MONACO, June 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Silversea Cruises,
the leading ultra-luxury cruise line, has taken delivery of its
first-ever destination-specific ship, Silver Origin, from
Dutch shipyard De Hoop. An intimate ceremony, held on Wednesday June 3, 2020, marked the first
in-person cruise ship delivery since the pandemic prompted a global
lockdown.
Select Silversea top executives—including Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Chairman;
Roberto Martinoli, President and
CEO; Damien O'Connor, SVP Hotel
Operations & Onboard Revenue; and Barbara Muckermann, Chief
Marketing Officer—attended the ceremony in Rotterdam. Joined
by representatives from De Hoop Shipyard, Silversea's executives
took a tour of the completed ship for the first time and were
present for the official flag ceremony.
"It was a very proud moment for me to attend Silver
Origin's official delivery ceremony in person, and to welcome
Silversea's first-ever destination-specific ship to our fleet. I am
very grateful to all involved in the build, especially the
professionals at De Hoop Shipyard," says Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio. "In September 2013, Silversea became the first cruise
line to launch an ultra-luxury ship in the Galapagos Archipelago.
We have invested our accrued know-how into the design of Silver
Origin. Every element of the ship has been designed with the
destination in mind and tailored to enhance the experience for
travellers, while fostering a deep sense of respect for this
magnificent ecosystem and everything that inhabits it."
"We welcome the beautiful Silver Origin to our fleet as
the first ship since the start of our collaboration with Royal
Caribbean Cruises Ltd.," says Roberto
Martinoli, Silversea's President & CEO. "The ship
demonstrates how fruitful our collaboration has been, while
providing an indication of the great success to come. With
Silversea's destination expertise and the invaluable support of the
RCL group, we have pushed the boundaries of ultra-luxury travel in
the Galapagos with Silver Origin. I want to extend my
gratitude to all those involved, including my colleagues at both
Silversea and RCL, but especially to the De Hoop Shipyard who
overcame many challenges to complete the ship."
"It has been extremely rewarding to work on this project, and we
are proud for having been able to deliver the ship in spite of the
external challenges," says Patrick
Janssens, CEO of De Hoop Shipyard. "The delivery ceremony
marked a momentous moment for both parties, and delivering
Silver Origin to Silversea's Executives here in Rotterdam was a great pleasure. We wish the
cruise line every success for the future and we look forward to
seeing this beautiful ship in the Galapagos Islands where she
belongs."
Integrating the latest state-of-the-art technology and designed
with a focus on the pillars of sustainability, destination on
board, expedition experience, authentic local culture, and comfort
and service, the all-suite, all-balcony, 100-guest Silver
Origin will welcome travellers year-round in the unique
Galapagos Archipelago. The ship will provide guests with the
ultimate destination experience, inspired by Silversea's accrued
expertise and founded on a deep respect for the fragility of the
natural environment, while maintaining the cruise line's trademark
quality of service.
Innovative, enriching, elegant, each of Silver Origin's
spaces has been designed specifically with the Galapagos in mind
by Hirsch Bedner Associates Miami. Silversea's executives
visited each to experience first-hand how they will create unique
synergies between the destination and the ship.
THE MARINA: AN EXCEPTIONAL ARRIVAL EXPERIENCE
As a key point of entry to the ship/destination, the Marina has
been designed with great attention-to-detail to offer guests an
unprecedented arrival/disembarkation experience. Connected to the
Basecamp, the Zodiac embarkation area features large comfortable
couches, as well as showers for guests to rinse their gear, racks
to conveniently store wetsuits and other equipment, and an
innovative fold-out stern with special boarding facilities that can
accommodate two Zodiacs at the same time. As Silver Origin
will have the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratio in the Galapagos at
1:12.5, a large garage with hydraulic doors, hatches and cranes has
been created between decks 2 and 3 to store six of the ship's eight
Zodiacs, while two will be stored on the bow.
BASECAMP: IMMERSIVE DISCOVERY ON BOARD
Basecamp is one of Silver Origin's most innovative
spaces, designed especially to bring the destination on board. The
heart of the ship, the 551m2 Basecamp will host educational
activities in which guests will interact with Silversea's team of
expert guides—all permanent residents of the Galapagos and
certified by the Galapagos National Park—to learn more about the
rare wildlife, remarkable landscapes and captivating history of the
Galapagos Islands, before and after excursions.
With bespoke software created exclusively for Silversea by
strategic-design studio Sketchin and with input from Silversea's
Expedition Team, the centrepiece of Basecamp is a 624x162cm
interactive digital wall—the largest interactive screen in the
Galapagos—and control podium. Through this interactive programme,
which will change according to the itinerary, guests will be able
to access extraordinary destination-related content, including
historical pictures provided by the Royal Geographical Society of
London, videos with exclusive
aerial and underwater shots, excursion previews and scientific
presentations. The Expedition Team will use the LED wall to
introduce guests to the wonders of the Galapagos before they embark
on Zodiac and kayak adventures to experience them first-hand.
THE EXPLORER LOUNGE: AN ELEGANT SPACE TO UNWIND
Offering an inviting space in which guests can relax of an
evening, while enjoying a cocktail and a book from Silver
Origin's curated library, the 479m2 Explorer Lounge exudes the
same elegance that characterises the other ships in
Silversea's ultra-luxury fleet. The space doubles as a
state-of-the-art lecture room and will host daily lectures and
briefings, as well as live piano performances. Floor-to-ceiling
windows bring the destination inside, while a large video wall with
state-of-the-art AV technology and wide HD screens in different
seating areas will optimise guests' expedition experience. Outside,
a beautiful terrace with comfortable sofas and armchairs, including
a round central sofa with a fire pit, will offer guests the perfect
spot in which to unwind with a drink before and after lectures.
