New era dawns for Silversea Expeditions

This week marks both the end of an era and a new beginning for ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea. The iconic Silver Cloud will complete her final voyage before joining the expeditions fleet. I sat down with Conrad Combrink, director of Silversea Expeditions, to learn about Silver Cloud’s future as well as Silversea’s exciting expedition destinations.

Conrad is an expedition veteran of over 20-years experience. He’s visited Antarctica more than most, clocking up no fewer than 65 visits to the wintery wonderland. He’s passionate about expeditions.

Conrad established Silversea’s acclaimed expedition program almost 10 years ago. He recalls a meeting with company founder Manfredi Lefebvre who said his vision was for serious expeditions from luxury ships.

“It’s about doing it right. It means luxury and real expedition. We are a real expedition company at heart.”

Conrad Combrink, director of Silversea Expeditions

The transformation of Silver Cloud will embody that ethos. Silver Cloud debuted in 1994 and redefined luxury cruising, introducing all-suite accommodation and butler service. After 23 years this icon of the oceans will enter dry dock and be transformed into an expedition vessel that will once again set new industry standards.

The transformation requires a huge amount of invasive work. The hull will be reenforced, all suites and public rooms will be redesigned and even the plumbing, air-conditioning and electricals will be replaced. After the last passengers disembark this week a team of workmen will come on board to begin the demolition work.

When Silver Cloud Expedition emerges from dry dock in November she will accommodate just 200-guests. There’ll be 22 trained expedition staff and 16 Zodiacs to get guests up close to the wildlife. And in a first, Silver Cloud Expedition will also have a fleet of sea kayaks with 3 kayak guides.

“200 guests is the magic number”, explains Conrad. “It allows us to be a Category-1 ship in the polar regions and have no restrictions imposed on us in terms of our expeditions ashore.”

Silversea are taking the transformation of Silver Cloud very seriously and the lengths they’ve gone to are impressive. The entertainment theatre will be replaced by a lecture theatre with high-definition screens, the casino will be replaced by a photo studio and Silver Cloud Expedition will even boast a large mud room where guests can rinse their boots and equipment when they return to the ship.

Silver Cloud Expedition will also be the first explorer ship will a full-sized, heated swimming pool. Though as Conrad quipped: “We haven’t tested it in the polar regions yet!”

Silversea Expeditions will offer a remarkable 587 explorer destinations when Silver Cloud Expedition enters service. The Russian far east is among Conrad’s favourites. “It’s isolated and one of the most diverse regions you can imagine.” However, not everyone can get there. “It’s also a military zone and very difficult to get the permits. It takes us about a year and a half”, he explains. It is that isolation that has ensured the region remains pristine and a must-see for a lucky few travellers.

Inside knowledge of expedition destinations makes all the difference. Conrad personally goes on board the Silversea Expeditions fleet at least three times a year and he also spends a lot of time scouting new locales. “It’s important that when we do deliver a destination we know what we are doing”, he explains.

For many of Silversea’s discerning guests the destinations are the real luxury, from Svalbard in Norway to South Georgia Island, known as Serengeti of the Antarctic. These remote places team with rarely seen wildlife including sea birds, polar bears and humpback whales. “It’s an incredible and humbling experience to get so close to the wildlife”, says Conrad.

Indeed, on occasions polar bears have come right up to Silversea Expeditions ships as they’ve floated among the ice-flows. While thrilling, the expedition teams ensure these encounters remain a one-sided affair – the bears engage on their own terms.“We won’t get in the way of the wildlife and we never interfere in the fragile environments”, explains Conrad.

First ever Pacific coast Silversea expeditions

Silver Cloud Expedition sets sail for Antarctica on 15 November 2017. She will visit the Antarctic Peninsula where guests can marvel at spectacular icebergs and calving glaciers. They will also get the chance to see elephant seals, humpback and Minke whales, and the wolves of the sea: orcas.

In my opinion, Silver Cloud Expedition will be a game changer and is sure to deliver even more remarkable destination experiences. For more information about Silver Cloud Expedition visit the Silversea website.

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