What’s it like to sail on Silver Muse, the glamorous new boutique Silversea ship that’s really raised the bar on luxury cruising?

To find out, we hopped on in Singapore on its first voyage to Australia, kicking off in style with the friendly crew welcoming passengers with a glass of French champers.

“Don’t go to your suite just yet, we’ll take your bags there for you”, they said. “There’s a fabulous buffet lunch on with Peking Duck, don’t miss it”.

We didn’t, and when we got to our suite, (Silversea calls them suites, not cabins) our butler had unpacked our bags and had hung everything in the walk-in closet and put clothes in the drawers.

“What would you like to drink”? he asked, “You name it, we’ve got it. Tell me your preferences and I’ll bring it to your suite, and it’s all complimentary.”

He opened a bottle of bubbly and we sipped away on our balcony as the ship sailed at sunset from Singapore, Bali bound. A nice start.

Butlers come with every suite category on Silversea. They’ll stock your mini bar, make dinner reservations for you, polish your shoes.

Sip a Pina Colada by the pool, and there’s no tipping

At the pool, waiters will clean your sunglasses. Best of all, there’s no signing for drinks like you do on many big ships, here it’s all-inclusive, even the gratuities are included in your cruise fare.

What you’ll really love is that it’s small and intimate, 11 decks with only 596 passengers and a crew of 417.

Luxe suites are more like a home away from home

They’re spacious. There’s a sofa, writing desk, marble table and chair, TV, and they’re elegantly decorated in muted shades. The large bed boasts ultra-high thread sheets, and a pillow menu.

The marble bathrooms gleam and floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to a private veranda where there are lounge chairs, ottomans and a table. A perfect spot to relax on sea days. or drinks at sunset. All suites include complimentary wifi internet access.

Loads of culinary treats and the wine is devine

The cuisine created in the eight restaurants is sensational, and there’s no waiting in line. Imagine dining in the finest Parisian or Italian restaurants –well that’s what’s in store on this ship, one gastronomic delight after another.

Atlantic salmon, Asian delicacies, caviar, the finest Mozzarella from Naples, organic balsamic vinegar and oil from Umbria and air-dried ham from Palma.

Don’t miss the Maine lobster in Blue Note Restaurant, or a fun night cooking your own tender 10oz filet mignon on a sizzling grill stone by the pool. And on the terrace at La Terrazza, try the cheese. It’s not just any old cheese, but 24-month old Parmigiano Reggiano, grated over your pasta made fresh daily on the ship.

Jazz up the night, catch a show and go bar hopping

Head to the gorgeous Venetian Lounge on Deck 5 for nightly shows and drop into the groovy Silver Note bar for a drink and swing along with a great jazz duo.

“We’re a five-star luxury hotel that takes people from place to place”, says Cruise Director Vicky Van Tassel. “We even have one couple on board who love it so much they’ve booked to cruise with us for seven months”.

Sail on Silver Muse for as little as AU$595 per person per day. A 19-day departure from Auckland to Bali on February 17, 2019 is priced from AU$11,360 double occupancy in a Vista Suite. To book, visit silversea.com

The writer travelled as a guest of Silversea.