Silversea has unveiled new details of Silver Origin, the cruise line's first destination-specific ship, which will offer voyages to the Galapagos Islands starting in summer 2020. One of the most environmentally friendly ships and designed specifically for sailing these islands, Silver Origin will combine Silversea's local destination expertise with the cruise line's signature luxury to provide guests with the ultimate experience.
From summer 2020, the Silver Origin will draw upon Silversea's extensive knowledge of the Galápagos Islands to forge a deeper connection between passengers and the destination. In addition to the ship's pioneering design and unique onshore guest experiences led by Silversea's Galápagos National Park-certified Expedition Team, this immersive concept will allow guests to experience Ecuadorian culture onboard through subtle content, including daily briefings, lectures, videos, scientific information, and authentic local cuisine prepared by expert Ecuadorian chefs. With the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratio in the region at 1:12.5, the Silver Origin will be a luxurious hub from which guests can enjoy personalized experiences throughout the Galápagos Islands. Every aspect of the guest cruise experience will be tailored to bring them closer to the authentic beauty of the Galápagos Islands in the lap of luxury.
Perfectly designed with the utmost attention to guest comfort, the interior design of Silver Origin exudes luxury, inspired by the understated Italian elegance that permeates Silversea's fleet of intimate ships. However, it also draws inspiration from the unique natural environment of the Galápagos Islands to strengthen guests' connection to the destination. Bright, colorful motifs and regional materials will accentuate the design. Silver Origin were designed by HBA Miami, while GEM – Design for Cruise Ships, the team behind the interior design of Silver Muse, oversaw the interior design of the ship's suites.
Basecamp, an elegant lounge where guests can socialize before and after excursions, will be among the most innovative spaces on Silver Origin. Connecting to the Zodiac embarkation area to represent the synergy between the destination and the ship, it will host educational activities, allowing guests to interact with the onboard expedition team to learn more about the unusual wildlife, incredible landscapes, and fascinating history of the Galápagos Islands before and after experiencing these attractions firsthand. Basecamp will feature a large interactive digital wall, through which guests can access destination-related content, including photos, videos, excursion previews, and scientific presentations.
With floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the destination, the Silver Origin Explorer Lounge will host daily briefings and lectures from the ship's Expedition Team. The elegant venue will feature a large video screen and oversized HD screens in various seating areas to enhance the guest experience. It will also be a sophisticated space where guests can relax, complete with a bar and a piano. Following Silversea's all-inclusive approach, guests will enjoy complimentary beverages throughout the ship, including spirits, champagne, and a wide selection of wines.
Located at the front of the ship, the beautiful Observation Lounge will offer guests an elegant retreat, benefiting from incredible views of the destination. It will be the ideal place for guests to relax with a book from the library, which will be carefully curated by Silversea's destination experts and will be the most extensive destination-focused collection the cruise line has ever had on a single ship.
The Silver Origin will feature eight different suite categories to offer guests superior comfort, the largest of which, the Owner's Suite, will offer unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape. Guests in all suites will enjoy a private balcony, while select suite categories will feature an innovative Horizon Balcony, which can be converted into a floor-to-ceiling window for added space and better protection from the elements. Furthermore, for the first time at Silversea, select suite categories will incorporate a bathtub with ocean views, accessible from the balcony for added convenience and comfort.
With a culinary immersion experience that offers a deeper understanding of Ecuadorian culture, expert local chefs will take guests on a culinary journey of discovery at Silver Origin: The Restaurant and The Grill, each of which can accommodate all guests at full capacity. Authentic flavors, fresh, local ingredients, and regional wines will complement the international cuisine to inspire diners' palates, showcasing the best of Ecuador's culinary heritage in refined settings. At The Restaurant, guests will enjoy abundant natural light and expansive views while dining; at The Grill, a sophisticated outdoor venue that can be partially enclosed for comfort, Silversea's signature Hot Rocks concept will enhance the dining experience, with Ecuadorian touches further enriching the offerings.
The Silver Origin will be one of the most environmentally conscious cruise ships ever built, thanks to cutting-edge technology and solutions specifically designed for sailing the Galapagos Islands: the ship's dynamic positioning system will allow the Silver Origin to automatically maintain its position to protect the seabed; freshwater purification systems, installed in every suite, will allow the ship to reduce its consumption of single-use plastic bottles; an advanced wastewater treatment system will meet or exceed the strictest market regulations; and the Silver Origin will meet the highest energy efficiency standards in its segment. The Silver Origin will complement Silversea's significant efforts to make a positive impact on the natural and economic environment of the Galapagos Islands, including the cruise line's contribution to the Floreana Island Ecological Restoration Project.
“The Silver Origin will elevate our industry-leading offering in the Galapagos Islands, providing meaningful experiences for guests as they travel in ultimate luxury,” says Roberto Martinoli, CEO of Silversea. “From the earliest planning stages, every decision regarding the Silver Origin has been made to strengthen the connection between our guests and this spectacular and unique destination.”
“The natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands makes it one of the world’s finest cruise destinations,” says Fernando Delgado, Vice President and General Manager of Silversea in Canodros, Chile. “The Silver Origin will enhance Silversea’s award-winning cruise experience here, elevating it to an even more incredible level for our guests to enjoy. I am delighted to personally welcome the Silver Origin to the region and introduce the ship to our valued guests and business partners.”
The Silver Origin will have the highest crew-to-guest ratio (1:1.16) and the highest ratio of qualified guides to guests (1:10) in the Galapagos Islands, enabling unprecedented levels of personalized service. This will extend to the in-suite experience, as the Silver Origin will be the only ship in the Galapagos Islands to offer butler service in every suite. For more than five years, Silversea has brought guests closer to the authentic beauty of the Galapagos Islands with the archipelago's finest luxury cruise product; the cruise line's Silver Galapagos , which will be replaced by the Silver Origin , recently earned first place among small ships in four award categories at the 2019 Cruise Critics Awards, including "Best Overall Ship," "Best Shore Excursions," and "Best Value" for the second year in a row.
Please note: Images depicting Silver Origin® reflect current design concepts and may include artistic renderings and/or images of other Silversea ships. All ship features, experiences, and itineraries are subject to change without notice.
