Silversea Archives - Sophisticated Travel

Exploring Cruise Line Categories: From Mass-Market to Ultra-Luxury

"The Unvarnished Traveler" by Brian Raymond Choosing the right cruise line isn't easy Embarking on a cruise is a thrilling adventure, but with a sea of options, choosing the right cruise line can be as complex as navigating the ocean's tides. To help you steer in the right direction, this guide examines four main cruise line categories – mass-market, premium, entry-luxury, and ultra-luxury. As you journey from mass-market to ultra-luxury, you'll notice a graduated increase in prices reflecting the enhanced amenities, personalized service, and indulgent experiences offered. By understanding these categories, you can better chart a course for ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:42:13-07:00June 6th, 2023|

Cruise ship refurbishments & stats

Updated: January 11, 2021 How recently a cruise ship has been refurbished is an important factor to many seasoned cruisers, especially if you are investing a significant amount in your cruise vacation. It can be very disappointing to find a ship with stained or worn carpets and beat up furnishings. Many cruisers prefer a ship that is no more than a few years from its last refurb. So here is a guide so you can be better informed on how recently a ship has been updated & upgraded. This list will be continually updated: ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:41:27-07:00January 11th, 2021|

Silversea Cruises will become more all-inclusive in 2022

Starting in April 2022 & continuing in 2023, Silversea Cruises will start including one free shore excursion in each port as well as round-trip airfare. Each port will have a variety of free shore excursions that guests can choose from. Shore excursions will range from easy walking to more active excursions, and will vary to include options like culinary or wine visits, as well as historic tours. Silversea will also offer bespoke "Silversea Selected" shore excursions for an additional charge. All cruises will include round-trip economy airfare with the option to upgrade to business class for a very reasonable ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:41:29-07:00December 16th, 2020|

2021 Cruise Wave Season Specials

As 2020 sails into the sunset, we all look forward to 2021 when we can begin to start cruising again. As many of you know, "Wave Season" start the end of December and runs into March. During "Wave Season" the cruise lines offer some of their best deals. With cruise lines shut down for a year, demand is high. Its even higher than the same time in 2019. The reason? People are have cooped up at home and they all want to get out and get back on the seas. We will post the various offers on this page ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:41:30-07:00December 16th, 2020|

Silversea Cruises takes delivery of the Silver Origin

Purpose built for the Galapagos Islands (Courtesy - Silversea Cruises) On June 3rd, the Silver Origin was added to ultra-luxury Silversea Cruise's fleet. This ship was purpose built to serve the 19 islands which make up the Galapagos Archipelago located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. This elegant 100-guest ship will cruise the Galapagos year-round. Discovering the islands You don't visit the Galapagos to lay on the beach, you go to discover the uniqueness of these islands that captivated Charles Darwin. Silver Origin's team of Ecuadorian expert guides will bring the islands to life by ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:37:12-07:00June 9th, 2020|

A break for solo travelers on Silversea Cruises

We have several clients who are solo travelers and their biggest frustration with cruise vacations is having to pay double for a stateroom. As much as they understand cruise lines build their financial models and therefore their pricing based on two passengers per stateroom, it feels like an extra and even unfair charge to many solo travelers. Fortunately, ultra-luxury Silversea cruises is offering a break on select cruises. SOLO SUPPLEMENTAL CHARGE OF ONLY 25% Silversea is offering over 40 cruises with special solo/single rates with only a 10% supplement/surcharge on four 2019 sailings, and only a 25% supplement ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:38:10-07:00July 11th, 2019|

Galapagos Island cruising goes upscale

https://youtu.be/Jj9CXshqPyo Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises have upped the ante for luxury cruises through the Galapagos Islands. Silversea will launch its luxury 100-passenger Silver Origin in summer of 2020. Silversea cruises start with two days in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and include airfare to and from the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity Cruises is launching the Celebrity Flora, a 100-passenger luxury exploration ship in June 2019. All cruises are seven night itineraries with 10, 11 or 15 night all-inclusive packages including pre/post cruise nights in Quito or Peru/Machu Picchu. (Both Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises are ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:38:48-07:00May 16th, 2019|

Silversea Cruises unveils new Galapagos expedition ship – Silver Origin

Photo: Silversea This all new purpose-built ship will begin sailing the Galapagos Islands during the Summer 2020. Holding just 100 passengers, this all-suite and all-balcony luxury expedition ship will be staffed by experts certified by the National Park of Galapagos who will give guests daily presentations, lectures, and videos about the islands. Guests will enjoy 8 Zodiacs to ensure smooth and easy access to the islands. With a high overall passenger to crew ratio of 1: 1.16 (the best in the Galapagos) and a small 1: 10 guide to guest ratio for more intimate exploration. Sophisticated & Modern Photo: ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:38:51-07:00April 17th, 2019|

Silversea to launch new immersive culinary program – SALT

Courtesy: Alessandro Grassini Silversea Cruises is developing a new culinary enrichment program that will be launched with the delivery of the Silver Moon in August 2020. The program is called SALT which stands for “Sea And Land Taste” and was developed with Adam Sachs, an award winning journalist and former editor of Saveur food magazine. A CULINARY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM S.A.L.T. Kitchen will be a new restaurant on the Silver Moon where guest will be served regional menus for all meals. While S.A.L.T. Kitchen will spotlight local foods and flavors from the areas where the ship is visiting, ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:38:53-07:00March 28th, 2019|

It’s time to consider a Northwest Passage expedition cruise

Courtesy of Travel Weekly As the global oceans continue to warm, new polar cruise routes are opening and several cruise lines are offering new and exciting expedition voyages. Now passengers can cruise from Seattle through the Northwest Passage from Seward, Alaska, to New York City. Crystal Cruises began these sailing about two years ago. Since then Ponant, Silversea, Lindblad, and Hurtigruten have begun sailing the passage. Cruises typically run 12 – 21 days. THE LURE OF THE NW PASSAGE The draw of these luxury expedition cruises is the ability to experience the wild and primeval wonder of the Canadian ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:39:04-07:00November 27th, 2018|