Silversea has welcomed guests back to Australia with a 10-night voyage from Darwin to Broome aboard Silver Explorer.
Australia has opened its waters to small cruise ships with less than 350 passengers for the first time since 17 April 2020. Silver Explorer is one of the first ships to return to the Land Down Under, kicking off its first season in the Kimberley.
The itinerary includes calls to Wyndham, the Swift Bay, the Hunter River, the Ashmore Reef and the Freshwater Cove. In addition, silver Explorer will sail from Darwin to Broome a further four times this dry season.
The programme will be followed by two special 17-night sailings between Darwin and Fremantle, calling at seldom-visited destinations beyond the Kimberley region, such as the Abrolhos Islands, the Dirk Hartog Island and the Dampier Archipelago.
Silver Explorer is Silversea’s first expedition ship. The vessel is purpose-built for exploring the world’s most remote destinations. As such, it features a 1A ice-rated hull, a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks and an experienced Expedition Team. In 2019, Silver Explorer made Silversea history as it became the first ship to transit the Northeast Passage.
Adam Radwanski, Silversea’s Managing Director for Asia-Pacific, explains, “Silversea’s inaugural sailing from Darwin is a special moment for me, both personally and professionally, as it is also the first sailing in more than two years in Australian waters.”
“The Kimberley region is amongst the most treasured in the world, and we are thrilled to offer Silversea’s unparalleled signature ultra-luxury expedition experience to our valued guests”, he continued.
The Northern Territory Cruise Tourism Strategy 2022-2025, which provides a roadmap to ensure cruise tourism continues to grow following the coronavirus pandemic, was launched last month.
Nicol Manison, Deputy Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, explains, “Cruise ship tourism provides a big boost for the Territory economy, and prior to Covid-19, it generated around $60 million of annual expenditure within the NT.”
“The NT was the first jurisdiction in Australia to welcome back international expedition vessels, and we are delighted to host Silver Explorer and her guests”, she added.
As a result, large cruise ships will be allowed to return from 1 October. Other Silversea ships returning to Australia include Silver Muse, Silver Whisper and Silver Shadow.
Silver Muse will be the first to arrive, offering a range of itineraries that include visits to Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Fraser Island and more. The vessel will also offer cruises to New Zealand, with stops in Dunedin, Auckland and Picton.
Meanwhile, Silver Whisper will offer a series of 15-night and 16-night sailings between Auckland and Sydney, featuring calls in Melbourne, Eden, Hobart, Akaroa, Wellington and Napier. In February, the vessel will embark on an 18-night itinerary that links Sydney to Singapore and includes visits to Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns Darwin and several ports in Indonesia.
Finally, Silver Shadow will offer a collection of sailings between Australia and New Zealand.
For more information regarding Silversea’s Australia cruises, please call our Voyage Consultants on 0800 008 6677.
