Sailing to success on the TTG Luxury Journey with Silversea
Five travel advisors hopped onboard Silver Moon for an ultra-luxury Silversea cruise from Athens to Istanbul on the first-ever ocean-bound TTG Luxury Journey
Sea-facing suites with butler service, free-flowing Champagne onboard, a multitude of dining options and fascinating stops in the Cyclades and Turkey’s dazzling Aegean coast: it can only be a TTG Luxury Journey, and the first of its kind at sea, with Silversea.
Five travel advisors boarded Silver Moon in Athens for a four-night cruise, sailing to the iconic Greek island of Santorini, then onwards to Turkey, stopping at Kusadasi and Dikili, before arriving in Istanbul.
One of Silversea’s newest ships, Silver Moon was launched in 2021 and takes guests on voyages where they can relax in supreme comfort, enjoy exquisite dining, an almost 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio and revel in Silversea’s hallmark small-ship intimacy. With capacity to accommodate just 596 passengers, Silver Moon has eight superb dining spaces, beautifully appointed all-suite accommodation, a diverse range of onboard activities and a plethora of elegant social areas, lounges and bars, all of which the group discovered over the course of the cruise.
Accompanying the trip was Silversea’s regional and strategic account manager Donatella Valzasina, a perfect host who shared Silver Moon’s latest innovations to the group, such as the line’s revolutionary culinary programme, Sea And Land Taste – or S.A.L.T – which really comes to life in three onboard venues: S.A.L.T. Lab, S.A.L.T. Kitchen and S.A.L.T. Bar.
Dining at the destination-focused restaurant S.A.L.T. Kitchen was a highlight for the agents, who enjoyed this unique concept at sea, where local cuisine, culture and culinary heritage influence a menu that changes along the way, depending on what destination you are in.
Catherine Murphy Birchall, a senior travel consultant at The Ultimate Travel Company, has worked in travel for more than 25 years – but this was her first cruise. “It exceeded my expectations in every way. I really enjoyed our first night dining at S.A.L.T. Kitchen; I loved the concept and ate some of the best Greek food I’ve ever had,” Murphy Birchall says.
It was also a first-time cruise experience for Jacob McGrath of Sutton Coldfield agency Four Oaks Travel. “S.A.L.T. Kitchen is a great idea and a really good way for guests to sample the local cuisine while they’re onboard, with a different menu every day,” McGrath enthuses.
In addition to dining in S.A.L.T. Kitchen, guests can book in for cooking classes with local guest chefs in the high-tech S.A.L.T. Lab.
Social butterflies
Whether guests want to head to the casino, watch a show in the decadent Venetian Lounge, enjoy jazz in the intimate Silver Note Bar, or dance the night away with DJ Misha in the Panorama Lounge, there’s something for any taste and mood.
Our group opted for after-dinner drinks in Dolce Vita, the ship’s main bar and a social focus both day and night, before moving on to some late-night dancing in the Panorama Lounge. Dolce Vita’s decor oozes Italian glamour, and the vibe is relaxed and refined with service to match.
Gill Lindley, a consultant with Hallmark Travel, praises Dolce Vita for its cocktails and quizzes, while fellow agent and director of Travelwise Pauline Duffin adds: “We really enjoyed the afternoon ‘team trivia’ sessions in Dolce Vita – it was a great way to meet fellow guests.”
Murphy Birchall was also a fan of the social nature of the cruise: “The staff and guests were all genuinely lovely. It was so unstuffy onboard, the clientele varied in age and people chatted to each other.”
As the ship made its way to Santorini, the group headed back to their luxury suites and bedded down for the night, with everyone staying in the ship’s Deluxe Veranda Suites. With a preferred mid-ship location, balcony with floor-to-ceiling glass doors with private veranda, walk-in wardrobe, comfortable seating area with desk and TV, queen-sized bed, and bathroom with walk-in shower and bathtub, it’s safe to say we were cruising in ultimate comfort and understated luxury.
Commenting on the suite, Duffin says: “My suite was spacious with a decent living room space, the decor was warm and inviting. I loved the walk-in closet so everything I’d brought with me could be well organised and then hidden out of sight! The addition of the bath was a lovely surprise – some of my clients do ask for this.”
But it was the veranda that really sold the suite for Lindley. “I loved the space, and most of all I enjoyed the veranda – to be out there in the dead of night with the sea rushing by was a real thrill.”
Service with a smile
All Silver Moon guests have use of a butler service, another Silversea hallmark and something the travel advisors got to experience first-hand too. As McGrath explains: “The butler service was great – many of us had a lovely lady called Sharon, who was very attentive and showed me all the features of my suite on arrival.” Lindley was also impressed: “Sharon was great – I ordered breakfast in my suite one morning and she delivered it right on time. It was all beautifully presented with a tablecloth laid out. She is a real asset to Silversea.”
When Duffin had an issue with her safe, Sharon immediately got on to it with maintenance who fixed the problem. “Having butlers for guests is such a great service, especially for older clients who like to have someone on hand in case of any issues or need assistance with their luggage,” she says.
The group were also given an extensive tour of the ship and a variety of suite options, which impressed Duffin. “We saw a Silver Suite, Grand Suite, Superior Veranda Suite, The Owners Suite and Adapted Suite. It was good to see that one, actually – I was impressed by the layout and size of it. The Grand Suite was a highlight too, as I really liked the wrap-around outdoor space. Staying on Silver Moon is like being in a five-star hotel but waking up somewhere different every day.”
As someone who has taken around 30 cruises since 2013, Stephen Worswick, managing director of Highgate Travel, knows a thing or two about the sector, but was still impressed by this trip. He says: “Silver Moon offers guests subtle, discreet luxury and understated elegance. It exceeded my expectations. Onboard, guests can enjoy a relaxed, casual yet elegant way of life. Most waiters remembered my name for the whole cruise.”
