SILVERSEA Expeditions

Silversea Expeditions was launched in 2008 as high-end Silversea Cruises’ adventure arm, offering its loyal well-heeled clients a chance to explore really remote corners of the globe at a level of luxury close to what they had been enjoying on Silversea’s 5 ritzy classic cruise ships.

Silversea Expeditions started out with Silver Explorer (the former Prince Albert II), and then in 2012 added Silver Galapagos (formerly Galapagos Explorer), and in 2014, Silver Discoverer (the former Clipper Odyssey — since sold to CroisiEurope). All of the ships were refurbished before joining Silversea Expeditions, with Silver Explorer being the most elegant.

Silver Origin is Silversea’s new expedition ship for the Galapagos, launching in 2020 and replacing Silver Galapagos.

Silver Origin in the Galapagos. * Photo: Silverseas Expeditions

Note, most officers and crew aboard Silver Origin are Ecuadorian as required by the government, and the crews on the other two ships are international.

Another note: In August 2017, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Cloud was refurbished and converted into an ice-class ship to join Silversea Expeditions. Silver Cloud carries 254 passengers and sails in polar and non-polar regions; when sailing Arctic and Antarctic itineraries, the number of passengers booked on those cruises is restricted to 200. Sister ship Silver Wind had the same modifications to ice class and also sails in Antarctica.

Fleet

Silver Explorer (built 1989, refurbished 2018 & 144 passengers)
Silver Cloud (b. 1994, r. 2017 & 254 p)
Silver Origin (b. 2020 & 100 p)

The Silver Origin. * Photo: Silversea Expeditions

Passenger Profile

Well-to-do couples 40s and older from North America, and others from the U.K., Europe and Australia. Many have previously cruised on Silversea’s posh cruise ships. Galapagos cruises will draw families during the school holidays.

Price

$$$ Expensive

Included Features

All excursions
Wine, spirits and all non-alcoholic drinks throughout cruise
Gratuities
A snappy-looking bright red expedition parka embossed with SILVERSEA EXPEDITIONS

Itineraries

The Silversea expedition fleet spans the globe. Only Silver Origin stays put in the Galapagos, with week-long, year-round cruises among the Galapagos Islands between Cristobal and Baltra, plus two nights in Quito, Ecuador.

Silver Galapagos gets this close to shore. * Photo: Silversea Cruises

Sample Itineraries

Silver Cloud sailing a 17-day voyage from Lisbon, Portugal, to Reykjavik, Iceland, or a 22-day cruise from Valparaiso, Chili, to Papeete, Tahiti. Each of the these trips are available as a segment of the Silver Cloud world cruise that visits 107 ports and 30 countries.

Silver Explorer winters in Antarctica, sailing 6- to 18-day itineraries that add the Falklands and South Georgia Island. Following the Antarctica season, the ship cruises the Chilean fjords, then sails westward on voyages around Africa and the Indian Ocean, visiting destinations like Tanzania, South Africa, the Seychelles and Sri Lanka, before heading to Australia and Asia.

Silver Explorer in the icy poles. * Photo: Richard Sidey

Why Go?

For highly curated voyages to some of the top destinations in the world, places that can only be visited by ships this size.

You get excellent cuisine, knowledgeable and passionate expedition leaders and luxurious accommodations as you sail.

When to Go?

The vessels cruise in different regions of the world at the best time to visit: Galapagos is year-round; Antarctica between November and February; Northern Europe, Arctic Canada Alaska, Russian Far East and Japan in the summer; Southeast, East Asia, Indian Ocean and East Africa in the cooler months; and the Pacific regions in the summer (winter in the Southern Hemisphere).

Activities & Entertainment

The destinations are the main event, with naturalist-led excursions at least once and often several times a day; about 10 expedition team members sail on every voyage.

Onboard, there are lectures and slide shows about the destination, and otherwise passengers read, chat with new friends and gaze out at the stunning landscapes. Evenings before and after dinner, it’s drinks and conversation.