THE RESTAURANT & THE GRILL: AN IMMERSIVE CULINARY
PHILOSOPHY
In-line with Silversea's new S.A.L.T. programme, Silver
Origin's guests will benefit from a uniquely immersive culinary
philosophy, centred upon regionally-grown ingredients, Ecuadorian
cuisine, and a farm-to-table approach. Locally-inspired culinary
experiences—both on board and ashore—will strengthen travellers'
connections with the unique culture, landscapes and people of the
Galapagos, as well as those of Ecuador. The Restaurant on Deck 4 (capacity:
120) and the Grill on Deck 7 (capacity: 100) will each be able to
accommodate all guests at once, offering diners the luxury of
choice. Silversea's Hot Rocks concept will be tailored with an
Ecuadorian twist at the Grill, where an advanced sheltering system
will protect diners from the wind and low temperatures for maximum
comfort.
SPA & FITNESS CENTRE: STATE-OF-THE-ART RELAXATION
Silver Origin's Fitness Centre features
state-of-the-art Technogym equipment and offers guests outstanding
views on the destination with floor-to-ceiling windows. The Spa,
with a dedicated treatment room for therapies and massages, is the
ideal place in which to relax after a day of exploration on the
islands. The Beauty Salon will offer a wide array of services,
including hairdressing and manicure/pedicure.
OBSERVATION LOUNGE: A COSY HIDEAWAY
Located at the very front of the ship, the 75m2 Observation Lounge is one of the
cosiest venues on board, offering an elegant hideaway with
incredible views on the destination thanks to 180-degree
floor-to-ceiling glass windows. After a long day spent exploring
the Galapagos Archipelago, guests will find ultimate relaxation in
the Observation Lounge, perhaps reading a book from the carefully
selected library or just enjoying a vivid sunset.
GUEST SUITES: AMONG THE MOST SPACIOUS IN THE
GALAPAGOS
Recognising that days spent exploring the islands can be
intense, Silver Origin's suites are among the most spacious
and comfortable in the Galapagos: the Owner's Suite, for example,
measures a total of 160m2
(1,722ft2) and provides sweeping views of the
destination with a vast veranda. Silver Origin whispers
luxury as the only ship in the archipelago to offer butler service
for all suites. Guests will enjoy the highest crew-to-guest ratio
in the region (1:1.11) for unparalleled levels of personalised
comfort. All suites benefit from full room automation, which allows
guests to control room conditions with the touch of a button.
Spectacular destination-focused views are among the hallmarks of
Silver Origin's suites, whose design and amenities were
inspired by the acclaimed suites of Silversea's larger ships.
Outfitted in neutral tones and natural materials that complement
the Galapagos' environment, and designed by GEM, all suites have
floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony, while select suites
feature the innovate Horizon Balcony, which converts to a
floor-to-ceiling window at the touch of a button. Most upper suites
incorporate an ocean-view bathtub and shower, some of which are
accessible from the balcony.
ADDRESSING SUSTAINABILITY
Built with the environment in mind as one of the most
energy-efficient ships in its class, Silver Origin
incorporates environmentally low-impact features to comply with
future rules and regulations, in addition to the
Galapagos National Park Directorate regulations. The latest
technological innovations mean a 15% reduction in fuel consumption
and fewer exhaust emissions. The ship's dynamic positioning system
will be used when positioned over delicate seabed ecosystems to
prevent the anchor from causing damage; suites incorporate
freshwater purification systems that convert seawater into drinking
water, thus drastically reducing the use of plastic on board; and a
wastewater treatment system will meet or exceed the strictest
regulations in the market. Moreover, all waste will undergo a rigid
segregation procedure on board and will be delivered to a local
waste management enterprise for it to be recycled or shipped out of
the islands.
Silversea Cruises has launched the Silversea Fund for the
Galapagos—a dedicated fund that will support educational projects
to safeguard the wellbeing of the Galapagos Islands for future
generations. By supporting a diverse selection of projects each
year, the Silversea Fund will strengthen the balance between humans
and nature in the Galapagos, as part of a long-term conservation
strategy. The fund's donors will enjoy savings on Silversea's
voyages, as the cruise line will match guests' contributions in the
form of a Future Cruise Credit to underpin its commitment to the
cause.
Watch a video of the delivery of Silver Origin:
https://youtu.be/5aqin2YHSrM
Silver Origin is scheduled to welcome guests from
August 2020. Discover more about
Silver Origin:
https://www.silversea.com/lp-silver-origin.html
View Silver Origin's media kit, including key
information, quirky facts, images, and videos:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1c5nkcwudk27ofh/AAAc8oI08RXOFvnJxddK4Duya?dl=0
Find out more information about Silversea's new winter 2021/2022
itineraries:
https://www.silversea.com/lp-new-itineraries-2021-2022.html
Read an article on Silver Origin's delivery on
Silversea's blog:
https://discover.silversea.com/on-board/silversea-welcomes-silver-origin-to-the-fleet/
About Silversea
Silversea Cruises, in which Manfredi
Lefebvre d'Ovidio serves as Chairman, is recognised as an
innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise industry, offering guests
large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels:
Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper,
Silver Spirit and Silver Muse – all designed to offer
an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the
inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Origin, Silver
Explorer, and Silver Cloud, Silversea's itineraries
encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises
to the Mediterranean, Caribbean,
both Polar Regions and hundreds of fascinating destinations in
between. Silversea is also looking forward to the launch of four
new ultra-luxury ships: Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, and
two Evolution-class ships. Browse Silversea's
blog Discover and subscribe to receive
the latest content directly into your inbox.
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SOURCE Silversea Cruises