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Silversea Cruises

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Silversea
Company typeSubsidiary
Industry
Founded1994; 30 years ago (1994) in Monaco
FounderAntonio Lefebvre d'Ovidio
HeadquartersFontvieille, Monaco
(Executive Offices)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
(Operations Offices)
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Bert Hernandez
(President)
ProductsCruises
ParentRoyal Caribbean Group
Websitesilversea.com

Silversea is an ultra-luxury and expedition travel brand 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.

History

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Silver Cloud, Silversea's first ship

Founding

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Silversea was founded in 1994 by a joint venture between V-Ships (previously known as Vlasov Group) of Monaco and Antonio Lefebvre d'Ovidio of Rome. The joint owners had previously been the co-owners of Sitmar Cruises.[2][3]

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 Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The first president of Silversea would be John Bland, former president of Sitmar Cruises. The majority of the first office staff had worked together at Sitmar Cruises.

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 2001, Silversea announced that Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio would become chairman of Silversea, assuming the position from his brother Francesco Lefebvre d’Ovidio.[5]

Expedition division

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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 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

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Silver Dawn, final ship of the Muse-class with new grey hull livery

Fincantieri delivered the fleet's ninth ship, Silver Muse to Silversea 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

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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] The transaction was completed in July 2018.[17] 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.[18]

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.[19] 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.[20]

On 14 June 2022, early reports came out that Silversea was very interested in purchasing Crystal Endeavor from the defunct Crystal Cruises brand, with records of the trademarked name Silver Endeavor being filled. However, it was further reported on 28 June, 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.[21] Silversea's purchase was confirmed in July 2022, with a purchase price of $275 million, and the ship being renamed Silver Endeavor.[22]

In December 2022, Barbara Muckerman replaced Roberto Martinoli as Silversea President and CEO.[23]

Evolution class

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Silver Nova, part of the new next generation Evolution class

In July 2023, Silversea took delivery of their twelfth ship, Silver Nova, part of the new Evolution class of vessel, and innovative asymmetrical design, and the largest ship for the line.[24] The ship was named on 4 January 2024, which also kicked off Silversea's 30th anniversary year.[25] The second ship, Silver Ray, entered service in 2024.[26][27]

On 12 April 2024, it was announced that Bert Herndez replaced Barbara Muckermann as president of Silversea Cruises.[28]

On 14 May 2024 Silversea took delivery of the second Evolution-class ship, Silver Ray, in Eemshaven, Netherlands, two days earlier than planned,[29] with a maiden voyage scheduled for 15 June from Lisbon, Portugal.[30]

Fleet

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Current fleet

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The table lists the current fleet of ships operated by Silversea Cruises.[31]

Ship Built Builder In service
for Silversea 		Passengers Gross tonnage Flag Christened by Notes Image
Silver Cloud 1994 Francisco Visentini (hull)
T. Mariotti (completion) 		1994–present 254 17,400  Bahamas Eugenia Beck Lefebvre D'Ovidio

(chairman's mother)[32]

Transferred to expedition service in 2017[33]
Silver Wind 1995 Francisco Visentini (hull)
T. Mariotti (completion) 		1995– present 274 17,400  Bahamas Patrizia Lefebvre D'Ovidio

(founders daughter in law)[32]

Transferred to expedition service in 2021[34]
Silver Shadow 2000 Francisco Visentini (hull)
T. Mariotti (completion) 		2000–present 392 28,258  Bahamas Janet Burke[35] (Silversea VP) Silver Shadow
Silver Whisper 2001 Francisco Visentini (hull)
T. Mariotti (completion) 		2001–present 392 28,258  Bahamas Marzia Lefebvre D'Ovidio[36](chairmans wife) Silver Whisper
Silver Spirit 2009 Fincantieri, Italy 2009–present 608 39,519  Bahamas Silvia Lefebvre D'Ovidio[37] (chairmans sister) Originally 36,000 tons. Lengthened in March 2018.
Silver Muse 2017 Fincantieri, Italy 2017–present 596 40,791  Bahamas Costanza Lefebvre d'Ovidio[38](chairmans daughter)
Silver Moon 2020 Fincantieri, Italy 2020–present 596 40,844  Bahamas Gaia Gaja[39](Italian winemaker) Sister ship to Silver Muse
keel laid on 15 February 2019[40]
Silver Origin 2020[41] Shipyard De Hoop, Netherlands 2020 –present 100 6,365  Ecuador Johanna Carrión[42] (Galápagos conservationist) First purpose built expedition ship for Silversea
Silver Dawn 2021 Fincantieri, Italy 2021–present 596 40,855  Bahamas Nilou Motamed[43] (Food & Travel writer/personality ) Sister ship to Silver Moon
Silver Endeavour 2021 MV Werften Stralsund, Germany 2022–present 220 20,649  Bahamas Felicity Aston[44] (British adventurer/climate scientist) Previously Crystal Endeavor
Silver Nova 2023[45] Meyer Werft, Germany[46] 2023–present 728 55,051  Bahamas Nina Compton

