These unique culinary theme cruises showcase the skills of culinary experts and award-winning chefs of top dining establishments from around the world, including the internationally acclaimed chefs of Relais & Châteaux, the distinguished international association of charming properties and gourmet restaurants.

Ellen Bettridge, Silversea's president of the Americas, said:  "We're delighted to feature some of the world's top chefs and rising stars on our Culinary Arts voyages. For inquisitive luxury travellers who appreciate fine food and wine, these culinary theme cruises are a great way to travel and learn."

The Flavours of Europe

A special Culinary Arts voyage titled "The Flavours of Europe", will take place aboard Silver Explorer's Expedition Voyage 7309, sailing 29 April to 13 May 2013, from Lisbon to Portsmouth, offering an array of culinary demonstrations and activities on board and ashore.

On this unique culinary sea adventure, guests will have the opportunity to visit a farm near Bordeaux dedicated to the cultivation of heirloom fruits and vegetables; learn how to prepare Basque pintxos (bite-sized delicacies); partake in a gastronomic celebration at Château Kirwan in the Bordeaux countryside; experience an authentic afternoon tea at a manor house in Guernsey; and join Silversea's culinary team for a provisioning excursion to a seafood market in Santander, Spain. The voyage will be hosted by Chef Rudi Scholdis, Silversea's culinary director; Chef David Bilsland, culinary trainer for the "Relais & Châteaux L'Ecole des Chefs" cooking school aboard Silversea; and Conrad Combrink, Silversea's director of expeditions.

On all Culinary Arts enrichment voyages, celebrity chefs will display their exceptional talents during dynamic and informative cooking demonstrations where guests can taste and learn firsthand the secrets of enticing signature dishes. These voyages also feature escorted provisioning trips to international markets (when the itinerary permits), food and wine pairings, creative regional dishes, and a five-course grand gourmet dinner. Throughout these special sailings, the featured guest chef and Silversea’s executive chef are on hand to share their culinary expertise and answer any questions.

Following is a list of chefs tapped to host Culinary Arts voyages in the coming months:

Ying Compestine: Born in China, she is an authority on Asian culture and cuisine, an award-winning author and former food editor for Martha Stewart's Whole Living magazine, and the author of four cookbooks, including Ying's Best One-Dish Meals and Cooking with Green Tea.  She will host a culinary presentation on Silver Shadow's transpacific Voyage 3227, 6 - 23 September 2012, Vancouver to Tokyo.

Eyvind Hellstrøm: This Norwegian superstar chef, who earned two Michelin stars for Oslo's legendary Bagatelle restaurant, will share his talents aboard Silver Wind's Arabia and Indian Ocean Voyage 2237, 5 - 22 December 2012, Dubai to Mauritius.

Robert Wemischner: Based in Los Angeles, this pastry chef and culinary educator has always been intrigued by the flavour potential of ingredients, from turmeric to tea and from cumin to coffee. Author of four books including his latest, The Dessert Architect, he will share his expertise aboard Silver Spirit's Voyage 5303, 17 January - 1 February 2013, Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles.

Dale Gartland: A native of Shropshire, England, Gartland is group executive chef for Relais & Châteaux member properties The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers and Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown, New Zealand. The award-winning chef will share his modern European cuisine with guests on Silver Shadow's Voyage 3302, 18 January - 1 February 2013, Auckland to Sydney.  

Aaron Patterson: This top chef won his first Michelin star at 23 and has been head chef since 1991 at Hambleton Hall, a Relais & Châteaux member property in Rutland, England.  Known for using the finest seasonal ingredients to create sumptuous modern British cuisine, he will host a cooking programme on Silver Shadow's Singapore-to-Hong Kong Voyage 3305, 25 February to 6 March 2013.

Shane Delia: One of Melbourne, Australia's most innovative chefs, he has authored a cookbook and regularly appears on TV. His restaurants include the much-awarded Maha Bar & Grill and recently launched St Katherine's. He will be highlighting cuisine with an Asian twist for guests on Silver Shadow's Voyage 3311, 22 April - 6 May 2013, Hong Kong to Tokyo.

About Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises, which is chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, is recognised as an innovator in the luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud,Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit -- all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of Silver Explorer, Silversea Cruises' itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and over 400 fascinating destinations in between.

In the US, Silversea has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and awarded "Best Cruise Line for Luxury Small Ships" by Luxury Travel Advisor (2011). International awards include "Best Innovation in Products and Services" from the Italian Innovazione Marketing Oggi Awards (2009); "World's Leading Small Ships Cruise Line" from World Travel Awards (2010); "Five Star Diamond Award" from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2011); "Number One" small-ship line in the Readers' Choice survey conducted by Britain's Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2010); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" Excellence Award by Spain's Cruise News Media Group (2009); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by Australia's Luxury Travel & Style Magazine (2011); and "Best Luxury Cruise Operator" according to Travel Weekly China (2010).

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For more information on Silversea Cruises, please contact a travel agent.
For a complimentary brochure, please call toll-free (US) 877.215.9986 or visit www.silversea.com.

This press release was accurate at the date of issuance. It is the reader's responsibility to verify its continued accuracy, as information contained in the release may have changed.

Media Relations Contacts:

Americas
Brad Ball
Email: BradB@Silversea.com
Phone: (954) 713.4030 (USA)

Gina Finocchiaro
Email: GinaF@Silversea.com
Phone: (954) 713-4029 (USA)

Asia Pacific
Carla Oscuro
Email: CarlaO@Silversea.com
Phone: +61 2 9255 0600 (Australia)

Continental Europe, Russia, Ukraine
and CIS Countries, Israel, Africa
Jerome Danglidis
Email: jeromed@Silversea.com
Phone: +49 69 133 83 637 (Germany)

UK, Ireland and Middle East
Sara Larmer
Email: SaraL@Silversea.com
Phone: +44 (0) 844 770 9050 (UK)