Silver Spirit | Distinctive Voyages | 27 Aug to 8 Sept 2026
DAY 1 - Arriving to join a Silversea voyage is always exciting, with super swift embarkation. Everyone is invited on board from 11 am to make an active exploration of the ship, meet the officers and crew, have drinks, lunch and relax until 2 pm when all the rooms are ready.
The ‘Dine Around the World’ restaurants are open in luxurious, stylish settings with exciting new menus on every voyage. Let’s discover those first!
Atlantide
The main dining room with an elegant, sophisticated setting, refined à la carte menus and a broad range of international cuisine.
S.A.L.T. Kitchen
Set in a contemporary design of understated luxury. Where the adventurous menu changes every couple of days according to the itinerary. Destination inspired, regional specialties and wines.
La Terrazza
A more relaxed restaurant with indoor and terrace seating that transforms itself for day and night. Open in the daytime for buffet and served meals with live cooking stations and a plethora of international fresh food. In the evening, it transforms into a more intimate à la carte Italian restaurant with handmade pastas and traditional antipasti, Italian dishes and wines.
Riviera
New to Silversea this season, Riviera is a poolside, open air, Mediterranean beach club style, complete with olive trees! From fresh fish and seafood to steaks and Mediterranean inspired grills and wraps. Open for healthy-style wellbeing breakfasts, casual lunches and suppers. Day or night, it gives you a great culinary adventure with a holiday feeling.
Spaccanapoli
Another wonderful relaxed outdoor dining experience for every hand baked pizza imaginable. Great for when you get back from a tour and need a quickly served snack and a long cold drink!
Arts Café
This beautiful café with soft casual seating changes its selection throughout the day. From light bites, smoothies and pastries to sandwiches, wraps and delicious individual cakes. No two days are the same. Specialty teas, coffees, cocktails and champagne, it’s all there all day long!
Silver Note
An intimate, jazz club and supper style venue with a glamorous, more lively atmosphere. The menu consists of small plates and sharing style dishes to enjoy with the music.
Seishin
An elegant interpretation of a Japanese restaurant. Seishin (translates to Spirit) provides individually made Sushi, Sashimi, Wagyu beef and other Asian inspired dishes. For lunch times at sea, it is complimentary. Evenings are by reservation with a nominal surcharge.
La Dame
This is Silversea’s signature French fine dining restaurant. The most formal and luxurious in intimate surroundings. The sophisticated haute cuisine menu is paired with carefully selected premium wines. Reservation only and a dining fee applies.
All the other departments are also open for exploring – Shore Concierge, the Spa and Fitness suite, Future Sales, the Casino and the Boutique shop. Lastly the Venetian Lounge - offering a destination briefing for those who have unpacked quickly and an early evening show with cocktails for those that were not so quick! Greeted by the exuberant, ever enthusiastic Cruise Director Roy Perez, we were entertained by the extremely talented Silversea Entertainment Team with a vibrant, first class showtime performance “Emotions.”
DAY 2 – The butlers and room stewards are always so polite, eager to please and make your vacation a truly memorable experience. Every room is an elegant luxury suite with an expansive bathroom, a walk-in closet, fridge and a balcony. The room has just about everything you need – your butler will provide anything else (obviously within reason). Change of pillow comfort, fruit bowl, shoe cleaning and even afternoon platters of anything from caviar to cold cuts! The butler’s former prestigious looking tailcoat uniform has been replaced by new contemporary style attire but the service level remains the same.
The Captain, Officers and crew are seen around the ship at all times of the day and night and are extremely friendly and attentive. The 300 officers and crew and 573 passengers represented 82 different nationalities on board.
Guernsey – A small island of 65,000 people and a beautiful perfect summer day. We had never visited the island before and it was everything we expected. Silversea offers a choice of three or four complimentary excursions at each port plus other, more extensive options. We chose an easy two-hour island drive. A great overview of the island with some photo stops, coastal views, Guernsey cows and goats (with Royal status as an endangered species), a little walk along the coastline to see some remnants of the WWII occupation and a delightful gift shop. We must watch “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” movie again (despite the fact that most of it was not really filmed there).
Next was the Welcome party in the resplendent Observation lounge on deck 11 for our group, a great way for us all to meet our new friends/guests.
Later, Captain Tomasz Kulas introduced himself and many officers with a formal champagne reception followed by a very well accomplished West End singer, Philip Browne.
DAY 3 – This should have been a visit to St. Malo but the weather was too rough, so we travelled around the Bay of Biscay towards our next port. A quick addition to the schedule of cooking classes, Trivia, Bingo and other frivolities were arranged for our entertainment.
The Show Team were incredible and put on an amazing song and dance show of West End musicals “Limelight.” I even took note of seven costume changes in that exceptional performance.
