Aboard Silver Spirit with Silversea Cruises
Cruise Overview
Like jade-coloured jewels in the Indian Ocean, the more than 100 Seychelles Islands are often regarded as the Garden of Eden.
Lying just four degrees south of the equator, the Seychelles are some 1,000 miles (1,610 km) from the nearest mainland Africa.
Little more than 200 years ago, all 115 islands were uninhabited.
Then in 1742 a French ship dispatched from Mauritius sailed into one of the small bays.
Captain Lazare Picault was the first to explore these unnamed islands.
He encountered breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains, lagoons, coral atolls, splendid beaches and secluded coves.
After Picault sailed away, the islands remained untouched for the next 14 years.
Then France took possession of the seven islands in the Mahé group.
During an expedition Captain Morphey named them the Sechelles, in honour of Vicomte Moreau de Sechelles.
This name was later anglicised to Seychelles.
The first settlers arrived at St.
Anne’s Island in 1770; 15 years later the population of Mahé consisted of seven Europeans and 123 slaves.
Today there are about 80,000 Seychellois, the majority of whom live on Mahé; the rest are scattered in small communities throughout the archipelago.
The people are a fusion of three continents - Africa, Asia and Europe.
This has created a unique culture and the use of three languages - Creole, French and English.
Mahé is the largest island in the archipelago and the location of the capital, Victoria.
Ringed by steep, magnificent mountains, few capitals can claim a more beautiful backdrop.
The town features a mixture of modern and indigenous architecture; it is the centre of business and commerce thanks to the extensive port facilities.
Noteworthy sites in Victoria are the museum, cathedral, government house, clock tower, botanical gardens and an open-air market.
The major attractions are found outside of town where the island’s quiet, lazy atmosphere delights visitors.
With 68 pristine, white sand beaches, Mahé boasts more beaches and tourist facilities than any of the other Seychelles Islands.
Beautiful and remote Mahé with its green-clad mountains and palm-fringed beaches is indeed an island of abundance; pleasant surprises are around every bend in the trail.
Come ashore and discover for yourself this marvellous island paradise.
There are many nations around the world with bragging rights to miles of pristine white coral sand and balmy turquoise seas but few can take it to the same level as the Maldives.
Its 1,200 islands are spread out over 26 coral atolls; the combined land of all the islands is little more than 100 square miles.
That means you are rarely more than a few steps from the beach.
Many of the villas are actually built on stilts out over the water, so you may actually have to walk onshore in order to get to the beach.
Besides curling your toes in the sand, many people come here to sample the Maldives enviable world-class dive spots.
Others simply snorkel among the endless coral reefs.
There are so many coral atolls here that our English word derives from the Maldivian name atholhu.
Kochi, formerly and still commonly known as Cochin, is one of the west coast's largest and oldest ports.
The streets behind the docks of the historic Fort Cochin and Mattancherry districts are lined with old merchant houses, godowns (warehouses), and open courtyards heaped with betel nuts, ginger, peppercorns, and tea.
Throughout the second millennium this ancient city exported spices, coffee, and coir (the fiber made from coconut husks), and imported culture and religion from Europe, China, and the Middle East.
Today Kochi has a synagogue, several mosques, Portuguese Catholic churches, Hindu temples, and the United Church of South India (an amalgamation of several Protestant denominations).
The city is spread out over mainland, peninsula, and islands.
Ernakulam, on the mainland 2 km (3 miles) from the harbor, is the commercial center and the one-time capital of the former state of Cochin.
Willingdon Island, which was created by dredging the harbor, holds several luxury hotels as well as a navy base.
The beautiful Bolghatty Island, north of Ernakulam, is a favorite picnic spot for locals.
On it there's a government-run hotel in a colonial structure that was once used by the Dutch governor and later by the British Resident.
Another local favorite is Cherai beach on Vypin Island, which is a 10-minute ferry ride from Fort Cochin.
The Fort Cochin district, Kochi's historic center, is at the northern tip of the Mattancherry peninsula.
Houses here often recall Tudor manors; some have been converted to hotels, others remain in the hands of the venerable tea and trading companies.
South of Fort Cochin, in the Mattancherry district, is where you'll find the city's dwindling Jewish community.
Their small neighborhood, called Jew Town, which is now dotted with cafés and shops selling curios and antiques, is centered on the synagogue.
Lying just four degrees south of the equator, the Seychelles are some 1,000 miles (1,610 km) from the nearest mainland Africa.
Little more than 200 years ago, all 115 islands were uninhabited.
Then in 1742 a French ship dispatched from Mauritius sailed into one of the small bays.
Captain Lazare Picault was the first to explore these unnamed islands.
He encountered breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains, lagoons, coral atolls, splendid beaches and secluded coves.
After Picault sailed away, the islands remained untouched for the next 14 years.
Then France took possession of the seven islands in the Mahé group.
During an expedition Captain Morphey named them the Sechelles, in honour of Vicomte Moreau de Sechelles.
This name was later anglicised to Seychelles.
The first settlers arrived at St.
Anne’s Island in 1770; 15 years later the population of Mahé consisted of seven Europeans and 123 slaves.
