Inside Silversea’s Otium: Boldly Indulgent Spa Treatments
What if a wellness program emphasized indulgence instead of self-sacrifice? What if, in addition to spa treatments, you could extend the wellness concept to your own suite, via the veranda, living room, in-suite dining, bedroom and bath? What if incorporating a wellness theme into your vacation focused on joy and serenity rather than calorie counts and step-tracking?
Indeed, Silversea’s Otium — a Roman-inspired wellness program on Silver Dawn and Silver Nova — has been designed for those for whom the idea of wellness, particularly on holiday, is more about indulgences, large and small, than sacrifice. The idea was inspired by the pandemic, says Barbara Muckermann, Silversea’s chief commercial officer, and offers an “opportunity to stop pretending. This is all about instant gratification — Champagne and chocolate — and there’s not going to be any sweating.”
“We are an Italian company,” she tells us, “and we are born of the Otium lifestyle, which is defined as the absence of work, and involves socializing, eating and drinking.”
It’s about seeking balance, however you want to achieve it. Who doesn’t need that these days? “We take care of everybody else, all the time,” says Mary Jean Tully, founder and CEO of Tully Luxury Travel, who was onboard for the preview. “This time we get to make it completely about us.”
What is Otium, exactly?
During an Otium preview, held aboard Silver Moon in the Greek Isles, a group of travel and lifestyle journalists was invited to learn about the meaning of Otium — and experience components of the program, which were still being developed and tested.
Silversea’s interpretation of Otium is inspired by the Romans, Muckermann tells us. “It’s really the history of indulgence. Looking back at the Roman Empire, you will see how it was absolutely customary for Romans to spend a day in the Otium state. It was all about indulging in social activities, listening to poetry or music, enjoying the incredible food and wine of the region — or just going to the Roman baths and having wonderful treatments. This is why Otium is just the perfect word to explain the amazing program we’re working on.”
“When thinking about the Silversea brand,” she adds, “we’re always thinking about what is important to our guests, and we realized that deprivation, sweating and suffering, was nowhere close to our brand experience and the experience that our guests like to enjoy. So we thought about developing a new spa and wellness program that actually will allow you to indulge, enjoy and just stop pretending that you are going to lose weight on a cruise ship.”
“It’s about unleashing our creativity to find new, incredible ways of pampering our guests.”
The concepts we saw on our preview cruise on Silver Moon are still evolving. What will remain core to the program is that indulgences onboard Silver Dawn, Otium’s first home, will include the spa but go well beyond it, too. The program’s key, wherever you enjoy it, is that one’s wellness is a sense of being cared for and of pampering.
A good wellness program starts with a good night’s sleep
Did you know that you spend about one third of your time onboard … in bed?
To start, there will be new, tailor-made mattresses, featuring Soft Touch technology, which enhances softness and comfort; if you care to geek out on the details, there are twin system springs, 400 springs per square meter and Myform Memory Air® foam inserts on top to relieve pressure on bothersome backs. Bedding is complemented by Milan’s Rivolta Carmignani, using combed Egyptian cotton with the all-important 400-thread count.
All guests will be presented with a pillow menu, with five different types of pillows. You can choose from several feather/down blends, memory foam and the hypoallergenic Fairfax option in medium and firm varieties. Better yet, you can choose them all.
The art of the bath – and then some
On Silver Dawn, sumptuous bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs are available in every category of suite, and even the most avid shower fan may want to take time to smell the roses (or vetiver, orange, or fig and cedar — all varieties of bath salts). On any day — and why not try it a couple of times — butlers will, on request, draw you a bath. In addition to the scented salts, we loved the battalion of battery-operated candles placed all around the tub’s ledge, offering a glowing ambience.
There’s also a teak tray outfitted with just enough diversions (a macaron for the peckish, a glass of Champagne or any other beverage you’d prefer, fresh flowers, and a book-stand holder). Don’t miss out the loofah sponges, harvested from the Mediterranean. Ours had the faint, fresh smell of the sea.
Otium transforms your veranda, too
Perhaps we’re all most accustomed to using our private verandas for lazy afternoons reading a good book, watching the sunset over a cocktail, or waking up to coffee as the ship sails into scenic ports. The Otium-inspired verandas take it up a notch. On our Greek Isles cruise, we asked for the Otium treatment. What I loved was the balance of wellness, from a dedicated sea-inspired cocktail menu and a trim box of Pierre Marcolini chocolates to a tray of misters and exotic sun-protection creams.
Ultimately, the Otium-inspired veranda will have two different seasons. If you’re traveling in warm weather destinations, as we were, it’s more tropically influenced. And if you are cruising in cold weather destinations, you’ll instead find cashmere blankets, hot nibbles and the most decadent freshly made hot chocolate, available with — or without — your favorite dram.
Comfort food with a gourmet touch
Imagine you’ve spent a hot day trekking the medieval city walls that surround Rhodes, as we did on our Greek Isles cruise. Returning to the ship, feeling pleasantly exhausted, we just wanted to stay in, wear pajamas, and watch a movie. Peace and serenity is just as much part of Otium as is indulgence and pampering. The Otium tie-in to our suite’s living room went beyond the always-available in-suite dining menu to a menu of indulgent comfort foods, ranging from a foie gras burger to the most delicious lobster roll — and, afterward, an order or two of truffle popcorn to accompany the flick.
Socializing at the spa, the Roman way
The Otium wellness program means enjoying spa treatments as well as plenty of relaxation./Silversea
The menu of spa treatments includes massages using Roman ingredients, from honey to Argan oil, yet there’s much more to the spa experience than just a rubdown. Even basic treatments, such as manicures and pedicures, offer an Otium twist, such as a glass of Champagne (a common practice at European salons) while you’re buffed and soothed.
Afterward, guests can gather at a secluded, aft-facing nook just beyond the spa, enjoy a cocktail, play board games and, otherwise, just stay off the so-called-grid as long as possible.
Otium’s evolution aboard Silversea’s Silver Nova
On Silver Nova, you’ll find an evolved Otium Spa as well as Otium Suites, a new suite category on the vessel. The spacious suites (1,324 square feet) — the largest accommodations onboard — are in prime aft corner spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows, Roman-themed decor and a complimentary treatment.
Silversea has expanded Otium’s bathing ritual to include a dedicated shower experience, where essential oils flow out of shower steamers. New amenities are also on tap, such as signature products — developed with La Bottega and inspired by the Mediterranean — that include fragrances such as sun-ripened orange, tangy lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, patchouli, amber and ambergris.
On Silver Nova, the 3,638-square-foot Otium Spa is tucked into the ship’s bow and features an indoor relaxation pool, beauty salon, fitness center, treatment rooms and a tranquil relaxation area.
Want to enhance your next trip with spa treatments? Start exploring how you can experience an amazing cruise ship spa on Silversea.