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3rd Aug 2024 | 7 nights | Silversea | Silver Origin
When you explore the uninhabited islands of the Galapagos National Park, you are in one of the most rugged places on the planet, a land where the wildlife rules and you are just another creature. That does not mean you need to rough it. You certainly won't on the luxurious, all-inclusive, 100-passenger Silver Origin, Silversea Cruises' first purpose-built, destination-focused expedition ship. Everyone on the ship stays in suites with butler service, and your every need is catered to with skill. Crew greet you with Italian designer bathrobes as you return from snorkelling, perhaps with whitetip reef sharks and sea lions. You will find hot water aplenty in your ocean-view glass shower with rainfall showerhead. Your personal butler will fetch you a cappuccino or whatever else you desire.
...focuses on bringing the outdoors in. The ship has windows all around (even in the lift) for views. A luxury hotel designer created a soothing colour scheme of stone and cream, complimented by an Ecuadorian-focused art collection, that gives a sense of place but does not distract from what's happening outdoors. At the same time, Silver Origin is filled with the kind of plush furnishings you can sink into after a busy day of exploring via inflatable Zodiac, kayak, snorkelling or on foot, with the ship's 10 local, park-certified naturalist guides. You and your fellow passengers may have come to meet blue-footed boobies and endemic marine iguanas and tortoises, but a convivial atmosphere on the ship, an open-seating policy at meals, free booze, and the small number of passengers onboard, means it's easy to make friends (the spaciousness of the ship also means you can avoid anyone you don't care for).
Silver Origin has space to stretch out, so much so you may feel at times like you are on your own private yacht. Reserve the hot tub for two and have your butler serve Champagne. Head to the windowed observation lounge/library and take a nap with book about Charles Darwin on your lap. A basecamp lounge features an interactive digital wall, a nifty high-tech way to learn factoids about Galapagos wildlife. Silver Origin is Galapagos on a silver platter.
Entertainment onboard includes a pianist performing on a baby grand in the main Explorer Lounge during cocktail hour and after dinner. He also plays a keyboard in The Grill at lunchtime. Guests can relax by the ship's firepit outside the Explorer Lounge on Deck 4 in the evening, or head up to the stargazing area on Deck 8 to try and spot the Southern Cross or volcanic activity in the distance.
Your Galapagos exploration includes up to four excursion choices each day, led by excellent Galapagos National Park-certified naturalist guides. A highlight is the 1:10 guide to guest ratio, ensuring personalized experiences. Tours are staggered for smooth boarding onto Zodiacs at the active marina. Activities range from beach hikes to snorkeling and kayaking, with equipment provided. Wildlife encounters abound, including with iconic Galapagos species like giant tortoises and marine iguanas.
Encounters with fearless Galapagos wildlife are plentiful, whether snorkeling with sea lions or observing nesting marine iguanas on beaches. Zodiac tours offer close-up views of birds and animals, while beach walks provide opportunities to observe diverse species unique to the islands. From the ship, guests may spot dolphins and seabirds, adding to the immersive wildlife experience.
Evenings feature cocktails and daily recaps in the Explorer Lounge, with informative lectures by naturalists. The Basecamp lounge offers interactive digital presentations enhancing understanding of Galapagos ecology. Nature movies and stargazing sessions further enrich the experience.
Evenings are relaxed, with guests often retiring to their cabins after dinner. Classic movies are available in-room, and there's no casino onboard.
The Explorer Lounge is a hub for evening socializing, offering a variety of cocktails and local artisanal beers. Basecamp provides a cozy space for relaxation and educational activities, while the Observation Lounge/Library offers a quiet retreat with forward-facing views.
A hot tub on Deck 7 provides scenic relaxation, with the option to enjoy champagne delivered by your butler. The ship lacks a traditional pool due to park restrictions.
Reception services are available in the Basecamp lounge, with limited shopping opportunities for local items like jewellery and Panama hats. Ship-wide WiFi is complimentary, with premium options available.
The small Zagara beauty spa offers hair and nail treatments, massages, and spa packages, with gratuities at your discretion.
The ocean-view gym is well-equipped for personal workouts, with organized power walks offered on shore.
