Transatlantic Cruise on the Silver Ray
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
General
The Silver Ray of the luxurious Silversea company is one of the most innovative and impressive luxury ships in the cruise world today. It was launched in 2024 as part of Silversea's "Nova" series and is considered a pioneer in sustainability and luxury design.
The style of the Silver Ray is groundbreaking in the cruise industry thanks to its asymmetrical design: the ship makes extensive use of glass (about 4,000 square meters of glass), giving a sense of "openness" and a panoramic view of the sea from almost every corner.
It features a side pool: unlike most ships where the pool is in the center, here it is located on the side of the ship, creating a direct and unobstructed eye contact with the horizon from it.
Level and Hospitality Experience
The ship is rated at the Ultra-Luxury level
It consists of suites only: all rooms on the ship are suites with private balconies.
Every suite has a personal butler who takes care of every need.
It is one of the greenest ships ever built. It uses a hybrid propulsion system combining Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and batteries, allowing it to dock in ports with zero emissions.
All-inclusive: the price includes almost everything – from champagne and premium wines, through selected shore excursions, to internet (if you want unlimited internet, you must upgrade for an additional fee) and tips.
The culinary level is very high and the price includes most restaurants (there are three restaurants for an additional fee).
Its maximum capacity: 728 passengers (in our cruise there are slightly less than 700) with about 540 employees.
Size (tonnage): about 54,700 tons, length: 244 meters, width: 30 meters.
We chose to take a two-week transatlantic cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and ending in Lisbon. The cruise includes four port days: two in Bermuda and two in Madeira, and nine sea days (divided before and after and mainly between ports).
A wonderful opportunity for rest and pampering and above all: pure enjoyment of the ship and its facilities.
Already upon boarding the ship, you feel the difference. Immediately after entering, you receive a fragrant damp towel, champagne, and a variety of other spirits, and caviar snacks, all to the sounds of various melodies played by a violinist and a saxophonist. All this in the very first moments at the ship's entrance.
The suites are spacious and equipped with everything you need and beyond. A bathroom with a bathtub and a separate shower, a walk-in closet, a bedroom with a small living room, a well-stocked refrigerator, a coffee machine, and a spacious balcony (all this in the smallest and standard suite on the ship). There is no doubt that every detail was thought of, and everything is in a pleasant design and most importantly - feels new and comfortable.
Pampering and Quality of Products and Equipment
The little treats at Silversea are what make the difference between an "Ultra-Luxury" company and premium or family companies: first of all, every room is a luxurious suite with a spacious bathroom including a bathtub as mentioned. Every suite has a butler who takes care of everything you need and ask for without interfering or nagging. Strawberries with chocolate every evening to the room, a fruit bowl alongside high-quality gold-wrapped pralines on the bed. High-quality water bottles that he refills daily.
Bath salts with an amazing scent, Bulgari toiletries, a fragrant steamer for the shower, and upgraded towel folding with a personal letter.
Free laundry and ironing service with no quantity limit (not for everyone, but after several cruises and a certain status that can also be obtained from previous cruises on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, which belong to the same corporation). Clean and ironed clothes are hung on hangers in the walk-in closet, and undergarments wrapped in tissue paper are placed on the bed. This is the first ship I've encountered with a walk-in closet with a pull-out laundry basket as a drawer.
Laundry is returned the same day if sent in the morning.
Caviar cups in the lounges,
Drinks of all kinds at the theater entrance, real blooming orchids everywhere, flavored water near the walking track, plenty of lounge chairs with comfortable mattresses and thick, pampering towels, all kinds of sunscreen and aloe vera on the decks, and cooking workshops taught by the ship's chef several times a day (free with pre-registration - more on that later).
A Relatively Small and Intimate Ship
On intimate ships like the Silver Ray with a ratio of 1:1.3 passengers to every employee, most employees in the "hotel" (not the deck or engine officers, of course) quickly get to know the passengers by name and know what each one likes and needs.
The passengers also know the employees well, including the most senior ones. Almost every day during sea days, there is a different event with the captain, the chef, or the hotel manager (on our ship, a manager of German origin named Heike who was simply everywhere), with the team of dancers and singers, or an event for returning or new customers, accompanied by an intimate show or conversation with various employees. You hear where they are from, how they came to work on cruises, hobbies, challenges, and more. You hear many facts and poignant stories, and there is almost always an opportunity for Q&A.
