ms La Belle des Oceans

The 1989-built (as "Oceanic Grace") MS La Belle des Oceans cruise ship was known as "Silver Discoverer" until 2019 and owned by SunStone Ship Inc (USA-based shipowner). The vessel was previously chartered to Silversea Cruises (operated under the brand "Silversea Expeditions"), alongside fleetmates Silver Cloud (1994), Silver Galapagos (2013), Silver Explorer/Exploris One (2008) and Silver Origin (2020).

In May 2019, CroisiEurope — one of Europe’s largest river cruise companies — announced the acquisition of Silver Discoverer from SunStone Ships. Joining CroisiEurope’s fleet in December 2019, the ship was renamed "La Belle des Oceans." CroisiMer (a CroisiEurope subsidiary and ocean cruise brand) currently operates two sea-going vessels — La Belle de l’Adriatique (2007-built) and La Belle des Oceans. La Belle des Oceans features 62 staterooms (nine with balconies), one restaurant, one grill, two bars (including a poolside bar), and a wellness complex with gym, beauty salon, and spa.

History – Construction and Ownership

Silversea Cruises is a Monaco-based luxury cruise line founded in 1994 as a joint venture between V-Ships (formerly Vlasov Group) and the Lefebvre family of Rome, Italy. Silversea pioneered all-inclusive luxury cruising with the debut of its first vessel, Silver Cloud. By early 2014, Silversea operated eight boutique cruise ships, each carrying between 100 and 540 passengers. The company’s model focuses on small, ultra-luxury, all-suite ships offering inclusive fares that cover beverages (including fine wines), gratuities, travel insurance, port charges, and complimentary shore excursions.

The 128-passenger Silver Discoverer became Silversea’s third expedition vessel on March 1, 2014, following an extensive drydock that included a hull repainting (from white to dark blue). The expedition yacht was designed for exploring some of the world’s most remote archipelagos. Her compact size and shallow draft enable access to rugged coastlines unreachable by larger ships.

Built in 1989 in Japan, Silver Discoverer originally sailed for ten years as "Oceanic Grace" under NYK Line’s Oceanic Cruises brand. She was later renamed "Oceanic Odyssey" under Spice Island Cruises. In 1999, Clipper Cruise Line purchased the ship, reflagged her to the Bahamas, and operated year-round cruises in the Oceania-Pacific region.

In May 2007, Clipper Adventurer (now Ocean Adventurer) and Clipper Odyssey (later Silver Discoverer) were acquired by Danish owners and managed by International Shipping Partners (Miami-based company). Zegrahm Expeditions (Seattle-based US operator) chartered the vessel for five years beginning in April 2008. In March 2014, she entered service for Silversea as Silver Discoverer (MMSI 309913000, Bahamas-flagged).

The ship’s last drydock refurbishment (October 2016) focused on public areas. The Discoverer Lounge was transformed from a breakfast venue into a premium cocktail bar. The Explorer Lounge received new furniture and updated audio-visual equipment, while The Restaurant was modernized, and the Pool Grill was fitted with new outdoor furnishings.

Itineraries

Silver Discoverer’s itineraries focused on exotic island destinations such as Melanesia, Micronesia, French Polynesia, Russia’s Far East, Southeast Asia, and Australia–New Zealand.

CroisiEurope announced La Belle des Oceans’ launch date and new itineraries on May 22, 2019. Scheduled destinations included Europe and the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, Asia, Canada, the USA, and Alaska. The renamed ship began operations for CroisiEurope on October 16, 2019, with Southeast Asia voyages between Thailand and Malaysia running through December 27. The inaugural 11-day cruise (October 17–December 28) from Singapore to Phuket featured calls at Klang, Penang Island, Langkawi Island (Malaysia) and Koh Muk, Koh Lanta, and Phang Nga Bay (Thailand).

In January 2020, the ship repositioned to Europe via the Suez Canal, divided into four cruise segments visiting India, Jordan, Israel, the UAE, Cyprus, and the Greek Islands. Her first Mediterranean port call was Villefranche-Nice, France on March 15, 2020. A transatlantic voyage in May (via Madeira and the Azores) repositioned the ship to North America for summer operations from St Pierre and Miquelon and Quebec City.

Following the 2019–2020 Southeast Asia season, La Belle des Oceans offered global repositioning voyages before starting her Canada-based summer program (June 2020).

Highlighted voyages included:

• 11-day “Around India and Sri Lanka” (January 11, 2020) visiting Madras, Colombo, Trincomalee, Cochin, Goa (Mormugao), and Mumbai, with optional excursions to Mahabalipuram, Goa’s churches, and Elephanta Island. Fares from USD 6,065 per person (double occupancy).
• 9-day cruise (January 27, 2020) from Abu Dhabi to Muscat, including visits to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Omani fortresses, Al Hamra, Wadi Bani Khaled, and Burj Khalifa. Fares from USD 5,237 per person.
• 10-day repositioning (February 17, 2020) through the Suez Canal, visiting Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, and Greece. Excursions included Wadi Rum, Petra, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Jerusalem, and Galilee. Fares from USD 6,700 per person.

In June 2020, La Belle des Oceans debuted an 11-day itinerary between Montreal and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, featuring scenic cruising on the St Lawrence River and port calls at Gaspe, Quebec City, Tadoussac, Saguenay, and Baie-Comeau.

