Ultra-luxe: Silversea cruises cater to top-hat tastes.

**Ally** · 04-28-2008, 12:20 PM

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You might not have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to sail on any of Silversea Cruises’ uber-luxe vessels, but it sure helps, especially since the average passenger on Silversea earns well over $200,000 per year and has a household net worth of more than $2 million.

That’s a rarified crowd, indeed, and a stimulus for the line to burnish its fleet even further for top-hat tastes. In addition to a new vessel in the wings, the 540-passenger, all-suite Silver Spirit slated for delivery in late 2009, Silversea is refurbishing the first two vessels that originally launched the line — the 296-passenger Silver Cloud, built in 1994, exiting drydock this November and its sister ship, Silver Wind, constructed in 1995, unveiling in May 2009.

According to Silversea’s president and CEO Amerigo Perasso, “These will be the most comprehensive construction and refurbishment initiatives ever undertaken” for the vessels. An exciting new venture for Silversea fans will come in the form of an expedition vessel: The line will launch its first expedition ship later this summer, the small, ice-class rated 132-passenger Prince Albert II, named in honor of Monaco’s royal.

Acquired as the World Discover II last September, Prince Albert II required an extensive multimillion-dollar facelift in Trieste, Italy, to bring it up to snuff. Refurbishment will include exterior design modifications, state-of-the-art technological enhancements and a comprehensive upgrade of all passenger accommodations and public spaces. Why this burst of activity at a time when most cruise lines are tightening their belts? Business is booming, explains spokesman Brad Ball. Flush with money, the line saw both a market for expansion and the need to reshape its current fleet of four.

“Silversea’s voyages have been selling out every year for the last couple of years,” says Ball. The line, he adds, “has experienced explosive growth in its international markets, particularly in Mexico and Brazil, as well as in new markets, such as Indian, Russian and Asian regions like Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.”

Though outsizing its siblings two to one in weight (36,000 tons compared to 16,800 for the Cloud and Wind), Silver Spirit will carry less than twice the number of passengers (540 versus 296). Consequently, despite its girth, there will be no compromises in luxury or pampering, says Manfredi Lefebvre, Silversea’s chairman.

For several years in a row Silversea has garnered acclaim by readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure for the line’s hallmark easy-going luxury, Italian hospitality, highly personalized service and all-inclusive amenities. Though Silver Spirit’s profile silhouettes that of the 384-passenger Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper, passengers can expect some novelties.

“There will be several significant enhancements,” Lefebvre notes, “including a new supper club, an Asian-themed restaurant and an expanded spa facility that will rival the best spas on land.”

The quarter-billion-dollar-plus vessel will feature many of the same public lounges found on the line’s existing ships, including an Observation Lounge, Vista Lounge, Show Lounge, Humidor and Pool Bar, but will add a new Lobby Bar styled along the lines of a European hotel, featuring Italian coffees complemented by champagne, wine and spirits — all served at no charge.

Refurbishing plans for both the Silver Cloud and Silver Wind call for major suite upgrades, including new bathrooms, carpets, flat-screen TVs and other appointments. Verandas will also be spruced up. Most dramatic of the structural upgrades, however, will be the addition of a new ocean-view spa and fitness center on Deck 9, a new Observation Lounge, and eight new large suites on Decks 7 and 8. The Lloyd’s Register 1A ice-rated vessel is also being outfitted with a new fleet of eight, latest-model Zodiac boats with Yamaha four-stroke engines (for lowest possible emissions) that will allow access to some of the world’s most remote landscapes.

For more details, visit Silversea Cruises or call 800-722-9955.

www.kansascity.com | 04/28/2008 | Ultra-luxe: Silversea cruises cater to top-hat tastes.