Historic Day For Silver Explorer

Silversea Cruises are proud to announce their Silver Explorer and its Expedition Team accomplished a first in the ship’s history late last month, landing guests at Point Wild, Elephant Island – the location where survivors of the Shackleton Expedition lived under two lifeboats for more than four months while hoping for rescue.

After attempting to take guests to Elephant Island for nearly 10 years, Silver Explorer’s Captain Alexander Golubev was able to tuck the ship into a small and slightly sheltered bay just to the West of Point Wild, due to good weather conditions. Explorer’s unstructured itinerary to ‘Cruise and Explore the Antarctic Peninsula’ allows the Captain and the Silversea team to determine the exact itinerary as the voyage progresses, as conditions can vary so much in the Polar regions. 

Both guests and crew can take full advantage of the available conditions to explore as many sights and make as many zodiac excursions and landings as possible, and this was especially true in the case of Point Wild.

Guests can also combine true expedition cruising with an elegant onboard lifestyle with Silversea Expeditions. Offering two 10-day trips from £6,339 per person, on an all-inclusive basis, voyage 7226 departs December 3 and voyage 7227 departs December 13 from Ushuaia. Silver Explorer departs from the Argentine port and cruises through the Drake Passage and then the Antarctic Peninsula, before returning to Ushuaia. Price is per person, based on two people sharing a View Suite and includes all shore excursions, port charges, government fees and taxes. Economy flights are available from £2,299 per person.

Fares for voyages embarking/disembarking Ushuaia include economy class charter air service between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, plus transfers between Ushuaia airport and pier, on day of embarkation and disembarkation.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Wine Experts To Lead Six Silversea Voyages

Silversea Cruises has chosen renowned wine experts Lyn Farmer and Richard Nurick to host a Wine Series enrichment programme on six voyages this year.

On each wine-themed cruise, discerning travellers with a passion for fine wines will enjoy sampling great vintages and learning about the tradition and art of wine-making in special tastings and lectures. Depending on the itinerary, guests may also have the chance to explore some of the world's most celebrated wine regions on optional guided shore excursions.

The following Wine Series voyages will be hosted by Lyn Farmer: 

Voyage 3203: Silver Shadow departs Auckland February 4 on a 19-day sailing to Fremantle (Perth) with calls in Napier, Wellington, Picton, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Port Lincoln, and Albany. Fares start at £6,599.

Voyage 4210: Silver Whisper departs Monte Carlo May 1 on a 12-day sailing to Southampton with calls in Palma de Mallorca, Cadiz, Portimao, La Coruña, Bilbao, Bordeaux and Le Verdon. Fares start at £3,899. 

Voyage 1220: Silver Cloud departs London August 13 on a 14-day sailing to Monte Carlo with calls in Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, Bilbao, Lisbon, Cadiz, Malaga and Sete. Fares start at £4,999.

Voyage 1232: Silver Cloud departs Buenos Aires December 22 on a 16-day sailing to Valparaiso (Santiago) with calls in Montevideo, Punta del Este, Puerto Madryn, Stanley (Falkland Islands), Punta Arenas, Laguna San Rafael, Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Montt. Fares start at £6,199.

Richard Nurick will host the following: 

Voyage 4220A: Silver Whisper departs Southampton July 26 on a nine-day sailing to Lisbon with calls in Bordeaux, St. Jean de Luz, Bilbao, Gijon, La Coruña and Vigo. Fares start at £3,899

Voyage 4220B: Silver Whisper departs Lisbon August 4 on a nine-day sailing to Southampton with calls in Oporto (Leixoes), Bilbao, Bordeaux, Saint-Malo and Honfleur. Fares start at £3,899. 

All fares are per person, based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite. Silver Savings is a capacity-controlled programme and subject to availability.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Set Sail For Alaska In 2012!

We know we are often ahead of trends (as well as creating them), but it seems our big Alaska feature in the Winter edition (see it online on this link on pages 19-30) has created real cruise demand in 2012.

