Cruise Ship Sets Sail to Visit All Seven Continents

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. embark / ɛmˈbɑrk / (v) – to begin a journey by getting on a ship, boat, or airplane
    Example:

    The couple embarked on a ship and traveled to Europe.


  2. acclaim / əˈkleɪm / (v) – to be praised for something enthusiastically
    Example:

    The book is acclaimed for its exciting plot and interesting characters.


  3. voyage / ˈvɔɪ ɪdʒ / (n) – a long journey or travel, usually by sea
    Example:

    The ship’s captain would always keep souvenirs from his voyages.


  4. stock / stɒk / (v) – to fill something with food, drink, or supplies
    Example:

    Betty’s refrigerator is stocked with vegetables and fruits.


  5. sample / ˈsæm pəl / (v) – to taste a little of something
    Example:

    Whenever my family’s on vacation, we would always sample some local dishes.


Article

Read the text below.

The Silver Whisper ship has embarked on a journey around the world to visit all seven continents.


Silversea Cruises, which owns the Silver Whisper ship, is acclaimed for its luxury cruise ships designed for few guests and its personalized service. The company boasts of 9 cruise ships that travel to 900 locations worldwide. According to Silversea, this latest luxury voyage is the company’s most immersive cruise because of its wide array of offerings.


The ship departed from Florida, United States, last January, and it will arrive in Amsterdam, its last stop, in May.


Called the Legends of Cruising, the cruise will visit 62 locations in 32 different countries and will take 140 days to complete. Cruise fares start at $62,000 and rise depending on the cabin and accommodation placement. Each of the ocean-view rooms includes amenities, such as a 24-hour dining service, a butler, and a bar stocked with guests’ preferred drinks.


The most expensive cruise ticket includes round-trip business class airfares, pocket money, laundry services, and unlimited Wi-Fi among others.


The luxury cruise offers 33 offshore experiences, including a world-renowned ballet performance in South America, a musical in North America, and a four-course lunch in Asia. Guests can also enjoy a candlelit dinner in a desert in Africa, visit churches and museums in Europe, and see penguins, seals, and other animals in their natural environment through an inflatable boat tour in the Antarctic Peninsula.


The cruise also offers a cocktail program that lets guests sample and recreate drinks from various regions they visit. Guests will learn the tradition and history behind each drink, all of which incorporate local ingredients.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Would you take part in the Legends of Cruising tour around the world? Why or why not?
• What do you think makes cruises different from other vacation activities? Why?

Discussion B

• If you were to create your own cruise itinerary, which countries would you go to, and what activities would you include? Explain.
• What would be the selling point of your cruise itinerary (e.g. visit all countries, visit all continents)? Discuss.