Silver Muse

MS Silver Muse cruise ship represents Silversea's biggest vessel design (an upgraded version of Silver Spirit, 2009-launched). Following the inauguration in April 2017, the Muse ship became fleet's flagship. When the shipbuilding order for the sistership Silver Moon (2020) was signed in September 2017, Silversea Cruises had a fleet of 9 operational vessels, with planned expansion up to 12 ships. The last 2 newbuilds in this series - Silver Dawn and a still-unnamed boat - are with scheduled deliveries in 2021 and 2023.

History - construction and ownership

Silversea Cruises is a Monaco-based privately-owned cruise company and top-luxury travel brand. It was established in 1994 as joint venture of V-Ships Monaco (fka Vlasov Group) and Lefebvre Family of Rome Italy. In 2018, RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd acquired 2/3rd of the company. Silversea now has a fleet of smaller-sized boutique cruise vessels with passenger capacity between 100-700. Company's business model is to operate yacht-like vessels in the industry's ultra-luxury-all-suite ship category. Silversea's all-inclusive fares include beverages (also selected wines), gratuities (none are allowed), travel insurance, port charges, one or more shore excursions (per voyage).

The 40,700-ton, 596-passenger Silver Muse is an all-suite, top-luxury cruise ship. The keel-laying ceremony was on December 10, 2015, during which the shipowner welded into the keel 8 coins (instead of the traditional 1). The company's spokesman explained that the lucky coins represent the 7 continents (ports on which the Silversea ships visit) plus a specially designed coin for the Muse ship.

Cruise itinerary program

Silver Muse itinerary program is based on “all-inclusive luxury” voyages in Europe (the Mediterranean from Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Athens/Piraeus, Istanbul). After the Inaugural season in Europe, the ship crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Canada and the USA, to operate on various itineraries in the Caribbean and around South America with roundtrip departures out of Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA).

Muse's first World Cruise was scheduled for 2019.

Cabins

Silver Muse staterooms (288 total) are all categorized as "suites", and 96% are with step-out balconies. The ship also has the Silversea fleet's biggest number of connecting cabins. Suite sizes range between 390-1970 ft2 (36-183 m2). Silver Suites (increased to a total of 34) are located on the ship's 3 top decks. The new category 2-Bedroom Silver Suite is sized 1120 ft2 (104 m2) including the terrace (130 ft2 / 12 m2).

Each cabin has a private step-out balcony, walk-in closet, electronic safe box, chest of drawers, marble bathroom (bathtub, separate bathtub/shower, sink/WC area, plush robes and slippers (by Etro), towels, luxury bath products /choice of European top-brand products, Bvlgari by default).

All cabins are completely wireless, with iPod docking stations, hairdryers, alarm clocks, binoculars, umbrellas. Additional amenities in categories Owner, Silver, and Grand suites include 2 hours worldwide complimentary satellite phone use, in-cabin dining (afternoon canapes), private dinner at officers' table. Junior attendants and butlers are assigned to each suite.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Silver Muse offers 8 different dining options, including 3 al-fresco / outdoor. The menu selections are not just creative, but gourmet food art. The Hot Rocks grill menu and La Terrazza dinner robust menu are real steps in future gourmet cuisine at sea. As for the gratuities – all of those are included in the fare, and nothing additional is expected.

Follows the complete list of Silver Muse restaurants and food bars.

• Atlantide (steakhouse, bar & grill restaurant, reservations-only; features designer seafood dishes and gourmet fish specialities)
• 7 Restaurant (open-seating dining room with top-quality gourmet cuisine; features mostly Mediterranean themed meals, and always available standard menu with daily specials; all three meals are waiter-served and a la carte)
• La Grande Dame (called Le Champagne on the other Silversea ships). La Dame is a new, 24-seat upscale French cuisine speciality restaurant that offers signature dishes by Relais Chateaux. This is the only shipboard restaurant where dining is at an additional fee (all others are price-inclusive). La Dame is dinner-only and reservations are required.
• Kabuki (Japanese cuisine speciality restaurant, reservations required) with teppanyaki iron griddles (used for the evening meals). Sushi and sashimi are offered during the day.
• Indochine (Asian cuisine speciality restaurant)
• Silver Note (jazz club with live performances) also serves tapas-style dishes.
• La Terrazza (Terrace Cafe; complimentary buffet restaurant) offers both indoor seating and an alfresco terrace with interactive food stations (olive oil cellar, a mozzarella bar, seafood bar, salumeria, Italian-style deli). Wine is complimentary, but premium wines (from Connoisseur’s Wine List) cost extra. There is an Afternoon Tea service. La Terrazza transforms each evening (between 7-9:30 pm) into an Italian speciality restaurant (reservations-only) with a la carte priced menu. During the day, La Terrazza is also open for buffet-style breakfast and lunch.
• Hot Rocks (alfresco poolside restaurant) is an outdoor Steakhouse and Seafood restaurant for gourmet al-fresco dining under the stars; This open-air grill venue implements Silversea's new interactive dining concept “Black Rock Grill Experience”. In the evenings, it allows passengers to cook their food (fresh seafood and prime steaks) on heated volcanic-rock plates at their own table. During the day, Hot Rocks serves as a rotisserie and gourmet salad and burger bar.
• Regina Margherita (outdoor/poolside pizzeria) is also complimentary and open from morning to late evening. The restaurant offers pizzas baked in a custom-made, wood-fired oven.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Traditional entertainment onboard the Silverseas Muse ship is a little quieter than usual. Sure, there’s bingo, team trivia, golf competitions, an occasional movie, but most of the energetic entertainment takes place after dark with productions in Broadway style and fine live jazz in The Theater.