Meals are a highlight with an executive chef who's always around, sharing insights on cuisine and history. Ecuadorian regulations shape Silver Origin's dining experience, emphasizing local fare. Menus offer international and Ecuadorian dishes, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. Galapagos restrictions mean beef must be Ecuadorian, leading to unique options like the Silversea Signature Burger. Local fish and seafood, including exotic varieties, shine. Collaboration with regional producers ensures a diverse culinary experience. The Restaurant on Deck 4 offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a mix of buffet and menu options. The Grill on Deck 7 serves lunch with a daily Galapagos Seafood Market and hosts the "Hot Rocks" dinner experience. Room service provides 24-hour dining, including breakfast specialties, burgers, pasta, and more, delivered by your butler.
Guests aboard Silver Origin enjoy luxurious accommodations in spacious suites. The smallest suite offers a generous 325 square feet of space, with options ranging up to nearly 2,000 square feet. Each of the 51 suites, located on Decks 5 and 6, includes attentive butler service and round-the-clock room service.
The suites feature balconies, with some offering a unique "Horizon" design, allowing guests to open a portion of a floor-to-ceiling window for an open-air experience. Inside, the décor is contemporary and calming, with plush padded headboards and fine European linens on twin, Queen, or King-sized beds. The bathrooms boast ocean views from the glass showers, and a purified water faucet is provided for eco-friendly water bottle refills.
Storage is ample, with walk-in closets equipped with bathrobes and slippers, while hooks are available for snorkeling gear and life jackets. Each suite includes modern amenities such as a mini-bar stocked with local treats, a flat-screen HDTV with on-demand entertainment, and a mirrored vanity table/writing desk.
Families are catered to with connecting suites and larger options like the Grand and Royal suites, perfect for accommodating up to four guests. Suite categories include Classic Veranda, Superior Veranda, Deluxe Veranda, Medallion, Silver, Royal, Grand, and Owner's Suites, each offering its own unique features and layouts. From intimate balconies to spacious living areas, Silver Origin ensures a comfortable and memorable stay for every guest.
Sophisticated international travellers who enjoy unusual destinations yet want a hint of traditional formality, complete with butler service
Young families and American-centric cruisers who like to be casual all the time
Silversea caters to Baby Boomers, affluent and often retired, with the leisure and the resources to make Silversea their cruise line of choice. Silversea Expeditions also appeals to that demographic, as well as younger professionals with a desire for active cruising that includes posh cabins and stellar service alongside Zodiac expeditions, snorkelling excursions and in-port hikes. Shorter classic voyages also tend to draw younger passengers. About 60 percent of passengers onboard come from the Americas, the rest from international markets.
Yes, if you are going on a classic cruise ship; no if you're sailing on a luxury expedition cruise. The classic ships divide evenings among casual resort wear, informal attire (for men, this means a jacket, tie optional, and women wear dresses or pantsuits) and formal nights when eveningwear for women is an evening gown or cocktail dress and men wear tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits, and a tie is required. The dress code is more casual on the expedition vessels, and there are no formal nights.
Silversea cruises are fairly inclusive, with the only extras being shore excursions (except on Silversea's expedition cruises on which they're included in the cruise price), shop purchases, spa and beauty treatments, and send-out laundry. Some speciality restaurants also cost extra (and caviar on the room service menu). Cruise fares include gratuities, unlimited beverages (soft and alcoholic), internet access and round trip transportation into town in most ports. Most itineraries also include transfers to/from the ship, and some even include complimentary round trip economy airfare.
Onboard, each Silversea cruise ship has a pool and hot tubs that see a lot of action, and the spa gets a lot of use, as well. Silversea cruisers also enjoy attending lectures on the culture and history of the destinations they visit, and like to spend time in the library. Evening shows, which range from opera-themed to swing-era classics, also draw a crowd. When in port, most Silversea cruisers opt for one of the line's many shore excursion offerings. Expedition cruises bring cruisers together with experts to lead hiking, Zodiac, snorkelling, diving and other small group excursions.
Stylish and sophisticated, the Classic Veranda is a haven of peace at the end of a busy day of discovery. A private veranda brings your destination even closer to home. Full butler service completes this suite.
