Fernando de Oliveira, Silversea Cruises' President's Ambassador to the Venetian Society, is celebrating 25 years with the company. He joined Silversea in 1994, the same year it was founded. During his time at the heart of the Silversea family, Fernando has become friends with thousands of discerning guests traveling aboard the company's world cruises and with the Venetian Society, its loyalty club.
Many guests consider Fernando's presence one of the main reasons for sailing; he is charismatic, extremely friendly, and speaks seven languages, including Spanish, which is helpful when conversing with guests from all over the world. He understands better than most why the Silversea experience is so special to so many guests.
“When I first joined Silversea in 1994, the company had just one ship. But the qualities that enabled Silversea to become an industry-leading travel company are the same qualities that make it completely unique today,” says Fernando.
“In short, it’s a traveling club. We have many Venetian Society guests who come back year after year because they feel right at home. Our guests explore extraordinary destinations like the west coast of Africa, Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, and remote islands in the South Pacific, while enjoying the comforts of home—from good food to friends who share their interests.”.
They can sample local cuisine and witness authentic experiences – such as tribal ceremonies or unique cultural events – but can also return to the ship to relax in comfort. Savor chilled champagne or enjoy their favorite beverage, served just the way they like it; dine on steak, lobster, and caviar; or enjoy performances in the theater and sleep in comfortable beds.”.
Fernando also highlights the Silversea crew as a vital part of guest enjoyment, an aspect he has emphasized since joining the company in 1994: “A sense of intimacy is truly what makes our service the best at sea: our bartenders know that Mr. Smith enjoys a Martini with two olives; our restaurant manager reserves a special window table for Mrs. Garcia because she likes to admire the view while she dines; our pool attendants prepare a sun lounger in the shade for Mrs. Jones, just the way she likes it. It only takes a few days for our team to get to know our guests on a personal level. These personal touches are what distinguish Silversea service. They truly transform a great voyage into an unforgettable experience.”.
“Every time I interact with our guests, I try to speak to them in their own language to strengthen the relationship. I also learn the names of up to 500 people because each of our guests is unique, and each person becomes part of our family. Through handwritten invitations, I invite as many guests as possible to dine with me every night throughout a voyage, and we really get to know each other on a personal level. On many occasions, I have even welcomed our guests into my home and, in turn, met up with them all over the world. I consider them my family. Our ships are intimate enough to develop very strong bonds; we know each other as friends and explore the world together.”.
“I have known Fernando de Oliveira and consider him a close friend for many, many years,” says Manfredi Lefebvre, Executive Chairman of Silversea. “Over time, I have become increasingly convinced that he is the perfect ambassador for our esteemed Venetian Society, as his character and skills mirror those of our guests: Fernando is engaging, articulate, knowledgeable, and intelligent. He has always had a strong desire to discover the authentic beauty of our planet, which means his passion enriches every moment for our guests as they travel the world together.”.
Fernando looks forward to welcoming guests aboard Silversea on the annual Venetian Society sailing in October and also on the Legends of Cruising World Cruise in 2020 and the Finest World Tour in 2021.
