Silver Spirit, Athens To Venice In 60 Photos

If, as it is said, a picture is worth 1,000 words, then we have 60,000 words, enough for a book, contained within this post. After culling hundreds of photos that we snapped last week and the week before, we chose 60 to portray a memorable voyage on Silver Spirit from Athens to Venice.

The slideshow below should work on nearly all operating systems and browsers, as well as your mobile devices. If you’re using an iPad or iPhone, simply swipe to advance to the next photo — or swipe the other way to reverse. Of course, technology isn’t perfect, so we’ve included a backup, the always-reliable Flickr. Afterward, check out some of the posts below and cruise with us, virtually.

Veranda Suite 920

We enjoyed our spacious veranda suite, measuring 376 square feet (35 square meters), including a 65-square-foot veranda (6 square meters). © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Our Butler, Rodolfo Nerez

Our butler was ever-attentive to our needs. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Canapés

Served by our butler each afternoon. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Cooking At The Grill

We cooked our own steaks on hot lava stones. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Sunsets

Sunset on Silver Spirit while sailing from Athens, Greece. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

The Friendly Faces Of Silver Spirit

Another warm Welcome Back, this one from Terence, who I have cruised with on other occasions. The ubiquitous smiles of Silver Spirit let you know that you are a welcome desk. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Lounge Chairs With A View

Aft, outside the Panorama Lounge of Silver Spirit, docked in Kusadasi, Turkey. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Among The Giants In Kusadasi

Our small luxury ship Silver Spirit in Kusadasi. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

The Restaurant

Silver Spirit's main dining room. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Rice Pudding With An Edible Spoon

For guests attending Silver Spirit's Classical Concert at Ephesus, an early dinner. I ended mine with this delicious — and attractive — rice pudding, served with an edible spoon and bowl. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Concert Venue, The Library of Celsus

Open only for guests from Silver Spirit, Ephesus and the Library of Celsus, the venue for our evening concert. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Silver Spirit In Kusadasi

Silver Spirit gave us a generous amount of time in Kusadasi, docked here from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

The Panorama Lounge

A good place for light snacks — and to relax and enjoy entertainment. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

The Panorama Lounge

A good place for light snacks — and to relax and enjoy entertainment. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Visiting Olympia and the Archaeological Museum

An excellent tour visiting Olympia (Greece) and the Archaeological Museum on a Silver Spirit shore excursion. © Ralph Grizzle

Great Guides

An excellent tour (and guide) while visiting Olympia (Greece) and the Archaeological Museum on a Silver Spirit shore excursion. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Gelato, Homemade

True to its Italian heritage, Silversea makes its own gelato on board each ship. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

The Bar

Evening cocktails for me, mocktails, for my 16-year-old son Alex. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

The Bar

A popular watering hole. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Reservations Only, Seishin

Welcome to Seishin. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Sushi In Seishin

A great dining experience, featuring Asian fusion. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Green Tea Ice Cream

In Seishin, choose from a sampler menu or a nine-course degustation menu. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Connoisseur's Corner

A great way to end the evening: fine cognacs and other spirits coupled with quality cigars. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Free Shuttle To Town

One perk for cruising Silversea: free shuttle service to the city centers in most destinations where Silversea's vessels call. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Silver Spirit docked in Corfu, Greece

Photographed from the Old Fortress. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Dining La Terrazza

La Terrazza, featuring authentic Italian cuisine, Slow Food style. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Gorgeous Presentations In La Terrazza

Celebrating Silversea's Italian heritage in La Terrazza. The food looks almost too good to eat. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Frederick & Fine Wines

One of our favorite waiters, Frederick, serves wines cultivated from small vineyards in the south of Europe (primarily Italy) and elsewhere. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Outdoor Dining

Silver Spirit offers two outdoor dining venues: At La Terrazza and The Grill. Make that three if you count your veranda. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Happy Crew

Part of the reason for Silversea's success: a happy crew. They're not only professional but also fun. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Three Jacuzzis

And a salt-water pool. The backdrop (Montenegro) isn't bad either. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Sailing Into Kotor

One of the world's most beautiful transits: Silver Spirit sailing to Kotor, Montenegro. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Cruising Kotor Bay

Cruising Kotor Bay. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Beautiful Day In The Bay

The weather cooperated beautifully as Silver Spirit made its way to Kotor, Montenegro. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Crowd Control

No crowds to contend with. A small group in front of the Observation Lounge watching as Silver Spirit cruises into Kotor, Montenegro. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Docked In The City Center

In Kotor, we walked 1,300 steps for magnificent views, including Silver Spirit docked just steps away from the Old Town. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

View of Kotor Bay

View of Kotor Bay. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Returning Home

Waiting for us, Silver Spirit in Kotor, Montenegro. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Cold Cloths, Refreshments Inside

After hiking 1,300 steps up and 1,300 down, we're greeted with cold cloths upon our return. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Swimming In The Blue Cave

A fun and refreshing shore excursion from Kotor, Montenegro. © 2013 Silvia Kulichova, Silver Spirit Shore Concierge

Father & Son

We had a great day in Kotor, Montenegro, one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited — and a fun day too, thanks to Silversea.

