Silver Origin

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated MS Silver Origin cruise ship is a Galapagos-based luxury superyacht. The newbuild vessel is owned by Silversea and operated by company's "Silversea Expeditions" division/brand. Origin's Silversea Expeditions fleetmates are Silver Clound (1994) and Silver Explorer/now Exploris One (2008). Silver Galapagos (1990-built) was sold in January 2021.

Like all Galapagos-based cruisers, the vessel (IMO number 9837937) is Ecuador-flagged (MMSI 735060058) and registered in Guayaquil.

History - construction and ownership

Silversea Cruises is a Monaco-based privately-owned cruise company and top-luxury travel brand. It was established in 1994 as a joint venture of V-Ships Monaco (fka Vlasov Group) and Lefebvre Family of Rome Italy. In 2018, RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd acquired 2/3rd of the company. Silversea now has a fleet of smaller-sized boutique ships with passenger capacity between 100-700. The company's business model is to operate yacht-like vessels in the industry's "ultra-luxury-all-suite ship" category. Silversea's all-inclusive fares include beverages (also selected wines), gratuities (none are allowed), travel insurance, port charges, one or more shore excursions (per voyage).

The 100-passenger ship Silver Origin (scheduled for delivery in March 2020) is one of the most environmentally friendly vessels due to its top-notch maritime technologies and solutions specifically designed for cruising in the Galapagos Islands. The ship's dynamic positioning system allows it to maintain a stable position automatically and without anchors in order to protect the sea bed. The freshwater purification systems enable the vessel to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic bottles. The wastewater treatment plant exceeds the industry's strictest regulations.

The boat's technological innovations complement Silversea's efforts to make a positive impact on the region's economic and natural environment. The company also contributes to Floreana Island Ecological Restoration Project - an ecosystem restoration project aimed to remove invasive species thus protecting Floreana Island's endangered flora and fauna.

Decks and Cabins

Silver Origin staterooms (a total of 50 suites) are in 8 cabin grades, with the largest being Owner's Suites. All cabins are with private step-out balcony (a rarity in Galapagos). Some categories feature the new Horizon Balcony that can be easily converted to a patio (enclosing the balcony via floor-ceiling windows) for better shelter and more space. Silversea fleet's first is that some cabin categories offer oceanview bathtub and shower (also accessible from the balcony).

Every stateroom as amenities offers complimentary minibar (refrigerator fully-stocked with snacks and beverages), down duvets, en-suite marble bathroom (with locally sourced bath products), premium slippers and spa robes, on-demand movies and music library. Cruise suites amenities also include rainforest walk-in showers, large mirrors, luxury vanities, flat HDTVs, wood flooring, premium mattresses (custom-made) and bedding (Pratesi linens).

Silver Origin is the only Galapagos cruise liner to offer butler service to all staterooms, as well as the highest crew-to-passenger ratio (1:1,16) and the highest ratio of qualified guides per passenger (1:10) in the Galapagos, which enables an unparalleled level of personalized top-quality service.

The boat has 8 decks, of which 6 are passenger-accessible and only 2 with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The Restaurant offers contemporary, international cuisine with impeccable service and sophisticated elegance. Menus feature regional specialities that are unique to the cruise destination. The Grill is an open-air, sophisticated dining venue. Also provided is a 24-hour tea-coffee station.

Both dining venues are able to accommodate all passengers at full capacity. Fresh (locally sourced) ingredients, regional wines and authentic regional dishes complement the gourmet international cuisine to showcase the best of Ecuador's culinary heritage. In The Restaurant (complimentary MDR / open-seating main dining room) passengers enjoy floor-ceiling window views and an abundance of natural light. In The Grill (outdoor dining venue that can be partially enclosed) is presented Silversea's signature "Hot Rocks" BBQ dining concept with an Ecuadorian twist.

