The number of public areas for a ship that carries only 388 passengers is downright stunning and we continue our tour of Silver Whisper with a look at some of the lounge and bar areas. We start on top of the ship, where all the way forward on deck 10 you will find the exquisite Observation Lounge. With its dark blue carpet, white chairs and its extensive wood paneling, the room looks a little bland. But then, the extremely dull Dutch weather during our visit doesn't help to brighten things up.

Floor-to-ceiling windows surround the room and offer nice views over land and sea, while a large "control panel" in the middle of the Observation Lounge lets you watch course and speed. There are other little touches here: a small writing area is set to starboard side, jigsaw fans will find their puzzle corner here, and there is also a tiny self-service bar. You can brew your own cup of coffee here and eat a sandwich or two (from a very appetizing plate that is refreshed often). What a great idea, and so befitting a ship of this caliber.

Next door to the Observation Lounge is The Spa, operated by Mandara. Although not overly large, it features all the usual treatments in an Indonesian setting that complements the "far eastern" image of Mandara very well. Naturally, The Spa also features full workout and aerobics rooms. Spa treatments are not included in the cruise fare and are very popular; they should be booked as early in the cruise as possible. All the way aft on deck 8 is the Panorama Lounge, the ship's night club. Grouped around a very large circular wooden dance floor are groups of comfortable chairs and a large and quite beautiful bar counter.

forward and all public rooms aft. The advantage is that your sleeping quarters will always be quiet, but going from bar to lounge to restaurant does include some stair climbing (or elevator standing). When we walk forward from the Panorama Lounge, we pass a small Library and Internet Café on starboard side, Further forward is the sheltered Pool Deck, featuring a nicely-sized swimming pool with twin Jacuzzis and showers. Naturally there is teak decking everywhere, and lounge chairs are padded. A small bar makes sure that no one walks away thirsty. On we go to deck 6 and Silver Whisper's show lounge. Most public rooms are connected to the main stair tower by means of a wide passageway that features glass cases full of art objects. While certainly very stylish, the lack of windows in these and other areas make the ship feel rather "closed in". But, I suppose the sea view from any of the beautiful suites makes up for that.

Last but not least is a gem of a room located on the base of the Show Lounge. Simply called "The Bar", this is perhaps our favorite of all Silver Whisper's public rooms. With deep red carpeting, red and gold furniture, well-chose artwork and a beautiful bar this little room breathes atmosphere and must be perfect for that one drink before the show starts. And that brings us to the end of our whirlwind tour of Silver Whisper. While certainly not everyone's cup of tea, Silversea has managed to design a ship that feels intimate and inviting. As mentioned before, our time on board was very limited so we did not get a feel for service and food. But by judging the ship's interiors, we think Silversea is safe in labeling themselves as  "The Ultimate Luxury"!