Silversea Celebrates 30 Years of Luxury Travel

Silver Ray

For three decades Silversea has led the way with innovations in luxury cruising, not only transforming its industry but also changing the way travelers explore the world. With its redesigned ships, its mission to sail to the most fascinating and awe-inspiring places across the globe, and its commitment to the highest standards of luxury, Silversea has radically reshaped our concept of cruising. Now as the company celebrates its 30th anniversary, it’s time to look back at the milestones in its past and also to extend the gaze forward to the continued evolution of excellence.

From its founding in 1994, Silversea revolutionized the cruise world by embracing the idea of all-inclusive voyaging for the most discerning travelers. Gourmet meals, fine wines and champagne, gratuities, and port charges—all that was included in the fare. But it was just the beginning. The accommodations in Silversea’s first vessel, Silver Cloud, were all ocean-view suites—almost all with verandas—and with just 254 passengers aboard, the emphasis was clearly on luxury, intimacy, and personalized service.              

The direction for the future was confirmed with the arrival of the even more elegant Silver Wind the next year, followed by additional vessels that could accommodate more passengers in larger suites and offer more fine dining and other indulgent amenities. These small, luxe ships were designed for sophisticated travelers who loved the idea of sipping champagne on their private veranda as the sun set over the ocean while sailing to exotic ports and the most remote corners of the world.

From the awe-inspiring icescapes of Antarctica and the tropical lagoons of the South Pacific to the centuries-old cultures of Asia or the epicurean riches of the Mediterranean, Silversea’s curated itineraries fulfill every voyager’s wish list. In 2002 Silversea set out on its first world cruise, notably including Madagascar as a port of call; five years later an itinerary included a stop at fabled Easter Island. The commitment to new and far-flung destinations like those led to the development of an expedition fleet that could bring luxury travelers safely and comfortably to wonder at the glaciers of the Arctic or the extraordinary natural world of the Galapagos. Today Silversea boasts a dozen ships voyaging pole-to-pole to 830 destinations on all seven continents.

Continuing its mission of delivering exceptional experiences, Silversea has also pioneered the concept of immersive travel, adding land programs that have brought travelers to countries like Bhutan and Mongolia, far beyond the range of normal cruises. In 2020 the company introduced the Silversea S.A.L.T. program—which stands for Sea And Land Taste—to travelers on Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, Silver Nova, and Silver Ray, allowing them to authentically engage with local cuisine and cultures both in port and onboard. A journey to Scandinavia, for example, might include a day-long visit with a renowned Norwegian chef, learning cooking techniques. A Mediterranean voyage might feature an excursion to a working organic farm on the Greek island of Paros. Back on the ship, guests can enjoy dishes inspired by a destination or share cooking sessions in the S.A.L.T. lab, an interactive professional-level kitchen. What an amazing way to truly get to know another country’s heritage and to bring back memories far more valuable than any material souvenirs.

Even as Silversea celebrates the achievements of the last 30 years, it continues to look ahead, pushing the bar for luxury cruising in new and unexpected directions. In 2023 it launched the Evolution class of ships with Silver Nova, followed in 2024 with Silver Ray. With accommodations for 728 passengers, these ships exhibit a revolutionary asymmetrical design that features more open spaces and expanses of glass offering views from every venue. As part of a sustainability initiative, these ships also use cutting-age technology to achieve zero emissions in port.

Unchanged, of course, is the friendly, attentive hospitality that has characterized Silversea since its inception, with around-the-clock butler service, exquisite meals, and the recent Otium onboard wellness program that highlights pampering and pleasure.

The quest for new destinations continues. This year South Africa and Namibia are new for Expeditions, while the Controtempo World Cruise of 2025 promises cruise passengers the opportunity to explore classic ports in unusual seasons and unlock more subtle aspects of a place. Grand Voyages in all parts of the world will add the irreplaceable element of time to an itinerary, allowing luxury travelers to discover more of what lies beyond the horizon.

Thirty years of excellence is merely a prelude to the excitement that lies ahead. For voyagers with Silversea, a treasure trove of awe-inspiring experiences awaits.

If you’d like to learn more about Silversea or to inquire about your next sailing, you can visit silversea.com