Wi-Fi access is available throughout the ship (an additional fee is applied). The complimentary service provides live television broadcasts and streaming movies. The fitness center includes a massage room, solarium and beauty salon. Silver Origin features a main restaurant, Basecamp, Explorer Lounge, Observation Lounge, piano and outdoor bars, library with the Internet, two outdoor whirlpools, observation deck. Fares, just like on other luxury lines include complimentary beverages, butler service, all gratuities.

The public spaces on Silver Origin were designed by HBA Miami. GEM - Design for Cruise Ships, which is the team behind the interior design of the line's Silver Muse, oversaw the interior design of the cabins.

Basecamp is one of the most innovative spaces on Silver Origin. It is a stylish lounge in which vacationers can socialize before or after excursions. Connecting with the Zodiac embarkation area, it hosts educational activities, through which passengers can interact with the Expedition Team and learn about the region's rare wildlife and captivating history. Basecamp features a large, interactive digital wall displaying itinerary-related media content, such as scientific lectures, media presentations, land tour previews.

The Explorer Lounge hosts daily briefings (port talks) and lectures. The venue has floor-ceiling windows, a large video wall and HD screens in several areas. Explorer Lounge also doubles as a piano bar offering live music performances in the evenings. Complimentary drinks throughout the ship include champagne, spirits, wines.

With its scenic bow location, the Observation Lounge offers incredible sea views. It is also the best place to relax with a book from the Library, carefully curated by the company's destination experts and fitted with Silversea's most extensive destination-focused collection.

Silver Origin's crew regularly offers a ship tour to show the latest marine technologies implemented in the engine room. Nearly every day, Silversea provides Marine Reserve activities, swimming, snorkeling (provided by trained guides). Snorkeling gear is offered onboard and is complimentary. Also complimentary, on landings is provided expedition gear (raincoat, waterproof backpack, Silversea-branded metallic water bottle). The ship features the Galapagos region's highest Zodiac-to-passenger ratio (1:12,5). Additional amenities include Medical Center (24-hour Infirmary), Reception (24-hour Information Desk), complimentary Room Service (24-hour in-cabin dining), Butler Service, Internet/WiFi Access.

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

• "The Restaurant" (single-seating capacity dining room, complimentary)
• The Grill (outdoor dining venue)
• Explorer Lounge (lectures and briefings; piano, bar, modern AV system, small IMac station for downloading/editing photos)
• Observation Lounge and The Library (with audio listening stations and on-demand movies)
• Basecamp (lounge/meeting room for educational activities)
• Expedition Boutique (Silversea-logoed merchandise, brand jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics, hand-made souvenirs)
• The Spa at Silversea (features spa therapies including body wraps, massages, facials, sauna room, steam room)
• Beauty Salon (provides a full range of hairdresser and barber services, including hairstyling, manicures, pedicures, grooming)
• Fitness Centre (has a treadmill, stationary bike, weight machine, elliptical trainer, free weights)
• Jacuzzi (outdoor whirlpool)
• Marina Platform (Snorkeling Area)
• Sun Deck

Itineraries

Silver Origin itinerary program is based on Galapagos cruises operated the whole year-round. This unique archipelago in Ecuador (South America) also features cloudless skies throughout the year - the perfect destination to enjoy stargazing. The ship's professional crew provides nightly astronomy-themed lectures on the top deck and visual aids for enhancing the sightings. Silver Origin's inaugural cruise was scheduled for July 18, 2020. However, due to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, the Maiden Voyage was postponed for 2021 (rescheduled 5 times) - January 9, February 6, May 1, June 5, June 19.

MS Silver Origin cruises the exact Galapagos Islands itinerary served by the former fleetmate Silver Galapagos (1990-built/2021-sold). The 7-day itinerary (Saturday to Saturday) is between the Galapagos homeport islands Baltra and San Cristobal.

