Silversea Silver Moon

• Built2020
• The cruiseBusan to Tokyo (seven days of a 14-day itinerary) via Kanazawa, Aomori and Hakodate
• Passengers596
• Crew411
• Deckseight passenger decks
• Length212.8 metres

The Ship

Mirroring her sister ship Silver Muse, Silver Moon is one of Silversea’s eight Classic ships. An additional four in the fleet are Expedition ships. Owned since 2018 by the Royal Caribbean Group, the brand has maintained a loyal following, as reflected by the many repeat clients on this trip.

Boarding

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I join the cruise in Busan (an exception because I am a guest of Silversea), halfway through the 14-day Tokyo to Tokyo itinerary. The size of the port of Busan and our solo boarding mean we whizz through security with no problems. Those who boarded in Tokyo report a streamlined process at security and an efficient check-in. On board, guests are provided with their suite pass and a welcome glass of champagne. It’s a thrill to enter our suite and unpack.

The design

Elegant but not ritzy and stylish enough to hit the “luxe” category. The decor is muted and devoid of embellishments, yet there’s enough artwork and sufficient touches to keep things classy (La Dame restaurant features a series of beautiful handmade Lalique crystal panels, for example). The brightest hues – pink and oranges – are limited to the Arts Cafe. Communal areas are spacious and welcoming.

The spaces

Silver Moon’s true strength is its spaces. There are many, and these distinct and welcoming areas ensure there’s no pressure for room. It’s easy to find your patch. The Dolce Vita, the heart of the ship, is home to both reception and the shore excursion desk (I love its pale turquoise velvet accents). The elegant Panorama Lounge serves morning tea and coffee before morphing into a cocktail venue, while the Observation Library has books and games tables. True to its name, the cosy Arts Cafe serves up an arty theme along with a decent cappuccino, specialty teas and pastries. A pool deck, jogging track and fitness centre cater to the active. Evening restaurants range from the 220-seater Atlantide to the delightfully intimate 32-seat venue Kaiseki. The Venetian Lounge is an inviting entertainment venue.

The stateroom

Our Deluxe Veranda Suite is very comfortable. The palette is neutral and the layout is perfect. A curtain divides the bed from the lounge area where there’s a decent-sized sofa with cushions and a throw blanket, plus a coffee table and a generous-sized desk with adjacent shelving. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows let in plenty of sun; heavy curtains block out nocturnal lights. The verandah has deck chairs and a table. The bathroom’s full-length bathtub is a bonus, and perfect for winding down after the busy day on shore. A walk-in robe’s ample storage helps you keep things shipshape.

The food

With eight restaurants, Silver Moon offers everything from French dishes at La Dame, to pizza at Spaccanapoli, to Asian fare and an omakase menu at Kaiseki. The quality between venues can vary, however. The “classic” restaurant, Atlantide, is the most reliable in terms of consistency, even though it’s the largest option. Our standout favourite, and to our surprise the least frequented, is S.A.L.T. Kitchen. During this cruise, it prepares superb Japanese and Asian fusion dishes. (S.A.L.T. is Silversea’s “Sea And Land Taste” program that offers locally inspired menus and land-based culinary excursions). For sweet lovers, the gelati, made on board, are consistently excellent. The S.A.L.T. Bar’s cocktail staff shake up the scene, with martinis to gimlets and any challenge thrown their way. Don’t miss the Silver Moon cocktail.

Wellness

With a full program, I don’t have time to try the Zagara Spa, but it offers a hair salon, a thermal suite, massage and medi-spa treatments (including Botox and fillers), plus several seaweed-based therapies. For an extra fee you can access a compact outdoor relaxation space with a small hydrotherapy pool (the area is “private”, but shared with others who’ve upgraded). The well-equipped fitness centre has plenty of room, light and ocean vistas.

Entertainment

Here, it’s less about the “cruisical” and more about a variety of performances, held in the Venetian Lounge where club chairs are arranged around small tables, or you can sit in tiered banquettes. The program ranges from traditional South Korean music to the final evening’s Motown-style production. Themed dances, such as the 1970s-focused Boogie Fever, light up the Panorama Lounge. A jazz duo channel Ella Fitzgerald and other melodies at Silver Note, an intimate New York-style jazz bar that also serves cocktails, while pianists perform at various locations around the ship. The insightful presentations about each port by on-board lecturer Evelyn Evans are a hit. Daily classes range from bridge to origami, but my choice is the class at S.A.L.T. Lab, a fabulous hands-on cooking session, where I learn to whip up grated turnip miso soup and daikon leaf rice.

The crew

Although all suites have an assigned butler in addition to a room attendant, we have no requirements beyond the regular suite service and generally, the crew are pleasant and respectful. Service standards fluctuate in the restaurants, especially at breakfast, where there’s both a buffet and hot dish menu in La Terrazza. In smaller venues, it’s another matter; our server in S.A.L.T. Kitchen, Kai, describes each dish so evocatively that his enthusiasm alone makes it worth dining there.

The verdict

Subtle elegance, fascinating port stops and informative talks.

The details

Silversea’s 14-day (12-night) Japan itinerary sails from Tokyo to Tokyo. Fares from $19,100 a person. See silversea.com

Our rating out of five

★★★★

Swell

An easy-going ship experience with attractive suites, refined and uncrowded spaces, an excellent choice of dining options and entertainment and a good selection of shore excursions (these may cost extra depending on the fare type).

Not so swell

Standards: not Silversea’s fault (they consistently stress the dress code in communications), but some passengers insist on wearing inappropriately casual clothing in formal settings. And, as a non-smoker, I don’t appreciate how the designated smokers’ lounge (Connoisseur’s Corner) is located so close to the delightful Panorama Lounge.

The writer was a guest of Silversea.