This year was my 20th cruise with Silversea on board four of the present five ships and my 11th cruise on Silver Spirit,which is the largest of the fleet-Silver Muse next year is slightly larger and launched in April.Silver Spirit has a maximum of 540 guests although the two cruises back to back were not full.I travelled to Rome airport via Frankfurt from Manchester and transferred to the ship at Civitavecchia and Embarkation was quick and smooth with the issue of the essential cruise card.I boarded straight away and met my butler Rahul who took me to my suite and introduced me to the facilities.These included a variety of soaps,pillows,drinks for my cocktail cabinet and the layout of the suite,which I knew well.There is a separate shower unit in the bathroom,cloakroom,large queen bed,lounge area with settee,armchair,writing desk complete with personalised writing paper,adequate cupboard,drawer and shelf space and a safe.There is an verandah with table and two chairs where I had breakfast on the morning we were anchored off Sorrento.

A safety drill took place prior to departure with all passengers introduced to their life jackets and boat stations.

The first dinner was one of many in the Main Restaurant with my usual waiter Lorenz who presented me with a varied menu-I went off menu for the first night-accompanied by my choice of wines.The meals were all the very best standard and presentation. Read more