We decided to begin our trip in style with a pool access suite at Mindil Beach Casino Resort in Darwin, the perfect start before embarking on Silversea. As we were going on Silversea, we wanted to start our trip off as we meant to go on. We spent the afternoon swimming, enjoyed cocktails at the swim-up bar and then had dinner in one of the onsite restaurants. We would recommend staying on the resort side of the property rather than the hotel side. The next morning we enjoyed an à la carte breakfast, which was included in our rate, and then had the hotel arrange a taxi to the cruise terminal, only a short drive away.

On arrival at the port and seeing the beautiful Silver Nova, we were both surprised at her size considering she is classed as a small ship. Boarding mid-cruise meant very few people were embarking, so we were checked in and on the ship in no time at all. In the stylish reception area we were handed a cool towel and a glass of champagne, both extremely welcome in the hot and sticky weather.

The check-in process was smooth and the crew friendly. Once formalities were complete, we were escorted to our Veranda Suite via glass-fronted lifts that offered amazing views out to sea. They took some getting used to, but after a ride or two we found ourselves enjoying them each time. Our butler and his assistant greeted us warmly and offered to assist in any way, including unpacking our bags, which we politely declined. The Deluxe Veranda Suite was an excellent size, with a walk-in robe, large bathroom with double basins and a huge shower with a seat. Some suites in this category also feature a bath. The lounge area had a comfortable sofa, small table and chairs, and one morning we enjoyed breakfast served in our room. The beds were extremely comfortable, with side tables and well-appointed plugs. Out on the balcony, two chairs and a small table provided the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of champagne.

We tried every dining venue onboard. Silver Note was small and intimate, with a pianist and soloist entertaining as we enjoyed a six-course tasting menu. The plating was stunning and each dish was full of flavour. Kaiseki served a Japanese à la carte menu at lunch and a tasting menu for dinner, fresh and filling. A dining highlight was Hot Rocks at The Marquee, where we were given hot stone slabs to cook our steak and prawns at the table, complete with sides and sauces. If you weren’t keen to cook your own, the wait staff happily did it for you. Another standout was the seafood extravaganza at La Terrazza, which featured a mountain of fresh seafood and even lobster macaroni cheese, which was so good we went back for seconds. Atlantide, the main dining room, offered excellent steak and seafood cooked to perfection. At S.A.L.T. Kitchen the menu changed depending on the ship’s location. We had the option of Australian-themed dishes on one side and Asian dishes on the other, and could mix and match. Every meal here was sensational.

We weren’t sure what to expect with entertainment onboard but were pleasantly surprised. There were games, lectures and trivia every afternoon, as well as shows in the theatre, karaoke, disco under the stars and even a build-a-boat competition judged by the captain and senior officers. This turned into a very serious but fun event that the whole ship got involved in. We also attended a cooking class in the S.A.L.T. Lab, which was a great experience. The purpose-built kitchen had beautiful ocean views and was stocked with fresh ingredients. The chef guided us step by step as we cooked along, and afterwards we enjoyed our creations.

In Port Douglas we went ashore by tender. There were plenty of staff on hand to assist, and Silversea’s secure bridge made it easy to board. The tenders felt spacious and comfortable, and shaded areas with water were provided at the dock. We explored the town on foot as well as the nearby beach. In Cairns we were fortunate to spend the day with some of our Clean Cruising clients, Lorraine and Arthur, who took us on a scenic drive before joining us for lunch. That evening, docked overnight in port, some of our group enjoyed a few rounds of roulette at the local casino.

Silversea includes all meals, drinks, shore excursions on most bookings and Wi-Fi. While the Wi-Fi could be upgraded for a fee, we found the included service perfectly adequate for emails, calls and messaging.

The service overall was beyond our expectations. We felt completely spoiled and well looked after, with nothing too much trouble. Often the staff seemed to know what we wanted before we did. Life onboard was relaxed, more so than we expected, but still luxurious and attentive in every detail.

We would recommend Silversea to anyone who enjoys elegant surroundings, exceptional service, all-inclusive offerings and itineraries with overnight port stays. Silver Nova left us with memories we will treasure for a long time to come.