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Built by cruise lovers, for cruise lovers, Silver Moon is the epitome of 21st-century luxury travel.
Building on the phenomenal success of Silver Muse, Silver Moon mirrors her sister ship and establishes a new era of Silversea. At 40,700 gross tons and with capacity to accommodate 596 passengers on board, Silver Moon maintains the small-ship intimacy and spacious all-suite accommodation that are the hallmarks of the Silversea experience. Silver Moon also features the all-new Sea And Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) program —an immersive culinary concept that enables guests to travel deeper through a range of destination-based gastronomic experiences. Get ready for a new world of travel.
This was my second cruise with Silversea. I was on the Silver Muse circling Japan in Sep-Oct2023. My line of choice continues to be Crystal; I will point out differences between the lines when it’s material and summarize my thoughts about both lines at the end of this review. The Silver Moon is a sister to the Muse and the layout of the Moon is very similar. There were 503 passengers on board and a crew of 423. Let me begin by saying that service aboard the Moon was excellent … I did not see any of the issues I noted on Muse. I was ensconced in a Silver Suite on deck 10. This is the finest stateroom I have stayed in during the 28 years I’ve been cruising. At 786ft2, the one-bedroom suite was spacious and comfortable. If my townhome were as nice, I would be in heaven (on Earth). Ertiza was my butler and Ketut my Suite Attendant. Each provided stellar service during the cruise. I will not describe the suite as there are numerous videos on YouTube. My practice has been to book the lowest category veranda stateroom. Originally, I had booked a Classic Veranda stateroom. At 387ft2, I found it to be very comfortable (on the Muse). The staterooms in Silversea are much nicer than on a Crystal ship. In comparison, the equivalent room on Crystal is the Double Guest Room with Veranda. At 269ft2, it’s much smaller, and lacks a tub and walk-in closet. However, I bid on an upgrade to a Silver Suite and succeeded, so this was a splurge. The equivalent stateroom on Crystal is either the Sapphire Veranda Suite at 537ft2 or the Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite at 806ft2. The floor plan of the Silver Suite is more open, but I do like the fact that the bedrooms on Crystal are adjacent to the balcony. The bedroom in a Silver Suite is inboard of the living room as you can see in the pic, above. Silver Moon’s Facilities S.A.L.T. Lab and Bar (deck 4) – I did not visit these places, but the bar was crowded each evening. Venetian Lounge (deck 5) – This is the main show lounge. I took in several shows, including one by Rachel York, who I saw on Crystal Serenity. The Silversea singers and dancers are good but the smaller the ship, the smaller the production and there were just two dancers. Dolce Vita Lounge (deck 5) – I spent a lot of time here, at least an hour from 10am and before (and after) dinner each evening. Rommel was “my bartender” … He had my Hepple gin and tonic ready for me at each visit. It is a peaceful place during the day … I read many novels here. Beauty Spa (deck 6) – I booked three massages and nine acupuncture sessions to address a chronic back issue. They were not cheap; my bill exceeded $3,000. Was it worth it? The acupuncture sessions seemed to work; I do not think the massages did anything for me other than lighten my wallet. Fitness Centre (deck 6) – I made two visits to a well-equipped gym. It was crowded each time I went. Casino (deck 7) – A tiny space tucked away on deck 7; I never saw anyone in there. Boutique (deck 8) – There are two shops on the Moon, one featuring a limited selection of clothing and sundries: the other offers jewelry and pre-owned high-end bags and scarves. $17,000 for a used Hermes Birkin bag? No thanks, but I did purchase two logo Polo shirts. Panorama Lounge (deck 9) – I went there once for a reception. Left: A pic of Captain Adorante. Connoisseur’s Corner (deck 9) – The smoker’s lounge. I didn’t visit it other than to peek inside once. Pool Deck (deck 10) – In my 28 years of cruising, I’ve never dipped my toes into a pool or jacuzzi on any ship and did not do so on this cruise. It was a popular venue every day, even as we approached Vancouver, when the temperature dropped. Pool Bar (deck 10) – I passed this bar almost daily as it was located off the