Today there are about 80,000 Seychellois, the majority of whom live on Mahé; the rest are scattered in small communities throughout the archipelago.
The people are a fusion of three continents - Africa, Asia and Europe.
This has created a unique culture and the use of three languages - Creole, French and English.
Mahé is the largest island in the archipelago and the location of the capital, Victoria.
Ringed by steep, magnificent mountains, few capitals can claim a more beautiful backdrop.
The town features a mixture of modern and indigenous architecture; it is the centre of business and commerce thanks to the extensive port facilities.
Noteworthy sites in Victoria are the museum, cathedral, government house, clock tower, botanical gardens and an open-air market.
The major attractions are found outside of town where the island’s quiet, lazy atmosphere delights visitors.
With 68 pristine, white sand beaches, Mahé boasts more beaches and tourist facilities than any of the other Seychelles Islands.
Beautiful and remote Mahé with its green-clad mountains and palm-fringed beaches is indeed an island of abundance; pleasant surprises are around every bend in the trail.
Come ashore and discover for yourself this marvellous island paradise.
There are many nations around the world with bragging rights to miles of pristine white coral sand and balmy turquoise seas but few can take it to the same level as the Maldives.
Its 1,200 islands are spread out over 26 coral atolls; the combined land of all the islands is little more than 100 square miles.
That means you are rarely more than a few steps from the beach.
Many of the villas are actually built on stilts out over the water, so you may actually have to walk onshore in order to get to the beach.
Besides curling your toes in the sand, many people come here to sample the Maldives enviable world-class dive spots.
Others simply snorkel among the endless coral reefs.
There are so many coral atolls here that our English word derives from the Maldivian name atholhu.
Kochi, formerly and still commonly known as Cochin, is one of the west coast's largest and oldest ports.
The streets behind the docks of the historic Fort Cochin and Mattancherry districts are lined with old merchant houses, godowns (warehouses), and open courtyards heaped with betel nuts, ginger, peppercorns, and tea.
Throughout the second millennium this ancient city exported spices, coffee, and coir (the fiber made from coconut husks), and imported culture and religion from Europe, China, and the Middle East.
Today Kochi has a synagogue, several mosques, Portuguese Catholic churches, Hindu temples, and the United Church of South India (an amalgamation of several Protestant denominations).
The city is spread out over mainland, peninsula, and islands.
Ernakulam, on the mainland 2 km (3 miles) from the harbor, is the commercial center and the one-time capital of the former state of Cochin.
Willingdon Island, which was created by dredging the harbor, holds several luxury hotels as well as a navy base.
The beautiful Bolghatty Island, north of Ernakulam, is a favorite picnic spot for locals.
On it there's a government-run hotel in a colonial structure that was once used by the Dutch governor and later by the British Resident.
Another local favorite is Cherai beach on Vypin Island, which is a 10-minute ferry ride from Fort Cochin.
The Fort Cochin district, Kochi's historic center, is at the northern tip of the Mattancherry peninsula.
Houses here often recall Tudor manors; some have been converted to hotels, others remain in the hands of the venerable tea and trading companies.
South of Fort Cochin, in the Mattancherry district, is where you'll find the city's dwindling Jewish community.
Their small neighborhood, called Jew Town, which is now dotted with cafés and shops selling curios and antiques, is centered on the synagogue.
Cruise Itinerary
Aboard Silver Spirit
Launch Year: 2009 Length: 211 Width: 27 Currency: USD Capacity: 608 Crew Count: 411 Deck Count: 8 Cabin Count: 270
Fully refurbished in 2018 for a superlative onboard adventure, the all-new Silver Spirit has never looked better nor felt cosier.
Silver Spirit offers its guests one of the most complete cruise experiences available. With one of the highest space-to-guest ratios in the business and eight superlative luxury dining options, she retains our world-famous service standards and home away from home feel. Spacious decks leave plenty of room for relaxation, yet the cosy niches make sure that there is something for everyone. Meet like-minded friends, enjoy first-class dining and relax on our original Silversea flagship.
Refurbished and remodelled in 2018, Silver Spirit is the epitome of Silversea elegance. Her guest capacity of 608, her large, open spaces, her many dining options and her all-suite accommodation make her a modern answer for ultra-luxury cruising. View the deck plan here.
Silver Spirit Facilities
Silver Spirit Includes
Cabin Details
Silversea’s suites offer one of the highest space-per-guest ratios of any luxury cruise accommodations. All Silversea suites have ocean views, and most include a private teak veranda so that you can breathe in the fresh sea air simply by stepping outside your door. And regardless of the ship or suite category, all guests will be pampered with the personalised services of an attentive butler.
For a truly personal experience, customise your suite with an abundance of thoughtful options and luxurious amenities from Bulgari toiletries and personalised stationery to a bar with your favourite wines and liquors. Settle in with a complimentary movie or choose instead to simply watch the ocean swim by. You can even have dinner in-suite served course by course by your butler. Then, when it’s time to retire, curl up beneath Egyptian cotton linens and a fluffy duvet, with your choice of nine different pillow types. The ultimate in luxury cruise accommodations, Silversea’s suites are your home away from home.
