Silver Explorer

The 1989-built (as Delfin Clipper) cruise ship Silver Explorer in 2023 will be renamed "Exploris One", to be operated by the French cruise company EXPLORIS (2022-established/new travel brand). The boat is currently operated by Silversea (via its "Silversea Expeditions" division) under the ownership of RCG-Royal Caribbean Group. Silver Explorer's current fleetmates (in Silversea Expeditions) are Silver Cloud (1994), Silver Galapagos (2013) and Silver Origin (2021).

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

History - construction and ownership

In late-January 2021, Silversea announced that its oldest vessel - the 33-years-old Silver Explorer, is sold and in September 2023 leaves the fleet. Later was announced that the ship will be operated by Exploris (Paris France-based new cruise brand) starting operations in December 2023 under the name "Exploris 1".

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

The new shipowner - the French expedition travel brand (le nouvelle compagnie franchise) "EXPLORIS Croisieres et Expeditions" currently plans its inauguration in 2023-Q3. The company was founded by Philippe Videau (PONANT's co-founder) in 2022.

Exploris Cruises' fleet will consist of smaller-sized, second-hand luxury vessels with max passenger capacity 150. All boats will have their own fleets of Zodiacs (large motorized RIBs/rigid inflatable boats). Zodiacs on expedition ships and superyachts are used for near-coast navigation, tours on inland waterways as well as for passenger tendering in destinations without proper port infrastructure (piers, docks, quays or wharves).

Exploris ships are mastered by French captains and officers, with "open bridge" policy allowing passengers to access the Wheelhouse and interact with the officers on duty. Professional expedition teams of French-speaking highly experienced specialists (travel guides and naturalists) board the ship to provide information on the geographical regions' (included in the current cruise itinerary) wildlife and history. The expedition leaders also host daily port talks and conferences themed on the current voyage.

On some expeditions, Exploris hires local experts to provide tourists with "first-source" information on the history and daily life of native communities.

Prior to the acquisition by Society Expeditions, the 132-passenger ship Silver Explorer was operated under the names MS Prince Albert II (Society Expeditions and Silversea/briefly), World Adventurer, World Discoverer, Dream 21, Delfin Star, Baltic Clipper, Sally Clipper, Delfin Clipper. In 2007 the vessel was purchased by Silversea and underwent a multi-million drydock refit at Fincantieri's Trieste shipyard. In June 2008, in Monte Carlo (Monaco) the boat was re-christened "Prince Albert II" and once again renamed "Silver Explorer" in 2011, in order to align with Silversea's other boats.

The cruise ship has an ice-strengthened hull (1A/ice-class notation by Lloyd's Register), which allows safe navigation through fresh packs of floating ice. The fleet of Zodiac boats allows tourists to enjoy shoreside cruising and to visit unique destinations via inland waterways.

Decks and Cabins

Silver Explorer staterooms (72 total, in 9 categories, all outside) allow max capacity 173 passengers (max 120 on polar voyages). During World Discoverer's drydock refit (in 2008), the number of passenger cabins was reduced from 112 to only 66 in order to create larger accommodations.

A total of 50x staterooms have French balconies, and 3x are with step-out verandas. Upon arrival onboard, all passengers will find flowers and a fruit basket, and the beverage cabinet/mini-bar stocked to their preferences. The largest accommodations are the two Owner's Suites (570 ft2 / 53 m2 plus 160 ft2 / 15 m2 terrace).

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

Other standard/complimentary cabin amenities include binoculars, personalized stationery, electronic safe box (in the closet), LCDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system with Internet and on-demand movies), Wi-Fi. The bathrooms are marbled and have separate shower and bathtub, as well as an oversized washbasin (the best option for families traveling with babies). Passengers may choose from the luxury bath products of Bvlgari, Neutrogena or Ferragamo.

Gratuities are included in the Silversea fares and no other tips are needed or recommended.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Silver Explorer's Restaurant (MDR/Main Dining Room) offers contemporary, international cuisine with impeccable service and sophisticated elegance. Menus feature regional specialties that are unique to the cruise destination, for example, while cruising the Chilean fjords passengers can try Roasted Chilean Sea Bass. During days at sea, guests are pampered by La Collection du Monde, which is a series of signature dishes designed exclusively for the line by the Grands Chefs of Relais and Chateaux.

The Restaurant provides open-seating dining, with no assigned times and tables. Guests are free to dine where, when and with whom they please.

The other dining venue is the Outdoor Grill.

The ship has an Expedition Team of experts to provide tourists with understanding and insight into each adventure voyage. Schedules vary from the first announced times, and it is important to be on short notice ready for getting into the 12x Zodiacs if weather conditions or wildlife sightings dictate changes. When a polar bear is first seen in the Arctic, an announcement is made, though it may be 2 am.

Passengers are well-traveled and well-heeled Europeans (many of them Germans) and Americans, couples mostly in their 40s-60's.

The onboard entertainment options include martini and wine tastings, culinary demonstrations and outdoor afternoon tea parties served on deck. No casino is featured onboard. Different board games are available in the lounges for play. Four Internet access stations are provided at the internet centre, as well as Wi-Fi, fully equipped library and a lecture theatre.

