Silversea, the ultra-luxury cruise line known for exploring the planet’s most exotic destinations, rolls out its worldwide schedule for 2010 with a record number of voyages visiting more than 355 ports in 95 countries and island destinations. In total, over 175 diverse itineraries will be offered aboard the company’s quintet of all-suite ships: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and the new Silver Spirit.

Reservations open on January 12, at which time the complete day-by-day itineraries for all ships will be available at www.silversea.com.

“Our fleet expansion presents many opportunities for innovative deployment,” said David Morris, Silversea’s executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. “With the addition of a fifth all-suite ship in 2010, our schedule will offer an exceptionally broad range of travel choices, including Silver Spirit’s exciting 91-day Grand Inaugural Voyage, and the first-ever, year-round deployment of Silver Cloud in the Mediterranean.”

From Australia’s vast Outback and China’s Great Wall to the fairy tale castles of Edinburgh and the gilded palaces of St. Petersburg — Silversea will present a varied collection of the world’s most enticing hidden treasures. Among the highlights are Silver Shadow’s return visits to scenic Alaska plus nine new Silversea destinations: Le Verdon, France; Rimini, Italy; Ile Rousse, Corsica; Cardiff, Wales; Sendai, Japan; Chan May, Vietnam; Lakshadweep, India; Buzios, Brazil; and Seydisfjordur, Iceland.

GRAND INAUGURAL VOYAGE 2010

On January 21, the newest addition to Silversea’s fleet, the beautiful Silver Spirit, will embark from Fort Lauderdale on a fascinating Grand Inaugural Voyage that concludes in New York City. On this magnificent 91-day “Spirit of South America” odyssey, guests will visit more than 45 ports in over 20 different countries and island destinations across two continents. Highlights include a visit to Rio de Janeiro in time for Carnaval, a journey around the end of the earth at Cape Horn, an in-depth exploration of the Mexican Riviera, and a crossing of the Panama Canal.

SILVER CLOUD

Silver Cloud starts the year exploring South America, where she makes a maiden call to the sun-kissed beaches of Buzios, Brazil (Voyage 1004), before heading to the most exclusive destinations of the Caribbean. After spending May in the Mediterranean, the ship will be positioned in Northern Europe from June through mid-September exploring the British Isles, Iceland, and Norway, plus several Baltic voyages offer extended stopovers in St. Petersburg.

Other highlights include Voyage 1016, offering a first-time visit to Le Verdon, gateway to France’s famous Medoc vineyards, and Voyage 1025, featuring an inaugural call to picturesque Seydisfjordur, Iceland. In autumn, the ship heads south, kicking off its first-ever year-round deployment in the Mediterranean with in-depth explorations of Egypt, Israel and Turkey.

SILVER WIND

For Silver Wind, 2010 begins in South Africa with a series of convenient roundtrip departures from Capetown, followed by a cruise along the west coast of Africa positioning the ship in the Mediterranean for spring and summer cruises. Her Mediterranean season will feature maiden calls to the chic resort port of Ile Rousse on Corsica’s northwest coast (Voyage 2015) and Rimini on Italy’s Adriatic coast — gateway to the medieval enclave of San Marino (Voyage 2027). Of special interest to Formula One racing enthusiasts is Voyage 2016, which overnights in Monte Carlo during the Grand Prix. In the fall, the ship heads to the Indian Ocean where she makes a first-ever call to the idyllic coral islands of India’s Lakshadweep archipelago (Voyage 2038).

SILVER SHADOW

Silver Shadow kicks off the year with a series of Caribbean voyages highlighted by three Panama Canal crossings. She returns to Alaska for the summer, offering a series of 14 cruises ranging from seven to 12 days, including round-trip or open-jaw departures from San Francisco, Seward and Vancouver. For the first time, the ship will reposition by sailing the Bering Sea from Alaska to the Far East and also make a maiden call in Sendai, Japan, where guests can explore the ruins of its renowned 17th-century castle (Voyage 3026). During October and November, the ship will offer cruises focusing on China and Vietnam, before heading to the South Pacific to spend the holidays in Australia and New Zealand.

SILVER WHISPER

For Silver Whisper, the year opens with Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East featured on six itineraries, ranging from nine to 18 days. Highlights include an inaugural call to Chan May, Vietnam, gateway to the former imperial city of Hue (Voyage 4003). During spring, the exotic destinations of the Arabian Peninsula are showcased with convenient cruise departures from Dubai. The summer finds Silver Whisper exploring Northern Europe on a series of mostly seven-day voyages, many offering extended stays in St. Petersburg. A grand transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York will reposition the ship to offer a collection of fall foliage cruises through Canada and New England before heading to Bermuda, the Caribbean and South America for the balance of the year.

SILVER SPIRIT

During spring, following the fanfare and celebrations of her inaugural season, Silver Spirit will embark on a grand, two-week transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton, highlighted by Silversea’s first-ever call in Cardiff, the vibrant capital of Wales rich in both ancient and modern charm (Voyage 5011). From May through October, the line’s newest ship will explore the Mediterranean, offering mostly seven-night cruises that can be combined to create unique, extended vacations. Silver Spirit wraps up her first year of service back in the warm waters of the sunny Caribbean.

Details on the 2010 schedule for Silversea’s expedition ship, Prince Albert II, will be available in the coming weeks.

Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard five intimate, all-suite vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, and Silver Spirit, all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company’s itineraries encompass all seven continents.