entrance to the hallway leading to my suite. Observation Library (deck 11) – This space looks forward over the bow. It is like the Palm Court on Crystal, but much smaller with no live music, at least when I was present. There is a self-service coffee machine on the starboard side, next to the bar (which I never saw in operation). This, and the Dolce Vita Lounge, is where I spent a lot of time reading novels. Card Room (deck 11) – It is not really a separate space, it’s an alcove in the Observation Library with tables for cards, mahjong, etc. Jogging track (deck 11) – This was a popular place to walk off the calories consumed during the cruise. I saw walkers at all hours of the day and night. Dining venues: There are nine (9) dining venues on the Moon: Atlantide (deck 4): This is the main dining room, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My preference has been to have most of my meals in the main dining venue. I was disappointed with the breakfast menu; it lacked variety and paled in comparison to what is available in Waterside aboard Crystal. Lunch was a little better and the dinner menu was more in line with my expectations. However, IMO, it did not measure up to Waterside. It was not due to the quality of the ingredients, but rather a lack of diversity and creativity. S.A.L.T. Kitchen (deck 4): This is the alternate main dining room, serving dinner with cuisine focused on the location of the ship. For example, Hawaiian food while cruising the islands. I dined here twice found the food in S.A.L.T. to be so-so … Perhaps the cuisine would be better in a different locale. What bothered me most is that they undercooked the cod I ordered. Yes, there is a fine line between undercooked, perfectly cooked and overcooked but I almost returned this dish as it was close to being inedible. Kaiseki (deck 4): This is an extra-cost venue ($40), open for lunch and dinner. Reservations required. I dined there once and was satisfied with my (omakase) meal. However, IMO the food in Umi Uma (aboard Crystal) is significantly more varied, better and there is no surcharge to dine there. FYI, on the night I dined in Kaiseki, the place was almost deserted. Is it due to the surcharge? Silver Note (deck 7): This is a “free” venue, but reservations are required. Being no-surcharge, it was very hard to secure a reservation here; I was wait-listed for each of the days I selected. Fortunately, I was able to dine there twice and loved my meals. However, the live music that serenaded me aboard the Muse in Japan was missing as entertainment began after dinner, when Silver Note morphed into a cocktail lounge. On the Muse, the pianist and singer performed during dinner (which made it a much better dining experience). La Terrazza (deck 7): This is the buffet for breakfast and lunch and becomes a sit-down Italian restaurant in the evening (reservation required). I did not like this venue aboard the Muse but my experience on the Moon changed my mind. Fifty percent of my breakfasts were in La Terraza because the food offerings were more varied than in Atlantide. Lunch featured cuisine from a different place each day … some were excellent, while others were okay. I loved their salads and breads. I tried La Terrazza for dinner twice … The Italian cuisine was fine, on par with Osteria D’Ovidio on Crystal. The picture (below) is of the antipasti platter that arrives at your table when you are seated. All excellent, but way too much food for a solo diner. Arts Café (deck 8): Open from 6:30am until 11pm, this is the only place to get coffee before Atlantide or La Terrazza opened in the morning. I visited this place almost daily as I needed a cup (actually, many cups), of coffee to start my day. Yes, there was a Nespresso machine in my suite, but I needed more. The café offers sandwiches, pastries, fruit, and other delights throughout the day. If one was hungry off hours, this was the place to satisfy that need. I found myself visiting whenever I missed lunch due to an excursion. There is a bar too, and I enjoyed a gin & tonic on several occasions. La Dame (deck 8): This extra-cost venue ($60) that focused on French cuisine. As it was aboard the Muse, IMO this venue offered the best dining experience aboard the Moon. I dined here three times … If there were not a surcharge, La Dame would probably be my default dinner venue. FYI, they change their menu every three days. This level of cuisine is what I expected to see in Atlantide. This is what was available in Waterside aboard the Crystal