Silversea cruises offer voyages great and small
Take the grand tour, cross the Atlantic or visit the sunny Caribbean this winter
It’s an exciting time for Silversea (cruise.center/silversea). The luxury line just took delivery of its newest ship, the 596-guest Silver Muse, earlier this year and is refitting its first ship as you read this into one of the world’s premier luxury expedition vessels.
When she emerges from dry dock in November, the revitalized Silver Cloud Expedition will feature completely refitted suites and public areas, in addition to an ice-strengthened hull and a fleet of Zodiac rafts that will serve her well when the 1994-built ship sets sail on her maiden voyage to Antarctica from Buenos Aires on Nov. 15.
That’s the big news — and it definitely commands attention. But what I find equally noteworthy about Silversea is how many interesting itineraries the line has quietly slipped under the radar for the winter 2017-18 season. These range from short voyages — a great chance to get a taste of the “suite life” for anyone new to luxury cruises — to fullblown voyages of discovery that encircle continents.
In the latter category, Silversea recently announced it is sending its brand new flagship, Silver Muse, on an inaugural circumnavigation of South America early in the new year. The 69-day Grand Voyage will depart roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 3, 2018 and have guests arrive at Brazil just in time for Rio’s legendary Carnival before heading completely around the Horn.
“Grand Voyage 2018 is perfectly tailored to travellers who have the time and passion to indulge in travel on a grand scale,” said Mark Conroy, Silversea’s managing director for the Americas. “It combines adventure and immersive cultural experiences with leisurely days wrapped in the exquisite luxury and impeccable service of our beautiful new Silver Muse.”
All told, guests aboard Silver Muse’s 2018 South American Grand Voyage will have the opportunity to visit 34 ports of call in 14 different countries. The line is also throwing in some nice perks for those who make the full journey, including a grand gala dinner and overnight stay at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 2; a box-seat view of the Carnival Winners’ Parade at Rio’s Sambadrome; and on-board perks like complimentary internet access, on-board spending credits, and a travel visa service that’s available to Canadian and American guests.
If you can’t take two and a half months off from work, you’ll be happy to know that Silversea also offers this voyage in nice bitesized pieces, like the 10-day segment from Buenos Aires to Rio that departs on Feb. 6, 2018.
Silversea also has some hidden gems in store for the Caribbean season this winter. I like these short cruises because they tend to be a more affordable way for those who haven’t previously experienced a luxury cruise to give it a try. Fair warning, though: it’s hard to not fall head over heels for a cruise with a pillow menu with nine different choices, butler service, three types of toiletries on offer, and cuisine recognized by Relais & Châteaux and Slow Food.
I really like Silver Whisper’s Nov. 4 cruise from Hamilton, Bermuda, to St. John’s, Antigua. A seven-day segment of a much longer voyage, this cruise includes two relaxing days at sea (important on a line as soothing as Silversea), along with port calls in Philipsburg, St. Maarten and Gustavia, St. Barthelemy. The ship also stays docked in Hamilton for two days, allowing you to explore more of Bermuda.
If you want to take a fast, inexpensive Silversea cruise, hop on to Silver Whisper’s quick three-day voyage to Key West and the Bahamas’ Bimini Islands. It’s got everything that a regular Silversea cruise has, but at a price that’s easier on the wallet.
As for Silver Muse, a handful of suites are still available for her inaugural transatlantic crossing from England to Montreal on Sept. 12.
If you can’t make the crossing, see her in person this fall in the Maritimes and Quebec. Silver Muse makes her maiden call on St. John’s, N.L. on Sept. 21; Sydney, N.S. (Sept. 23); Charlottetown (Sept. 24); Quebec City (Sept. 27) and Montreal (Sept. 28).
Visit portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, at www.cruiseshipcenters.com for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories. Call 1-800-707-7327. Contact Aaron Saunders at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com
Grand Voyage 2018 is perfectly tailored to travellers who have the time and passion to indulge in travel on a grand scale.