Miami, FL — June 5, 2018 On June 3, Silversea Expeditions proudly celebrated its 10th anniversary of luxury expedition cruises, marking the occasion with a two-day gala voyage between London and Dublin. On that date, the ultra-luxurious Silver Cloud departed from the vicinity of Tower Bridge to commemorate Silversea Expeditions' first voyage, which had taken place a decade earlier.
In a nod to the continued focus on innovation, the Silver Cloud, which was the first ship in the Silversea fleet and was refurbished in late 2017 as a polar expedition vessel, crossed paths with the Silver Spirit – Silversea's recently lengthened and refurbished ship – in Greenwich, London.
Special events aboard the Silver Cloud's commemorative voyage included a video message from HRH Albert II, Prince of Monaco, who cut the ribbon in Monte Carlo during the christening ceremony of Silversea's first expedition ship in 2008. Originally named Prince Albert II in tribute to His Royal Highness and his environmental efforts, the ship now sails as the Silver Explorer and continues a legacy of sustainable tourism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH7ap4YMhkw
“We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman of Silversea. “I am pleased to see my vision successfully realized and that we are now recognized for our leadership in destinations. Since launching our exploration routes, we have connected people with the most spectacular landscapes and cultures, and, in the process, fostered respect and greater care for our planet and its inhabitants. I am very proud of my team and our mission. We will continue to explore new destinations to bring innovation to the world of expedition cruising.”
Over the past 10 years, the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and humanitarian efforts has extended across the globe in various ways: in the Cook and Phoenix Islands in 2015, Silversea guests participated in a mammal acoustics study that added three new species to the national record; in Bangladesh, where the Silver Discoverer made the first cruise port call in 2017, Silversea visited a remote village where guests purchased regional products to benefit the local community; and in 2017, Silversea partnered with ORCA, one of the UK’s leading marine conservation organizations, to allow guests to discover incredible marine life and contribute their donations to conservation work. In the Galápagos Islands, where Silver Galapagos launched ultra-luxury expedition experiences in 2014, Silversea will co-sponsor a children’s camp to promote the conservation of marine habitats.
Looking ahead, the future of ultra-luxury expeditions is in good hands with Silversea. With a Northeast Passage crossing planned and additional voyages to the Bay of Bengal, the Russian Far East, Antarctica, and Australia's Kimberley Coast, among others, the cruise line will continue to push the boundaries of the industry. Of particular interest are two Silver Discoverer cruises departing in the summer of 2019 for Camp Leakey in Borneo, a renowned orangutan sanctuary to which the cruise company has exclusive access and has made several donations to support the protection and research of these primates.
Efforts to uphold environmental sustainability are currently, and will continue to be, key to Silversea's strategic development. Silversea is a member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), which is dedicated to managing reputable, sustainable, and safe expedition cruises in the Arctic. In addition, the cruise line belongs to the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), which promotes safe and responsible travel to Antarctica.
Over the past decade, Silversea has developed innovative strategies, such as a dedicated training academy, to recruit an unparalleled team of expedition specialists. This has played a crucial role in the cruise line's success. On each expedition voyage, teams of up to 28 experts deliver immersive destination experiences for guests. These passionate and insightful professionals offer informative lectures and onboard discussions, as well as complimentary Zodiac® excursions and shore nature walks.
Aboard Silversea's fleet of four expedition ships, guests enjoy ocean-view suites, gourmet cuisine, personalized butler service, and a generous selection of onboard amenities, including complimentary drinks served throughout the ship, a minibar, and unlimited free Wi-Fi.
For more information about Silversea Expeditions, visit https://www.silversea.com/luxury-expeditions-cruises.html.
