Celebrity Silhouette Cruises

Life aboard Celebrity Silhouette
Celebrity Silhouette sails in the Caribbean until mid-April 2020, mostly to the southern and eastern islands. Cruises are of 9 and 12 nights out of Fort Lauderdale. In mid-April 2020 she returns to the UK, sailing from Southampton. Cruises reach Iceland, southern Norway, the Baltic, and in mid-year Celebrity Silhouette heads for the Western Mediterranean and Canary Islands. She then transfers to South America in November 2020. Sail out of Buenos Aires for some superb voyages to Antarctica and the Chilean fjords. (Also, while in the region, consider some side tours, such as a flight to the Iguazu Falls from Buenos Aires.) The scenic route around Patagonia is growing fast in popularity. In January 2021 there are three cruises from Buenos Aires that will take you to scenic cruises around your seventh continent (presuming in your travels you’ve already visited the other six) Antarctica. By April 2021 Celebrity Silhouette is based at Southampton, which is central to all points of the European compass – Iceland, Norway, the Baltic Sea, Iberia, the Azores, and Mediterranean. Note that 30 cabins are wheel-chair accessible.

Celebrity Silhouette was launched in 2011, and at 121,878 GT carries 2,886 passengers, and is ranked in the best large cruise ship category, styled after the great ocean liners. In January 2020 her refurbishment will revamp cabins, bars, restaurants and sun decks. The interior architectural design is impressive. Amenities include a large theatre, numerous dining options and bars and clubs, youth facilities, and innovative activities (try glass-blowing, or the live grass Lawn Club on the top deck). The feel is uncrowded – entertainment forward, restaurants aft. Ten restaurants cater for every taste. Guest reviews are consistently positive. AquaClass staterooms come with access to a range of healthy dining and spa amenities. Teens and children of all ages are well catered for. Guests who appreciate the better things of life will not be disappointed. Dress is smart casual, with some formal nights.

Accommodation
Ninety percent of staterooms have an outside view, and of these 95% have a balcony – more than any other superliner in the world. Standard cabins have a sofa or convertible sofa bed, twin beds that convert to a double bed, plenty of storage space, personal safe, mini-bar/refrigerator, interactive TV, and good-size bathroom. The cabins are nicely decorated and appealing with warm wood-finish furniture. You’ll be provided with robe, tote bag, bath products, hairdryer and safe, and twice-daily room service. Some balcony staterooms are interconnecting. Suites have more space, butler service, better amenities and personal service. There are no single cabins, and 30 wheelchair-accessible cabins.

Concierge Class cabins (between standard and top-grade suites) come with extras such as priority services, daily fresh fruit, and a range of other niceties. AquaClass staterooms have exclusive access to Blu, a specialty health restaurant, the Persian Garden relaxation deck, and the AquaSpa Relaxation Room. All Suites have butler service that includes all food requests delivered, free specialty coffees, welcoming sparkling wine, video library service, personalised stationary, and many other personal services. Depending on the cruise length, some alternative dining is complimentary. Penthouse and Royal Suites include a separate whirlpool bathtub and a whirlpool on the private veranda, plus mini-bar bonus spirits and mixers. Sky Suites with wrap-around balcony overlook the stern.

Food and Dining
The two-deck Grand Cuvée Dining Room, with its grand staircase and musicians’ gallery overlooking the sea through a huge glass wall, offers excellent meals and service at two dinner seatings. The décor adds to the fine dining experience. There are three alternative pay-extra dining venues. Murano (reservations-only, extra cost), serves classic French and Continental cuisine in absolute style – allow three hours. The Tuscan Grille, an Italian steakhouse, delivers the best of grills, seafood and pasta. Qsine (“cuisine”) gives a twist to commonplace foods bringing fun to (unFrench) haute cuisine, and ordered by iPad. AquaSpa guests dine at Blu with a Mediterranean menu. Japanese à la carte lunch and dinner is available at Sushi on Five. Room service is available 24 hours a day from a limited menu of sandwiches, pizzas, salads and desserts.

For casual meals the self-service buffet Oceanview Café features multiple serving lines, and nearby are freshly-made pasta, grill, sushi and pizza. The Mast Grill next to the pool serves hamburgers, hot dogs, and daily specials. On the very top deck you’ll don a chef’s apron at the Lawn Club Gill (extra), or savour paninis at the Porch. ‘Bistro on (deck) Five’ is for coffee, cakes, crêpes and pastries. Adjacent is Café al Bacio & Gelateria, the place to be seen, with an extensive range of Italian coffee (pay), chocolates, pastries and cakes. Themed bars, lounges and clubs provide a wide range of atmospheres for your pre-dinner drinks, private party, or relaxed down-time chat. Beverage and Dining Packages and special diet requests can be pre-ordered.

Entertainment
The main showlounge Silhouette Theatre typically presents song and dance revues, along with singers, comedians and musical acts. Theme nights are held in the Sky Observation Lounge. The Entertainment Court, featuring street performers, is adjacent to the Quasar nightclub. During the day entertainment choices range from games, art auctions, bingo, wine samplings and dance lessons, to educational presentations. For a quiet time withdraw to the card room, or the spectacular 24-hour library, extending vertically for two decks. Play casino-style games on your Apple or Android smartphone while on board. Celebrity iLounge is the first shipboard computer enrichment and Internet hub from Apple.

The adult-only AquaSpa operated by Steiner Leisure offers the full complement of beauty and massage treatments and facilities. A fully-stocked and staffed gym sports all the newest fitness machines, and there is an outside jogging track. The Lawn Club is a dedicated area on the top deck of the ship that features real grass where passengers can play croquet, bocce, or practice their putting. The AquaSpa facilities (24,000 sq.ft. and adult-only) include treatment rooms, café, thalassotherapy pool, steam and sauna room, gymnasium and so much more – this is a destination in itself. Of course the main pool and fitness facilities are available to all guests, separate from AquaSpa. Sports facilities include a jogging track, various courts, and golf simulator. Families are well supported with programs for four age groups under qualified supervision. For a fee little ones can be cared for while parents pursue their romantic lives on vacation.

Explore the decks

16 - Solstice 15 - Lawn 15 - Lido 12 - Resort 11 - Penthouse 10 - Sky 9 - Panorama 8 - Vista 7 - Sunrise 6 - Continental 5 - Entertainment 4 - Promenade 3 - Plaza