(Monaco -- June 18, 2012)
The
Silversea Group announced today that it has purchased Canodros S.A.,
the premier Ecuadorian tourism company that operates in the Galapagos
Islands, and their upmarket expedition ship,
Galapagos Explorer II.
Silversea plans to add
Galapagos Explorer II to its ultra-luxury fleet of six ships next
year, after the all-suite, 100-guest vessel undergoes a major
refurbishment in September 2013 and is given a new name, steps that will
ensure consistency with the standards of the Silversea
fleet.
Until that time,
Galapagos Explorer II will continue on its planned schedule of
cruises and will continue to be operated by Canodros, which is based in
Guayaquil, Ecuador. Canodros will also continue handling reservations
for
Galapagos Explorer II, as well as sales and marketing through its established network of travel companies and tour operators.
The
acquisition will enable the award-winning cruise company chaired by
Manfredi Lefebvre to expand the Silversea Expeditions brand. Its
existing expedition ship,
Silver Explorer, is regularly deployed in the polar regions, and
the addition of a second vessel, offering year-round unique luxury
expedition cruises in the Galapagos archipelago, means Silversea will
have the opportunity to offer the adventure traveler
a broader portfolio of itineraries, encompassing some of the world's
most desired and least explored regions.
The 4077-ton
Galapagos Explorer II offers the stylish elegance of a
mega-yacht, attentive onboard service and an enriching naturalist
education program. All of its 50 spacious suites feature ocean views and
24 include private balconies. Public spaces include a restaurant,
piano bar, library and Internet station, main lounge, outdoor bar, two
outdoor whirlpools, and a marine observation deck.
Guests sailing aboard
Galapagos Explorer II will continue to enjoy the same exciting
itineraries, luxury accommodations, shipboard amenities, informative
lectures and sustainable tourism for which Canodros is known.
Potential guests and travel agents interested in booking a
Galapagos Explorer II voyage should visit www.galapagosexplorer.com
for more information.
Guests currently booked on
Galapagos Explorer II, and travel agents or tour operators with
clients booked on the ship, should continue to liaise through their
normal channels with Canodros for any needed assistance with their
reservation.
In the coming months, Silversea will announce more details concerning plans for the ship after it is renovated and renamed.
About Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury cruise line industry, offering guests
large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud,
Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ship
Silver Explorer, Silversea Cruises' itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide
luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and over 450 fascinating destinations in between.
In the U.S., Silversea has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of
Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and awarded "Best Cruise Line for Luxury Small Ships" by
Luxury Travel Advisor (2011). International awards include
"World's Leading Small Ships Cruise Line" from World Travel Awards
(2010); "Five Star Diamond Award" from the American Academy of
Hospitality Sciences (2011); "Number One" small-ship line in
the Readers' Choice survey conducted by Britain's Condé Nast Traveller
magazine (2010); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" Excellence Award by Spain's
Cruise News Media Group (2009); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by Australia's
Luxury Travel & Style Magazine (2011); and "Best Small Luxury Cruise Line" according to China's
Travel & Leisure magazine (2011).
# # #
For more information on Silversea Cruises, please contact a travel agent.
For a complimentary brochure, please call toll-free (877) 215-9986 or visit
www.silversea.com.
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