Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises
Private
Industry Transportation
Founded 1994
Headquarters Monaco
Key people
 Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Chairman
Products Cruises
Website http://www.silversea.com/

Silversea Cruises is a privately owned mid-market cruise line with its headquarters in Monaco. Founded in 1994, it pioneered all-inclusive cruising with its first ship, Silver Cloud.[1] In June 2018, it was announced that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, the parent company of Royal Caribbean International, had acquired a 67% controlling stake in the cruise line. Executive control will remain in Monaco.[2]

Silversea's co-founders, owners and operators are the Lefebvre family of Rome, Italy. They will remain on the executive board of the cruise line under Royal Caribbean ownership. As of early 2014, the company had eight boutique cruise ships, each of which carries only 100 to 540 passengers.[1] In 2017, Silversea added the slightly larger (596 passenger) Silver Muse, for a total of nine all-suite ships.

History

Silversea was founded in 1994 by a joint venture made up of V-Ships (previously known as Vlasov Group) of Monaco and the Lefebvre family of Rome. The joint owners had previously been the co-owners of Sitmar Cruises.[3][4] Silversea's business model was to operate ships in the small, all-suite, ultra-luxury category.[4]

...we have a different ship design. It's larger, very seaworthy and very comfortable for ocean crossings--but small enough to do the things you want a small luxury vessel to do, to get into small islands where big ships can't go, to travel up rivers like the Thames.

The new line's all inclusive fares included such features as gratuities, beverages (including cheap/basic wines at lunch and dinner), port charges, travel insurance, and one or more complimentary shore events in every itinerary.[4] As about 80 percent of Silversea's customers were expected to come from North America, the line established its 170+ employee office in Miami, Florida.

Silversea's first ship, Silver Cloud, which entered service in April 1994, was followed in January 1995 by a sister ship, the Silver Wind.[5]

In September 2000, the line launched Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper in January 2001. Both of these ships were enlarged versions of the original two ships, but carrying about 100 more passengers. In December 2009, Silversea launched the Silver Spirit.

Prince Albert II has since been renamed Silver Explorer to align the names under the Silver theme.[6]

It was announced on 18 June 2012, that Silversea acquired Canodros S.A., the premier Ecuadorian tourism company that operates in the Galapagos Islands. The purchase of the line also included the former Renaissance ship Galapagos Explorer II. The vessel will continue on her planned schedule of cruises and will continue to be operated by Canodros, which is based in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Canodros will also continue handling reservations for Galapagos Explorer II, as well as sales and marketing through its established network of travel companies and tour operators. She will be moved into the Silversea Expeditions brand along with Silver Explorer.[7] The Silver Galapagos entered service in September 2013.[8]

On 24 July 2013, CNN aired a report of a Silversea cruiseship, Silver Shadow failing a CDC inspection by hiding trolleys of food in crew cabins.[9]

On 10 September 2013, Silversea Cruises confirmed that it would be adding a third vessel to the Silversea Expeditions brand, Silver Discoverer, formerly sailing as Clipper Odyssey for Zegrahm Expeditions.[10] Silver Discoverer was christened in Singapore in March 2014 and set sail on her inaugural voyage along Australia's Kimberley Coast on 2 April 2014.[11]

Fincantieri delivered the fleet's ninth ship, Silver Muse to Silversea Cruises on 2 April 2017, at its Sestri Ponente shipyard. Silver Muse's debut cruise set sail on 10 April 2017, in the Mediterranean.[12]

The company's representative, Silver Whisper, is scheduled to take a 140-day world cruise in 2020. The ship will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on 6 January 2020. After visiting 62 ports in 32 countries, Silver Whisper will come to Amsterdam on 25 May.[13]

On 14 June 2018, it was announced that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. had purchased a majority stake in Silversea for approximately $1 billion.[14]