Sometimes the meeting is also accompanied by a behind-the-scenes tour, for example, in the theater.
All this in addition to a lecture by the captain on the process of building a new ship, many culinary demonstrations by the chef, and more. By the end of the cruise, you feel you know many of the employees well and say goodbye almost like friends.
Sea View from Every Direction
The main reason I love cruises, beyond the food, pampering, shows, and amazing service, is that I love being surrounded by the sea. Walking on the deck and seeing the sea, being in the pool or jacuzzi and seeing the sea,
eating and seeing the sea. Also working out in the gym overlooking the sea
and even working on a laptop on the balcony facing the sea.
In the design of the Silver Ray, they used many glass walls and ensured that the sea could be seen from within as much as possible; even the elevators are transparent and installed on the side of the ship, all overlooking the sea with the constantly changing scenery. Sometimes you see quiet turquoise waters, sometimes a stormy gray sea, and sometimes sunrises and sunsets. There is nothing like being in the heart of the sea and seeing the curving horizon.
Best of all - on a transatlantic cruise, which is cheaper than other cruises, it also takes you from continent to continent and saves a long flight, and there is much more time to spend in the middle of the sea and enjoy the ship and its facilities.
The Theater and Entertainment on the Silver Ray
The theater on the ship is very spacious and comfortable, especially considering it's a ship with only 700 passengers. At the theater entrance, waiters stand daily with alcoholic (and non-alcoholic) drinks and offer a drink to everyone entering (included in the price, of course). Usually, some of the officers stand at the entrance to welcome the passengers.
Sometimes there are snacks at the entrance (fruit skewers, for example).
There is plenty of space, very comfortable chairs with small tables next to them, and no need to arrive far in advance even though there is only one show per day (not two like on larger ships) at 9:30 PM.
The ship has an orchestra like on the giant ships and an entertainment team including four singers and four dancers, and of course, guest entertainers such as an authentic local band from Bermuda, a magician, and other musicians.
The cruise director introduced his team and the various lecturers on the first day, and the captain, of course, introduced the officers and key personnel on the ship during the first formal evening.
The theater is used for many other purposes throughout the day. There are five lecturers on the ship who, during sea days, hold at least 3 different lectures on a variety of topics from the atom to Broadway to medicine and nutrition.
Additionally, there are food preparation demonstrations and culinary lectures on coffee, wines, local foods in different destinations, and more.
In short, although it is a small and intimate ship, there is much to do - and that's just in the main theater.
The Restaurants on the Silver Ray
The ship has two main restaurants on Deck 3, adjacent to each other, which do not require reservations. One called "Atlantide," which is the main and elegant restaurant on the ship, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at fixed hours every day, including port days.
The second: S.A.L.T. Kitchen - a unique restaurant serving a menu that changes according to the ports the ship visits.
Both have a fixed menu alongside a menu that changes every few days. At Atlantide, there is also an additional menu that changes every evening.
In both restaurants, the food is high quality, varied, including two recommended wines that change daily (you don't have to choose them - you can order from a very large variety of high-quality spirits).
You can order as many dishes as you want from any category without limit, and of course, there are amazing desserts. Everything is also beautifully designed and plated. The choice is difficult...
The Grill Restaurant
One of the most successful restaurants on the Silver Ray is The Grill, located outside on Deck 10. It is free of charge, but reservations are required (for dinner only).
Although it is in the open air, you can eat there even on cold days as there are heaters in the ceiling; it is partially covered, and if it's really cold - they have special thick blankets for the diners.
In the morning, it is open for breakfast, including late ones (until 11:00 AM) with an emphasis on healthy food (green shake with chia, berries, avocado sandwich with poached egg, etc.). At lunch, this is the place for burgers, fries, and wonderful pizzas from the brick oven.
In the evening: it becomes the Hot Rocks restaurant. The concept is serving high-quality meats or seafood on a sizzling volcanic rock placed on the table, allowing everyone to cook their dish exactly to their taste. You receive an apron to avoid getting dirty.
This is in addition to pizzas, interesting appetizers (the baked onion is killer), salads, and even those who don't want to cook for themselves can get everything ready, and there is also a rotating fish dish. The desserts are wonderful, as usual. Especially the baked pineapple with ice cream.