DAY 4 – A scheduled sea day and smooth sailing. We had arranged a Galley tour for our guests – always a joy to get the chance for a look behind the scenes but the smells made us all hungry for sure! We had a Japanese lunch at Seishin and I later tried a Turmeric Latte at Arts Café - not sure I would try another though!
We participated in a game of bean bag toss against the officers and a game of Bingo. Never a dull moment at sea – unless that’s what you choose to have. Later we indulged in a visit to the enchanting S.A.L.T. Cocktail Bar. Wow! Khan had just come on board after winning an international mixologists competition – his talents were a joy to watch – and drink!
A great show “35mm” – the Show Team doing exceptional covers of movie themes that night.
DAY 5 – Bordeaux, France – We are so fortunate to be on a smaller ship because that meant we could sail in under the famous Vertical Lift bridge Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas that crosses the Garonne River. We had never seen a bridge like it and as we had to sail in at 11am because of the tides – everyone was out to witness this magnificent sail in, upriver and right into the heart of Bordeaux. We enjoyed a very nice ship tour, City Drive & Cité du Vin. Housed in a very uniquely designed building (allegedly like swirling wine in a decanter), the Cité du Vin is an interactive museum culminating in a wine tasting on the observation deck.
A local show of colorful and very energetic Cancan dancers entertained us that night on board. Phew!! - We needed a calming nightcap at the S.A.L.T bar after that!
DAY 6 – Bordeaux – We had a day exploring the city on foot today. A lovely walk along the river past the Mirror Lake, where the city’s buildings reflect into a 5 cm deep lake as the young and old paddle; La Grosse Cloche (the ancient clock set in a huge stone gate); and many more sights of this beautiful city as we crisscrossed at our own pace. We are not shoppers – but it is impossible not to miss Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street here in Bordeaux, the Rue Saint Catherine is 1.2 km (¾ mile) consisting of every shop imaginable.
Back on board we had a quick supper at Riviera and out again on a ship’s excursion, Twilight Bordeaux. What a tour!! On an open top Hop On bus - we had a great guide, funny and informative who talked for the whole two hours all around Bordeaux, along the river, through the city, over the fabulous bridge to the other side of the city with stories of fact and local gossip – a super tour and we were so glad to have chosen that one as our complimentary tour of the day.
The ships Entertainment team performed yet again with another superb performance. This time “Kaleidoscope” – a show packed with old classics.
DAY 7 – Leaving Bordeaux – We had to wait until the 11am tide and the bridge to open to leave Bordeaux. So, most of us had leisurely breakfasts, played some open deck games and enjoyed the sail along the Garonne River and into the Gironde Estuary passing fabulous Chateaux and Vineyards such as Saint-Émilion and Médoc.
Cocktails – Always a joy on a Silversea ship. Today I was introduced to a French gin made from grapes. G’Vine made with grape blossom in the Cognac region, I’m hooked!
DAY 8 – Bilbao, Spain – We had our group’s exclusive tour here. A six-hour cultural immersion with lunch. Taking in a panoramic drive, visiting various places for photo stops, Dona Casilda Park, a walk through part of the city for traditional Basque region lunch with local wine, followed by a visit to the exceptional Guggenheim Museum with its incredible Titanium curves. A wonderful collage of Bilbao and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
We wanted to visit another famous bridge whilst we were here, so we walked from the port, got a local bus and made our way to Puente Bizkaia. It is the world’s first transporter bridge (constructed in 1893) linking the towns of Portugalete and Las Arenas across the mouth of the Nervion River. It is an iron suspension bridge that transports a suspended gondola carrying up to 6 cars and up to 100 people every 8 minutes day and night. An amazing feat of engineering and our second incredible bridge of this fabulous cruise.
We had a reservation at La Terrazza for supper – antipasti, fabulous seafood pastas and a limoncello cake to die for!!
Then if that wasn’t enough – we had a local Basque troupe on board, a guitarist, an accordion player and a percussionist, plus two exquisite dancers. It seemed a fusion of Irish/Celtic dance and music. The dancers were clearly a couple; their movements and high kicks were mesmerizing. All whilst wearing espadrilles! A truly amazing day and my favorite of the cruise.
DAY 9 – Santander, Spain – Another glorious day of Spanish sunshine which began with a stroll along the promenade, where cyclists passed, friends gathered and people simply enjoyed their time. We admired striking statues of children poised to dive into the sea and a fascinating old dry dock. Days like this remind us how fortunate we are and how precious a healthy life can be.
Back to the ship for lunch and our afternoon excursion, Snapshot of Santander. A simple tour of the city and out to a park with a ride on a tourist train around the Magdelena Peninsular with its Royal summer palace and strangely an enclosure of African penguins!
