Silver Shadow

The 2000-built cruise ship MS Silver Shadow is the third vessel in the Silversea's fleet, preceded by Silver Cloud (1994) and Silver Wind (1995), and followed by the sistership Silver Whisper (2001).

The vessel (IMO number 9192167) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 308628000) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Silversea Cruises is a Monaco-based privately-owned cruise company and top-luxury travel brand. It was established in 1994 as joint venture of V-Ships Monaco (fka Vlasov Group) and Lefebvre Family of Rome Italy. In 2018, RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd acquired 2/3rd of the company. Silversea now has a fleet of smaller-sized boutique cruise vessels with passenger capacity between 100-700. Company's business model is to operate yacht-like vessels in the industry's ultra-luxury-all-suite ship category. Silversea's all-inclusive fares include beverages (also selected wines), gratuities (none are allowed), travel insurance, port charges, one or more shore excursions (per voyage).

The 400-passenger ship Silver Shadow is a successor of Silver Cloud and Silver Wind. The difference between ms Silver Shadow and her two predecessors in the line’s fleet is only in size. Silversea Cruises reputation for quality, established with the first two ships, today is carried on. In configuration and shape Shadow, and her twin-sister Whisper, are simply bigger and newer versions of the first Silversea vessels. You may find a number of younger, in their mid-40’s passengers onboard Silver Shadow, but generally, guests are around their 60’s and over. Travelers on the Shadow ship are loyal to Silversea and well-heeled.

Decks and Cabins

Silver Shadow staterooms (194 total, in 12 grades) are all in Suite categories and include 4x connecting and 2x wheelchair-accessible cabins. The smallest accommodations are Vista Suites (290 ft2 / 27 m2), followed by the bigger Terrace Suites (290 ft2 / 27 m2 plus 80 ft2 / 8 m2 balcony), Veranda Suites (345 ft2 / 32 m2 plus 60 ft2 / 6 m2), Medallion Suites (520 ft2 / 49 m2 plus 80 ft2 / 8 m2), Silver Suites (650-700 ft2 / 61-65 m2 plus 110-125 ft2 / 10-12 m2), 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom Royal Suites (94-126 m2 plus 11-17 m2), 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom Grand Suites (101-133 m2 plus 11-17 m2) and 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom Owners Suites (85-117 m2 plus 20 m2 terrace). Almost all cabins (excepting the 26 Vista Suites) are with step-out balconies.

The boat has 10 decks, of which 8 are passenger-accessible and 6 with cabins.

All rooms provide walk-in closets, sitting area, dressing table with good lighting and hairdryer, double basin in Italian marble, separate shower and full bathtub, refrigerator with a bottle of wine, beer and soft drinks, satellite television (smart HDTV), VCR unit, electronic safe box. Bathroom amenities are offered by Bvlgari with Frette Italian linens. Beds are convertible. Flowers and fresh fruits are always on the table. 

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

No matter where you choose to eat on Silver Shadow – in the main dining room (The Restaurant), Terrace Cafe, or in the intimate Le Champagne dinner room, the ship’s cuisine is of the highest quality. You will not be disappointed at the Bar, cigar club by Davidoff, wine and champagne bars. Silver Shadow gratuity is not required, neither expected as Silversea crew is paid above the industry average.

Follows the complete list of Silver Shadow restaurants and food bars.

• The Restaurant (open-seating dining room with top-quality gourmet cuisine; features the most the Mediterranean themed meals, and always available standard menu with daily specials; all three meals are waiter-served and a la carte)
• Le Champagne (20-seat French cuisine specialty restaurant; offers signature dishes by Relais Chateaux; dinner-only; reservations-only)
• La Terrazza (Terrace Cafe; complimentary buffet-style restaurant, offers both indoor seating and an alfresco terrace; wine is complimentary; there is also Afternoon Tea service; La Terrazza transforms each evening between 7:00 and 9:30 pm, into an Italian specialty restaurant, reservations-only, with a la carte menu)
• Pool Bar & Pool Grill (serve ship's pool deck area with fast food and drinks during the day; in the evening, the outdoor area becomes an al fresco dining venue with classic seafood and steakhouse choices, plus vegetarian and healthy selections)
• The Grill (offers gourmet dining under the stars with signature meals including lava-rocks grilled meat, seafood, Mediterranean vegetables, baked potatoes, salad of the day; wines are complimentary, except the premium ones from the Connoisseur’s Wine List; The Grill implements the line’s interactive dining concept “Black Rock Grill Experience”, which allows guests to cook their own meat and seafood). 