So much so, in fact, that several cruise agents have dubbed this year 'The Year of Alaska,' highlighting all the great quality, style, wildlife opportunities and value of cruising in America's 49th state.

Chief among them are The Cruise Line Ltd, who have even published their own brochure with all the best cruises, land tours - including the amazing Rocky Mountaineer train - excursions, sights and extra options for sailing in this magnificent part of the world. Choose from the large-scale experience of Princess Cruises, Holland America and Celebrity or the small-scale, deluxe style of American Safari Cruises, Regent Seven Seas or Silversea.

We have been big fans of Alaska and the benefits of cruising here for many years and our editor also highlighted the region in a feature three years ago (see it on this link), but it remains true that a cruise is the ideal way to see what is genuinely the Big Country.

For more booking details, be sure to contact The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677 or www.cruiseline.co.uk.

Silversea's Monaco Grand Prix Experience

Guests sailing on the nearly sold-out Silver Spirit voyage on May 24, 2012, are in for a special treat. Silversea is offering an optional two-day "70th Grand Prix de Monaco" land package. Spirit guests will have the opportunity to experience the thrill of a Formula One race at Europe's most glamorous motor-race during the ship's overnight visit on May 26.

On Saturday, guests will enjoy witnessing the time trials (practice runs for the drivers and their cars) from Tribune K reserved seats. From this section of the grandstand, guests will see cars racing towards them at tremendous speed, slow down and then accelerate, before making the next turn.

In the evening, guests attend an invitation-only cocktail reception hosted by the ship's captain and a former Grand Prix driver, followed by a themed dinner of Mediterranean and Monegasque cuisine served in La Terrazza. On Sunday, guests return to their same reserved seats for the exciting race itself. The tour includes escorted transfers and a gift package of spectator essentials featuring Bushnell binoculars, an official "70th Grand Prix de Monaco" programme, souvenir drawstring bag, hat, seat cushion and protective earplugs.

Priced at $1,799 per guest, this special two-day, mid-voyage land adventure is only offered on Silver Spirit's May 24 voyage (No. 5213), sailing from Barcelona to Rome. It requires advance booking through Silversea's reservations department by January 24. However, since space is limited, the tour may sell out before the booking deadline.

For Silversea booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silversea's New Entertainment Programmes

Silversea Cruises has announced the launch of a totally revamped onboard entertainment programme, created exclusively for the company's ships by Choozi Entertainment. In a move away from traditional production shows, the new concert-style concept will feature an outstanding cast of classically trained vocalists and musicians performing a lively celebration of music, from Motown and opera to pop and rock.

The new shows feature a unique blend of music that follows the decades and offers Silversea guests distinct choices in their entertainment options.

The entertainment offerings are currently debuting aboard Silver Cloud, with additional shows opening in November on Silver Whisper, Silver Wind and Silver Shadow. The programme will also be rolled out to Silver Spirit in March 2012.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link on the UK's leading luxury cruise travel specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silversea Expands Bridge Sailings

In 2012, ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises will offer its most expansive collection of Bridge Sailings ever. Spanning the world from Auckland and Shanghai to Rio and Monte Carlo, 56 voyages will feature a bridge enrichment programme.

Though guests are welcome to play bridge on any Silversea cruise, a Bridge Sailing features a formal programme of contract and duplicate bridge, which is supervised by instructors who are certified ACBL (American Contract Bridge League) Life Masters. All Bridge Sailing activities are completely complimentary and guests can enjoy daily bridge sessions (twice daily on sea days), bridge lectures for both beginning and intermediate-level players, and even opportunities to earn ACBL Master Points. Silversea supplies all bridge materials and hosts the programme in a dedicated Card Room on board.

"Our Bridge Sailings are a great way for players to hone their skills and meet other bridge enthusiasts from around the world - all while enjoying a luxury cruise holiday," says Mike Bonner, Silversea's Director, Sales & Marketing & General Manager UK.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silversea Reveals Itinerary for World Cruise 2013

Silversea Cruises have revealed some tantalising details of World Cruise 2013, an epic 115-day journey from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale aboard Silver Whisper, sailing on January 5.