In short, a successful restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Silver Note Restaurant
A special and recommended restaurant on the ship is "Silver Note":.
It's not a regular restaurant but a combination of a gourmet restaurant + a jazz club with a pianist and a singer.
The restaurant serves small tapas-style dishes, of which you can order as many as you like—delicious and beautifully designed dishes. The restaurant also has a cocktail bar.
Since the restaurant is relatively small with an intimate atmosphere, reservations must be made long in advance, even though there is no extra charge as it is included in the cruise price.
The songs played during the meal are beautiful, optimistic, and calm. Hearing a song like Imagine about a world without wars while my phone had missile alerts in Tel Aviv was completely surreal. A parallel world...
"La Terrazza" Restaurant
Operates in the morning and afternoon as the ship's "buffet." A rich variety of foods, most of which are served and can also be taken independently. With natural juices and shakes.
In the evening, it is an included restaurant, but reservations are required, offering traditional Italian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients in a luxurious atmosphere. The restaurant offers the option of indoor seating or in the open air on the balcony with a sea view.
Brunch on the Silver Ray
On one of the cruise days, a brunch is held starting in the morning and ending in the afternoon. The brunch is held in the two main dining rooms simultaneously. Upon entering, you receive crackers with caviar and drinks suitable for brunches such as Mimosa and Bloody Mary. The natural juice and shake station is also located near the entrance. You can order from a menu of varied eggs and even Wagyu steak and other dishes alongside coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice served to the table.
But the main thing is to wander between the various stalls: the sushi stall, pasta, Asian noodles, oysters and lobsters, cold cuts and cheeses, salads, fruits, and of course the desserts which are both photogenic with chocolate fountains and painted macarons and very tasty. After such a meal, it's impossible to taste anything until dinner...
4 O'Clock Tea
An afternoon of indulgence on two of the sea days during the Silver Ray cruise featured tea and champagne (and also Mimosa and Kir Royale),
A chef preparing Banana Foster, "petits fours" with scones, sandwiches, and cookies, and two musicians adding to the atmosphere. The waiters in tuxedos and white gloves, and everything was delicious and peaceful. The only problem was that no room was left for dinner...
Cooking Workshops
On Silversea voyages on some of the ships (the larger and newer ones), there is an area called S.A.L.T. Lab, which is short for Sea and Land Taste. A dedicated space where guests can participate in interactive cooking workshops based on ingredients and recipes from the destinations where the ship docks. The workshops are held daily 2-3 times a day and last about 45-50 minutes.
Menus change according to the cruise itinerary (e.g., Greek cooking when sailing in the Mediterranean, or Caribbean flavors).
As of today, participation in S.A.L.T. Lab workshops is included in the cruise price, but pre-registration is mandatory as the number of stations is limited.
Unlike regular cooking demonstrations, here you are the ones cooking at fully equipped stations.
Although I'm not a big fan of cooking, when all the ingredients are prepared for me and the dishes are washed for me, it's not so hard...
Therefore, during the 14-night cruise on the Silver Ray, I chose three different workshops: making empanadas (two types: one with cheese, fried, and the second baked with shrimp and peanut butter), preparing cod fish, typical Portuguese dishes (one hot dish with egg and vegetables and one cold with chickpeas), and a workshop on making food from Madeira: a fried sweet potato bun stuffed with meat in wine.
You really don't need great cooking skills. Everything is already cut and ready in the right quantities, the chef explains step by step, the utensils are high quality, and the electric stoves are as well. It's so easy to prepare food this way...
I got some really good and useful tips, and at the end, everyone eats their own handiwork. You also receive the printed recipes. Short, tasty, and educational. Perfect for days at sea!
The Ports on the Cruise Itinerary
Bermuda Port
Our ship arrived after two days at sea in Bermuda for two days.
Bermuda is a self-governing British territory located in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 1,000 km east of North Carolina, USA. Bermuda is an archipelago consisting of over 130 islands, only 20 of which are inhabited, with the largest connected by bridges forming one continuous landmass.
There is really nothing to fear about sailing in the area. The reputation of the "Bermuda Triangle" is mostly a cultural myth. Statistically, the number of planes and ships that have disappeared in this area is no higher than in any other busy area of the ocean.
Since the tours on this cruise are included in the cruise price, we chose two tours, one for each day. Both are boat tours departing from the marina adjacent to the cruise port. No bus rides needed. You board the boat and sail enjoyably for about two hours, leaving plenty of free time to wander near the cruise port.
