Silversea Cruises has purchased small expedition ship World Discoverer for an undisclosed sum. The vessel will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment before it enters service with the four-ship luxury line in spring 2008.
World Discoverer will accommodate around 140 guests (reduced from current 175), in ocean-view cabins, including Owner's Suites, Grand Suites, and 12 yet-unnamed suites that will be similar to the line's popular Silver Suites offering a "club-like ambiance".
The 6,072-ton vessel has a strengthened hull appropriate for navigating waters in some of the world's most remote regions, including Antarctica.
The addition of Discoverer is in addition to Silversea's plans to purchase one 540-passenger, ultra-luxury vessel from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2009 and an option for a sister ship.
Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre said: "We're very excited about this acquisition, as it means we'll be able to further tap that segment of the luxury travel market that is adventure driven.
"We have been looking into this segment for quite some time. When we were informed about the opportunity to buy World Discoverer, we took immediate action in a matter of days.
"We believe that exploration cruises can combine extremely well with an utterly exclusive product.
"With the addition of World Discoverer, our current fleet increases to five ships and to six from 2009, offering a more-expansive cruise schedule that encompasses all seven continents."
The line's president Amerigo Perasso added: "We will be unveiling more details about World Discoverer, including the new name, in the next few weeks, when all the elements of the project will be finalised.
"However, at this time, I can advise that the refurbishment will extend to virtually every area of the ship.
"Although we will maintain much of the vessel's current configuration, which features all ocean-view accommodation, we will dramatically enhance and redesign a number of public spaces, as well as some of the accommodation, and even some aspects of the ship's external appearance.
"This will bring World Discoverer in line with our usual high standards, but with some modifications to better adapt the ship for the special needs of expedition cruises."
World Discoverer will accommodate around 140 guests (reduced from current 175), in ocean-view cabins, including Owner's Suites, Grand Suites, and 12 yet-unnamed suites that will be similar to the line's popular Silver Suites offering a "club-like ambiance".
The 6,072-ton vessel has a strengthened hull appropriate for navigating waters in some of the world's most remote regions, including Antarctica.
The addition of Discoverer is in addition to Silversea's plans to purchase one 540-passenger, ultra-luxury vessel from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2009 and an option for a sister ship.
Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre said: "We're very excited about this acquisition, as it means we'll be able to further tap that segment of the luxury travel market that is adventure driven.
"We have been looking into this segment for quite some time. When we were informed about the opportunity to buy World Discoverer, we took immediate action in a matter of days.
"We believe that exploration cruises can combine extremely well with an utterly exclusive product.
"With the addition of World Discoverer, our current fleet increases to five ships and to six from 2009, offering a more-expansive cruise schedule that encompasses all seven continents."
The line's president Amerigo Perasso added: "We will be unveiling more details about World Discoverer, including the new name, in the next few weeks, when all the elements of the project will be finalised.
"However, at this time, I can advise that the refurbishment will extend to virtually every area of the ship.
"Although we will maintain much of the vessel's current configuration, which features all ocean-view accommodation, we will dramatically enhance and redesign a number of public spaces, as well as some of the accommodation, and even some aspects of the ship's external appearance.
"This will bring World Discoverer in line with our usual high standards, but with some modifications to better adapt the ship for the special needs of expedition cruises."
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