ONBOARD SILVER WHISPER — If there were fears in the travel industry for the relaunch of cruising after the pandemic, know that the Port of Quebec is once again busy and welcoming cruise ships.

Silversea’s Silver Whisper docked in Quebec City last week on a sold-out sailing to New York City. Travel media were invited onboard the luxurious vessel for its first industry ship tour since the pandemic started.

The ship, which offers one of the best ratios of space per passenger in the industry, has 302 officers and crew members, and at least on this journey, 382 passengers.

Silversea’s Director of Public Relations, Brad Ball (photo credit Caroline Lagueux)

Silversea’s fleet of 11 ships will welcome two more soon: Silver Nova, coming in summer 2023, and Silver Ray, due in summer 2024. Silversea sails the seven continents to more than 900 destinations with tailor-made land programs for its clientele. This year Silversea launched Silver Dawn, and also acquired Silver Endeavour.

The cruise line also offers Silversea Expeditions range for exploration cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica, among others.

The Canadian market is responding very well to Silversea, says the line’s Director of Public Relations, Brad Ball.

“Canadians are adventurous and appreciate all-inclusive packages,” said Ball during last week’s ship tour. “Our cruises are perfectly adapted to this market by offering beverage packages, excursions and tips. Passengers know in advance the total cost of their trip with no surprises at the end of their cruise. Moreover, our cruise line is now part of the Royal Caribbean group, which includes Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, two well-known cruise lines in Canada.”

Ball adds that bookings from Canada are up by more than 57% for 2023 compared to 2019 sales for the same period.

Before the pandemic, just about 1% of passengers onboard a typical Silversea sailing were Canadian. In 2022 that number has increased to 10%.

Ball says Silversea is aiming to double the number of Canadians onboard its ships by 2023.

As befitting a luxury cruise line, Silversea’s door-to-door service – for customers who want it – includes transfers from home to the airport, flights, pre and post cruise hotels and pick up for the return home.

When we talk about all-inclusive with Silversea, it’s an understatement. Not to mention that each suite has its own butler.

Says Ball: “The majority of customers onboard are Baby Boomers, 55 and over, and we are proud of that! We offer cruises for active people.”

He adds that while Silversea welcomes children onboard – and that’s good news in these days of multigenerational travel – the cruise line doesn’t have dedicated programming for kids. It does however have a children’s menu for dining.