Silver Explorer

Launched in 1989, MS Silver Explorer cruise ship is owned by Silversea Cruises and operated by company's “Silversea Expeditions” division. The vessel's fleetmates in Silversea Expeditions are Silver Cloud (1994), Silver Galapagos (2013) and Silver Discoverer (2014).

History - construction and ownership

Silversea Cruises is a Monaco-based privately owned luxury cruise line. It was established in 1994 by a joint venture of V-Ships, Monaco (known previously as Vlasov Group) and the Lefebvre family of Italy (Rome). Silversea pioneered all-inclusive cruising with the launch of its first ship, Silver Cloud. As of early 2014, Silversea Cruises owns eight boutique cruise vessels, each carrying only 100 to 540 guests. The business model of Silversea is to operate cruise ships in the small, ultra-luxury, all-suite category. The new all inclusive fares of the line offer such features as beverages (including selected wines), gratuities (none are allowed), travel insurance, port charges and one or more complimentary shore excursions in every itinerary.

The 6,130-ton, 132-passenger cruise ship Silver Explorer has been operated under different names before being acquired by Society Expeditions. The last names she operated under were World Discoverer and World Adventurer. In 2007 the ship was purchased by Silversea and underwent a refit at Fincantieri (Trieste) that cost multi-million pound. In June 2008 in Monte Carlo, the ship was re-christened as “ms Prince Albert II”, and later in 2011 renamed Silver Explorer in order to align with fleet’s other vessels.

The Silversea Explorer ship has been designed for navigating waters in the most remote destinations – both polar regions as well. The strengthened 1A ice-class notation hull (Lloyd’s Register) enables the ship to safely push through floes with ease. The Zodiac boats’ fleet allows passengers visit the most far away path locations.

Cruise itinerary program

Silver Explorer itinerary program is based on top luxury adventure polar cruises that last from 10 to 21 days. Silver Explorer cruises the Arctic Circle in summer with calls on Iceland, Greenland and Svalbard archipelago. During northern hemisphere winter and autumn, the Silversea’s Explorer sails off Antarctica and South America. The ports of departure include Ushuaia, Cape Town, Dakar, Lisbon, Tromso, Reykjavik.

Cabins

The Silver Explorer expedition ship is carrying up to 132 guests in 66 cabins (all of which Oceanview Suites, 20 Balcony). During World Discoverer II refit, the accommodations’ number was limited from 112 to only 66 (in 10 categories) in order to create larger staterooms. Ten are cabins, the rest – suites, all offering oceanview and butler service. Twenty of the Explorer’s cabins feature French balconies or verandahs. Upon arrival, all passengers will find flowers and a fruit basket, the beverage cabinet will be stocked to their preferences. The largest aboard Silver Explorer are the Owner's Suites (728 ft2).

Gratuities are included in fares and no other tips are needed. Other staterooms’ amenities include binoculars, personalized stationery, personal safe, flat-screen television, satellite news reception, music channels, complimentary movies and documentaries. All cabins are Wi-Fi accessible. The bathrooms are marbled, and have separate shower and tub, as well as oversized wash basin (the best option for babies). Passengers may choose from Bvlgari, Neutrogena or Ferragamo bath products.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Silver Explorer's Restaurant offers contemporary, international cuisine with impeccable service and sophisticated elegance. Menus feature regional specialities 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 Châteaux. The Restaurant provides open-seating dining, with no assigned times and tables. Guests are free to dine where, when and with whom they please.

Follows the complete list of Silver Explorer restaurants and food bars.

• "The Restaurant" MDR (open-seating)
• Outdoor Grill.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Silver Explorer cruise ship has an Expedition Team of experts to provide guests with understanding and insight to each adventure voyage. Schedules vary from the first announced times, and it is important to be on short notice ready for getting into 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 2:00 a.m.

On Silver Explorer cruises, Silversea sends packing recommendations to passengers for the polar expeditions. Lists include items like boots, waterproof pants, gloves, thermal underwear. The Explorer’s passengers are well-traveled and well-heeled Europeans (many of them Germans) and Americans, couples mostly in their 40’s-60’s.

The Silver Explorer cruise entertainment options include martini and wine tastings, culinary demonstration 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 lecture theatre.

After the Explorer’s transformation, the swimming pool was removed, as it was rarely used during ship’s polar expeditions. The ship has two whirlpools used occasionally. Fitness options include Fitness Centre and jogging track. Numerous spa facilities are offered – sauna, steam room, treatment room for facials, massages, and wraps. The treatments include Elemis Cleanse men’s facial ($129), deep-tissue massage ($116); Swedish massage ($110), and Elemis Stone Aroma therapy ($159), all great after the long hikes.

Additional amenities include a Medical center, Boutique, complimentary 24-hour Room Service, Butler Service, Internet/WiFi Access.

Follows the complete list of Silver Explorer lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Theatre (Seminars and lectures are presented by educated experts in various scientific fields throughout the voyage. Guests can hear tales of adventure or learn about the region’s remarkable nature and endemic wildlife)
• Internet Cafe (Email family and friends or surf the web for a nominal fee. Complimentary black and white printing and headphones are also available)
• The Connoisseur’s Corner (serves exceptional cognacs and offers a premium selection of cigars)
• The Observation Lounge; The Panorama Lounge 
• The Library (with audio listening stations and on-demand movies)
• Expedition Boutique (offers the highest quality products: logo items, jewellery, perfumes, souvenirs)
• The Spa at Silversea (features spa therapies including body wraps, massages and facials; sauna and steam rooms)
• Beauty Salon (provides a full range of services: hairstyling, manicures, pedicures)
• Fitness Centre (offers a treadmill, stationary bike, weight machine, elliptical trainer).

Silver Explorer cruise ship was built as "World Discoverer II". In 2007 the vessel was bought by Silversea from Society Expeditions (now-defunct), and given an extensive multi-million-dollar renovation at Fincantieri (Trieste, Italy).

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

The Silver Explorer ship is equipped with 8 Zodiacs to explore marine life. 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 line's Silver Sky programme) are inclusive of the luxury cruise fare, discount round-trip 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 did the line'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 over 4000 ml (6480 km).