The Avid Cruiser

Silversea Cruises opened general sales on a new 59-day grand voyage in the Mediterranean. Between September 8 and November 5, 2021, aboard the recently refurbished Silver Shadow. The post Booking Open For Silversea’s 2021 Mediterranean Grand Voyage appeared first on Avid Cruiser Cruise Reviews, Luxury Cruises, Expedition Cruises.

For the first time in history, travelers have embarked on a seven-continent World Cruise. Silversea’s Silver Whisper set sail on the Legends of Cruising 2020 on January 6, departing Fort Lauderdale for Amsterdam, where guests will arrive on May 25 having circumnavigated the world. The post Guests Embark On Silversea’s 2020 Seven-Continent World Cruise appeared first on Avid Cruiser Cruise Reviews, Luxury Cruises, Expedition Cruises.

Visiting the Galapagos National Park and Marine Preserve is a peak lifetime experience. Our previous post and videos described the first six ports of call during our Silversea expedition cruise aboard the Silver Galapagos. This article covers the other nine. The post Silversea’s Galapagos Experience, Part Two: Ports of Call and Excursions appeared first on Avid Cruiser Cruise Reviews, Luxury Cruises, Expedition Cruises.

I can't say how other companies deliver their Galapagos experiences, but I can't imagine how any of them could deliver a better Galapagos experience than Silversea. And with a new ship purpose-built for the Galapagos coming in 2020, Silversea stands poised to be the leader in these islands that have been enchanting visitors long before - and ever since - Charles Darwin's visit in 1835. The post Chasing the Equator: 7 Reasons To Cruise The Galapagos – On Silversea appeared first on Avid Cruiser Cruise Reviews, Luxury Cruises, Expedition Cruises.

Silversea’s new ship, Silver Moon, touched water for the first time at Fincantieri Shipyard in Ancona, Italy. The float out was marked by a celebratory event and a traditional coin ceremony, held in the presence of representatives from Silversea and Fincantieri, and other guests. The post Silver Moon’s Float Out Ceremony appeared first on Avid Cruiser Cruise Reviews, Luxury Cruises, Expedition Cruises.

This week on Avid Travel With Britton Frost I am joined by Wes Weiner who recently completed his first expedition cruise aboard Silver Cloud. The post Avid Travel With Britton Frost – Expedition Cruising Vs Classic Cruising With Silversea appeared first on Avid Cruiser.

This week on Avid Travel With Britton Frost we learn a little bit about the Galapagos. The Ecuadorian Islands are a relatively new destination for cruisers - and they are waiting to be explored.  The post Avid Travel With Britton Frost – Silversea And Lindblad’s Galapagos Itineraries appeared first on Avid Cruiser.

Silversea launches a new collection of Grand Voyages for late 2020 and 2021, which includes three expedition cruise options. Silversea’s Grand Voyages offer extended journeys of up to 70 days with multiple overnight stays and a range of events. The post Silversea’s 2020-2021 Grand Voyages appeared first on Avid Cruiser.

Over the next few weeks we will look at the different itineraries and programs offered by certain cruise lines in the Galapagos. First up? Silversea. The post Sailing The Galapagos With Silversea appeared first on Avid Cruiser.

No matter how new you are to cruising, you’ve probably heard about the loyalty programs that various cruise lines offer. In this article, we look at the loyal programs offered by Crystal, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Seabourn. The post Cruise Line Loyalty Programs 101: Crystal, Seabourn, Silversea, And Regent Seven Seas appeared first on Avid Cruiser.

Silversea unveils new details of Silver Origin, the cruise line’s first ever destination-specific ship, which will travel the Galapagos Islands from the summer of 2020. The post Silversea’s New Galapagos Ship, Silver Origin appeared first on Avid Cruiser.

With rates from $65,000 per person, Silversea’s 2021 World Cruise spans 150 days and visits 34 countries across six continents. The post Booking Open For Silversea’s 2021 World Cruise appeared first on Avid Cruiser.

The general sale of Silversea’s Expedition World Cruise 2021 is now open. Unlocking a selection of travel experiences in 107 destinations, the Expedition World Cruise 2021- or the Uncharted World Tour - has been curated to take guests closer to the authentic beauty of the world in ultimate comfort. The post Booking Opens For Silversea’s 2021 Expedition World Cruise appeared first on Avid Cruiser.

