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 the company's "Silversea Expeditions" division/brand.

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 a leading luxury travel brand. It was established in 1994 as a joint venture between V-Ships Monaco (fka Vlasov Group) and the Lefebvre family of Rome Italy. In 2018, RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd acquired two-thirds of the company. Silversea now operates a fleet of smaller boutique ships with passenger capacity ranging between 100 and 700 guests. The company’s business model focuses on yacht-like vessels in the industry's ultra-luxury all-suite cruise segment. Silversea’s all-inclusive fares include beverages (including selected wines), gratuities (not expected), travel insurance, port charges, and one or more shore excursions per voyage.

The 100-passenger ship Silver Origin (originally scheduled for delivery in March 2020) is one of the most environmentally friendly vessels operating in the region, thanks to advanced maritime technologies specifically designed for cruising in the Galapagos Islands. The ship's dynamic positioning system allows her to maintain a stable position without anchoring, helping protect the seabed. Freshwater purification systems reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles, while the onboard wastewater treatment plant exceeds the industry's strictest environmental standards.

The vessel’s technological innovations complement Silversea’s broader efforts to support the region’s economic and natural environment. The company also contributes to the Floreana Island Ecological Restoration Project—an ecosystem restoration initiative aimed at removing invasive species and protecting Floreana Island's endangered flora and fauna.

Decks and Cabins

Silver Origin staterooms (a total of 50 suites) are available in 8 cabin categories, with the largest being the Owner’s Suites. All cabins feature private step-out balconies (a rarity for Galapagos-based ships). Some categories offer the new Horizon Balcony, which can be converted into an enclosed patio lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows for additional comfort and space. In another first for the Silversea fleet, some suite categories include oceanview bathtubs and showers that are also accessible from the balcony.

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

Silver Origin is the only Galapagos cruise vessel to provide butler service for all staterooms, as well as one of the highest crew-to-passenger ratios (1:1.16) and the highest ratio of qualified guides per passenger (1:10) in the Galapagos region, enabling an exceptional level of personalized service.

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

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The Restaurant serves contemporary international cuisine with attentive service in an elegant setting. Menus feature regional specialties inspired by the cruise destination. The Grill is an open-air dining venue offering a sophisticated outdoor experience. A 24-hour tea and coffee station is also available.

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

Wi-Fi access is available throughout the ship (additional fee applies). The complimentary service also 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, a library with Internet access, two outdoor whirlpools, and an observation deck. As with other luxury cruise lines, fares include complimentary beverages, butler service, and all gratuities.

The ship’s public spaces were designed by HBA Miami. GEM – Design for Cruise Ships, the team behind the interiors of Silver Muse, oversaw the cabin interior design.

Basecamp is one of the most innovative areas onboard. This stylish lounge allows guests to socialize before or after excursions. Connected to the Zodiac embarkation area, it hosts educational activities where passengers interact with the Expedition Team and learn about the region’s wildlife and history. Basecamp features a large interactive digital wall displaying itinerary-related media, including scientific lectures, presentations, and shore excursion previews.

The Explorer Lounge hosts daily briefings and lectures. The venue features floor-to-ceiling windows, a large video wall, and HD screens. In the evenings, the Explorer Lounge also serves as a piano bar with live music performances. Complimentary beverages—including champagne, spirits, and wines—are served throughout the ship.

Located at the bow, the Observation Lounge offers panoramic sea views and a relaxing atmosphere. It is also the ideal place to enjoy a book from the Library, which contains Silversea’s largest collection of destination-focused literature curated by the company’s experts.

