Silversea Cruises
TypePrivate
Industry
Founded1994 (1994) in Monaco
FounderAntonio Lefebvre d'Ovidio
HeadquartersFontvieille, Monaco
(Executive Offices)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
(Operations Offices)
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Barbara Muckermann
(President & CEO)
ProductsCruises
ParentRoyal Caribbean Group
Websitesilversea.com

Silversea Cruises is a luxury cruise line 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

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 Miami, Florida.

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 Cruises 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 Cruises 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 Cruises 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]

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 the largest ship for the line.[23] The ship was named on January 4, 2024, which also kicked off Silversea Cruises 30th anniversary year.[24]

Fleet

Current fleet

Ship Built Builder In service
for Silversea		 Gross tonnage Flag Christened by Notes Image
Silver Shadow 2000 Francisco Visentini (hull)
T. Mariotti (completion)		 2000–present 28,258  Bahamas Janet Burke[25] (Silversea VP) Silver Shadow
Silver Whisper 2001 Francisco Visentini (hull)
T. Mariotti (completion)		 2001–present 28,258  Bahamas Marzia Lefebvre D'Ovidio[26](chairmans wife) Silver Whisper
Silver Spirit 2009 Fincantieri 2009–present 39,519  Bahamas Silvia Lefebvre D'Ovidio[27] (chairmans sister) Originally 36,000 tons. Lengthened in March 2018.
Silver Muse 2017 Fincantieri 2017–present 40,844  Bahamas Costanza Lefebvre d'Ovidio[28](chairmans daughter) Largest ship built for Silversea
Silver Moon 2020 Fincantieri 2020–present 40,844  Bahamas Gaia Gaja[29](Italian winemaker) Sister ship to Silver Muse
keel laid on 15 February 2019[30]
Silver Dawn 2021 Fincantieri 2021–present 40,844  Bahamas Nilou Motamed[31] (Food & Travel writer/personality ) Sister ship to Silver Moon
Silver Nova 2023[32] Meyer Werft[33] 2023-present ~ 54,700  Bahamas Nina Compton

(Chef)[24]

 728 passengers
Expedition vessel
Silver Cloud 1994 Francisco Visentini (hull)
T. Mariotti (completion)		 1994- 2017 (cruise fleet) 2017–present 16,800  Bahamas Transferred to expedition fleet in 2017[34]
Silver Wind 1995 Francisco Visentini (hull)
T. Mariotti (completion)		 1995–2021 (cruise fleet) 2021- present 16,800  Bahamas Transferred to expedition fleet in 2021[35]
Silver Origin 2020[36] Shipyard De Hoop, Netherlands 2020 –present 6,365  Ecuador Johanna Carrión[37] (Galápagos conservationist) First purpose built expedition ship for Silversea Cruises
Silver Endeavour 2021 MV Werften 2022–present 20,449  Bahamas Felicity Aston[38] (British adventurer/climate scientist) Previously Crystal Endeavor

Future ships

Ship Will be delivered Builder Gross tonnage Capacity Flag Notes
Silver Ray 2024[39] Meyer Werft 54,700 728 passengers  Bahamas Construction started on 23 November 2022[40][41][42][43][44]

Former ships

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[45][46] Silver Explorer
Silver Discoverer 1989 NKK Tsu Works - Tsu, Japan 2014–2019 5,218 gt  Bahamas
Silver Galapagos 1990 Cantieri Navale Ferrari-Signani 2013–2021[47] 4,200-gt  Ecuador

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. 1 2 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. ↑ "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. "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. ↑ Lane, Lea. "Silversea Cruises, Now Part Of Royal Caribbean, To Build 3 New Ultra-Luxury And Expedition Ships". Forbes. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  18. ↑ "Royal Caribbean Group Acquires Remaining Interest in Silversea". www.rclinvestor.com. Miami, Florida: Royal Caribbean Group. PRNewswire. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  19. ↑ "Silversea Welcomes Silver Origin to its Fleet - 80847". www.luxurytravelmagazine.com.
  20. ↑ "Ritz-Carlton and Crystal Cruises still interested in Crystal Endeavor".
  21. ↑ "Silversea Acquires Former Crystal Endeavor for $275 Million". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  22. ↑ Group, Royal Caribbean. "SILVERSEA CRUISES PRESIDENT AND CEO ROBERTO MARTINOLI TRANSITIONS TO SENIOR ADVISOR ROLE; BARBARA MUCKERMANN NAMED TO SUCCEED HIM". www.prnewswire.com.
  23. ↑ "Meyer Werft Delivers Silver Nova to Silversea Cruises". MarineLink. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  24. 1 2 "Silversea Officially Names Silver Nova". www.silversea.com. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  25. ↑ "Inspirational 'godmother' christens Silversea ship". www.travelweekly.com.
  26. ↑ "Silver Whisper Is Christened In Genoa, Italy". MarineLink. 18 June 2001.
  27. ↑ webadmin (28 January 2010). "Silversea Christens Silver Spirit". Elite Traveler.
  28. ↑ "Silver Muse Christened By Silversea Chairman's Daughter in Monaco". Insider Travel Report.
  29. ↑ "Silversea Cruises' Silver Moon christened in Greece". www.travelweekly.com.
  30. ↑ "Dry Dock Works Start in Ancona on "Silver Moon"". 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  31. ↑ "Silver Dawn Christened in Lisbon - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News.
  32. ↑ "MEYER WERFT hands over Silver Nova". 21 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  33. ↑ "Silversea Begins Construction On 2023 Newbuild, Silver Nova". Cruise Industry News. 2 December 2021. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021.
  34. ↑ Staff, C. I. N. (18 September 2015). "Silver Cloud to Join Expedition Fleet for Silversea". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  35. ↑ Oseid, John. "Silversea Adds New Expedition Ships To Its Luxury Fleet". Forbes. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  36. ↑ "Silversea Takes Delivery of Silver Origin". 5 June 2020.
  37. ↑ "Silversea Christens Silver Origin® In The Galápagos Islands". www.silversea.com.
  38. ↑ "Silversea Names Felicity Aston As Godmother of Silver Endeavour". www.silversea.com.
  39. ↑ "Neubau in Papenburg: Ultra-Luxus-Schiff für Silversea". MEYER WERFT (in German). Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  40. ↑ "SILVERSEA CRUISES® CUTS STEEL FOR SECOND NOVA-CLASS SHIP, SILVER RAY". 23 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  41. ↑ "MEYER WERFT and Silversea celebrate steel cutting of Silver Ray". 23 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  42. ↑ "Meyer Werft cuts steel for Silversea Cruises' Silver Ray". 23 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  43. ↑ "Silversea Cruises Cuts Steel for Second Nova-class Ship Silver Ray". 23 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  44. ↑ "Meyer Werft lance la construction d'un second navire pour Siversea Cruises" (in French). 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  45. ↑ "Silver Explorer to Sail for New Cruise Line Exploris from 2023". 31 January 2022.
  46. ↑ Brown, Carolyn Spencer (20 November 2022). "What's New About Silversea's Silver Endeavour?". Discover by Silversea. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  47. ↑ 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.
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