Departures Australia Spring 2017

BLACKBOOK The vessel

BLACKBOOK The vessel sails into Manhattan on a clear day, above; the plush interiors of a Veranda Suite, below Panorama Suite, to the Owner’s Suite, a 129sq m space expandable to up to two bedrooms, every detail has been perfectly considered. On sea days, you can always count on finding a quiet spot, be it on the terraces of the five upper decks, in the countless salons like the Arts Café and Panorama Lounge, or, best of all above, the bridge in Tor’s Observation Library. LIFE ON BOARD Silver Muse isn’t just for seniors. There are body-sculpt boot camps with personal trainer Rachel and DJ Bart, as well as lectures, theatre productions and seminars, not to mention putting contests and blackjack tournaments. The offerings at the Zàgara Beauty Spa are equally extensive, from massages, body wraps and acupuncture to express bleaching. The private spa suite features its own alfresco whirlpool, and all cruisers have access to a fitness area, sauna and steam bath. CULINARY EXPERIENCE For a ship this size, eight restaurants are an exceptional feat – and all the more impressive is that all are excellent. There’s nothing better than enjoying Spaccanapoli’s bufala pomodorini pizza while relaxing on a Deck 11 sunbed. At the outdoor Hot Rocks, you can savour lava-grilled steaks poolside, while creative tapas and live jazz are on the menu at the romantic Silver Note. For fine dining, there’s either La Dame, a Relais & Châteaux restaurant, or the open show kitchen at Kaiseki, where astonishingly fresh Maine lobster and miso cod find their way onto the sizzling teppanyaki grill each evening. ON THE GROUND Wildly exceeding expectations, there are, for example, four distinct day itineraries for the dreamy commune of Trapani, Sicily, including trips to the temples of Selinunte or Marsala – all, of course, with a culinary pit stop. On Mallorca, seven expeditions range from bike tours of Palma to a rail journey to Soller. Tailormade excursions can be made via the concierge, and for small groups, the Silver Shore programme allows you to explore certain destinations more closely before, during or after the cruise. ROUTES Since her christening in April, Silver Muse has sailed the Mediterranean. Her first transatlantic crossing comes in September, followed by a journey down to Cape Horn via Florida, Panama and Valparaíso, Chile, cruising the Caribbean and South America for the next seven months. Muse will return to the Med from May to October 2018, and then she’s off to Muscat, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali and Sydney. THE VERDICT Silversea’s new flagship shines with its overwhelming culinary bounty, superlative service and immaculate suites. Despite its considerable size (in comparison to the fleet’s other vessels), Muse still feels small and intimate, and, thanks to modern propulsion technology, she is a lowemission, Green Star-certified ship, making for a quiet and nearly vibrationfree journey. silversea.com ♦ —Thomas Midulla The Muse’s blue-tiled swimming pool at dusk LENGTHY LABYRINTH Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas uses enough electrical wiring to stretch coast to coast across America. royalcaribbean.com FROM TOP: RFC GRAPHICS, © SILVERSEA (2) 26 DEPARTURES-INTERNATIONAL.COM

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