Serenity (at no surcharge). The Grill (deck 10): This open-air restaurant on the pool deck serves lunch. It becomes a steakhouse in the evening. I had lunch here once, a burger and fries, and did not make a (no cost) reservation for dinner as the meat-heavy menu didn’t appeal to me. Spaccanapoli (deck 11): Located above the pool deck, this venue served excellent pizza. I tried this place three times and got a satisfying meal each time. The pizza was much better than on the Muse. Other Dining Events: The sommelier and executive chef scheduled several extra cost lunches and wine tastings in La Dame and the Silver Note. I attended three; the concept is like what is offered in The Vintage Room aboard Crystal at similar price points. Haha, I would not mind having all my meals in the Silver Note and La Dame. Excursions: Hilo: Wine & Hors D'Ouevres At Volcano House ($379): This excursion was canceled by the tour operator. I its place, I caught the shuttle to downtown Hilo, purchased flowers at the open market and walked up to Hilo Veteran’s Cemetery to place flowers at my dad’s grave. Kailua-Kona: Historical Kona Walking & Tasting Tour ($229): This 2.5 hour walking tour was led by Kai(mana) Light and we went to The Fish Hopper (clam chowder), Tasty Kona, The Kona Inn (Mai Tai), Pa’aka Poke Deli (poke), Papa Kona’s (Avocado Fries and Ube cocktail), Foster’s Kitchen (fish & chips), and Gypsea Gelato (gelato). Note: You can book this excursion from Kona Tasting Tours for $139. Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Spouting Horn ($0): I have been to Waimea Canyon many times but as this was a “free” tour, I played tourist for a day. A large tour bus took us to the Spouting Horn in Poipu then wound its way north and up to the lookout where we had sufficient time to view the canyon. It was a perfect day on Kauai … sunny and clear so the pics came out great. On the way down, we stopped in Waimea town for a refreshment break. Oahu: Pearl Harbor & USS Missouri ($0): I’d never been to the USS Missouri even though I live in Hawaii so this was my opportunity to do so. The excursion consists of a bus ride to the Arizona memorial center for a 2+ hour stop then a subsequent ride to Ford Island where one could tour the USS Missouri. I have been to the Arizona memorial many times, so I went to the Bowfin exhibit ($25, but $18.99 for Hawaii residents) and toured the submarine. Afterward, I had Hawaiian Pulled Pork Tacos ($15.49 + tax) from Jake’s food truck. On the way out, I purchased the of a picture taken of me entering the Bowfin exhibit ($25). IMO, not worth the $$. The USS Missouri is interesting … There is a guided tour every 30 minutes, but I drifted away after 15 minutes and explored the ship on my own. There are lots of steep stairs … be careful! It is a fascinating exhibit; highly recommended! Maui: Ocean Center & Sphere ($219): I did not intend to book an excursion on Maui but as I had not been to the aquarium, I booked it at the last minute. The Maui Ocean Center is located at Ma’alaea Harbor and consists of several buildings and walkways that lead you through the center. Most of the viewing is done via windows into the walls of aquarium and through a plexiglass tunnel. There are exhibit rooms, a theater (the Sphere), refreshment stands, and a gift shop. I am sad to say, it’s the best aquarium in Hawaii. Note: If you can get to Ma’alaea, a ticket to the Ocean Center costs $45. I feel the excursions offered by Silversea are of high quality and the “free” ones are as good or better than those from other cruise lines (like Crystal) that are not free. The shuttle service for passengers not taking excursions is an added benefit. This was especially useful on Oahu as the Moon docked at Pier 11, adjacent to Aloha Tower and downtown Honolulu. Other than restaurants, there is little to offer tourists at night in downtown Honolulu so the bus service to Ala Moana and Waikiki was great. Debarkation: We were requested to vacate our rooms by 8am so I went to Dolce Vita to wait for my turn to disembark. IMO, this process dragged on far too long for the number of passengers on the Moon. As an independent traveler (staying in Vancouver), I was assigned to the last group (9:45am). When I got off the ship, my luggage was nowhere to be found. They were offloading baggage one luggage cart at a time. I waited 20 minutes for my bag to appear. I had never experienced this before. Customs was “interesting” … The agent was so focused on why I was visiting Vancouver (and the form