Main fleet

ShipBuiltBuilderIn service
for Silversea		Gross TonnageFlagNotesImage
Silver Cloud1994Hull: Francisco Visentini
Completion: T. Mariotti		1994–present16,800 GT BahamasSilver Cloud
Silver Wind1995Hull: Francisco Visentini
Completion: T. Mariotti		1995–present16,800 GT BahamasSilver Wind
Silver Shadow2000Hull: Francisco Visentini
Completion: T. Mariotti		2000–present28,258 GT BahamasSilver Shadow
Silver Whisper2001Hull: Francisco Visentini
Completion: T. Mariotti		2001–present28,258 GT BahamasSilver Whisper
Silver Spirit2009Fincantieri2009–present39,519 GT BahamasOriginally 36,000 tons. Lengthened in March 2018.Silver Spirit
Silver Muse2017Fincantieri2017–present40,700 GT BahamasLargest Ship built for SilverseaSilver Muse

Future Ships

ShipWill be deliveredBuilderGross TonnageFlagNotes
Silver Moon2020Fincantieri40,700 GT BahamasSister ship to Silver Muse
Silver Dawn2021Fincantieri40,700 GT BahamasSister ship to Silver Moon

Expeditions fleet

ShipBuiltBuilderIn service
for Silversea		Gross TonnageFlagNotesImage
Silver Explorer1989Rauma-Repola2008–Present6,072 tons BahamasPreviously Delfin Clipper, Sally Clipper, Baltic Clipper, Delfin Star, Dream 21, World Discoverer, World Adventurer and Prince Albert II. Renamed Silver Explorer in late April 2011.[15]
Silver Galapagos1990Cantiere Navale Ferrari-Signani2013–Present4,077 tons EcuadorPreviously Galapagos Explorer II
Silver Discoverer1989NK Tsu Works [16]2014–Present5,218 tons BahamasPreviously Clipper Odyssey

Awards

Recent Travel awards include

  • "Best Adventure Cruise Line" 2016 by World of Cruising Wave Award
  • "Best Luxury Cruise Line" 2016, 2014, 2013, 2009 by Excellence Awards by Spain's Cruise News Media Group
  • "Best Cruise Line for Romance" 2015 by U.S. News & World Report
  • "Best Small Luxury Cruise Line" 2014 by The Daily Telegraph Ultratravel 100 Awards
  • "Top 5 Small Ships" 2014 by Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships (Silver Spirit, Silver Whisper, Silver Shadow)
  • Among "The 120 Most Trusted Brands" 2014 by Entrepreneur Magazine[17]
  • “Best Luxury Cruise Line”: Silver Explorer - 2014 by CruiseReport.com
  • "Best Service": Silver Explorer - 2014 by CruiseReport.com
  • "Best Food and Dining": Silver Explorer - 2014 by CruiseReport.com
  • Best Expedition Ship": Silver Explorer - 2014 by CruiseReport.com
  • "Best Small Ship Cruise Line": 2012, 2011, 2009–2004, 2011, 2012 by CruiseReport.com
  • "Best Luxury Cruise Line" 2012, 2011 by CruiseReport.com
  • "Best Enrichment Series at Sea" 2012, 2011 by CruiseReport.com
  • "Best Shore Excursions" 2012, 2011 by CruiseReport.com
  • "Best Suite Accommodations - Silver Suite on Silver Spirit" 2012 by CruiseReport.com
  • "Best Luxury Cruise Line" Four Years by Telegraph Travel Awards
  • "World's Best Small Ship Cruise Line" Seven Years by Travel & Leisure US
  • "Best Small Ship Cruise Line": Nine Years by Conde Nast Traveler, US
  • "Best Luxury Cruise Line" 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010 by Cruise Passenger Readers' Choice Awards
  • "Best Expedition Cruise Ship": Silver Explorer - 2013 by Cruise Passenger Readers' Choice Awards
  • "Best Luxury Cruise Ship": Silver Shadow - 2012, 2011, 2010 by Cruise Passenger Readers' Choice Awards
  • "Best Service": Readers' Choice Awards 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 by Porthole Cruise Magazine
  • "Best Africa / Middle East Itineraries" 2014 by Porthole Cruise Magazine
  • "Best Expedition Cruise Line" 2013 by Porthole Cruise Magazine
  • "Best Luxury Cruise Company" 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2004, 2003 by Travel Weekly Globe Awards (UK)
  • "Best Cruise Line" Aspire Award (Luxury Travel) 2013 by Travel Weekly Globe Awards (UK)
  • "Best Cruise Line for Luxury Small Ships" 2017, 2011, 2009, 2008 by Luxury Travel Advisor
  • "Best Small Ship Cruise Line" 2017, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2005,1999-2003 (Twelve years) Conde Nast Traveller, UK
  • "Best Expedition Cruise Line" 2017 by AFAR Traveler's Choice Awards
  • "Best Luxury Itineraries" 2017 by Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice
  • Silver Muse – "Best New Luxury Ship" 2017 by Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice
  • Silversea Expeditions – "Best for Adventure" 2017 by Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice
  • "Best Cruise for Groups": Silver Spirit - 2018, 2016 and Silver Shadow - 2015, 2014 by U.S. News & World Report
  • "Best Luxury Cruise": Silver Whisper - 2016, 2015 by U.S. News & World Report
  • "Best Cruise for Singles": Silver Whisper - 2016 and Silver Spirit - 2014 by U.S. News & World Report
  • “Best Cruise for Couples”: Silver Whisper – 2016 by U.S. News & World Report
  • "Best Cruise in Europe": Silver Whisper - 2016 by U.S. News & World Report
  • "Best Cruise in Alaska": Silver Shadow - 2016, 2015, 2014 by U.S. News & World Report
  • "Best Cruise Line for Romance" 2015 by U.S. News & World Report
  • "Best Cruise in the Mediterranean": Silver Spirit - 2014 by U.S. News & World Report
  • Silver Galapagos – "Best Small Cruises Overall" 2018 by Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice
  • Silver Galapagos – "Best Small Cruise Ships for Shore Excursions" 2018 by Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice
  • Silver Galapagos – "Best Small Cruise Ships for value" 2018 by Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice
  • "Best Luxury Cruise Line" 2018, 2016 by Global Traveler - Leisure Travel Awards
  • "Best Cruise Line Suites" 2018 by Global Traveler - Leisure Travel Awards
  • "Best Small Ship Cruise Line" 2015, 2014, 2013 by Global Traveler - Leisure Travel Awards

