TRAVELCruise ship tours: Silversea Cruises' Silver GalapagosBilled as the most luxurious expedition ship in the Galapagos, the 4,077-ton Silver Galapagos operates week-long sailings in the islands year-round.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYSilver GalapagosGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYAn array of fresh-baked deserts line the buffet at lunch at The Grill on the Silver Galapagos.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA staple of the the west coast of South America, ceviche is served daily during lunch on the Silver Galapagos at The Grill.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Silver Galapagos carries eight double kayaks for passengers to use during kayaking excursions.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Silver Galapagos carries wet suits, flippers and masks for passengers to use during snorkeling excursions.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Silver Galapagos has a central reception area located on Deck 3.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Silver Galapagos' front desk is manned 24 hours a day.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYLocated on Deck 2, The Restaurant is the ship's main eatery and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Restaurant offers a casually elegant style.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Restaurant offers plenty of seating for every passenger on the ship to dine at the same time.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYPiano BarGene Sloan, USA TODAYPiano BarGene Sloan, USA TODAYPiano BarGene Sloan, USA TODAYPiano BarGene Sloan, USA TODAYPiano BarGene Sloan, USA TODAYcoffee stationGene Sloan, USA TODAYA staircase leads down from the Piano Bar to the Explorer's Lounge.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYrear deckGene Sloan, USA TODAYrear deckGene Sloan, USA TODAYrear deckGene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Silver Galapagos also is home to a small library.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Silver Galapagos library is chock full of books about the Galapagos and Charles Darwin available to passengers.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Silver Galapagos has 50 cabins, all of which include a sitting area as well as a bed area.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe sitting area found in a Deluxe Veranda Suite on the Silver Galapagos. Other cabin categories offer similar sitting areas.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe bed area of a Deluxe Veranda Suite.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYCabins feature twin beds that can be converted into a queen.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYEvery cabin on the Silver Galapagos comes with binoculars for use during wildlife-watching excursions.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYSilver Galapagos cabins feature U.S.-style outlets.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe desktop area in Silver Galapagos cabins feature flat-screen televisions with on-demand movies and television shows available at no extra charge.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYSilver Galapagos passengers receive Silversea backpacks and water bottles upon arrival for use during excursions.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYLike other cabin categories, Deluxe Veranda Suites feature marble-lined desk areas.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYEvery Silver Galapagos cabin features a desk-top iHome.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYDeluxe Veranda Suites have two large armoire-like closets on either side of the entrance to the bathroom.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYCloset interiors have room for hanging clothes and a small drawer.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYRobes for passenger use are located in a closet area.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA third, smaller closet in Deluxe Veranda Suites has a personal safe and life jackets.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYSilver Galapagos cabins have newly renovated bathrooms featuring marble counters.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYCabin bathrooms have walk-in, marble-lined showers.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYSilver Galapagos bathrooms feature Makinti toiletries made in Ecuador.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYSilver Galapagos bathrooms also feature plush towels.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYDeluxe Veranda Suites feature a private, 68-square-foot balcony.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYTwenty-four of the Silver Galapagos' 50 cabins have balconies.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYSunset over the Galapagos Islands as seen from the balcony of a Silver Galapagos cabin.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYAs is typical during expedition-style cruises, passengers on the Silver Galapagos board motorized Zodiac rafts for daily landings in the Galapagos.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Silver Galapagos carries six motorized Zodiac rafts to shuttle passengers onto the rocky shorelines of the Galapagos.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYSilver Galapagos passengers during a "dry landing" from a Zodiac onto the Galapagos' Santa Cruz Island.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYSilver Galapagos passengers have the chance to kayak along the rugged coastline of the Galapagos' Rabida Island during the ship's week-long North Central itinerary.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYIt's not uncommon for swimming sea lions to approach Silver Galapagos passengers during kayak outings along the coast of the Galapagos' Rabida Island.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYSilver Galapagos passengers will see thousands of Sally Lightfoot Crabs during the span of a week-long cruise.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYSeveral glass cases with locally-made jewelry for sale are located on DeckGene Sloan, USA TODAYAn observation area is located on Deck 4 just in front of the Silver Galapagos' bridge.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYLife jackets used for kayaking outings are lined up to dry on a deck rail aboard the Silver Galapagos.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA hallway to cabins on Silver Galapagos.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA map of the Galapagos on Deck 4 is updated daily with the ship's movements.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYWalking sticks are available for passenger use during excursions.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Silver Galapagos carries four large lifeboats that are accessible via outside areas on Deck 5.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Silver Galapagos originally debuted in 1990 for the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYqGene Sloan, USA TODAYA Silver Galapagos buoy.Gene Sloan, USA TODAY