| Silversea drafts in changes for Wind

SILVERSEA Cruises will leverage the booming demand for luxury polar travel with the conversion of Silver Wind (pictured) to an ice-class ship.

The renovation will reduce Wind’s capacity to 274 guests, and expand Silversea’s Antarctic expedition options, which will include a solar eclipse voyage later this year.

Having last been upgraded in 2018 (CW 26 Sep 2017), Wind is presently undergoing the refurbishment at the Remontowa shipyard in Gdansk.

The redesign includes an ice-strengthened hull for cruising in polar waters and state-of-the-art technology upgrades.

Wind will emerge from the conversion in time for her 20 Nov voyage, a 22-day journey to Antarctica, providing guests with a prime viewing position of the solar eclipse on 04 Dec.

Her inaugural season of nine voyages exploring Antarctica will operate primarily out of Ushuaia, with guests to marvel at the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica – CLICK HERE for more information.

Wind will become Silversea’s fourth expedition vessel in its fleet of nine ships, and will benefit from ice-detector sonars, designed for use on icebreaker vessels, as well as fleets of 24 Zodiacs and 14 kayaks.

She will carry up to 28 expedition experts who will share their knowledge during onboard lectures, guided Zodiac tours, and on-shore experiences.

Further enhancing the expedition experience for guests will be a Photo Studio, a Mudroom, and a special water-heating system in her swimming pool.

Wind’s upper suites will be entirely refurbished, with new furniture and carpets, as well as new walk-in showers to complement the bathtubs.

Many of Wind’s public areas will also be refreshed, with re-painted walls and ceilings in La Dame, La Terrazza, the Observation Lounge, the Panorama Lounge, the reception, the gym and the beauty salon.

Adding to her sustainability credentials, Wind will be outfitted with a new advanced waste water treatment plant, new food waste treatment facilities, and new fuel-saving boilers.

“With the backing of the Royal Caribbean Group, we are significantly investing in our ultra-luxury fleet to meet the burgeoning guest demand for voyage options in such breath-taking, remote destinations as Antarctica, and we have more exciting enhancements to come,” said President & Chief Executive Officer Roberto Martinoli.