IT'S nice to be rich. If that's stating the obvious, the Silver Whisper made the point that much more obvious as I climbed aboard the luxury cruiser as it lay docked at West Port in Klang, Selangor.

The enthusiastic crew ushered us to the Panaroma Lounge where we were graciously welcomed with a flute of champagne. Yes, life's good, even if we were just visiting.

While sipping expensive bubbly and drinking in the view through the expansive glass doors of the lounge, we were told that the ship is like a “high-end Club Med” and “yes, it may be small, but big is not always better.”

The Silver Whisperis small by cruise ship standards but packs in unsurpassed levels of luxury.

At first glance, the 182m Silver Whisper is small compared to other ocean-going giants like the Queen Elizabeth II but it more than makes up for its diminutive dimensions with a heightened level of luxury.

Silver Whisper is part of Silversea, a company whose clientele comprises the discerning lot. The company’s mission is to make sure you’re treated like maharajahs as you sail to the destination of your dreams.

“A small ship has its advantages – it is cosy and more intimate,” our guide pointed out as he led us down the richly carpeted corridors shortly after our little welcome.

For a small ship, it is surprisingly spacious. The ship is designed to carry a low number of guests at a high level of luxury – it can accommodate 380 guests served by a crew of 290 – to ensure that they will not feel like sardines on a voyage.

There will be no mad rush of people towards the buffet table – not on this ship.

No effort has been spared to make it feel like a floating five-star hotel. The floors of the wide corridors are covered with plush beige carpets and there are hues of gold, cream and rich brown on its floors, walls and furniture.

There’s no time to be bored on board with magnificent diversions such as this theatre.

Exotic pieces of art from around the world are framed or housed in cabinets lining the corridors, giving one the impression of admiring the great masters' works leisurely in an art museum.

There are generous public spaces located at the rear of the vessel, such as the observation deck, where guests can lounge around and watch the sea pass by. We soon discover that Silversea take their chairs very seriously, ensuring they are not just merely comfortable, but ridiculously so.

And there isn't just one but four “dining concepts” (restaurants to ordinary folk) where guests can dine and have a nice waiter with an exotic accent to personally attend to your table.

One can have a little wine-tasting session at the Le Champagne room or enjoy cigars and a glass of cognac while seated in sumptuous leather chairs at The Humidor, a cigar lounge.

You could feel like you owned the ship when ensconced in the Owner’s Suite.

The chances of being bored on this particular cruise are slim as there’s a show lounge where classical concerts and all sorts of entertainment are held, plus the casino, the bar and a library with books, DVDs and computer access. Then, there’s the swimming pool and the pool deck.

Gold-plated, spiral staircases lead you to these diversions which are located on various levels of the ship’s 10 decks. However, if you’re not inclined to use the stairs, there are gleaming elevators.

The passenger suites are all located at the front, far from the ship’s engines, to ensure that guests can have a comfortable nap without being disturbed by vibrations.

The smallest suite – the 27sq m Vista Suite – has the amenities expected of a posh hotel room, such as the queen-sized bed, lavishly dressed with gold-coloured sheets, a sitting area, Italian marble bathroom with a double vanity and a large separate shower and bath, closet and entertainment units.

However, the winning feature of the room – and 80% of the suites on board – is that it opens out to a private teak veranda where you can step out and breathe in the scent of the ocean.

Despite fresh water being a precious commodity in the middle of an ocean, the Silver Whisper is quite generous with its supply. Tenants of the 112sq m Silver Suite get to enjoy a bathtub cum jacuzzi.

Life’s plush in the Silver Suite.

The suites get more lavish the more you pay, of course. And since Silver Whisper is an ultra-luxurious experience, expect to pay accordingly. For the Vista Suite on a 12-day voyage from Hong Kong to Bangkok, expect to pay about US$7,435 (RM26,022) per person while the top-flight Owner's Suite costs US$24,400 (RM85,400) per person.

Then, just as we were getting used to, err, the swaying of the vessel, we were ushered off so that the passengers could sail off into the sunset.

For more information, visit www.silversea.com.

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