SILVER MUSE IS THE FIRST ALL-SUITE CRUISE SHIP IN THE WORLD
Silversea’s first new ship for eight years offers a different take on cruise-ship dining. Muse was christened in a VIP ceremony in Monaco, attended by its monarch Prince Albert II.
Silver Muse, setting a new standard among the line’s nine-ship fleet, will carry just 596 guests and is the first all-suites cruise ship in the world. With a passenger-to-crew ratio of almost one to one and a dedicated butler catering to each suite, personalized attention will continue to be the hallmark of Silversea’s gold-standard service.
Silversea has gone for a classic luxury look: light wood and beige edged with silver handrails, and sparing use of colour. The large Dolce Vita and Panorama lounges lack intimacy, but the cosy Arts Café (which also features a terrace) and the jazz-inspired Silver Note provide good alternatives. There are no formal nights but formal and informal attire is required in several restaurants.
The Balsorano suite is the best room on this ship. One of four apartment-style owner’s suites with either one or two bedrooms, it takes its name from Silversea’s chairman and is filled with his books, artworks and photographs. All the cabins on Silver Muse are suites, and all except six have a balcony.
Bathrooms include a separate bath and shower, and all the rooms have walk-in wardrobes and the services of a butler, who will bring a choice of toiletries on arrival, serve drinks and pack and unpack. TVs are built into the mirrors, and there are UK plug points and USB slots.
In a radical step, Silversea has scrapped the main dining room in favour of individual restaurants. There are several, ranging from the Asian-fusion Indochine to a steakhouse and a French venue, La Dame by Relais & Châteaux. The poolside Grill becomes Hot Rocks in the evening, when diners cook their meat on volcanic stones. Kaiseki, a Japanese teppanyaki, and La Dame, which serves a six-course food-and-wine tasting menu, cost extra ($60/£46 per person) and passengers are advised to make restaurant reservations in advance.
The Zagara Spa offers massages (from US$159/£123 for 50 minutes), facials, acupuncture and Botox, among other treatments. These start in a low-lit mood room where passengers can choose their preferred oils and scrubs. Other facilities include a show lounge, swimming pool, small casino, gym and high-end boutiques. This is the first Silversea ship to include a children’s play area.
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