World Cruise Wonders in South Africa on Silver Dawn
Surely a World Cruise is the ultimate goal for any seasoned cruisers? We got the chance to get a glimpse into what it might be like when we were invited to join Silversea’s Silver Dawn on the South Africa section of her last World Cruise - and let’s just say we are officially converts. We joined this truly luxurious ship in the port of Durban and after only a few days one thing became clear, a full world voyage is no longer just a dream - it’s a bucket-list essential.
From rooftop views in Cape Town to fine dining under the stars in the Namib Desert, here’s a glimpse into what we experienced during our time on board the luxurious Silver Dawn.
Day 1: Boarding in Durban & Settling into Suite Life
We joined Silver Dawn in Durban, greeted by an energetic local dance troop, smiling staff, chilled champagne, and the kind of refined calm that only Silversea seems to perfect. Our suite, 707, a typical verandah suite like most of the other suites on board, was a beautifully appointed haven with a plush bed, walk-in wardrobe, marble bathroom, and balcony made for morning coffee and evening sunsets.
Speaking of coffee, we made our first stop at the lovely Arts Café, the ship’s casual all-day venue for fresh pastries, barista-made espresso, juices, and light bites. Over the next week, we’d come here a lot. After unpacking and settling in, we headed to dinner at one of the two main dining rooms, Atlantide, setting the tone for what would become a recurring theme of culinary overindulgence. We ended the night in the Dolce Vita bar and lounge, enjoying a glass of Champagne while a pianist played softly in the background.
Day 2: Sea Day - Spa Time, Trivia, and a SALT Lab Win
Sea days on Silver Dawn are never dull, unless you want them to be of course. After our leisurely balcony breakfast and a workout session (to feel slightly less guilty about the soufflé) we indulged in a massage at the Otium Spa, Silversea’s opulent Roman-inspired wellness concept, complete with thermal loungers, steam rooms, champagne on ice and deep relaxation.
After that we challenged oursleves with a bit of Trivia, where we came in a very respectable second, thank you very much! Later, we joined a S.A.L.T. Lab cooking class, learning to make regional South African dishes under the expert eye of Chef Drake. Our malva pudding may not have looked perfect, but it tasted divine - and we didn’t burn anything, definitely a win when Rich is in charge of the frying pan!
Day 3: Port Elizabeth & Private Safari
We woke early as Silver Dawn glided into Gqeberha, also known as Port Elizabeth, eagerly anticipating an exciting day ahead of us! We had a private safari excursion at Sibuya, one of South Africa’s most unique game reserves. Within hours, we’d seen elephants, antelope, giraffes and more, all under the care of our expert guide. The safari was made even more special with a riverboat ride upriver, with a tranquil and scenic boat ride rounding off a thrilling morning of wildlife spotting.
Back on board the Silver Dawn, a late lunch was sushi and sashimi at Kaiseki, followed by a mid-afternoon gelato by the pool and a celebratory soak in the jacuzzi (with bubbles, both kinds). That evening’s dinner was in Silver Note, the ship’s live music supper club - think jazz, tapas, and some extremely impressive dancing, just not from us:)!
Day 4: Cape Town - Table Mountain & Waterfront Wandering
The next destination was Cape Town, and we made the most of it. We began with a cable car ride up Table Mountain, rewarded with sweeping views of the city, coastline, and faraway peaks. Though it required a bit of queueing and was a little windy, it was wholly worth it. Back at sea level, we wandered the bustling V&A Waterfront, a lively mix of open-air shopping, seafood restaurants, and markets where local crafts rub shoulders with designer boutiques. We enjoyed a lunch and a glass of cold, crisp rosé by the marina - because when in Cape Town…
Back on board, we had a special evening awaiting us. We started out with a perfectly crafted pre-dinner cocktail in the S.A.L.T. bar before heading to La Dame, Silversea’s signature French restaurant. This extra charge restaurant is the ultimate in indulgence with the most attentive white gloved service, perfectly paired wines and ultimate French fine dining menu.
Day 5: Another Sea Day - Another Excuse to Indulge
Somehow, it’s always the sea days that end up being the busiest. We began in the gym (again, guilt), followed by a morning cappuccino and croissant in the Arts Café, and then an impromptu lecture in the Venetian Lounge on African cultural traditions.
Lunch was pizza by the pool at our favourite pizzeria at sea, Spacconaopli. Thin, crisp crusts, creamy burrata, shaved prosciutto, eaten in the sun with a glass of chilled white wine. Bliss.
The evening started with pre-dinner cocktails in the Dolce Vita lounge, as always served with the most delicious canapés, followed by a destination dinner in the second of the two main dining rooms, the S.A.L.T Kitchen. Here the menu changes to reflect where the ship is sailing, always prepared with fresh, local ingredients and best shared round a large table with new friends.
Day 6: Walvis Bay - Sand Dunes & A Night in the Desert
We arrived in Walvis Bay, Namibia, and today’s adventure promised to be something truly special. The morning began with a 4x4 excursion through the towering sand dunes of the Namib Desert! Never have we expected such a surreal experience as we drifted over sand dunes as big as hills and drove along the shore line of the South Atlantic Ocean. At times it felt like driving across another planet. We stopped to admire desert-adapted flora and fauna and took in views that truly redefined the word “vast.”
What an experience! But we didn’t have long to reflect on it as we had just enough time to freshen up before boarding a coach to take us to our next magical event, a World Cruise Exclusive Event - an extraordinary dinner set in the desert itself. Arriving in the middle of the Namibian desert we were greeted with red carpets, flickering lanterns, white linen tables, and an open sky scattered with stars. Starting the event with Champagne and canapés, this was followed by a three-course gourmet dinner as the sun set over the dunes and live music drifting through the night air as guests mingled. It was one of those once in a lifetime moments that makes world cruising feel not just luxurious, but truly magical.
Day 7: Farewell for Now
Our final day onboard was spent soaking in every last moment — a slow breakfast, a walk along the deck and a toast to the most unforgettable week we’ve had in a long time. We may have only joined Silver Dawn for a short segment of her World Cruise, but what we experienced left us wanting more. From safaris and sand dunes to soufflés and SALT classes, it’s safe to say we’re now world cruise believers. And next time? We plan to stay on a little longer.
Thank you to Silversea Cruises marketing department who invited us on this cruise to do some modelling for their social media campaigns, covering all of our costs including flights, transfers, the cruise itself and the excursions featured. Silversea Cruises had no editorial control over any of our content, either before, during our after our cruise and have not paid us for the modelling and promo work, to promote them or for this post.
If you enjoyed this blog why not take a look at some of our other blogs, especially our other Silversea content such as our review of a Caribbean cruise on Silver Nova or our Little Things we Love about Silversea post.
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