Silversea set for expedition growth

THE imminent debut of the refurbished Silver Cloud will significantly expand Silversea Cruises’ expedition offering, with the new ship showcased by Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s head of planning and strategic development, at a Sydney event yesterday.

Combrink, who is pictured with Silversea managing director Asia- Pacific, Amber Wilson, said the

Cloud makeover would see the ship’s hull strengthened to give it a full ice rating.

And while that’s a major undertaking in itself, the luxury vessel will also undergo a full makeover of its on-board accommodations and public areas, Combrink confirmed.

“It is a top-to-bottom, front-to- back transformation,” he said, with major technical upgrades to plumbing, air conditioning and other systems over a three month dry dock period.

Once the work is complete in Nov, Silver Cloud will carry a maximum of 248 passengers - or just 200 in polar regions, along with 22 expedition staff.

The ship’s existing complement of Silver Suites will expand to 12, along with the creation of new Medallion Suites, while other additions will include a photo studio, “mud room” and fitness centre - replacing the casino and internet cafe which is no longer needed since the ship will be fully equipped with wi-fi.

Sea kayaks and zodiacs will be offered - but along with the adventure there would also be plenty of comforts including five on-board restaurants.

Combrink said Silversea’s expedition fleet will cover 587 destinations in 2018 - massive growth in the operations which launched just over a decade ago.