SILVERSEA UNVEILS THE MOST ELEGANT SHIP EVER TO SAIL THE GALAPAGOS

According to the folks over at Cruise Industry News, there are a staggering number of cruise ships currently on order.  And what’s new is that quite a number of them are small luxury expedition ships.

Expedition cruising is clearly going to be the next BIG thing in the cruise industry as cruise brands are falling all over themselves to get these new ships built.

A few weeks ago, we told you about a new expedition ship coming soon from Seabourn and last year we told you about two ships on order for Viking Cruises.

Carol and I are looking forward to sailing on a number of these new expedition-style ships, and when they start coming online, we are certain to also have our Virtuoso Voyages complimentary VIP perks to add to your booking.

To explore the 424 ocean cruise sailings currently offered by Silversea Cruises, click here.

In the meantime, take a peek at the recent press release on the upcoming Silversea Silver Origin:

Italian whispered luxury combined with amazing expedition experience will redefine luxury in the destination.

(Monaco – April 10, 2019) Silversea unveils new details of Silver Origin, the cruise line’s first ever destination-specific ship, which will unlock deep travel experiences for guests in the Galapagos Islands from the summer of 2020. One of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships ever and designed entirely with these unique islands in mind, Silver Origin will combine Silversea’s local destination expertise with the cruise line’s trademark level of luxury to offer guests the ultimate destination experience.

From summer 2020, the 100-passenger, all-suite Silver Origin will build on Silversea’s accrued know-how in the Galapagos Islands to form deeper connections between guests and the destination. In addition to the ship’s pioneering design and guests’ unique experiences ashore – which will be led by Silversea’s Expedition Team, who are certified by the National Park of the Galapagos – this immersive concept will see guests enjoy Ecuadorian culture on board, through insightful content, including daily briefings, lectures, videos, and scientific information; authentic local cuisine, prepared by expert Ecuadorian chefs; and various other luxurious enhancements. Offering the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratio in the region, at 1:12.5, Silver Origin will offer a luxurious outpost from which guests will enjoy personalized experiences throughout the Galapagos Islands. Every aspect of guests’ cruise experiences will be tailored to take them closer to the authentic beauty of the Galapagos Islands in luxury.

Perfectly crafted and with the utmost attention to the comfort of guests, the interior design of Silver Origin will whisper luxury, inspired by the understated Italian elegance that pervades Silversea’s fleet of intimate ships. Yet, it will also take influence from the Galapagos’ unique natural environment to strengthen guests’ engagement with the destination, with each space enhancing the experience. Bright, colorful motifs and regional materials will accentuate the design. Silver Origin’s public spaces 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

Basecamp, an elegant lounge in which guests can socialize before and after excursions, will be among Silver Origin’s most innovative spaces. Connecting with the ship’s Zodiac embarkation area to represent the synergy between destination and ship, it will host educational activities, through which guests will be able to interact with the onboard Expedition Team to learn more about the rare wildlife, amazing landscapes and captivating history of the Galapagos Islands, before and after experiencing these attractions first-hand. Basecamp will feature a large, interactive
digital wall—through which guests will be able to access destination-related content, including pictures, videos, excursion previews, and scientific presentations.

With floor-to-ceiling windows for sweeping views of the destination, Silver Origin’s Explorer Lounge will host daily briefings and lectures from the ship’s Expedition Team. The elegant venue will feature a large video wall and wide HD screens in different seating areas to optimize guests’ destination experience. It will also be a sophisticated space in which guests to relax, with a bar and piano. With Silversea’s all-inclusive approach, guests will enjoy complimentary drinks throughout the ship, including spirits, champagne, and many varieties of wines.

Explorer Lounge

Located at the very front of the ship, the beautiful Observation Lounge will offer an elegant hideaway to guests, benefitting from incredible views on 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 one ship.

Observation Lounge

Silver Origin will feature eight different suite categories to offer guests superlative comfort—the largest of which, the Owner’s Suite, will offer a panoramic view of the destination. Guests in every suite will enjoy the use of a private balcony, while certain suite categories will feature an innovative Horizon Balcony, which can convert to enclose the balcony with a floor-to-ceiling window for added space and better shelter from the elements. Plus, a first for Silversea, selected suite categories will incorporate an ocean-view bathtub, as well as an ocean-view shower that is accessible from the balcony for guests’ convenience and comfort.

Owner’s Suite

Silver Suite

With culinary immersion offering a means to travel deeper into Ecuadorian culture, expert local chefs will take guests on a journey of culinary discovery in Silver Origin’s two dining venues: The Restaurant and The Grill—each of which will be able to accommodate all guests at full capacity. Authentic flavors; fresh, local ingredients; and regional wines will complement international cuisine to inspire the palates of diners, showcasing the best of Ecuadorian culinary heritage in refined settings. In The Restaurant, guests will enjoy an abundance of natural light and far-reaching views as they dine; in The Grill, a sophisticated open-air venue that can be partially enclosed for comfort, Silversea’s signature Hot Rocks concept will enhance guests’ dining experiences, with Ecuadorian twists enhancing the offering further still.

The Restaurant

Silver Origin will be one of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships ever built, thanks to state-of-the-art technology and solutions designed specifically for sailing the Galapagos Islands: the ship’s dynamic positioning system will allow Silver Origin to automatically maintain position to protect the sea floor; freshwater purification systems, installed in each suite, will enable the ship to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic bottles; an advanced Waste Water Treatment System will meet or exceed the strictest regulations in the market; and Silver Origin will meet the highest standards of energy efficiency in the segment. The technological innovation of 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.

“Silver Origin will elevate our industry-leading offering in the Galapagos Islands, unlocking meaningful experiences for guests, as they travel in ultimate luxury,” says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s CEO. “Ever since the early planning phases, every decision on Silver Origin has been made to strengthen the connection between our guests and this spectacular, unique destination.”

“The natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands makes it one of the world’s best cruise destinations,” says Fernando Delgado, Silversea’s Vice President and General Manager of Canodros C.L. “Silver Origin will enhance Silversea’s award-winning cruise experience here, raising it to an even more incredible level for guests’ enjoyment. I am excited to personally welcome Silver Origin to the region, and introduce the ship to our valued guests and trade partners.”

Silver Origin will see the highest crew-to-guest ratio (1:1.16) and the highest ratio of qualified guides per guest (1:10) in the Galapagos Islands, enabling unparalleled levels of personalized service. This will extend to the in-suite experience, as Silver Origin will be the only ship in the Galapagos Islands to offer butler service to all suites. For more than five years, Silversea has taken guests closer to the authentic beauty of the Galapagos Islands with the best luxury cruise product in the archipelago; the cruise line’s Silver Galapagos, which will be replaced by Silver Origin, recently garnered the top spot among small ships in four award categories at the 2019 Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards, including ‘Best Overall Ship,’ ‘Best Shore Excursions,’ and ‘Best Value’ for the second consecutive year.

Please note: Images representing 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.

For more information or to book an fun Silversea Cruises cruise, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.

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