Luxury expedition cruise specialist Silversea made history with the first-ever cruise ship call to Bangladesh, when Silver Discoverer visited Maheshkhali Island.

Greeted by a colourful fleet of motorised rickshaws, guests explored an ornate temple and attended a welcoming ceremony of song and dance presented by local school children.

The three-day stopover in the country also included visits to Hiron Point, Charaputia, Harbaria and Kokilmoni.

Highlights for guests included explorations of the Sundarbans mangrove forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its population of Bengal tigers.

Silver Discoverer sailed again to Bangladesh last week on a 14-day voyage that continues this week with visits to several destinations in Myanmar.

“This is a major milestone in Silversea’s history that underscores our commitment to exploring some of the world’s most remote and secluded regions,” said Conrad Combrink, global head of expedition planning and strategic development.

“Our inaugural call in Bangladesh is just one example of the many once-in-a-lifetime adventures that can be enjoyed aboard our expedition ships, which sail to virtually every fascinating corner of the globe.”

Silversea’s four expedition ships, with just 50 to 128 suites, are designed to access remote destinations in luxury and comfort.

They provide an intimate and convivial on-board lifestyle where guests can feel at home as they explore hidden realms.

In true Silversea Expeditions style, guests are enriched by an on-board programme of destination lectures, photo presentations and daily recaps.

Exploratory Zodiac excursions and interactive walks ashore, led by experts in their field - marine biologists, ornithologists, geologists, botanists, historians, and anthropologists, are complimentary.