spirit

Silversea is an all-inclusive luxury cruise line that prides itself on serving a wide range of complimentary wines as well as offering a special "Connoisseur's Wine List" for travelers who wish to purchase alternative wines in the lounges and restaurants.

The complimentary pours during last week's Silversea's Silver Spirit voyage from Venice to Athens were excellent. In fact, the selection was among the best we've sampled at sea. (Seabourn and SeaDream sommeliers also put together very appealing complimentary wine lists.)

Here's a snapshot of the wines onboard Silver Spirit last week:

Complimentary Reds

• Castle Rock, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 (Paso Robles, California)
• Chateau Cros Lagraviere, 2007 (Graves, Bordeaux, France)
• Chateau Lousteau, Medoc, 2007 (Bordeaux, France)
• Cote du Rhone, Domaine Bastide, Moillard, 2006 (Rhone Valley, France)
• Gavius, Castello di Gabiano, Monferrato Rosso, D.O.C., 2006 (Piedmont, Italy)
• Havens Merlot, 2006 (Napa Valley, California)
• Pinotage Man Vineyards, 2007 (Coastal, South Africa)

Complimentary Whites

• Chateau La Fleur de Bellevue Premieres, 2008 (Cote de Blaye, Bordeaux, France)
• Conundrum, 2008 (Napa Valley, California)
• Hugel Gentil, 2007 (Alsace, France)
• Manzoni Bianco Campodipietra, I.G.T., 2008 (Veneto, Italy)
• Pellegrini Sauvignon Blanc, Leveroni Vineyard, 2007 (Lake County, USA)
• Sauvignon Blanc Porcupine Ridge, 2008 (Cape of Good Hope, South Africa)
• Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Santa Alicia, 2006 (Maipo Valley, Chile)

Connoisseur's Wine List—Reds (extra fee)

• Arzuaga, Gran Reserva Arzuaga, 2002 (Valladolid, Spain) = $249
• Chateau Canon, Premier Grand Cru Classe, 2001 (Saint-Emilion, France) = $224
• Cos D'Estournel, Grand Cru Classe, 2005 (Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France) = $329
• Joseph Phelps, Insignia, 2005 (Napa Valley, California) = $235
• Robert Mondavi, Opus 1, 2003 (Napa Valley, California) = $201
• Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia D.O.C., 2005 (Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy) = $225

Connoisseur's Wine List—Whites (extra fee)

• Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 (Marlborough, New Zealand) = $40
• Domaine de Chevallier, Blanc de Chateau, 2006 (Bordeaux, France) = $160
• Domaine Laporte, Sancerre La Comtesse, 2006 (Loire, France) = $45
• Jermann, Vintage Tunina, 2007 (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy) = $50
• Louis Jadot, Chassagne, Montrachet Premier Cru, Morgeot Duc de Magenta, 2006 (Burgundy, France) = $70
• Louis Latour Corton, Charlemagne Grand Cru, 2006 (Burgundy, France) = $180

Travelers may enjoy these wines in all Silver Spirit restaurants and lounges. If you love fine wines and good food, Silversea is a good match for you.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Leonard Hospidor

Media Coverage of Yachts of Seabourn's New Seabourn Sojourn

While I was in Venice last week boarding Silversea's Silver Spirit, the Yachts of Seabourn was busy launching its newest vessel, Seabourn Sojourn, on the River Thames in London. All accounts of the inauguration agree that the cruise line put together an amazing celebration.

The event, which took place on a fantastic summer day, included an appearance by Sojourn's godmother, supermodel Twiggy and was capped off with an extravagant fireworks display.

The ship is the second of a trio of 450-passenger mega-yachts. Like its predecessor Odyssey, Sojourn is sure to draw both existing Seabourn fans as well as new cruisers.

Here are a few "don't miss" accounts of the naming ceremony and details about the ship in general:

Avid Cruiser's Excellent YouTube Video Tour of Seabourn Sojourn




USA Today's Seabourn Sojourn Photo Essay

A Travel Agent's Take on Seabourn Sojourn—This Is My Yacht Blog

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Regent Seven Seas Cruises to Raise Fares on July 1, 2010

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced that it will raise cruise fares on many voyages as of July 1, 2010. Complimentary shore excursions will still be included in the fare for all cruises along with free roundtrip air on certain itineraries.

Book 2-for-1 fares before the end of June and you can realize solid savings on several dozen itineraries. Especially good fares include...

