It's impossible to describe the indescribable, but this cruise was absolutely fabulous! All airfare, transfers, pre-cruise hotel with breakfast, shipboard drinks and tips are included. We cruised aboard the Silver Wind from Athens to Istanbul May, 2000, and from the moment we were greeted by a cruise line representative at the Athens airport, our every desire was catered to. We were assisted with our luggage and whisked to the Athenaeum Inter-Continental aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned motor coach (Athens is pretty hot even in May). There, we were quickly checked in by the hospitality desk and found our luggage awaiting us in our suite. After "freshening up" and admiring the view of the Acropolis from our window, the Silversea hospitality desk provided us with a city map and a pocket book on local sights and attractions, cuisine and language, so that we may explore the city and a booklet on the next day's available pre-cruise tours of the city.

A nice breakfast buffet was available the next morning before we embarked on the pre-cruise tour we had decided to book. Transfers from the hotel to the pier were scheduled to leave at 1pm, with the tour groups arriving later in the day, so we decided that that would be best choice. The tour was very leisurely and we were able to explore the Olympic Stadium and the Acropolis before finishing up with a nice lunch al fresco near the Acropolis. After lunch we then proceeded to the pier to join the ship.

Silversea representatives at the terminally greeted our group and quickly issued our boarding cards and suite key-cards in a handsome leather wallet in exchange for our passports, which are kept during the cruise. Up the gangway we went to receive our signature white glove Silversea greeting and crystal flutes of cold Moët & Chandon champagne. If we had paused for a moment, we would have been shown to our suite by our stewardess, Kelly, but instead we rushed ahead on our own and meeting her a few minutes later.

A bottle of the same champagne was chilling in a silver ice bucket along with a pair of flutes, and as we hadn't specified anything specific, our mini-bar was stocked with yet another bottle of champagne, some Heinekens, soda, mineral water and seltzers, and fresh flowers and fruit were provided on the sideboard. Our luggage was laid out on the queen sized bed atop a vinyl protector for us to unpack. The thoughtfully provided champagne fortified us for this task. The suite itself was extremely comfortable and well thought-out. The marble bathroom was large, featuring a full-sized bath, lots of mirrors (which may or may not be a good thing!), and an abundance of thick, soft towels. There is a retractable clothesline in the shower, and generous bottles of Bvlgari toiletries (green tea line) are provided: bath and hand soaps, shampoo, conditioner, bath geleé, and body lotion. My one complaint in the bathroom is the terribly uncomfortable toilet seats. Roughly equal in space to the bathroom is the walk-in closet, plentiful with cedar hangers, drawers, and a personal safe. Also stashed away was an umbrella we thankfully never needed to use, a pre-threaded sewing kit, clothes brush, shoe-shine kit and hair dryer. In the suite, two twin beds configured as a queen with absolutely delightful Frette linens, down pillows and merino blankets, a well light vanity, sofa, cocktail table which converts into a full dining table, two end chairs, TV and VCR featuring two movie channels, National Geographic channel, port talk channel, bridge view channel, 3 music stations and local programming. The blue upholstered, wood paneled and brass accented suite was very roomy and storage abounded. Outside, just below the bridge, was our teak verandah equipped with two padded chairs and a small table. Overall, our suite was so comfortable, we were sorely tempted to never leave it as room service is available 24 hours a day with course by course service during Restaurant hours.

The Restaurant and Terrace Café were wonderful as well. Service was efficient and professional, but never stuffy in both locations and the food was unbelievable for shipboard fare. We enjoyed every dish we tried with the exception of a vegetarian chili I had ordered. It was by all means good, but didn't live up to my expectations and was quickly replaced with an exquisite fillet of John Dory. I even learned to shed by stigma against buffets after trying the Mediterranean lunch buffet in the Terrace Café. The salads and smoked fish were excellent and I developed a definite weakness for the expertly executed fresh pastas and risotto's available each day. Breakfast was also available in the restaurant each morning, coffee, tea, juice and pastries in the observation lounge, bouillon and crackers, afternoon tea, etc. but we were never able to muster up enough appetite to investigate.

We also can't comment too much on the majority of the facilities aboard ship as we never found the time (or in some cases, the inclination) to take advantage of them. All public rooms are located aft, away from the suites so as to keep those areas as private and quiet as possible. The smallish Parisian lounge was perhaps the flashiest area of the ship but still eminently tasteful. We did manage to catch a Broadway inspired review, "Bulldogs and Englishmen" performed by the Silver Wind quartet and small team of entertainers, which was well managed and entertaining, but by no means a full scale production. The entertainment highlight was definitely the poolside barbecue with Turkish music and dancers, including one male (queenly) belly dancer and one female. They were incredible and it appeared that not one of the 290 some odd passengers aboard missed it. We can also attest to the existence of a gym, spa and beauty salon aboard as we walked past them numerous times but never felt the desire to set forth any further! There is also a small casino (we don't gamble) and the Bvulgari boutique which we browsed (a bit out of our price range). The bar is very elegant and relaxing; a wonderful spot to rekindle romance over a few drinks. The is also a small salt water pool with accompanying Jacuzzi's and a plethora of fresh plush towels and deck chairs. It would be improved however, by increasing the temperatures of the Jacuzzis; one was little more than tepid, and seeing that the pool water is kept replenished with cold water on hot days. After returning from Marmaris on a particularly hot day, the pool equaled the temperature of the Jacuzzis. Definitely NOT refreshing.

Overall, the ship is comfortably low-key and relaxing; ideal for warm conversations while watching the world slip by. The staff anticipates your every wish and is quick to greet you with a smile and pleasantries on and off the ship. We are definitely anticipating our next cruise with Silversea! Interested in becoming a travel agent? Follow this link to find out more.