The coolest rooms at sea? This cruise line is converting a helicopter hangar into super suites
They will be suites with such commanding views that being in one will feel like being in a helicopter.
Which is fitting, since the space they will occupy originally was designed for a helicopter.
Luxury line Silversea Cruises on Thursday announced that it would add six super suites to the top of its new luxury expedition ship, Silver Endeavour, in a soaring space with a prime location that until now has housed a helicopter hangar.
To be installed during an overhaul of the vessel at a shipyard in April, the new accommodations will include two giant new master suites that measure more than 1,000 square feet and four slightly smaller signature suites — all with sweeping views.
New master suites
Facing the ship's wake with views in several directions, the two new master suites will measure a whopping 1,163 square feet. This doesn't include the massive balconies that measure 312 square feet.
The sprawling complexes will boast panoramic, vaulted glass walls that allow for stunning views in almost every direction. Interior space will include expansive living and dining areas, bedrooms with twin beds that convert into a king bed, a roomy bathroom with a walk-in shower and a separate whirlpool bath.
New signature suites
The four new signature suites will measure from 721 to 850 square feet and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with incredible views. Each suite will also feature a living room with more epic vistas, a dining area, and an adjoining bathroom with a large walk-in shower and whirlpool bath.
Each complex will have a balcony measuring from 167 to 269 square feet.
Both categories of suites are new for the ship, which was originally built with 100 cabins. In addition to single bedrooms designed to hold up to two passengers, suites will have convertible sofas in their living rooms to fit a third passenger.
Silver Endeavour originally was built as Crystal Endeavor, the first expedition ship for the ultra-luxury line Crystal Cruises. Debuting in 2021, Crystal Endeavor garnered praise from travel sites, including TPG, which called it the most luxurious ship ever for off-the-beaten-path cruising.
However, it only sailed for a few months before Crystal Cruises collapsed along with its parent company Genting Hong Kong after revenues plummeted. Revenues were massively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the related cruise industry shutdown.
Silversea bought the almost-unused vessel at a liquidation sale and has operated it for the last few months in Antarctica without major structural changes. With the Antarctica season now winding down, the line is moving forward with a significant overhaul of the vessel designed to make it even more luxurious than it was before.
In addition to the suites mentioned above — which will be at the top of the ship on Deck 8 — the overhaul will bring four new, 356-square-foot Classic Verandah Suites on Deck 5, where the ship's medical center is currently.
The medical center will move to a space on Deck 4 that housed a small casino when Crystal operated the ship. Silversea has not used the casino on the ship.
Removing the casino will also allow for the addition of four new crew cabins that will accommodate seven additional crew members. The additional crew members will include specialists for the ship's expedition team that will serve as guides and lecturers during visits to exotic locales, Silversea says.
In all, the additions will increase the number of passenger cabins on the ship from 100 to 110. The vessel's passenger capacity will rise from 200 to 220, and its crew cohort will rise from 200 to 207.
Crystal had designed the ship with hangars for two helicopters that would offer passengers epic tours above the ice in Antarctica and the Arctic. The ice-class ship was intended to spend most of its time in these two destinations.
However, the line never added the helicopters to the vessel because of financial troubles, and the hangars and an adjacent helicopter pad were never used.
Related: It's back! Iconic luxury line Crystal to restart sailings in July
Silversea executives said early on after buying the ship that they didn't plan to offer helicopter tours from the ship.
In addition to the new suites, the overhaul of Silver Endeavour will include the installation of handcrafted Lalique crystal panels in La Dame — the ship's signature French restaurant.
The ship's makeover will take place at a shipyard in Genoa, Italy, starting April 3 before the vessel's inaugural season in the Arctic. The ship's first Arctic sailing is scheduled to begin on June 3.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.