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Silver Shadow is not the ship to be considered fitness-oriented. Her passengers tend to be older and more sedentary than the ones on other ships in the market, but a number of opportunities to keep fit are available. Swimmers can use the outdoor saltwater pool, two whirlpools and two outdoor showers. There are also men’s and ladies’ steam rooms and saunas. Don’t forget the poolside grill and bar. The fitness center is small but with interesting features – an example is the aqua swim pool, allowing passengers to swim against the tide, a great exercise for getting fit. Cycle and weight equipment are standard fare, and also effective for people who want to be in good shape. There is a small outdoor artificial turf jogging track nearby.

The Shadow’s Mandara Spa offers every imaginable treatment, from a simple manicure to an Indian scalp massage. Some of the treatments’ names are most appealing and it takes two therapists in unison to work on different body parts, in order to provide “Ultimate Indulgence”. A face and scalp, hands and feet massage, is called “Heaven and Earth”, but one of the most exotic is named “Balinese Bliss for Two” which you have to enjoy with the one you love. Other onboard amenities include golf driving cage and shuffleboard court, a casino with casino bar, conference and card rooms, computer center, library and Bulgari boutiques. 

Additional amenities include Launderettes (3), Medical Center/Infirmary, complimentary 24-hour Room Service, Internet/WiFi Access.

Follows the complete list of Silver Shadow lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Casino (with slot machines and gaming tables; served by The Bar)
• Boutique shops (both offer duty-free shopping: luxury jewelry and watches, brand perfumes, fashion, designer handbags, photo/video accessories, Silversea logo merchandise, special occasion gifts, convenience goods)
• The Bar (lounge with ample comfortable seating; offers live music performances, large dance floor, complimentary cocktails)
• Athenian Show Lounge (356 seats, former Venetian Lounge - ship’s theatre for live music and show productions; the daily enrichment program offers trivia games, dance classes, language lessons, lectures, media presentations)
• Conference Room (hosts group meetings and conferences; it is adjacent to the Card Room and the Internet Cafe)
• The Swimming Pool (with saltwater; heated during cool-weather cruises; the sunbathing area has teak chaise loungers, 2 whirlpools and tennis tables)
• Connoisseur’s Corner (formerly known as Humidor - ship’s smoking lounge furnished with leather armchairs and selling brand cognacs, vintage wines, fine cigars)
• Panorama Lounge (served by its own bar; offers live music and dancing, Continental Breakfast and Afternoon Tea)
• Observation Lounge (with 270-degree panoramic views and a radar screen; serves early breakfast with coffee)
• The Library (with audio listening stations and on-demand movies)
• The Spa at Silversea (features treatment rooms, and spa therapies including body wraps, massages and facials; sauna and steam rooms)
• Beauty Salon (provides a full range of services: hairstyling, manicures, pedicures)
• Fitness Centre (offers a treadmill, stationary bike, weight machine, elliptical trainer)
• Power Walking/Jogging Track, Golf Cage, paddle tennis, golf putting green.

Itineraries

Silver Shadow itinerary program is based on exotic, “all-inclusive luxury” cruises in the regions of Alaska (with departures from Vancouver), Asia (from Hong Kong and Singapore), South America (Antarctica voyages from Chile and Argentina), Caribbean (out of Fort Lauderdale).

