Silver Origin, a luxurious boat built in a Dutch shipyard, started operations in Galapagos

Excursion began from San Cristóbal Island

Silversea Cruises started his tourist operations in Galapagos this week with his luxurious Silver Origin ship. This boat, built in 2020 and with capacity for 100 passengers, is the first focused on a specific destination.

The company dedicated to the Cruises of Ultralujo indicated that with the arrival of the Silver Origin to the islands "they resume the service to one of the most emblematic expedition destinations in the world."

Silver Origin replaces Silver Galapagos (formerly called Galapagos Explorer II), an expedition ship that for years gave tourist service and stopped providing services on the islands last year.

The inaugural cruise departed from San Cristóbal Island inside an itinerary that covers more than 10 points in seven days. Fernando Delgado, vice president and manager of Silversea Cruises Ecuador, indicated that they departed with an occupation of 55 %.

These trips will be made weekly throughout the year. Thus, for example, in this month another departure is scheduled on June 26. While in July he plans departures on 3, 7, 17, 24 and 31. The costs for this month range from $ 11,450, depending on dates and itineraries.

For this ship, the firm elaborated new improved itineraries, which offer the possibility of contemplating many of the species, several of them endemic, which make up the wild life of the islands.

Silversea points to a niche of passengers who want to experience experiential trips to the Galapagos, with luxury services.

More than the amount of passengers, the ship has capacity for a crew of 90 people. The company indicated that it is the largest proportion of passenger crew members.

This ship has accommodation in suites, with balconies and butler service. Your feeding service is inspired by Ecuadorian cuisine.

Tourism Minister Niels Olsen welcomed Sirver Origin and wanted successes in his first galapagos excursion. The minister posted a photo on his Twitter account with boat personnel, which initially aspired to be operating in August last year.

Built in the Dutch Shipyard of Hoop, the Silver Origin has a tonnage of 5,800 tons and is one of the most energy efficiency ships in its class.

The Silver Origin's operation start also coincides with the inaugural trips of Silver Moon, another Silversea boat that will travel the islands of Greece.

"With the inaugural trips of these two beautiful new ships we welcome guests to rediscover destinations, cultures and exotic kitchens at our characteristic comfort level, with an impeccable personalized service," said the president and executive director of Silversea, Roberto Martinoli.

Silversea said that he continues to work in close collaboration with government agencies and relevant health authorities to maintain at all times a set of protocols at various levels, always backed by science, to guarantee the health and safety of guests, crew and communities visited.

Galapagos is one of the destinations that the Ecuadorian government seeks to boost once the population vaccination was covered.

The arrival of tourists to the islands marched slowly in this first semester and is still distant from the levels of before the pandemic. Galapagos arrived 15,585 tourists in the first quarter of 2021, 73.12 % less than in the same period of 2020.