For 14 select voyages in 2019 and 2020, solo travelers will enjoy zero supplement fares on new bookings that are paid in full by February 28, 2019. The post Silversea Announces Savings For Solo Travelers appeared first on Avid Cruiser.

Silversea Cruises will host two World Cruises in 2021, including the world’s first ever Expedition World Cruise. The post Silversea Announces 2021 Expedition World Cruise appeared first on Avid Cruiser.

Join us on a journey to one of the world's most spectacular regions.

Silversea offered a wide selection of shore excursions in Kusadasi. We talked to one couple who went tandem sky-diving (their first time), a shore excursion offered on Silver Spirit. Others visited Ephesus and the Home of the Virgin Mary in the morning, and some even returned for the evening concert. Golf excursions were offered as were wine tasting excursions. We chose to visit Ephesus in the evening for several reasons: 1) With temperatures in the 90s, we figured we could avoid touring Ephesus during the hottest parts of the day; 2) There would be no crowds, as Ephesus was open only to our group from Silver Spirit; and 3) We would get to experience Ephesus at sunset, something few people in life ever experience. When our tour concluded, we were happy with our choices. It was an evening that we’ll never forget. Read the rest at http://www.avidcruiser.com/2013/07/11/silver-spirit-evening-in-ephesus/

Step out on my balcony to enjoy the sun and the sounds of the sea as Silver Cloud crosses the Atlantic Ocean. For move videos and photos featuring Silversea, visit avidcruiser.com

In 1987, while negotiating the release of hostages in Beirut, Terry Waite was taken hostage himself and held in captivity for 1,763 days. As one of the many distinguished guest lecturerers on Silversea Cruises, Waite reveals how he survived solitary confinement for nearly five years.

Watching our ship depart Lisbon after a 9-day cruise.

My daughter Britton and I had signed up for a half-day half-day sightseeing excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Saint-Emilion. If you appreciate wine, you may know of Saint-Emilion’s celebrated vineyards and its delicious wines. In fact, the vineyards reach all the way up to Saint-Emilion’s ancient town walls.

Silversea Cruises had democratized butlering. Everyone who cruises on the luxury line can enjoy the services of their butlers. There’s no class division here. No matter what category you’re booked in, you’ll have a butler waiting on you.

My daughter Britton and I awoke early for our 8:30 a.m., eight-hour tour to experience Hemingway's Pamplona on a so-called Silver Shore Collection excursion from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France, where Silver Whisper was anchored. Ernest Hemingway first visited Pamplona in July 1923 during the San Fermin Festival. The city's atmosphere and the Running of the Bulls made such an impression on Hemingway that he chose the fiesta as the backdrop for his first successful novel, The Sun Also Rises.

Today, Silver Whisper called on Gijon, in northern Spain. We took Silversea's free shuttle service between the ship and city center, about 20 minutes. On larger ships, I've had to pay for shuttle service, as much as 8 euros per person (about US$10). We were impressed by the city itself, but we were blown away by the tradition of cider pouring. My understanding is that you only buy cider by the bottle in so-called siderias, or cider houses. That's when the show begins. The bartender uncorks the bottle, lifts it above his head and pours the cider into a glass below his waist, both arms fully extended. Missing the glass: remarkably little.

This morning, Silver Whisper docked at the Port of Bilbao, about 20 minutes from the city center of Bilbao and its famed Guggenheim Museum. Here are the highlights from our day.

We've been on a port-intensive cruise since departing Southampton last week on Silver Whisper. Each day, we've enjoyed some memorable tours, with only one sea day to rest, and that was on the first full day of the cruise. So when Silver Whisper docked in the city center of A Coruña on Thursday, we chose a tour that allowed us to sleep in and get a good overview of the city.

What Silversea Cruises does differently

Founded in 1851, the Mission Estate Winery in Napier is New Zealand's oldest and the birthplace of New Zealand wines. Our half-day excursion included a tour, wine tasting and gourmet lunch.

This half-day excursion began pierside in Dunedin, New Zealand, past some of the country's best scenery.

It was raining when Silver Shadow cruised New Zealand's stunning Milford Sound, but the rain created an extraordinary spectacle, waterfalls.

This morning, Silver Shadow docked in Melbourne, Australia. I opted for a full-day tour called “Puffing Billy, Wildlife & Dandendnongs.” See the full story at http://j.mp/AlTHms

In Sydney, Silver Shadow was docked in the best possible position, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. There's not a better place in Sydney to board a ship — and definitely no better place to overnight.