After Silver Explorer's reconstruction in 2008, the swimming pool was removed, as it was rarely used during polar expeditions. The ship now has two outdoor Jacuzzies/whirlpools used occasionally. Sporting and wellness facilities include Fitness Centre, Jogging Rrack, Sauna Room, Steam Room, 1x Treatment Room (for facials, massages, wraps). Spa treatments include Elemis Cleanse men's facial ($129), deep-tissue massage ($116); Swedish massage ($110), and Elemis Stone Aromatherapy ($159), all great after the long hikes.

The ship also has a Medical Center/Infirmary and a Boutique (duty-free shop). Complimentary are provided 24-hour Room Service, Butler Service, Internet/WiFi Access.

Traditionally for Silversea, to all cruisers are also complimentary provided expedition gear (parkas, waterproof trousers, expedition backpacks, water bottles). For rental are offered rubber boots and walking poles. Airport-hotel transfers and luggage services are also complimentary if the international flights are booked through Silversea.

At The Theatre are hosted port talks (information related to the current cruise itinerary) as well as seminars and lectures presented by educated experts in various scientific fields throughout the voyage. Guests can hear tales of adventure or learn about the region's nature and endemic wildlife.

The Internet Cafe provides web access at a fee. Complimentary black and white printing and headphones are also available.

The Connoisseur's Corner is a smoking-allowed venue serving top-shelf cognacs and offering a premium selection of fine cigars.

The venues with the best sea views are the Observation Lounge and the Panorama Lounge.

The Library has audio listening stations and provides on-demand movies.

Expedition Boutique is a duty-free shop selling the highest quality products: logo items, jewelry, perfumes, souvenirs, travel essentials.

The wellness complex groups a Spa (rooms for relaxing massages and therapies including body wraps and facials), as well as Sauna Room and Steam Rooms. The Beauty Salon provides a full range of services: hairstyling, manicures and pedicures. The Fitness Centre is a small gym room fitted with 1x stationary bike, 1x weight machine, 2x elliptical trainers, 3x treadmills.

EXPLORIS itineraries

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

Exploris' itinerary program also features South American coastal and Amazon River voyages as well as visiting ports and destinations along East Coast USA (New England's states Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island) and Canada (including navigation on Saint Lawrence Seaway).

Exploris One's inaugural season (December 2023 - March 2024) has listed a total of 26x itineraries (30x departures). The Maiden Voyage for EXPLORIS is currently scheduled to depart on December 23, 2023.

Silversea itineraries (Silver Explorer)

Silver Explorer's itinerary program was based on luxury adventure polar voyages with itineraries between 10 and 21 days. The boat operated in the Arctic Circle during summer visiting destinations in Iceland, Greenland and Norway's Svalbard Archipelago. During the autumn and winter, Silversea's Explorer ship sailed in South America and to Antarctica leaving out of Ushuaia Argentina.

For winter 2021-2022 season (November 2021 through March 2022) Silversea homeported Silver Explorer in Puerto Williams (Navarino Island, Chilean Antarctica). The homeporting season (ever-first for the Silversea brand) was based on fly-cruises (via partnership with Aerovias DAP) inclusive of private jet flights (between Puerto Williams and Santiago de Chile) and 10- or 12-day cruisetours (5-6-9-day cruising itineraries) visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, South Shetland Islands, The Falklands, Elephant Island.

In summer 2022, Silver Explorer was deployed in Western Australia (Kimberley) operating 10- to 18-day long voyages (out of homeports Darwin NT and Broome WA) all visiting the Buccaneer Archipelago as well as Pulau Matakus Island (Maluku Indonesia).

Silver Explorer cruise ship was built as "World Discoverer II" at Rauma Shipyard Finland. In 2007, the vessel was bought by Silversea from Society Expeditions (1932-1992 defunct) and received an extensive drydock renovation at Fincantieri Shipyard in Trieste Italy.

Silver Explorer is a 1A ice-rated expedition ship - the highest Lloyds Register rating. The vessel is part of the company's Silversea Expeditions fleet (together with Silver Cloud, Silver Galapagos and Silver Origin). Its shallow draft allows navigating closer to shore.

Silversea Silver Explorer ship is equipped with 8 Zodiacs (high-speed motorized boats for near-shore cruising and landings). Since schedules usually vary from the announced times, it's important to be able to get into the Zodiacs on short notice if weather conditions and wildlife sightings dictate changes. When the first polar bear is noticed in the Arctic, an announcement is immediately made - even if it's 3:00 a.m. Guests put their parkas on and come out to the viewing areas. This Silversea ship is not suitable for children (no kids' facilities or babysitting service).

Silversea's "flight and cruise" package deals (by the Silver Sky program) are inclusive of the cruise fare, discount roundtrip airfare (Economy-Class) and airport-pier-airport transfers. Silversea's "hotel and cruise" package "Silver Shore Simply Hotel" offers overnight 5-star luxury hotel stays with the option of adding transfers or upgrades. The upgraded cruise and hotel package ("Silver Shore Grande Hotel") offers 1-3-nights landmark hotel stays (or at a boutique property) and is inclusive of private transfers (airport-hotel and hotel-pier).

