We recently interviewed one of our valued clients to get her perspective on the Silversea World Cruise. The Silversea World Cruise takes place aboard Silver Whisper, a 382-passenger ship that is small enough to reach ports that many larger ships cannot, offering passengers many opportunities for unique excursions
What did you like best about your Silversea World Cruise?
I was surprised how comfortably I settled into the pace of cruising. It was such a peaceful experience to wake up each day to views of the ocean, as well as visiting so many places I would likely never visit on my own. Silversea provided amazing cultural experiences for those on the World Cruise. For example, we had a Tai Chi lesson with a Master in Vietnam. We saw dancers and cultural performances, we dined on local specialties to get to know the flavors of the region, and we watched fireworks. These experiences were among many other excursions. Cruising is especially enjoyable because we don’t need to drag our luggage between destinations. Instead, we can stay refreshed and well-rested to fully enjoy each new port.
What do you like about cruising with Silversea? How do they rise to the top out of all of your choices out there?
The crew was amazing and catered to each and every passenger on the World Cruise. One of the advantages of a small ship is that you get to know the crew as well as the other passengers. On Silversea, they featured amazing performers, instructors, and guest lecturers — they were all great and made the cruise phenomenal. I had no idea I’d enjoy the opera performances so much! I also loved the craft lessons and iPhone classes. Fun things to do included playing board games, bingo and trivia games.
What were some of your favorite destinations on this world cruise?
I’d always wanted to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, so I selected this cruise to spend more time in Australia and New Zealand, which were both amazing. The best part was the Philippines—the water of Coron was so crystal clear with beauty around every corner and amazing snorkeling. Vietnam was another pleasant surprise. I was able to kayak around the many limestone islands, passing floating villages and fishermen. Borobudur in Indonesia was spectacular and the ride to get there was quite an adventure. We also enjoyed snorkeling in the Red Sea. And Jordan’s Petra was remarkable—I only wish we’d had more time to hike and see everything!
What added value do you see in cruising on a voyage that includes hosts?
The hosts were an unexpected highlight of my trip, and I appreciated their availability for solo travelers. The gentlemen hosts met with us every evening. During this time, I met so many travelers cruising solo, including many of the guest speakers. These evening meetings are where I would go to find friends to dine with. As a dancer traveling solo, I really enjoyed having partners to dance with. I lost my dance partner nearly ten years ago, so dancing on this cruise was a highlight and brought great joy! The international hosts were also really special, and I enjoyed all the activities they planned.
What places do you hope to visit in the future, either for the first time or as a returning visitor?
I’ve booked a Silversea Expedition Cruise to the Galapagos and Machu Picchu in 2020. I haven’t traveled to Antarctica but I hope to do so soon.
Do you have any advice for someone who is considering a world cruise?
This was an amazing voyage. Being on a ship for four months is similar to moving into a new apartment, meeting new neighbors and checking out what the neighborhood has to offer. If I were to do it again, I’d get involved in sea day activities right away—this is when many friendships form. Also, unlike a one or two-week cruise, don’t feel pressured to do everything every day. Take each day at your own pace for your best cruising experience.
Would you like to learn more about the Silversea World Cruise? Visit their page to learn more about upcoming Silversea World Cruise opportunities.