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Hutcheon, Helen (3 November 2013). "The fab four". The Australian. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "Mixed reactions as Royal Caribbean buys controlling stake in Silversea -". 14 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  3. ↑ Slater, Shirley; Basch, Harry (3 October 1993). "Four New Lines Set Sail for 'Niche' Markets". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Cruz, Georgina (17 April 1994). "Sitmar's 'Silver Cloud'". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  5. ↑ Stieghorst, Tom (30 January 1995). "Luxury Cruise Line Testing New Water". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Ship Details Query » Cruise Specialists Information". cruise-holidays.info. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  7. ↑ "Silversea Acquires Canodros - Galapagos Cruise Line with One Ship". cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "Silver Galapagos". cruisemapper.com. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  9. ↑ David Fitzpatrick and Drew Griffin, CNN Special Investigations Unit (25 July 2013). "Luxury cruise fails surprise health inspection". CNN. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  10. ↑ "Silversea Adds Another Expedition Ship". cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  11. ↑ "Silversea's Silver Discoverer Embarks on Inaugural Voyage". silversea.com. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  12. ↑ "Fincantieri Sestri Ponente the launch of the ultra-luxury ship Silver Muse". Genova 24. 2 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017. Translation.
  13. ↑ Staff, CIN (12 March 2018). "Silversea Launches Seven Continent World Cruise". Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  14. ↑ McCarthy, Daniel. "Editor-in-chief". Travel Market Report. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  15. ↑ Garrison, Linda (20 April 2011). "What's in a Name? Silversea Prince Albert II Gets a New Name". About.com Guide. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  16. ↑ "SILVER DISCOVERER - 8800195 - PASSENGERS SHIP - Maritime-Connector.com". maritime-connector.com. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  17. ↑ "Awards & Accolades. Silversea Cruises". silversea.com. Retrieved 6 July 2015.

Bibliography

  • Plowman, Peter (2004). The SITMAR Liners: Past and Present. Dural, NSW: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 273–282. ISBN 1877058254.

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