Silversea's World Cruise 2017 Sets Milestone With First San Francisco Departure

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises' Silver Whisper embarked on her 116-day World Cruise 2017 last Friday from the Port of San Francisco, marking the first time in the company's history that a World Cruise has been launched from the city renowned for its picturesque harbor and iconic Golden Gate Bridge. January 6 also marked the first-ever visit of Silver Whisper to the city, an occasion celebrated by a plaque exchange between port officials and Mark Conroy, Silversea's managing director for the Americas, and Silver Whisper's staff captain, Zbigniew Jaszewski.

The evening prior to embarking on their epic journey to Monte Carlo, Silver Whisper's guests enjoyed a gala bon voyage dinner and live music presentation hosted in the elegant main ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. The dinner is one of several special complimentary benefits for World Cruise guests, including exclusive cultural events in Honolulu, Hawaii, Xi'an, China, and Abu Dhabi, UAE, plus a three-night Grand Finale cruise aboard the new Silver Muse, sailing from Monte Carlo to Rome.

"World Cruise 2017 was designed to be an extraordinary global adventure, and we're delighted to have the voyage depart from such an extraordinary and incredibly beautiful city as San Francisco," said Roberto Martinoli, Silversea's CEO. "Silver Whisper's guests, about 80 percent of whom are members of our Venetian Society loyalty club, will visit 62 ports in 25 countries, while enjoying an onboard experience completely revitalized by the ship's recent major renovation."

The all-suite Silver Whisper's refurbishment, which took place during a dry dock in the Bahamas last month, features an array of enhancements ranging from elegant new carpeting in all the guest suites to new wall treatments and rejuvenated wood flooring in the restaurants, Connoisseur's Corner, Panorama Lounge, Spa and Beauty Salon. The Restaurant and La Terrazza have also been outfitted with newly upholstered chairs. A new marble-topped bar and stylish new wood display cases grace the Observation Lounge, which has been refreshed with rich new wood panelling and wood accents. The pool deck has been upgraded with the installation of two new whirlpools. Plus, beautiful new synthetic turf has been placed on the jogging and spa decks, creating an inviting setting for outdoor activities.

WORLD CRUISE 2018
Next year, Silver Whisper will embark on a 121-day World Cruise, sailing from Los Angeles to Rome. Departing January 6, 2018, this magnificent odyssey will showcase 60 destinations in 21 countries across the globe, including virtually every highlight recommended by the line's veteran world cruise guests. Plus, with 17 overnight calls and 13 late-night stays, guests will have ample time to fully immerse themselves in local culture. The unique voyage, titled "La Grande Bellezza," will sail west across the Pacific to the beautiful lands of Hawaii, French Polynesia, and New Zealand, then weave a path through the Java Sea to fascinating Bali, Probolinggo, Semarang, and Borneo, and to a host of exotic isles in the Philippines. After two nights in Hong Kong and overnight stays in Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Singapore, Silver Whisper will follow the route of ancient spice traders to Sri Lanka, India, and Oman. Then she will continue through the Red Sea to fabled Luxor and Petra, storied islands in Greece, and along the coast of Italy to Rome.

Image Courtesy of Silversea