Silversea has announced the name of the second ship that will sail under the Silversea Expeditions brand: the Silver Galapagos. The ship, which will sail the Galapagos Islands, will be available for bookings in November.
The 100-passenger ship is currently sailing as the Galapagos Explorer II. Next year the ship, whose hull has already been painted the same dark blue as the Silver Explorer, will undergo a refurbishment of its interior. It will begin sailing as the Silver Galapagos in September 2013.
The Silver Galapagos will sail two seven-day itineraries in the Galapagos Islands. Both will be roundtrips from Baltra Island, with one covering the western, southern and eastern islands and the other sailing the northeast, central and southeast islands.
Itineraries on the vessel include complimentary shore expeditions guided by a team certified by the Galapagos National Park Service.
Silversea Expeditions sailings feature the same kind of service that its classic ships offer, including butler service. But the itineraries are far more active than those aboard Silversea’s classic ships. Activities include hiking, swimming and snorkeling.
“An expedition cruise is not for everyone,” said Kristian Anderson, vice president of sales for North America for Silversea. However, it is a way to attract new — and somewhat younger — customers and introduce them to the Silversea brand.
Silversea has found that the Silver Galapagos, its first expedition ship, is introducing the Silversea luxury experience to new passengers who then move on to sail the classic Silversea ships.
The expedition ships are a “great way to meet new clients and engage a younger demographic,” said Anderson.
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