Crossing the equator four times, the World Cruise itinerary will follow the tropical belt to 52 destinations in 28 countries with overnight stays in several key ports.
The warm-weather journey will explore an array of far-flung cultures and scenic wonders, including New Zealand and Australia's remote west coast; the idyllic isles of French Polynesia; fascinating Asian cities of Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore; and Africa's rarely seen western coast.

Members of Silversea's Venetian Society loyalty club can take advantage of priority reservations to reserve a suite for the entire 115-day voyage -- before it is released to the general public. Silversea is offering the added convenience of a full North America-to-North America circumnavigation. Sailing between Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, the 115-day voyage features additional opportunities to embark or disembark in Fort Lauderdale, New York and Southampton.

The optional extensions are: Fort Lauderdale Embarkation: 16-day Panama Canal Holiday (above) pre-cruise, Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles, December, 20, 2012 – 5 January, 2013; New York Disembarkation: Three-day post-cruise leg extension from Fort Lauderdale to New York City, May 1-4, 2013; Southampton Disembarkation: 15-day post-cruise transatlantic crossing from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton via New York City, May 1-16, 2013. There will also be complimentary transportation to town (most ports).

The company expects to open reservations for World Cruise 2013 to the general public in the next several weeks, when pricing and more details will be available at www.silversea.com or World and Luxury Cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silversea's 15-Day Caribbean Special

Join Silversea Cruises on a 15-day Transoceanic trip from just £3,213 per person (or £214 per day) on an all-inclusive basis. Departing October 24 from Lisbon (Portugal), Silver Cloud calls at Casablanca (Morocco), Agadir (Morocco), Arrecife (Canary Islands, Spain); Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain); St. John’s (Antigua), Roseau (Dominica) and Castries (St Lucia), before arriving in Bridgetown (Barbados).

All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include port charges, government fees and taxes. A $1000 'Passport to Luxury' onbaord credit is offered per suite (approx. £640), based on two people sharing, for use towards additional benefits such as shore excursions, spa treatments, boutiques, or select restaurants. Economy air fare is available from £799 per person.

For more information, visit www.silversea.com or the UK's luxury cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Enjoy a Nine-Day Caribbean Voyage with Silversea Cruises

Join ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises on a nine-day Caribbean trip from just £2,303 per person on an all-inclusive basis this autumn.

Departing October 30 from Bridgetown (Barbados), the beautiful Silver Whisper calls at Bequia (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Roseau (Dominica), Basseterre (St. Kitts), Gustavia (St. Barts, for an overnight stay on board), Philipsburg (St. Maarten) and Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos Islands) before arriving in Fort Lauderdale (Florida).

All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include port charges, government fees and taxes. A $500 'Passport to Luxury' onboard credit is also offered per suite, based on two people sharing, for use towards additional benefits such as shore excursions, spa treatments, boutiques, or select restaurants. Economy air fare is available from £399 per person.

For more information, visit www.silversea.com or contact the luxury cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silversea's Big National Cruise Week Savings

Silversea Cruises has announced that it will be offering additional savings, on bookings made during National Cruise Week, taking place from September 18-25 (next week).

The additional saving of £300 per suite (£150 for singles) will be offered on remaining 2011 voyages and 2012 voyages, departing before June 30.

The saving can be combined with Silversea’s existing promotions, including complimentary and reduced air promotions, the “Passport to Luxury” onboard spending credit programme, combination savings and the Venetian Society savings.

For further information, visit www.silversea.com or contact the luxury cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Enjoy a Seven-Day UAE Voyage with Silversea

We love all the special offers that roll into the office at this year, with some substantial savings on autumn and early-winter cruises. Take today's for instance:

Join Silversea Cruises on a seven-day Dubai round-trip from just £2,898 per person on an all-inclusive basis. Departing November 27, 2011, from Dubai (UAE), Silver Wind calls at Abu Dhabi (UAE), Khasab (Oman), Muscat (Oman) and Doha (Qatar) before arriving in Dubai (UAE) for an overnight stay onboard.

