SilverSea Outlines 2009 Holiday Cruises

July 15, 2009) This holiday season the intimate ships of Silversea are offering vacationers the opportunity to celebrate aboard voyages that span the globe, from the warm waters of the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and South Pacific, to the ultimate winter wonderland … the Antarctic.

With cruises ranging from eight to 17 days, the six ships of the Silversea fleet -- Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, new Silver Spirit (set to launch in December), and the expedition ship Prince Albert II -- offer an elegant way to spend the holiday season.

Highlighting the onboard ambiance will be special decorations, parties, menus, entertainment and engaging guest lecturers. With the exception of expedition cruises, clergy are also on board to conduct religious services, including a rabbi for Hanukkah.

"Our holiday voyages are designed to offer an escape from the pressure of deadlines and having to plan parties and prepare meals," said Steve Tucker, Silversea's vice president of field sales for North America. "Instead we offer a stress-free retreat where the focus is on authentic pleasures -- discovering new places, making new friends, and spending quality time with loved ones."

Following voyages offer the perfect setting for celebrating both Christmas and the New Year:

-- AFRICA & SEYCHELLES: Silver Wind departs December 20 on a 14-day voyage (#2939) from Mahe to Mauritius with calls in Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette Island, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Madagascar and Reunion Island. Guest Lecturer: Malcolm Ainscough, private guide and Africa expert who grew up in Zimbabwe. He has hosted European royalty and American notables throughout Africa. Silver Sailing fares start at $7,416.

-- ANTARCTICA: Prince Albert II departs Ushuaia December 21 on a 17-day expedition cruise (#7930) exploring the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Elephant Island and Antarctic Peninsula before returning to Ushuaia. Expedition Team: Dr. David Elliot, geologist; Chris Collins, ornithologist; Claudia Holgate, environmental lecturer; and Victoria Salem, historian, to name a few. Silver Sailing fares start at $8,757. ($750 per person roundtrip charter air transportation between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia is additional.)

-- CARIBBEAN: Silver Shadow departs December 20 on a 15-day roundtrip voyage (#3933) from Fort Lauderdale with calls in Virgin Gorda, Antigua, Bequia, Barbados, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, St. Bart's, Grand Turk and Key West. Guest Lecturer: Dr. Roderick A. McDonald, professor of history at Rider University and editor of the Journal of the Early Republic. He is the author of numerous books and articles on Caribbean history. Silver Sailing fares start at $7,556.

-- MEDITERRANEAN & NORTH AFRICA: Silver Spirit departs December 23 on an 11-day maiden voyage (#5901) from Barcelona to Lisbon with calls in Malaga, Gibraltar, Cadiz, Casablanca and Tangier. Guest Lecturer: Andrew Roberts, historian and biographer who appears regularly on British television. He has reported on royalty for NBC and CNN in the U.S. His many articles have appeared in leading newspapers. Early Booking Incentive fares start at $5,860.

-- SOUTH AMERICA: Silver Cloud departs December 20 on a 16-day voyage (#1931) from Santiago to Buenos Aires with calls in Puerto Montt, Laguna San Rafael, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Puerto Madryn and Montevideo. Guest Lecturer: Michael Buerk, one of Britain's leading broadcast journalists. He has worked as a BBC news correspondent in more than sixty countries, covering political, diplomatic and economic developments. Silver Sailing fares start at $7,047.

-- SOUTH PACIFIC: Silver Whisper departs December 19 on a 15-day voyage (#4938) from Sydney to Auckland with calls in Melbourne, Hobart, Stewart Island, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Picton and Bay of Islands. Guest Lecturer: Li Cunxin (pronounced "Lee Schwin Sing"), Chinese ballet dancer who defected to the West. His bestselling autobiography, Mao's Last Dancer, has been made into a movie scheduled for release later this year. Silver Sailing fares start at $6,097.

A sampling of itineraries coinciding with Hanukkah this year include:

-- CARIBBEAN: Silver Shadow departs December 11 on a 9-day voyage (#3932) from Barbados to Fort Lauderdale with calls in Bequia, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Antigua, St. Martin and Grand Turk. Guest Lecturer: Dr. Roderick A. McDonald, professor of history at Rider University and editor of the Journal of the Early Republic. He is the author of numerous books and articles on Caribbean history. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,047.

-- SOUTH AMERICA: Silver Cloud departs December 4 on a 16-day voyage (#1930) from Buenos Aires to Santiago with calls in Montevideo, Punta del Este, Puerto Madryn, Falkland Islands, Punta Arenas, Laguna San Rafael, Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Montt. Guest Lecturer: Richard Cowley, former director-general of the Anglo-Uruguayan Cultural Institute. In 1982, he was decorated by Queen Elizabeth II as a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Silver Sailing fares start at $6,697.

-- SOUTH PACIFIC: Silver Whisper departs December 3 on a 16-day voyage (#4937) from Singapore to Sydney with calls in Semarang, Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, Whitsunday Islands and Brisbane. Guest Lecturer: To be advised. Silver Sailing fares start at $6,347.

And guests can enjoy a traditional American Thanksgiving feast on November 26 aboard all Silversea voyages, including:

-- CARIBBEAN: Silver Shadow departs November 22 on a 10-day roundtrip voyage (#3930) from Fort Lauderdale with calls in Nassau, Samana, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Bart's and Road Town. Guest Lecturer: To be advised. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,397.

-- SOUTH AMERICA: Silver Cloud departs November 26 on an 8-day voyage (#1929) from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires with calls in Parati, Sao Paulo, Itaji and Montevideo. Guest Lecturer: Richard Cowley, former director-general of the Anglo-Uruguayan Cultural Institute. In 1982, he was decorated by Queen Elizabeth II as a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,447.

All fares listed above are per person based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite (Adventurer Class on Prince Albert II) and do not include port charges and handling fees that can range from $150 to $500 per person on these sailings, depending on the itinerary.

Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper -- and launching in December, Silver Spirit -- all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company's itineraries encompass all seven continents.

In the U.S., Silversea has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and rated Number-One luxury cruise line by high-net-worth consumers in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI). International awards include "Best Innovation in Products and Services" from the Italian Innovazione Marketing Oggi Awards (2009), "World's Leading Luxury Cruise Line" from World Travel Awards (2007); "Five Star Diamond Award" from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2009); "Number One" small-ship line in the Readers' Choice" survey conducted by Britain's Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2007); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by Spain's Cruceros & Destinos magazine (2008); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by Australia's Luxury Travel & Style Magazine (2009); and "Best Luxury Cruise Operator" according to Asia's Travel Weekly (2008).