Silversea Cruises has taken delivery of its first destination ship, the Silver Origin, from the Dutch shipyard De Hoop. An intimate ceremony, held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, marked the first cruise ship launch since the pandemic brought a global shutdown to a standstill.
Silversea's top executives—President Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, President and CEO Roberto Martinoli, SVP Hotel Operations & Onboard Revenues Damien O'Connor, and Marketing Director Barbara Muckermann—attended the ceremony in Rotterdam. Along with representatives from the De Hoop shipyard, Silversea's management team toured the ship for the first time and were present at the official flag-raising ceremony.
“It was a moment of great pride for me to personally attend the official handover ceremony of the Silver Origin and to welcome Silversea’s first destination-specific ship to our fleet. I am very grateful to everyone involved in its construction, especially the professionals at the De Hoop shipyard,” commented Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio.
“We welcome the beautiful Silver Origin to our fleet as the first ship since the beginning of our partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.,” said Roberto Martinoli, Chairman and CEO of Silversea. “The ship demonstrates how fruitful our collaboration has been, while also providing a glimpse of the great success to come. With Silversea’s destination expertise and the invaluable support of the RCL Group, we have pushed the boundaries of ultra-luxury travel in the Galapagos Islands with Silver Origin. I want to extend my gratitude to everyone involved, including my colleagues at Silversea and RCL, but especially to the De Hoop Shipyard, which overcame many difficulties to complete the ship.” “It has been extremely rewarding to work on this project, and we are proud to have been able to deliver the ship despite the external challenges,” commented Patrick Janssens, CEO of De Hoop Shipyard. “The handover ceremony marked a momentous occasion for both parties, and it was a great pleasure to deliver the Silver Origin to the Silversea executives here in Rotterdam. We wish the company every success for the future and look forward to seeing this beautiful ship in the Galapagos Islands, a place where it truly belongs.”.
The Silver Origin will welcome 100 guests year-round to the exclusive Galapagos Archipelago, integrating the latest cutting-edge technology and designed with a focus on the pillars of sustainability, the onboard destination, our Expedition, authentic local culture, comfort, service, and suites, all with balconies. The ship will provide guests with the ultimate destination experience, inspired by Silversea's extensive experience and founded on a deep respect for the fragility of the natural environment, while maintaining the highest quality of service.
Innovative, enriching, and elegant, each of Silver Origin's spaces has been designed specifically for the Galápagos by Hirsch Bedner Associates Miami. Silversea executives visited all the spaces to experience firsthand how they will create unique synergies between the destination and the ship
THE MARINA: AN EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE, RIGHT UPON ARRIVAL. The Marina has been designed with meticulous attention to detail to offer guests an unparalleled arrival or disembarkation experience. Connected to the Basecamp, the Zodiac boarding area features large, comfortable sofas, showers for guests to rinse their gear, lockers for conveniently storing wetsuits and other equipment, and an innovative stern that folds into special boarding facilities where two Zodiacs can be docked simultaneously.
BASECAMP: IMMERSIVE DISCOVERY ON BOARD. Basecamp is one of Silver Origin's most innovative spaces. This 551 m² area is the heart of the ship and will host educational activities where guests will interact with Silversea's team of expert guides, all permanent residents of the Galapagos Islands and certified by the Galapagos National Park. With them, guests will learn more about the rare wildlife, remarkable landscapes, and captivating history of the Galapagos Islands, both before and after excursions.
With bespoke software created exclusively for Silversea by the design studio Sketchin and input from Silversea's Expedition Team, the centerpiece of Basecamp is a 624 x 162 cm interactive digital wall (the largest interactive screen in the Galápagos) with its control panel. Through this interactive program, which will change according to the itinerary, guests will have access to extraordinary destination-related content, including historical images provided by the Royal Geographical Society of London, exclusive aerial and underwater videos, a preview of excursions, and scientific presentations. The Expedition will use the LED wall to introduce visitors to the wonders of the Galápagos Islands before they embark on adventures in Zodiacs and kayaks and experience them firsthand.