Silver Origin circumnavigates Kicker Rock and Daphne Major - both best-rated for exotic birds viewing. Flamingos can be seen at Las Bachas Beach. Wildlife viewing opportunities also include land- and marine iguanas, giant tortoises, blue- and red-footed boobies, sea lions, penguins, finches.

All Silversea Galapagos shore tours/expeditions are complimentary and guided by an experienced team, On the ship, passengers enjoy premium butler service, gourmet cuisine, complimentary wines and premium spirits (served throughout) and free Wi-Fi (shipwide coverage).

Next table shows Silver Origin's 8-day/7-night "San Cristobal Roundtrip Cruise" itinerary introduced in 2022 January. Prices started from USD 13600 pp.

Next table shows the NEW (modified in 2021) 7-night/8-day "WESTERN ITINERARY" from San Cristobal to Baltra.

Prices started from USD 12980 (EUR 10940 / GBP 9400) per person with double occupancy.

Next table shows the NEW (modified in 2021) 7-night/8-day "NORTH-CENTRAL ITINERARY" from Baltra to San Cristobal.

Prices started from USD 12740 (EUR 10740 / GBP 9220) per person with double occupancy.

Silversea's "flight and cruise" package deals (by the company's "Silver Sky" program) 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).

Vessel's construction (hull number 489) started on October 8, 2018, with the steel-cutting ceremony held at Shipyard De Hoop (in Tolkamer, Lobith, Netherlands). The vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) on December 30, 2019.

Due to the pandemic/2020's health crisis, the boat's delivery was delayed and a total of 34 originally planned for Silver Origin voyages (2020-2021) were canceled/CruiseMinus. The cruise ship was officially delivered to Silversea on June 3, 2020, in Port Rotterdam (Pernis). The ceremony was attended by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio (Silversea's Chairman), Roberto Martinoli (President and CEO), Damien O'Connor (Hotel Operations Director), Barbara Muckermann (Chief Marketing Officer) and Patrick Janssens (De Hoop Shipyard's CEO).

On February 25, 2022, was held the boat's official christening ceremony in homeport Puerto Baquerizo/San Cristobal. The special event was led by godmother Johanna Carrion (a permanent Galapagos resident, Scalesia Foundation's CEO and Executive Director) and escorted by Captain Karin Chacon (the ship's Master). The dockside naming ceremony, marked by a live bagpipe performance, was attended by the VIP guests Jason Liberty (RCG's President and CEO), Roberto Martinoli (Silversea's President and CEO), Barbara Muckermann (Silversea's CCO) and Fernando Delgado (VP Silversea Ecuador).

Silver Origin is advertised as "luxury expedition cruise ship" offering environmentally-responsible ecotourism in the Galapagos archipelago (UNESCO Site). Vessel's Expedition Team are experts certified by the Galapagos National Park's service personnel. The vessel is Bahamas-flagged (MMSI number 311000946) and its officers are Ecuadorian. Bookings on Silversea Silver Origin cruises were opened on July 16, 2019, with maiden voyage scheduled for July 18, 2020. The ship left the outfitting quay (Schiedam, Holland) on April 27, 2020, for the 3-day long series of performance trials in the North Sea.

The cruise ship's Expedition Team includes Aura Banda (Ecuadorian, Environmental Manager), Paulina Aguirre (Ecuadorian, biologist), Leandro Vaca (Ecuadorian, biologist), Jeffo Marquez (Ecuadorian, professional photographer, Galapagos-certified naturalist guide), Nicolai Bolling (Norwegian, biologist), Bernardo Galvez (Ecuadorian, architect), Jason Heilmann (American, Galapagos-certified naturalist guide).

Inaugural Cruise 2021

Next table shows the rescheduled Maiden Voyage - from 2020 (August 22, September 5, November 7, December 5) to 2021 (January 9, February 6, May 1, June 5, and finally June 19).

The 7-day Galapagos Inaugural Cruise was priced from USD 10940 (EUR 8990/GBP 7735) per person with double occupancy.

Godspeed!