If you've been on a cruise, you know it's anything but ordinary. Each cruise line has something special to offer, visiting exciting ports of call while providing phenomenal service, accommodations, dining and a wide variety of activities both on and off the ship. If you are looking for something more, a wonderful alternative to these “ordinary cruises” is a theme cruise.

Silversea Cruises is offering a new series of 25 "Elegant Explorations" for 2007 and 2008. The special collection offers new extended voyages ranging from 27 to 69 days. These are all-inclusive extended escapes  suited to guests who have the time to indulge their wanderlust and want to do so in luxury and comfort.  Highlighting the program are savings incentives and onboard spending credits of $500 per suite (based on double occupancy) for guests sailing 44 to 65 days and $1,000 per suite for guests sailing 66 to 109 days.

Complimentary business-class air upgrades are also available with the purchase of the optional air program on voyages of 50 or more consecutive days. Following is a sampling of Elegant Explorations and the current best-available starting fares, which are cruise-only rates, based on double occupancy: Silver Cloud, July 30, 39 days from Venice to Istanbul, $25,068; Silver Whisper, Nov. 4, 62 days from Venice to Sydney, $26,716; Silver Whisper, Jan. 19, 40 days from Auckland to Singapore, $19,588; and Silver Shadow, May 16, 2008, 27 days from Fort Lauderdale to Vancouver, $11,331.