All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include complimentary air fare, port charges, government fees and taxes. An additional $500 'Passport to Luxury' shipboard credit is offered per suite, based on two people sharing, for use towards additional benefits such as shore excursions, spa treatments, boutiques or select restaurants.

For more information, visit www.silversea.com or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silversea's Grand 2012 Programme

Silversea has unveiled its new full-colour, 200-page 2012 Voyages brochure. The visually captivating picture-book details over 200 itineraries exploring seven continents, over 100 countries, and more than 450 destinations.



Plus, for the first time, the brochure features a Microsoft Tag 2D bar code on its back cover that enables smartphone users to view The World of Silversea, the company's exciting new video that invites travellers to step aboard and experience the award-winning luxury and pampering ambiance of Silversea.



The 2012 Voyages brochure opens with an easy-to-read, voyage-by-voyage summary followed by a section revealing the hallmarks of Silversea's unique luxury lifestyle. The balance of the brochure provides detailed worldwide cruise itineraries by region, including highlights of shore excursions, descriptions of land programmes, deck plans and general information, while new for 2012 is a pricing summary booklet inserted into the back cover pocket.

2012 Highlights:

The company's popular "Passport to Luxury" promotion is available on all voyages in 2012, with the exception of Silver Explorer expedition cruises. The multi-tiered programme provides an Onboard Spending Credit of up to $1,500 per suite ($750 per person).

World Cruise 2012

Silver Whisper will embark 6th January from Fort Lauderdale on her first-ever World Cruise, a remarkable 115-day journey that concludes in glamorous Monte Carlo. On this magnificent odyssey, her guests will visit 45 ports in 27 countries stretching from the Caribbean and South America to Africa, the Far East, Arabia and Europe. Along the way, they will enjoy multi-day stays in 13 major cities and exclusive insider access to seldom-seen global treasures.

Grand Voyages

Created for the sophisticated traveller who has the time and passion to indulge in travel on a grand scale, this special collection offers extended voyages from 24 to 61 days. These unique odysseys combine the luxury of sailing aboard the line's elite, all-suite 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 - all on one cruise.

West Africa Expeditions

Silversea has created three new West Africa expedition itineraries for 2012 that visit the once colonised north-west countries, travelling along coastlines infamous for their historic role in the slave trade and exploring the southern waters where vast seabird colonies are sustained by the nutrient-rich upwelling of the icy Benguela current.

For more information, visit www.silversea.com or the UK's luxury cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Get Into The Rio Spirit With Silversea

For those who fancy a fiesta, Silversea is pleased to announce that two of its 2012 itineraries will call at the world-famous Rio Carnival whilst in South America next year.

Silversea has embraced the festival spirit and created a Carnival Land Programme for Silversea revellers who would like to experience the exciting atmosphere of probably the best known Carnival in the world. Guests can enjoy accommodation at one of the city’s finest hotels and pre-reserved Grandstand seating from which to watch the parade go by.

Voyage 5204: Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro, Silver Spirit, seven day voyage. Departing February 12, 2012, from Buenos Aires (Argentina), Silver Spirit calls at Punta Del Este (Uruguay), Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), Santos (Sao Paulo, Brazil); Paraty (Brazil) and Buzios (Brazil), before arriving in Rio. Fares start from £3,008 per person and offer complimentary economy class air plus a $500 “Passport to Luxury” Onboard Spending Credit per suite.

Silversea is offering a four-night post-cruise land programme with accommodation at the Caesar Park Hotel which includes reserved Grandstand seating in Section nine of the Sambadrome, allowing you to soak up the Carnival atmosphere. Prices from £2,599 per person sharing.

