Silversea: Culture Theme cruises to Greek islands with opera singers

From opera to ballet to the culinary arts, Silversea is offering the perfect blend of culture and travel with its new collection of specialty voyages. Titled "Exclusively Yours -- Enriched Voyages," these inspiring theme cruises, set to take place in late summer and fall this year, will feature a complimentary onboard program of exceptional entertainment and enrichment activities, as well as complimentary shore excursions included on select sailings.

The Exclusively Yours -- Enriched Voyages provide the opportunity for guests to feel at home, relishing the familiar comforts of their Silversea cruise, as they indulge their personal interests and passions with special programs designed to make the experience richer and more exclusive. These include breathtaking opera shows performed by the world-renowned Accademia Teatro alla Scala, classic ballet performances by acclaimed soloists from the esteemed State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Russia, and culinary voyages hosting renowned Relais & Châteaux Chefs, to name a few.

"We're extremely honored to present this unique collection of cruises designed to showcase extraordinary talent in the performing arts and gastronomy," said Mark Conroy, Silversea's managing director for the Americas. "We're attentive to our guests and believe they will find these voyages are perfectly attuned to their varied interests and pastimes."

Following is a snapshot of the "Exclusively Yours -- Enriched Voyages" collection:

ACCADEMIA TEATRO ALLA SCALA

Based in Milan, Italy, Accademia Teatro alla Scala (La Scala Theater Academy) is one of the world's foremost performing arts academies. Its internationally renowned performers and instructors offer the highest level of artistic education for aspiring and gifted singers, dancers, and musicians from every corner of the world. Soloists from its Academy of Lyric Opera and a piano accompanist will perform a selection of opera's most beautiful librettos for the enjoyment of Silversea guests aboard three Silver Spirit voyages in the Mediterranean:

-- VOYAGE 5624: Aug. 22 - 31, Venice to Athens, with calls in Koper, Hvar, Kotor, Corfu, Zakinthos, Nafplion, Crete, and Santorini.

-- VOYAGE 5626: Sep. 9 - 19, Monte Carlo to Venice, with calls in Livorno, Olbia, Trapani, Porto Empedocle, Valletta, Dubrovnik, Split, and Trieste.

-- VOYAGE 5630: Oct. 10 - 19, Athens to Venice, with calls in Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Katakolon (Olympia), Argostoli (Cephalonia), Corfu, and Dubrovnik

ACCLAIMED RUSSIAN BALLET SOLOISTS

Daria Khokhlova and Artemy Belyakov, ballet solo performers of the State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Russia, one of the world's most renowned ballet companies, are returning to Silversea for an exclusive engagement aboard Silver Spirit's August 31 Mediterranean cruise, sailing from Athens to Monte Carlo (Voyage 5625). The dance stars, whose wonderful performances last summer captivated the Silver Spirit audience, will again appear on stage in the ship's elegant Show Lounge for three performances during the nine-day voyage, which will visit destinations in Greece and Italy.

Daria Khokhlova joined the ballet company of the Bolshoi Theater in 2009. Her repertoire includes such roles as Marie in The Nutcracker, the Ballerina in Petrushka, Princess Florina in Sleeping Beauty, and Olga in Onegin, to name a few. She is also very famous as Ophelia in Hamlet.

Artemy Belyakov, whose notable roles include, among others, Blue Bird in Sleeping Beauty, Lensky in Onegin, and the Evil Genius in Swan Lake, joined the ballet company of the Bolshoi Theater in 2010.

CULINARY ARTS & WINE VOYAGES

Silver Cloud - September 16 - Voyage 1629 (Monte Carlo to Barcelona)

TASTES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE: From sun-ripened tomatoes to pure virgin olive oil, to delicate cheeses, the Mediterranean diet is the cornerstone of gastronomy. Locally-inspired culinary demonstrations, apéritif tastings before dinner, and vineyard strolls (on complimentary excursions) showcase this remarkable culinary heritage.

Silver Spirit - October 1 - Voyage 5629 (Istanbul to Athens)

RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX® GOURMET CRUISE: David Chauvac, head chef of the Michelin-starred Le Candille restaurant located at Le Mas Candille hotel in Mougins, Provence, France, and Silvia Regi Baracchi, chef of the Michellin-starred Il Faconiere restaurant in Tuscany, Italy, will combine their extraordinary culinary talents to present a program of informative cooking demonstrations and grand gourmet dinners. Other highlights include an optional winery excursion in Santorini, Greece.

Silver Whisper - October 24 - Voyage 4626 (New York to Barbados)

RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX® GOURMET CRUISE: On hand to share their incredible culinary skills and insights during a program of informative cooking demonstrations and grand gourmet dinners will be: Jason Joseph, head chef of the award-winning Camelot Restaurant at Cobblers Cove hotel in Barbados; Jacob Jasinski, chef de cuisine of the award-winning Seasons restaurant at the Ocean House hotel in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, U.S.A.; Gunnar Thompson, executive chef at the acclaimed Glenmere Mansion hotel in Chester, New York, U.S.A.; and Louis Pacquelin, head chef of the renowned Panache restaurant at Québec, Canada's Auberge Saint-Antoine hotel.

 Silver Spirit - November 5 - Voyage 5634 (Barcelona to Barbados)

WINE CRUISE: Presented in partnership with Comitato Grandi Cru d'Italia, an association of top Italian winemakers, and the Professional Association of Italian Sommeliers (ASPI), this wine enrichment program will spotlight a collection of some of Italy's finest vintages as top sommeliers Gennaro Buono and Giuseppe Vaccarini guide and educate guests in the art of winemaking. Other highlights include complimentary wine-themed shore excursions in Spain's Canary Islands.

 Silver Spirit - November 21 - Voyage 5635 (Roundtrip from Barbados to South America)

CHOCOLATE & COFFEE CRUISE: The celebrated coffee brand illy and acclaimed chocolate company Domori are teaming up to escort guests on this ultimate sensory journey with exquisite coffee and chocolate tastings, lectures, and cooking demonstrations hosted by award-winning pastry chef Francesco Boccia.

 Silver Shadow - November 26 - Voyage 3635 (Hong Kong to Singapore)

HIGH TEA CRUISE: Presented in partnership with the renowned Ronnefeldt tea company and hosted by etiquette expert and tea lover Tatyana Polyakova, this connoisseur's guide to tea will introduce guests to a selection of premium varieties as they discover how various cultures have shaped the tea experience.

BRIDGE CRUISE

And Silversea has created a special experience for bridge enthusiasts. On Silver Wind's November 15 transatlantic sailing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale (Voyage 2633), guests can compete to win prizes in the first-ever Silversea bridge tournament. On this special transatlantic Bridge Cruise, featuring American Contract Bridge League life masters, guests can earn ACBL master points, attend seminars, and meet other bridge players from around the world.

For further details on Silversea's "Exclusively Yours -- Enriched Voyages" collection, visit Silversea.com/exclusive-offers/exclusively-yours-enriched-voyages.

About Silversea Cruises 

Silversea Cruises, which is chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, is recognized as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit -- and launching in 2017, Silver Muse(SM) -- all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos, and Silver Discoverer, Silversea Cruises' itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and over 800 fascinating destinations in between.

Source: PRNewswire

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