The newest ship to join the Silversea fleet in 2022, Silver Dawn offers guests a new level of ultra-luxury cruising. Offering sailings in the Mediterranean throughout summer and autumn, before repositioning to the Caribbean for winter sun, experience the best features of her sister ships Silver Muse and Silver Moon including the superb S.A.L.T programme (Sea and Land Taste). Our Marketing Director, Sally White and Campaign and Social Engagement Manager, Mandi Webb were fortunate enough to attend a short Lisbon roundtrip sailing with a visit to Portimao to find out all she has to offer and experience first-hand the natural evolution of the Silversea fleet.
Day 1- First Look At Silver Dawn!
An afternoon flight to Lisbon from Manchester airport saw us arriving in Lisbon with our Silversea transfer waiting for us in arrivals, ready to take us to the port. Prior to embarkation, we were able to take a rapid antigen test at the port and show our proof of vaccination status, after a short 20-minute wait, we were given the green-light to embark.
We were welcomed on-board and checked in quickly, finding our luggage already waiting for us in front of our Deluxe Veranda Suite, excited we entered our home for the weekend to find a bottle of champagne chilling on ice in the living area. Soft, neutral greys and beiges gave the suite an open and bright feel.
We were introduced to our butler who offered to help us unpack our bags and showed us the suite amenities. After a quick wardrobe change, we headed to the Panorama lounge on deck 9 enjoying the view of the port of Lisbon over a champagne reception and canapé. We were welcomed aboard this beautiful new ship and advised of our dining venue for the evening, Atlantide. Offering a Manhattan fine dining venue feel, we studied the menu which boasted contemporary takes on classic dishes presented like edible art.
After a delectable meal, we returned to the panorama lounge for a night cap and enjoyed the celebratory atmosphere with a live DJ performing a selection of classic and modern tracks, after finishing our post-dinner cocktails we headed back to our suite for a good night’s sleep in a very comfortable bed.
Day 2- Otium and S.A.L.T Lab
It was an early start for us with breakfast in La Terrazza enjoying scenic views of the Algarve fishing town of Portimao. We explored the ship in the light of day, taking in the expansive spaces on-board. Silver Dawn is slightly bigger than her sister ships allowing for more open space for guests to enjoy whilst on-board but still accommodates the staff to guest ratio of almost 1:1 ensuring your every whim is catered for.
Following breakfast, we went on a guided tour of the brand new Otium spa. Available exclusively on Silver Dawn, based on the Roman concept of comfortable relaxation combining eating, playing and contemplation, this is a spa experience with a difference. Guests can indulge in a plethora of treatments and enjoy cocktails, champagne and nibbles in the relaxation area following spa treatments. The concept allows guests to match their cocktails to their body scrubs for a more immersive sensory experience. But the Otium experience doesn’t stop there, all guests on Silver Dawn can bring Otium to their suite with in-suite services including the Otium sleep experience where guests can choose their preferred pillow type from a pillow menu and essential oils and scents to add to the pillows for the most relaxing night’s sleep on-board.
In addition to the Otium sleep experience, it goes one step further; after completing a treatment in the spa, guests can request Otium snacks offering an elevated comfort food experience such as foie gras burgers, truffle popcorn and warming hot chocolates served on the veranda with a warming liquor of your choice.
After sampling the delights of the Otium spa it was time for a spot of lunch at Kaiseki on deck 4, where we enjoyed elegant Japanese cuisine. For the sushi and sashimi lovers we recommend the sample platter offering fresh tuna and salmon sashimi and classic sushi rolls. The menu goes beyond classic sushi dishes, offering guests hand-rolls and ramen in the most delicate broth with soba noodles cooked to perfection.
With our palates pleased we headed to the S.A.L.T Lab, one element of the S.A.L.T programme spearheaded by Adam Sachs, where we learned to make regional delicacies related to the ports we visited. We had the pleasure of making Bacalhau a Bras, a traditional Portuguese dish often found in taverns in Lisbon, featuring the all-important Portuguese ingredient- salt cod.
Following an immersive experience in Portuguese cuisine, we began our evening with pre-dinner drinks in the Observation Lounge enjoying panoramic views of Portimao. It was only fitting that we dined in the evening in S.A.L.T Kitchen offering a changing menu that related to the ports on our sailing and sampled more regional delicacies including arroz caldoso, a hearty warming rice soup with seasonal vegetables.
Continuing to experience the S.A.L.T programme we sampled cocktails rounded our evening off with a night cap in S.A.L.T Bar offering a cosy, modern setting to sit back and enjoy good company and a drinks menu that featured regional favourites and twists on classics using local ingredients.
Day 3- S.A.L.T Excursion and Evening Show
On our final day on-board we enjoyed breakfast in La Terrazza, followed by a tour of the Owner’s Suite and the Grand Suite offering the guests the option to configure them as two-bedroom suites by adjoining with a Panorama Suite or Veranda Suite respectively. The Owner’s Suite offers a panorama balcony providing plenty of outdoor living space to mingle with friends.
For lunch we headed on a S.A.L.T excursion to Villa Vita Park where we enjoyed contemporary Portuguese cuisine including demonstrations of our food being prepared in front of us, allowing us to further immerse ourselves in the local cuisine.
Our final evening saw us enjoy drinks in the Panorama lounge before dining in La Terrazza to enjoy a delicious Italian meal, enjoying an intimate ambience and good company before enjoying the debut of ‘Ship Happens’ a tongue in cheek, slapstick show featuring cruise director, Vicki Van Tassell, following her career in show business from childhood to Silversea. The laugh out loud comedy was the perfect way to end our time on-board Silver Dawn.
With its neutral décor and beautiful artwork featured throughout the ship, this is certainly the next step in ultra-luxury cruising. The crew always offered friendly service with a smile and can never do enough for you, we cannot recommend the Silversea experience enough. Discover your sailing today.
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