When we think of expeditions, we imagine remote places, unexplored corners of the world, porters, and endless dangers. And they certainly were, when the first Victorian travelers ventured into menacing lands.
magazine: CruisesNews
Interview with Conrad Combrink, SVP Strategic Development Expeditions and Experiences, Silversea
The first famous expeditions marked a milestone. Some renowned explorers didn't succeed, but others will be remembered forever.
Livingston, Amundsen, or Marco Polo himself. Today, on an expedition cruise, we can escape the crowds and comfortably watch the unexplored world go by from the comfort of our luxurious suite.
Silversea was one of the first to combine two opposing pairings: expedition and luxury.
The world is moving at breakneck speed, and adventure is controlled, even though the sensations and emotions remain unchanged, to the point that any one of them could be the experience of a lifetime. When the Lefevre family founded Silversea in 1994, they intended to create an ultra-luxurious, exclusive company where passengers would feel like family. Goodness… how I love that they remember my name every time I step on board. The company has always been a benchmark in ultra-luxury cruises, but over time, its exclusive passengers began to demand new experiences. In the cruise industry, ships have become increasingly larger, and Silversea's elegant ships began to encounter ports of call saturated with thousands of passengers from other vessels. The Mediterranean, as well as other popular cruise destinations, continue to be beautiful places worth visiting, but when you have a hefty bank account, you want to go further afield, where no one else goes. And that's how expedition cruises came about.
Basic Principles of an Expedition Cruise:
To feel like an explorer is to seek unique horizons. While the sea is the same for everyone, not all ports are suitable for all ships. The aim is systematically to find off-the-beaten-path ports, and above all, "vacationing" is no longer the driving force behind expedition cruises, but rather a careful and responsible integration into each destination. The goal is to go further, immersing oneself in its culture, traditions, history, gastronomy, and idiosyncrasies, while always remaining an ecologically sustainable whole. The aim is to enter discreetly, without disturbing the environment, and not to become a disruptive element in any place on Earth.
It's not that expedition passengers are intellectually erudite, but they do have a certain thirst for knowledge. To that end, embarkations are carefully planned, mostly in locations lacking docks, using Zodiacs or tenders, mingling with local populations not typically associated with the cruise industry, and always meticulously exploring the destination. Therefore, every expedition cruise is characterized by exhaustive preparation of the sites to be visited. Each ship carries renowned naturalists, geologists, historians, biologists, archaeologists, and so on, to uncover other facets of the destination without resorting to aggressive tourism. Small, "invisible" ships are ideal for the remote areas explored on expedition cruises. In the case of Silversea, the most outstanding example is the Explorer Collection, voyages with the supervision and collaboration of the Royal Geographical Society, founded 200 years ago, which provided coverage and sponsorship to explorers such as Darwin, Livingston, Shackleton or Hillary.
Humility and accepting different realities are key on any expedition cruise.
Each Collection Explorer expedition will include lecturers, historians, archaeologists, etc., from the prestigious British organization.
ships
were characterized by their spartan and often austere nature, as it was thought that a luxury cruise experience was incompatible with local interest. However, Silversea was one of the first to combine two seemingly opposing concepts: expedition and luxury.
Since Silversea unveiled the Prince Albert to the world in Monaco in 2008, no one could have imagined the concept would grow so rapidly. Originally launched in 1989 from the Rauma Repola shipyard in Finland as the Delfin Clipper, millions were invested to ensure it met the prestigious standards expected of any Silversea vessel. Now known as the Silver Explorer, it boasts a 1A Ice Class hull, designed for navigating extreme conditions. It accommodates 132 passengers in 66 cabins. Weighing in at just 6,130 tons, it is perfectly suited for cruising in frigid waters.
Only small ships are capable of not overshadowing the destination.
This year, one of the company's first ships has been transformed into an expedition vessel. It must be said that the blue looks divine on the Silver Cloud Expedition. It is one of the largest ships on polar routes, weighing 16,800 tons, with a capacity for 254 passengers, and the option of offering 16 Zodiacs and 10 kayaks. Its classic decor has been replaced with a more modern, open, and bright interior, perfectly suited to blend with the simplicity of nature.
It's not all polar and Arctic voyages; the Silver Discoverer is a small ship from the late 1990s, originally built for the Japanese market as the Oceanic Grace. It joined the company in 2014, and after a thorough refurbishment in 2016, it offers the perfect setting for cruising in "usually" warm latitudes. Weighing only 5,218 tons and accommodating 116 passengers, it provides exceptional and luxurious refuge after land-based expeditions.
Besides Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands are one of the last pristine places on Earth. The Silver Galapagos was already operating in the Ecuadorian archipelago. Built in 1990 as the Galapagos Explorer II, it was operated in the area by a local agency, specifically Canodros Ecuador. It joined Silversea in 2013, although operations remain in the hands of the Ecuadorian company. It meets the demanding conditions of the area with every luxury. Weighing only 4,077 tons, it was refurbished in 2017 and serves 100 passengers, who typically have the experience of a lifetime.
Since 1959, the Antarctic Treaty has kept the frozen continent safe from human greed.
In all cases, the ships' luxurious standards are essentially the same as on the rest of the fleet. Signature cuisine, butler service, luxurious details, and all the quality you expect from Silversea, from the suites to every corner of the ship.
Destinations:
In 2008, no one expected exploration cruises to take off like this, and at the launch of the Silver Explorer, many skeptics saw certain risks. But the company foresaw the enormous potential of a vast world to discover, and the challenges seemed fascinating. The first exploration route is to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, when the Silver Explorer departs from central London, crossing the bridge of the same name.