THE EXPLORER LOUNGE: AN ELEGANT SPACE TO RELAX. The 479-square-meter Explorer Lounge exudes the same elegance that characterizes the other ships in Silversea's ultra-luxury fleet, offering a welcoming space where guests can unwind in the evening, perhaps with a cocktail or a book from the Silver Origin's library. This space also serves as a state-of-the-art conference room, hosting daily talks and briefings, as well as live piano performances. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the destination inside, while a large video wall with cutting-edge AV technology and expansive HD screens in various areas enhance the guests' expedition experience. Outside, a beautiful deck with comfortable sofas and armchairs, and a central round sofa with a fire pit, provides the perfect place for guests to relax with a drink before and after conferences.
THE RESTAURANT AND THE GRILL: AN IMMERSIVE CULINARY PHILOSOPHY. In line with Silversea's new SALT program, guests on the Silver Origin will enjoy a uniquely immersive culinary philosophy, centered on regionally grown ingredients, Ecuadorian cuisine, and a farm-to-table. Locally inspired culinary experiences, both onboard and ashore, will strengthen passengers' connections with the culture, landscapes, and people of the Galápagos and Ecuador as a whole. The Restaurant on Deck 4, seating 120 guests, and the Grill on Deck 7, seating 100, will be able to accommodate all guests at once, offering everyone the luxury of choice. Silversea's Hot Rocks concept will be adapted with an Ecuadorian twist in the Grill, where an advanced protective system will shield diners from the wind and low temperatures, offering maximum comfort.
SPA & FITNESS CENTER: PURE RELAXATION. The Silver Origin's gym features state-of-the-art Technogym equipment and offers guests stunning views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The spa, with a dedicated treatment room for therapies and massages, is the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring the islands. The beauty salon offers a wide range of services, including hairdressing, manicures, and pedicures.
THE OBSERVATION LOUNGE: A COZY HIDEAWAY. Located at the front of the ship, this 75m² lounge offers an elegant retreat with incredible views of the surrounding landscape through its 180-degree floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests will find ultimate relaxation in the Observation Lounge, perhaps reading a book from the carefully selected library or simply enjoying a magnificent sunset.
GUEST SUITES: AMONG THE MOST SPACIOUS IN THE GALAPAGOS. The suites on the Silver Origin are among the most spacious and comfortable in the Galapagos: the Owner's Suite, for example, measures a total of 160 m2, features a vast terrace, and offers wonderful panoramic views. The Silver Origin exudes its signature luxury, such as being the only ship in the archipelago to offer butler service in every suite. Guests will enjoy the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the region (1:1.11) with unparalleled levels of personalized comfort. All suites benefit from full room automation, allowing guests to control room conditions at the touch of a button.
Furnished with neutral tones and natural materials that complement the Galapagos Islands' surroundings, and designed by GEM, all suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony, while some suites boast the innovative Horizon Balcony, which can be expanded at the touch of a button. Most superior suites include a bathtub and shower with ocean views, some of which are accessible from the balcony.
COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY
Built to be one of the most energy-efficient ships and with the environment always in mind, the Silver Origin incorporates low-impact features to meet future standards and guidelines, while adhering to current regulations from the Galapagos National Park Directorate. The latest technological innovations result in a 15% reduction in fuel consumption and fewer exhaust emissions. The ship's dynamic positioning system will be used when anchoring over delicate marine ecosystems to prevent damage; the suites incorporate freshwater purification systems that convert seawater into drinking water, drastically reducing plastic use on board; and a wastewater treatment system will meet and exceed the strictest industry standards. Furthermore, all waste will undergo a rigorous segregation process on board and be delivered to a local company for management, recycling, or disposal off the islands. Silversea Cruises has launched the Silversea Fund for the Galapagos, a dedicated fund that will support educational projects to safeguard the well-being of the Galapagos Islands for future generations. By supporting a diverse selection of projects each year, the Silversea Fund will strengthen the balance between humans and nature in the Galapagos as part of a long-term conservation strategy. Donors to this fund will enjoy savings on Silversea voyages, as the company will match guest contributions in the form of a Future Cruise Credit to support their commitment to the cause.