Silversea's "flight and cruise" package deals (by the company's "Silver Sky" program) are inclusive of the luxury cruise fare, discount round-trip airfare (Economy Class) and airport-pier-airport transfers.

Silversea's "hotel and cruise" package "Silver Shore Simply Hotel" offers overnight 5-star luxury hotel stays with the option of adding transfers or upgrades. The upgraded cruise and hotel package ("Silver Shore Grande Hotel") offers 1-3-nights landmark hotel stays (or at a boutique property) and is inclusive of private transfers (airport-hotel and hotel-pier).

Silver Shadow's hull was constructed at Visentini shipyard (near Trieste Italy), while the final outfitting was done at T. Marotti shipyard (Genoa).

Silversea Shadow has an identical "younger" sister - Silver Whisper (2001-built). Shadow's godmother is Janet Burke (former Silversea's SVP of Marketing and Sales). She christened the vessel on September 14, 2000 (in Port Civitavecchia-Rome) by smashing a Salmanazar (9L bottle) of Moet & Chandon Champagne in the hull. The Maiden Voyage started on September 15, 2000 (Mediterranean itinerary between Civitavecchia-Rome and Lisbon).

Silversea ships Shadow and Whisper feature the best space-to-guest ratio in the world with a score of 74. This means they offer more space per guest than any other mass-market or luxury cruise ship on the planet. Like the other Silversea vessels, Shadow and Whisper have very good guest-to-crew ratio - 1,3. All officers and crew members are European trained.

China Merchants Group entered into an agreement to charter Silver Shadow for pan-Asian itineraries between January 29, 2017, and May 4, 2017. Silversea's Asian cruise itineraries will include days at sea and plenty of maiden ports of call, with access to innovative and iconic ports, old and new.

Silver Shadow refurbishment 2019 review

In 2019 (November 2 through December 2) the ship was drydocked in Port Valletta Malta (at Palumbo Malta Shipyard) for an extensive refurbishment. The USD 30 million drydocking project was part of Silversea's "Project Invictus" (fleet renovation program).

The works included general maintenance, upgrades to public areas (hallways, venues), and complete renovation of all staterooms. The Atrium Lobby (Deck 5 midship) was completely redesigned and Atrium Arts Cafe was added (replacing the old Lobby Bar). Connoisseur's Club (the old cigar lounge) was moved from Deck 7 to Deck 8 (aft-starboard, replacing the Library) with added an outdoor smoking-allowed terrace. The Casino was relocated from Deck 5 (midship-portside) to Deck 8 (aft-starboard, replacing the Internet Cafe) and its size was reduced. The Library was relocated from Deck 8 (aft-starboard) to Deck 10 forward (Observation Library Lounge). Internet Cafe (Deck 8 aft-portside) was integrated into the Observation Lounge (Deck 10).

The vessel was previously drydocked in 2017.

Silversea World Cruise 2024 "Far East-West"

The exclusive pre-sale for World Voyage 2024 ("Far East-West") opened on July 15, 2021. General public bookings opened on August 4th.

The 132-night/133-day itinerary features 65 destinations (40 new for a Silversea World Cruise) in 14 countries, and the impressive 23 overnight port stays. Planned for Silver Shadow, World Voyage 2024 is a roundtrip from San Francisco (CA USA) departing on January 15 and ending on May 26, 2024.

Featured destinations are Hawaii, Pacific Islands, Australia-New Zealand, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Russia, Alaska, Canada. As smaller itinerary segments were offered:

• San Francisco to Lautoka Fiji
• Lautoka to Sydney NSW
• Sydney to Benoa (Bali Indonesia)
• Benoa to Hong Kong China
• Hong Kong to Tokyo
• Tokyo to Seward Alaska
• Seward to San Francisco

Next table shows the 132-night/133-day "Broaden Your Horizons 2024" (January 15 through May 26) as call ports.

