Silversea Cruises is a luxury cruise line headquartered in Monaco. Founded in 1994 by the Vlasov Group of Monaco and the Lefebvre family of Rome, it pioneered all-inclusive cruising with its first ship, Silver Cloud.[1] Since July 2020, it has been owned by Royal Caribbean Group.
As a marketing strategy the new line introduced all-inclusive fares including gratuities, beverages, port charges, travel insurance, and some complimentary shore excursions.[3] As about 80 percent of Silversea's customers were expected to come from North America, the line established a sales office in Miami, Florida.
Silversea's first ship, Silver Cloud, which entered service in April 1994, was followed in January 1995 by a sister ship, Silver Wind.[4]
In September 2000, the line launched Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper in January 2001. Both of these ships were enlarged versions of the original two ships, carrying about 100 more passengers.
Silver Whisper, part of the second generation of new builds
In June of 2001, Silversea Cruises announced that Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio would become chairman of Silversea, assuming the position from his brother Francesco Lefebvre d’Ovidio.[5]
Expedition Division
Silver Explorer, Silversea's first expedition ship
In 2007 Silversea announced they would be starting an expedition division with the acquisition of the 144 passenger former World Discoverer.[6] Silversea hired expedition guide Conrad Combrink with a mandate to create a luxury expedition product, something that did not yet exist in the cruise industry.[7] The purchased ship was renamed Prince Albert II (now Silver Explorer) and christened by Prince Albert II of Monaco.[8]
In December 2009, Silversea launched Silver Spirit, the first in a new class of ships.
On 18 June 2012, Silversea acquired Canodros S.A., an Ecuadorian tourism company that operated in the Galápagos Islands. The purchase of the line also included the former Renaissance ship Galapagos Explorer II. She was subsequently moved into the "Silversea Expeditions" brand along with Silver Explorer.[9]Silver Galapagos entered service in September 2013.[10]
On 10 September 2013, Silversea Cruises confirmed that it would be adding a third vessel to the "Silversea Expeditions" brand, Silver Discoverer, formerly sailing as Clipper Odyssey for Zegrahm Expeditions.[11]Silver Discoverer was christened in Singapore in March 2014 and set sail on her inaugural voyage along Australia's Kimberley Coast on 2 April 2014.[12]
Trio of Newbuilds
Silver Dawn, final ship of the Muse-class with new grey hull livery
Fincantieri delivered the fleet's ninth ship, Silver Muse to Silversea Cruises on 2 April 2017, at its Sestri Ponente shipyard. Silver Muse's debut cruise set sail on 10 April 2017, in the Mediterranean Sea.[13] That same year, Silversea announced an order for Silver Moon, a sister ship to Silver Muse, to be built by Fincantieri and delivered in 2020.[14] In May 2018, Silversea announced an order for Silver Dawn, another sister ship of Silver Muse, delivered by Fincantieri in 2021.
Acquired by Royal Caribbean
On 14 June 2018, Royal Caribbean purchased a majority stake in Silversea for approximately $1 billion from Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, son of cofounder Antonio Lefebvre d'Ovidio, and who had become the sole owner of the cruise line.[15][16] Following the announcement, Silversea ordered three new ships: two Evolution-class vessels to be built by Meyer Werft to be delivered beginning 2022 and one expedition vessel from Shipyard De Hoop to be delivered in March 2020.[17]
In July 2020, Royal Caribbean Group acquired the remaining shares of Silversea from Heritage Cruise Holding in exchange for 5.2 million shares of Royal Caribbean Group stock.[18] Silversea also took delivery of the new expedition ship the Silver Origin, built for their expedition fleet in the Galapagos Islands. This was the first new ship to be designed and completed under the new Royal Caribbean group management.[19]
On 14 June 2022, early reports came out that Silversea was very interested in purchasing the Crystal Endeavor from the defunct Crystal Cruises brand, with records of the trademarked name Silver Endeavor being filled. However, it was further reported on June 28, that both The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and the former owners of Silversea, Heritage Cruise Holding (who recently purchased the two Crystal ships and the entire brand) were still interested in purchasing the vessel as well.[20] Silversea’s purchase was confirmed in July 2022, with a purchase price of $275 million, and the ship being renamed Silver Endeavor.[21]
In December of 2022, Barbara Muckerman replaced Roberto Martinoli as Silversea President and CEO.[22]
Silver Nova, part of the new next generation "Evolution Class"
In July 2023, Silversea took delivery of their 12th ship, the Silver Nova, part of the new "Evolution Class'" of vessel, and the largest ship for the line.[23] The ship was named on January 4, 2024, which also kicked off Silversea Cruises 30th anniversary year.[24]
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