Guests enjoying the open air form the deck of the Silver Explorer. * Photo: Silversea Expeditions

Dining

On all of the Silversea expedition ships, continental and regional specialties — Galapagos Lobster à la Galapaguera anyone? — are served in the open-seating, no-jackets-required dining venues; the food level and scope aboard Silver Explorer and Silver Cloud are essentially the same as the rest of the Silversea fleet.

Silver Origin, on the other hand, is bound by Ecuadorian laws and restrictions regarding food sourcing, so the menus can’t quite compete. In the main dining room, The Restaurant, it’s fine dining all the way on candle-lit tables set with crisp white linens and china. Each also has a more casual al fresco eatery up top, The Grill, which turns into a popular dinnertime spot for grilled fish and steaks and other goodies prepared tableside on a heated volcanic-rock plate; reservations are suggested.

The larger Silver Cloud also has a La Dame restaurant restaurant and La Terrazza (buffet style for breakfast and lunch and an Italian eatery for dinners).

Public Rooms

Aboard Silver Cloud, the largest space is the Explorer Lounge with wraparound windows for scenery views; this is the ship’s hub and place where lectures are held. The ship also offers a Panaroma Lounge and Dolce Vita lounge with bars where passengers gather for live music or to read and chat. There’s an outdoor bar on the Sun Deck and a pool as well as plenty of seating. Below decks is a small gym, spa and boutiques.

Silver Explorer has two windowed lounges for scenery viewing — the smaller Observation Library forward on Deck 6 and one deck below the larger Panorama Lounge at the stern, which is also the best place for pre- and post-dinner cocktails. A pianist provides background music. Adjacent to the Panorama Lounge is the cozy Connoisseur’s Corner for cigars and cognac. The comfortable 110-seat Explorer Lounge is where lectures and slide shows take place. The ship has a small library/Internet Café, boutique, small gym, and a spa with one massage room, a sauna/steam room and a beauty salon. There are two hot tubs at the stern of Deck 6.

Silver Origin has a forward Observation Lounge on Deck 7. On Deck 4, the Explorer Lounge is the main theater for presentations, leading to an Outdoor Explorer Lounge. The ship’s Marina is at the aft on Deck 3, used for boat operations, such as skiff tours.

Explorer Lounge on Silver Origin. * Photo: Silverseas Expeditions

Cabins

On all of the ships, all rooms and suites have twin beds convertible to queens, sitting area, a writing desk (some also have vanity tables), and marble bathroom with shower or tub. Silver Explorer and Silver Cloud feature Bulgari, a choice of other European brands or hypoallergenic bath amenities. Silver Origin offers brands from Ecuador.

Enjoy butler service, plush robe, slippers, choice of pillows, fine Pratesi bed linens (that Elizabeth Taylor apparently swore by), and a stocked mini-fridge.

All accommodations come with expedition binoculars, hair dryer, personal safe, flat screen TVs, on-demand movies, direct-dial telephone, and Wi-Fi access. All ships offer cellular service based on availability. Complimentary parkas are offered on Antarctica and Arctic voyages as well as other select sailings.

Of Silver Explorer’s 72 suites, 24 of them measure 230 sq. ft. with windows. Another 8 at that size also have French balconies (sliding doors with narrow ledge for standing); 14 rooms are 154 to 192 sq. ft. There are two Owner’s suites at 626 sq. ft. and a pair of 675-sq.-ft. Grand Suites, all with balconies. Another 16 large suites measure 351 to 460 sq. ft.

Silver Cloud has 127 suites, with 24 of them with windows and measuring 240 sq. ft.; 32 are 295 sq. ft. including balconies; the ship also features 2 Grand Suites (1,029 sq. ft. that converts to a 1,314 sq. ft. two-bedroom stateroom) and 2 Owner’s Suites (587 sq. ft., converts to a 827 sq. ft. two-bedroom). Each of these premium suite categories comes with a large veranda. All suites have walk-in closets.

Silver Origin has all 51 suites located among Decks 5 and 6 on the 8 deck ship. Five pairs can connect to create adjoining suites, and half can accommodate a third passenger. The lowest four cabin categories measure 325, 335 and 355 sq. ft. All cabins have sitting areas, work desks, walk-in wardrobes and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors out to the verandas.