But the trendiest destination was in mind: Antarctica, the last frontier, was already the dream destination for many seasoned cruisers. The trip of a lifetime. It's not an easy journey. We see magnificent scenes of whales, gentle icebergs, and a bluish light that bathes everything in its light. But the environment is particularly wild. New frontiers and horizons. And Antarctica sparked interest.
Even on a placid day, we find ourselves in a violently wild and treacherous place. It's as if the gods were jealous of the violation of the Antarctic paradise. A sunny day with a perfect calm might be unexpected, but the waters of the Drake Passage are prone to becoming very angry. Unexpected blizzards can arise, and days can turn into extremely difficult times. In all cases, every expedition vessel must follow strict regulations to avoid disturbing the delicate environment.
Melanesia. It is home to some of the most isolated tribal communities in the world.
These measures range from the hull's size to the paint coatings. Access to land is limited, following marked trails, and requires wearing special clothing, which must be disinfected before boarding the Zodiacs. This clothing must be especially gentle to avoid disturbing the local wildlife, which is particularly trusting. Beyond this, the usual pleasures of any expedition cruise include kayaking, swimming in icy waters, and whale and penguin watching. A visit to Deception Island, a former whaling station now eerily desolate, is also a must. And, of course, there are the icebergs, which can display up to 100 different shades of white and blue, as well as the breathtaking views of the Lamaire Channel.
It seems the success has been immediate, because the former Silver Cloud has been converted into an expedition ship, marking a significant leap forward in the exploration of the frozen continent. While Antarctica is the star attraction, the Arctic is also explored. An unforgettable, albeit more domesticated, experience. The Silver Explorer and Silver Cloud Expedition, in addition to polar cruises, undertake north-to-south positioning voyages, visiting select ports in the Americas and Europe.
The Arctic is a beautiful place, though particularly wild and volcanic. Land of fire, glaciers, and Vikings. Immense colonies of wildlife like polar bears, tundra plains, and connections to Iceland, Greenland, the Arctic Circle, and Alaska, along the current route, made possible by melting ice, such as the Northwest Passage.
The day may be tough on land, but Silversea's luxury remains unchanged when we return on board.
We could say that the Silver Discoverer is a tropical waters vessel. Australia is also a vast territory of rugged landscapes. Our explorer sails the waters of the Kimberley Coast, past some of the world's most beautiful coral reefs, and through the incredible wild landscapes of captivating New Zealand, before venturing into such mythical places as Micronesia, Polynesia, and the Philippines, where unique tribal cultures thrive, unspoiled national parks abound, and tropical waters are breathtakingly emerald. From the tropical warmth, we travel to the Russian west coast, with the winter desolation of the Kuril Islands, and on to the volcanic and desert landscapes of the Kamchatka Peninsula.
In conclusion, the Galápagos Islands are that place on Earth we should all visit before they are completely ruined. Such a pristine and magical place, with such ecological diversity of flora and fauna, that Darwin was so amazed he was inspired to write about the evolution of species. Not only the famous tortoises, but also dozens of endemic species. This group of islands, a Biosphere Reserve since 1987, can be visited from Baltra, the archipelago's most populated town, under particularly rigorous environmental controls.
Interesting facts and statistics about Antarctica
- 14 million m2 with 1,000 to 5,000 temporary inhabitants.
- 63 scientific bases from 30 countries.
- It reached -89.2 degrees.
- The Virson massif is the highest at 4,892m.
Congratulations Silversea!
Congratulations Silversea, for making even the most unattainable dreams possible. The future of expedition travel looks bright; there are still so many places to explore and discover. Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, the company's founding chairman, seems to have a clear understanding of the potential, stating recently: “A decade ago, we set out to uncover the world's most authentic travel experiences for those with a great sense of curiosity. With extraordinary comfort, we have enabled our expedition guests to enjoy the most beautiful and remote destinations on the planet, many of which were never before visited by any cruise line. Whether visited by land or sea, there are countless breathtaking places to explore. I look forward to discovering these destinations with our guests in the future.”
RCCL Takes Control of Silversea
On June 14, 2018, the acquisition of 67% of Silversea Cruises, the ultra-luxury cruise line that also operates Silversea Expeditions, was announced by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., parent company of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, for $1 billion.
Negotiations began a year ago and accelerated in the last three months. What does Royal Caribbean Cruises gain? Primarily, entry into the ultra-luxury and expedition cruise segments, with the support of a brand that has a deep market presence. This will complete the company's brand portfolio. These two segments were significant gaps in RCCL's offerings, which it has chosen to fill through acquisition. Both Carnival Corporation, with Seabourn, and NCL Holdings, with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, operated successfully in these segments. Now, RCL can also attract both luxury travelers and seasoned adventurers seeking expedition cruises
What does Silversea gain? A significant improvement in its financing, by gaining access to markets with RCCL's scale, which could also accelerate its fleet expansion. Its day-to-day operations will also improve thanks to economies of scale in all its purchases, such as fuel, supplies, etc., as well as lower credit card fees. Its market penetration will also improve, as it will gain access to the travel agent distribution system at a level usually reserved for large companies like RCCL. Silversea will even be able to use Espresso, Royal Caribbean International's reservation system.
In addition, Silversea can benefit from cruise passengers of a premium brand like Celebrity, who are improving their economic position and want to move up to a luxury or expedition product.
The entire Silversea management team—Manfredi Lefebvre, Martinoli, Mark Conroy, Barbara Muckermann, and others—will remain in their positions. Fain described them as a “highly successful management team” that was crucial to his company’s decision, as RCCL wanted to establish a relationship with a “strong and experienced partner.” Now, RCCL can attract both luxury customers and seasoned expedition cruise travelers
Investors have reacted positively to this operation: Moody's upgraded RCCL's rating; and its shares opened higher on June 14, reaching their highest price in the last seven weeks.