Dinner in Le Champagne

With the exception of Silver Explorer, Silversea vessels feature the only Relais & Chateaux restaurants at sea. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Relaxation In The Spa

We enjoyed some relaxation time in the largest spa in Silversea's fleet. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Elegant Dining At Le Champagne

A beautiful setting for our dinner in Le Champagne aboard Silver Spirit. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

The Morning News

One perk for Venetians (Silversea's frequent guests), newspapers delivered daily. I enjoyed mine with a healthy breakfast and an illy cappuccino. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Free Shuttle To Dubrovnik, Croatia

Silver Spirit provided us with free shuttle service into Dubrovnik. Other vessels at the terminal that day charged their passengers. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Lounge Chairs With A View

A beautiful evening as Silver Spirit docks in Dubrovnik. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Friendly Faces

At the pool deck barbecue, crab claws, shrimp and friendly faces. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Pool Deck Barbecue

No rush. There is enough for everyone. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Brilliant Blue

In this unenhanced photo, Silver Spirit anchored in Hvar, Croatia. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Our Ship Awaits

Silver Spirit anchored in Hvar, Croatia. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Beauty Throughout

Silver Spirit features beautiful artwork throughout. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Stars Supper Club

We enjoyed sampler menus and the musical talents of Mickki Brown. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Stars Supper Club

Sampler items in Stars. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Sublime Silver Spirit

Silver Spirit's interiors are refined and elegant. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Sailing Into Venice

Guests and staff gather on board as Silver Spirit sails into Venice. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Katakalon, Greece: Gateway To Olympus

Silver Spirit docked in Katakolon, Greece. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Hidden Venice Tour

On a Hidden Venice tour, we enjoyed seeing parts of Venice not often visited by tourists. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Prime Parking In Venice

Silver Spirit docked in Venice. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Frederick & A Perfect Cruise

One of our favorite waiters, Frederick made a virgin strawberry colada for Alex, a nice ending to a perfect cruise on Silver Spirit. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Trouble viewing our slideshow? View on Flickr instead.

Relive Our Silver Spirit Voyage From Athens To Venice

• End Of A Voyage: Silver Spirit Arrives In Venice, Italy
• From Afar, Hvar (Croatia)
• On Silver Spirit, Assessing The Cost Of Luxury Cruises: Ten Value-Added Extras; What’s The Real Cost?
• Beautiful Bay: Silver Spirit Sails Into Kotor, Montenegro
• On Silver Spirit, The Trip Thus Far: Midway Through The Voyage
• Silver Spirit Calls On Corfu, Greece: We Trek To The Old Fortress For Magnificent Views
• Visiting Olympia, Birthplace Of The Olympics On A Silversea Shore Excursion
• An ‘Unforgettable’ Evening At Ephesus, As Silver Spirit Docks In Kusadasi

What’s Coming Up?

The summer of avidly cruising has just begun. Ahead, Europa 2. Boarding begins in Malta Saturday afternoon, and ends in Ibiza, six days later. It’s a pretty expensive product, fetching as much as $800 per day per person. From what we saw on our one-night preview back in May, it may well be worth the asking price. See our post: Seven Reasons Why Europa 2 Can Command The Luxury Cruise Segment’s Highest Prices — For Now.

After coming off that luxurious voyage, we’ll overnight at the Hilton Vienna Danube, before hopping on AmaWaterways‘ newest vessel, the Amaprima.

We’ll cruise to the Austrian cities of Vienna, Melk, Durnstein, Linz and the German cities, Passau and Vilshofen, where AmaPrima will be christened on August 6. Be sure to tune in, and in the meantime, check out AmaPrima preview on sister site, River Cruise Advisor.

Following AmaPrima’s christening, we’ll overnight in Munich before picking up a rental car to drive through Switzerland. Destination: Lyon, France, and the A-ROSA Stella for a cruise on France’s Rhone & Saone rivers.

We’re excited to cruise a product that has received accolades from German passengers but is new to the North America market. What will A-ROSA offer that is different from the rest of the pack? We’re as eager to know as you are — and to see a new region on a river cruise.