Silversea Cruises unveils Worldwide Cruise Schedule for 2008

Silversea Cruises has released its 2008 worldwide voyage schedule and is now accepting reservations. The company's four all-suite ships are set to visit over 340 different ports in 116 countries on a diverse schedule of over 140 itineraries ranging from six to 110 days. 

Silver Shadow kicks off the year with its second World Cruise, departing Fort Lauderdale in January. Other highlights include return visits to Alaska and Hawaii, plus 29 new destinations, including first-ever visits to Taiwan, Okinawa, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Pohnpei, the Marquesas and Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific; The Gambia and Mozambique in Africa; and Saudi Arabia.

"It's our goal to blend a luxury lifestyle with exciting and enriching travel experiences," said David Morris, Silversea's executive vice president of sales and marketing for North America. "Our 2008 schedule has been carefully designed to offer a broad range of travel choices, including multiple-day calls and overnight stays showcasing some of the most historically and culturally significant destinations in the world, as well as myriad opportunities to explore the most exotic regions."

World Cruise 2008: On January 16, 2008, the 382-guest Silver Shadow is set to embark on its second World Cruise, a 110-day voyage encircling the world and embracing the cultures of more than 25 countries and over 50 different ports of call. Departing from Fort Lauderdale, the intimate Silver Shadow will sail through the Panama Canal and along the Mexican Riviera, following a route of enchantment to no less than four tropical Hawaiian hideaways -- marking the company's first visit to the 50th state in five years. Intriguing island destinations like the tranquil Northern Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, Pohnpei, Guam, Okinawa and historic Iwo Jima, all previously unexplored by Silversea, will host inaugural calls. Guests will discover exotic Far East traditions and the timeless beauty of Egypt. They'll savor some of the world's most cherished cuisines and explore the splendors of Italy and Spain before crossing the Atlantic to a warm Caribbean welcome, returning full-circle to Fort Lauderale. Highlights of this epic journey will include extended overnight calls in Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Mumbai and Barcelona.

Silver Cloud: The 296-guest Silver Cloud begins 2008 with cruises to Africa, the Seychelles and the Arabian Peninsula, highlighted by inaugural calls to the remote Farquhar Islands in the Seychelles and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -- marking the line's first-ever visit to this fabled kingdom. From mid-April to early November, the ultra-luxury ship will traverse the Mediterranean and Northern Europe on 20 cruises ranging from seven to 15 days. New destinations include Formentera, the smallest of Spain's Balearic Islands; Belle Ile, the charming French island off the coast of Brittany; the German island of Sylt in the North Sea; and historic Sibenik, located on Croatia's southwest coast. In the fall, Silver Cloud crosses the Atlantic to explore the Caribbean and South America.

Silver Wind: The 296-guest Silver Wind starts the year exploring South America on four cruises of eight to 16 days and then offers a series of mostly seven-day cruises to the most exclusive destinations of the Caribbean, including several round-trip departures from San Juan. From May to early November, Silver Wind offers 19 cruises of seven to 15 days, journeying through the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Highlights include an inaugural call to the cozy Finnish town of Kokkola on the Gulf of Bothnia. The ship repositions to Africa for the fall, making the company's first-ever visit to The Gambia, with a call in its capital city of Banjul. Silver Wind also breaks ground with an inaugural call in Mozambique, visiting its bustling capital of Maputo.

Silver Shadow: After completing its World Cruise in May, the 382-guest Silver Shadow returns to majestic Alaska after a one-year hiatus. On the schedule is a series of ten cruises ranging from nine to 12 days, including several round-trip departures from San Francisco and Vancouver. During the fall, two cruises showcase the island jewels of Hawaii and French Polynesia, including the company's first-ever visit to Rangiroa, an atoll of white coral beaches, and Nuku Hiva, the largest of the Marquesas Islands, renowned for its lush valleys and rushing waterfalls. Or, guests can visit these enchanting islands at a more leisurely pace on a special 53-day "South Pacific Explorer" cruise, sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles. During the balance of the year, Silver Shadow transits the Panama Canal and continues on a course exploring the warm waters and sunny beaches of the Caribbean.

Silver Whisper: For the 382-guest Silver Whisper, 2008 opens with the sights, sounds and flavors of Australia, New Zealand, the Far East and South Pacific featured on eight itineraries, ranging from nine to 18 days. Highlights include inaugural calls to Wewak, Papua New Guinea and Jayapura, Indonesia (both regions of significance during World War II) and Cebu Island in the Philippines. Silver Whisper will also make the line's first-ever visits to Taiwan with calls in Keelung and Kaohsiung. An extended summer season in the Mediterranean offers the opportunity to explore the region in absolute luxury with 18 mostly seven-day voyages, many of which can be combined for a more expansive journey without duplicating any ports. New destinations include the Medieval French town of Collioure; the sun-drenched beaches of Palamos, on Spain's Costa Brava; Algeria's historic city of Annaba; the Greek island of Tinos; and the Croatian towns of Porec and Trogir. Silver Whisper wraps up the year exploring the Arabian Peninsula, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. Highlights include another new destination for Silversea, the town of Krabi, gateway to some of Thailand's most beautiful beaches.

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