The Galapagos Islands is one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife-viewing.
Silversea Cruises is set to sail the Galapagos Archipelago, having taken delivery of Silver Origin this month.
The handover of the vessel from the Dutch shipyard was the first in-person cruise ship delivery since the coronavirus global pandemic lockdown.
Once it sets sail, the 100-guest, boutique ship will be cruising the Galapagos year-round.
Silversea Galapagos cruises are all about discovering the region’s wildlife-rich islands, whether from a kayak expedition, a dive or a land-based tour. So guests gain as as much as possible from the trip, Basecamp, located at the heart of the ship, will be hosting a range of educational activities led by Silversea’s team of expert guides, all of whom are permanent residents of the islands. A huge interactive screen will provide guests with destination-related content, including historical pictures provided by The Royal Geographical Society of London, exclusive aerial and underwater video, excursion previews and scientific presentations.
Further on board amenities include flat-bottomed, Zodiac vessels that transport guests from ship to shore. The Zodiac embarkation area offers showers for guests to rinse gear and racks for storing wetsuits and other equipment. The ship’s fold-out stern accommodates two Zodiacs at a time and with eight Zodiacs on board in total, Silver Origin will have the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratio in the Galapagos.
Relaxation amenities at the end of a busy day include an Observation Lounge at the front of the ship with 180-degree floor-to-ceiling glass windows. There’s also a spa with Fitness Centre where guests can work out while enjoying the spectacular views through floor-to-ceiling windows, a spa and beauty salon. The two restaurants, with an ‘Ecuadorian twist’, can each accommodate all the ship’s guests at once.
All suites on board boast butler service, floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony.
Silver Origin has been built as one of the most energy-efficient vessels in its class, with environmentally low-impact features to comply with Galapagos National Park Directorate regulations. These include a 15% reduction in fuel consumption and fewer exhaust emissions, a ‘dynamic positioning system’ when hovering over delicate seabed ecosystems to prevent the anchor from causing damage, freshwater purification systems that convert seawater into drinking water on board and a wastewater treatment system that meets the most stringent market regulations. All on board waste will be segregated and delivered to a local waste management group for it to be recycled or shipped out of the islands.
Silversea has also launched the Silversea Fund for the Galapagos to support educational projects and safeguard the islands. Donations by guests will be matched by Silversea in the form of Future Cruise Credits.