For the full review, visit http://www.avidcruiser.com/cruise-line-profiles/luxury-cruises/silversea-cruises/prince-albert-ii/

“Tourists have been coming back to Egypt since early March,” our tour guide told Silver Spirit guests as we began the “Splendors of Luxor” tour from Safaga. “We appreciate you and those of you who are coming back. We really need visitors to return.”Our fist stop: The Temple of Dandara, a well-preserved temple complex, about two hours from Safaga, Egypt, where Silver Spirit is docked. Building began by Ptolemy XII and was dedicated to the goddess Hathor, commonly depicted as a cow goddess with headdress of horns and a sun disk. The 13.5-hour shore excursion was provided free of charge for Silversea passengers.

On a Silversea shore excursion, many of went to St. Paul de Vence, where we stepped inside the Relais & Châteaux property ;Hotel Le Saint Paul

An expert on intelligence and espionage, Nigel West packs the room when he lectures on Silversea Cruises. What's he saying that intrigues us so much? Watch our interview with West.

Saturday, May 14, 2011 - This morning in Lisbon, I joined a Silversea shore excursion called Romantic Sintra & Portuguese Riviera. The 4.5-hour tour on a modern and uncrowded motorcoach took us to the enchanting fairy-tale town of Sintra, a mountainous and multi-castled town that was once a favorite destination of 19th-century aristocrats. We had about 90 minutes to tour the town with a guide or on our own. We then went to Cascais, a fishing village turned resort on the Portuguese Riviera, where we spent about an hour before heading back to Lisbon. The tour also gave us time to explore Lisbon (our guide gave us an overview and pointed out some of the key attractions on the way out of - and into - the city), and fortunately, Silver Spirit was docked within walking distance of the city center. And as in most destinations where Silver Spirit calls, complimentary shuttles also operated between the ship and city center for those who preferred not to walk. For more information, visit avidcruiser.com

On a beautiful morning in the ;Mediterranean, Silver Spirit is making her way toward Sorrento and the enchanted island of Capri. Exceptionally beautiful and peaceful from a distance, Capri can be extremely crowded and chaotic up close. To beat the crowds and make the most of your day in Capri, choose an exclusive tour. "If we have a line of 1,000 people, the passengers of Silversea will not wait a minute," says Monica Greico, a guide for Silversea Cruises.

As if you weren't already pampered enough on Silver Spirit, welcome to The Spa at Silversea. The largest spa in Silversea's fleet, the spa on Silver Spirit is an extremely attractive addition to Silversea's newest vessel. ; The Spa at Silversea is a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation. You'll find a wide range of relaxing spa treatments, including the Elemis Aroma Stone Therapy and the popular Bamboo Massage. Afterward, you may want to relax in the ceramic-tiled Thermal Suite, an exclusive spa area furnished with heated lounge chairs. You'll also find a sauna and steamroom and an attractive outdoor relaxation area that offers bar service, so go ahead and order up that complimentary bottle of champagne before or after taking a soak in the expansive whirlpool. For those who want to keep up their fitness routines while at sea, the spa also features an exercise facility with state-of-the-art training equipment. Your spa experience doesn't have to end at the spa, by the way. Silver Spirit serves up a spa menu, not only delicious but healthy, and a great way to start the day with breakfast at the Pool Grill.

A Silversea shore excursion that takes visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage Lower Old Town, then to a Medieval Monastery, where they will hear Gregorian chants. ;

Silversea Guest Interview

Silversea Guest Interview

Silversea Guest Interview

Silversea staff interviews

Silversea Cruises' new Silver Spirit features six restaurants, including Seishin, an Asian fusion restaurant, where the signature item will be Kobe beef, served with sushi, sashimi, exotic sakes (the rice wine), and more.

Join Avid Cruiser Ralph Grizzle in Ancona, Italy, for Silver Spirit's sea trials and a walk-through of Silversea's newest ship with Christian Sauleau, executive vice president, fleet operations; Rudi Scholdis, Silversea's culinary director; and Silver Spirit's two captains.

Taking its name from the Japanese word for "spirit," Silver Spirit's Seishin restaurant features a large, round chef's table as its centerpiece. Guests can watch the chef at work sculpting fresh sushi and sashimi. The varied menu ranges from bento lunches and a la carte specialties of seafood salad, lobster and Kobe beef to a nine-course degustation dinner.