Silversea Cruises rented an entire island in the Philippines on February 10 to host a bespoke event for approximately 300 guests travelling aboard Silver Shadow.

Travellers journeying on Silversea’s South Side Story World Cruise 2023 enjoyed a cultural display on Kalanggaman Island. Two years in the making, the event showcased the talents of more than 500 residents of the Eastern Visayas region, from performers, hospitality professionals, and event planners to massage therapists, mixologists, and chefs.

Connecting with the local culture, Silversea’s guests were welcomed by traditional music and dance, refreshing cocktails, and assorted meriendas (light meals) of Filipino delicacies, as they disembarked Silver Shadow for the day of festivities. Wrapped in the island’s tropical beauty, guests strolled Kalanggaman’s sanded beaches, swam in its waters, relaxed in the shade of daybeds, and enjoyed complimentary massages on the beach. In the evening, travellers savoured a multi-course dinner featuring local specialities under the stars and a canopy of swaying palms. The event concluded with a colourful and lively dance performance.

“This once-in-a-lifetime experience took two years of planning and preparation, and we are grateful to the local community for their invaluable support,” said Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s SVP of expeditions, destination and itinerary management.

Barbara Muckermann, Silversea’s president and CEO added: “The added value of special World Cruise events like these is truly what sets Silversea apart.

“And we have more in store for our guests on this amazing 139-day voyage, from a bespoke Freddie Mercury tribute show staged at a historic fort in Zanzibar to an exclusive evening performance at the Manaus Opera House in the Amazon, complete with champagne and canapés, among other experiences. There is simply no better way to explore the world.”

Check out some pics of the day below:

Other events on Silversea’s South Side Story World Cruise 2023 include:

• Picton, New Zealand – Sauvignon Blanc at Sunset

A bespoke wine-tasting event at the Black Cottage Winery, Marlborough – accompanied by live music, a traditional Maori Kapa Haka performance, and a four-course dinner among the vines.

• Champagne Beach, Vanuatu – Authentic Dance Performances

Local communities from Vanuatu gather to perform dances for Silversea’s guests, as they swim in the turquoise waters, sip champagne at sunset, and explore the local market.

• Rabaul, Papua New Guinea – Fire Dancers of Melanesia

The Baining Fire Dancers of Melanesia perform spiritual dances for Silversea’s guests during an unforgettable evening, complete with local delicacies and refreshments.

• Ha Long Bay, Vietnam – An Evening in the Cave of Descending Dragons

Guests enter the lantern-lit Cave of Descending Dragons, the Ngu Dong Cave, for an evening of fine gastronomy and folklore.

• Zanzibar, Tanzania – An African Affair: Freddie Mercury

Held at the Mtoni Palace, one of Zanzibar’s oldest buildings, this evening of entertainment focuses on a tribute to Freddie Mercury, with a four-course meal and regional cocktails.

• Cape Town, South Africa – Game that Made a Nation

Travellers will enjoy an afternoon of rugby at Hamilton Rugby Club, with an abridged screening of ‘Invictus’, a traditional braai experience, and evening entertainment.

• Manaus, Brazil – Music, Magic & Magnificence

An operatic performance at the Manaus Opera House, nestled in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, with a private cocktail reception.

• Mayreau, St. Vincent – Your Private Caribbean

A private beach party on Mayreau Island with a performance from a Big Drum dance troupe, cocktail reception, and flame grilled barbeque.

• St. John’s, Antigua – A World Class Farewell

By private invitation with the seal of the Governor General, guests will conclude the World Cruise 2023 with a bespoke evening at the Governor’s official residence in St. John’s.

Silversea’s 132-day ‘Far East-West’ World Cruise 2024 will see guests journey throughout the Pacific, incorporating some of the planet’s most extreme destinations. Guests will depart San Francisco aboard Silver Shadow on January 15, 2024, before calling in 65 destinations across 14 countries.

Silver Dawn’s 136-day ‘Controtempo’ World Cruise 2025 will depart Tokyo for New York on January 13, 2025, unlocking some of the world’s most iconic and off-the-beaten-path destinations during unconventional seasons, with immersive experiences that introduce local people and the most compelling stories. Guests will journey to 59 destinations in 30 countries, across four continents.