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Silversea Releases First Destination-Specific Ship

By Staff Writer

Starting in winter 2020, the Silver Origin will be sailing to the Galapagos Islands, home to some of the world’s most unique wildlife and landscapes. The upcoming vessel is Silversea’s first-ever destination-specific ship and has been designed entirely with the exotic islands in mind.

“The natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands makes it one of the world’s best cruise destinations,” says Fernando Delgado, Silversea’s Vice President and General Manager of Canodros C.L. “Silver Origin will enhance Silversea’s award-winning cruise experience here, raising it to an even more incredible level for guests’ enjoyment.”

The 100-passenger, all-suite Silver Origin will provide an immersive experience and facilitate deeper connections between guests and the islands. Travellers will enjoy Ecuadorian culture on board through daily briefings, lectures, videos, and scientific information; authentic local cuisine, prepared by expert Ecuadorian chefs; and various other luxurious enhancements.

Silver Origin’s interior design boasts an understated, Italian-inspired elegance, as well as influence from the Galapagos’ unique natural environment to strengthen guests’ engagement with the destination. The generous public spaces were designed by HBA Miami, while GEM – Design for Cruise Ships, the team behind the interior design of Silver Muse, oversaw the interior design of the ship’s suites.

The new vessel will also offer Basecamp, an innovative lounge where guests can socialise before and after excursions. A notable feature is the large, interactive digital wall that will allow guests to access destination-related content, including pictures, videos, excursion previews and scientific presentations.

Those onboard can also interact with the Expedition Team through educational activities to learn more about the rare wildlife, amazing landscapes and captivating history of the Galapagos Islands, before and after experiencing these attractions first-hand.

With floor-to-ceiling windows for sweeping views of the destination, Silver Origin’s Explorer Lounge will host daily briefings and lectures from the ship’s Expedition Team. The elegant venue additionally offers a large video wall and wide HD screens in different seating areas to optimise guests’ destination experience. Guests can use the space to relax and choose from the complimentary drinks available throughout the ship, including spirits, champagne and a variety of wines.

An Observation Lounge rests at the front of the ship and boasts stunning views of the Galapagos. The neighbouring library additionally adds to the in-depth venture, offering the most extensive destination-focused collection the cruise line has ever had on one ship.

With a choice from eight different suite categories, guests can personalise their trip on board. Every suite harbours a private balcony, while certain suite categories will feature an innovative Horizon Balcony, which can convert to enclose the balcony with a floor-to-ceiling window for added space and better shelter from the elements. In addition, selected suite categories will incorporate an ocean-view bathtub, as well as an ocean-view shower that is accessible from the balcony for guests’ convenience and comfort — a first for Silversea.

Silver Origin’s two dining venues — The Restaurant and The Grill — will dive even deeper into the surrounding Ecuadorian culture, each serving authentic flavours and using local ingredients and regional wines. The restaurants can additionally accommodate all guests at full capacity. The far-reaching views of The Restaurant make for a picturesque dining experience while The Grill includes Silversea’s signature Hot Rocks concept of cooking on oven-heated volcanic rock.

Silver Origin will be one of the most environmentally-friendly cruise ships ever built, due to state-of-the-art technology and solutions designed specifically for sailing the Galapagos Islands. The ship’s dynamic positioning system allows it to automatically maintain position to protect the sea floor, while freshwater purification systems installed in each suite will enable the ship to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic bottles and an advanced Waste Water Treatment System will meet or exceed the strictest regulations in the market.

The groundbreaking vessel will be the only ship in the Galapagos Islands to offer butler service to all suites, in addition to boasting the highest crew-to-guest ratio (1:1.16) and the highest ratio of qualified guides per guest (1:10) in the area.

Silver Galapagos, which will be replaced by Silver Origin, recently garnered the top spot among small ships in four award categories at the 2019 Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards, including ‘Best Overall Ship,’ ‘Best Shore Excursions,’ and ‘Best Value’ for the second consecutive year.

www.silversea.com

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