Lindley commented: “Silver Moon was a beautiful, sleek, well-proportioned ship. I was very impressed by her – even more so when we moored up just off Santorini next to two other ships that were huge. Onboard was equally impressive, with beautiful decor in all areas; nowhere ever felt at all crowded.”
Shore thing
Silversea offers an extensive programme of shore excursions with one included per port per person. Our group sampled three activities: a self-guided trip to Santorini (excursions had to be cancelled due to the weather), S.A.L.T Organic Olive Farm Experience in Kusadasi and a trip to Dikili’s Bergama Town and Asclepion.
Talking about Santorini, Murphy Birchall says: “Wow, if it’s that busy in November, I never want to go there in peak season! There were big queues for the cable car, so we walked to the top of Fira.”
Lindley enjoyed the walk to Fira (around 600 steps up a steep hill), with the views and photo opportunities making it worthwhile. In addition to the cable car option, some visitors choose to pay for a donkey ride but with concerns around the welfare of the animals used in Santorini, agents agreed it was wise to do due diligence before recommending something like this to clients.
McGrath enjoyed the S.A.L.T Organic Olive Farm Experience in Kusadasi, Turkey, saying it was an informative experience, showcasing the history of farming and olive oil in the region. And on the third day it was time to take in some of Turkey’s most impressive archaeological sites – the ancient ruins of Bergama Town and Asclepion in Dikili – which Worswick hails as “a wonderfully interesting cultural and historical tour”.
Duffin agrees, saying she was particularly impressed with the guide: “This was a great excursion, just the right amount of time allocated and the guide was superb. The museum was outstanding and had so many things to look at. The archaeological site was fascinating – a really enjoyable trip.”
Foodie favourites
Back onboard, there were more dining options to sample, including Arts Cafe, offering guests a casual spot to get sandwiches, snacks and sweet treats across the day surrounded by beautiful art and interesting books on design, art and culture. Then there is also The Grill, Atlantide, La Terraza, Silver Note, Spaccanapoli, Le Dame ($60pp supplement) and Kaiseki ($40pp supplement) – at lunchtime however, there’s no supplement for Kaiseki, so the group took the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed sushi lunch.
“Given the choice of restaurants, there is always somewhere to have a great meal,” Worswick recalls. “Spaccanapoli for pizza was excellent and the Pool Grill for lunch was very good too, but Atlantide was my favourite, with a Michelin-standard gala dinner atmosphere.” Murphy Birchall agrees, saying: “We had an amazing dinner in Atlantide. I also had breakfast there twice and it was delicious.”
With a spa, treatment rooms, gym, fitness classes, swimming pool, outdoor hot tubs and running track, guests looking for leisure options have plenty to occupy themselves. “The jogging track was a great feature and the swimming pool was excellent, you could enjoy a decent workout swim-wise. The hot tub was just right; attentive pool staff made sure I had everything I needed before taking a dip,” says Duffin.
For McGrath, the activities that stood out were the golf putting competition and the Enrichment Lectures in the Venetian Lounge. When they’re not being entertained by the top-class entertainment team by night, by day guests can attend a range of fascinating talks given by experts and the ship’s team.
As the sun set on our final night it was time for one last dance in the Panorama Lounge, definitely a group favourite. For Lindley it was a ship highlight: “I loved the cocktails and dancing in the Panorama Lounge, especially as we sailed away from port.”
Duffin agrees, saying: “We liked to end the evening there with a nightcap and a dance, which was great fun. Silversea offers beautiful, personal small ships with enough space onboard to find your own spot to relax. There are high-end ingredients, a superb range of wine and wonderful service, but the big selling point for me is the included excursions – people don’t even need to think about this while cruising.”
Happy sailors
For Birchall Murphy, her first cruise left her feeling more than satisfied. “I must admit, I had a few preconceptions of cruises but was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed the entire experience. My ideas were incorrect on so many levels: I’ve really had my head turned and can’t wait to recommend and hopefully convert a few clients to Silversea.”
Seasoned sailor Worswick adds: “I would happily switch sell from other cruise suppliers I currently sell. I loved the whole Silversea experience and would also gladly travel onboard at my own expense.”
It’s a sentiment shared by McGrath, who says: “The cruise exceeded all expectations. It’s definitely worth the money due to the quality of the experience, and I will be explaining the exemplary service and benefits of things like included excursions”. For Lindley, any thoughts of the cruise being too exclusive for her were quashed after four nights onboard. “I thought it would be too luxurious for me but I was put at ease from the moment we arrived. Once you step onboard everything is included, so I’d urge clients to consider Silversea for that and other reasons. I’ve already recommended Silversea to several clients and have a quote pending.”
Reflecting on a successful trip, Valzasina says: “It was a privilege to host the lucky agents who joined the TTG Luxury Journey onboard Silver Moon, and it was a success all round. At Silversea, we understand the importance for agents of experiencing the product first-hand: the service, facilities, shore excursions and dining venues, including our very own culinary concept S.A.L.T. The journey ensured the advisors felt empowered to comfortably talk to clients about their experience and ensure they match the right client to the right cruise, as well as having lots of fun during the sailing.”
Hear more highlights from the agents in this video:
How to book it
An 11-day Athens-Athens sailing on Silver Moon departing 9 June costs from £9,000pp, for a Door-to-Door fare (this includes private executive transfers, economy flights, airport transfers to the ship, all food and drink onboard, butler service and shore excursions, and business class upgrades at reduced rates on request). The cruise takes in Santorini, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Mykonos, Thessaloniki and Nafplion.
Tel: 020 7340 0700
silversea.com
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