Exploris One

The 1989-built cruise ship Exploris One (formerly Delfin Clipper, Prince Albert II, and Silver Explorer) changed ownership in January 2021 and was renamed/inaugurated in December 2023. She is now owned and operated by the French cruise company EXPLORIS (established in 2022 as a new travel brand).

Previously, the vessel was operated by Silversea (via its "Silversea Expeditions" division) under the ownership of RCG-Royal Caribbean Group. Silver Explorer’s former fleetmates included Silver Cloud (1994), Silver Galapagos (2013) and Silver Origin (2021).

Under Silversea, the ship (IMO number 8806747) was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311562000) and registered in Nassau. With EXPLORIS, she was reflagged to France (MMSI tba) and registered in Majuro/Marshall Islands.

Exploris One's inaugural cruise departed Valparaiso on December 24, 2023. The 18-night/19-day "Patagonia and Antarctic Circle" itinerary concluded in Ushuaia, Argentina.

In January 2025 it was announced that, starting in 2026, Exploris I will also be chartered by Adventure Canada, alongside Ocean Nova.

History - construction and ownership

In January 2021, Silversea announced that its oldest vessel, the 33-year-old Silver Explorer, had been sold and would leave the fleet in September 2023. It was later revealed that the ship would be operated by Exploris Cruises & Expeditions (Paris, France-based new cruise brand) starting December 2023 under the name "Exploris 1".

Silver Explorer's 2022-2023 Antarctic voyages were transferred to the fleet's newest ship, Silver Endeavour (2021-built as Crystal Endeavor).

The new shipowner, the French expedition brand "EXPLORIS Croisières et Expéditions," was officially inaugurated on December 24, 2023, with the maiden voyage of Exploris One. The 2022-founded company was established by Philippe Videau (President), co-founder of PONANT (1988).

Exploris Cruises’ fleet will consist of small-sized, mainly second-hand luxury vessels with maximum passenger capacity of 150. Each ship will carry a fleet of Zodiacs (motorized RIBs/rigid inflatable boats), used for coastal exploration, inland waterway tours, and passenger tendering in destinations without port infrastructure (piers, docks, quays, or wharves).

Exploris Expeditions & Cruises also plans to order two newbuild expedition ships with a designed LOA of 94 m (308 ft), beam 17 m (56 ft), service speed 13 KN, capacity 98 passengers (served by 62 crew), each carrying 9 Zodiacs.

Exploris ships are commanded by French captains and officers, with an "open bridge" policy allowing passengers to visit the Wheelhouse and interact with officers on duty. Each voyage is accompanied by professional, French-speaking expedition teams of experienced guides and naturalists, who provide insights into the wildlife and history of the regions visited. Expedition leaders also host daily port talks and lectures themed around the itinerary.

On select expeditions, Exploris invites local experts to share first-hand perspectives on the history and traditions of native communities.

Before her acquisition by Society Expeditions, the 132-passenger ship sailed under various names: MS Prince Albert II (Society Expeditions/Silversea), World Adventurer, World Discoverer, Dream 21, Delfin Star, Baltic Clipper, Sally Clipper, and Delfin Clipper. In 2007, she was purchased by Silversea and underwent a multi-million refit at Fincantieri's Trieste shipyard. In June 2008, in Monte Carlo (Monaco), she was christened "Prince Albert II" and renamed "Silver Explorer" in 2011 to align with Silversea’s fleet.

The ship has an ice-strengthened hull (1A/ice-class notation by Lloyd's Register), allowing safe navigation through floating ice packs. Her 10 Zodiacs enable close-up shoreside exploration and inland waterway access.

Decks and Cabins

Silver Explorer staterooms (72 total, in 9 categories, all outside) accommodate up to 173 passengers (120 max on polar voyages). During her 2008 refit, the number of cabins was reduced from 112 to 66, creating larger accommodations.

A total of 50 staterooms have French balconies, and 3 have step-out verandas. Upon embarkation, guests are welcomed with flowers, a fruit basket, and a stocked minibar tailored to their preferences. The largest accommodations are the two Owner’s Suites (570 ft² / 53 m² plus 160 ft² / 15 m² terrace).

The ship has 7 decks, of which 5 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins.

Standard complimentary cabin amenities include binoculars, personalized stationery, electronic safe, LCD TV (satellite reception, infotainment system with Internet and on-demand movies), and Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are marble-appointed, with separate shower and bathtub, and oversized washbasins. Guests may choose luxury bath products by Bvlgari, Neutrogena, or Ferragamo.

