Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from Silversea Cruises and thought it
would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings,
they are available on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
FROM THE THATCHED COTTAGES OF SYLT TO THE GILDED OPULENCE OF ST.
PETERSBURG,SILVERSEA SILVERSEA REVEALS THE RICH DIVERSITY OF NORTHERN
EUROPE
Exciting New Shore Adventures Range from Cosmonaut Training to Cooking
with a Swedish Celebrity Chef
Acclaimed Guest Speakers Offer Enriching Cultural Explorations
(Ft. Lauderdale
This summer ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is offering 19 diverse
itineraries of 6 to 15 days, designed to reveal the quaint harbor
towns, romantic countryside and grand historic ports of Northern
Europe and the Baltic in the up-close, personal style only small ships
can provide.
Accommodating just 296 guests, the all-suite, intimate Silver Cloud
and Silver Wind are specifically designed to navigate narrow waterways
and channels, offering an irresistible Northern Europe program that
includes the possibility to journey up the Gironde River to uncork the
fine wines of Bordeaux; sail under the Tower Bridge into the heart of
London; travel up the Neva River to call in the center of St.
Petersburg; or cruise into Norway's narrowest nooks.
"These itineraries will appeal to the sophisticated luxury traveler
seeking a more intimate, in-depth exploration of Northern Europe,"
said David Morris, Silversea's executive vice president of worldwide
sales and marketing. "Guests on these voyages will enjoy
mind-enriching presentations complemented by shore adventures that are
carefully designed to create a meaningful connection to the people,
places and cultures visited."
EXCITING NEW ADVENTURES ASHORE
Silversea's Northern Europe voyages showcase nearly 60 different
destinations with more than 245 optional shore excursions designed to
appeal to a variety of interests. Following is a sampling of new
optional tours:
** From St. Petersburg, journey to Star City (outside of Moscow) to be
a "Cosmonaut for a Day" at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.
Get hands-on training with the rendezvous and docking simulator for
the Soyuz-TM space vehicle. View a reconstructed copy of the Russian
Mir Space Station and the fully functional hydro-laboratory at the
space center still used for the training of future cosmonauts. Witness
the massive space centrifuge, incorporated into daily cosmonaut
exercises. (A more leisurely tour is also available that omits
simulator training.)
** From Helsingborg, learn how to cook the Swedish way with celebrity
television chef Tina Nordström "on location" at Nordström's studio
kitchen. Her name is a household word in Sweden thanks to her popular
TV series Mat (Food). And she is well known to a U.S. audience through
her program New Scandinavian Cooking on PBS. Enjoy a lecture and
hands-on cooking class followed by a delicious lunch featuring your
own culinary creations -- and the chance to chat and sip wine with the
chef.
** From London, enjoy exclusive, after-hours access to two rare and
unusual exhibitions at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace:
"Amazing Rare Things," a collection of scientific drawings and
watercolors of nature from the Age of Discovery co-curated by
distinguished naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, and
"Treasures from the Royal Collection," shaped by the personal tastes
of kings and queens over more than 500 years. Guests will have a
chance to view works by such masters as Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt,
Canaletto, and Winterhalter, among others.
MIND-ENRICHING JOURNEYS
These voyages will also showcase a diverse enrichment program of noted
scholars, writers, and other experts selected from a variety of fields
to share their passion, knowledge and insider views for the
entertainment and edification of Silversea's guests. A small sampling
includes:
-- Silver Wind departs May 22 on a 10-day voyage (#2816) from London
to Stockholm with calls in Honfleur, Antwerp, Copenhagen, Rostock and
Ronne. Enrichment Host: Richard Tallboys, former British ambassador
twice decorated by Queen Elizabeth. His planned lectures will explore
the creation of a single Europe, Scandinavia's place in history, and
Russia's relationship with western Europe. Silver Sailing cruise fares
start at $5,277 per person.
-- Silver Wind departs July 2 on a 12-day, roundtrip voyage (#2819)
from Stockholm with calls in Ornskoldsvik, Lulea, Kokkola, Vaasa,
Copenhagen (overnight), Helsingborg, Rostock, Ronne, Gdansk and Visby.
