Silversea Cruise
In 1994 the Lefebvre family of Rome and the Vlasov group of Monaco joined forces to enter the deluxe cruise market. The intent of Silversea Cruise Lines was to create the optimum ship - small enough to sail intriguing waterways unavailable to most of the larger vessels while also providing a smooth, comfortable ride in deep-water cruising. In addition, Silversea cruise ships offer the intimacy, service, and nuances found on many of the smaller deluxe cruise ships while also affording all of the facilities, amenities, and activities available on the larger cruise ships. Silversea cruise ships have the most advanced nautical architecture and maritime equipment, which renders them very steady at high speeds and highly maneuverable. Design and decor were conceived by Norwegian architects whose credits include most of the other small luxury cruise ships as well as RCCL's megaliners. In addition to glass doors leading out to the verandas in 75 percent of the suites and floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the remaining 25 percent, each suite features spacious storage, a walk-in closet, mirrored dressing table, writing desk, twin bed, a separate sitting area, stocked refrigerator, electronic wall safe, remote-controlled TV with videocassette player, a large umbrella, all-marble bathrooms with tub, shower, hair dryer, and plush terry cloth robes with slippers. Silversea Cruise Lines offer one of the most inclusive cruise packages currently available in the ultra luxury cruise market. Air-sea fares include port charges, all gratuities, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, fine wines with lunch and dinner, round-trip air transportation, a deluxe pre-cruise hotel stay, as well as transfers, porterage, and complimentary shuttle-bus service to the city center in most ports of call. Dining options range from casual to elegant, with open seating in both the more casual indoor/outdoor Terrace Cafe as well as in the more formal restaurant. Twenty-four-hour in-suite dining is also offered with course by course dinner service available and gratuities are not even expected. Officers and staff aboard Silversea cruise ships are highly experienced and many have extensive tenure with other upscale and premium cruise lines. Italian officers create a warm and friendly on-board ambiance, Scandinavian stewardesses provide efficient and hospitable suite service, and a northern European hotel staff, together with an international support staff, provides gracious on-board dining. A new partnership with National Geographic Traveler offers guests an opportunity to travel aboard select cruises with noted National Geographic journalists and photographers who will host lectures and shore excursions to give guests a more complete view of the history, culture, and geography of the ports they visit. Silversea Cruise Lines offers the ultimate in a luxury, yacht-like cruise experience with imaginative gourmet cuisine, sumptuous accommodations, and impeccable service on vessels somewhat larger than its competitors, with more public area space and expanded facilities, activities and entertainment, and exotic itineraries. Many critics rate Silversea as the best. |
