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Silversea Welcomes New Ship, Hints at Another Newbuild
Published on: December 22, 2009
Silversea Cruises President Amerigo Perasso dropped hints that the luxury line could build another new ship in the not-too-distant future. During a preview cruise on the new Silver Spirit, which was delivered on Dec. 16, Perasso said Silversea has experienced record weekly bookings since June. “By the time 2009 is over, we will have over 70 percent of next year’s revenue goals already on the books,” he said during a press conference. “Normally we’re happy to have 60 percent.” He noted that the line has a flexible option with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for a sister ship to the 36,000-ton, 540-passenger Silver Spirit. “Obviously we think our decision [to build Silver Spirit] was right, and in the future we will see more growth.” He added that European shipyards are eager for business after the economic slowdown of the last year and a half and are aggressively negotiating. “No decision will be made for several months, but we are very closely monitoring the situation,” he said.
Perasso and other executives welcomed European travel agents and trade press aboard the new Silver Spirit for a preview cruise from Monte Carlo to Barcelona. The ship boasts six restaurants, including two that charge a fee, along with an Art Deco décor with lots of burgundy and dark woods.
The ship’s official inaugural cruise will depart Dec. 23 from Barcelona to Lisbon. On Jan. 21, it will be christened in Fort Lauderdale and depart on its 91-day “Grand Inaugural Voyage” to 45 ports in 20 nations including Brazil, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Mexico. For more information, call 800-722-9955 or visit www.silversea.com.
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