The first sail was to the area of luxury villas and houses on the island (there is no shortage of those) and during that, stories about the country located alone in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, life there, some history, and pleasant local music sung by the captain alongside American classics.
The second cruise, which took place the next day, was on a glass-bottom boat to other areas of the island.
A scenic sail between beaches, islands, a fort, and resorts until arriving at a sunken ship surrounded by a reef rich in corals and fish. Watching the diverse fish and corals and then feeding the fish with bread. On the way back to the ship, we sailed close to the beautiful Silver Ray, which gave an opportunity to photograph it from all directions.
The sailing on both boats was in relatively small groups, not crowded or packed, with excellent guides, exactly suitable for getting an impression of Bermuda, which has become a very popular destination for cruises in recent years. Especially round-trip cruises from New York but also combined with the Caribbean or as part of a transatlantic cruise, as in our case.
We spent two consecutive days on the island, which allows seeing much more and without pressure.
The Cruise Port in Bermuda
The cruise port in Bermuda is called Royal Naval Dockyard and is located at the western tip of the island. This is a renovated historical area that was previously a British Navy base.
Today it has an impressive maritime museum with a dolphin park, adjacent to them a beautiful beach with various family attractions, a marina with a variety of excursion boats and a ferry to the capital, Hamilton, an arts and glass-blowing center, and a shopping center located in the historical Clocktower Mall.
It is recommended to dedicate a few hours to the area. The maritime museum is especially recommended, less because of the displays in it and more because of the impressive building, the wall with plenty of cannons, and above all - the view of the cruise ship seen from every corner
and the sea view and the reefs in various shades of blue and turquoise and of course the smart dolphins.
The shopping center is beautiful and well-kept and full of souvenirs that are not cheap. The marina is beautiful and all the buildings around it are impressive. A small free tourist train passes through the whole area for those who are not fond of walking.
In the summer, for those who don't feel like going all the way to the famous Pink Beach (a 20-minute drive away), it's worth spending time at the beautiful and well-kept beach located less than a ten-minute walk from the cruise pier. Its name is Snorkel Park Beach, which is a private beach complex with a restaurant, bar, chairs, snorkel equipment, and water activities.
More information about Bermuda and its attractions can be found on this site
Cancellation of Madeira Port in the Itinerary
After we left Bermuda for Madeira, we were informed that we would not dock in Madeira.
Port cancellations in cruises or itinerary changes are very common. Usually, it's due to weather but sometimes for other reasons (technical, medical, etc.). In more than 60 percent of the cruises I have sailed on (in all companies, in a large variety of ships, itineraries, and dates) there was some change. Port cancellation, port replacement, extension of the cruise, etc.
You really shouldn't and shouldn't get excited about it and certainly not take it to heart, and there is nothing to be done about it. Of course, if you choose a short cruise to a nearby destination in the appropriate season - the chance for changes decreases but definitely doesn't disappear.
This time, on our transatlantic cruise, we were supposed to be in Madeira for two days, after six sea days (after the two days in Bermuda).
But due to a serious storm in the Madeira area and west of it, we were informed that the docking in the port was canceled and we would sail instead to Porto, Portugal, which we would reach after 8 days at sea. No one really regretted it, because anyone who sails on a transatlantic cruise loves sea days.
Since I had already been to magical Madeira many times (the last time about six months ago), I didn't regret it either, but I greatly appreciated the fact that immediately after the news of the change, the captain gave a lecture in the theater for almost an hour on the considerations in making the change decision, the new cruise path, and what could have happened if we hadn't "fled" north. A lecture with maps and clear explanations. They certainly invested in preparing the presentation and in the attitude toward the passengers.
We also received options for new tours, explanations about the new destination, and all on the same day. Kudos to our charming Italian captain, Captain Giovanni Schiaffino and his crew.
Port of Leixões near the City of Porto
The last day of our cruise on the Silver Ray before arriving at the port of Lisbon and disembarking from the ship was in the port near the city of Porto called: Port of Leixões, which is located about a half-hour drive north of Porto.
Since it was an alternative port to the port of Madeira (which we didn't reach because of weather), the range of tours from the ship was quite limited, but there was still enough space for everyone in the tours offered. In addition, there was a free shuttle service from the port to the city center and back.