(Chef)[25]

Largest ship built for Silversea
Silver Ray 2024[29] Meyer Werft, Germany 2024–present 728 55,051  Bahamas Maria Josefina Olascoaga[47] (ocean scientist) Sister ship to Silver Nova

Former ships

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Ship Built Builder In service
for Silversea 		Gross tonnage Flag Notes
Silver Explorer 1989 Rauma-Repola 2008–2023 6,072  Bahamas Left Silversea in November 2023 to join expedition cruise line Exploris[48][49] Silver Explorer
Silver Discoverer 1989 NKK Tsu Works - Tsu, Japan 2014–2019 5,218  Bahamas
Silver Galapagos 1990 Cantieri Navale Ferrari-Signani 2013–2021[50] 4,200  Ecuador

Leadership

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Silversea was solely owned and led by the Lefebvre d’Ovidio family until 2018, and fully bought out by Royal Caribbean Group in 2020. The cruise line has had 8 presidents in its 30-year history:

President Years Ships Introduced
John Bland[51] 1992 -1995 Silver Cloud, Silver Wind
Bill Smith[52] 1995 - 2001 Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper
Albert Peter[53] 2001 - 2007 Silver Explorer
Amerigo Perasso[54] 2007 - 2010 Silver Spirit
Enzo Visone[55] 2011 - 2016 Silver Discoverer, Silver Galapagos
Roberto Martinoli[56] 2016 - 2022 Silver Muse, Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, Silver Origin
Barbara Muckermann[23] 2022 - 2024 Silver Endeavour, Silver Nova
Bert Hernadez[57] 2024–present Silver Ray

