The 10 Commandments of Luxury Cruising on Silversea

LuxuryTravelMagazine.com, Written by Debbi K. and William D. Kickham, Esq.

Endless cocktails, wine and dessert. Private in-suite dinners. Couples massages. Pillow menus and plush bedding. Ballroom dancing classes. These are just some of the posh perks that Silversea Cruises offers. Most upscale cruise lines have always offered unforgettable experiences – for example, you can often wine and dine to your heart's content in fabulous restaurants, and, unlike real life, never receive the check, never mind pay a gratuity. But nowadays, the upscale envelope has been pushed. Fantasy, thrills-of-a-lifetime, upper-crust adventures and red-carpet treatment await today's travelers on Silversea. Here are the Ten Commandments to make the most of your trip on Silversea Cruises.

To tempt you even more – bear this in mind. Silversea Cruises has won awards too numerous to mention including, in 2007, the “Five Star Diamond Award” from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and the “Number One” small-ship line in the Reader's Choice choice survey of Britain’s Conde Nast Traveller magazine. We recently sailed on a superb voyage on Silversea's Silver Shadow from London/Greenwich, U.K., to Lisbon, Portugal, taking in many ports of call in France. It was a tailor-made luxury trip of a lifetime – and we know luxury when we see it!

Follow these instructions to make a Bon Voyage even better!

1) Thou shalt dine a deux.

A cruise is all about spending private time together. Request a table-for-two in the main dining room or dine inside, next to your verandah, where the sea and sky surround you. For more intimacy, dine aboard in a jewel-box restaurant such as Silversea's Le Champagne, which only requires a $30pp charge for a superb gastronomic dinner (ask the concierge for menus; the daily newsletter also has information). This specialty bistro offers gourmet meals by candlelight, and features fine wine upgrades that usually cost extra. Don't forget to kiss and canoodle between courses, and remember -- on a cruise ship, desserts are supposed to be sinful. We also loved the ice cream social, offering just-made cones and creamy concoctions, including sherbets and nonfat yogurts that would intimidate Ben and Jerry. Share a sundae and you're sure to feel – dare I say it? – like you're on your first date. Now that's romance!

2) Thou shalt spa.

Book the ultimate pampering through Silversea's on-board spa: a sensuous couples massage in the spa itself or, for more convenience, in your suite. (The experience is so sexy, you just might enjoy pillow talk afterwards.) Because everyone loves rubdowns with a velvet glove, spa appointments usually fill up quickly. Schedule your treatments online, before you board, to avoid disappointment.

3) Thou shalt be lazy.

True luxury cruises are designed so you don't lift a finger. Ask your cabin attendant or if you're lucky – your butler -- to unpack your luggage, stock your refrigerator -- even hang your “Do Not Disturb” sign. It's one of those rare times when you should be sybaritic. So go ahead -- sleep late, relax by the pool, and order room service at 3AM. Every day is the proverbial “seventh day” when you should rest, together.

4) Thou shalt also be active.

Silversea offers oceans of exercise options: an outdoor jogging path, indoor gym, Pilates instruction, ballroom-dancing lessons, slow and disco dancing in romantically-lit lounges, strolls on moonlit decks -- everything short of walking the plank.

5) Thou shalt enjoy your suite.

Book a spacious luxury cabin, or even the penthouse suite. You'll find a couch, dining area, small refrigerator, desk, TV/DVD/CD player, binoculars (for romantic star-gazing and moon-watching on your private deck), your choice of three luxury bath amenities (Neutrogena, Bulgari and Acqua di Parma), fresh floral bouquets, fruit baskets, turndown chocolates, and fluffy robes and slippers. (Cruising has become so romantic that, well, Gilligan's even taking a second look at The Skipper.) Of course the ultimate amenity is the bed. See Commandment Six.

6) Love thy sleep.

Silversea has introduced sumptuous new bedding, realizing that a good night's sleep together, afternoon nap, and spontaneous intimacy, are lusted-after luxuries. You'll be spoiled by sleeping beauties: feather beds, 100% Egyptian 320-thread-count cotton sheets, fluffy European goose-down duvets, even plush pillow menus (just like those at five-star hotels), for the ultimate snooze cruise. After our flight “over the pond,” we sunk down into our blissful bed and felt that this port of call was, no, not London, but Heaven indeed.

7) Thou shalt steal stolen moments.