The show was a comedian – so we indulged in a leisurely sailaway and supper in Atlantide.
DAY 10 – Sea Day – We had arranged super informative Bridge Tours for our guests in two groups.
Fun facts
- In 2018, Silver Spirit was the first cruise liner to be cut in half and lengthened by 15 meters (49 feet).
- A Captain always has the last word over a Pilot on board.
- The H flag (white with red square) is flown when the vessel is under pilotage.
- Whales can only be detected by eye; cruise ships do not have echo sounders, just depth monitors. This is usually under the watchful eye of the Quartermaster.
- Cabin sensors can be activated from hairdryers or condensation/ weather conditions if you leave a balcony door open!
- All sensors are monitored from the Bridge, you have been warned!
The highlight of this sea day though was the Autumn Harvest Grand Brunch. Live cooking stations and carts providing everything from fresh oysters and caviar to sushi, sashimi and a seafood counter to prime rib and a talented Chef cutting paper thin serrano ham. The desserts were of course an extravaganza with THREE different chocolate fountains! An abundance of food and wines for every imaginable taste showcasing the best of the season from the regions visited.
The show that night was “Dance on Fire” – inspired by “Burn the Floor,” an electrifying fusion of ballroom and modern flair. The amazing singers and dancers clearly hadn’t eaten as much as us that day!
DAY 11 – Vigo, Galicia, Spain – We had booked an easy bus excursion, Beautiful Baiona. This delightful town still celebrates the historic day of 1st March 1493 when Martin Pinzón arrived into port on one of the Columbus voyage ships, La Pinta, with news that he had discovered ‘a new world’ (America). There is a replica of this tiny ship which is now a museum. An enchanting little seaside town to visit and a lovely peninsula with a fort to discover.
Back in Vigo, we walked through the cobbled town and out to Parque Monte do Castro. It was a beautiful walk but deceiving – we kept thinking that we were near the top, but the paths, steps and gardens lead you on… and on, and on! We ended up 500 ft above sea level and had walked over 8 miles by the time we got back to the ship.
There is a Silversea ‘points’ system for prizes. One of the ways to gain points is to sign in for the non-competitive Step Count Challenge at 5:30 each day. You show your fitness device and get points to exchange for gifts at the end of the cruise. We earned 10 points each – enough for a free pen. Whoop whoop!
DAY 12 - Leixoes, Oporto, Portugal – They say “keep the best ‘til last” – well, Porto was definitely our favorite excursion and city. It began with a mandatory bus from the ship to the terminal. Even Captain Tomasz had to take his bike onto it. We enjoyed a perfect excursion, Oporto and the Douro River. This included a short bus tour, a walk down to the riverside and a narrated riverboat trip under the many resplendent bridges that are so high, it’s impossible to imagine their construction. But we did in fact see a new one under construction. Just mind blowing.
After being dropped off at a different pier, we were escorted along the riverside to the port cellars of Calem for a very well-presented tour followed of course by White and Tawny port tasting!
A visit to Spaccanapoli for a pizza was much needed when we got back on board!
Sadly, the last day of the voyage was brought quickly to our attention when we got back to our suite and found that our butler had laid out our suitcases - complete with Silversea’s ribbons attached. Such thoughtful touches don’t go unnoticed with me. Fortunately for a two-week journey, you don’t need that much and packing was relatively easy.
The dress code upheld is ‘Elegant Casual’ every evening and is generally the standard dress code around the ship (other than the pool area). There were two optional formal nights. If not a Tux, all the men wear a jacket with an open neck shirt or a tie. The ladies wear elegant pants, cocktail or full-length dresses. In such a luxurious setting it would be a shame to not embrace its elegant beauty.
The show team excelled themselves yet again with an early evening production of “Motown.” This had people up on their feet joyously singing and dancing like no one was watching. What a finale! This was followed by Captain Tomasz, CD Roy Perez and a multitude of officers and crew who came to say thank you and bid us farewell. And all that before supper – talk about leaving you on a high. Silversea has exceeded our expectations yet again and we cannot wait to book again.
DAY 13 – Lisbon, Portugal – Bags were taken dockside as we enjoyed one last breakfast on the open terrace of Silver Spirit. With the usual sad farewells but with great precision, we were disembarked and smoothly assisted through the new full biometric checks (face and fingerprints) for Non-EU visitors.
A truly amazing, luxuriant and exceptional cruise that we have come to expect from Silversea. It was a true joy to sail on this ‘Grape Harvest Voyage’ on Silver Spirit.
Elegant ambiance, exceptional officers and crew, great tours with sumptuous food and wines. Combined with the great itinerary, this cruise resulted in a wonderful cultural immersion.
Affectionately,
Susie and Keith, Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts
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