Silversea Cruises has announced details of its new expedition ship, Prince Albert II. Built in 1989 as Delfin Clipper and most recently in service as World Discoverer, the 6,072 GT ship will emerge from a major refit at Fincantieri’s Trieste shipyard with 132 berths. The ship was previously laid up in Singapore following the bankruptcy of her previous operator, Society Expeditions.
With Prince Albert II, Silversea aims to bring the amenities of its larger ships to a genuine expedition ship able to offer itineraries, especially in the polar regions, that conventional cruise ships can’t reach. Among the features that make Prince Albert II well-suited for expeditions include her 1A ice class, among the highest of any cruise ship, and a new fleet of eight Zodiac boats for shore landings.
Amenities include cabins and suites ranging from 180 to over 600 square feet, a single-seating main dining room, library, boutique, beauty salon, fitness center, full-service spa and two Jacuzzis. The ship will also feature ship-wide wireless Internet and mobile phone access.
The latest addition to the Silversea fleet is being named after HSH Albert II, Prince of Monaco, where Silversea has its world headquarters. The name was chosen to honor the Prince’s journey to the North Pole and his contributions, and those of his family, to oceanographic research and environmental conservation.
Prince Albert II will enter service in London on 12 June 2008. Her inaugural season of 10- to 21-night cruises will encompass cruises to the Arctic Circle, Svalbard, Iceland and Greenland in the summer, with the ship then repositioning for winter cruises to Antarctica and South America. Silversea has hired expedition cruise veteran Conrad Combrink to develop the ship’s itineraries and recruit expedition staff and lecturers. Combrink previously worked on the ship during her career as World Discoverer.
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