Mundy reservations manager Sharon Trigg was due to be on board, but was struck down by Covid at the last moment, so we went to an old friend for a first-hand report on the ship and how she is looking.
The first of this series of vessels was Silver Muse, and Silversea aficionados will remember the mixed reception she received, particularly in terms of dining. An upgrade on Silver Moon moved the exclusive French fine dining restaurant La Dame up to deck 8 to create an elegant room with floor-to-ceiling windows. At the same time, another dining upgrade, the Sea and Land Taste programme (S.A.L.T.), was introduced to great acclaim. On Silver Dawn these enhancements have been fine tuned. Whilst it is early days, the dining options look set to be excellent, and Kaiseki stands out particularly with a more contemporary Japanese vibe, like a really cool Tokyo restaurant.
New for Silver Dawn is the upgraded spa area, Otium Spa, and I couldn't wait to hear how this was received. In the same way that I had greeted the description of S.A.L.T. with scepticism, only to be blown away when I saw it in operation, likewise I expected the Otium Spa to be a true step up.
Talking to those on board, this is still something of a work in progress, and whilst little details like delivering robes to your suite in advance of a treatment, and serving delectable delicacies in the spa itself in the spirit of true Roman decadence highlight the Otium difference, watch this space to learn more about the intricacies of this offering.
Silversea accommodation is comfortable and spacious, and as always we recommend above all the Silver Suite, if you want to push the boat out without actually selling the family silver. On Silver Dawn the Silver Suites can be found on decks 9, 10 and 11, and they are a very comfortable 786 square feet including a 129 square foot verandah, big enough to accommodate proper comfortable deck furniture. As always, this is our 'Star Buy' choice.
Décor is muted, as on the sister ships, with themes of grey and moss green. Maybe this is why certain rooms stand out - Silver Note, for example, with lots of mahogany with gold trim, and shades of teal and beige in the furnishings. This tapas bar / jazz club cross has come into its own on Silver Dawn as a great evening venue rather than simply a restaurant.
The pool area and pool itself are noticeably larger, although the space still suffers from limited shaded lounging areas for sea days.
The stand-out favourite area of the whole ship for our often jaded reporter was the S.A.L.T. Bar, an undiscovered gem which he describes as 'like a little jewel box, twinkling at night', with great Venetian themed fittings, not to mention amazing cocktails.
If you think this ship might be for you, you will find her cruising in the Western Mediterranean this summer before she sets forth via Senegal to Florida for a winter Caribbean season before returning across the Atlantic in March 2023. By May she will be in Southampton to start a a series of Baltic and Norwegian Fjords cruises stretching right into October. November takes her back to the Caribbean for the 2023/2024 winter season.