On Silversea, sweethearts can steal themselves away for unexpected pleasures and new discoveries, fore and aft. Forget the “shoulds” and let yourself go – to share educational lectures; complimentary excursions and dinners (say, in a French wine chateau); classical music performances; themed cruises; bingo; board games and any number of belly laughs, when you least expect them. We delighted in taking Silversea's new Viking Cooking Class demonstration (using ultra-luxurious Viking appliances) taught by chef Riki Senn in the Athena Lounge (complete with delicious tasting). Chef Senn, because we docked in Honfleur and St. Malo, treated us to the secrets of making French crepes (she instructed us that the batter needs to rest overnight) and then whipped up delectable crepes filled with seafood, as well as the typical Suzettes. We sat, hand-in-hand, taking notes to remember for use later in our own kitchen. And speaking of cooking, Silversea's Maitre D's Antonio Mendes and Artur Serra, as well as the Executive Chef, assisted us in a wealth of special orders. Make sure to follow our example! We requested all of our favorite things not typically found on the menus – nonfat breads for breakfast; ratatouille; lowfat carrot cake; broiled scallops; lowfat chicken cacciatore – so that we could have the experience of truly customized dining to our individual preferences. The head bartender, Sujith Mohan, also constantly concocted my favorite diet drink – a lemonade made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, water, and Splenda. Everything was a real treat, in more ways than one. Mr. Mohan also told me how he satisfied all kinds of special requests – from fresh carrot juice to caviar – for passengers, with his handsome, gracious smile and let-me-go-the-extra-mile-for-you attitude. We also appreciate Silversea's liquor policy, which means that anything you want is covered in the cost of your cruise – whether you drink regular or virgin Pina Coladas, watermelon martinis, single-malt scotch, grappa, port wine – and everything in between. Your stateroom also comes with four bottles of premium spirits of your choice. We also thrilled to the complimentary dessert wine – a spectacular Lagara Moscato d'Asti – that was served after dinner and also sent to our room by the sommelier.

8) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's Louis Vuitton luggage.

In other words, pack these must-have items for your romantic rendezvous: Elegant room spray in your favorite fragrance (I love Diptyque's Violette); bubble bath; massage oil; romantic DVDs (check out ship's video library; chances are you can finally watch When Harry Met Sally together); digital camera and VCR; and a travel diary to record daily adventures. Don't forget your nicest outfits and best jewelry; dressing up for dinner is an experience to be savored, especially on formal nights. You'll live happily ever after for the length of your cruise.

9) Thou shalt create surprises.

Silversea's sophisticated staff know how to make every moment count. Ask them for rose petals strewn on your bed, on the floor, and in your bathtub (unbeknownst to your spouse). Request a special recipe – a favorite cake, ice cream, or entree -- as a surprise. Arrange for milk and cookies served to you, at the hot tub, at midnight. If there's a birthday or anniversary (such as the day you first met) to celebrate with champagne, all the better. Bring something from home to wow your spouse with. Bill once surprised me in Venice with a custommade diamond ring that he brought from Boston, and the Silver Wind staff gladly assisted with his heartfelt subterfuge. Shipboard surprises can turn memories into magic, faster than you cay say “starboard.”

10) Honor thy feelings.

It's bound to happen, so just run with it. Your cruise ends, and your loved one utters those three little words you long to hear: no, not “I love you,” but “Let's book another!” (especially if complimentary vow renewals are offered). Translation: your cruise was everything you thought it would be – and more.

For more information, contact Silversea Cruises. For a brochure, call (877) 215-9986.

SIDEBAR: MORE FOR YOUR DOLLAR IN LISBON

During our Silversea trip, we were appalled at the dollar-to-Euro rate – it was so bad that essentially everything in the European ports of call were double the price in American dollars. That's just one advantage of cruising on Silversea – all of your meals and alcohol, including fine wines, are included in your price, so you don't have to worry about spending Euros – or any currency - for dinner – or anything else. Even if you have deep pockets, it's great to know that your cruise has locked in prices, so you don't have to worry about a weakening dollar.

Everything changed, however, when we disembarked in Lisbon; we initially worried about the cost of our meals and entertainment – but it's a city that you should definitely check out. A luxury traveler heading to Europe will find few bargains – except in Portugal. In fact, a full week at a 5-star hotel in Lisbon can be about the same price as just one or two nights at a luxury hotel in other European capitals. In Lisbon we stayed at the Hotel Olissippo Oriente (www.hotelolissippo-oriente.com), a four-star property with 182 modern guestrooms; it's located in the Parque das Nacoes, the lovely metropolitan area where Expo 98 occurred. Our luxurious double room (with wonderful European high-thread-count sheets) cost just $148 per night, and it included a sumptuous buffet breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant. For fun, we took a quick five minute walk to the Vasco de Gama shopping center, where you should check out two of my favorite European bargain-based stores: Zara and Promod, where you can find first-class fashions at coach prices.

With all the money you can save in Portugal, you can definitely afford another Silversea Cruise! Consider Silversea's newly christened expedition ship, the Prince Albert II; it set sail first to the Arctic Circle, Iceland and Greenland for the summer, and will then reposition to South America and Antarctica for autumn and winter voyages in 2008.