New luxury expedition ship sets sail
Silversea Cruises’s new adventure vessel Prince Albert II arrived in London this week prior to its first cruise.
The ship sailed under Tower Bridge to welcome its first guests on board yesterday (Thursday).
The vessel had travelled from its naming ceremony in Monte Carlo last week.
The 132-passenger Prince Albert II is claimed to be the world’s first ultra-luxury expedition ship.
The ship then sailed down the River Thames on an inaugural season of voyages of 10 to 22 days focusing on polar adventures.
Sailing first to the Arctic Circle, Svalbard, Iceland and Greenland for the summer, the ship will then reposition to South America and Antarctica for autumn and winter voyages.
The 1A ice-rated Prince Albert II has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation.
Carrying a maximum of 132 passengers, it will have a 1:1.2 crew to guest ratio compared to mass-market ships with up to 5,000 passengers and a crew to passenger ratio of 1:3.
Despite its’ small size, Silversea claims the vessel has the largest average size cabins of any expedition ship.
All 66 ocean-view cabins feature private marble bathrooms with bathtubs, many with double private balconies or large private verandas, and additional amenities including butler service.
Silversea is a provisional member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators, dedicated to managing respectable, environmentally friendly and safe expedition cruising in the Arctic.
The company has also joined the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) which promotes and practices safe and environmentally responsible travel to Antarctica.
Silversea also plans to voluntarily adopt and apply similar operating procedures in all other destinations where Prince Albert II will operate.
Silversea president and CEO Amerigo Perasso said: “In keeping with the environmental work of her namesake, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, we are delighted to announce that Silversea has signed an agreement to support the Prince Albert II Foundation whose aim is to highlight and make tangible action to protect and preserve the most vulnerable inhabitants and landscapes on earth.â€
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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