September 15, 2010 aboard Seven Seas Navigator
18-night
Seward, Alaska–Beijing, China
$8,775 per person ($487 per diem)

November 20, 2010 aboard Seven Seas Mariner
13-night voyage
Mahe, Seychelles–Cape Town, South Africa
$8,499 per person ($653 per diem)

November 30, 2010 aboard Seven Seas Voyager
7-night voyage
Fort Lauderdale–Fort Lauderdale
$3,865 per person ($552 per diem)

To learn more about Regent's rate increase, talk with your travel agent or contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of Navigator courtesy of Regent Seven Seas

Hvar, Croatia Highlights Aboard Silversea Silver Spirit

The island of Hvar, Croatia was our favorite port on this Eastern Mediterranean cruise with Silversea's Silver Spirit. The little villages were so quaint and the landscape was resplendent with wildflowers, lavender fields, and olives groves. The bumble bee and butterfly population was also impressive!

We took Silversea's Hvar Off-Road Tour and loved it. Three vehicles holding four passengers and a driver each spent four hours exploring the island.

There were many photo stops and the guide gave us a solid primer of Croatian history. Here are some of the points of interest we visited...

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Silversea Silver Spirit Visits Trieste, Italy

On Monday, Silversea Silver Spirit called on Trieste, Italy. This lovely little town retains much of its Austrian heritage while incorporating everything that is wonderful about Italy. The ship docked within walking distance of many historic buildings, restaurants, and shops, but we opted to take a tour.



Silversea's "Castles, Gardens, and Wines" was a five-hour excursion that took us to the village of Duino for a walk-through of Duino Castle. The castle—dating from the 16th century—boasts a vantage point high above the Gulf of Trieste.





From here we drove on to Spessa Castle, which dates back to 1200 and has views of the rolling hills of Capriva del Fruiuli. This castle is now a hotel and vineyard that has been producing wine since the 16th century. Following a somewhat commercial film about Spessa Castle, you're invited to view the wine cellar and then sample three wines in the gardens.



This is a nice, low-impact tour (although there is a flight of 76 stairs to reach the wine cellar). The tour is excellent for shutterbugs.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Venice Highlights Aboard Silversea Silver Spirit

This is Day Five of our seven-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit. Today we're in Corfu, Greece, but I wanted to backtrack a bit and show you a few of the highlights of our overnight stay in Venice, Italy.

One of Venice's many canals

The exterior of Doge's Palace

Interior courtyard of Doge's Palace

One of the many beautiful ceilings inside Doge's Palace

St. Mark's Square as seen from the Grand Canal

Clock tower at St. Mark's Square

Stay tuned for posts about Trieste, Italy; Hvar, Croatia (a fantastic port of call!), and Corfu, Greece.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Latvia – Known For Its Excellent Beauty And Charm

Latvia is a country situated in Northern Europe near the Baltic region. It has derived its name from the river known as the Latuva. The Latvian folk songs are really popular and famous for their melodies. There are more than 30000 folk songs that are known. Also their culture and traditions are likely to be explored when you visit Latvia.

Best Places To Visit

There are many places to explore in Latvia but only a few are described here:

1. Pedvale Open Air Art Museum
It is a historical monument which was opened in the year 1991 and spread in a large area of 100 hectares. It covers the rivers and the forest. Many of the artists love to come here and want to spend their days here in this beautiful environment. Lots of artists have captured this wonderful beauty of nature in their canvas.

2. The Dome Cathedral

The Dome Cathedral built in the year 1212 is a masterpiece and its design is based on the renaissance style. Because it is visited by lots of visitors therefore sometimes music concerts are also organized here.

3. Jurmala Beach

The beach is located on the coast of Riga and it is surrounded by dense forest all around the beach. Because of its exotic location it is very popular among the tourist.

4. Aglona Basilica

It is a shrine that is a pilgrimage site for the Christians with history dating back to the year 1699. This is also a famous destination known for its beauty and exclusive architecture.

5. Tervete Nature Park
The park consists of amazing views and playground for children. The visitors can enjoy a lot as there are swings for kids. It is mostly seen as a picnic spot and so during the holidays it is full of people and kids.

vacation spot in Kuta (Bali) Indonesia

kuta bali surfing

Tourists congregate in hoards at Bali’s fun capital Kuta and for good reason. The beach is long, golden and soft, surfing is a popular sport and the night life is lively to say the least. But if you are tired of beach-bum watching head to the exquisite temples of internal Bali or wander and browse the many art galleries and warungs – hawker stalls.

