Sailing on: Silver Muse, New Zealand

Highlights

1. Butler Service. Silversea offers dedicated butler service in all suites. Regardless of time, your butler will ensure that your every need is well served. Our butler was able to arrange our in-suite breakfast with no fuss.  The attention to detail is something everyone can appreciate.  The on-board staff are attentive and helpful, making the on-board experience outstanding.

2. Poolside Service. Pampering is the order of the day around the Silver Muse pool or spa pools. The staff like to help lay out your beach towel and they’ll keep you hydrated with either still or sparkling water – the choice is yours. The staff regularly walk around offering iced fruit treats and special cocktails as well. In fact, you can have any beverage or meals you like delivered right to your sun lounger.

3. Zagara Beauty Spa. A trip to the world-class Zagara Beauty Spa is a must for me and the Spa has a range of indulgent treatments. There are relaxing massages as well as facials, manicures and even acupuncture. The Silver Muse Spa also has a hair salon with services for women and men. Plus, there is a sauna with ocean views as well.

It is important to note that treatments in the Zagara Beauty Spa are not included in your cruise fare. Also, bookings are essential, especially on sea days when the Spa gets busy.

4. First Class Dining. Dining with Silversea is a first-class experience from room service to the fine French cuisine and flavourful Asian options to relaxed Italian meals and international options to suit everyone, the chefs’ on-board has no limits with their creativity.

I highly recommend trying at least once a sailing the experience of dining in La Dame, named after “La Dame de Paris” or the Eiffel Tower, La Dame echoes the traditions and cultures embedded in the French gastronomic past, while respecting its bright culinary future. This restaurant has an additional cost but in my option worth every penny.

5. Superior Veranda Suites . The Superior Veranda Suites have a comfortable living space, with walk-in wardrobe, shower and separate bath with a generous expanse of amenities. This stunning suite makes for a cosy home while on the seas, the suite’s finest feature is just outside, as floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a private veranda, a great place to sit and enjoy that morning coffee.

Top Tips

1. Pre-book Dining. Pre-booking of dining is highly recommended.  Because La Dame is the smallest of the Silver Muse restaurants (only about 12 tables) there are two sittings each night – one at 6:00pm and another at 9:00pm.  Silver Note is a great dining alternative. It is open from 8:00pm nightly and the last sitting is 11:00pm. As seating in both of these restaurants are limited, reservations are essential.

2. Alcoholic Beverage Options. You can purchase additional premium alcoholic beverages from the Connoisseurs list, but on my voyage the house offerings were excellent and the wait-staff could offer options to match every dish.

3. Dress Code. In public areas the dress code is smart resort casual wear during the day. After dark the Silver Muse dress code will be either casual, informal or formal:

Casual: For men casual-wear means open-neck shirts and slacks, while for ladies it’s pants, blouses, skirts and casual dresses.

Informal: Informal wear includes jackets for men (tie optional) and dresses or pantsuits for ladies.

Formal: On formal nights men should wear a Tuxedo or dark suit and ladies should wear an evening gown.

The number of formal nights does depend on the length of voyage. Cruises under 10 days have one formal night, cruises between 10 and 13 days have two and longer cruises have three formal evenings. The Daily Chronicles newsletter advises the evening’s dress code.

4. Ultimate Relaxation. My favourite thing to do on a sea day is to spend time relaxing by the pool (weather dependant).  The resort-style pool experience and on Silver Muse has the teak pool deck and this is bigger than ever and there is more personal space for everyone. There are plenty of padded sun loungers around the pool as well as shaded outdoor sofas. They are ideal to sink into with a good book or just to snooze the day away.

5. Visit the Sun Terrace. Another great space to enjoy on board in addition to the main pool area, is also a teak sun terrace at the stern. This is a tranquil spot with great wake views, a whirlpool hot tub and cabanas for relaxing. Few people seemed to know about it when I was onboard – a real secret hideaway.