Voyage 5205: Rio de Janeiro to Bridgetown, Silver Spirit, 15 day voyage. Joining February 19, 2012, in Rio de Janeiro and departing February 21, Silver Spirit calls at Salvador De Bahia (Brazil), Recife (Brazil), Fortaleza (Brazil), Belem (Brazil), Scarborough (Trinidad & Tobago) and St. George’s (Grenada) before arriving in Bridgetown (Barbados). Fares start from £4,723 per person and offer complimentary economy class air plus a $1000 “Passport to Luxury” Onboard Spending Credit per suite.

With two nights’ in port in Rio, Silversea is offering a mid-voyage land adventure which allows you to indulge your senses with the exciting atmosphere of the world-renowned Carnival parade. Tickets for this programme include transfers between the ship and the Sambadrome with reserved seating in Section nine and must be pre-booked. Prices start from £449 per person.

For more info, visit www.silversea.com or contact the luxury cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silversea Reveals 20 Grand Voyages For 2012

Those who yearn for the days when travel was an adventure to be savoured will be pleased to learn that Silversea is offering a new series of 20 "Grand Voyages" in 2012.

Designed exclusively for the traveller who relishes a more leisurely pace, this special collection offers extended voyages from 24 to 64 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.

Highlighting the Grand Voyages are generous savings incentives and a $1,500 per suite "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credit. Some of the voyages also include round-trip economy air (from select gateway cities) and transfers between airport and pier on embarkation and disembarkation days.

AFRICA & MEDITERRANEAN: Silver Wind departs February 3, 2012, on a 53-day "Safaris & Mediterranean Sun Coasts" voyage from Cape Town to Istanbul, sailing around the southern tip of Africa and northward along the continent's Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean, with calls in 15 countries, including exotic Mozambique and Morocco. Guests will also enjoy such marquee cities as Monte Carlo, Rome and Athens. Other highlights include a three-day, two-night stay in Barcelona and overnight visits in Richards Bay, Walvis Bay and Livorno (Florence). Fares from £14,261, with complimentary economy class air.

ASIA & AUSTRALIA: Silver Shadow departs December 11, 2012, on a 24-day "Grand Asia & Australia" voyage from Hong Kong to Sydney with calls in Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia. Highlights include an overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City. Fares from £6,566. Economy class air from £1,774.

MEDITERRANEAN & NORTHERN EUROPE: Silver Whisper departs May 1 on a 34-day "Springtime Grand Europe" voyage from Monte Carlo to Copenhagen with calls in Spain, Portugal, France, U.K., Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Finland, Russia and Estonia. Highlights include a three-day, two-night stopover in St. Petersburg and an overnight in Bordeaux. Fares from £11,863, with complimentary economy class air.

SOUTH AMERICA: Silver Spirit departs January 10 on an exciting 64-day "South America & Rio Carnival" voyage. Sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Spirit will circumnavigate South America, first heading southward along the Pacific coast, then passing through the Strait of Magellan and on to the Falkland Islands, before voyaging up the east coast to the Caribbean. In total, 18 countries will be visited. Highlights include a 2-night stay in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival and overnight stays in Callao (Lima), Punta Arenas and Buenos Aires. Fares from £20,902.

WORLD CRUISE 2012: The grandest of all voyages, and in a class all its own, is Silversea's grand World Cruise. On January 6, Silver Whisper will embark guests in Fort Lauderdale for a remarkable 115-day voyage that concludes in glamorous Monte Carlo. On this magnificent odyssey, her guests will visit 45 ports in 27 countries stretching from the Caribbean and South America to Africa, the Far East, Arabia and Europe. Along the way, they will enjoy 13 overnight visits and exclusive insider access to seldom seen global treasures. Fares from £36,883.



For more info, visit www.silversea.com or consult the luxury-cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Celebrate the Festive Season with Silversea

Silversea Cruises is inviting travellers to wrap themselves in pampering luxury this festive season with a collection of enticing voyages that span the globe from Africa and the South Pacific to the Caribbean and South America.