The amenities on board include movies on demand and interactive TV service. Passengers can check messages, review accounts, or choose from a large number of newly released movies. Smart TVs are the world's latest technology - hybrid UHDTV with infotainment system (integrated Internet and interactive features). Cabin TV programming includes the channels CNN International, Fox News, ESPN, BBC World. Eight are the complimentary laundry rooms. Also available are laundry, dry cleaning, pressing – all through the complimentary butler service for each of the cabins.

Follows the complete list of Silver Muse lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Boutique shops (offer duty-free shopping: luxury jewellery and watches, brand perfumes, fashion, designer handbags, photo/video accessories, Silversea logo merchandise, special occasion gifts, convenience goods)
• The Main Bar (lounge with ample comfortable seating; offers live music performances, large dance floor, complimentary cocktails)
• The Theatre (Main Show Lounge for live music and show productions; the daily enrichment program offers trivia games, dance classes, language lessons, lectures, media presentations)
• Conference Room (hosts group meetings and conferences) is adjacent to the Card Room and the Internet Cafe.
• Swimming Pool is with saltwater and heated during cool-weather cruises. The sunbathing area has teak chaise loungers, 3 whirlpools (Jacuzzis), tennis tables.
• Connoisseur’s Corner (formerly known as Humidor - ship’s cigar club (smoking lounge) furnished with leather armchairs and selling brand cognacs, vintage wines, fine cigars)
• Panorama Lounge (served by its own bar; offers live music and dancing, Continental Breakfast and Afternoon Tea)
• Observation Lounge (with 270-degree panoramic views and a radar screen; serves early breakfast with coffee)
• Children’s Room (kids-play facility with supervised, age-appropriate activities; has an Outdoor Area)
• The Library (with audio listening stations and on-demand movies)
• Zagara Beauty Spa has treatment rooms, Beauty Salon, 2 saunas, 2 steam rooms, Thermal Suite.
• Beauty Salon (provides a full range of services: hairstyling, manicures, pedicures)
• Fitness Centre (offers a treadmill, stationary bike, weight machine, elliptical trainer). There is a separate Aerobics studio for classes.
• Power Walking/Jogging Track, Golf Cage, paddle tennis, golf putting green.
• 24-hour Room Service and WiFi Internet are complimentary.

The vessel is an upgraded (bigger) version of Silver Spirit (fleet's largest until 2017). The Muse ship redefines the ultra-luxury cruising by enhancing Silversea's hallmarks - small-ship intimate travel, spacious and comfortable suite accommodations, impeccable service, exotic itineraries around the world.

Silversea's Muse ship was built by Fincantieri in Genoa Italy. In July 2015, Silversea announced that the boat would be company's new flagship, with scheduled delivery in April 2017. Vessel's construction started on July 24, 2015, with the steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard Sestri Ponente (Genoa).

On December 10, 2015, was the keel-laying ceremony during which 8 coins (instead of the traditional 1) were welded into the keel. The "lucky coins" represented the 7 continents that Silversea ships visit, plus one specially designed for the ship coin. The coins were South African rand, Australian dollar, US half a dollar, Brazilian real, Italian euro, Singapore dollar and the commemorative Antarctica trust coin (designed for Silver Muse). The ceremony was attended by Enzo Visone (Silversea's CEO) and Raffaele Davassi (the shipyard's director).

In early February 2017, Silversea announced that the ship would operate on roundtrips from homeport Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), with an inaugural cruise in October 2017. The company signed an agreement with Port Everglades to homeport the ship there during the winters for 2 years (2017-2018), with included option to renew the deal for additional 3 years - to a minimum of 12 itineraries per year.

In early March 2017, Silversea announced the names of the ship's senior officers. The vessel's Captain is Alessandro Zanello - working for the company since 1999, Silver Spirit's second-in-command between 2009-2017. Its Executive Chef is Anne-Mari Cornelius - Silver Whisper's Executive Chef between 2005-2017. The ship's Cruise Director is Jimmy Kovel - with the company since 2009. Staff Captain is Sergio Topazio. Chief Engineer is Michele Barone. The ship's Hotel Director is Paolo Percivale.

