Congratulations from Prince Albert
Silver Cloud’s celebratory voyage included a congratulatory video message from Prince Albert II of Monaco, who had cut the ribbon in Monte Carlo during the naming ceremony for Silversea's first expedition ship in 2008. It was named Prince Albert II in his honor and today sails as Silver Explorer.
'We are delighted to be celebrating this important milestone,' Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio said. 'Since the launch of our expedition itineraries, we have connected people with the world’s most spectacular landscapes and cultures, and, in the process, we have fostered respect and greater care for our planet and its inhabitants. I am very proud of my team and our mission.'
Lefebvre said the company will continue to 'scout new destinations to bring innovation to the world of expedition cruising.'
Environmental and humanitarian efforts
Notable achievements include passengers' participation in a mammal acoustic survey in the Cook and Phoenix islands in 2015 that added three new species to the national registry. In 2017, Silver Discoverer made the first cruise ship call at Bangladesh, where passengers visited a remote village and purchased regional products to benefit the community.
Also last year, Silversea partnered with ORCA, one of the UK's leading marine conservation charities, to enable cruisers to discover incredible marine life and contribute to ORCA’s ongoing conservation work.
In the Galápagos Islands, where Silver Galapagos began sailing in 2014, Silversea will co-sponsor a camp for children to encourage the conservation of marine habitats.
Looking ahead, a Northeast Passage crossing is planned, and additional voyages to the Bay of Bengal, the Russian Far East, Antarctica and Australia's Kimberley Coast, among other far-flung destinations. Of special note are two Silver Discoverer cruises in 2019 when passengers will get to visit Borneo's Camp Leakey, a renowned refuge for orangutans. There, Silversea has exclusive access and the line's donations support research and primate protection.
Training academy for expedition staff
In the past decade, Silversea has developed innovative strategies— such as a dedicated training academy—to recruit a team of expedition specialists. This has played a crucial role in the line’s success. On each expedition voyage, teams of up to 28 experts lead immersive destination experiences. Their work includes lectures and discussions, as well as conducting Zodiac excursions and nature walks.
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