"We can actually own this market" says Silversea's Bettridge

By Tom Stieghorst

It has been five years since Silversea Cruises launched its first expedition ship, the Silversea Explorer. But in the last year it has stepped up the pace, launching the Silver Galapagos this month and announcing plans for a third ship, the Silver Discoverer, in 2014. In one fell swoop, that ship will add more than 150 destinations to the line's catalog. Ellen Bettridge, who arrived 18 months ago as Silversea's president of the Americas, talked about Silversea's expedition fleet with cruise editor Tom Stieghorst.

Q: Why has Silversea expanded into expedition cruising?

A: We've had our Silver Explorer for five years now, and we've had great success with her. She truly is an expedition ship, which has been what encouraged us to purchase the Silver Galapagos. Expedition cruising is just really hot right now, and especially when we can actually own this market, because we have that luxury twist. So we believe this is a great way to bring customers something that they're really asking for.

Read the full story: www.travelweekly.com/In-the-Hot-Seat/Silversea-Cruises-Ellen-Bettridge