This year, the all-suite, intimate ships of the Silversea fleet offer an elegant way to revel in the joy of the festive season with cruises ranging from 14 to 17 days. Designed to be a "home upon the oceans of the world," the all-inclusive vessels feature spacious ocean-view suites, most with private veranda, and the highest level of personalised service.



Highlighting the onboard ambiance for these voyages will be festive decorations, parties, menus and entertainment. With the exception of expedition cruises, clergy will be on board to conduct religious services, including a rabbi for Hanukkah. Plus distinguished guest lecturers and destination experts will also be on hand to host enlightening presentations.



And with "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credits of up to $1,000 per suite offered on these festive voyages, guests might choose to indulge in a little extra pampering in the spa or use their credit toward a host of other options, including any Silver Shore excursions (none are excluded), premium selections from the Connoisseur's List of wines and spirits, speciality restaurant dining fees, and/or purchases in the Internet Café and onboard boutiques.



Choose from this luxury collection:



VOYAGE 4137: Valparaiso (Santiago) to Fort Lauderdale, Silver Whisper, 17 Days, Dec 20-Jan 6. Calls in Coquimbo, Arica, Matarani, Callao (Lima), Salaverry, Manta, Puerto Limón and Key West. Highlights include $1,000 "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credit, a crossing of the Panama Canal and overnight stay in Callao. Guest Lecturers: Adrian Sindall, former British ambassador, and Dr. Carolyn Dudek, associate professor of political science. Fares start at £5,403.



VOYAGE 5138: Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale, Silver Spirit, 14 Days, Dec 20-Jan 3. Calls in Grand Turk, St. John’s, Bequia, Bridgetown, Castries, Gustavia, Spanish Town and Key West. Highlights include $500 "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credit. Guest Lecturers: Rick McKay, award-winning filmmaker, and Dr. Jay Wolff, historian and destination expert. Fares start at £4,623.



VOYAGE 3134: Sydney to Auckland, Silver Shadow, 15 Days, Dec 21-Jan 5. Calls in Melbourne, Hobart, Stewart Island, Dunedin, Picton, Napier and Tauranga. Highlights include $1,000 "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credit, overnight stay in Melbourne and cruising through the Milford and Dusky sounds. Guest Lecturers: Richard Tallboys, former British ambassador, and Dr. Lew Deitch, destination consultant. Fares start at £5,378.



VOYAGE 1131: San Diego to Fort Lauderdale, Silver Cloud, 16 Days, Dec 22-Jan 7. Calls in Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Puntarenas, San Blas Island and Cartagena. Highlights include $1,000 "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credit and a crossing of the Panama Canal. Guest Lecturers: Lawrence Rudner, former professor and aerospace engineer, and Michael Freedland, journalist, broadcaster and author. Fares start at £4,068.



NB: Fares listed above are cruise only, per person based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite and include port charges and handling.

For more info, visit www.silversea.com or consult the UK's leading luxury-cruise specialist agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silversea's Atlantic Luxury

This week's cruise deals are rolling in thick and fast (about five per day at the current rate!), and here is one that is definitely worth highlighting for those who like the genuine luxury lifestyle at sea:

Join Silversea Cruises on a nine-day Atlantic voyage from just £2,843 per person (only £315 per day) on an all-inclusive basis, including complimentary flights. Departing October 11 from New York, Silver Whisper calls at Halifax (Canada); St. John (New Brunswick, Canada); Bar Harbor (Maine, USA); Portland (Maine, USA); Boston and Newport (Rhode Island, USA) before arriving back at New York.

All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include complimentary return economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

For more info, visit www.silversea.com or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silversea Adds More Relais & Chateau Voyages

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is pleased to announce that four additional voyages this year will feature the exclusive "Relais & Châteaux L'École des Chefs" interactive cooking school.

"Our L'École des Chefs cooking school is proving extremely popular with guests and we're pleased to roll it out to more voyages this year," said Rudi Scholdis, Silversea's director of culinary development.