On July 1, 2016, the vessel was launched at Sestri Ponente shipyard. On April 2, 2017, was the vessel's delivering ceremony attended by Manfredi d’Ovidio (Silversea's chairman), Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO), Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco (Genoa's archbishop, who blessed the ship) and Giovanni Toti (Liguria's governor).

The ship's "Inaugural Cruise" was on April 10, 2017. The 8-day itinerary (roundtrip from Monte Carlo, Monaco) visited Marseille, Barcelona, Palma De Mallorca, Minorca (Port Mahon), Sardinia (Porto Torres) and Italy (Livorno, and Portofino). Prices started from US$3550 per person.

On April 17, 2017, was the boat's christening ceremony held at Port Hercule (Monte Carlo) and led by godmother Costanza Lefebvre d'Ovidio - daughter of Silversea's owner Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio di Balsorano di Clunieres. The naming ceremony was also attended by Prince Albert II of Monaco, Serge Telle (Minister of State), the Archbishop of Monaco, Peter Greenberg (CBS-TV Travel), Geoffrey Kent (Abercrombie & Kent cruise company's founder), Gerald Lawless (WTCC / "World Touring Car Championship" Chairman) and other VIP guests. The ceremony was hosted by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio (Silversea Chairman) and featured a live concert performance by Rome's Sinfonietta Orchestra.

Silversea's "flight and cruise" package deals (by company's "Silver Sky" fly-cruise program) are inclusive of the cruise fare, discount roundtrip airfare (Economy Class) and airport-pier-airport transfers.

Silversea's "hotel and cruise" package "Silver Shore Simply Hotel" offers overnight 5-star luxury hotel stays with optional transfers or upgrades. The upgraded cruise-hotel package ("Silver Shore Grande Hotel") offers 1-3-nights landmark hotel stays (or at a boutique leisure property) and is inclusive of private transfers (airport-hotel and hotel-pier).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2017

During the Inaugural 2017 season Silversea's Silver Muse operates on mostly one-way Mediterranean itineraries, visiting ports on the Italian and French rivieras and the Greek Islands. Departures are from Monaco (Monte Carlo), France (Nice/Villefranche), Italy (Rome/Civitavecchia, Venice), Spain (Barcelona), Greece (Athens) and Turkey (Istanbul). In 2017, Muse visited a total of 130 ports in 34 different countries.

Next table shows the ship's inaugural cruise itinerary (8 nights / 9 days "Mediterranean Cruise" round-trip from Monaco):

Next is the Inaugural Transatlantic cruise UK to Canada (16 nights / 17 days Southampton to Montreal):

Next is the repositioning cruise from Canada to USA-Caribbean (14 nights / 15 days from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale):

The last table shows the ship's Inaugural Caribbean cruise (16 nights / 17 days, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale):

Follows the list of all Inaugural cruise season itineraries with early booking prices per person (in USD, double occupancy rates):

April 10 ("Inaugural Cruise") - 8-day round-trip from Monaco - prices start from $3550 per person

April 20 - 13-day from Monte Carlo to Nice - prices start from $6250 PP

May 3 - 13-day from Nice to Istanbul - prices start from $6250 PP

May 6 - 10-day from Rome to Istanbul - prices start from $4800 PP

May 16 - 12-day from Istanbul to Venice - prices start from $5650 PP

May 28 - 12-day from Venice to Barcelona -prices start from $5650 PP

June 9 - 12-day from Barcelona to Rome - prices start from $6250 PP

June 21 - 12-day from Rome to Venice - prices start from $6250 PP

July 3 - 12-day from Venice to Athens - prices start from $6250 PP

July 15 - 12-day from Athens to Istanbul - prices start from $6250 PP

July 27 - 12-day from Istanbul to Venice - prices start from $6250 PP

August 8 - 12-day from Venice to Monte Carlo - prices start from $6250 PP

August 20 (repositioning) - 11-day from Monte Carlo to Lisbon Portugal - prices start from $5750 PP

August 31 (repositioning) - 11-day from Lisbon to Southampton UK - prices start from $5350 PP

September 12 (Transatlantic from the UK to Canada New England) - 16-day from Southampton to Montreal Quebec - prices start from $7850 PP

September 28 - 14-day from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale Florida - prices start from $7550 PP

October 13 (the USA to South America) - 18-day from Fort Lauderdale to Santiago/Valparaiso Chile (Panama Canal transition) - prices start from $7950 PP

October 31 (Chile to Argentina) - 17-day from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires - prices start from $7550 PP

November 17 - 19-day from Buenos Aires to Bridgetown Barbados - prices start from $8450 PP

December 6 - 12-day from Bridgetown Barbados to Fort Lauderdale Florida - prices start from $4350 PP

December 18 (Caribbean cruise Christmas and New Year 2017) - 16-day round-trip from Fort Lauderdale - prices start from $7850 PP.

Godspeed to the new ship!