Expedition cruising doesn’t have to feature ice floes, penguins and long sea journeys in sometimes turbulent waters.

Luxury line Silversea is next year featuring something different: its ultra-exclusive expedition ship, the Silver Cloud, is sailing on three special journeys from Lisbon to London, London to Dublin and then on to Reykjavik in Iceland.

Each leg will feature something special: the remote Shetland Islands, famous for abundant birdlife; the quaint towns and villages of Brittany, in France, where crepes and seafood make magnificent feasts; Reykjavik, where thermal springs heat houses to almost boiling point despite the chilly temperatures outside.

Silver Cloud
Silver Cloud was converted into an expedition ship in 2017

It’s a journey of discovery in three unusual parts, aboard one of Silversea’s classic luxury expedition ships.

Silver Cloud was converted into an expedition ship in 2017. Her hull has been strengthened so she can brave the icy waters of the polar regions. She’s also equipped with 18 zodiacs® and 10 double kayaks for guest use.

Inside, however, she’s as opulent, elegant and sophisticated as her sister ships. She has an array of dining options, spa and wellness areas, observation lounges and bars and on board these cruises, there will be expedition leaders at hand.

On these three special voyages, guests travelling from Australia and New Zealand also receive complimentary flights, international transfers and one night pre cruise accommodation as part of Silversea’s all-inclusive expedition offer.

Its excellent value for money. For example, the London to Dublin cruise – from $9,720 per person, twin share, guests will be looking at spending roughly $970 per day. And this is not just including shore excursions, but luxury accommodation, gratuities, caviar, daily lectures, in-suite dining, premium drinks, most restaurant dining as well as your own personal butler.

Silver Cloud interior
Silver Cloud is as opulent, elegant and sophisticated as her sister ships

Accommodation ranges from the Owner’s Suite which boasts two bedrooms, a living room and separate dining area and two verandas, to the Vista Suite which is a quiet sanctuary that has large, floor to ceiling windows to frame the scenery going past.
But the unique thing about these itineraries is some of the remote and lesser known ports the Silver Cloud visits.

On the Lisbon to London 12-day itinerary, the Silver Cloud visits places in Spain like Bilbao, which is known for its radical change after the construction of Frank Gehry’s stunning Guggenheim museum. Also some highlights include Norman Foster’s sleek subway system, the Santiago Calatraval glass footbridge and airport as well as the leafy Cesar Pelli Abandoibarra park next to the Guggenheim.

The London to Dublin itinerary sees the Silver Cloud sail off the coast of Ireland where guests get to see ports like Galway in Ireland, a picturesque and lively city with a wonderful avant-garde culture. It has a mixture of locally owned specialty shops which sell knits, pottery glass, jewellery and antiques. The city’s 18th century hub is a popular meeting spot surrounded by shops and traditional Irish pubs where you’ll often live Irish folk music.

While on the Dublin to Reykjavik part of the expedition cruise, you’ll start to cruise towards the arctic circle where the wildlife is abundant. At Vigur Island in Iceland, you’ll see Puffins, Arctic Terns and Black Guillemots. This remote island has been home to a single farming family, who have meticulously preserved historical landmarks like Iceland’s only windmill.

Lisbon to London

12-day itinerary departing May 7, 2020
Priced from $10,710 per person, twin share

Inclusions: All guests travelling from Australia and New Zealand will also get complimentary flights, international transfers and one night pre cruise accommodation.

London to Dublin

10-day itinerary departing May 19, 2020
Priced from $9,720 per person, twin share

Inclusions: All guests travelling from Australia and New Zealand will also get complimentary flights, international transfers and one night pre cruise accommodation.

Killybegs
Killybegs

Itinerary: London, United Kingdom, St Peter Port, United Kingdom, St Mary’s, United Kingdom, Tresco, United Kingdom, Pembroke, United Kingdom, Skellig Islands, United Kingdom, Knightstown, United Kingdom, Galway, United Kingdom, Cliffs of Moher, United Kingdom, Kilronan, United Kingdom, Killybegs, United Kingdom, Portrush, United Kingdom, and Dublin, United Kingdom.

Dublin to Reykjavik

12-day itinerary departing May 29, 2020
Priced from $11,970 per person, twin share

Inclusions: All guests travelling from Australia and New Zealand will also get complimentary flights, international transfers and one night pre cruise accommodation.

Reykjavik
Reykjavik

Itinerary: Dublin, United Kingdom, Iona, United Kingdom, Lunga, United Kingdom, Oban, United Kingdom, Mallaig, United Kingdom, Portree, United Kingdom, St. Kilda, United Kingdom, Kirkwall, United Kingdom, Lerwick, United Kingdom, Noss Island, United Kingdom, Torshavn, Faroe Islands Vestmanna, Faroe Islands, Vigur Island, Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.