Even luxury line Silversea Cruises making changes as economy falters

mercedes · November 12, 2008

Add Silversea to the list of cruise lines moving ships closer to customers as the economy tumbles and vacationers look for more affordable options.

The ultra-luxury line is canceling a long (and apparently difficult to sell) trans-Atlantic cruise scheduled for the Silver Cloud in 2009 with several shorter, easier-to-reach voyages departing from cities along the East coast of North America.

Silversea spokesman Brad Ball tells USA TODAY the line has been getting a lot of requests from past guests to return to region, which it hasn't visited in three years, but there's no doubt the struggling economy played a roll in the decision.

"Air tickets to the Northeast and Canada are a lot less expensive than flights to Europe," Ball notes. "No matter their level of affluence, travelers are keeping an eye on the bottom line these days."

The champagne and caviar set is still traveling, of course. "But instead of doing three trips to Europe, a more cost efficient option could be two cruises to the Med and one New England voyage," Ball says.

In addition to canceling the Silver Cloud's 15-night trans-Atlantic cruise from London to Barbados scheduled for next September, the line is canceling several of the ship's scheduled Caribbean cruises that begin or end in far-flung Barbados. The new itineraries for the ship leave from such easier-to-reach (for Americans) ports as Montreal and New York.

The new itineraries (rates are per person, based on double occupancy and do not include port charges):

-- London to Reykjavik (Sept. 19-27). An eight-night trip that starts with an overnight in London and includes calls in Rosyth, Invergordon, Kirkwall, Lerwick and Thorshavn. Fares from $5,621.

-- Reykjavik to Montreal (Sept. 27-Oct. 9). A 12-night voyage calling in Narsarssuak, L'Anse aux Meadows, St. John's, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Corner Brook and Quebec City. Fares from $5,911.

-- Montreal to New York (Oct. 9-19). A 10-night trip calling in Quebec City, Gaspe, Sydney, Halifax, Bar Harbor, Boston and Newport. The sailing includes an overnight stay in Montreal and sailing on the St. Lawrence River and the Cape Cod Canal. Fares from $4,936.

-- New York to Barbados (Oct. 19-29) A 10-night voyage with stops in Bermuda (overnight), San Juan, St. Bart's, Antigua and Bequia. Fares start at $4,416.