I filled out), that she never looked at my passport. I found the Luggage Forward representative one floor down from baggage claim (in the underground parking lot) and handed my suitcase to him and headed to my hotel. Final Thoughts on Silversea and the Silver Moon I remain ambivalent about whether Silversea is better than Crystal, or vice versa. I can find things to like about both lines and things to dislike as well. What I can say is that my experience aboard the Moon was markedly superior to that upon the Muse (in 2023). I spoke to various members of Moon’s crew about that and several informed me that they have served aboard both, and crew moves between ships are common and were surprised at my comments on service deficiencies aboard the Muse. I was somewhat disappointed with the variety of food offered in Atlantide. The breakfast menu was basic at best; no Full English Breakfast, no Japanese or Chinese breakfasts (like on Crystal). Caviar was not present at most dinners, except in La Dame. On the Muse, caviar was offered 12 of the 14 days in Atlantide. It is not a requirement for me, but it’s nice to have that option. Perhaps it was available off menu, I did not ask. Conversely, the food in La Terrazza and Spaccanapoli was significantly better than on the Muse. I usually never want to have lunch in the buffet; the variety of food in La Terrazza surprised me so I had lunch in La Terrazza many times. I wondered if the static nature of the menus in Atlantide were due to the availability of other dining venues like Silver Note, La Dame, S.A.L.T., and Kaiseki. No High Tea – Unless I missed it, there was no (formal) high tea at 3pm. Silversea Versus Crystal Positives • Lower category staterooms on Silversea ships are superior to their counterparts on Crystal. IMO, this is the major difference between the lines. • Silversea offers more dining options on the Muse class ships than Crystal. • Silversea offers no cost excursions. • Laundry service, at least in suites, is free on Silversea. One negative: There is only one self-service washer/dryer on each deck. On the Moon, I did not have to compete with others because almost everyone else on my deck just sent their laundry out. Once, I found someone from deck 8 using the facilities. Negatives • The showroom entertainment is better on Crystal … the stage performances are more elaborate due to greater number of singers and dancers. • The menus on Crystal are superior to that found on Silversea. On several occasions, I had difficulty finding something that appealed to me at lunch and dinner in Atlantide. I never experienced that on the Crystal Serenity. • The shopping is better on Crystal, again due to having more space for shops. • There is no surcharge to dine at Umi Uma or Osteria D’Ovideo on Crystal unless you want to dine there more than once per cruise segment. Conversely, having to pay $60 to dine in La Dame and $40 in Kaiseki is disconcerting. Each time I dined in either venue, the restaurant was relatively empty. Was the surcharge responsible for the lack of diners? The bottom line is that it usually costs less to cruise on Crystal for a given itinerary. What makes me return to Silversea? The staterooms and suites. They are so spacious and comfortable, I’m almost willing to overlook shortcomings in other areas; almost. For me, it is the itinerary first, then I select the cruise line with the best combination of sailing date, stateroom availability, and price. That is why I sometimes find myself sailing on HAL.
This was our first 'big' ship cruise. Previously, we sailed a river cruise. I can't say enough good things about the staff on Silversea. From beginning to end, everyone was amazing. We had booked a private river fishing trip, but it was canceled due to excessive rain the first day. Afterwards, the weather was sunny and cool. The dogsledding and Mendenhall glacier tour was fantastic, and the luxury rail excursion was also nice, if a little slow for some. I thought the food was very good and if I had to say my favorite 'restaurant' on board, it would be the buffet. Everyone in our party all felt we overpacked, especially as some of us had free laundry service. We had a room at the front of the boat, but next time, I'd book a mid-ship location, due to movement/seasickness. Sadly, we did not enjoy any nighttime entertainment as we went to bed early each night! Boo! Several in our party enjoyed playing mahjong on deck or in the Observation Lounge every day, although they need an American set on board.
