Silversea Add More UK Cruises in 2012

Recognising the growing demand for more cruising from the UK, Silversea Cruises has expanded its product by adding more voyages to its 2012 programme, with a total of 20 voyages either embarking or disembarking from British ports, the luxury line's largest ex-UK programme to date.

Silver Spirit, Silver Whisper, Silver Cloud and Silver Explorer will dock variously at Southampton, Portsmouth, Greenock and London (Tower Bridge), allowing guests to depart from more UK ports to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, New York and more.

Sample 2011 itineraries include:

Southampton to Barcelona - a seven-day Mediterranean voyage (5111) from £2,778 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing May 29 from Southampton, Silver Spirit calls at La Coruña (Spain), Vigo (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal) and Alicante (Spain) before arriving at Barcelona. Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

Southampton to Copenhagen - a 10-day Northern European voyage (1120) from £3,373 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing July 20 from Southampton, Silver Cloud calls at Plymouth, St. Helier (Jersey, Channel Islands), Rouen (France), Honfleur (France), Oostende (Belgium) and Antwerp before arriving at Copenhagen. Prices are per person, based on two sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

Sample 2012 itineraries include:

Monte Carlo to Southampton - a 12-day Mediterranean voyage (4210) from £4,303 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing May 1 from Monte Carlo, Silver Whisper calls at Palma De Mallorca, Cadiz (Spain), Portimao (Portugal), La Coruña (Spain), Bilbao (Spain), Bordeaux (France) and Le Verdon (France) before arriving at Southampton. Prices are again per person, based on two sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

Stockholm to Southampton – a 10-day Northern European voyage (4219) from £4,373 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing July 16, from Stockholm, Silver Whisper calls at Tallinn (Estonia), St. Petersburg (Russia) for a two-night stay onboard, Helsinki (Finland) and Warnemunde (Rostock, Germany) before arriving at Southampton. Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

For more info, visit www.silversea.com or contact the UK's leading luxury-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Silver Shadow's Big Makeover

Silversea Cruises' Silver Shadow has a fresh new look thanks to a major renovation completed during the two weeks that the ultra-luxury ship spent in dry dock in Singapore, before returning to service this month.

As with the refurbishment of sister ship Silver Whisper last year, the enhancements echo the sophisticated contemporary design themes and warm colour palettes of Silversea's newest ship, Silver Spirit. Some of the highlights of Shadow's makeover include:

New Look for Suites: All carpets, headboards, curtains and veranda furniture were completely replaced. The sofas and chairs feature new upholstery. Each suite has a new mattress custom-made exclusively for Silversea. The mattress features an individual spring system with a soft and firm side that can be reversed to suit each guest's preference. There is also a new pillow-top that covers the mattress when configured as a queen-sized bed.

The larger suites (Owner's, Grand, Royal and Silver) have also been outfitted with a new state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen home audio system.

Refreshed Public Areas: La Terrazza, the Bar, Panorama Lounge, Reception area, Card Room and Conference Room received new upholstery, carpeting, curtains and wall treatments. New carpet was laid in the Observation Lounge. The Spa features new wood flooring with new tiling and wall décor in the treatment rooms. The Restaurant's hardwood floor was completely reconditioned and polished and the chairs dressed in new upholstery. An upgraded sound system was added to the Show Lounge, Panorama Lounge and La Terrazza. New carpet was installed in all corridors, landings and staircases.

Upgraded Outdoor Spaces: The jogging track features all-new synthetic turf, and the pool area has been outfitted with new deck furniture, plus a new sound and light system for evening entertainment and outdoor shows. The pool itself has been upgraded inside and out with new tiles. A large awning was installed over the outdoor dining section of La Terrazza, along with new outdoor furniture. And the Pool Grill, sporting a new awning as well, will become The Grill for evening dining, featuring the popular new Black Rock cooking concept that debuted aboard Silver Spirit. At the new outdoor restaurant, guests will enjoy an interactive dining experience that lets them cook prime meats and fresh seafood on heated volcanic rocks at their table.

Finally, in addition to enjoying a fresh reconditioning and polishing of teak decks and woodwork, the ship also underwent thorough maintenance on mechanical and propulsion systems.

For more details of the ship's cruises, visit www.silversea.com or contact the UK's leading luxury cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Enjoy A Mediterranean Cruise This May With Silversea Cruises

With a complimentary return flight and £1000 onboard spending credit, join Silversea Cruises on Silver Spirit for a seven-day Mediterranean voyage (#5111) from Southampton to Barcelona.

From £2,778 per person, on an all-inclusive basis, Silver Spirit departs May 19 and calls at La Coruña (Spain), Vigo (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal) and Alicante (Spain) before arriving at Barcelona (Spain). All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include complimentary one-way Economy Class flights, port charges, government fees and taxes. $1,000 onboard credit is offered per suite, based on two people sharing, for use towards additional benefits such as shore excursions, the spa, boutiques or wine restaurant.

For more information, visit http://www.silversea.com/ or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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Silversea's New Partnership with Slow Food Promozione

La Terrazza set to become first restaurant at sea to feature Presidio Slow Food logo on menu

Silversea Cruises is pleased to announce a new partnership agreement with Slow Food Promozione, an arm of Slow Food Italy.

The collaboration will focus on highlighting the Italian heritage of La Terrazza, a speciality restaurant featured aboard the all-suite, ultra-luxury ships Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit.

Founded in Italy in 1986, Slow Food has become an international organisation dedicated to promoting greater enjoyment of food through a better understanding of its taste, quality and production. It seeks to defend biodiversity in our food supply, spread the education of taste, and link producers of excellent foods to consumers through events and initiatives.

The joint initiative will also entail a programme of special Slow Food culinary voyages designed to showcase products of excellent gastronomic quality, help guests rediscover the joys of eating, and understand the importance of caring where their food comes from, who makes it and how it's made.

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Istanbul to Athens. The Black Sea and Mykonos

By guest blogger Steve Newman

As a region, the eastern Mediterranean does not appear to be so well explored by dedicated cruisers as other parts of the world. However, in reality, it is one of the most fascinating cruise destinations around.

One cruise set to go there shortly will be operated by Silversea Cruises who maintain a deserved reputation for cruises that deliver 6-star luxury. They have an exceptional choice of destinations and a fleet that is as accommodating and as wonderfully elegant as you could imagine.

The company’s Istanbul to Athens 7-night cruise departing on the 10th of September with their newest ship Silver Spirit (above) looks to be a mouth-watering experience for the discerning cruise traveller who seeks that high standard of service and more than a taste of exotic eastern culture and history.

Exploring the coast of the Black Sea, Spirit visits Constanta, Odessa, Yalta and Sevastopol before re-entering the Mediterranean and calling at the magical island of Mykonos.

Mykonos Town is a colourful maze of narrow streets lined by whitewashed houses with bright blue doors and shutters. As an attractive backdrop, those famous windmills are lined up like toy soldiers on the hillside, reminders of a time when wind power was used to grind the island's grain. The many bars and restaurants leading down to the waterside are a great place to relax.

Silver Spirit herself is an evolution in luxury cruising. With one of the highest space-to-guest ratios, she accommodates only 540 in ultimate style and comfort. Her interiors hint at a sophisticated 1930s Art Deco ambiance, with the latest modern innovations and advance maritime technology.

There is also a choice of up to six dining venues, an expanded spa, and the largest suites in the fleet, fully 95% of which feature a private veranda.

Silversea Cruises will be exhibiting at The Cruise Show in Birmingham in October.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.