Silversea Celebrates Holidays From Antarctica To Zanzibar
Published on: July 16, 2009

This holiday season, the ships of Silversea will operate voyages that span the globe, from the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and South Pacific to the Antarctic. The holiday cruises range from eight to 17 days. By the holidays, Silversea will be operating six ships -- Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, the expedition ship Prince Albert II, and the new Silver Spirit set to launch in December. Holiday cruises will feature decorations, parties, menus, entertainment and guest lecturers. With the exception of expedition cruises, clergy are also onboard to conduct religious services, including a rabbi for Hanukkah. The Silver Wind departs Dec. 20 on a 14-day voyage from Mahe to Mauritius with calls in Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette Island, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Madagascar and Reunion Island. Guest lecturer is Malcolm Ainscough, a private guide and Africa expert who grew up in Zimbabwe. Silver Sailing fares start at $7,416 per person, double occupancy.

The Prince Albert II departs Ushuaia on Dec. 21 on a 17-day expedition cruise exploring the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Elephant Island and the Antarctic Peninsula before returning to Ushuaia. The expedition team includes geologist David Elliot, ornithologist Chris Collins, environmentalist Claudia Holgate and historian Victoria Salem. Silver Sailing fares start at $8,757, plus $750-per-person roundtrip charter air transportation between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.

Silver Shadow departs Dec. 20 on a 15-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale with calls in Virgin Gorda, Antigua, Bequia, Barbados, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, St. Bart’s, Grand Turk and Key West. Guest lecturer is Dr. Roderick A. McDonald, professor of history at Rider University and editor of the Journal of the Early Republic. Silver Sailing fares start at $7,556.

Silver Spirit departs Dec. 23 on an 11-day maiden voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon with calls in Malaga, Gibraltar, Cadiz, Casablanca and Tangier. Guest lecturer is Andrew Roberts, historian and biographer who appears regularly on British television. He has reported on royalty for NBC and CNN in the U.S. Early-booking fares start at $5,860.

Silver Cloud departs Dec. 20 on a 16-day voyage from Santiago to Buenos Aires with calls in Puerto Montt, Laguna San Rafael, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Puerto Madryn and Montevideo. Guest lecturer is Michael Buerk, one of Britain's leading broadcast journalists. He has worked as a BBC news correspondent in more than 60 countries. Silver Sailing fares start at $7,047.

Silver Whisper departs Dec. 19 on a 15-day voyage from Sydney to Auckland with calls in Melbourne, Hobart, Stewart Island, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Picton and Bay of Islands. Guest lecturer is Li Cunxin, a Chinese ballet dancer who defected to the West. His best-selling autobiography, “Mao’s Last Dancer,” has been made into a movie scheduled for release later this year. Silver Sailing fares start at $6,097.

Hanukkah voyages include the Silver Shadow’s nine-day Dec. 11 cruise from Barbados to Fort Lauderdale with calls in Bequia, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Antigua, St. Martin and Grand Turk. Guest lecturer is McDonald. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,047. Silver Cloud departs Dec. 4 on a 16-day voyage 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 is 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.

Silver Whisper departs Dec. 3 on a 16-day voyage from Singapore to Sydney with calls in Semarang, Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, Whitsunday Islands and Brisbane. Silver Sailing fares start at $6,347. All Silversea vessels also operate Thanksgiving voyages.