cruise scene in 2008, Silversea’s Silver
Explorer (nee Prince Albert II) has
captivated cruisers with her focus on the
luxury segment for expedition cruises.
Last week Cruise Weekly stopped into
the Silversea offices to have a chat with
Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s Director of
Expedition Cruises, about Explorer and
what’s on the horizon for the luxury
brand’s expedition segment.
“People were actually laughing at us when we entered the market and said we were going
to offer a luxury expedition, because people didn’t think one could offer both (luxury and
expedition), but we proved them wrong very quickly,” Combrink said.
And indeed they did, with Silver Explorer’s 2011 now nearly fully booked out.
“We can count on two hands what’s left for this year, and we are over 50% sold out for next
year,” he added.
Silversea has worked very hard to keep a continuity between Silver Explorer and the rest of
its luxury fleet.
“Everything that is Silversea we’ve brought onto the Explorer, but we’ve combined that with
fantastic destinations,” Combrink said.
In fact Explorer is very much a destination-led product, where guests can expect to be
educated on the places they visit via tailored lecture presentations led by a troupe of experts,
before enjoying shore excursions crafted by Silversea with local operators to marry up with the
voyage’s theme, and to make the most of the region’s historical, natural and cultural offerings.
In keeping with the company’s goal of establishing itself in certain markets next year Silver
Explorer’s itinerary line-up is “very similar” to 2011, with the vessel returning to Africa
(although in October) and expanding its offering from one to three voyages, as well as a new
Russia and White sea itinerary, a repeat of its Arctic and Antarctic season, a return to South
and Central America (although in April to
catch better weather), as well as a quirky
Tenerife to Lisbon itinerary.
Sadly for Australia, Combrink confirmed
that Silver Explorer will not be visiting Aussie
shores in the near future due to a clash with
her primary Antarctic and Arctic seasons.
“We will never do a destination if we can’t
do it well, and therefore we must make sure
that we get to Australia at the right time of
the year,” said Combrink.
“Perhaps by the third or fourth expedition
ship we’ll get to Australia, however if we get
to do a second ship we’ll stick with the Arctic
and Antarctic model,” he added.