Decks and Cabins

Almost all cabins on La Belle des Oceans (53 of 62 total) have large windows, while nine suites feature step-out balconies (categories VE–Veranda and ME–Medallion). Window suites are located on decks 3, 4, and 5, and balcony suites on deck 6. The ship has no wheelchair-accessible or connecting cabins. Most suites are double occupancy, while five (balcony suites 601–604 and 610) accommodate a third guest with a convertible sofa bed.

All suites include the following standard (complimentary) amenities:

• Living area with three-seater sofa, armchairs, and coffee table (convertible to dining table)
• Bedroom with Queen-size bed (convertible to twins), luxury bedding, duvets, pillow menu, leather headboard, bedside tables, wall-mounted reading lamps, interactive HDTV (satellite, infotainment system with Internet, on-demand movies, live cam views), and high-quality sound system
• Large wardrobe with sliding doors, mirrored vanity desk with chair
• Mini-bar (stocked with complimentary beverages), electronic safe, direct-dial phone, 110/220V outlets, USB ports, binoculars, personalized stationery, individually controlled air conditioning
• Marble bathroom with WC, glass-enclosed shower with rain showerhead, single-sink vanity, bathrobes, slippers, towels, hairdryer, magnifying mirror, and premium bath products (Bvlgari, Neutrogena, or Ferragamo)

Personal butler service includes dinner and spa reservations, 24-hour in-suite dining, minibar restocking, laundry, shoeshine, and packing/unpacking assistance. Wi-Fi coverage is available throughout the ship. Cabins are serviced daily, with evening turndown service.

Shipboard Dining Options – Food and Drinks

The main restaurant serves contemporary international cuisine in an elegant open-seating setting, with menus featuring regional specialties reflecting the cruise itinerary.

Dining venues include:

• The Restaurant (main dining room, open-seating)
• The Grill (poolside eatery transforming into the “Hot Rock” interactive venue, where meats and seafood are grilled tableside on volcanic stones)
• The Discoverer Lounge (serving breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea)

Shipboard Entertainment Options – Fun and Sports

Silver Discoverer featured 12 Zodiac boats, a restaurant and pool grill, gym and beauty salon, swimming pool, panoramic lounge, and lecture room. A glass-bottom boat allowed underwater observation, and snorkeling equipment and dive programs were available for certified divers. The Silversea Expeditions team included 11 experts — expedition leaders, marine biologists, dive masters, geologists, historians, and naturalists.

Additional onboard amenities included a medical center, 24-hour room service, butler service, and Wi-Fi access. Entertainment venues for all ages included:

• Explorer Lounge (for live music, lectures, and social gatherings)
• Library (with listening stations and on-demand movies)
• Expedition Boutique (selling logo merchandise, jewelry, perfumes, and souvenirs)
• The Spa at Silversea (offering massages, facials, body wraps, sauna, and steam rooms)
• Beauty Salon (providing hairstyling, manicures, and pedicures)
• Fitness Centre (equipped with treadmill, stationary bike, weight machine, and elliptical trainer); jogging track
• Sundeck with swimming pool

This mega-yacht–style vessel was the third member of the Silversea fleet, alongside Silver Cloud, Silver Explorer (now Exploris One), and Silver Galapagos. Throughout her career, the vessel operated under several names: Oceanic Grace (with NYK Line Japan, under the brands "Showa Line" and "Oceanic Cruises"), Oceanic Odyssey (1998–2007, Spice Island Cruises), Clipper Odyssey (2007–2014, Zegrahm Expeditions via Clipper Cruise Line), and Silver Discoverer (2014–2019, chartered from SunStone Ships by Silversea). In May 2019, SunStone Ships (the shipowner) sold the vessel to CroisiEurope; the sale price was not disclosed.

On March 1, 2014, the vessel entered Silversea service following a rechristening ceremony in Singapore. The ship’s godmother was Elda Turco Bulgherini, Professor of Maritime Law at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata.” During her Silversea career, the vessel operated expedition itineraries to some of the world’s most remote regions — including Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, Southeast Asia, the Russian Far East, the South Pacific, and Australia–New Zealand. Silver Discoverer’s shallow draft enabled her to navigate close to shore. She was equipped with 12 Zodiacs and a glass-bottom boat for marine exploration. The onboard Silversea Expeditions team consisted of 11 specialists, including expedition leaders, marine biologists, dive masters, historians, and naturalists.

The Panama-flagged Silver Discoverer (MMSI 309913000) was Silversea’s first expedition ship to operate cruises along Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast, between Darwin (NT) and Broome (WA). Her 2017 Kimberley cruise departures were on March 26, April 6, April 16, April 26, and May 6. All-inclusive fares started at USD 9,450 per person (based on double occupancy). After her acquisition, CroisiEurope reflagged the ship to Belgium (MMSI 205788000).

Silver Discoverer last underwent a drydock refurbishment in 2016.

La Belle des Oceans’ first scheduled drydock took place from January 4 to 20, 2023, at Astican Shipyard in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The project included regular maintenance and technical and machinery overhauls.

The following table lists Silver Discoverer’s final scheduled Silversea voyages in 2019, with starting fares per person:

13-day Benoa to Singapore — USD 6,980 pp

20-day Singapore to Cairns (USD 7270 pp)

15-day Cairns to Honiara (USD 5610 pp)

11-day Honiara to Lautoka (USD 4015 pp)

14-day Lautoka roundtrip (USD 5060 pp)

Godspeed!