(Monaco – January 9, 2019) On Sunday, January 6, the Silver Whisper set sail on “The Tale of Tales,” Silversea’s 2019 World Cruise. Following extensive refurbishments and a successful pre-cruise event, the ship welcomed guests aboard in San Francisco to begin its 133-day voyage. Among the guests was writer Pico Lyer, the first of nine artists who will enrich the 2019 World Cruise.
During the 19 days the ship was in dry dock, from December 1st to 19th, the Silver Whisper underwent a large-scale refurbishment completed in accordance with Silversea's "Museification" strategy, which aims to make all the company's ships resemble the flagship, the Silver Muse. Initial plans for the Silver Whisper expanded following the launch of Project Invictus, the company's long-term plan to improve and expand its fleet. As part of this refurbishment, guests on the 2019 World Cruise The Tale (or Tales) will enjoy greater comfort in public areas and suites.
In the common areas, new carpeting was installed in the hallways, on the staircases, in the main bar, in all the suites, and in the main restaurant, which also underwent a complete renovation with new curtains, chairs, and wallpaper, among other improvements. The Spa & Gym was updated with new equipment. The Beauty Salon, the Game Room, and the Conference Room were also completely renovated, as were La Terrazza, the Panorama Lounge, the central staircase, and the casino. The pool deck benefited from a new teak design, and the Pool Bar & Grill was also refurbished. New outdoor furniture and lounge chairs completed the renovation of the outdoor areas.
Guest comfort in the suites was also improved with new carpets, new furniture, re-upholstery of some other furniture, as well as the renovation of wooden surfaces. Improvements were also made to the bathrooms and new mattresses were installed.
In addition to the Silver Whisper 's refurbishment , the 2019 World Cruise features The Tale of Tales, in which nine renowned creatives will join the cruise ship during the voyage. Each will illustrate their segment by creating a work of art, whether a written text, a photograph, or another medium. Guests will receive an exclusive anthology containing all nine artworks to document their experiences. The acclaimed novelist, essayist, and travel writer Pico Lyer has joined the first segment of the voyage, from San Francisco, California, to Papeete, Tahiti. Lyer's work has appeared in publications such as Time, Harper's, The New York Times, and The New York Review of Books, among others.
“We are delighted to have provided the Silver Whisper for Silversea’s groundbreaking 2019 World Cruise, The Tale of Tales,” says Barbara Muckermann, Silversea’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Our guests will become the protagonists of their own stories as they travel to the world’s most remarkable destinations in ultimate comfort. Their experiences will be enriched by the presence of our nine talented Tale Tellers, as well as a host of other events. We are offering our guests the opportunity to travel more deeply in every sense of the word.”
Before the start of the 2019 World Cruise, Silversea hosted a pre-cruise gala dinner for the 230 participants of The Tale of Tales to meet. The event, held at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco and organized by several Silversea representatives, offered guests a multi-sensory presentation of The Tale of Tales. Guests arrived through a grand entrance, where they were greeted by live harp and trumpet music and a stunning LED wall. Champagne and cocktails were complemented by canapés and a magnificent dinner catered by Four Seasons. During the event, guests were able to share their impressions with San Francisco as a backdrop and get a taste of what awaits them on this incredible and unique journey around the world.
There is still limited availability for some sections of The Tale of Tales. Below is a selection of available stages:
- From Sydney to Bali: Starting February 3, 2019, the Silver Whisper will depart from Sydney for Bali, offering a series of unique experiences in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, and the Komodo Islands along the way. This 14-day leg will be enhanced by a wine program that blends the best of each destination with a culinary immersion.
- From Bali to Tokyo: From Bali, the Silver Whisper will set sail for Tokyo, stopping in Sandakan (Sabah), Manila, Kaohsiung, and Keelung before finally spending the night in Osaka. Starting February 16, 2019, the two-week leg will incorporate many immersive experiences, showcasing captivating cultures and beautiful landscapes of the Far East.
- From Tokyo to Singapore. The Silver Whisper will visit some of Asia's most iconic ports on a 16-day leg beginning March 2, 2019. After an overnight stay in Tokyo, it will sail to Shanghai, where guests will enjoy two nights in port. An overnight stop in Hong Kong, as well as an overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City, will follow before arriving in Singapore on March 18.
Onboard the Silver Whisper and other Silversea ships, guests enjoy ocean-view suites, fine dining, and personalized butler service. To further enhance the experience, guests can enjoy an all-inclusive service with complimentary premium wines and spirits, specialty coffees, bottled water, juices, and soft drinks served throughout the ship; an in-suite minibar stocked with guests' preferences; 24-hour room service; and complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi.
For more information about Silversea's World Cruise 2019: https://www.silversea.com/destinations/world-cruise/world-cruise-2019.html
For more information about Silversea's World Cruise 2020: https://www.silversea.com/destinations/world-cruise/world-cruise-2020.html
To watch the video The Tale of Tales 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfd-LJMbyGI
