Type Private Products Cruises | Industry Transportation Founded 1994 | |
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Key people Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Chairman Headquarters Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States CEO Roberto Martinoli (19 Sep 2016–) Parent organization Silversea Cruise Holding Ltd. Profiles | ||
Silversea cruises silver wind full tour in 1080p
Silversea Cruises is a privately owned luxury cruise line with its headquarters in Monaco. Founded in 1994, it pioneered all-inclusive cruising with its first ship, Silver Cloud.
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Silversea's co-founders, owners and operators are the Lefebvre family of Rome, Italy. As of early 2014, the company had eight boutique cruise ships, each of which carries only 100 to 540 passengers.
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. Silversea's business model was to operate ships in the small, all-suite, ultra-luxury category. According to John Bland, Silversea's President in 1993–94:
The new line's all inclusive fares included such features as gratuities (none were allowed), beverages (including selected wines at lunch and dinner), port charges, travel insurance, and one or more complimentary shore events in every itinerary. As about 80 percent of Silversea's customers were expected to come from North America, the line established its 25-person marketing office in Fort Lauderdale, 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.
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.
The Prince Albert II has since been renamed the Silver Explorer to align the names under the Silver theme.
It was announced on June 18, 2012 that Silversea acquired Canodros S.A., the premier Ecuadorian tourism company that operates in the Galapagos Islands. The purchase of the line also includes the former Renaissance ship the Galapagos Explorer II. The vessel will continue on its 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 the Silver Explorer. The Silver Galapagos is expected to enter service on September 28, 2013.
On July 24, 2013 CNN aired a report of a Silversea cruiseship, Silver Shadow failing a CDC inspection by hiding trolleys of food in crew cabins.
On September 10, 2013, Silversea Cruises confirmed that it will be adding a third vessel to the Silversea Expeditions brand, the Silver Discoverer, currently sailing as the Clipper Odyssey for Zegrahm Expeditions. According to their website, the Inaugural voyage will be on March 1, 2014.
Awards
Recent Travel awards include
Personalized Voyages program
Silversea provides its guests an option called Personalized Voyages, a cruise industry first. This program allows guests to choose their own embarkation and disembarkation ports, essentially allowing them to create their own voyages. Guests can board days before or days after a cruise begins, but they must sail a minimum of five nights. The onboard time is charged on a daily rate that varies depending on the ports visited and the category of suite accommodation.