Silver Whisper

Launched in 2001, MS Silver Whisper cruise ship is the fourth vessel owned by Silversea Cruises, preceded by the fleet mate Silver Cloud (1994), Silver Wind (1995) and the sister ship Silver Shadow (2000).

History - construction and ownership

Silversea Cruises is a Monaco-based privately owned luxury cruise line. It was established in 1994 by a joint venture of V-Ships, Monaco (known previously as Vlasov Group) and the Lefebvre family of Italy (Rome). Silversea pioneered all-inclusive cruising with the launch of its first ship, Silver Cloud. As of early 2014, Silversea Cruises owns eight boutique cruise vessels, each carrying only 100 to 540 guests. The business model of Silversea is to operate cruise ships in the small, ultra-luxury, all-suite category. The new all-inclusive fares of the line offer such features as beverages (including selected wines), gratuities (none are allowed), travel insurance, port charges and one or more complimentary shore excursions in every itinerary.

The 28,258-ton, 486-passenger cruise ship Silver Whisper and her sister cruise ship Silver Shadow, hold slightly more guests than earlier Silversea ships. As a result, they offer a few more options – Internet centre, poolside grill, cigar bar. But the experience is still relaxing, pampering, and elegantly casual. Not to mention the little extras, like free laundry facilities and complimentary shuttles in call ports, that make your vacation effortless.

Silver Whisper ship’s passengers are an interesting mix – geographically diverse, the mid-30s and up, hailing from Europe, the Far East, and America. Everyone of guests onboard is well-to-do. The Silversea Whisper ship (just like her sister Shadow) has one of the highest ratios space-to-passenger – at 74, providing more space than any other ship. Another impressing ratio is passenger-to-crew – which on the Whisper ship is 1.31 to 1.

Silver Whisper's 2016 refurbishment will take place by the end the year to get Whisper ready for her 2017 world cruise. The refreshed suites will boast dark emperor marble floors in their bathrooms. The sun deck will receive new loungers and a newly tiled pool. The Restaurant and La Terrazza will feature new furniture as well as hard-wood parquet or carpet. A couple of new satellite antennas will provide increased Internet speeds. On-demand movies and interactive TVs will be added to all cabins.

Cruise itinerary program

Silver Whisper itinerary program is based on luxury World Cruises and Baltic Sea voyages with departures from the UK, Denmark and Sweden. The ship also operates on Canada/New England cruises from New York and Montreal, and sails in the Caribbean leaving from Fort Lauderdale, with Transatlantic repositioning crossings.

In 2020, the ship will operate the world's first Around The World voyage visiting all the 7 continents. The 140-day itinerary (January 6 through May 25, 2020, from Fort Lauderdale Florida to Amsterdam Holland) visits 62 ports in 32 countries. Read more in the ship's Wiki section.

Cabins

Silver Whisper is an all-suite cruise ship. It has a total of 194 cabins (all of which Suites, 4 connecting, 2 wheelchair-accessible) in 11 grades. The outside suites onboard Whisper range in size from 287 to 1,435 sq.feet, and 80% feature balconies. Even the basic vista suites (no balcony) are roomy enough and comfortable. The standard ones (vista and verandah) have sitting areas, large table, writing desks, video-players, walk-in closets. The marble bathrooms offer a separate shower and tub. The owners’ suites are two, very spacious, featuring a living room, big plasma-screen TV, bar, dining and powder rooms, and one or two bedrooms (of course, with Jacuzzi bathrooms).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Dinner onboard Silver Whisper is the culinary highlight of each day at sea. The Restaurant offers a 6-course menu, with a variety of choices, including vegetarian entrees and “CruiseLite” menus (low fat, low cholesterol, low sodium). An intriguing option is also themed events at La Terrazza. Occasionally the restaurant opens for dinner throughout each voyage, offering any of 16 six-course menus that range from French, Asian and Italian to all-seafood. Terrace Cafe’s chef works with a sommelier to pair food with an appropriate wine. Reservations are required because these events are limited to 50 guests.

