On location: PAX gets a first look at Silver Moon in Central America

Your Cruise Coach and PAX contributor Ming Tappin is currently sailing on board Silver Moon as the ship makes her first North American debut.

Launched in October 2020, Silver Moon, at 40,700 gross tons and with a maximum capacity of 596 guests, is Silversea’s second Muse-class ship in its fast-growing fleet.

The ship started her itinerary on Dec. 2 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and then sailed to Cozumel, Quintana Roo, arriving on Dec. 4. Belize City followed on Dec. 5 and yesterday, on Dec. 6, guests sailed to Roatan Island.

Tomorrow (Dec. 8), the ship will stop in Puerto Limon and then will continue its journey to Fuerte Amador (Panama City) on Dec. 10.

At that point, media will disembark and guests on the ship will sail onwards to Golfito and Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica and Manta and Guayaquil, Ecuador, ending the journey on Dec. 18. 

Silver Moon benefits from re-imagined public spaces, butler service in all-suite categories, a nearly 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, and Silversea’s hallmark small-ship intimacy.

Her launch also marks the debut of Silversea’s new culinary program, Sea and Land Taste or “S.A.L.T.”

Three new onboard venues form a hub of culinary discovery for guests: in Silver Moon’s S.A.L.T. Kitchen, S.A.L.T. Lab, and S.A.L.T. Bar. 

Guests are invited to delve deeper into each region’s cuisine and culture with regionally-inspired dishes, drinks, and demonstrations.

Special S.A.L.T. shore excursions also enable travellers to experience the food and drink cultures of each destination firsthand.

Health & safety observations

Silversea Cruises’ guests are not only required to be double vaccinated, but they must also take a complimentary rapid antigen test at the pier upon arrival, Tappin reported.

On embarkation day, to allow for social distancing and to ease congestion, small groups are escorted inside the terminal one at a time – the rest wait outside, covered and with seating, Tappin said.

Vaccine docs are checked inside after security and everyone is to complete a health questionnaire and get their temperature taken, she said.   

Other observations Tappin has made so far: at dining and entertainment venues, there are cubby holes with hand sanitizer spray, and at the buffet, there are handwashing stations to which each guest is directed.

“All food items are served to you by the crew,” she said, and each suite comes with a PPE kit “in a gorgeous case” with a supply of masks, sanitizer, and wipes.

Silver Moon is one of six Silversea ships—others include Silver Muse, Silver Origin, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, and Silver Explorer—to have recently earned Certification in Infection Prevention for the Maritime industry (CIP-M) from the world’s leading classification society, DNV.

These certifications highlight Silversea’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of guests, crew, and the communities it visits as part of the company’s healthy return to service.

Here are more exclusive pictures that Tappin has taken, so far, during the cruise. 

Stay tuned for her in-depth report! 

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