The new L'École des Chefs voyages for 2011 are:

NORTHERN EUROPE

Voyage 4122: Silver Whisper departs Stockholm July 23 on a seven-day sailing to Copenhagen with calls in Tallinn, St. Petersburg (three-day/two-night stopover) and Helsinki. Silver Savings fares start at £3,068.

Voyage 1121: Silver Cloud departs Copenhagen July 30 on a 17-day round-trip sailing, with calls in Alesund, Geiranger, Helleysilt, Lofoten, Tromso, Honningsvag (North Cape), Murmansk, Archangel (overnight visit), Hammerfest and Kristiansund. Silver Savings fares start at £5,583.

FAR EAST

Voyage 3126: Silver Shadow departs Incheon (Seoul) September 23 on a 12-day sailing to Hong Kong, with calls in Qingdao, Shanghai, Jiangyin, Nanjing and Xiamen. Highlights include cruising the Yangtze River and overnight stays in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Silver Savings fares start at £3,968.

Voyage 3127: Silver Shadow departs Hong Kong October 5 on a 12-day sailing to Singapore with calls in Chan May, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Ko Samui, and Kuantan. Highlights include overnight stays in Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok. Silver Savings fares start at £3,968.

Through its exclusive partnership with Relais & Châteaux, the distinguished international association of charming properties and gourmet restaurants, Silversea enjoys the privilege of featuring the only Relais & Châteaux L'École des Chefs cooking school at sea. The innovative programme offers guests a special culinary curriculum, including hands-on instruction, and entertaining events hosted by Silversea culinary trainer David Bilsland. Educated in classic French cooking, Bilsland's career includes several years as a chef instructor at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in London. He presents a programme developed in collaboration with Jacques Thorel, the owner of L'Auberge Bretonne and a consulting Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux.

The curriculum for each of these cruises is carefully designed to celebrate the cultural flavour of the ship's itinerary. Highlights include specialised workshops covering a range of topics from basic knife skills and kitchen terminology to sauces and baking; cooking demonstrations with wine pairings and interactive Q&A sessions; lively cooking competitions between Chef Bilsland and the ship's own culinary team; a "Lunch and Learn" event offering small groups of guests a chance to sample a delicious meal of specially prepared dishes; and inspired "Take It Home" recipes that will give guests an edge when entertaining at home.

Also offered on certain voyages, when the itinerary permits, is a "Market to the Plate" experience that provides an escorted tour of a local market followed by a cooking class, and a "Culinary Outing," an instructor-escorted excursion to a local restaurant, hotel or other venue where guests can enjoy a unique culinary exploration.

All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include complimentary return economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes. The $500 (V4122 and V1121) and $1,000 (V3126 and V3127) Onboard Spending Credit is offered per suite, based on two people sharing, for use towards additional benefits such as shore excursions, the spa, boutiques or the wine restaurant.

For more info, visit www.silversea.com or contact the UK's leading luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd at 0800 008 6677.

Silversea Add More UK Cruises in 2012

Recognising the growing demand for more cruising from the UK, Silversea Cruises has expanded its product by adding more voyages to its 2012 programme, with a total of 20 voyages either embarking or disembarking from British ports, the luxury line's largest ex-UK programme to date.

Silver Spirit, Silver Whisper, Silver Cloud and Silver Explorer will dock variously at Southampton, Portsmouth, Greenock and London (Tower Bridge), allowing guests to depart from more UK ports to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, New York and more.

