Silversea Cruises has officially named Silver Endeavour, the world’s most luxurious expedition ship at an Antarctica naming ceremony on November 19.
The cruise line held an expedition-style celebration in the Lemaire Channel, Antarctica, to inaugurate Silver Endeavour as the 11th ship in its fleet.
Executives from Silversea Cruises, the ship’s Godmother Felicity Aston MBE, and select members of the cruise line’s extended family were in attendance.
An ice-sculpted champagne magnum was smashed against Silver Endeavour’s hull to mark the cruise line’s third naming ceremony in just nine months.
Celebrations included a blessing ceremony, held at the Cape Horn Sub-Antarctic Center in Puerto Williams, on November 15.
Local dignitaries from Puerto Williams joined the festivities, which honoured maritime traditions.
There was a bagpipe performance, and singers sung the Chilean and American national anthems while a video depicted a religious figure blessing the ship.
Felicity Aston was also formally introduced as the vessel’s Godmother.
Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises, sent a video message to thank the community, the crew, and all employees involved.
Barbara Muckermann, Silversea’s Chief Commercial Officer and Felicity Aston each addressed attendees.
On Saturday, November 19, Silver Endeavour became the first-ever ship to be named in the Lemaire Channel.
Aston blessed Silver Endeavour for good fortune, cutting a ribbon alongside Captain Niklas Peterstam on one of the ship’s outer decks to trigger an ice-sculpted, magnum-sized bottle to smash against the hull.
Guests, including Barbara Muckermann and other Silversea executives, witnessed the historic moment from Zodiacs in the 11km-long, cliff-lined stretch of water.
Jason Liberty, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, said: “We are excited to officially welcome Silver Endeavour to the Royal Caribbean Group fleet, bringing our global fleet to 64 ships.
“Silver Endeavour will continue to strengthen Silversea’s position as the leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line, allowing us to grow capacity while building upon Royal Caribbean Group’s mission of delivering the best vacations in the world, responsibly.”
Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises, said: “We are incredibly proud to have hosted ultra-luxury cruising’s first Antarctica naming ceremony for Silver Endeavour, our third ship to be named in just nine months.
“I would like to thank Captain Niklas Peterstam and the ship’s crew, the entire Silversea team, Jason Liberty and all those involved at Royal Caribbean Group for their invaluable support in reaching this momentous milestone.
“Silver Endeavour strengthens our position as the industry’s leading cruise line, broadening our diverse polar offering for our guests’ enjoyment.
“A source of great inspiration for our guests, we are honoured to name Felicity Aston as the ship’s Godmother.
Felicity is the perfect ambassador for Silversea; she shares the same unwavering sense of curiosity and adventure that unites all of our guests.”
Silversea named polar explorer and climate scientist Felicity Aston as Silver Endeavour’s Godmother in October 2022.
Aston became the first woman to ski solo across Antarctica in 2012, as well as the first person to traverse the continent by muscle power alone.
Felicity Aston MBE, said: “Being among the first to sail aboard Silver Endeavour, naming the ship in the company of such esteemed guests, and assuming the role of Godmother makes me incredibly proud.
“She shares her name with the ship on which Captain Cook set forth for the ends of the earth, but exploration has of course evolved in the centuries since Cook departed.
“Today, exploration is not only about geographical discovery; it is also about finding new ideas, new inspiration, and new perspectives.
“Silver Endeavour will allow more people to become explorers and return home with new outlooks.
“She will be a source of self-enrichment, as people connect with the planet and each other. Fair winds and following seas to all those who sail on her.”
Cruises recently unveiled 27 new voyages for the vessel, calling in more than 125 of the world’s most remote destinations between summer 2024 and winter 2024/2025.
The new sailings feature a varied array of departures, itineraries, and voyage lengths, with sailings ranging from six to 21 days.
Also included are four new voyages to the British Isles and Iceland, nine additional sailings to the Arctic, and 14 voyages to Antarctica.
For more information, visit silversea.com/ships/silver-endeavour.html.
