Silversea Unveils World Cruise 2014 Itineraries

Their next World Cruise won't set sail until January 2013, but Silversea Cruises is already tempting travelers beyond that by taking the wraps off its World Cruise 2014. It will be an incomparable 113-day odyssey from Los Angeles to Barcelona aboard Silver Whisper, January 6 to April 30, 2014. Silversea celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2014 and will launch the festivities with this far-reaching and stimulating exploration of the world, which is now available for reservation.

Guests aboard World Cruise 2014 will visit 54 destinations in 29 countries, enjoying 12 overnight stays along the way. Silver Whisper will follow a westward path across the Pacific to call on Polynesia and lands Down Under, including Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Australia, and New Zealand. From there, the ship will sail up to the remote island of Koror and then head west to spend a month exploring Asian cultures, from China, Japan, and Vietnam to Thailand, Singapore, and India, including three days in Yangon, Myanmar. Silver Whisper will conclude her global tour calling on modern capitals and ancient cities in the Mediterranean.

"We designed the itinerary for next year's World Cruise based on input from our past guests," said Ellen Bettridge, Silversea's president of the Americas. "It's a world voyage crafted for connoisseurs. With several overnight visits and late-night departures, our guests will have plenty of time for in-depth cultural exploration in places that most travelers only dream about."

Since extended visits in port offer travelers the chance to truly immerse themselves in local culture, World Cruise 2014 will not only feature two-night stays in Yangon and Hong Kong, but overnight calls in Sydney, Cairns, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Singapore, Istanbul and Barcelona. Silversea is offering guests the option to extend their World Cruise by adding a pre-cruise Panama Canal voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles (17 days), or extend from Barcelona to Lisbon (7 days) or Southampton (16 days).

Full World Cruise guests will enjoy a variety of special amenities, including a gala Bon Voyage evening at a luxury Beverly Hills hotel, baggage valet service, complimentary Business Class air and transfers (or air credit), a generous onboard spending credit, complimentary laundry service and commemorative gifts.

There will also be exclusive complimentary shoreside events:

--The Rising Dragon: This elegant evening event in Hong Kong will be hosted at the spectacularly situated Four Seasons Hotel, where guests will savor fine cuisine in a richly decorated setting that reflects both traditional and contemporary elements of this vibrant metropolis.
--Sunset Over Angkor Wat: From Bangkok guests will fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to explore the magnificent temple complex at Angkor Wat, enjoying overnight accommodations at a 5-star hotel, and dinner surrounded by colossal statues in the spectacular Bayon Temple.
--Supper in a Sultan's Palace: Highlighting this immersive experience in Istanbul is a panoramic cruise along the Bosphorus, bordering Asia and Europe, followed by an atmospheric dinner in the glorious Ciragan Palace, once home to powerful sultans of the Ottoman Empire.

Plus two complimentary Silversea Experiences will showcase the fascinating cultures of Fanning Island, Kiribati, and Alotau, Papua New Guinea. Guests will also have the chance to meet and mingle with distinguished destination experts, academics, journalists, diplomats and other specialists. Local entertainment, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and regional specialties will provide further immersion in each global destination.

The intimate Silver Whisper is the perfect escort to the far corners of the globe. She can sail along secluded waterways or into small harbors for authentic, life-changing encounters with nature, wildlife and the seldom-seen.

All-Inclusive Silversea distinctions include:

--Intimate, ultra-luxury ship for just 382 guests
--All-suite accommodations, over 80% with verandas
--Butler service for every suite
--Complimentary wines and spirits
--Included onboard gratuities
--Complimentary transportation to town (most ports)

To view the complete itinerary, visit Silversea.com/worldcruise2014.

Image Courtesy of Silversea Cruises