Silversea sets sights on Galapagos

When I visited the boutique expedition ship Silversea Explorer in Dartmouth a few weeks ago, there was speculation that the company was looking to purchase another vessel to bolster its fleet.
Well they’ve only been and gone and done it.
Silversea announced today they had bought Canodros, a company which operates voyages to the Galapagos Islands, and with it the upmarket ship Galapagos Explorer II.
The vessel, which currently carries up to 100 passengers, will receive a major refit in September 2013 before being given a new name as it joins the Silversea fleet. Until then it will continue to operate its scheduled Galapagos cruises.
The acquisition means that Silversea will be able to offer Galapagos itineraries for the first time and it is intended the vessel will remain in the region year-round. European senior vice-president Steve Odell said: “No one is offering a luxury cruise experience to the Galapagos Islands of the standards of Silversea.”
The 4,077-ton Galapagos Explorer II was originally in the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises fleet and has 50 suites, all with ocean views; 24 have balconies. As well as the main restaurant, the ship has a piano bar, library with internet access, main lounge, outdoor bar, two outdoor whirlpool baths and a marine observation deck.