of the Galapagos while they do their high-stepping
mating dance, it’s an opportunity to catch a glimpse of
some of Mother Nature’s rarest fine feathered friends.
Silversea offers seven-day (Saturday-to-
Saturday) voyages through the Galapagos Islands
on its expedition ship,
Silver Galapagos,
providing
numerous bird sightings including Darwin’s famous
finches. Along the way, visitors to the island are able
to walk with the giant tortoises, land iguanas, sea
lions, and penguins in what is considered a natural
laboratory of evolution.
Silver Discoverer,
the latest addition to the
Silversea Expedition fleet, features a series of scuba-
diving expeditions on select upcoming voyages that
offer experienced divers the opportunity to explore
the top diving sites of the Asia Pacific and South
Pacific.
Discoverer’s
shallow draft allows it to navigate
close to shore and its fleet of 12 Zodiacs enables
isolated shore landings, and exploring wetlands
and submerged ecosystems up-close.
Offerings include such regions as the Solomon
Islands, the Palau Archipelago and the Marquesas
Islands. Celebrated as some of the world’s most
spectacular diving hotspots, they are riddled with blue
holes, hidden caves and tunnels, and an astonishing
array of coral fish and rare sea creatures.
In addition,
Silver Discoverer
includes an
onboard team of experts, including marine biologists,
environmentalists, ecologists and geologists, who
will be happy to share their extensive knowledge of
the region. The program is complimentary like most
of Silversea’s shore excursions, but space is limited, so
be sure to sign up early.
SILVERSEA CRUISES
Recognized as an innovator in the ultra-luxury
cruise line industry, Silversea Cruises offers large-ship
amenities aboard its eight intimate all-suite vessels.
Silversea is perfect for travelers seeking exclusive
journeys to landmark destinations, as well as the world’s
most exotic lands, tiny isles and less-travelled waterways.
Each of Silverseas’ smaller cruise ships can
transport guests to the furthermost regions of the
world, yet are designed to navigate narrow waterways
into the heart of a city. Capable of tying up to a pier
while the other ships must anchor off shore, they
offer ease of travel that larger vessels cannot.
Silversea’s expansive 2016 voyage collection is
quite impressive, showcasing 845 destinations on
272 voyages that span all seven continents and include
107 new ports of call. Of the new ports, 19 are on
Silversea’s five ultra-luxury, ocean-going ships, and
88 are on their three purpose-built expedition ships,
Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos
and
Silver Discoverer.
Galapagos
and
Discoverer
both underwent major
refurbishment in 2014 and have been newly outfitted
just in time for the launching of Silversea’s new
collection of specialty expedition cruises. Available
on select sailing dates, each specialty expedition
offers an exceptional focus on a number of popular
activities including birding, photography, scuba
diving, wellness and gastronomy.
Birding voyages are available on all three expedition
ships and include a “life list” of bird sighting possibilities
that will please even the most serious bird watcher.
From bald eagle sightings in Alaska, to a personal
audience with the cartoonish blue-footed boobies
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THE AFFLUENT TRAVELER
|
Cruise Spotlight
CRUISE SPOTLIGHT
CS
BELOW
Silver Discoverer’s
shallow draft
and a fleet of 12
Zodiacs allows
guests to explore
isolated shores,
wetlands and
submerged
ecosystems that
are inaccessible to
larger cruise ships.
