In the midst of today’s dreaded flight delays and airport hassles, travelers will be pleased to learn a civilized mode of travel still exists and stands ready to gently ferry them away to exotic lands.
Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises, with its intimate ships (never more than 382 guests on board) and new collection of 13 Elegant Explorations for 2009, aims to offer travelers the ultimate opportunity to discover the world at a slower pace, allowing more time to savor new places and personally connect with the people and cultures they meet along the way.
Created exclusively for the sophisticated traveler who has the time and passion to indulge in travel on a grand scale, this special collection features extended voyages of 24 to 92 days. These unique odysseys combine the luxury of sailing aboard the line’s elite, award-winning ships with expanded journeys to diverse regions of the world, combining visits to must-see traditional ports with exotic destinations that are off the beaten path — all on one cruise.
“Our Elegant Explorations are all-inclusive extended escapes perfectly suited to those guests who have the time to indulge their wanderlust at a leisurely pace, in unabashed luxury and comfort,” said David Morris, Silversea’s executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. “You can explore the most desirable ports of the Mediterranean for 24 days, sail for 46 days around South America and the Caribbean or take a diverse 53-day voyage that spans from Tokyo to Barcelona. Throughout each unforgettable journey, you’ll enjoy superb accommodations coupled with Silversea’s famous personalized service and gracious hospitality.”
Highlighting the program are generous savings incentives and onboard spending credits of $500 per suite (based on double occupancy) for guests sailing 40 to 57 days and $1,000 per suite for guests sailing 58 to 91 days. For the Grand Pacific Voyage, guests who sail the full 92 days will enjoy an onboard spending credit of $2,000 per suite. Complimentary Business Class air upgrades are also available with the purchase of the optional Silver SKY Air Program on voyages of 50 or more consecutive days.
GRAND PACIFIC VOYAGE
Of special note is the company’s first-ever Grand Pacific Voyage, a 92-day extended odyssey timed to coincide with prime regional seasons of the Pacific Ocean. Departing Los Angeles on March 7, 2009, Silver Shadow will follow the mild trade winds of spring as they dry the skies south of the equator, find northern Japan’s cherry blossoms in full bloom, and arrive in Alaska as the region awakens from its winter slumber with warmer, longer days. On this epic journey, guests will visit 45 ports, 15 countries and two hemispheres, enjoying overnight stays in Bora Bora, Sydney, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
In addition to the $2,000 per suite onboard spending credit, other special amenities available to guests sailing the full voyage include complimentary hotel accommodations in Los Angeles on the eve of departure, plus transfer and baggage handling between airport, hotel and ship. Fares start at $55,170 per person, based on double occupancy
Following below are the six themed segments of Grand Pacific Voyage 2009:
VOYAGE 3907: “Enchanted Polynesia,” March 7 – 23, Los Angeles to Papeete, 16 days.
VOYAGE 3908: “Escape to Dreamland,” March 23 – April 11, Papeete to Sydney, 16 days.
VOYAGE 3909: “Adventures of the Imagination,” April 11 – 29, Sydney to Singapore, 18 days.
VOYAGE 3910: “Oriental Mystique,” April 29 – May15, Singapore to Tokyo, 16 days.
VOYAGE 3911: “Bridge Across Time,” May 15 – 28, Tokyo to Seward, 14 days.
VOYAGE 3912: “Of Mists and Majesty,” May 28 – June 7, Seward to Vancouver, 10 days.
Listed below is a small sampling of Elegant Explorations for 2009 and the current best-available starting fares, which are cruise-only rates (based on double occupancy) that may include Early Booking Incentive savings of up to 30%; an additional 5% Advance Payment Bonus savings when payment is made six months prior to sailing; Extended Voyage savings of 5%; and Venetian Society savings of 5%.
— Silver Cloud departs February 5 on a 46-day voyage from Santiago to San Juan with calls in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Devil’s Island, Grenada, Barbados, Bequia, St. Lucia, Antigua and Virgin Gorda. Highlights include journeying through the Chilean fjords, Cape Horn and the Amazon’s Breves Narrows. Best-available fares start at $22,567 per person.
— Silver Whisper departs April 5 on a 53-day voyage from Tokyo to Barcelona with calls in Kagoshima, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Oman, Dubai, Egypt, Jordan, Greece, Malta, Italy, Monaco and France. Highlights include overnight stays in Ho Chi Minh City, Mumbai, Dubai, Safaga and Aqaba. Best-available fares start at $25,792 per person.
— Silver Wind departs July 28 on a 24-day voyage from Monte Carlo to Athens with calls in Italy, Spain, Corsica, Greece, Montenegro and Croatia. Highlights include a three-day, two-night stopover in Venice. Best-available fares start at $17,985 per person.