Silver Origin’s crew regularly organizes ship tours showcasing the latest marine technologies used in the engine room. Nearly every day, Silversea offers Marine Reserve activities including swimming and snorkeling guided by trained staff. Snorkeling gear is provided onboard and is complimentary. Expedition gear used during landings—including raincoat, waterproof backpack, and Silversea-branded metal water bottle—is also provided free of charge. The ship has the Galapagos region’s highest Zodiac-to-passenger ratio (1:12.5). Additional amenities include a Medical Center (24-hour infirmary), Reception (24-hour information desk), complimentary Room Service (24-hour in-cabin dining), Butler Service, and 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-logo merchandise, branded jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics, handmade souvenirs)
• The Spa at Silversea (offering spa therapies including body wraps, massages, facials, sauna room, steam room)
• Beauty Salon (offering hairstyling, manicures, pedicures, and grooming services)
• Fitness Centre (equipped with treadmill, stationary bike, weight machine, elliptical trainer, and free weights)
• Jacuzzi (outdoor whirlpool)
• Marina Platform (Snorkeling Area)
• Sun Deck

Itineraries

Silver Origin’s itinerary program is based on year-round Galapagos cruises. This unique archipelago in Ecuador (South America) also features clear skies throughout the year, making it ideal for stargazing. The ship’s crew offers nightly astronomy-themed lectures on the top deck with visual aids to enhance the experience. Silver Origin’s inaugural cruise was originally scheduled for July 18, 2020. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the maiden voyage was postponed until 2021 (rescheduled five times)—January 9, February 6, May 1, June 5, and finally June 19.

MS Silver Origin operates the same Galapagos Islands itinerary previously served by fleetmate Silver Galapagos (built in 1990, sold in 2021). The standard 7-day itinerary (Saturday to Saturday) sails between the Galapagos homeport islands of Baltra and San Cristobal.

Silver Origin circumnavigates Kicker Rock and Daphne Major—both renowned locations for observing exotic bird species. Flamingos can be seen at Las Bachas Beach. Wildlife sightings also include land and marine iguanas, giant tortoises, blue- and red-footed boobies, sea lions, penguins, and finches.

All Silversea Galapagos shore tours and expeditions are complimentary and guided by experienced naturalists. Onboard, passengers enjoy premium butler service, gourmet cuisine, complimentary wines and premium spirits, and free shipwide Wi-Fi.

The following table shows Silver Origin’s 8-day/7-night "San Cristobal Roundtrip Cruise" itinerary introduced in January 2022. Prices started from USD 13,600 per person.

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

Prices started from USD 12,980 (EUR 10,940 / GBP 9,400) per person based on double occupancy.

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

Prices started from USD 12,740 (EUR 10,740 / GBP 9,220) per person based on double occupancy.

Silversea's "flight and cruise" package deals (through the company's "Silver Sky" program) include the luxury cruise fare, discounted round-trip airfare (Economy Class), and airport-pier-airport transfers.

Silversea's "hotel and cruise" package "Silver Shore Simply Hotel" offers overnight stays in 5-star luxury hotels with the option of adding transfers or upgrades. The upgraded cruise and hotel package ("Silver Shore Grande Hotel") offers 1-3-night stays in landmark hotels (or boutique properties) and includes 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 and the 2020 health crisis, the vessel's delivery was delayed, and a total of 34 originally planned 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, the vessel's official christening ceremony was held in the homeport Puerto Baquerizo/San Cristobal. The special event was led by godmother Johanna Carrion (a permanent Galapagos resident and CEO and Executive Director of the Scalesia Foundation) and escorted by Captain Karin Chacon (the ship's Master). The dockside naming ceremony, marked by a live bagpipe performance, was attended by 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 a "luxury expedition cruise ship" offering environmentally responsible ecotourism in the Galapagos archipelago (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The vessel's Expedition Team consists of experts certified by the Galapagos National Park Service. The ship is Bahamas-flagged (MMSI number 311000946), while her officers are Ecuadorian. Bookings for Silversea Silver Origin cruises opened on July 16, 2019, with the maiden voyage originally scheduled for July 18, 2020. The ship left the outfitting quay in Schiedam (Holland) on April 27, 2020, for a 3-day 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 and Galapagos-certified naturalist guide), Nicolai Bolling (Norwegian, biologist), Bernardo Galvez (Ecuadorian, architect), and Jason Heilmann (American, Galapagos-certified naturalist guide).

Inaugural Cruise 2021

The following table shows the rescheduled Maiden Voyage dates—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 10,940 (EUR 8,990 / GBP 7,735) per person based on double occupancy.

Godspeed!