For this review I have decided to take a very different tack.  For those of you who have seen my reviews for years, you’ll know they basically are talking about hard ware and service issues.   This review is geared to the reader who has not had the opportunity to cruise on a 5 Star Cruise Ship and why you gladly pay the big bucks. 

Just a few basics. We sailed on the Wind in late January through early February in the Caribbean which is prime time in the islands.  The ship was nearly full to its capacity of 294 guests in all outside suites, most with balconies.  As most of you know Silversea is one of a handful of undisputed 5 Star Cruise Lines with both traditional luxury ships ( new one on the way), as well as an expanding fleet of expedition ships.  The food, the service, the accommodations are all 5 star and have been written about and awarded top honors for over 20 years. 

So what makes cruising on Silver Wind so special?  It is the overall experience and feeling that you are indeed a very special and lucky traveler.  It all starts with the embarkation, in our case at Ft Lauderdale.  No lines!  You are met at the door by smartly uniformed Silversea personnel who take you through TSA procedures and then to the Silversea desk in the terminal to verify your passport ID along with taking your picture.  Thus far more Silversea Personnel than passengers and having to move quickly to keep up the pace to get onboard.   

As soon as you’re on the ship your hand luggage is gone, a cool towel is in one hand and a glass of champagne is in the other.   The towel is gone, the champagne refilled, and away you go for lunch and a glass of wine while your suite is being finalized.  No paper work hassles or issues, no drink or wine package sign up desks, no signing a check for your “welcome” $10.00 cocktail - in fact you haven’t signed anything yet including a credit card slip to cover for your personal expenses during the cruise.  Welcome to the world of all-inclusive cruising on the Silver Wind where almost everything is included, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and more. 

When you are ready you’ll be escorted to your suite where your own Butler, yes every suite (to be clear this means every room on the ship) on Silverseas gets a butler, is ready to fully explain the features of your suite and his services.  You’ll be offered a selection of pillows and bathroom amenities (as if Bvlgari isn’t good enough).  Of course he’ll also ask you if you prefer you welcome bottle of chilled champagne now or maybe during cocktail hour and by the way what time do you wish you cocktail hour canapés served in your suite this evening.  He will even unpack for you if you wish. 

Most of you I assume have been on the big ships from the big brands as individuals or with your groups and charters.  On the big ships you never know what type of guests you and your group are going to run into and what impression they will make on your incentive winners!   Here is more than likely what your winners are going to experience as a group on a Silversea cruise;  Age of passengers in the 50s,  they all have paid around $4,000.00 pp or more to be on the cruise (no one is comparing if they paid $795.00 pp or $825.00 pp), they are an international group of people who are well travelled and like to talk about it and they are well dressed but not over-dressed.  Your clients are getting the idea that they are special and they like the experience. 

You’ll soon find that all of the people around you, both passengers and crew, are together creating a very memorable experience.  Just a few examples.  The Captain and his wife and 2 year old daughter are very approachable both on the ship and ashore.  Having had many dinners with Captains over 25+ years this had to be one of our best with the Captain and the family.  Momma in the panoramic bar is the epitome of a Silversea employee.  She is preparing your drink before you even sit down and brings them along with our favorite salted snack and starts the chat.  Why is she called Momma?  She has been with the company nearly 20 years and most of the time on the Silver Wind - all of the female staff come to Momma with questions, problems or concerns AND she treats the guests like family too.  Her story is not unusual.  Most of the crew members have been with the company for many, many years.    

The crew of nearly 250 make this a very memorable experience in providing some of the absolute best service at sea.  You can’t help to notice they are all really operating as a team that respects and relies on one another, and your participants are getting to take part in something very special.                                                                                

Now back to that pesky Butler.  It seems you never have to ask for anything in your suite or regarding your suite experience.  First night all shoes were taken away and polished without asking, laundry or pressing just leave it on the bed anytime - always was back the same day, each night my sunglasses and reading glasses were cleaned and ready to go for the next day,  sliced fruit delivered each night with chocolates,  a bottle of our favorite wine always chilled and available, don’t leave your clothes laying around as he is always cleaning up behind you.  If you need dinner reservations, want to have guests over with some canapes in your suite, arrange a meeting with ships personnel, a special tour or spa appointment - just ask and it happens.  Trust me you can really get use to this! 

I hope you are getting the message that the service on the Silver Wind is just incredibly good and will impress the most jaded participant you’ll be able to find.

But the Silversea is a total package as well.  For a small ship it offers a lot of big ship features to keep us all entertained and amused.  A relatively active casino, a very well appointed spa, a very comfortable theater with reasonably good nightly shows for a small ship, piano bar, late night entertainment that was surprisingly active, nice shops (high end), a good gym, very comfortable pool deck, well stocked library and DVD collection.  In general the ship has most things that you want to find on a big ship without the lines and geared to a more sophisticated audience.  You’ll like this ship.  

Of course no ship review is complete without a food discussion.  I will first say for any potential charterer reading this review, the main dining room as well as the pool deck can hold the entire ship for meals,  as does the main show room.  How many ships today have this bragging right, not many.  The main dining room is generally open for breakfast, lunch and dinner while the buffet restaurant is buffet style breakfast, lunch and high tea but converts to a great Italian ala carte venue for dinner (remember the owners are Italian and this became our second favorite spot).  The food in these two venues is great!  Awesome selection and excellent preparation, you are on a 5 Star after all.  Open seating and very group friendly. 

Now a couple of surprises. Hot Rocks is the pool bar that converts into a fun Hot Rocks Steakhouse in the evening.  Forget that you can take this over and have a really fun evening protected but under the stars, because the meat is the star of the show.  You can cook it yourself, or have the wait staff do it, at you table on superhot rocks that cook you steak or seafood selection right in front of you.  We have honestly never had beef and veal chops as good, plus your having fun and meeting new people.  A must experience for your group. 

Le Champagne by Relais & Chateau does come with a cover charge, pay it, and realize you’re more than likely saving $150.00 per person when compared to some of their actual French land based restaurants.  This fixed menu dinner is a two hour dining experience that will be talked about and fondly remember.  Sorry no descriptions you just have to do it.  Really great for the boss and the VIPs and yes they can go smoke Cuban Cigars and enjoy some really top shelf drinks on this ship as well. 

Your cruise is over so hurry up and get off!  Not so quick, you are a Silversea passenger.  You have already decided if you are going to pack yourself or let your butler do it and leave it outside of your room.  But you haven’t decided if you want room service, the main dining room or the buffet for breakfast.  No rush take your time and enjoy,  as your transfer to the airport is ready when you are.  Your guests will leave the ship feeling like honored guests who have just shared an incredible experience and will be wanting more. 

Worldwide is proud to have placed many groups and full ship charters on all of the Silversea’s traditional fleet.  We are most proud to have arranged a most complicated charter on the Wind’s sister ship the Silver Cloud,  for the Summer of 2016 Olympics that required moving the ship empty in both directions to and from the Med to Rio for the games.  It has taken a tremendous amount of team work to arrange this,  the only sponsor chartered ship for the games,  and we sincerely thank the land and ship based teams at Silversea.  It’s not a cruise it is an experience!