This was my second cruise with Silversea. I was on the Silver Muse circling Japan in Sep-Oct2023. My line of choice continues to be Crystal; I will point out differences between the lines when it’s material and summarize my thoughts about both lines at the end of this review. The Silver Moon is a sister to the Muse and the layout of the Moon is very similar. There were 503 passengers on board and a crew of 423. Let me begin by saying that service aboard the Moon was excellent … I did not see any of the issues I noted on Muse. I was ensconced in a Silver Suite on deck 10. This is the finest stateroom I have stayed in during the 28 years I’ve been cruising. At 786ft2, the one-bedroom suite was spacious and comfortable. If my townhome were as nice, I would be in heaven (on Earth). Ertiza was my butler and Ketut my Suite Attendant. Each provided stellar service during the cruise. I will not describe the suite as there are numerous videos on YouTube. My practice has been to book the lowest category veranda stateroom. Originally, I had booked a Classic Veranda stateroom. At 387ft2, I found it to be very comfortable (on the Muse). The staterooms in Silversea are much nicer than on a Crystal ship. In comparison, the equivalent room on Crystal is the Double Guest Room with Veranda. At 269ft2, it’s much smaller, and lacks a tub and walk-in closet. However, I bid on an upgrade to a Silver Suite and succeeded, so this was a splurge. The equivalent stateroom on Crystal is either the Sapphire Veranda Suite at 537ft2 or the Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite at 806ft2. The floor plan of the Silver Suite is more open, but I do like the fact that the bedrooms on Crystal are adjacent to the balcony. The bedroom in a Silver Suite is inboard of the living room as you can see in the pic, above. Silver Moon’s Facilities S.A.L.T. Lab and Bar (deck 4) – I did not visit these places, but the bar was crowded each evening. Venetian Lounge (deck 5) – This is the main show lounge. I took in several shows, including one by Rachel York, who I saw on Crystal Serenity. The Silversea singers and dancers are good but the smaller the ship, the smaller the production and there were just two dancers. Dolce Vita Lounge (deck 5) – I spent a lot of time here, at least an hour from 10am and before (and after) dinner each evening. Rommel was “my bartender” … He had my Hepple gin and tonic ready for me at each visit. It is a peaceful place during the day … I read many novels here. Beauty Spa (deck 6) – I booked three massages and nine acupuncture sessions to address a chronic back issue. They were not cheap; my bill exceeded $3,000. Was it worth it? The acupuncture sessions seemed to work; I do not think the massages did anything for me other than lighten my wallet. Fitness Centre (deck 6) – I made two visits to a well-equipped gym. It was crowded each time I went. Casino (deck 7) – A tiny space tucked away on deck 7; I never saw anyone in there. Boutique (deck 8) – There are two shops on the Moon, one featuring a limited selection of clothing and sundries: the other offers jewelry and pre-owned high-end bags and scarves. $17,000 for a used Hermes Birkin bag? No thanks, but I did purchase two logo Polo shirts. Panorama Lounge (deck 9) – I went there once for a reception. Left: A pic of Captain Adorante. Connoisseur’s Corner (deck 9) – The smoker’s lounge. I didn’t visit it other than to peek inside once. Pool Deck (deck 10) – In my 28 years of cruising, I’ve never dipped my toes into a pool or jacuzzi on any ship and did not do so on this cruise. It was a popular venue every day, even as we approached Vancouver, when the temperature dropped. Pool Bar (deck 10) – I passed this bar almost daily as it was located off the entrance to the hallway leading to my suite. Observation Library (deck 11) – This space looks forward over the bow. It is like the Palm Court on Crystal, but much smaller with no live music, at least when I was present. There is a self-service coffee machine on the starboard side, next to the bar (which I never saw in operation). This, and the Dolce Vita Lounge, is where I spent a lot of time reading novels. Card Room (deck 11) – It is not really a separate space, it’s an alcove in the Observation Library with tables for cards, mahjong, etc. Jogging track (deck 11) – This was a popular place to walk off the calories consumed during the cruise. I saw walkers at all hours of the day and night. Dining venues: There are nine (9) dining venues on the Moon: Atlantide (deck 4): This is the main dining room, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My preference has been to have most of my meals in the main dining venue. I was disappointed with the breakfast menu; it lacked variety and paled in comparison to what is available in Waterside aboard Crystal. Lunch was a little better and the dinner menu was more in line with my expectations. However, IMO, it did not measure up to Waterside. It was not due to the quality of the ingredients, but rather a lack of diversity and creativity. S.A.L.T. Kitchen (deck 4): This is the alternate main dining room, serving dinner with cuisine focused on the location of the ship. For example, Hawaiian food while cruising the islands. I dined here twice found the food in S.A.L.T. to be so-so … Perhaps the cuisine would be better in a different locale. What bothered me most is that they undercooked the cod I ordered. Yes, there is