Getting to Kuta

Frequent flights connect Bali’s Denpasar airport from many Asian cities, Air Asia has perhaps the most comprehensive schedule but full service airlines like THAI also fly regularly to Bali. Qantas and other Australian airlines offer a regular service and European holiday companies also fly into the island.

Every Asian country has many attractions from ruined and picturesque temples, pristine jungles and excellent national parks, a rich colonial history and friendly people who are willing to help a stranger. But for many visitors the jewels in Asia’s crown are most definitely its unsurpassed beaches.

Beauty Lummus Park on South Beach in Miami

Lummus Park on South Beach is a very nice and beautiful in Miami and state of Florida in United States. Lummus Park is the Mecca of outdoor activities, strap on your Rollerblade, tune on to your favorite play list and go "balding"……this is unbeatable fun and one of the sexiest beaches in the world, where else can you work up a sweat and then enjoy a good book afterward on the shores of the Caribbean sea. I went there and enjoyed a lot. There I stayed in cheap hotels. There they provided the facilities which pampered me. This beach is good facilities in tourist include lots of restaurants line the road by the beach so that is a great way to spend an afternoon sunning, swimming, eating, drinking, cheap hotels in miami, successful parking garage and just generally tourist watching.

Silversea's Hot Rock Grill—Dine Under the Stars on Silver Spirit

Somewhere on route from Trieste, Italy to Hvar, Croatia...

Hello from the Adriatic! We're happily ensconced in our suite aboard Silversea Silver Spirit after a wonderful formal night. On our first evening aboard, we tried the Hot Rock Grill Dinner on the Pool Deck. It was a fun experience, the service was exceptional (thanks Andrew!), and the food was great... so we decided to eat here on the first formal night as well.

So what exactly is a hot rock dinner? If you love to cook or even just play with your food, this place will interest you. The menu is basic: three types of salads are served along with a few different cuts of beef; veal, lamb, and pork chops; as well as fish and shrimp. (The Grill uses Sterling Silver premium meats.)

Your entree is delivered to you on a bamboo platter with a scorching hot rock set within it. Your main dish has been seared and delivered rare. Now it's up to you to cook it to your liking via the rock. The platter will be sizzling and the rock stays incredibly hot during your entire meal.

Some cuts of meat do sizzle and splatter, so bibs are given to guests who order things like rib eye. Main courses are accented with a vegetable skewer and baked potato with sour cream.

There are only three desserts on the menu, but both I tried were very good. In fact, the black and white chocolate mousse cup was the best dessert I've had aboard Silver Spirit all week. (The other two desserts are apple pie a la mode and a fruit cup.)

You'll be dining outdoors on Deck 10, directly above the Pool Grill. Time your meal with sunset and bring your camera... you'll get some fantastic shots! And, don't worry about being cold; there are heaters built into the ceiling for those chilly evenings.

We were told that the hot rock concept came from South Africa. I'm going to do some searching and see if we can replicate this at home. It's fun whether you go to dinner as a couple or with a group.

According to Silversea, this dining concept has proven so popular that it will roll out to the other ships in the fleet soon. You may dine under the stars, weather permitting, between 7 and 9 pm each evening. Seating is limited to 60 guests so be sure to make your reservation as soon as you board the ship.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Shore Excursion Option: Gondola Serenade in Venice, Italy

Here's a quick movie to show you what an authentic gondola ride is like in Venice, Italy. Most gondaliers don't take credit cards so bring cash or book through your cruise line. Silversea offer a private evening gondola serenade tour in Venice.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Video © Andrea M. Rotondo

Day Two in Venice: Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Square & a Party in the Grand Suite

Hello from Venice!

Day Two of our Eastern Mediterranean voyage is just about behind us now. Our Silversea-sponsored shore excursion, conversations with engaging crew members, and a terrific cocktail party in the Grand Suite followed by dinner at La Terrazza has set the bar very high for this cruise. I'm confident Silversea will continue to meet our, shall we say, discerning expectations!

Last night after an excellent hot rocks dinner at the Pool Grill, we explored the ship and stayed up late enough to order up a few room service snacks after midnight. Sunday dawned with absolutely perfect weather (low 80s with no humidity and plenty of sunshine). We woke early, skipped breakfast, and headed pierside to join our tour excursion.

