Leading luxury line chops cruise prices by 50%

mercedes · February 24, 2009

Always wanted to trade up to an high-end line? Now's your chance as luxury leader Silversea Cruises chops prices by a hefty 50% on a wide list of upcoming voyages.

With demand for luxury vacations slumping as the economy weakens, the privately owned cruise operator today announced it is expanding an existing sale to 75 voyages and boosting the discount amount to 50% on 39 of the sailings.

In addition, the line is hoping to boost demand by offering additional perks on some sailings such as free or reduced airfare and $1,000 per cabin in onboard spending credits.

Among the regions where cruisers can find 50%-off rates on Silversea ships (fares listed are person based on double occupancy):

-- Africa. A nine-day Silver Wind voyage beginning Dec. 4 from Mombasa to Mahe with calls in Lamu, Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar, Madagascar and Assumption Island is now priced starting at $3,247.

-- Seychelles Islands. A seven-day Silver Wind sailing departing Dec. 13, roundtrip from Mahe, with calls in La Digue, Curieuse Island, Silhouette Island and Praslin, starts at $2,497.

-- Arctic. A 10-day expedition sailing on the Prince Albert II, departing Longyearbyen June 24 and exploring the Svalbard archipelago before ending in Tromso. Fares from $3,247.

-- Caribbean. A nine-day voyage on the Silver Shadow, departing Nov. 13 from Barbados to Fort Lauderdale with calls in Bequia, Martinique, Dominica, St. Bart's, St. Kitts and Tortola, starts at $3,047.

-- Far East and South Pacific. A 16-day voyage on the Silver Whisper, departing Dec. 3 from Singapore to Sydney with calls in Semarang, Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, Whitsunday Islands and Brisbane, starts at $6,347.

-- Mediterranean. A seven-day voyage on the Silver Wind, departing May 14 from Barcelona to Nice with calls in Valencia, Corsica, Livorno and Antibes, is now priced at $3,197, and the line also is offering a $1,000 per cabin onboard spending credit available with free or reduced air from select cities.

The $500 per person (maximum $1,000 per suite) spending credit is available for new bookings made on or before April 30 for select voyages to Alaska (Voyages 3912 - 3923), Northern Europe (Voyages 1911 - 1923) and the Mediterranean (Voyages 2911 - 2920, 4912 and 4916). Request promotional code WWSBC500 at the time of booking.

A complete list of discounted sailings for 2009 is available at silversea.com.