Silver Explorer sold to Exploris but 2022 South Africa cruise unaffected
Silversea Cruises has sold its expedition cruise ship Silver Explorer to a new cruise line called Exploris, but her 2022 Cape Town departure is not affected. Silver Explorer will transition out of the Silversea fleet in September, 2023 and will sail her first voyage with her new owners in December that year.
Built in 1989, Silver Explorer is the oldest and smallest ship in the Silversea fleet, carrying just 132 passengers.
She pioneered the luxury cruise line’s expedition arm when she began offering expedition experiences around the world for the cruise line in 2008.
In 2019, Silver Explorer was Silversea’s first ship to transit the Northeast Passage.
“I can confirm that Exploris is the new owner of the Silver Explorer,” a representative of Exploris told Cruise Industry News.
Exploris is based in Paris and intends to focus on expedition cruising on small ships carrying under 150 passengers.
“(We) are committed to sharing our passion with you: true expedition voyages, particularly in the polar regions,” the cruise line says on its LinkedIn page.
“As of 2023, we will offer you exceptional cruises in the ‘state of mind of the Great Explorers’ in order to make you discover these unknown regions, so favorable to great human adventures,” it added.
Silver Explorer’s 2022 South African cruise unaffected
As she will only be leaving the fleet in 2023, Silver Explorer’s upcoming Cape Town departure on March 29th, 2022 is unaffected by the sale.
Silver Explorer is still scheduled to cruise from Cape Town to Zanzibar, Tanzania, visiting 15 ports during the 18-night voyage, including Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Richard’s Bay, Inhaca Island, Bazaruto Island, Nosy Be, and several islands in the Seychelles.
“With game drives to spot the fabled Big 5, Xhose and Zulu culture, miles of white sandy beaches and kaleidoscopic underwater life, this voyage from Cape Town to Zanzibar packs in more African life than you could ever imagine,” Silversea says of the itinerary.
“Leaving South Africa’s famous landscape, sail up the continent’s east coast via Madagascar and experience a beautiful tapestry of land and sea—from mountains and grasslands to mangroves and fringing coral reefs,” it adds.
