ROME - The car that picks us up at Rome’s international airport passes golden fields of autumn grain that sweep down into the Mediterranean as it heads in the direction of Civitavecchia, the ancient seaport where we’ll begin a seven day cruise aboard Silversea’s sleek Silver Spirit.

After quickly being processed through security and reception (why can’t airlines be as efficient as their cruise ship cousins?) we’re handed the keys to our stateroom and led to Deck 10 on this 11-deck floating palace.

When the door to Cabin 1002 swings open, our jaws drop as we scan the 742 square feet of pure opulence surrounding us.

Luxury is what Silversea is best known for, but the designers of the Silver Spirit, the youngest member of the company’s award-winning fleet, have exceeded our wildest expectations. We’re overwhelmed by the suite’s separate living and dining room areas, the large writing desk with Wi-Fi capability that keeps us connected at sea, and a massive teak wood balcony — this is where we spend lots of quality time sipping wine as the Silver Spirit lazily floats past magical Mediterranean ports.

Our eyes then drift into a bedroom that features a queen size bed decked out in Pratesi linens, a dressing area and a huge walk-in closet. Our pulse quickens as we open the door to the Italian marble bathroom, a massive space consisting of a full-size Jacuzzi tub, separate walk-in shower, his-and-hers wash basins supplied with Bulgari and Ferragamo toiletries and a large separate toilet area.

We’re in 5-star shock when a knock on the door brings us back to reality.

Standing in the doorway is a dashing young man dressed in tails and tie who looks like he’s just stepped off the set of Downton Abbey.

“Hello sir, my name is Kiran and I will be your butler during the cruise,” says the man, who originally hails from Mumbai, while balancing a bottle of French champagne on a silver tray.

“If there is anything you want, just pick up the phone and I will get it for you,” says Kiran as he leaves us to enjoy the decadence that is our Silver Spirit suite.

Left: Kiran the butler sees to your every need while on the Silver Spirit. Right: The suites aboard the Silver Spirit would make a 5-star hotel blush.

With the sun beginning to set over the Italian coast, our captain, a veteran of the seas named Mino Pontillo, readies the Silver Spirit for our voyage to fairy tale places like Florence, the South of France, some magical Spanish islands and then beautiful Barcelona.

As Civitavecchia disappears aft, we prepare for our first meal aboard the Silver Spirit, which offers six dining options as well as 24-hour in-suite service.

The décor in the ship’s dining rooms is Paris chic and the meals are prepared by highly trained chefs who have all graduated from the world’s top culinary schools and restaurants.

With so many choices, we ask our butler Kiran to assist in making our first dinner reservation. Will it be La Terrazza, an Italian-inspired room? The Restaurant, the ship’s main dining hall? Le Champagne, a room inspired by the famed Grands Chefs of Relais & Châteaux? Seishin, where sushi dishes are expertly plated? The tapas-style Stars Supper Club? Or should we dine under the stars on the upper deck at The Grill overlooking the pool?

“Well,” says Kiran, “they’re all special in their own ways but because we are still in Italian waters, I think La Terrazza would be an ideal selection.”

Excellent choice!

Above: Silversea has brought on some of the best chefs to govern their elegant onboard restaurants.

La Terrazza is the equal of the trendiest restaurants of Rome, Florence or Venice — the pillows of paste that make up my ravioli dish and the fish swimming in a delicate white wine sauce on my partner’s plate jolt our taste buds back to life after months of quick after-work suppers at home.

Later, we retreat to the ship’s Panorama Lounge on Deck 9 for a nightcap and instantly fall in love with the dulcet tones coming from a man named Alfredo who is crooning in a corner of the room. On a terrace off the lounge we see lovers embrace under a starlit sky.

Our first day aboard the Silver Spirit ends with us being rocked to sleep by the gentle swaying of the ship as it makes its way to Livorno, where we disembark for our first shore excursion to nearby Florence.