We have visited beautiful Porto several times, so we preferred to tour the town near the port called Matosinhos.
The ship docked at the new terminal, which is considered an architectural gem. The white building is designed in a unique spiral shape.
We started the trip north of the port. We took an Uber (at a funny cost of 4 euros for a ten-minute ride) to the "Tide Pool" Piscina das Marés, a swimming pool with seawater built into the granite rocks on the beach. This is an architectural masterpiece by the famous architect Álvaro Siza Vieira.
From there, we continued along sandy beaches with rocks, cliffs, and many surfers on a beautiful promenade to the Farol de Leça lighthouse, the second tallest lighthouse in Portugal.
Nearby is the Casa de Chá da Boa Nova tea house, which currently houses a Michelin restaurant.
The building is built right into the granite rocks on the water's edge. It looks as if it grows out of the rocks and blends perfectly with the Atlantic coastline.
Nearby stands a small white chapel from the 14th century. The contrast between the ancient chapel and the modern architectural building by Siza Vieira is very impressive.
From each of the buildings, we saw our beautiful ship and the entire coastline and port.
From there, we took an Uber back south to the Matosinhos Fish Market Mercado Municipal, an authentic local market experience with fresh fish, agricultural produce, and small restaurants inside.
A few minutes away is the restaurant street Rua de Heróis de França, the most famous street in Portugal for grilled fish. We didn't eat there, of course, because you have to save space on such a cruise for meals on the ship, but it's nice to wander through it.
From there we continued to the She Changes sculpture (the giant net): an impressive environmental sculpture that looks like a giant red fishing net floating above the square.
From it, we continued along Matosinhos Beach: a wide beach with a long promenade, many surfers, and restaurants back on foot to the cruise port.
The weather was wonderful with blue skies. A lovely trip for less than 10 euros (the cost of the Ubers) in an authentic, non-commercial town with atmosphere, views, interesting buildings, and beaches.
There's nothing like returning to a pampering ship for a late lunch at the Grill restaurant on Deck 10, overlooking the port, and then watching the departure from the port from the jacuzzi.
Cruise Summary and Comparison with Other Companies I've Sailed With
The significant advantages of the Silver Ray ship lie in the fact that it is a new ship, very spacious, with many seating areas, plenty of pampering lounge chairs on the decks with comfortable mattresses and a variety of lounges and bars. The ship is beautifully designed in an innovative yet solid design, full of (real) orchids and vegetation and, of course, works of art, with an elegant atmosphere, wonderful ratio of passengers to employees: 1.13 passengers for every employee! All rooms are spacious suites with a large bathroom (in which there is a bathtub and a separate shower) and even a walk-in closet.
Cruise Price and Extras
The price of the cruise on the Silver Ray is considered "all-inclusive" (compared to most companies where a lot is not included) but here my first disappointment awaited me on the very first day: the internet included in the price is very basic internet. Only for emails, text messages, and web browsing. You cannot make voice calls (and certainly not video), not upload photos (to Facebook, Instagram, etc.), or send photos via WhatsApp or any other means, and certainly not streaming (watching videos, etc.). An upgrade to unlimited internet cost an additional $280 per person for one device for the entire cruise. In my opinion, when paying substantial prices for a cruise like Silversea (the transatlantic cruise we did is the cheapest of their cruises), it's quite insulting not to include proper internet (in Oceania, the included internet is excellent and in Princess the internet in their packages - without any restriction). Also in Celebrity, which belongs to the Royal Caribbean corporation, the internet in the package (which you purchase separately from the cruise price, unlike Silversea) is limited and needs to be upgraded. A strange policy of the corporation that I really don't understand and am disappointed by.
It turns out that also three restaurants on the ship are not included in the expensive cruise price: the French and Asian restaurants and also the "Chef's Table" cost an additional $80-130 per person per meal, depending on the restaurant.
True, in many companies you pay an extra for meals, but it is not acceptable that this is the case in an "ultra-luxury" company. In the Oceania company (which is much cheaper than Silversea) all restaurants except for the "Chef's Table," including the Asian and French - without extra charge!
Quality of Food and Service
The food and service in all other restaurants (some of which do not require reservations and some do) was good but not beyond that. The food at Oceania is significantly tastier and more successful. Even in most of the extra-fee restaurants of Princess, Holland America, or Celebrity, the level of food and even service in the restaurants is better.