Fares for Silversea World Cruise 2024 ranged between USD 66,000-276,000 (EUR 55,920-233,850) per passenger with double occupancy. Full-cruise prices were inclusive of:

• USD 1000 pp OBC (onboard credit)
• Keepsake Gifts
• Business Class flights
• Pre-cruise overnight hotel
• Car transfers (Home-Airport-Pier, Pier-Airport)
• Shore Excursions (one per seaport)
• Exclusive events in Honolulu (An Evening on the USS Missouri), Shanghai (The Past and Future in Colour), Vladivostok (A Night at the Russian Opera), Korsakov (Russian Tradition in Korsakov)
• Exclusive program in Uluru (A Unique Night of Magic at Uluru), Semarang-Java Indonesia (Prambanan and Borobudur visits, "Where the Majestic Temples Meet")
• Unlimited laundry service, Shore Baggage Valet (home-ship in San Francisco), unlimited Wi-Fi, shipboard Medical Services, Visa Package.

Silversea World Cruise 2023 (Silver Shadow) "South Side Story"

On February 10, 2021, Silversea presented (via a virtual premiere/pre-produced show production) "World Cruise 2023" themed as "South Side Story - All the World's A Stage". The production was hosted by Fernando Barroso de Oliveira (Silversea's Ambassador to the company's Venetian Society Loyalty Program) and participated by Roberto Martinoli (Silversea's President and CEO) and Barbara Muckermann (Silversea's Chief Marketing Officer).

The special media production was completed in 5 weeks (filmed over 1 week) and included 18 sets (selected from 3000+ options). The 26-min narrative comprised of scenes (displayed on a huge LED screen in the background) selected from 8+ hours recorded footage (video files ~800 TB/terabytes) themed on World Voyage 2023's destinations.

Silversea World Cruise 2023 on Silver Shadow departed from Sydney (NSW Australia) on January 9, 2023, and ended in Fort Lauderdale (Florida USA) on May 28, 2023. The 139-night itinerary visited a total of 66 ports/destinations (34 countries, 5 continents) including 40 new/maiden ports (not previously included in Silversea's previous World Voyages), and featured 20 overnights (17 port cities) and 10 custom events.

Next table shows the 139-night/140-day "South Side Story Cruise 2023" (January 9 through May 28) as call ports.

Prices started from ~USD 74000 (EUR 62300 / GBP 53400) per person with double occupancy, inclusive of Business-Class flights and OBC (onboard credit).

Curiously, on February 11th, Silversea rented the entire Kalanggaman Island (Philippines) for a special event participated by the ship's ~300 travelers and ~500 of the islanders/local residents (including event planners, hospitality professionals, chefs, mixologists for complimentary cocktails, therapists for complimentary massages, music and dance performers). Also, during the overnight stay in Zanzibar Tanzania (March 25-26) was held a tribute show dedicated to Freddie Mercury (1946-1991/British singer and songwriter, and The Queen band's lead vocalist).

Tauck USA and Canada cruise charter (2023)

In August 2022, the USA-based travel brand company Tauck announced its "small ship ocean cruises" from Manhattan NYC (New York USA) to Quebec City (Canada) via the chartered from Silversea Silver Shadow.

Tauck's new 13-day "Shores of Eastern Canada and New England" itinerary program included 3x northbound voyages (NYC to Quebec City) and 3x southbound sailings (the reverse route), all scheduled for September and October 2023.

The new voyages followed Tauck's itinerary "Cruising the Great Lakes: Chicago to Toronto" introduced in 2019.

In the USA, Tauck for years also offers a 7-day "Alaska's Inside Passage" voyage and a 15-day "Grand Alaska" cruisetour (7-night cruising plus 8-day land touring).

The new "Shores of Eastern Canada and New England" (2023) starts with an overnight at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel (followed by guided sightseeing in Manhattan) and ends with a farewell dinner and overnight at Quebec City's Chateau Frontenac Hotel.

Tauck Silver Shadow's 10-night voyage to Quebec City visits Newport RI, Boston MA, Bar Harbor ME, Halifax NS, Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown), and Saguenay (Quebec) prior to arriving in Quebec City.