David's Silver Origin Galapagos Expedition

Silversea Silver Origin Expedition Cruise in the Galapagos is a purpose built ship for the Galapagos. Launched in 2020 it is the most luxurious and largest ship operating in the Galapagos. She carries 96 passengers and has a crew of 100 so a guest to staff ratio of just over 1 to 1 which is one of the highest at sea.

It is an All Suite / All butler ship, all come with Verandah and from Deluxe Verandah upwards have an Infinite Verandah. Our Deluxe Suite also has an Oceanview Walk-in shower.

The ship has a main restaurant and an outdoor though sheltered Hot Rocks Grill Restaurant. There are also 2 small bars on board, open most of the day and closing at 11pm.

Entertainment is low key with just a Pianist in the evening and more focus on the day’s activities as well as an afternoon and an evening lecture.

The ship has a small Gym and Spa/Salon. In addition on selected days a morning Yoga session is available to book. It also has a small Explorer Lounge at the front of the ship which is a quiet space where you can simply admire the view or read a book (Either your own or choose from the small library of books on the Galapagos).

A wet suit, snorkel and mask is supplied free of charge to all guests and you get to keep the mask and snorkel at the end of the cruise. In addition you receive a complimentary Rucksack and water bottle.

All excursions are included mainly comprising of 2 x Hikes per day that last between 1-2hrs as well as a snorkel which lasts around 1-1.5hrs………all are accompanied by an experienced Ranger/Guide supplied by the Galapagos National Park who are contracted to Silversea. They are extremely knowledgeable and group sizes average 8-12 people with the islands and snorkels reached by Zodiac.

The food is of high standard but unlike a Classic Silversea Cruise much more limited due to the destination, local rules about importing food/drink and as it’s an Expedition ship.

It is not a relaxing cruise with your day planned out perfectly by Silversea to visit and see the maximum possible each day but then that’s why you have booked this cruise. Your first excursion which would be a Hike would normally be at 8am followed by a snorkel at 11am. You would then have lunch followed by a lecture lasting around 30-45 minutes and then a further Hike in the afternoon and back on board around 5pm. This would be followed by pre dinner cocktails from 6pm, a 30 minute lecture and then a 15 minute talk on the following day’s activities. Then Dinner taking you to around 10pm then a nightcap before bed before it all starts again the next day.

While this is a Luxury Silversea Cruise it must be stressed it’s an Expedition Ship so would not necessarily appeal to Classic Silversea Ship guests where every whim is catered for or for those customers looking to just be pampered and relax.

This cruise would appeal to customers who have a reasonable level of fitness to partake in all Excursions/Snorkelling as you have to bear in mind the ship never docks in any port with these daily activities the main focus of the cruise and visiting the Galapagos which are unique in both wildlife and fauna. If you did not wish to partake in the excursions then I would not recommend this cruise/itinerary as these are what makes this cruise so special.

It's a bucket list destination and cruise for many and all I can say was the ship & crew were excellent and each day was even more amazing then the previous in terms of excursions and what we saw.

Check out Silversea for yourself below and book today with The Cruise Specialists!