Monaco – April 10, 2018. Silversea, the world's leading luxury travel experiences company, will celebrate 10 years of its luxury expedition cruises in June 2018.
Since becoming the world’s first luxury cruise line to launch a series of expedition voyages in 2008, Silversea has consistently redefined what travel means through its pioneering itineraries, the unparalleled quality of its expedition team, and its fleet of intimate luxury ships. Over the past decade, Silversea has achieved many remarkable milestones, establishing its cruise line as a world-leading authority on travel and a leader in the expedition field.
Each destination on every expedition itinerary is individually explored by Silversea's team of travel experts, a process that often takes several years, to ensure guest safety and comfort, and to guarantee the potential for an enriching travel experience. It is through these exhaustive exploration missions that Silversea has established itself as an expert in experiences, unlocking the world's most remote and captivating destinations for guests who travel deeper into the realm of ultimate luxury.
“A decade ago, we set out to uncover the world’s most authentic travel experiences for those with a great sense of curiosity,” explains Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman of Silversea. “With exceptional comfort, we have enabled our expedition guests to enjoy the most beautiful and remote destinations on the planet, many of which have never before been visited by any cruise line. Whether explored by land or sea, there are countless breathtaking places to discover. I look forward to discovering these destinations with our guests in the future.”
The first of these spectacular expedition destinations was Svalbard, a secluded Norwegian archipelago rich in natural wonders. Intimate in its proportions and with true go-anywhere capabilities, the Silver Explorer (then named HHS Prince Albert II, presented under the patronage of His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco in the Principality, and named in honor of the Prince's environmental efforts) sailed from London for the remote northern waters on June 3, 2008, passing under Tower Bridge. That same year, Silversea enabled guests to explore Antarctica in unprecedented comfort. Silversea's wide range of expedition cruises became very popular with those seeking genuine new adventures.
In 2012, after a long period of exploration, the cruise line became the first to launch itineraries in the Russian Arctic and along the west coast of Africa. Leveraging its team's expertise and on-the-ground knowledge, Silversea was able to elevate the expedition concept to a six-star level.
The following year, Silversea acquired the Silver Galapagos , becoming the first company to bring an ultra-luxury product to the Galapagos Islands. It then recruited and began training local tour guides on the concept of luxury travel, aiming to combine regional knowledge with the finest onboard service. This principle exemplified the cruise line's commitment to exceptional standards of comfort and authentic exploration, a commitment that continues to this day. In 2014, Silversea welcomed expedition guests to the Galapagos Islands for the first time.
In the same year, Silversea acquired the Silver Discoverer, allowing the company to expand its expedition offerings to new territories, such as the Northwest Passage and the Russian Far East. Both expeditions required extensive planning and sold out instantly due to the innovative nature of their challenging itineraries. The Silver Discoverer was one of the only ships to successfully navigate the treacherous Northwest Passage in 2014; many others were unable to withstand the icy conditions.
Last year, Silversea continued to challenge conventions to offer new experiences. Ahead of the conversion of Silver Cloud, a crossover ship that encapsulates the union of ultra-luxury and go-anywhere adventure, Silversea added Bangladesh to its expanding list of destinations—the first of its kind in the world.
Silversea's latest announced destination is the Philippines; here, guests will have the opportunity to dive with whale sharks, visit rice terraces, and explore the country's beautiful landscape in a jeep. New and unique destinations are on the way for Silversea guests.
In late 2015, Silversea launched the Shackleton Expedition Collection, which focused on the sailing routes taken by Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew. Now, providing guests with access to this less-traveled route, Silversea announces nine new itineraries that will form the Explorer Collection. Following the routes of famous expeditions of the past, these nine cruises will feature special onboard lectures by historians, archaeologists, and VIP lecturers from the Royal Geographical Society; a fascinating collection of documents on display, on loan from the Royal Geographical Society; uniquely crafted menus that capture the essence of the historic expeditions; and various shore excursions to sites of historical interest.
Silversea has brought innovation to the cruise industry in many ways, but it is through the expertise of its onboard expedition team that the cruise line has truly distinguished itself. Each expedition features a team of experts who enrich the guest travel experience. They share insights into local culture, history, birdwatching, marine biology, and many other topics. With a dedicated expedition manager and a mentorship program for new expedition staff, the depth of knowledge and professionalism achieved are unparalleled.
“It seems like only yesterday that Mr. Lefebvre d'Ovidio and I had our first conversation,” says Conrad Combrink, SVP Strategic Development Expeditions and Experiences of Silversea. “After just a few minutes of talking, I knew this extravagant idea was going to be extremely successful. The experiences we have offered our guests were once considered unsustainable in a luxury context. However, we have transformed the industry to allow travelers to reach the most beautiful and remote destinations in the world in the utmost comfort. Our new Explorer Collection is the ultimate in Silversea expeditions, and I am excited to share these experiences with our guests.”
Silversea Expeditions offers guests a comfortable, intimate, and convivial lifestyle on board where they can feel at home while exploring hidden corners of the world. Our guests enjoy ocean-view suites, gourmet cuisine, personalized butler service, and a generous selection of all-inclusive onboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines, and spirits throughout the ship, an in-suite minibar, and free Wi-Fi.
For more information about the Explorer Collection, visit: https://www.silversea.com/explorer-collection.html