We opted for a half-day tour of Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. (Of course, it's Sunday, so the church is closed to visitors during church services though you can enter the church after 2 pm if you prefer to explore the city on your own after the tour comes to an end). This particular tour is an excellent introduction to Venice, but it does require a significant amount of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water from the ship (or keep a few euros in your pocket so you can buy a refreshing gelato).

The tour begins with a short walk from the ship to the water taxi pickup point. After a short 15-minute ride, we were walking toward the Bridge of Sighs, sadly obscured by some garish billboards from one of the corporate sponsors that is helping to restore the bridge and other historic treasures around Venice. The intention is good, but the execution certainly needs some work.

We then entered Doge's Palace for an extensive tour. we were given earbud radios so we could hear the guide's commentary even if we were not close to her. I learned more about Venetian history in a few hours than I previously thought possible! She was also very good at giving us enough time to take photos.

Next up was a short walk through St. Mark's Square. Since the Basilica was closed to the public, it was really just a walk-through of the square. The tour ended in a Murano glass-blowing workshop/showroom.

After the tour Leonard and I chose to wander through the streets as we made our way back to the cruise terminal. It was on of those perfect port days that blended a solid tour with some independent exploration.

As much fun as the afternoon turned out to be, sail-away from Venice was exhilarating! Sailing the Grand Canal is an experience everyone should have. The setting sun glistened off all the red rooftops and church domes and spires. Truly breathtaking.

We were lucky enough to be invited to a cocktail party in one of the Grand Suites, so we enjoyed the scene from posh digs. Dinner at La Terrazza followed and our group closed the place down. Everyone onboard has been wonderful and we find that while our companions on shore excursions and at dinner may be from all around the world, each one has been interesting and fun to talk with.

We are now sailing toward Trieste, Italy. Stay tuned for more details and photos.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Leonard Hospidor

Embarking Silversea Silver Spirit in Venice, Italy

We've spent all of ten hours aboard Silversea Silver Spirit so I can't offer a full report yet, but our first impressions have been very good. The crew is genuine and friendly and many of them already know us by name.

We arrived in Venice on Saturday morning and waited just a few minutes for our luggage and for Silversea's private transfer to the ship via minivan. It was a comfortable ride and we arrived at Terminal S. Basilio around 11:30 am.

Luggage Arriving to the Ship Via Water Taxi

Boarding wouldn't commence until noon and there seemed to be some back and forth between Silversea and the security detail as to exactly when passengers would go through the screening process. A few minutes before noon, four Silversea representatives arrived at the terminal and passed out keycards. Everyone was then allowed on board Silver Spirit, where lunch was being served in The Restaurant and La Terrazza. Our room was ready by 2pm and the luggage arrived by 4pm.


Since we didn't sleep much on the plane, so we took the day easy and explored the ship after a buffet lunch at La Terrazza. (The number and variety of desserts offered was astounding!) We were also able to make dining and shore excursion reservations for the rest of the week.

Our butler, Ricardo, greeted us by name in the hallway before we had even met him! Then it was time for an early "hot rock" grilled dinner on the Pool Deck. I'll post more about this later. Dinner was very good and it will be easier to tell you about it once I download the photos of this inventive dining concept.

Now it's time to get some rest before our first full day in Italy begins. We're booked on Silversea's "Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica" tour.

More details to follow...

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos © Andrea M. Rotondo

Arriving in Venice This Morning for Silver Spirit

We're set to arrive in Venice this morning. Since we're using Silversea's air-sea package, the cruise line has arranged our transfer to Silver Spirit. It's nice to not have to worry about any of the details.

We're on board journey #5016. Here's our full itinerary:

June 5 – Venice, Italy
June 6 – Venice, Italy (sail-away at 6pm)
June 7 – Trieste, Italy
June 8 – Hvar, Croatia
June 9 – Corfu, Greece
June 10 – At Sea
June 11 – Nafplion, Greece
June 12 – Athens (Piraeus), Greece

We hope to post live from the ship once we arrive. Watch this blog and our Twitter messages.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos of the New Seabourn Sojourn

The gorgeous new Seabourn Sojourn from the Yachts of Seabourn has arrived in London for her inaugural festivities! Here are some photos by Steve Dunlop, courtesy of the Yachts of Seabourn.

Several reporters will be on board today, so watch the web and Twitter for additional details and photos. (The following travel writers are on the ship now: Ralph Grizzle of Avid Cruiser, John DiScala of JohnnyJet.com, and Gene Sloan of USA Today's CruiseLog.)

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos by Steve Dunlop, courtesy of Yachts of Seabourn