a fine line between undercooked, perfectly cooked and overcooked but I almost returned this dish as it was close to being inedible. Kaiseki (deck 4): This is an extra-cost venue ($40), open for lunch and dinner. Reservations required. I dined there once and was satisfied with my (omakase) meal. However, IMO the food in Umi Uma (aboard Crystal) is significantly more varied, better and there is no surcharge to dine there. FYI, on the night I dined in Kaiseki, the place was almost deserted. Is it due to the surcharge? Silver Note (deck 7): This is a “free” venue, but reservations are required. Being no-surcharge, it was very hard to secure a reservation here; I was wait-listed for each of the days I selected. Fortunately, I was able to dine there twice and loved my meals. However, the live music that serenaded me aboard the Muse in Japan was missing as entertainment began after dinner, when Silver Note morphed into a cocktail lounge. On the Muse, the pianist and singer performed during dinner (which made it a much better dining experience). La Terrazza (deck 7): This is the buffet for breakfast and lunch and becomes a sit-down Italian restaurant in the evening (reservation required). I did not like this venue aboard the Muse but my experience on the Moon changed my mind. Fifty percent of my breakfasts were in La Terraza because the food offerings were more varied than in Atlantide. Lunch featured cuisine from a different place each day … some were excellent, while others were okay. I loved their salads and breads. I tried La Terrazza for dinner twice … The Italian cuisine was fine, on par with Osteria D’Ovidio on Crystal. The picture (below) is of the antipasti platter that arrives at your table when you are seated. All excellent, but way too much food for a solo diner. Arts Café (deck 8): Open from 6:30am until 11pm, this is the only place to get coffee before Atlantide or La Terrazza opened in the morning. I visited this place almost daily as I needed a cup (actually, many cups), of coffee to start my day. Yes, there was a Nespresso machine in my suite, but I needed more. The café offers sandwiches, pastries, fruit, and other delights throughout the day. If one was hungry off hours, this was the place to satisfy that need. I found myself visiting whenever I missed lunch due to an excursion. There is a bar too, and I enjoyed a gin & tonic on several occasions. La Dame (deck 8): This extra-cost venue ($60) that focused on French cuisine. As it was aboard the Muse, IMO this venue offered the best dining experience aboard the Moon. I dined here three times … If there were not a surcharge, La Dame would probably be my default dinner venue. FYI, they change their menu every three days. This level of cuisine is what I expected to see in Atlantide. This is what was available in Waterside aboard the Crystal Serenity (at no surcharge). The Grill (deck 10): This open-air restaurant on the pool deck serves lunch. It becomes a steakhouse in the evening. I had lunch here once, a burger and fries, and did not make a (no cost) reservation for dinner as the meat-heavy menu didn’t appeal to me. Spaccanapoli (deck 11): Located above the pool deck, this venue served excellent pizza. I tried this place three times and got a satisfying meal each time. The pizza was much better than on the Muse. Other Dining Events: The sommelier and executive chef scheduled several extra cost lunches and wine tastings in La Dame and the Silver Note. I attended three; the concept is like what is offered in The Vintage Room aboard Crystal at similar price points. Haha, I would not mind having all my meals in the Silver Note and La Dame. Excursions: Hilo: Wine & Hors D'Ouevres At Volcano House ($379): This excursion was canceled by the tour operator. I its place, I caught the shuttle to downtown Hilo, purchased flowers at the open market and walked up to Hilo Veteran’s Cemetery to place flowers at my dad’s grave. Kailua-Kona: Historical Kona Walking & Tasting Tour ($229): This 2.5 hour walking tour was led by Kai(mana) Light and we went to The Fish Hopper (clam chowder), Tasty Kona, The Kona Inn (Mai Tai), Pa’aka Poke Deli (poke), Papa Kona’s (Avocado Fries and Ube cocktail), Foster’s Kitchen (fish & chips), and Gypsea Gelato (gelato). Note: You can book this excursion from Kona Tasting Tours for $139. Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Spouting Horn ($0): I have been to Waimea Canyon many times but as this was a “free” tour, I played tourist for a day. A large tour bus took us to the Spouting Horn in Poipu then wound its way north and up to the lookout where we had sufficient time to view the canyon. It was a perfect day on Kauai … sunny and clear so the pics came out great. On the way down, we stopped in Waimea town for a refreshment break. Oahu: Pearl Harbor & USS Missouri ($0): I’d never been to the USS Missouri even though I live in Hawaii so this was my opportunity to do so. The excursion consists of a bus ride to the Arizona memorial center for a 2+ hour stop then a subsequent ride to Ford Island where one could tour the USS Missouri. I have been to the Arizona memorial many times, so I went to the Bowfin exhibit ($25, but $18.99 for Hawaii residents) and toured the submarine. Afterward, I had Hawaiian Pulled Pork Tacos ($15.49 + tax) from Jake’s food truck. On the way out, I purchased the of a picture taken of me entering the Bowfin exhibit ($25). IMO, not worth the $$. The