Silversea_Cruises

Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises

Luxury cruise line


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.

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History

Silver Cloud, Silversea's first ship

Founding

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 of 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

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

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

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]

Evolution Class

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 innovative asymmetrical design, and the largest ship for the line.[23] The ship was named on January 4, 2024, which also kicked off Silversea's 30th anniversary year.[24] The second ship, the Silver Ray, is to enter service in 2024.[25][26][27]

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

Fleet

Current fleet[29]

More information Ship, Built ...

Future ships

More information Ship, Will be delivered ...

Former ships

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Leadership

Silversea was solely owned and lead 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 it's 30 year history:

More information President, Years ...

See also


References

  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. Cruz, Georgina (17 April 1994). "Sitmar's 'Silver Cloud'". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  4. Stieghorst, Tom (30 January 1995). "Luxury Cruise Line Testing New Water". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  5. 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.
  6. "Silversea Acquires Canodros - Galapagos Cruise Line with One Ship". cruiseindustrynews.com. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  7. "Silver Galapagos". cruisemapper.com. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  8. "Silversea Adds Another Expedition Ship". cruiseindustrynews.com. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  9. "Silversea's Silver Discoverer Embarks on Inaugural Voyage". silversea.com. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  10. McCarthy, Daniel (14 June 2018). "Royal Caribbean Cruises Acquires Major Stake in Silversea". Travel Market Report. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  11. "Royal Caribbean Group Acquires Remaining Interest in Silversea". www.rclinvestor.com. Miami, Florida: Royal Caribbean Group. PRNewswire. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  12. "Silversea Acquires Former Crystal Endeavor for $275 Million". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  13. "Meyer Werft Delivers Silver Nova to Silversea". MarineLink. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  14. "Silversea Officially Names Silver Nova". www.silversea.com. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  15. "Silversea Cruises | Ultra Luxury Class". MEYER WERFT. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  16. NWZonline.de (17 April 2024). "Meyer Werft Kreuzfahrtschiff Silver Ray: Überführung am Sonntag, 21. April". www.nwzonline.de (in German). Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  17. Group, Royal Caribbean. "Bert Hernandez Named Brand President of Silversea". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  18. webadmin (28 January 2010). "Silversea Christens Silver Spirit". Elite Traveler.
  19. Silversea: Silver Whisper, Retrieved on 22 April 2024.
  20. "Dry Dock Works Start in Ancona on "Silver Moon"". 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  21. SILVERSEA CRUISES ORDERS NEW SHIPS, Retrieved on 22 April 2024.
  22. "MEYER WERFT hands over Silver Nova". 21 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  23. "Silversea Begins Construction On 2023 Newbuild, Silver Nova". Cruise Industry News. 2 December 2021. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021.
  24. Peisley, Tony (2004). Silversea Cruises: The First Ten Years: 1994-2004. Silversea Cruises, Inc., (January 1, 2004).
  25. Staff, C. I. N. (18 September 2015). "Silver Cloud to Join Expedition Fleet for Silversea". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  26. Oseid, John. "Silversea Adds New Expedition Ships To Its Luxury Fleet". Forbes. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  27. "Neubau in Papenburg: Ultra-Luxus-Schiff für Silversea". MEYER WERFT (in German). Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  28. "MEYER WERFT and Silversea celebrate steel cutting of Silver Ray". 23 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  29. "Meyer Werft cuts steel for Silversea Cruises' Silver Ray". 23 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  30. "Meyer Werft lance la construction d'un second navire pour Siversea Cruises" (in French). 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  31. "Neuestes Kreuzfahrtschiff der Meyer Werft schafft Emspassage". hamburg.de (in German). Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  32. "Sensationelles Manöver: Luxus-Kreuzfahrtschiff "Silver Ray" startet rückwärts gen Nordsee". www.t-online.de (in German). 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  33. Roeser, Mike (21 April 2024). "Die Emsüberführung der „Silver Ray": Das sind die besten Bilder, | NOZ". noz.de (in German). Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  34. "Meyer-Werft - allgemeine Informationen - Seite 159 - Forum Schiff". web.archive.org. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  35. Brown, Carolyn Spencer (20 November 2022). "What's New About Silversea's Silver Endeavour?". Discover by Silversea. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  36. 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.
  37. "Silversea Cruises - Why". portfolio.radburg.com. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  38. "Silversea Cruises Appoints Albert Peter As CEO". MarineLink. 12 June 2001. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  39. Group, Royal Caribbean. "Bert Hernandez Named Brand President of Silversea". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 13 April 2024.

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