Unique Experiences Await You on Controtempo, Silversea’s 2025 World Cruise
In conceptualizing the 2025 world cruise, Silversea wanted to do something never done before. Guests will fly to Japan in the winter, arriving in Tokyo just after the New Year, and spend the Lunar New Year in Asia, where it begins at the end of January. Spring in Scandinavia and the Baltics affords opportunities not possible in the busy summer months. Longer stays are scheduled in iconic destinations like Ha Long Bay, Vietnam and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It’s all about the unique experiences that exclusive travel, such as a 136-night world cruise, can offer.
But apart from the unusual itinerary, Silversea was determined to innovate by incorporating ultra-exclusive outings that belong to another level of the stratosphere.
The voyage — named “Controtempo,” which denotes a rhythmic contrast or counter beat — aims to surprise by adding an unexpected element that works in harmony with other components of the cruise’s offerings.
That means Bollywood will leap off the screen and land in front of a guest’s dinner table; that one of the most highly anticipated new museums in the world will welcome passengers as VIP guests; and that Marie Antoinette, the queen who went to the guillotine in 1793, “returns” to host a gala evening at Versailles.
Here are some of the special events and unique experiences on the 2025 World Cruise:
Finding serenity among UNESCO ruins in Vietnam
Feb. 1, 2025: Da Nang, Vietnam
The Cham are an ethnic group of Central Vietnam (and parts of Cambodia) heavily influenced by Indian culture; some are Muslim and some are Hindu, but they share some holidays. The My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam is a 1,600-year-old religious complex dedicated to a belief system that blends Islam and Hinduism. The tower temples are recognized as a UNESCO site because of its role as the ancient epicenter of political and religious activity for the Champa Kingdom.
Surrounding this sacred site are groups of intact monuments and views of the encircling mountains. Silversea guests will meet members of the Cham community for a guided tour through the ruins. After dusk, the ruins will be illuminated and guests will dine under the stars. The evening culminates with a performance of the traditional and sacred Cham Spiritual Ceremony.
Sipping a Singapore Sling overlooking Singapore
Feb, 7, 2025: Singapore
One of Singapore’s most iconic properties is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, a luxury resort complex in the pulsing heart of the city. This exclusive Silversea event welcomes guests to the SkyPark Observation Deck — 57 stories up — for a private cocktail reception overlooking such landmarks as the Gardens by the Bay, home to hundreds of thousands of plants; the Supertree Grove, where real and artificial plants light the night; and the marina.
The Singapore Sling, a fruity, gin-based pink drink that originated at the Raffles Hotel in the early 20th century, and other libations will flow as guests soak in the 360-degree views. Foods from local street vendors will be served, and dance performances alongside traditional songs will be set against this backdrop like no other.
Feasting and fantasizing at Bollywood Live in India
Feb. 23, 2025: Mumbai, India
Mumbai, India’s largest city and once known as Bombay, is a bustling financial center that’s also the soul of Bollywood, a portmanteau of “Bombay” and “Hollywood.” Hindi-language filmmaking is a global industry titan, outpacing Hollywood ticket sales at the beginning of the 21st-century and continuing to pick up steam.
Experience the colors, music and magic of an epic Bollywood tale at this dinner theater performance curated at an exclusive location for world cruise guests of Silversea. Guests will be showered with rose petals before they behold the elaborate costumes, sets and dance numbers of the country’s best-known form of storytelling, all the while dining on Indian specialties.
Traveling like a VIP with exclusive palace and museum visits in Egypt
March 8 and 9, 2025: Sukhna, Egypt
World cruise guests on Silversea’s 2025 voyage will leave the ship in the Egyptian city of Sukhna for a two-day adventure into Cairo, the Land of the Pharaohs. This comprehensive excursion through the capital city by the Nile allows guests to get up close to the Pyramids and other ancient sites on this small-group private tour. How close? We mean cocktails at the feet of the Sphinx.
VIP access to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, nearly 20 years in the making, gives guests a look at what is expected to be the largest archaeological museum in the world when it opens in mid-2024. Guests can wander one of the most comprehensive collections of Egyptian antiquities in existence, which will include the contents of King Tutankhamun’s tomb.
To cap off this unparalleled glimpse into history, Silversea passengers will experience a private tour of the 500-room Abdeen Presidential Palace. This lavish building, now a museum, was the seat of the Egyptian monarchy until 1952 when royal rule was abolished.
Attending a gala at Versailles hosted by Marie Antoinette
April 14 and 15, 2025: Rouen, France
With a reservation — or patience — almost anyone can take a tour of Versailles. But very few have attended a private event after-hours at the iconic 17th-century palace — and next to none can say they have time traveled to dine there with Marie Antoinette (okay, not quite her, but a reincarnation, if you will).
This gala, found nowhere else, invites guests to dance and eat cake as the last queen of France holds court in the hallowed halls of Versailles for an unforgettable evening. Guests will spend an overnight at a local hotel before heading back to the ship docked in Rouen or choosing some time in Paris.
Glorying in the flower fields of the Netherlands
April 17, 2025: Netherlands
The window to see the Keukenhof tulip garden is short, but Silversea has timed its call to the Netherlands to see the country in bloom.
A third-generation Dutch tulip grower will guide guests through the rainbow of flowers in their fields, explaining the process of cultivating these coveted bulbs. Then, those with tulip fever will head about 30 miles southwest of Amsterdam to Lisse and the more formal gardens of 80-acre Keukenhof.
Guests can expect plenty of time to wander the elaborate displays before heading to lunch at a local organic farm.
Starring as yourself in a custom photo exhibit in Sweden
April 29, 2025: Stockholm
Have you ever dreamed that you were the subject of an entire art exhibition? It’s your chance to be the muse at a one-of-a-kind event at Vinterviken or Winterviken, the factory that belonged to Alfred Nobel located just 15 minutes from Stockholm.
This pop-up gallery, “The World Through Our Eyes,” will offer a retrospective of the trip so far for guests on the 2025 World Cruise. Creative, emerging chefs of the region will serve an inventive meal and the soundtrack will be songs by Sweden’s one and only ABBA.
Reveling in a private concert by a beloved Boston ensemble
Before disembarking in New York, Silversea guests will have one final event to commemorate their incredible journey. The evening in Boston promises sweeping music as the backdrop to cruise memories and will take place fittingly on Memorial Day.
Before they’re left to reflect, guests of the 2025 world voyage will be serenaded in an 80-minute concert of global music orchestrated for Silversea. It promises to be a fitting grand finale for this Controtempo world cruise.
Curious about Controtempo and other global sailings? See all of Silversea’s world cruises to discover the unique experiences of exclusive travel by sea.