For breakfast, Silver Whisper guests can choose from light food options, set out in the Panorama and Observation lounges, or ample buffet in Terrace Cafe. Also open is the Restaurant, though for more formal breakfast. Terrace Cafe continues the buffet theme for lunch and the Restaurant offers more formal menus. Poolside Grille is an ultra-casual option – the menu features grilled chicken, burgers, fries, and salads.

Room service provides a 24-hour comprehensive menu and during meal times guests can order from Restaurant’s menu. The Whisper staff’s service is efficient and prompt – upon request, you will be served meals course-by-course, or all at once. Silver Whisper gratuities are included in the fare, extra tips aren’t encouraged.

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

• The Restaurant (open-seating dining room with top-quality gourmet cuisine; features the most Mediterranean themed meals, and always available standard menu with daily specials; all three meals are waiter-served and a la carte)
• Le Champagne (20-seat French cuisine speciality restaurant; offers signature dishes by Relais Chateaux; dinner-only; reservations-only)
• La Terrazza (Terrace Cafe; complimentary buffet-style restaurant, offers both indoor seating and an alfresco terrace; wine is complimentary; there is also Afternoon Tea service; La Terrazza transforms each evening between 7:00 and 9:30 pm, into an Italian speciality restaurant, reservations-only, with a la carte menu)
• Pool Bar & Pool Grill (serve ship's pool deck area with fast food and drinks during the day; in the evening, the outdoor area becomes an al fresco dining venue with classic seafood and steakhouse choices, plus vegetarian and healthy selections)
• The Grill (offers gourmet dining under the stars with signature meals including lava-rocks grilled meat, seafood, Mediterranean vegetables, baked potatoes, salad of the day; wines are complimentary, except the premium ones from the Connoisseur’s Wine List; The Grill implements the line’s interactive dining concept “Black Rock Grill Experience”, which allows guests to cook their own meat and seafood). 

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Maybe the busiest spots on the Silver Whisper cruise ship is the Internet Center, containing five computers, and each passenger has a pre-assigned onboard email address. An adjacent library with the usual bestseller type books and a wonderful selection of videos uses another two terminals. Silver Whisper also has a Medical Center, fully serviceable by the way.

The Whisper’s Mandara Spa offers south Pacific exotic treatments. Silversea Cruises forbids spa therapists to engage guests in their annoying sales product attempts at treatments’ end. Silver Whisper spa treatments include traditional facials, massages, and even unusual offerings. The “Indonesian Natural Facial” is made with ingredients from seasonal vegetables and fruits. “Ultimate Indulgence” features two therapists who offer simultaneous one-person massage. Treatments are typically priced higher than onboard other lines, and the reason is that many of them last twice-as-long as average. Spa facilities also feature steam, sauna, and full-service beauty salon. An adequate fitness facility is adjacent to the spa, with treadmills, weight machines, exercise room. Daily fitness instructor classes are offered. Outdoors is a pool (big enough) with two whirlpools. Other athletic features include a running track, shuffleboard, golf cage, and ping-pong.

Additional amenities include 2 Launderettes, Medical centre, complimentary 24-hour Room Service, Internet/WiFi Access.

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

• The Casino (with slot machines and gaming tables; served by The Bar)
• Boutique shops (both 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 Bar (lounge with ample comfortable seating; offers live music performances, large dance floor, complimentary cocktails)
• Show Lounge (former Venetian Lounge - ship’s theatre 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; it is adjacent to the Card Room and the Internet Cafe)
• The Swimming Pool (with saltwater; heated during cool-weather cruises; the sunbathing area has teak chaise loungers, 2 whirlpools and tennis tables)
• Connoisseur’s Corner (formerly known as Humidor - ship’s 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)
• The Library (with audio listening stations and on-demand movies)
• The Spa at Silversea (features treatment rooms, and spa therapies including body wraps, massages and facials; sauna and steam rooms)
• Beauty Salon (provides a full range of services: hairstyling, manicures, pedicures)
• Fitness Centre (offers a treadmill, stationary bike, weight machine, elliptical trainer)
• Power Walking/Jogging Track, Golf Cage, paddle tennis, golf putting green.