In this week’s Take Five, we sit down with Joe Leon, Vice President of Sales, Americas at Silversea to discuss what’s new for the cruise line – and there’s plenty! From a new gorgeous ship to new Grand Voyages and more, there’s much to look forward this year and beyond. Plus, Leon shares the one trend in cruising that won’t be slowing down any time soon.

1..Everyone’s excited about the debut of the Silver Ray in June. What can you tell us about the ship, where it will sail, and what sets it apart from other ships in the fleet?

“The Silver Ray is the newest of our Nova Class of ships – vessels that we believe represent the future of cruising.  Designed from the outset to incorporate the latest in cutting edge technology, The Silver Ray is not only spectacularly beautiful, but the most sustainable ship of its kind sailing today. Both the Silver Ray and her sister ship, the Silver Nova, are 40 per cent more energy efficient than required by international standards. 

“On board, the ship continues to set new standards for the industry with its 4,000 square meters of exterior glass that allows guests to feel totally immersed in the scenery around them. For seasoned cruise enthusiasts, the Silver Ray will offer something new and totally different. For those who are cruising for the first time, we think the Silver Ray will wow them not only with our customized itineraries, but with our suites, locally-sourced cuisine through our S.A.L.T. program and onboard spa experiences.”

2. In addition to Silver Ray, Silversea has so many new offerings that are equally notable. Can you list 3 that you’re particularly excited about?

“While it is difficult to narrow it down to three, I would say out Otivm Wellness program and Otivm suites, our Grand Voyages, and our Polar Options.

“The Silver Ray and the Silver Nova both feature Otivm Suites located at the premium aft corner position of the ship, with floor-to-ceiling windows and 270-degree views of the outside. These spacious suites ( 1,324 square feet) have large balconies with private whirlpools. And while there are currently only two Otivm suites on the Silver Ray, every guest can access our Otivm Spa with its indoor relaxation pool and take advantage of our Otivm Wellness Program, which extends to in-suite experiences, bespoke bathroom amenities and a signature sleeping experience. The reason the Otivm program tops my list is because wellness and health are so important to our guests. As they spend longer time at sea, we have time to truly pamper them in completely luxurious surroundings.

“Second on my list would be our two newest Grand Voyages: the 75-day Grand South Pacific Expedition 2025 and the 47-day Grand Australia 2025. These voyages fulfill bucket list wishes of our guests. The Grand Pacific excursion visits 11 countries while the Grand Australia circumnavigates an entire continent. “We are very excited about the Grand Voyages product because it is so much more than just sightseeing. The immersive experiences on board – local experts, seminars, and educational excursions – give guests the chance to learn about the world around them and expand their horizons.

“Finally, the demand for Polar Expedition cruises remains high and we have expanded our itineraries to include the Antarctic, the Arctic, Iceland and even the Northern British Isles.  The voyages, hosted aboard the Silver Endeavour, will be visiting 27 of the most remote navigable polar areas in the world between now and February 2025. We love this product because while it is very much an adventure, guests are seeing these areas of breathtaking beauty from the most luxurious expedition ship in the world.

3. Industry reports show that longer cruises are increasing in popularity. Would you agree?

“Yes. The popularity of our World Cruises, Grand Voyages and other longer cruises speaks to the fact that guests are choosing to live life to the fullest and take a slower approach to travel – and life in general. They want to participate in our amazing shoreside excursions and adventures, but they are less inclined to pack it all in during just a week or two. They are taking time for a more relaxed and immersive form of cruising.”

4. Another increasing trend is solo cruising. How does Silversea cater to solo travellers?

“This is a trend we don’t see slowing down any time soon. At Silversea, we welcome solo travellers and strive to create an onboard atmosphere that is friendly, welcoming and social. If a guest wants to have a quiet experience, they can find plenty of space on board for that. But we find that our solo travellers enjoy meeting new friends at any number of fun activities, everything from trivia nights to cooking classes in our S.A.L.T. Kitchen. We have no set dining times so new friends can choose to dine together. We like to think that the chance to forge new bonds of common interest with fellow travellers is one of the best things about the Silversea community.

“In addition, solo travellers aboard our intimate ships enjoy single supplements at only 25% on selected voyages. Every voyage includes a champagne Welcome Reception to make it easier to meet and mingle with other solo travellers, and on select voyages, Gentlemen Hosts will be on board to greet solo guests.”

5. What’s new specifically for travel advisors?

“For travel agents, there are several updates to keep on their radar, so they are always aware of the latest news from Silversea. Our dedicated site for travel advisors opens the door to finding important tools and resources to facilitate travel advisors’ interaction with Silversea. It includes Silversea Academy, Marketing Central, Webinars by Silversea, Rallio, and much more.” 

• Silversea Academy: Travel advisors are always encouraged to explore the new courses, particularly “Luxury of Choice”. This course explains three fare options catering to clients’ preferences, so there is something for everyone. The “Mediterranean” has also been fully revised and offers great insights into the region. The “Galapagos” was recently added and offers valuable information if advisors are interested in selling this amazing destination.  
• Marketing Central: Accessing marketing tools, customizable materials and the latest offers can help advisors promote Silversea effectively. 
• Webinars by Silversea: We develop rich content monthly for travel advisors to participate in the TEA TIME Webinar series. They can also check the recordings of these extraordinary webcasts hosted by global executives and destination experts that can provide valuable information on destinations, products and insider insights.  
• Rallio: Use Rallio, a complimentary travel agent tool that allows advisors to effortlessly post Silversea branded content on social media, enhancing their online presence. It is extremely easy to use and advisors can reap the benefits of posting Silversea content that is automatically scheduled to be posted on Facebook or Instagram.  
• Travel Advisor Reduced Rates: Taking advantage of reduced rates on select voyages offers an opportunity for both a luxurious vacation and gaining insider knowledge to better plan clients’ future Silversea voyages.

For more information go to https://www.silversea.com/other-resources/travel-professional-center.html.