Enrichment Host: Dr. Lawrence Herson, an Ohio State University
professor emeritus and former election analyst for CBS. In 1995
Mikhail Gorbachev invited him to deliver a series of lectures in
Russia on the American democratic experience. For Silver Wind's
guests, his presentations will cover Scandinavian history and culture,
touching on the role of the Vikings as well as traders, crusaders and
war in the Baltic lands. Silver Sailing cruise fares start at $6,777
per person.
-- Silver Wind departs July 21 on a 15-day, roundtrip voyage (#2821)
from Copenhagen with calls in Alesund, Gravdal, Honningsvag,
Longyearbyen, Tromso, Geiranger and Bergen. Enrichment Hosts: Former
U.S. Ambassador Andrew L. Steigman, now associate dean at the School
of Foreign Service, Georgetown University. He will present in-depth
lectures on the history and culture of Norway and the Vikings. Also on
hand will be Corey Sandler, author of Henry Hudson: Dreams and
Obsession, to share insights on Hudson's adventurous travels. And
offering guests an authentic taste of Norway will be Relais & Châteaux
guest chef Eyvind Hellstrøm, owner and chef of Bagatelle, Oslo's
famous Michelin two-star restaurant. Silver Sailing cruise fares start
at $9,796 per person.
-- Silver Cloud departs August 5 on a 15-day, roundtrip voyage (#1823)
from Copenhagen visiting Kirkwall, Lerwick, Thorshavn, Reykjavick,
Isafjordur, Akureyri, Alesund, and Bergen, plus an inaugural call to
Sylt. Enrichment Hosts: Dr. Peter Crimes, former University of
Liverpool paleontologist, will illustrate the culture and history of
these northernmost regions with his original photography.
Additionally, Dr. Louis René Beres, professor of political science at
Purdue University, will delve into world affairs and the perspectives
of artists and writers from Denmark, Norway and Germany. And for
culinary enthusiasts, the Viking Cooking School will be hosted by
Kathleen Bruno, curriculum development manager for Viking Cooking
Schools. Early Booking Incentve cruise fares start at $11,196 per
person.
-- Silver Wind departsAugust 19 on a 10-day, Copenhagen-to-London
cruise (#2824), featuring a 3-day, 2-night stopover in historic St.
Petersburg and calls in Helsinki and Tallinn. Enrichment Hosts:
Alastair Bruce, a direct descendant of Robert the Bruce, will be on
hand to discuss modern monarchies from Russia to Britain. And slated
to host a special musical enrichment program is Michael Law, musical
director of London's Piccadilly Dance Orchestra. His engaging musical
lectures, combining stories, piano and song, will explore the works of
Noel Coward, Cole Porter and others. Early Booking Incentive cruise
fares start at $7,985 per person.
-- Silver Wind departs August 29 on a 12-day roundtrip voyage (#2825)
from London visiting Guernsey, Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Stornoway,
Kirkwall, Invergordon and Edinburgh. Enrichment Hosts: Brian Hoey,
royal biographer and television commentator, will present an
illustrated history of the Royal Yacht Britannia, provide an overview
of Buckingham Palace and discuss the legacy of Princess Diana. And for
epicures, Gordon Bell, brand ambassador and master of Scotch whisky,
will share his insights on the art of blending malt whiskies. Early
Booking Incentive cruise fares start at $9,600 per person.
Detailed information and complete itineraries are available from your
travel professional. A colorful self-mailer describing the Northern
Europe voyage collection is available to travel agents and can be
ordered online at Silversea's website.
Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment,
offering guests large-ship amenities aboard four intimate vessels,
Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, and Silver Whisper, all
designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance.
With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II in
2008, the company's itineraries encompass all seven continents.
In the U.S., Silversea has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of
Condé Nast Traveler nine times and six times by the readers of Travel
& Leisure. International awards include "World's Leading Luxury Cruise
Line" from World Travel Awards (2007); "Five Star Diamond Award" from
the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2007); "Number One"
small-ship line in the Readers' Choice" survey conducted by Britain's
Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2007); "Five Anchors" for Gastronomy
and Service in Germany's Kreuzfahrt Guide (2007); "Best Small Cruise
Line" by Australia's Luxury Travel Magazine (2007); and Best Luxury
Cruise Operator according to Asia's Travel Weekly (2007).
For more information on Silversea Cruises, please contact a travel
agent. |