Have you found your sea legs yet? I found mine on a short cruise down the Mediterranean and it didn’t take long. In fact my sea legs were so easy to find I kept forgetting I was at sea. I spent four days aboard the Silver Wind, a small luxury cruise ship run by Silversea and LOVED it.
From the moment you board the ship you are looked after, from a glass of champagne as you check in, to your personal maid and butler introducing themselves and there to help with anything your heart desires.
This was my first cruise, but I imagine that they aren’t all quite as luxurious and high rating as this one, they had thought of everything, from the personal requests for what you wanted in your mini bar to a surprise honey sorbet handed out by the pool on a hot afternoon. Bliss.
Accommodation
I stayed in a Midship Veranda Suite with a balcony, it is a little more to have a room with a balcony but I think it would be worth it. Sitting enjoying your breakfast looking out to sea or listening to the waves splash against the ship below as you sleep reminds you that you’re out on the big wide ocean.
Sleeping in my plush bed at night I barely felt any movement and I can’t imagine anyone aboard the ship would have had any seasickness when sailing down the Med. My room was equipped with a living area, marble bathroom, walk in wardrobe and satellite TV and DVD player, with a selection of DVDs you can rent for free from the on board library. Every room also has a pair of binoculars so you can try and spot the occasional dolphin or whale. I wasn’t lucky in spotting any exciting sea life but loved looking out at the never-ending horizon.
Food
There are four restaurants on board and they are each equally different and exciting. Le Terazza restaurant is at the back of the ship with a lovely outside seating area under a white canopy. The warm light sea breeze makes sitting here for dinner really enjoyable and if you time it right you can be sipping wine as you watch the sun set over the ocean. The menu includes four different courses, including a light homemade pasta course. My orange jam parcel was far more delicious than it sounded and I was left feel satisfyingly full after my four courses and flowing Champagne and wine.
For something a bit unique head to the Pool bar and grill. A much more relaxed atmosphere where you get to cook your own steak or fish on a hot stone at your table. The closest I have come to this is Korean BBQ, where they cook your meat at your table, but this involved individual hot stones where they plonk a fillet steak or some Tiger prawns and you cook them to your liking before eating off a wooden platter.
On our final night aboard the Silver Wind we booked into Le Champagne, the fine dining restaurant on board, a small area of tables to enjoy a slow 6 course tasting menu. Everything was delicious from scallops to Lobster Bisque and venison or pork to a surprise triple chocolate dessert. You need to book in advance for this restaurant and pay an extra charge per person. All other food on board is included, including 24 hour steak or champagne delivered to your room. I know… heaven!
Entertainment
Personally I was quite happy spending any free time on board the boat lazing by the pool. With a constant flow of cocktails and nachos there really was no need to be anywhere else.
However if you aren’t a sun worshiper there are plenty of other ways to entertain yourself on board. The spa offers a range of treatments, I enjoyed a full body Swedish massage which left me relaxed and dazed. They also have a fully equipped gym and workout and personal training sessions throughout the day. The library has a range of books, DVDs and internet (there is also wifi) for you to use for free and evening entertainment in the Show Lounge ranges from Abba cover Fabalicious to Frank Sinatra covers and comedy.
Though there are many ways to while away a day relaxing on the boat, most days you will stop in a new port and have a whole new town or country to explore. I am positive you won’t get bored.
If you still need some persuasion on how much fun a cruise can be read my post on 5 misconceptions about cruises.
I travelled on a sponsored trip with Silversea on the Silver Wind for 4 days as part of their 9 day Mediterranean cruise.
