On 14 ultra-luxury voyages across the globe, Chef Bilsland will present a programme developed in collaboration with Jacques Thorel, a consulting Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux. Silversea enjoys the privilege of featuring the only "Relais & Châteaux L'École des Chefs" cooking school at sea. The innovative programme -- which is offered completely free of charge -- provides guests with a special culinary curriculum, including hands-on instruction, and entertaining events.

With the curriculum for each of these cruises carefully designed to celebrate the cultural flavour of the ship's itinerary, participating guests may prepare Cajun-spiced shrimp, vegetable fritto misto, or spanakopita, as well as other international delicacies. Highlights include specialised workshops covering an array of topics from basic knife skills and kitchen terminology to sauces and baking; cooking demonstrations with wine pairings and interactive Q&A sessions; lively cooking competitions between Chef Bilsland and the ship's own culinary team; a "Lunch and Learn" event offering small groups of guests a chance to sample a delicious meal of specially prepared dishes; and inspired "Take It Home" recipes that will give guests an edge when entertaining at home. 

Also offered on certain voyages, when the itinerary permits, is a "Market to Plate" experience that provides an escorted tour of a local market followed by a cooking class, and a "Culinary Outing," an instructor-escorted excursion to a local restaurant, hotel or other venue where guests can enjoy a unique culinary exploration.

Ellen Bettridge, Silversea's president of the Americas, said: "What's really great about our L'École des Chefs cooking school is that it's free, fun and entertaining. And it lets our guests get hands-on training, working side by side with an accomplished chef to learn new cooking techniques and sample delectable dishes."

Following below is a small selection of the L'École des Chefs voyages for 2013:

AFRICA

Voyage 2336: Silver Wind departs Las Palmas 3 December on an 18-day sailing to Cape Town with calls in Porto Novo, Praia, Dakar, Takoradi, Walvis Bay, and Lüderitz. Silver Privilege fares start at US$5,450.

ASIA

Voyage 3329: Silver Shadow departs Tokyo 29 September on a 10-day sailing to Shanghai with calls in Hiroshima, Busan, Jeju, and Tianjin (Beijing). Silver Privilege fares start at $4,350.

Voyage 3331: Silver Shadow departs Tokyo 19 October on a 12-day sailing to Hong Kong with calls in Osaka, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Shanghai, and Xiamen. Silver Privilege fares start at $5,650.

MEDITERRANEAN

Voyage 2334: Silver Wind departs Rome 19 November on a 7-day sailing to Málaga with calls in Sorrento, Trapani, Valletta, La Goulette, and Cartagena. Silver Privilege fares start at $2,050.

Voyage 2335: Silver Wind departs Málaga 26 November on a 7-day sailing to Las Palmas with calls in Cádiz, Casablanca, Agadir, Arrecife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Santa Cruz de la Palma. Silver Privilege fares start at $2,750 for a Veranda Suite (Vista Suites are sold out).

NORTHERN EUROPE

Voyage 7309: Silver Explorer departs Lisbon 29 April on a 14-day "Flavours of Europe" voyage to Portsmouth with calls in Oporto (Leixoes), Vigo, Santander, St Jean de Luz, Bordeaux, Quiberon, Saint-Malo, Guernsey, and Honfleur. Silver Privilege fares start at $6,850 (for Adventurer Class accommodations).

Voyage 1318: Silver Cloud departs Southampton 9 June on a 10-day sailing to Copenhagen with calls in Honfleur, Oostende, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Warnemünde (Rostock), and Helsingborg. Silver Privilege fares start at $4,150.

SOUTH PACIFIC

Voyage 5304: Silver Spirit departs Los Angeles 1 February on a 31-day roundtrip odyssey exploring the enchanting isles of the South Pacific with calls in the Marquesas Islands, Rangiroa, Society Islands, Kiribati, and Hawaii. Silver Privilege fares start at $14,550.

TRANSOCEANIC

Voyage 3328: Silver Shadow departs Vancouver 12 September on a 16-day transpacific voyage to Tokyo with calls in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Kodiak, Petropavlovsk (Kamchatka), and Hakodate. Silver Privilege fares start at $6,250 for a Veranda 1 Suite (Vista Suites are sold out).

For a complete list of L'École des Chefs voyages, visit Silversea.com and click on Life Onboard/Enrichment/Culinary & Wine Voyages/Cooking School Voyages.

Silver Privilege fares listed above are cruise-only rates per guest, based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite, unless indicated otherwise. Silver Privilege is a capacity-controlled programme and subject to change.

About Relais & Châteaux
Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 500 of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 60 countries. Established in France in 1954, the Association's mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character. It is also a family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world who share a passion for and a personal commitment to ensuring their guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony. For information on Relais & Châteaux, please call (800) 735-2478 (US/Canada) or 00 800 2000 00 02 (UK) or visit www.relaischateaux.com.

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 the expedition ships Silver Explorer and Silver Galapagos (debuting late 2013), Silversea Cruises' itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and over 500 fascinating destinations in between.

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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)