This was published 3 years ago
World cruises 2023: Epic 139-day Silversea world cruise departing Sydney sells out
By Craig Platt
Silver Shadow will depart from Sydney in 2023 on an epic, 139-day cruise.
An epic world cruise set to depart from Sydney in January 2023 has sold out in just one day.
Silversea Cruises reported that its arts-inspired World Cruise 2023, entitled "South Side Story - All the World's a Stage", had broken booking records for the cruise line, selling out within hours of launch.
"This triumph pays testament to the strong demand we are seeing in the market, particularly from affluent, sophisticated travellers," said Roberto Martinoli, Silversea's president and CEO.
A veranda suite on board Silver Shadow.
The 139-day cruise, aboard the luxury Silver Shadow ship, will cruise from Sydney to New Zealand before heading to the Pacific, Asia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean and finally finishing at Fort Lauderdale in the US.
The ship, its 388 passengers and 302 crew will visit a total of 66 destinations in 34 countries across five continents.
The 28,258 tonne ship was launched in 2000 and last refurbished in 2019.
Silver Shadow's pool deck.
The relatively small size of the vessel will allow it to travel up the Amazon River when it reaches Brazil, the first time a Silversea ship will do so. Other exotic destinations include Papua New Guinea, the Seychelles, Mauritius and Tanzania.
The itinerary also includes Myanmar, which is currently experiencing protests and violence after a military coup. A spokesperson for the cruise line said the situation would be monitored ahead of the 2023 cruise.
"We will be ready with an alternative plan if required," the spokesperson said.
Themed around art, the cruise's stops will explore the music, art, theatre, and dance traditions of the local cultures.
The ship will depart Sydney on January 10, with Silversea talking up how the cruise will support local tourism.
"We want to support the local Australian economy, and tourism is a major growth driver. By starting the world cruise in Sydney our high net-worth demographic will be a win for local tourism," Silversea Asia-Pacific managing director Adam Radwanski said.
A 139-day luxury cruise does not come cheap, with fares starting at $104,000 and going up to $388,000 per guest, based on double occupancy. The price includes business class Qantas flights and private transfers from passengers' homes to the airport and ship.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic halting most cruising around the world since early 2020, Silversea has pushed ahead with expansion of its fleet, with its newest ship, the Silver Dawn, floating out in January.
That ship, with capacity for 596 guests, will be delivered to the cruise line in November.
The Silversea world cruise is one of several epic trips now being sold to cruise enthusiasts desperate to return to sea. Both Regent Seven Seas' 143-night world cruise and Oceania's "Around the World in 180 Days" cruise, both sailing in 2023, have also sold out.
See also: 'Six-star' luxury ship heading to Australia despite cruising ban
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