In the world of luxury cruises, there are increasingly more options. Silversea offers Italian flair, classic formulas with that refined European style of doing things, creating a desire to return, time and again, to ships that feel like a natural extension of home.
Article from CruisesNews magazine, issue 49 – June 2019
Not only for the excellence of its crews, the quality of its ultra-luxury services, but for details such as butlers taking care of you every second, the smell of Bvlgari in the suites, the flavors of gourmet cuisine, but above all for the peaceful feeling of having your own yacht transport you to the most captivating destinations on the planet.
The Lefebvre family has made the company an extension of their own family. Now, with the new strategic plan, the foundations have been laid to guarantee a bright future of new ships, exotic destinations, and unforgettable experiences.
Although Silversea, with its Italian soul and heart, is at home in its Mediterranean, it has become a global luxury cruise line, sailing the seven seas, both on its exploration yachts and its more traditional ships, which are usually deployed to distant waters during the winter. Asia is a vast region, and Silversea makes it easily accessible, allowing us to embark in some of its most populous cities. Japan has long been a favorite destination for passengers, thanks to its incredible blend of tradition and modernity. Almost all Silversea cruise ships begin or end their voyages in Tokyo, a vibrant metropolis that is much more than just a stopover city.
It offers a sea of possibilities. From the iconic lights of Shinjuku, like a kind of neon forest straight out of Blade Runner, to getting swept up in the frenetic crowds, crossing Shibuya again and again, the most famous pedestrian crossing in the world. It's also worth visiting the tech district, or experiencing some of the things that make Tokyo such an exciting and contradictory city: manga, urban tribes, sleeping in a capsule hotel, or visiting a trendy sushi restaurant. No visit is complete without a trip to the majestic Mount Fuji, the soul of Japan, accessible by the Shinkansen bullet train to Hakone.
Silversea offers numerous ports of call in the Land of the Rising Sun. Every visit should include the historic cities of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, and from Osaka, the country's second-largest city, a journey into the heart of Japan. Kyoto is a succession of traditional scenes, the kind we always look for in old movies. Used as a backdrop and, in part, as a filming location for Memoirs of a Geisha, it's a world of charm and tranquility. Gardens, temples, paths winding through flowers and cherry blossoms, Shogun's Palaces, torii gates, pagodas, and the rhythmic walk of geisha at dawn in the Gion district.
Emerging China is one of the countries where tourism has experienced unprecedented growth. Taijin is the port of embarkation for the great city of Beijing. Silversea offers overnight stays, allowing you to fully appreciate the heritage of the Chinese capital. Explore the Forbidden City, exotic and impenetrable until recently, or walk along one of the wonders of the world: the Great Wall of China. Shanghai is the perfect blend of East and West. With two complementary souls, it offers a colonial facet, with the British buildings of The Bund, and the modernist skyscrapers across the river, such as the impressive Pearl Tower; or perhaps you'd prefer to lose yourself in the traditional neighborhoods, hidden at the foot of the burgeoning modernity. Hong Kong is one of Asia's most dynamic metropolises. It is the starting and ending point for many of the company's cruises.
British and Chinese at once, Singapore is more than just a forest of skyscrapers in one of the world's most densely populated cities. Located on one of the most beautiful bays on the planet, it's not only a luxury shopping destination but also the perfect base for visiting vibrant neighboring Macau. Silversea has a significant presence in Singapore, serving as both the origin and destination for its Asian cruises. Competing with Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, Singapore is an efficient and clean city-state. A kind of Asian Switzerland, where the skyscrapers of the Financial District contrast with its ethnic neighborhoods, which coexist harmoniously, and with the British colonial buildings. A trendsetting city with a veritable architectural explosion, embodied in bold examples like Marina Bay with its infinity pool, or Gardens by the Bay.
For more adventurous souls, exploration ships also sail the seas of Melanesia, the most select islands, and paradisiacal spots in Indonesia. A world of impenetrable jungles, ancient cultures, and unique wildlife. As intense as its violent volcanoes, or the torrential monozone rains that make the rice fields shimmer with extraordinary force. Exotic and unique stops like Karimunjawa on the Java Sea, or dreamlike temples like Borabudur.
Unfold an atlas. There are no destinations in the vast South China Sea and surrounding latitudes where a Silversea ship doesn't dock. It's a delight to visit the eastern coast of Indonesia, all the way to Australia, as one of the least explored parts of the planet. Experiences you might only witness once in a lifetime, like the orangutan colonies at Camp Leakey, the ox races at Karapan Sapi, or visiting the extinct volcano of Mount Merpati. Few tourists, if any, ever reach the Leti Islands, also known as the Forgotten Islands of Malaku province: they are virtually untouched. Tourism is also almost nonexistent in Tana Toroja, in Sulawesi.
A visit to Sandakan, in Malaysian Borneo, is a must. There, you can explore wooden villages built over the water, browse local markets with their incredible array of tropical produce, and, most importantly, visit the reserves of endemic orangutans. Seeing Coron in the Philippines at dawn is an experience straight out of a fairytale. A rugged coastline dotted with whimsical rock formations, crystal-clear lakes, deserted beaches and coves, and small fishing villages dotted with tiny boats, where only Silversea ships typically dock. These are human vessels, reserved for special stops. For Spaniards, the bustling city of Manila feels like an extension of our own past. Entering Intramuros, the old colonial city, after passing through Fort Santiago and strolling along its cobblestone streets; stepping into the mansions of former merchants, or visiting the churches, museums, and convents that still remain in Manila, makes us feel right at home.
Vietnam is also a popular destination, offering an endless array of options. Entering Halong Bay is unforgettable, a truly spectacular sight. Enormous mountains, which rather than geological wonders resemble colossal dragons emerging from the realm of Avalon, are a sight to behold. This is complemented by stops in Chan May to visit Hue, with its Forbidden City and Imperial Tombs, and Ho Chi Minh City, the former cosmopolitan Saigon of the pre-war era. Laem Chabang in Thailand is the gateway to the Kingdom of Siam. It offers access not only to Bangkok, always vibrant and wonderful, but also to the ruins of ancient Ayutthaya, and serves as a starting point for something Silversea organizes like no other: Land Adventures. These are extensions before, after, or during your cruise, including an overnight stay ashore and even air transfers.
Silversea also offers personalized adventures, such as a trip to Laos by plane, or to the mythical temples of Angkor Wat, a kind of stone fantasy and lost kingdom in the midst of an exotic and unique setting. And all this aboard the Silver Muse or Silver Spirit.
