Posted on Monday, July 2, 2012 by Peter Knego
The Silversea Group has bought Canodros S.A., an Ecuadorian tourism company that operates in the Galapagos Islands. Included in the purchase was the upmarket 1990-built expedition ship GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II (ex RENAISSANCE THREE)
MV GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II, courtesy of Canodros S.A.
In September 2013, Silversea will add GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II to its fleet of six ships after the 100-guest, all-suite vessel undergoes a major refurbishment and renaming.
In the meantime, GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II will continue her planned schedule of cruises operated by Canodros.
Silversea Cruises already operates one expedition ship, the SILVER EXPLORER, on polar itineraries, so the addition of a second vessel on year-round luxury expedition cruises in the Galapagos archipelago allows the line to offer the adventure traveler a broader portfolio of itineraries.
The 4,077 gross ton GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II has an overall length of 89.35 meters (293.1 feet) and cruises at a speed of 17 knots. All of her 50 suites offer ocean views and 24 have private balconies. Public spaces include a restaurant, piano bar, library and internet station, main lounge, outdoor bar, two outdoor whirlpools, and a marine observation deck.
Silversea is expected to unveil more details about the ship, including her future name, in the next few months.
Philip Hurst
July 3, 2012 at 1:00 am
SILVER EXPLORER is very successful for the company, and I’m sure that SILVER WHATEVER will also be a hit with guests … but it’s a seriously ugly ship. Those canted “funnels” are the maritime equivalent of platform shoes or flared jeans – I bet they won’t be replaced when the ship gets its Silversea makeover.
Clive Harvey
July 3, 2012 at 4:23 am
Seriously ugly?
It will fit right in with the rest of the Silverseas fleet then won’t it?
Kenneth Eden
July 3, 2012 at 8:21 am
The Galapagos Islands have engaged extreme measures to supress cruise line and ship visits there. Once they were reachable through yachts and other private vessels. The Equadorian government sponsored the first cruises there on a regular basis using the Candoros vessels. Along came Celebrity with the CELEBRITY XPEDITION, which has proven very succesful.
The Silver and Celebrity ships are comparable in size, and amenities, although Silver Sea is all inclusive.
The archiapelego is very precious and may be vulnerable to exposure to the oputside world. Let it stay pristine, no more ships there.
david r
July 3, 2012 at 3:03 pm
I dont feel she is ugly at all. All those over sized Norwegian Epic, Oasis/Allure of the Seas those are true DOGS !!!
Ralph Teutsch
July 9, 2012 at 10:22 am
Cruise ship visits aren’t the problem in the Galapagos–since
WWII the Ecuadorian government has let the permanent population
go from 10 people to 50 thousand (!). If they were serious about
protecting the islands they would all be sent back to the mainland.