USS Missouri is interesting … There is a guided tour every 30 minutes, but I drifted away after 15 minutes and explored the ship on my own. There are lots of steep stairs … be careful! It is a fascinating exhibit; highly recommended! Maui: Ocean Center & Sphere ($219): I did not intend to book an excursion on Maui but as I had not been to the aquarium, I booked it at the last minute. The Maui Ocean Center is located at Ma’alaea Harbor and consists of several buildings and walkways that lead you through the center. Most of the viewing is done via windows into the walls of aquarium and through a plexiglass tunnel. There are exhibit rooms, a theater (the Sphere), refreshment stands, and a gift shop. I am sad to say, it’s the best aquarium in Hawaii. Note: If you can get to Ma’alaea, a ticket to the Ocean Center costs $45. I feel the excursions offered by Silversea are of high quality and the “free” ones are as good or better than those from other cruise lines (like Crystal) that are not free. The shuttle service for passengers not taking excursions is an added benefit. This was especially useful on Oahu as the Moon docked at Pier 11, adjacent to Aloha Tower and downtown Honolulu. Other than restaurants, there is little to offer tourists at night in downtown Honolulu so the bus service to Ala Moana and Waikiki was great. Debarkation: We were requested to vacate our rooms by 8am so I went to Dolce Vita to wait for my turn to disembark. IMO, this process dragged on far too long for the number of passengers on the Moon. As an independent traveler (staying in Vancouver), I was assigned to the last group (9:45am). When I got off the ship, my luggage was nowhere to be found. They were offloading baggage one luggage cart at a time. I waited 20 minutes for my bag to appear. I had never experienced this before. Customs was “interesting” … The agent was so focused on why I was visiting Vancouver (and the form I filled out), that she never looked at my passport. I found the Luggage Forward representative one floor down from baggage claim (in the underground parking lot) and handed my suitcase to him and headed to my hotel. Final Thoughts on Silversea and the Silver Moon I remain ambivalent about whether Silversea is better than Crystal, or vice versa. I can find things to like about both lines and things to dislike as well. What I can say is that my experience aboard the Moon was markedly superior to that upon the Muse (in 2023). I spoke to various members of Moon’s crew about that and several informed me that they have served aboard both, and crew moves between ships are common and were surprised at my comments on service deficiencies aboard the Muse. I was somewhat disappointed with the variety of food offered in Atlantide. The breakfast menu was basic at best; no Full English Breakfast, no Japanese or Chinese breakfasts (like on Crystal). Caviar was not present at most dinners, except in La Dame. On the Muse, caviar was offered 12 of the 14 days in Atlantide. It is not a requirement for me, but it’s nice to have that option. Perhaps it was available off menu, I did not ask. Conversely, the food in La Terrazza and Spaccanapoli was significantly better than on the Muse. I usually never want to have lunch in the buffet; the variety of food in La Terrazza surprised me so I had lunch in La Terrazza many times. I wondered if the static nature of the menus in Atlantide were due to the availability of other dining venues like Silver Note, La Dame, S.A.L.T., and Kaiseki. No High Tea – Unless I missed it, there was no (formal) high tea at 3pm. Silversea Versus Crystal Positives • Lower category staterooms on Silversea ships are superior to their counterparts on Crystal. IMO, this is the major difference between the lines. • Silversea offers more dining options on the Muse class ships than Crystal. • Silversea offers no cost excursions. • Laundry service, at least in suites, is free on Silversea. One negative: There is only one self-service washer/dryer on each deck. On the Moon, I did not have to compete with others because almost everyone else on my deck just sent their laundry out. Once, I found someone from deck 8 using the facilities. Negatives • The showroom entertainment is better on Crystal … the stage performances are more elaborate due to greater number of singers and dancers. • The menus on Crystal are superior to that found on Silversea. On several occasions, I had difficulty finding something that appealed to me at lunch and dinner in Atlantide. I never experienced that on the Crystal Serenity. • The shopping is better on Crystal, again due to having more space for shops. • There is no surcharge to dine at Umi Uma or Osteria D’Ovideo on Crystal unless you want to dine there more than once per cruise segment. Conversely, having to pay $60 to dine in La Dame and $40 in Kaiseki is disconcerting. Each time I dined in either venue, the restaurant was relatively empty. Was the surcharge responsible for the lack of diners? The bottom line is that it usually costs less to cruise on Crystal for a given itinerary. What makes me return to Silversea? The staterooms and suites. They are so spacious and comfortable, I’m almost willing to overlook shortcomings in other areas; almost. For me, it is the itinerary first, then I select the cruise line with the best combination of sailing date, stateroom availability, and price. That is why I sometimes find myself sailing on HAL.