Sample 2011 itineraries include:

Southampton to Barcelona - a seven-day Mediterranean voyage (5111) from £2,778 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing May 29 from Southampton, Silver Spirit calls at La Coruña (Spain), Vigo (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal) and Alicante (Spain) before arriving at Barcelona. Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

Southampton to Copenhagen - a 10-day Northern European voyage (1120) from £3,373 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing July 20 from Southampton, Silver Cloud calls at Plymouth, St. Helier (Jersey, Channel Islands), Rouen (France), Honfleur (France), Oostende (Belgium) and Antwerp before arriving at Copenhagen. Prices are per person, based on two sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

Sample 2012 itineraries include:

Monte Carlo to Southampton - a 12-day Mediterranean voyage (4210) from £4,303 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing May 1 from Monte Carlo, Silver Whisper calls at Palma De Mallorca, Cadiz (Spain), Portimao (Portugal), La Coruña (Spain), Bilbao (Spain), Bordeaux (France) and Le Verdon (France) before arriving at Southampton. Prices are again per person, based on two sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

Stockholm to Southampton – a 10-day Northern European voyage (4219) from £4,373 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing July 16, from Stockholm, Silver Whisper calls at Tallinn (Estonia), St. Petersburg (Russia) for a two-night stay onboard, Helsinki (Finland) and Warnemunde (Rostock, Germany) before arriving at Southampton. Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

For more info, visit www.silversea.com or contact the UK's leading luxury-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silver Shadow's Big Makeover

Silversea Cruises' Silver Shadow has a fresh new look thanks to a major renovation completed during the two weeks that the ultra-luxury ship spent in dry dock in Singapore, before returning to service this month.

As with the refurbishment of sister ship Silver Whisper last year, the enhancements echo the sophisticated contemporary design themes and warm colour palettes of Silversea's newest ship, Silver Spirit. Some of the highlights of Shadow's makeover include:

New Look for Suites: All carpets, headboards, curtains and veranda furniture were completely replaced. The sofas and chairs feature new upholstery. Each suite has a new mattress custom-made exclusively for Silversea. The mattress features an individual spring system with a soft and firm side that can be reversed to suit each guest's preference. There is also a new pillow-top that covers the mattress when configured as a queen-sized bed.

The larger suites (Owner's, Grand, Royal and Silver) have also been outfitted with a new state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen home audio system.

Refreshed Public Areas: La Terrazza, the Bar, Panorama Lounge, Reception area, Card Room and Conference Room received new upholstery, carpeting, curtains and wall treatments. New carpet was laid in the Observation Lounge. The Spa features new wood flooring with new tiling and wall décor in the treatment rooms. The Restaurant's hardwood floor was completely reconditioned and polished and the chairs dressed in new upholstery. An upgraded sound system was added to the Show Lounge, Panorama Lounge and La Terrazza. New carpet was installed in all corridors, landings and staircases.

Upgraded Outdoor Spaces: The jogging track features all-new synthetic turf, and the pool area has been outfitted with new deck furniture, plus a new sound and light system for evening entertainment and outdoor shows. The pool itself has been upgraded inside and out with new tiles. A large awning was installed over the outdoor dining section of La Terrazza, along with new outdoor furniture. And the Pool Grill, sporting a new awning as well, will become The Grill for evening dining, featuring the popular new Black Rock cooking concept that debuted aboard Silver Spirit. At the new outdoor restaurant, guests will enjoy an interactive dining experience that lets them cook prime meats and fresh seafood on heated volcanic rocks at their table.

Finally, in addition to enjoying a fresh reconditioning and polishing of teak decks and woodwork, the ship also underwent thorough maintenance on mechanical and propulsion systems.

For more details of the ship's cruises, visit www.silversea.com or contact the UK's leading luxury cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Enjoy A Mediterranean Cruise This May With Silversea Cruises

With a complimentary return flight and £1000 onboard spending credit, join Silversea Cruises on Silver Spirit for a seven-day Mediterranean voyage (#5111) from Southampton to Barcelona.

From £2,778 per person, on an all-inclusive basis, Silver Spirit departs May 19 and calls at La Coruña (Spain), Vigo (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal) and Alicante (Spain) before arriving at Barcelona (Spain). All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include complimentary one-way Economy Class flights, port charges, government fees and taxes. $1,000 onboard credit is offered per suite, based on two people sharing, for use towards additional benefits such as shore excursions, the spa, boutiques or wine restaurant.

For more information, visit http://www.silversea.com/ or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.