Touring Europe by Ship:
Silver Whisper Mediterranean Cruise
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3
ABOVE: More than 80 percent of
the Silver Whisper's cabins (including this Veranda Suite) have private
balconies.
Accommodations
The Silver Whisper has 194 cabins. All are called
"suites," and even the least expensive staterooms are comparable in size and layout
to mini-suites on other cruise ships. Vista Suites. 287
sq. ft., 26.6 m�. These cabins are
identical to Veranda Suites (see photo), except for having picture windows
instead of private balconies. In addition to the 26 standard Vista Suites on
Deck 4, there are nine Vista Suites on Deck 5 with doors that open onto a shared
veranda. Two of the latter are extra large and equipped for handicapped guests.
Veranda Suites. 345 sq. ft., 32
m�. These are the most common
type of accommodation on the Silver Whisper, totalling 128 of the ship's 194
staterooms. Each Veranda Suite includes a sleeping area with two nightstands and
a make-up table; a sitting area with couch, chairs, desk, liquor cabinet, and
refrigerator; a TV with videocassette player; a large walk-in closet with electronic safe; and a marble-tiled bathroom with dual
sinks in a marble countertop, a full-length bathtub, and a glass-doored shower
stall. Sliding doors open onto a small teak balcony. (We had a Veranda Suite
toward the bow on Deck 5, and it was both spacious and comfortable.)
Medallion Suites. 521 sq. ft., 48.4
m�. The Silver Whisper
has only two of these suites, which are scaled-down versions of Silver Suites
(see below). They offer more room and greater separation between sleeping and
seating areas
than Veranda Suites do, but--unlike Silver Suites--they have standard bathrooms
and lack dining areas.
Silver Suites. 701 sq. ft,. 65.1 m�. Both of us were impressed
by the Silver Suite that we visited during our cruise. A Silver Suite is twice
as wide as a standard Vista or Veranda Suite, with a four-seat dining table in
the living room and a glassed-off sleeping area. The bathroom is divided into
two sections, one of which--a room with toilet and extra sink--doubles as a
guest powder room with doors from both the bathing area and entrance hall. The
ship has 13 Silver Suites.
Owner's Suites. 1,208 sq. ft., 112.2 m�. The Silver Whisper
has two Owner's Suites, and each is available with one bedroom or two. If money
is no object and you love deck space, an Owner's Suite is likely to be your
favorite: The living room runs lengthwise along the ship's side, with three sets
of glass doors overlooking a huge terrace. The bedrooms also have sliding glass
doors and balconies. Other amenities include a bidet in the main bathroom, a
guest powder room, and a dining area.
Royal and Grand Suites. 1,286-1,435 sq.
ft., 119.5-133.3 m�. The two Royal Suites and four Grand Suites are
similar in layout, with Grand Suites having slightly bigger living rooms and
balconies. A connecting Veranda Suite can be
reserved as a second bedroom. All Royal and Grand Suites have large bedrooms with forward-facing
picture windows and living rooms that open onto port or starboard balconies. Other
features duplicate those in Owner's Suites, except for differences in
floor layouts. (Given a choice, we'd take an Owner's Suite over a Royal or Grand
Suite because of the larger terrace.)
Notes:
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Silver, Owner's, Royal, and Grand Suites include Jacuzzi tubs
and entertainment centers with CD players (plus large flat-panel plasma TVs in
Owner's, Royal, and Grand Suites). Guests is these suites also receive free
laundry service.
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Food and drink
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