Designed exclusively for the traveller who relishes a more leisurely pace, this special collection offers extended voyages from 30 to 91 days. These unique odysseys combine the luxury of sailing aboard intimate, elegant ships with expanded journeys to diverse regions of the world, featuring visits to must-see traditional ports, as well as exotic destinations that are off the beaten path.
Steve Tucker, Silversea's vice president of field sales for North America, said: "Our Grand Voyages are perfectly suited to the traveller who has the time and passion to indulge in travel on a grand scale. You can explore the most desirable ports of the Mediterranean for 35 days, sail for 40 days around South America and the Caribbean, or take a diverse 64-day voyage that spans from Capetown to Istanbul -- and unpack only once."
Highlighting the Grand Voyages are generous savings incentives and, for voyages of 50 or more consecutive days, complimentary Business Class air upgrades (available with the purchase of the optional Silver SKY Air Programme).
GRAND INAUGURAL VOYAGE OF SILVER SPIRIT
Of special note is Silver Spirit's Grand Inaugural Voyage, a 91-day extended journey designed to introduce Silversea's newest ship to the Americas. Departing Fort Lauderdale on 21January, Silver Spirit is set to explore over 20 countries and 45 ports for the very first time. She will set a southward course to Rio (for an unforgettable evening at Carnaval), sail around Cape Horn and through the majestic Chilean Fjords before heading to the Mexican Riviera. Guests have the option to personalise their voyage by disembarking in Los Angeles, or sailing through the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale, or continuing up America's colonial coast to New York City.
In addition to complimentary excursions and other exclusive onshore events, the array of special amenities available to guests sailing 70 or more days aboard the Grand Inaugural Voyage includes such complimentary perks as private car transfers, luggage forwarding service, business class air upgrade, a commemorative gift, and Onboard Spending Credits of up to US$2,000 per suite. Fares start at $42,108 per person, based on double occupancy.
Listed below is a small sampling of the Grand Voyages for 2010:
-- AFRICA & MEDITERRANEAN:Silver Wind departs 2 February on a 64-day "Reflections of Time" voyage from Capetown to Istanbul, sailing around the southern tip of Africa and northward along the continent's Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean with calls in 16 countries, including exotic Morocco and The Gambia. Guests will also enjoy such marquee cities as Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Rome and Athens. Other highlights include overnight visits in Richards Bay, Walvis Bay and Lisbon. Best-available fares start at $23,081 per person.
-- FAR EAST: Silver Whisper departs 3 January on a 42-day "Exotic Mystique" voyage from Auckland to Hong Kong with calls in New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam. Highlights include overnight stays in Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. A lot of deals can be made. For example: Best-available fares start at $16,942 per person.
-- MEDITERRANEAN: Silver Spirit departs 21 August on a 35-day "Mediterranean Treasures" voyage from Istanbul to Lisbon with calls in Turkey, Ukraine, Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. Highlights include a three-day, two-night stopover in Venice. Best-available fares start at $19,811 per person.
-- SOUTH AMERICA:Silver Cloud departs 20 January on a 40-day "Sambas & Sunsets" voyage from Santiago to Fort Lauderdale with calls in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, French Guiana, Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, and St Thomas. Highlights include the Chilean fjords, Cape Horn and overnight stays in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Best-available fares start at $15,232 per person.
All cruise fares listed above are the current best-available starting fares for a Vista Suite, which are cruise-only Silver Savings rates (based on double occupancy) that may include Extended Voyage Savings of 5% and Venetian Society savings of 5%. These fares do not include port charges and handling fees that can range from $875 to $2,300 per person on these sailings, depending on the itinerary. Silver Savings fares are capacity-controlled, subject to availability and are likely to increase as the sailing date approaches.
For complete itineraries and voyage details, please visit www.silversea.com or click Grand Voyages.
Silversea Cruises is recognised 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 US, Silversea has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and ratedNumber-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).
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For more information on Silversea Cruises, please contact a travel agent. For a complimentary brochure, please call toll-free (877) 215-9986.
