For the first time in its nearly 20-year history, a female captain is at the helm of a Silversea ship.

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises, which operates a fleet of six ships, has promoted Margrith Ettlin to the position of captain. A Swiss national with extensive maritime experience in remote regions, including the Arctic and Antarctica, Captain Ettlin assumed control of the 132-guest expedition shipSilver Explorer on 7 August in Reykjavik. Her first tour of duty as captain will extend into October.

Christian Sauleau, Silversea's executive vice president of fleet operations, said: "We're very pleased and proud to extend this promotion to Captain Ettlin. Although we're not the first cruise company to have a female captain, we hope Captain Ettlin's achievement will inspire other women to pursue careers at sea."

Prior to joining Silversea as a staff captain in March 2010, Captain Ettlin worked for Germany's F Laeisz shipping group. Her maritime career also includes nearly nine years as a staff captain with the German shipping company Hapag Lloyd.

About Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises, which is chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, is recognized as an innovator in the luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Explorer and Silver Galapagos (debuting late September 2013), Silversea Cruises' itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and over 500 fascinating destinations in between.