Ultra-luxe cruise line Silversea is planning to convert more Australians to its brand with its newest flagship sailing our waters.

Speaking aboard the Silver Muse on its first visit to Sydney, recently appointed MD Adam Armstrong pledged to make Australia the line’s second biggest market “in two to three years”.

Mr Armstrong is the former MD of Royal Caribbean, the global brand which recently acquired a majority stake in Silversea and which is now investing heavily in new ships and services.

The near-new vessel, that has become the template for the new, more accessible luxury line, was on show in Sydney at the weekend for media and travel agents.

Silver Muse is the line’s newest weapon. In an operation called “Musification”, the other vessels of the fleet will be upgraded with similar interiors to The Muse.

“Within two to three years we will achieve our target of making Australia our second biggest market,” Mr Armstrong said.

Right now Australia is the third biggest market after the US and the UK.

“As the newest, most spacious and most luxurious ship to call Australia home this year, her deployment reflects our strong commitment to the local market and we are absolutely delighted that Silver Muse will return again next summer for an expanded season,” said Mr Armstrong.

“This is of course the newest ship in our fleet, and Silver Muse truly is one of the most luxurious, boutique vessels in the world, therefore I can’t think of a better way to explore the authentic natural beauty of Australia and New Zealand.”

Silversea Chief Executive Roberto Martinoli said the line was convinced more Australians will sail, adding Silversea was the first luxury line to send ships Down Under and was well known in the market.

So what’s the Muse like?

The 596-passenger luxury ship made maiden ports of call at Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsunday Islands and Brisbane before arriving in Sydney on 6 January. She will spend two months sailing in local waters and New Zealand before departing on a 74-day Asia Pacific grand voyage from Sydney to Tokyo on February 2.

She returns to Sydney for a four-month stay in late November this year to end of March 2020.

Hopefully, by then the Muse will homeport at the Overseas Passenger Terminal said Grant Gilfillan, CEO of the Port Authority of NSW who was at the welcoming party on board the ship.

Silversea has a fleet of nine ships with another five on order including the Silver Moon due in 2020 and Silver Dawn in 2021, both sister ships to Silver Muse.

Barbara Muckermann, chief marketing officer said the line offers voyages to more than 1000 destinations across seven continents and is the first to introduce all-inclusive and all-balcony suites.

Silver Muse has a comprehensive choice of dining options at sea with eight venues where guests can dine “anywhere, at anytime.”

You can feast on royal crab, lobster and prime cuts of steak at Atlantide, cook your own meat over a slab of oven-heated, volcanic lava stone at Hot Rocks but the two upmarket specialty restaurants, the La Dame by Relais & Chateaux which serves French fine cuisine and the Japanese Kaiseki have an extra charge of US$60 ($84) a head.

Guests can also dine and dance to the smooth sounds of jazz and blues at Silver Note restaurant.

The Venetian Lounge hosts full-scale production shows and feature films.
Passengers can compete at trivia, participate in golf putting, and shuffleboard tournaments. There are also bridge competitions, martini tasting and cocktail-making sessions.

Silver Muse is aimed at the adventurous, well travelled, mature-aged couples looking to discover remote destinations with a less structured experience and more diverse activities.

All cabins have views of the sea. Suites come with butler service, marble bathrooms with double vanity, separate shower, a full-sized bath and a powder room. There is a walk-in wardrobe, unlimited, premium Wifi, Bose sound system, Illy coffee machine, luxury bed linen, plush bathrobes and slippers, luxury bath amenities and refrigerators are stocked with beverages of your preference.

Meanwhile, Silver Whisper has set sail on her 133-day “Tale of Tales” World Cruise after an extensive refurbishment. The major renovation of the ship was part of the fleetwide Musification strategy. Silver Whisper will arrive in Sydney alongside Silver Muse on 2 February – the first time two Silversea ships will dock together in Sydney in 20 years.