Silversea Cruises opened sales on brand new voyages aboard Silver Moon to the Eastern Mediterranean, departing from Greece from June 18, 2021. The cruise line unveiled a collection of nine voyages – each 10 days in length – which will sail round-trip from Piraeus (Athens), taking in much of Greece, including Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, and Crete, among others, as well as Haifa (Israel) and Cyprus.
“The entire team at Silversea, our colleagues at the Royal Caribbean Group, and our loyal guests have been waiting for this incredible news for over one year. We are delighted to open general sales on our new Silver Moon itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean,” says Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises. “Our guests are yearning to continue their travels, exemplified by the unprecedented demand we are currently registering. We are excited to introduce them to our beautiful new flagship Silver Moon, as they travel deep into Greece, Israel, and Cyprus. On behalf of the entire Silversea team and our valued guests, we extend our deepest gratitude to Greece’s Honorable Minister Harry Theoharis, Ministry of Tourism – Hellenic Republic; port authorities; and other governing bodies for their valued support and their openness to collaboration. Greece has long constituted a key destination for our cruise line and we are thrilled to resume sailing in this magnificent part of the world.”
“We welcome the announcement of Silversea Cruises’ restart from Greece,” says Honorable Minister Harry Theoharis. “Once again, travelers will have the opportunity to discover our beautiful destinations and create memories to last a lifetime. We fully support the recommencement of cruising, as it is a very important pillar of our tourism strategy.”
TRAVELING DEEP INTO GREECE, CYPRUS, AND ISRAEL
During her inaugural season, Silversea’s new flagship Silver Moon will take travelers deep into the Eastern Mediterranean, calling in many of the region’s most beautiful destinations. To protect guests’ health and safety, guests will only be allowed to leave the ship on Silversea’s verified shore excursions which will be included in the fare – one included shore experience per day, from a selection in each port – with premium shore experiences available at an additional charge. Offering guests the possibility of combining voyages for extended exploration, the new collection includes the following sample itineraries:
Piraeus (Athens) to Piraeus (Athens) – June 18-Jun 28
Silver Moon’s maiden voyage will depart Piraeus (Athens) on June 18, calling in Greece and Cyprus, including Syros, Paros, Patmos, Rhodes, Limassol, Heraklion, and Mykonos, before returning to Piraeus (Athens) on June 28. In Limassol, the ancient grandeur of Cyprus will come alive as guests discover Petra tou Romiou, or ‘Aphrodite’s Rock’, the mosaics of Paphos at the House of Dionysos, and the 3rd-century Tomb of the Kings. A shore experience in Rhodes will unlock the destination’s medieval past, with travelers stepping back in time in the walled Old City, the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Avenue of the Knights, and the Archaeological Museum, among other highlights. Two days at sea will enable guests to discover the enrichments aboard Silver Moon, including those unlocked through the new S.A.L.T. program, which will take guests deeper into each destination by showcasing stories around food and drink. Silversea’s President’s Ambassador to the Venetian Society, Fernando Barroso de Oliveira, will accompany guests on this momentous voyage, gladly reconnecting with the Silversea family.
Piraeus (Athens) to Piraeus (Athens) – Jun 28-July 8
After departing Piraeus (Athens) on June 28, guests travelling aboard Silver Moon will spend a day at sea. After discovering the delights of Limassol in Cyprus, guests will journey on to Ashdod (Jerusalem) and Haifa (Nazareth) in Israel, before travelling to Rhodes, Aghios Nikolaos and Souda Bay in Crete, and Santorini. Travelers will have the opportunity to visit some of history’s most sacred and important sites in Jerusalem, including the Room of the Last Supper, the Tomb of King David, and Dormition Abbey, while touring the Old City. Scenery and laid-back village life await in Santorini’s Oia, considered by many as the Cyclades Islands’ most picturesque town.
FULL VACCINATIONS MANDATORY FOR GUESTS AND CREW
Full vaccinations will be mandatory for guests and crew embarking Silver Moon in Greece, forming part of a comprehensive, multi-layered set of science-backed protocols, which, approved by the Royal Caribbean Group’s Healthy Sail Panel and the Greek Ministry of Health, will help to safeguard the health and safety of guests, crew, and visited communities. The protocol includes enhanced sanitation procedures; increased air filtration to ensure the supply of fresh and filtered air from outdoors; high-quality onboard medical care with state-of-the-art medical equipment; and enhanced medical teams aboard Silver Moon. Silversea will continue to work closely with relevant governing bodies and health authorities to evolve its health and safety procedures, as new health recommendations are issued and as the fluid situation advances.
This article was originally published at The Avid Cruiser.