In Silversea, the emphasis is on caviar and raw fish - I connect less with these foods.
Cooking Workshops
A successful activity without extra charge, but with pre-registration, is the cooking workshops held by the chef of the SALT restaurant, one of the two main restaurants for which there is no need to make reservations, whose concept is local food according to the route from local ingredients. The cooking workshops change every few days according to the cruise destinations. In each workshop, two dishes are prepared. Everything is already in measured quantities with the best tools and under the close guidance of the chef and his assistant. Of course, everyone eats what they prepared. You also get the recipes of the dishes. In other companies, the activity does not exist or it is for a substantial extra charge. It's important to emphasize that these workshops are held only on the company's four largest and newest ships.
Drinks
There is plenty of spirits on the ship: in all restaurants, in various bars (this is definitely the ship's strong point) and also in the lounges and theater there is a very large variety of spirits included in the cruise price. Everywhere they offer you a glass of champagne, liqueur, or quality cocktail, but even in this field, in every menu of every restaurant there is a menu of especially high-quality wines - for a substantial extra charge. You can definitely drink wonderfully and high-quality without it, but it grates on me a bit.
There is also plenty of quality coffee in various places on the ship and also natural fruit juices and shakes.
Personal Touch
The attitude on the ship is very personal; the hotel manager, Heike, was truly everywhere, also the cruise director, Ron, was very present and friendly and even the captain was very accessible and friendly and participated in various events. Within a few days, most of the employees know all the guests by name, which makes the cruise experience more personal.
Shows and Activities
The ship has a nice theater, very spacious (but you can't see well from everywhere) and a successful entertainment team, and also the guest artists were good, but of course, the quality and quantity of entertainment can't come close at all to that of large ships like Celebrity, Princess, and certainly not like the largest ships of Royal Caribbean.
Although they compensated with plenty of lectures and also conversations and demonstrations by the various employees from the entertainment team to the chef, still the amount of activity and variety of options is significantly limited compared to the large ships. Again, in Oceania the activity is more varied and successful in my opinion, even though this is also a company with fairly small ships.
On the Silver Ray, the most attractive activity to which one hundred to one hundred and fifty people flocked every day was group trivia with the cruise director... also bingo (not for money but for points) was very popular.
I didn't like that at every opportunity: before and after every show, in every social event or party, the cruise director and his people didn't stop complimenting themselves and the other employees and saying how everything on this ship is the most most in the world. Half of what they said was boasting...
Butler – Personal Housekeeper
Every suite on the ship comes with a butler - in my opinion: unnecessary. The butler brought strawberries with chocolate, fruit, and juice every day to the room upon our request and took care of taking the laundry and returning it clean to the closet, but his role ended there. In ships without a butler, the room steward takes care of this.
I saw people whom the butler accompanied to the elevator and pressed the elevator button or reserved places for them in restaurants or on tours, but for me, such help is really unnecessary (I didn't ride the elevator at all. A relatively small ship and everything is close and I really don't need someone to order something for me), but there are people whom this apparently makes happy.
Personal bottles and laundry drawer:
Decks and Recreation Areas
The external decks are very spacious, with many lounge chairs, the pool is beautiful and heated and located facing the view, and so is the jacuzzi.
There is a small pickleball court, shuffleboard, and other deck games.
Every day various competitions are also held. Ping pong is indoor on Deck 2, which is very successful because it is always convenient to play.
Compared to a small ship, the decks are full of options and never too crowded, many comfortable seating corners (but really not suitable for families - no climbing walls, water slides, etc.).
There is of course also a walking track. On the ship a spa for an extra charge but for sauna lovers there is also an area with a tiny cool pool, a steam sauna and a dry sauna intended without extra charge for all guests. For those who must, there is also a tiny casino (the smallest I've seen on a ship) with two tables and a number of slot machines and also shops selling mainly luxury products and jewelry.
Embarking and disembarking from the ship were fast and smooth (similar to most companies, including those with much larger ships).
To summarize: the cruise was a wonderful and pampering experience, comfortable and enjoyable. Despite the many sea days, the time flew by, but in my opinion, the price is excessive relative to the value and I definitely "settle" for the Oceania company, which in my opinion is the most successful company for foodies (adults only) and also in premium companies like Princess and Celebrity.