Gratuities were included in Silversea fares, with no additional tipping expected or recommended.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Silver Explorer’s Restaurant (MDR/Main Dining Room) serves contemporary international cuisine with refined service. Menus highlight regional specialties reflecting the destinations visited. For example, in the Chilean fjords, passengers can enjoy Roasted Chilean Sea Bass. On sea days, guests are treated to La Collection du Monde, signature dishes designed for the line by Relais & Châteaux’s Grands Chefs.

The Restaurant offers open-seating dining, with no fixed times or assigned tables. Guests dine when, where, and with whom they choose.

Another venue is the Outdoor Grill.

The onboard Expedition Team provides lectures and insights tailored to each voyage. Itineraries may change at short notice due to weather or wildlife sightings. For example, an announcement is made immediately when a polar bear is spotted, even if it is 2 am.

Passengers are generally experienced travelers, primarily Europeans (many Germans) and Americans, mostly couples in their 40s to 60s.

Entertainment includes martini and wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and outdoor afternoon tea on deck. There is no casino. Lounges offer board games. The ship has an Internet center with four workstations, Wi-Fi, a library, and a lecture theater.

After the 2008 refit, the swimming pool was removed, as it was rarely used during polar cruises. Instead, the ship features two outdoor Jacuzzis/whirlpools. Wellness facilities include a Fitness Centre, jogging track, sauna, steam room, and one treatment room for massages, facials, and wraps. Spa services include Elemis Cleanse Men’s Facial ($129), deep-tissue massage ($116), Swedish massage ($110), and Elemis Stone Aromatherapy ($159).

Other amenities include a Medical Center/Infirmary and a Boutique (duty-free shop). Complimentary services include 24-hour Room Service, Butler Service, and Wi-Fi access.

The Theatre hosts port talks and lectures on science, wildlife, and exploration. Guests can hear adventure stories or learn about local ecosystems.

The Internet Café provides web access for a fee, with complimentary black-and-white printing and headphones.

The Connoisseur’s Corner is a smoking-permitted venue serving premium cognacs and cigars.

The Observation Lounge and Panorama Lounge offer the best sea views.

The Library features audio stations and on-demand movies.

The Expedition Boutique sells logo merchandise, jewelry, perfumes, souvenirs, and travel essentials.

The wellness complex includes a Spa (massage and therapy rooms), sauna, steam rooms, and a Beauty Salon with hairstyling, manicures, and pedicures. The Fitness Centre is a compact gym with one stationary bike, one weight machine, two elliptical trainers, and three treadmills.

EXPLORIS itineraries

Exploris Cruises operates in both polar regions — the European and Canadian Arctic (Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Nunavut Canada) and Antarctica — as well as South America (coastal and Amazon River), the Atlantic Islands, Around Britain and the British Isles, the Baltic, and the Norwegian Fjords.

The program also includes South American coastal voyages, Amazon River cruises, and itineraries along the East Coast USA (New England: Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island) and Canada (including navigation of the Saint Lawrence Seaway).

Exploris One’s inaugural season (December 2023 - March 2024) featured 26 itineraries (30 departures). The maiden voyage for EXPLORIS was scheduled for December 23, 2023.

Silversea itineraries (Silver Explorer)

Silver Explorer’s program focused on luxury adventure cruises of 10-21 days, mainly in the Arctic Circle (Iceland, Greenland, and Svalbard) during summer. In autumn and winter, she operated in South America and Antarctica from Ushuaia, Argentina.

For the 2021-2022 winter season (November-March), Silversea homeported Silver Explorer in Puerto Williams (Navarino Island, Chilean Antarctica), a first for the brand. These fly-cruises (in partnership with Aerovías DAP) included private jet flights (Puerto Williams–Santiago de Chile) and 10- or 12-day tours combining 5-9 days of cruising, visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, South Shetlands, Falklands, and Elephant Island.

In summer 2022, she was deployed to Western Australia’s Kimberley coast, operating 10-18 day voyages from Darwin and Broome, including visits to the Buccaneer Archipelago and Pulau Matakus Island (Maluku, Indonesia).

Silversea offered bundled "flight and cruise" packages through its Silver Sky program (inclusive of discounted roundtrip airfare and airport transfers) and "hotel and cruise" packages under Silver Shore Simply Hotel (overnight stays at 5-star hotels, with optional transfers or upgrades) and Silver Shore Grande Hotel (1-3-night landmark hotel stays, inclusive of private transfers).

The table below shows the ship’s final Silversea voyage in 2023 (23-day cruise from French Polynesia to Chile).

As standard with Silversea, guests were provided complimentary expedition gear (parkas, waterproof trousers, backpacks, water bottles). Rental gear included rubber boots and walking poles. Complimentary services also covered airport-hotel transfers and luggage handling for flights booked through Silversea.