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hutcheon, Helen (3 November 2013). "The fab four". The Australian. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  2. ^ Slater, Shirley; Basch, Harry (3 October 1993). "Four New Lines Set Sail for 'Niche' Markets". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  3. ^ a b Cruz, Georgina (17 April 1994). "Sitmar's 'Silver Cloud'". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on 28 October 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  4. ^ Stieghorst, Tom (30 January 1995). "Luxury Cruise Line Testing New Water". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  5. ^ "New CEO at Silversea - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News.
  6. ^ "Silversea Elevates Expedition Cruising; Behind the Scenes with Silver Wind and Silver Cloud". Discover by Silversea. 9 August 2022.
  7. ^ Lawrey, Katherine (31 January 2020). "The world's best job? Meet the man who's been to 150 countries, and Antarctica 67 times". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  8. ^ "SILVERSEA EXPEDITIONS CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF PIONEERING EXPLORATION AND DESTINATION LEADERSHIP". www.silversea.com.
  9. ^ "Silversea Acquires Canodros - Galapagos Cruise Line with One Ship". cruiseindustrynews.com. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  10. ^ "Silver Galapagos". cruisemapper.com. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  11. ^ "Silversea Adds Another Expedition Ship". cruiseindustrynews.com. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  12. ^ "Silversea's Silver Discoverer Embarks on Inaugural Voyage". silversea.com. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  13. ^ "Fincantieri Sestri Ponente the launch of the ultra-luxury ship Silver Muse". Genova 24. 2 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017. Translation.
  14. ^ "SILVERSEA CRUISES ANNOUNCES A NEW SISTER SHIP TO BE BUILT BY FINCANTIERI | Silversea". www.silversea.com. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  15. ^ McCarthy, Daniel (14 June 2018). "Royal Caribbean Cruises Acquires Major Stake in Silversea". Travel Market Report. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  16. ^ "Mixed reactions as Royal Caribbean buys controlling stake in Silversea -". 14 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  17. ^ "Royal Caribbean completes acquisition of Silversea Cruises shares" (Press release). Royal Caribbean Group. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  18. ^ Lane, Lea. "Silversea Cruises, Now Part Of Royal Caribbean, To Build 3 New Ultra-Luxury And Expedition Ships". Forbes. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  19. ^ "Royal Caribbean Group Acquires Remaining Interest in Silversea". www.rclinvestor.com. Miami, Florida: Royal Caribbean Group. PRNewswire. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  20. ^ "Silversea Welcomes Silver Origin to its Fleet - 80847". www.luxurytravelmagazine.com.
  21. ^ "Ritz-Carlton and Crystal Cruises still interested in Crystal Endeavor". 28 June 2022.
  22. ^ "Silversea Acquires Former Crystal Endeavor for $275 Million". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  23. ^ a b "Silversea Cruises President and CEO Roberto Martinoli Transitions to Senior Advisor Role; Barbara Muckermann Named to Succeed Him". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Royal Caribbean Group.
  24. ^ "Meyer Werft Delivers Silver Nova to Silversea". MarineLink. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Silversea Officially Names Silver Nova in Fort Lauderdale, Announcing Chief Nina Compton as Godmother". Silversea Cruises. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Silversea Cruises | Ultra Luxury Class". Meyer Werft. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  27. ^ "Neues Kreuzfahrtschiff der Meyer Werft soll Sonntag überführt werden". NWZ Online (in German). 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Bert Hernandez Named Brand President of Silversea" (Press release). Royal Caribbean Group. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via PR Newswire.
  29. ^ a b Assies, Christoph (14 May 2024). "Papenburger Meyer Werft liefert "Silver Ray" früher ab als geplant" [Papenburger Meyer Werft delivers "Silver Ray" earlier than planned]. Noz (in German). Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  30. ^ "Meyer Werft delivers Silver Ray to Silversea Cruises". Seatrade Cruise News. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  31. ^ "Silversea Cruises: Fleet".
  32. ^ a b Peisley, Tony (2004). Silversea Cruises: The First Ten Years: 1994-2004. Silversea Cruises, Inc., (1 January 2004).
  33. ^ "Silver Cloud to Join Expedition Fleet for Silversea". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  34. ^ Oseid, John. "Silversea Adds New Expedition Ships To Its Luxury Fleet". Forbes. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  35. ^ "Inspirational 'godmother' christens Silversea ship". www.travelweekly.com.
  36. ^ "Silver Whisper Is Christened In Genoa, Italy". MarineLink. 18 June 2001.
  37. ^ "Silversea Christens Silver Spirit". Elite Traveler. 28 January 2010.
  38. ^ "Silver Muse Christened By Silversea Chairman's Daughter in Monaco". Insider Travel Report.
  39. ^ "Silversea' Silver Moon christened in Greece". www.travelweekly.com.
  40. ^ "Dry Dock Works Start in Ancona on "Silver Moon"". 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  41. ^ "Silversea Takes Delivery of Silver Origin". 5 June 2020.
  42. ^ "Silversea Christens Silver Origin® In The Galápagos Islands". www.silversea.com.
  43. ^ "Silver Dawn Christened in Lisbon - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News.
  44. ^ "Silversea Names Felicity Aston As Godmother of Silver Endeavour". www.silversea.com.
  45. ^ "MEYER WERFT hands over Silver Nova". 21 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  46. ^ "Silversea Begins Construction On 2023 Newbuild, Silver Nova". Cruise Industry News. 2 December 2021. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021.
  47. ^ "Silversea Officially Names Silver Ray". www.silversea.com. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  48. ^ "Silver Explorer to Sail for New Cruise Line Exploris from 2023". 31 January 2022.
  49. ^ Brown, Carolyn Spencer (20 November 2022). "What's New About Silversea's Silver Endeavour?". Discover by Silversea. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  50. ^ Boonzaier (j_boonzaier), Jonathan (25 January 2021). "Royal Caribbean sells off two Ecuadorian-flagged expedition cruiseships | TradeWinds". TradeWinds | Latest shipping and maritime news. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  51. ^ "Silversea Cruises - Why". portfolio.radburg.com. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  52. ^ "Silversea's President Steps Down". 13 December 2001.
  53. ^ "Silversea Cruises Appoints Albert Peter As CEO". MarineLink. 12 June 2001. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  54. ^ "Amerigo Perasso Steps Down as President & CEO of Silversea - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  55. ^ "Silversea Appoints Enzo Visone as Executive Chairman of the Board - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  56. ^ "Roberto Martinoli Named Chief Executive Officer of Silversea - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  57. ^ "Bert Hernandez Named Brand President of Silversea". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Royal Caribbean Group. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Silversea Cruises.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Silversea Cruises.
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