An Inside Look at Silversea's New Silver Muse

Luxury ships sail to far-flung regions across the globe, so when they arrive at a close-to-home U.S. port, it’s a plus for agents desiring to move clients up the scale from premium. Travel Agent overnighted on Silversea Cruises’ 596-passenger Silver Muse during last month’s introduction to Florida sailing. The 40,700-grt ship sails roundtrip from or one-way to / from Port Everglades with multiple voyages this winter. 

Launched in spring 2017, the all-suite Silver Muse is an evolution of Silver Spirit. During our preview cruise, we toured the Balsorano Owner’s Suite, #944, reflecting the style of Silversea Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre. Inside the door in a cozy nook is a comfortable brown leather chair and ottoman, along with a portrait of the chairman himself.

The large living room consists of a sofa, two chairs, a large bookcase unit that fills the wall and holds a 55” flat-screen TV. The adjacent dining area has a table for four, another 42” flat-screen TV and a pantry / serving / bar area that folds out with a refrigerator, espresso machine and barware. Special perks for suite guests include a chance to savor the vintage port that Lefebvre himself selected. Also, a nook area has a writing desk, and on the opposite wall, shelves display Lefebvre’s favorite items and books, including Jules Verne’s “The Great Navigators of the Eighteenth Century.” 

The separate master bedroom has a king bed (convertible to two twins), another flat-screen TV and a large walk-in closet and separate vanity area. Fully marbled, the master bathroom has a large, rainforest shower compartment with seat; a soaking tub with whirlpool jets; dual sinks in a large vanity area with mirrors; and another space for the toilet and bidet. The large veranda can be accessed from both the living room and the dining / writing desk area. 

Travel Agent stayed in a Silver Suite, the line’s most popular suite category. Silver Muse has 34 Silver Suites, compared to 26 on Silver Spirit, plus two of these have connecting suites (for a second bedroom). More connecting accommodations have been added throughout this ship. Our Silver Suite had a spacious living and dining area, and when pocket-style doors separating the living room from the bedroom area were pulled opened, the space seemed even bigger. Guests can access the long veranda from sliding glass doors in both the dining area and living room, providing lots of natural light into the interior space. 

One interesting concept? Upon entry, the suite’s half bath (toilet and sink) is accessible from the main interior suite corridor, perfect for visitors or family members sleeping on a pull-out living room sofa. That said, this half bath is also the toilet compartment for the main bath as well, accessed by a separate door. 

Silver Muse has nine dining venues, including Indochine and Atlantide, the two largest, as well as the Spaccanapoli Italian Pizzeria; La Dame (the Relais & Châteaux venue); Kabuki (teppanyaki); The Grill, where guests cook their own meal on “hot volcano rocks” at the table; the new Arts Café with eight light food presentations daily; the Silver Note Supper Club; and La Terrazza, which serves buffet breakfast and lunch in addition to an evening of Italian fine-dining experience; plus 24-hour room service. 

Silver Muse Owners Suite Living Room

The Balsorano Owner’s Suite living room consists of a sofa, two chairs and a large bookcase unit that fills the wall and holds a 55” flat-screen TV.

Earlier in the year, pre-booked reservations were taken for Indochine and Atlantide with some drop-in seating available. However, the guests preferred more open, drop-in seating, so in mid-October, adjustments were made. Guests will find open seating (no pre-booking) at Atlantide, Indochine and Spaccanapoli. Silversea also increased Atlantide’s seating capacity, added more mildly spiced Asian dishes (in addition to the spicy ones) at Indochine and created a more intimate ambiance at Dolce Vita.

Silver Muse’s dress code is aligned with that of the rest of its classic fleet: no formal night on seven-day or shorter cruises; one formal night during eight- to nine-night cruises; two formal nights on 10- to 14-day cruises; and three formal nights on cruises of 15 days or more. 

During Travel Agent’s one night aboard, the line created set menus for agents / media, so while the food was creative and tasty, we can’t provide feedback on the normal menus. We liked that Indochine had both individual tables and one long communal dining table that should draw singles, guests who love to meet new people and large groups of family members, friends or corporate groups. 

A cool wooden sculpture welcomes guests outside the Zagara Beauty Spa, which has nine treatment rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, an acupuncture suite, relaxation areas and a dedicated outdoor whirlpool. The ship’s adjacent exercise room with Technogym equipment and weights was larger than expected for a ship this size. 

To facilitate deck-to-deck flow between two popular public areas, Silversea added a spiral staircase (below a spectacular spiral lighted fixture) between deck nine’s Panorama Lounge and deck eight, home to the new Arts Café, upscale shops and Connoisseur’s Corner (for cognac and cigars). Doubling as a cafe and deli-bar by day and a cocktail lounge at night, the Arts Café has comfortable seating, an outdoor terrace, and artwork that rotates in and out. 

Initially, Silversea hadn’t planned to offer gambling onboard, but now guests will find a small casino with tables and slot machines adjacent to Silver Note. Our favorite spot onboard was Tor’s Observation Library, a lounge atop the ship with comfortable seating, a full bar and books to peruse. It’s named for Torstein Hagen, Viking Ocean Cruises’ chairman and a friend of Silversea’s chairman. Not surprisingly, Viking’s ocean ships have an alternative restaurant called Manfredi’s. 

On December 6, Silver Muse sails a 12-day, nine-island voyage from Barbados to Port Everglades, along with two days at sea before arriving at Port Everglades. On December 18, it sails a 16-day voyage roundtrip from Port Everglades with port calls at 10 Caribbean islands, along with five days at sea. In first quarter 2018, multiple sailings will touch South Florida.   

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