Silver Wind is a perfect illustration of how complete a small-sized ship can be. With just 296 guests, beautiful suites and spacious public areas, this ship was one of the most intimate ships I’ve sailed on. The Al fresco dining with panoramic ocean views. Clubby spaces for evening cocktails with friends. The plush comfort of our ocean-view suite after a day of incredible sights. Timelessly elegant yet luxuriously relaxed, this ship strikes the perfect balance of yacht-like intimacy combined with the space, amenities and diversions typically reserved for larger vessels.
We boarded the Silver Wind in Barbados, after a pell-mell dash from Grantley Adams airport, there was only one place to go - The Bar. We were greeted like long lost friends and served swiftly with flutes of bubbly; at last a quiet moment, to reflect and settle, in the cozy, clubby atmosphere. The rest of the interior of the ship was equally welcoming, more so after the recent refurbishment of the major public areas.
We had a Medallion suite on the 8th deck, forward of the swimming pool area, and from the start, our Butler, Vinay delightful Indian man, was courteous, efficient and endlessly patient. He served our breakfasts and afternoon canapes on the balcony and tended to our daily laundry, which was joy. The rest of the crew was equally friendly and courteous and seemed to know our names almost from the moment we boarded; they made it feel like a home away from home.
Our cruise departed from Barbados and took us to Grenada, Bonaire, Aruba, Curaçao and back to Barbados. Our shore excursion in Aruba comprised of a little sightseeing, including the lighthouse and then a trip in a semi-submersible to view the wreck of a German freighter, scuttled during the very early months of WW2. For the rest of the tour we wandered the local bazaars and soaked in the atmosphere.
Our voyage was made all the more pleasurable because we were upgraded to a Medallion suite, which included complementary laundry, free and unlimited Wi-Fi, and a large walk-in closet; another joy. The veranda was large enough for two sunbeds, a small dining table and chairs, and a lounger built for two.
Overall we were impressed by the friendliness of the staff, the cozy, intimate feel of the ship and the leisurely relaxed pace of life. Would we cruise on the Silver Wind again? Absolutely!
To learn more about this sailing or if you have other questions about Silversea, please contact Lynne Adams, CTC.
