Silver Shadow: The Avid Cruiser's Video Ship Review

So you're thinking about moving up to cruise on a small luxury ship? Well, if you've done any research, you know that cruising on small luxury ships is more costly than cruising on large ships, but what you may not know is that small ships can provide better overall value. Yes, you pay more up front for a small luxury ship cruise, but you get more in return. To illustrate my point, let's take a look at what's offered on the 382-passenger Silver Shadow. Small doesn't mean that you have to compromise. Just as on the big ships, you'll enjoy multiple dining venues. Silver Shadow features the open-seating Main Restaurant, La Terrazza for Italian Slow Food cuisine, Le Champagne, the only Relais Chateaux restaurant at sea, and Black Rock Dining, a fun experience where you cook your own meat or seafood on hot lava stones. With the exception of Le Champagne, dining in all restaurants on Silver Shadow is free of charge. Of course, you can always enjoy meals in your suite, elegantly served, course by course if you wish. Just as on big ships, Silver Shadow features Broadway-style entertainment. Plus, many voyages feature enrichment lectures with world-renown speakers. You'll find pool jacuzzis with lots of room for sunbathing, a fully equipped gym and spa, multiple lounges and bars, library and internet cafe, shops, casino and more. On Silver Shadow you'll enjoy the benefits of an all-inclusive cruise. You won't need to sign - or pay for - champagnes, wines, spirits, speciality coffees, sodas or bottled waters. All beverages are served free of charge. Silver Shadow features spacious staterooms and suites, and most of these have expansive private balconies. All staterooms have butler service and in Silver Suites and above, you'll even get free laundry service. On Silver Shadow, the staff to guest ratio is nearly one to one. You get exceptionally attentive service, and you leave the ship having made friends who welcome you back time and again. Another plus to cruising on Silver Shadow, gratuities are neither required nor expected. So let's recap the benefits of small ship luxury cruising: You won't sacrifice big ship amenities. You won't sign a check or pay for beverages. You'll enjoy spacious staterooms and butler service in all staterooms. You'll get highly personalized service thanks to high staff-to-guest ratios. You can read our full review of Silver Shadow on Avidcruiser.com. I'm Ralph Grizzle. Thanks for watching.