This was our first 'big' ship cruise. Previously, we sailed a river cruise. I can't say enough good things about the staff on Silversea. From beginning to end, everyone was amazing. We had booked a private river fishing trip, but it was canceled due to excessive rain the first day. Afterwards, the weather was sunny and cool. The dogsledding and Mendenhall glacier tour was fantastic, and the luxury rail excursion was also nice, if a little slow for some. I thought the food was very good and if I had to say my favorite 'restaurant' on board, it would be the buffet. Everyone in our party all felt we overpacked, especially as some of us had free laundry service. We had a room at the front of the boat, but next time, I'd book a mid-ship location, due to movement/seasickness. Sadly, we did not enjoy any nighttime entertainment as we went to bed early each night! Boo! Several in our party enjoyed playing mahjong on deck or in the Observation Lounge every day, although they need an American set on board.
Silversea’s suites offer one of the highest space-per-guest ratios of any luxury cruise accommodations. All Silversea suites have ocean views, and most include a private teak veranda so that you can breathe in the fresh sea air simply by stepping outside your door. And regardless of the ship or suite category, all guests will be pampered with the personalised services of an attentive butler.
For a truly personal experience, customise your suite with an abundance of thoughtful options and luxurious amenities from Bvlgari toiletries and personalised stationery to a bar with your favourite wines and liquors. Settle in with a complimentary movie or choose instead to simply watch the ocean swim by. You can even have dinner in-suite served course by course by your butler. Then, when it’s time to retire, curl up beneath Egyptian cotton linens and a fluffy duvet, with your choice of nine different pillow types. The ultimate in luxury cruise accommodations, Silversea’s suites are your home away from home.
With the importance of food in Italian culture, you would expect dining to be a high priority at Silversea. And it most assuredly is. Moreover, gastronomic excellence is a given thanks to Silversea’s partnership with the prestigious Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux. No matter where you dine, their influence is readily apparent in the great diversity and presentation of culinary selections on board your all inclusive cruise.
Our voyages not only take you to the four corners of the globe but keep you entertained as you get there.
A varied and exciting enrichment program will invigorate mind, body and soul, so from the tips of your taste buds to the depths of your soul, be prepared for a sensory rollercoaster of discovery while not only aboard but also ashore. No one knows the world like we do. Our travel experience is second to none and after 25 years in the business traveling from pole to pole we truly believe that our in-depth knowledge is worth a thousand travel guides. So we have carefully sourced some of the world’s most renowned artists, experts and guest speakers who will travel on select voyages in order to offer culturally immersive experiences from a unique perspective. These carefully curated parties and performances have been designed with our partners to engage, enlighten and enrich your time with us, so that whatever your passion, you can indulge it on board.
The ocean views and soothing sound of the surf can be quite intoxicating at sea, so it’s not surprising that daydreaming on deck is one of the most popular pastimes. However, every Silversea all inclusive cruise also includes a considerable number of more active pursuits — some for the body, some for the mind … and some just for fun.
While on your luxury cruise, embark on a personal journey of wellness to complement your global adventures. Work out in the well-equipped Fitness Centre, take a class in circuit training or Pilates in the aerobics room, and let the sauna and steam rooms work their magic to soothe every muscle.
Silversea offers seminars ranging from aromatherapy and nutrition to how to burn fat. A holistic approach to wellness fully integrates exercise, fitness and spa therapies with health lectures and nutritious dining to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, even while away from home.
Please note: Although Silversea accepts guests over the age of six months, there are no special programmes for children on board, and Silversea does not provide for the care, entertainment and supervision of children.
