Silver Discoverer - Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)

Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)

Silver Discoverer

★★★★

Berlitz’s Ratings

Ship: 311 out of 500

Accommodation: 135 out of 200

Food: 319 out of 400

Service: 318 out of 400

Entertainment: 60 out of 100

Cruise: 313 out of 400

Overall Score: 1456 out of 2000

Silver Discoverer Statistics

Size: Boutique Ship

Tonnage: 5,218

Lifestyle: Standard

Cruise Line: Silversea Cruises

Former Names: Clipper Odyssey, Oceanic Odyssey, Oceanic Grace

IMO Number: 8800195

Builder: NKK Tsu Shipyard (Japan)

Original Cost: $40 million

Entered Service: Apr 1989/May 2014

Registry: Bahamas

Length (ft/m): 337.9/103.0

Beam (ft/m): 50.5/15.4

Draft (ft/m): 13.5/4.1

Propulsion/Propellers: diesel (5,192kW)/2

Passenger Decks: 5

Total Crew: 52

Passengers (lower beds): 124

Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 42.0

Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 2.3

Cabins (total): 62

Size Range (sq ft/m): 182.9-258.3/17-24

Cabins (for one person): 0

Cabins (with private balcony): 8

Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 1

Wheelchair accessibility: Fair

Cabin Current: 115 volts

Elevators: 1

Casino (gaming tables): No

Slot Machines: No

Swimming Pools: 1

Hot Tubs (on deck): 1

Self-Service Launderette: No

Dedicated Cinema/Seats: No

Library: Yes

Onboard currency: US$

136844

A small expedition-style ship for discovery cruises

Overview. Silver Discoverer is liked by couples and single travelers who seek nature and wildlife up close and personal, but in highly comfortable surroundings, and who wouldn’t dream of cruising aboard anything larger.

The Ship. The ship has quite a smart, chic, mega-yacht-like profile, with a flared bow, square stern, and twin funnels that sweep up from each of the ship’s sides. Designed in Holland and built in Japan, it tried to copy the SeaDream small ship/ultra-yacht concept, originally for the Japanese market. Operated by Japan’s Showa Line, it wasn’t suited to Japan’s often choppy seas. After 10 years, the company sold it to Clipper Cruise Line and it was managed by International Shipping Partners. In 2013 it was purchased by Silversea Cruises and renamed following a substantial refit and refurbishment program.

There are expansive areas outdoors for its size, excellent for for viewing nature and wildlife. A small swimming pool is just a ‘dip’ pool, but there is a wide teakwood outdoor jogging track. Snorkeling equipment is available, as is a fleet of 12 Zodiacs for shore landings, and a glass-bottom boat for marine life exploration.

Inside, nothing jars the senses, as the interior design concept is balanced. The ambience is warm and intimate. There are, however, several pillars throughout the public areas, which spoil the decor and sight lines. The ship concentrates on exploring regions like Australia’s Kimberley, the Russian Far East and Bering Sea areas.

Accommodation. There are several cabin categories, and the all-outside cabins are tastefully furnished with blond wood cabinetry, twin- or queen-size beds, living area with sofa, personal safe, minibar/refrigerator, TV and three-sided mirror. All bathrooms have a deep, half-size tub. Some cabins have private balconies; but these are very small, with awkward door handles. The bathroom toilet seats are extremely high.

There is one suite, which is the size of two cabins. It provides more room, of course, with a lounge area, and more storage space.

Dining. The dining room has large ocean-view picture windows. It is quite warm and inviting, and all passengers eat in a single seating. The cuisine includes fresh foods from local ports where possible.

Entertainment. There is no entertainment as such, although evening recaps, dinner and after-dinner conversation with fellow passengers in the ship’s lounge/bar really is the entertainment.

Spa/Fitness. There is a tiny beauty salon, and an adjacent massage/body treatment room. A small fitness room is located on a different deck.