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GONE WITH
THE WIND
Luxury cruising has not been immune to the choppy waters of the recession,
but Silversea Cruises is holding a steady course. Michael Walsh reports from
a Silver Wind sailing in the Indian Ocean, while Sara Macefield rounds up
news from other luxury lines
“Don’t you
they could spend the night on the island. well as flat-screen TVs and DVD players.
know Blissful days like this can only serve to My Verandah stateroom, with its
who I am?” It’s the comic quip of anyone enhance Silversea’s business. The line private balcony, was in pristine condition.
aping celebrity status. But on Silversea’s admits this year has been difficult but says On arrival, we were greeted with a bottle
Silver Wind, it was redundant: most of UK sales have been on a par with 2008, of champagne on ice, a well-stocked
the luxury ship’s staff did know my name. which UK managing director Trudy minibar and fresh fruit. I was surprised
Even though we’d never met. And it made Redfern describes as “very encouraging” in how much I appreciated the walk-in
me feel welcome and really rather special. the current climate. She admits yields have wardrobe, complete with proper wooden
And it wasn’t just when I first boarded been down about $5 per passenger per day, hangers, rather than those hookless things
Silver Wind, in the Maldives, that staff but plans to counter that by offering more that make you feel like a crook. Here was
showed a magic touch – it continued options such as a special autumn cruise space for passengers more elegant than me
throughout my Indian Ocean sailing, with chef Anton Mosimann and special to hang their glad rags and be sure of
which ended in Chennai, India. From the offers rather than pure discounting. looking good on the formal nights.
stateroom attendants to the waiters and The newly-fitted bathroom was very
the ship’s managers, I was invariably Looking a million dollars stylish, complete with shower and bath,
greeted by name. I later learned staff are First launched in 1995, Silver Wind is instant hot water and quality towels. But
encouraged to learn passengers’ names gleaming after a $14 million refurbishment despite these delights, the only topic of
with the prized chance of winning days last autumn. This included the addition of conversation among passengers was the
off – but their sincerity and attentive five suites, an observation lounge on the modern-style basin designed with one
service belied this incentive. top deck, a new gym and a new spa. It also element missing: a plug. It transpired I
included upgrades for all 144 staterooms, wasn’t the only person who had had
Fantasy island including new carpets and bathrooms, as trouble shaving.
Another name on everyone’s lips was Plugs aside, Silver Wind has a decent
Olhahali, a small, deserted island in the range of facilities for a luxury ship of
Maldives. Warm white sand, lush vegeta- its 298-berth size and with just 162
tion, pale blue waters and best of all, it was
Most of the ship’s
passengers onboard during my cruise, the
ours for the day – albeit shared with Silver spacious feel was pleasantly exaggerated.
Wind’s other 160 passengers.
staff did actually
The ship has a small pool, two
With the ship moored out in deeper whirlpool hot tubs, a rarely-used gym,
waters, we were ferried ashore for an
know my name.
library, 600 DVD films, casino, shop and
idyllic day of sunbathing, snorkelling and assorted lounges. There are also six
Maldivian dancing and feasting. This had
Even though we’d
internet terminals.
been designated a Silversea Experience. But what really sets Silver Wind
These are typically days ashore which are never met. And apart are the dining options. Upmarket
included in the cruise price and offered on
most sailings. it made me feel
cruisers demand sumptuous cuisine and
Silver Wind truly delivers. From the
And Olhahali
really was an
welcome and really
main restaurant to the more intimate
Italian-style La Terrazza, the food was
experience. One
passenger was so
rather special
outstanding. Seabass, veal escalope, roast
pork, rainbow trout, caviar, linguine alla
entranced they genovese, stuffed artichoke, salmon
34
jokingly asked if tartare, smoked duck carpaccio
feature cruise
summer 09 ttgluxury.com
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