In summer 2014, Silver Explorer completed Silversea's first Northwest Passage Cruise crossing. The 23-days long itinerary started in Kangerlussuaq Greenland (on August 9) and ended in Nome Alaska (on September 2), covering a distance of 4000+ mi (6480 km).

In 2019 (August 10 through September 5), Silver Explorer completed a 26-day Northwest Passage cruise from Alaska (Nome AK) to Europe (Tromso Norway). The voyage included ~9260 km of sea navigation and visiting 27 ports and destinations on 2 continents and in 3 countries. During the passage through the Canadian Arctic, the cruise ship was escorted by a CCG icebreaker. On the ship were 15 expedition team crew (including historians, geologist, botanist, marine biologist, ornithologist, professional photographer) presenting ~50 itinerary-themed onboard lectures.

Silver Explorer refurbishments review

The boat's 2017 drydock refurbishment (May 1-21, done in Cadiz Spain) resulted in the following deckplan changes.

• All staterooms were renovated with new carpets, curtains, bed mattresses. Cabin bathrooms received new rainforest showers and granite touches.
• On Deck 3 and Deck 4 were added a total of 16 new suites (Vista and View categories). All these new cabins are with connecting doors making them perfect for families and larger parties traveling together.
• All the ship's lounges were upgraded with new carpeting, furniture, wall treatments.
• On Deck 4, the fitness center was doubled in size.
• The ship's general color scheme was changed to "blue and beige " (used throughout).

In 2018 (September 16 - October 11) the boat was drydocked in Vancouver BC Canada for maintenance works done by Seaspan (Canadian shipbuilder) and 125 local suppliers and contractors. Among the ship upgrades were the assembly and installation of a new stabilizer (ducktail, on the stern), propeller repairs and polishing, blast painting of the underwater hull.

Silversea Antarctica 2021-2022 program

In early-May 2021, Silversea announced that for winter 2021-2022 (November through March) will homeport Silver Explorer in Puerto Williams (Navarino Island, Chilean Antarctica). The homeporting season (ever-first for the company) was based on fly-cruise deals inclusive of private jet flights between Puerto Williams and Santiago de Chile.

As part of Silversea's all-inclusive Antarctica fly-cruise package, the program included departures from a private airport terminal in Santiago (Pudahuel Airport) on a charter flight to Puerto Williams. Aircraft perks included extra baggage allowance and legroom, as well as Silversea representative escort and gourmet lunch to enhance the vacation experience.

Silversea's Antarctica 2021-2022 package included roundtrip Transoceanic flights (economy class or discounted business class airfares) to Santiago, welcome dinner reception, pre-cruise overnight hotel in Santiago, bus transfers and luggage handling (airport-hotel-ship), post-cruise overnight hotel (optional for customers who didn't have to take return flight on the disembarkation day).

Upon arrival in Puerto Williams, travelers were directly bused to the cruise pier (without the need to clear customs) to board the ship. Following the Antarctica cruise, tourists again boarded a private jet for the return flight to Santiago.

Silversea's program included 10- or 12-day cruisetours and 5-6-9-day long cruise itineraries visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, South Shetland Islands, The Falklands, and Elephant Island. Two unique sailings offered the opportunity to witness the Antarctic solar eclipse on December 4, 2021.

Silversea Antarctica Fly-Cruise Package 2021 (canceled/rescheduled)

In December 2019, Silversea announced its first fly-cruise program to Antarctica - "Antarctica Bridge". The ultra-luxury flight+cruise packages was planned to provide travelers with the fastest and most direct travel to Antarctica, starting December 2021, and based on 12 total fly-cruise itineraries scheduled for Silver Explorer. Antarctica Bridge bookings were opened on December 10, 2019, with fares from USD 17500 per person (with double occupancy). However, due to the Coronavirus crisis in 2020, this program was canceled (replaced by the above-detailed).

Silversea's Fly-Cruise Antarctica deals (Antarctica Bridge itineraries) were inclusive of:

• (Day 1) international flight to Santiago de Chile, domestic flight (economy-class) from Santiago to Punta Arenas, welcome cocktail reception and gala dinner (in Punta Arenas)
• (Day 2) pre-cruise hotel overnight in Punta Arenas
• (Day 3) private charter flight to Antarctica (King George Island)
• (Days 3-9) Silver Explorer cruise
• (Day 9) private charter flight from Antarctica (King George Island) to Punta Arenas, with post-cruise hotel overnight
• (Day 10) domestic flight (economy-class) from Punta Arenas to Santiago, international flight from Santiago

The originally planned Silversea Antarctica 2021 packages were inclusive of two direct flights between Punta Arenas Chile and King George Island Antarctica. The 1240 km (770 mi) long flight was over Drake Passage and on a Silversea-chartered plane adapted to land on King George Island. The business-class flight takes 2 hours (each direction), avoiding ~4 days of sea navigation on the return leg of the cruise. An in-flight entertainment program included information briefings on the Zodiacs (cruise ship's high-speed boats used for landings) and IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators). After the first flight were scheduled 5x full Antarctica cruising days.