As beautiful and exciting as historic Florence and the other stops on this cruise are, passengers always seem eager to get back to the Silver Spirit. That’s because Silversea makes the onboard experience something special for its guests with world class entertainment like Paris-born jazz fusion guitarist Marc Antoine, who headlined our cruise, movies, lectures, a casino, shopping, fitness classes and a whole range of other activities.

Or, if they prefer, guests can just relax in the hot tubs or on the lounge chairs at poolside while soaking up the Mediterranean sun.

There are other incentives that lure us back each day, like the afternoon canapés our butler delivers to our suite and the high tea served promptly at 4 p.m. on the terrace off the Panorama Lounge.

Thank goodness the Silver Spirit comes with a fully equipped gym and expert fitness instructors who help us keep our weight in check while enjoying the culinary treats.

During our voyage, we try all the dining rooms except the Stars Supper Club and come away impressed with each.

Above: The only thing better than being onboard a Silversea ship is touring the romantic places they visit, like Florence.

In The Restaurant we’re offered two options each night — the left side of the menu is filled with items that are “always available,” while the right side changes daily with some chef surprises. No matter which side you choose from, though, you won’t be disappointed — the elegant room offers up some great seafood dishes and my choices of lamb and steak were perfectly presented and cooked each time.

Seishin was a complete surprise; who knew they could offer up such good Japanese food this far from Tokyo? Tables in the small, dimly lit room surround an open kitchen where the sushi chef prepares dishes that are Ginza worthy. Thinly-sliced wagu beef, black cod, sashimi, lobster dumplings and shrimp tempura highlight our meal at Seishin, which is the Japanese word for “spirit.”

But the pièce de résistance on the Silver Spirit when it comes to dining is Le Champagne. As the name suggests, this room offers up refined French cuisine accompanied by the finest French wines. Le Champagne, like Seishin, is an “extra-cost” restaurant — about $30 per person — and it’s worth every cent. Silversea invited Relais & Châteaux aboard to govern this room and the only thing that’s missing is the French snobbery. Reservations for both Le Champagne and Seishin are hard to come by, so passengers are advised to book as soon as they board.

The outdoor Grill, at poolside, is another popular eating spot aboard the Silver Spirit, especially under the stars, where meats and fish are served and prepared on hot lava stones.

There’s a high priority placed on service on the Silver Spirit, especially in the dining rooms, and in just a few hours the servers all know your name and your dining and drink preferences.

Day Three of our cruise was supposed to include a stop in Monte Carlo, but a storm at sea prevents Capt. Pontillo from anchoring there so we push on to Nice — not a bad substitute.

Being the newest member of the Silversea fleet means the Silver Spirit comes with all the latest safety features and even though we have a couple of choppy nights on the Mediterranean, the ship, which can reach speeds of 20 knots, rides the waves like a surf board.

While at sea, we indulge in some massage treatments in the ship’s world-class spa which employs well-trained staff from around the world.

“We have 11 therapists from eight different countries (three South Africans, two Portuguese and one each from Thailand, Slovenia, Zimbabwe, Australia, England and Ukraine),” says spa manager Iris.

Before joining the Silver Spirit, the therapists — all with impeccable credentials — undergo an extensive training course because “we offer some very unique treatments onboard,” says Iris.

Appasarah, my therapist from Bangkok, is a specialist in Thai massage and the treatment is one of the best I’ve ever experienced.

The spa, beauty salon and neighbouring fitness centre occupy the entire aft section on Deck 6 and the spa has nine treatment rooms, all of which are filled most days.

Passengers can even get acupuncture on board. “Like I said, we offer some unique treatments on the Silver Spirit,” smiles Iris.

On each of the shore excursions we take in Florence, Nice, Spain’s Port Mahon and Mallorca, as well as Barcelona, we’re escorted by knowledgeable local guides and representatives from the vessel.

As we get set to leave the Silver Spirit for the last time in Barcelona, we see the ship being readied for its transatlantic “repositioning” crossing to Miami — a 17-day voyage that makes many stops along the way — and we’re tempted to stay on board.

After all, Silversea has given us a new Spirit to cruising.