By
Rebecca Gibson |
Expedition and luxury cruise operator Silversea launched Silver Galapagos on 28 September following an extensive refurbishment to incorporate the line’s signatures features.
Costanza Lefebvre d’Ovidio, daughter of Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, acted as godmother during the onboard ceremony, which was attended by Santiago Dunn, vice president of Silversea in Ecuador, and Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s director of expedition cruises.
Previously owned and operated by Canodros tourism firm under the name Galapagos Explorer II, the 4,077 gt vessel was purchased by Silversea last June as part of its Silversea Expeditions brand expansion. Following the refit, Silver Galapagos offers 50 ocean-view suites with new flat-screen televisions, custom-made mattresses and Pratesi bed linens, as well as updated upholstery, carpets and curtains throughout the ship. The vessel also has a massage room, beauty salon, fitness centre, outdoor Jacuzzi, The Grill dining venue, ship-wide wifi access and a complimentary movie streaming service.
Silver Galapagos will sail an inaugural seven-day round trip from Baltra Island across the western, southern and eastern islands, including Santiago, Bartolomé, Isabela, Fernandina, Floreana, San Cristóbal, and Santa Cruz. The vessel will then embark on a week-long journey from Baltra Island to the northeast, central and southeast islands of Santa Cruz, Genovesa, Seymour Norte, San Cristóbal, Española, and Plazas Sur.
Each expedition features various shore excursions led by an experienced expedition team who are certified by the Galápagos National Park Service, enabling passengers to see a range of wildlife such as giant tortoises, blue- and red-footed boobies, sea lions, penguins and Darwin's famous finches.
In March, Silversea also released details of extended South American land excursions, which are aimed at enhancing the voyages to the Galápagos Islands.
Cruise passengers can participate in a four-night, pre-cruise programme to Puno and Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, as well as a six-night, post-cruise journey to Peru’s Amazon basin onboard Aqua, where guests can see the exotic wildlife inhabiting the region’s lowland forests. Trips to Machu Picchu also feature heavily on the expedition programme, with two pre- or post-cruise options offering a three or four-night journey for those wanting to explore the Lost City of the Incas.