Silver Galapagos

The 1990-built (as "Galapagos Explorer 2") MS Silver Galapagos cruise ship was owned by Silversea and operated by the company's "Silversea Expeditions" division. Its Silversea Expeditions fleetmates were Silver Cloud (1994), Silver Explorer/now Exploris One (2008) and Silver Origin (2021).

In 2021, the boat was sold and renamed "MANTRA".

Like all Galapagos-based cruisers, the Silver Galapagos vessel (IMO number 8708660) was Ecuador-flagged (MMSI 735057575) and registered in Guayaquil. After 2021, the ship (renamed MANTRA) was reflagged to the Bahamas (MMSI 311000960) and is now registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Silversea Cruises is a Monaco-based privately-owned cruise company and top-luxury travel brand. It was established in 1994 as a joint venture of V-Ships Monaco (fka Vlasov Group) and Lefebvre Family of Rome Italy. In 2018, RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd acquired 2/3rd of the company. Silversea now has a fleet of smaller-sized boutique cruise vessels with passenger capacity between 100-700. The company's business model is to operate yacht-like vessels in the industry's ultra-luxury-all-suite ship category.

The 100-passenger ship Silver Galapagos was previously sailing as "Galapagos Explorer II" for Renaissance Cruises (1989-founded/2001-defunct). The ship joined Silversea's fleet in 2013-Q3 after an interior redesign and refurbishment.

In June 2012 Silversea announced it had acquired the vessel from Canodros S.A (tour operator running Galapagos cruises). The acquisition signaled for the first time that Silversea will offer voyages in the Galapagos - the Pacific islands’ group off Ecuador's coast, famous for their unique wildlife.

On September 28, 2013, the fully-refurbished ship Silver Galapagos started its inaugural sailing for Silversea.

Decks and Cabins

Silver Galapagos staterooms (50 total, all suites, in 5 grades) range in size 210-290 ft2 (20-27 m2). All cabins are with ocean views, 24 have private step-out balconies - a rarity for a Galapagos-based ship.

Every passenger stateroom offers as standard amenities bar setup and refrigerator (stocked with your preferences), down duvets, marble bathroom with local bath amenities, slippers and spa robes, on-demand music and movies.

Silver Galapagos' suite have rainforest walk-in showers, LED mirrors, modern vanities, HDTVs, wood flooring, custom-made mattresses covered with Pratesi linens.

The boat has 6 decks, of which 5 are passenger-accessible and with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The Restaurant offers contemporary, international cuisine with impeccable service and sophisticated elegance. Menus feature regional specialities that are unique to the cruise destination. The Grill is a favourite dining spot – an excellent outdoor dining venue. 24-hour tea and coffee station is also a plus.

Follows the complete list of Silver Galapagos restaurants and food bars.

• "The Restaurant" MDR (open-seating)
• The Grill (outdoor dining venue).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Wi-Fi access is throughout the ship (additional fee applied). The new complimentary service provides live television broadcasts and streaming movies. The fitness center is also new, including a massage room, solarium and beauty salon. Silver Galapagos features a main restaurant, main lounge, piano and outdoor bars, library with the Internet, two outdoor whirlpools, observation deck. Fares, just like on other luxury lines include complimentary beverages, butler service, all gratuities.

Naturalist Room is designed for eco-tourists interested in research programs. Passengers are able to work together with Silversea guides who monitor the biological and physical processes of the Galapagos islands. Daily briefings, natural history and culture conferences are also offered.

Silver Galapagos regularly represents displays of the latest marine technologies with a visit to the engine room. Nearly every day Silversea also provides Marine Reserve activities with the spectacular world to explore. Swimming abilities and a certain degree of preparation are required for snorkeling that is provided by trained guides. Snorkeling gear is offered onboard.

Additional amenities include a Medical Center/Infirmary, complimentary 24-hour Room Service, Butler Service, Internet/WiFi Access, Library.

Follows the complete list of Silver Galapagos lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Main Lounge / Explorer Lounge (featuring informative lectures and briefings; with a sophisticated AV system and small IMac photography station - guests can download/edit their photos)
• Piano Bar
• The Library (with audio listening stations and on-demand movies)
• Expedition Boutique (offers the highest quality products: logo items, jewelry, perfumes, souvenirs)
• The Spa at Silversea (features spa therapies including body wraps, massages and facials; sauna and steam rooms)
• Beauty Salon (provides a full range of services: hairstyling, manicures, pedicures)
• Fitness Centre (offers a treadmill, stationary bike, weight machine, elliptical trainer)
• Jacuzzi; Snorkelling Area; Sun Deck.

Itineraries

Silver Galapagos itinerary program is based on Galapagos cruises operated the whole year-round. This unique archipelago in South America also features cloudless skies throughout the year - the perfect destination to enjoy stargazing. The boat's professional crew provides nightly astronomy-themed lectures on the top deck and visual aids for enhancing the sightings.

Silver Galapagos operates the exact Galapagos Islands itinerary to be served by the fleet mate Silver Origin (2020). The 7-day itinerary (Saturday to Saturday) is between the homeport islands Baltra and San Cristobal.

The modified north-central cruise tour itinerary departs Baltra for San Cristobal with a newly added circumnavigation of Isla Daphne Grande (Daphne Major). The voyage explores Darwin Bay and El Barranco (on Genovesa Island), Galapaguera Cerro Colorado and Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island), Gardner Bay and Punta Suarez (Espanola Island), El Eden, Fausto Llerena Breeding Center and Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island), as well as Seymour Norte, Rabida and Plaza Sur.

Departing from San Cristobal for Baltra, the enhanced western cruise tour itinerary has new points - Cerro Dragon and Playa Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island) and circumnavigation of Roca Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock / San Cristobal). The itinerary also includes Punta Vicente Roca, Caleta Tagus and Elizabeth Bay (on Isabela Island), Post Office Bay, Islote Champion and Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island), Los Gemelos, Fausto Llerena Breeding Center and Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island), Bartolome, Playa Espumilla and Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island).

Silver Galapagos circumnavigates Kicker Rock and Daphne Major - both best-rated for exotic birds viewing. Flamingos can be seen at Las Bachas Beach. Wildlife viewing opportunities also include land- and marine iguanas, giant tortoises, blue- and red-footed boobies, sea lions, penguins, finches.

All Silversea Galapagos shore tours/expeditions are complimentary and guided by an experienced team, On the ship, passengers enjoy premium butler service, gourmet cuisine, complimentary wines and spirits and free Wi-Fi throughout.

Silversea's "flight and cruise" package deals (by the company's "Silver Sky" program) are inclusive of the luxury cruise fare, discount round-trip airfare (Economy Class) and airport-pier-airport transfers.

Silversea's "hotel and cruise" package "Silver Shore Simply Hotel" offers overnight 5-star luxury hotel stays with the option of adding transfers or upgrades. The upgraded cruise and hotel package ("Silver Shore Grande Hotel") offers 1-3-nights landmark hotel stays (or at a boutique property) and is inclusive of private transfers (airport-hotel and hotel-pier).