Luxury Line Silversea Plans Adventure Cruises
Luxury leader Silversea Cruises is getting into the adventure business.
The super-posh, small-ship line, known for its impeccable service and $1,000-a-day price tags, yesterday announced that it had bought the World Discoverer, a well-known expedition vessel.
The move is the latest sign of the growing demand for far-flung adventures among the wealthy, both by sea and on land. Upscale adventure travel of all types has been booming in recent years.
The World Discoverer has a strengthened, ice-rated hull that allows it to venture into the most remote regions of the globe, including Antarctica -- an increasingly popular destination that most traditional cruise ships can only view from a distance.
Silversea, which operates four traditional luxury vessels and has a fifth on order, appears to be tackling the adventure cruising niche with gusto. In its announcement this morning, the line said it planned nothing short of being "best in class" in the category. It says it plans a multi-million dollar facelift for the World Discoverer to bring it up to Silversea standards. Changes include reducing the number of passengers per voyage from 175 to 140.
Of course, some would argue that the shipboard pampering for which Silversea is known -- "ultra-luxury," it's often called -- doesn't quite fit on an adventure cruise. The whole idea of adventure cruising is that it's all about the destination, not the Good Life on board the ship.
Luxury leader Silversea Cruises is getting into the adventure business.
The super-posh, small-ship line, known for its impeccable service and $1,000-a-day price tags, yesterday announced that it had bought the World Discoverer, a well-known expedition vessel.
The move is the latest sign of the growing demand for far-flung adventures among the wealthy, both by sea and on land. Upscale adventure travel of all types has been booming in recent years.
The World Discoverer has a strengthened, ice-rated hull that allows it to venture into the most remote regions of the globe, including Antarctica -- an increasingly popular destination that most traditional cruise ships can only view from a distance.
Silversea, which operates four traditional luxury vessels and has a fifth on order, appears to be tackling the adventure cruising niche with gusto. In its announcement this morning, the line said it planned nothing short of being "best in class" in the category. It says it plans a multi-million dollar facelift for the World Discoverer to bring it up to Silversea standards. Changes include reducing the number of passengers per voyage from 175 to 140.
Of course, some would argue that the shipboard pampering for which Silversea is known -- "ultra-luxury," it's often called -- doesn't quite fit on an adventure cruise. The whole idea of adventure cruising is that it's all about the destination, not the Good Life on board the ship.
posted by The Cruise Cafe | 6:12 PM
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